The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-07-29

Col. VANCE AND THE BATTLE OF NEWBERN.-
The last Standard contains Col Vances official report OF
the battle of Newbem; The STANDARD, in short and
very preface, calls upon those who have said that
Col Vance twas in the fight to ''cover their
faces" Now, have sad that Col Vance twas
not in the fight but say that while Col.
Vances regiment was technculy speaking in the battle
of Newborn, but portion of it was in the actual
eight" That portion tie left, under the gallant
and lamened Major Carmichael, and with this portion
of the regiment Colonel Vance 00s not, for his report
proves that he knew nothing of its operations until
" information brought to me by Capt. T. j. Gary,
my Quartermaser who barely escaped with his life in
getting that the enemy in great force had turned
my left by the railroad track at Woods Brick Yard
had pillaged my camp, were firing in reverse on my
left wing and were several hundred yards up the rail-
road between me and Newborn; also, that all the
troops the field in full retreat except my COM
mand. This being So there was alternative left me
but to order immediate Retreat or to be completely
surrounded by overwhelming force" After this
there fight" according to COL Vance, the
retreat commenced and kept up might and day
until Kinston reached. Col. Vance speaks in his
report of the enemy being driven back by steady
and well directed fire from (his) lines" for they
were the lines" of Col. Fance's regiment but Col.
Vance himself not IN these "lineS," his report
proves We have read Col. Vances report three times
carefully, and say that while Col Vance, with
his regiment. in the battle of Newborn, he himself
not where the actual fighting carried n.
What becomes of the assertion that Col V. re-
manned fighting the field two hours after Gen.
Branch had left it Will the Editor of the Stand
ard "cover his face" with shame? No, he will not, for
his political profgacy is only equalled by his utter
ShameesSneSs.
The Report of Col. Vance, we are glad to say. does
justice the young and gallant Lieutenant Colonel,
Harry Burgwyn, who was the last man to cross the
creek the retreat thus manuly covering the
which Col Vance, according to his report, led in per-
he being among the first to and aid in fcil
tang the crossing of his soldiers only three of whom
were drowned.
In conclusion, we should like to know how Col.
Eance'S Report came into the hands of the Raleigh
Standard at this particular juncture, more than four
months after it written and just the of the
election On inquiry, find that it was not furnished
by the Governor of the authorities here, and
man can for an instant suppose that Gen. Branch
furnished it to the Standard Can it be possible that
IA military man" 'tpoliical ~ Colonel, would
send, be published for the first time in partizan
newspaper now supporting him candidate for the
highest office in the State "offcal account OF his
regiments transactions nsuch battle that of New
bern? 1t would be strange if it So and yet,
strange it is, we believe it is so-Raleigh Register
Mr. Vance, instead of sending his report Governor
Clark as other North Carolina Colonies have done,
sends it to the Standard for publication, for party pur
poses Mr. Vance his position soldier to help
secure his election The Standard concocts stories
of Vance's exploits which have foundation in
the editors imag ination. And some time ago when
took occasion to deny the Standards big tales and
show that Col. Vance did nothing extra Newborn,
not as much hundreds of privates falsely
accused of calling Col Vance coward Gea. Branch,
as brave North CarOlinan entered the SER
vice. has been denounced and abused by Vance's
friends but if the least thing said about Mr. Vance
that not burdened with praise the papers which
supporting him Mortified and begin howl at
terrible Why didn't they show of their in
dgnation when Gen. Branch and other North Carolina
officers unjustly assaed? The reason is, Col.
Vance was their candidate for Governor.
We do wish to deprive Col Vance of one particle
of credit which he is justly entitled to, but
opposed to "pufing" him above all other officers and
privates who in the field, and who have moro
service than he has, and who begging for re-
ward before the is closed.