The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-04-29
THE LATE FIGHT AT YORKTOWN

A correspondent of the Petersburg Express
gives the following account of the fight at York
| town week before last, in which the 18th n. C.
Regiment took prominent part
On Wednesday afternoon about three O'Clock
the 18th North Carolina Regiment were in their
quarters, with arms stacked and picket throw n
in advance on the edge of marsh which separa-
ted our line from the enemy. The men were
lying about miScellaneousiy in their bivouac<,
listening to the mutual csnnonadIng which
has been going from both sides for the
past week, when suddenly they aroused to
sense Of their danger by the driving in Of our
pickets by the enemy, who made a bold and
desperate charge, waning up to their waists in the
dam, and 50 unexpected the assault, that they
had almost succeeded in getting to our breast
| works. Before the line of the 18th North Caro-
lima could be formed, and whilst forming, they
were fired upon by the Sd Vermont and another
Yankee regiment, when Colonel Mckinney
ordered charge, nobiy leading his men, with
sword waving in the air, and cap in hand,
and had nearly repused the foe, when he was
shot down. The death of Col. NJ caused mo-
mentary panic. of which the enemy took adj
vantage, and with large endorsements endeavored
to flank them on the left; bat nerving themselves
with desperation to avenge the loss of their much
beloved leader, they obstinatey retained their
hurried to their assistance, aud who with yell
that made the wckn ring, at the point of the bayo-
net drove the enemy before them their SIX hiking
places. strewing the marsh with their killed and
wounded. Whilst the 18th North Carolina and
7th Georgia were engaging the enemy above the
I'd Louisiana was holly engaged below with two
HeSsian regiments, who made the same effort to
cross the dam at that point and were CALAMITY re-
Pulsed three or four times by the Louisianians
The ankces with their thirteen pieces of heavy
ordnance, attacked our battery at the dam; in the
meantime, ten of their regiments being deployed
IN held only short distance from the conflict,
desperately charged our breast works All their
| efforts were signally frustrated. They fought with
courage, well worthy OF better cause, aud as
vacuum was made in their ranks by the death
dealing shells. they would close it up only to re-
new the fight with more desperate courage-ulauy
of the Sd Vermont charging even up 10 our
| breastworks where they fell, deluded martyrs to
unhoiy cause. The fight lasted until sunset
10 the 18th North Carolina, there were fifteen
killed and thirty wounded Among the former
Col Mckinney. In the 9TH Georgia there are
two killed and four wounded In the I'd Louisi-
! ana there two killed aud seven wounded
The guns of our batteries we're struck several
times, but ia casualties occurred from this cause.
Of the enemy ! can truthiully say two hundred
were killed, many of whom still lying in the
swHmps where the engagement took place, uu-
buried and uncared for, as the enemy asked no
privilege t" remove them, aud any attempt on our
side would be prevented by the deadly fire kept up
by the Yankee sharrshooters. The groans III the
wounded could be heard distinctly on the My hit of
the battle, where they lay among the dead, unable
10 remove themselves, with the exception OF .ome
FIVE who managed to crawl to our side and ask Tor
protection.
The foregoing information, Mefsrs Editors, is
reliable, as gather it from gentleman who yisi-
ted the scene of the engagement the day after,
especially to get truthful statement
The enemy still heavily fortifying them
selves at the late of attack, and in fact all
over the Peninsula. When the great battle viii
come off no predict, but We have all
nerveG ourselves to the conclusion that it win be
one of the most desperate of the war.
Brig Gems J G Breckenridge and Hindman have
been appointed Major Generals, and Capt Jack
Morgan appointed Colonel