Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-11-25
HEADQUARTERS 5Tu N. c. REGIMENT,

Near STRAUSBURG, Va, Nov. 14th, 1862.
GovERNOR:-l have, this day, rendered to the
Adutant General of the Confederate States the re-
sgnation Of my commission received from the Gov
ernor Of North Carolina as Colonel of the 9th Regi-
ment Of her State Troops.
am constrained to do so, because, consistently
with my sense of dignity and selfrespect, can no
longer serve the government of the Confederate
States.
have now been in the service about nineteen
months. With the exception Of about twenty-five
days, sick, have never been absent from the post
Of duty. | have served under several commanders,
and have neCer, in single instance, encountered
reproof My division commander, Major General
Hill, endorses upon my resignation, in substance
~ have three times recommended Col. McRae for
promotion. North Carolina has furnished more
troops and has fewer general officers than any other
State. l approve Col. McRae's resignation, be-
leving that his selfrespect require it."
Lieut.. General Longstreet ard Brig. Gems. Early
and Rhodes, under all of whom have served and
all of whom are familiar with my conduct, have re-
commended me in terms Of compliment, of which
am justly proud and there is not officer of any
grade in my division who does not freely concede
to me claim to promotion. My regiment has en-
dured hardships-suffered privations performed Ia
bors, executed marcheS-been exposed to peril, and
rendered service equal to any, Its actual loss in
single engagement while obeyng immediate orders,
is not surpassed, proportionatey. Wherever it
has encamped it has been remarked for its orderly
and honest department 1t has constantly received
the approval Of general officers for its prompness
and fidelity in responding to every call The pub
lie journals Of the enemy's countryside diaries of
prominent officers found on battle fields and pri-
ya;e letters Of other distinguished officers Of the
army of the enemy addressed to officers of my reg
iment have contributed valuable testimony to its
brave and gallant conduct in the fight.
So long as it retained the material element which
had the honor to form and train, it altered
claim, in some degree the reflection of the lustre
1t has shed upon the State Much Of the time have
been in the service, have commanded the brigade
This the in all the hard trials of the retreat
from ManasSas-in the exposed service in the
trenches at Yorktown, and in that retreat; in the
battles IN Maryland and since that period. At the
battle Of South MountsIn this brigade, though iso-
lated from all support numbering scarce thous-
and, opposed by force of sixteen regiments, hav-
ing all the advantages of position, held the enemy
in check for four hours; the fire of one regiment
the 23d, killing the commanding General, Reno
that of another the Goth, killing the enemys can
noneers and compelling the abandonment of his
guns whilst third, the 18th, under Lieut.. Col
Rufin thrice cut its way through the enemys lines
with desperate determination. Gen. Hill, learn,
applauds that fight of the best Of the war.
Yet on several occasions, have been compelled
to junior officers promoted over me officers
who had not and have not yet seen battle. Short
ly after the battle of Seven Pines" State brigades
were organized. Generals Fender and Anderson
were promoted and assigned to North Carolina bri-
gades, while tho brigade i'll which was senior Col
onel, assigned to the command of General Gar
land of Virginia. l refrained from resignng then,
because of the impending conflicts around Rich
mon6, yielding to the earnest solicitation of both
Generals Hill and Garland.
Since that time Gen. Garland has made the most
favorable mention of my conduct in the field, and
Gen. Hill has renewed the recommendation for my
promotion. The appointment of Brigadier to this
command has Just been announced in the person of
Col Alfred Iverson, Of Georgia, who, since his en-
tering on active service last summer, has been my
Junior in the brigade, and for the last two months
under my command. | could not consent that
Junior officer in my command should be pro-
NOTED to command me, when no allegation is made
of my unfitness unworthiness.
But severe as is the trespasS upon the individual
pride of North Carolina officers who have lately been
obliged to submit to the promotion in several in
stances of citizens of other States to the command
of brigades exclusively North Carolinian the sur
upon the State is broader, and demands the resent
ment of her sons in the only mode they can mani
fest it. In the spirit of an earnest protest against
this injustice, individual, and to my State, resign
my commission.
1 do not wish, however, to be idle so long as the
footsteps of the invader press soil. If your
Excellency can make my services available in any
capacity hOwerer subordinate, they are freely ten
dered-in any service which will not subject me to
a renewal of wrong
l have felt bound to communicate to you, Gov
ernor, the reasons which have impelled me to sur
render commission | especially cherished because
of the magnanimty accompanying its bestowment
by your predecessor, Gov. Ellis. In order to be
Just to myself, l have been obliged to dwell more
upon the subject than my incnatIons would prompt.
shall very shortly file in the Adt Generals Office,
complete narrative of the part borne by the 9TH
in the events Of the war; together with list of its
officers and men, the fate of those dead and the
whereabouts of the survivors.
have the honor to be, Governor,
Your ob't serv't