Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-11-26
Resignation of Col. d. X. McRae.


McRae to Gov. Vance, will surprise many The
reasons he gives for the step are such to satisfy
his friends and the public. If devotion to the cause,
unblenching courage hard service and hard fighting
entite man to promotion, surely COL McRae has
mcrited it,
HEADQUARTERS 5TH N. G. REGIMENr,l
Near STRAUsBURG, Va, Nov. l4th, 1862
GovERNoR:-I have, this day, rendered to the
Adutant General of the Confederate States, the re-
signation Of my commission received from the Gov
ernor of North Carolina as Colonel of the 9th Regi-
ment Of her State Troops.
ain constrained to do so, because, consistently
with my sense of dignity and self.respect, 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 reslg haton, in substance
promotion. North Carolina has furnished more
troops and has fewer general officers than any other
State. l approve Col. McRae's resignation, be-
lieving that his sclfrespect require it."
Lieut. General Longstreet and Brig. Gems. EARLY
and Rhodes, under all Of whom have served, and
all Of whom familiar with my conduct, have re-
commended me in terms Of compliment, of which l
am justly proud; and there is not an officer of any
grade in my division who does not freely concede
to me claim to promotion. My regiment has en-
dured hartships-suffered privatons, performed la
bors executed marches-been exposed to peril, and
rendered service equal to any. Its actual loss in
single engagement, while obeylng immediate orders,
is not surpassed, proportionately. 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 promp.ness
and fidelity in responding to every call. The pub
lie journals Of the eneIny's country-the diaries of
prominent officers found on battle fields, and pr-
vate letters of other distinguished officers of the
army Of the enemy, addressed to officers of my reg
ment, have contributed valuable testimony to its
brave and gallant conduct in the fight.
So long it retained the material element which
had the honor to form and train it never 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 Mountain, this brigade though so-
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 2Oth killing the encmys can
noneers and compelling the abandonment of his
guns; whilst third, the 18th, under Lieut.. Col.
Rufin, thrice cnt its way through the enemys lines
with desperate determination. Gen. Hill, | learn,
applauds that fight as of the best of the war.
Yet, on several occasions, have been compelled
to see 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 Pender and Anderson
were promoted and assigned to North Carolina bri-
gades, while the brigade in which was senior Col
onel, was assigned to the command of General Gar
land of Firginia RETAINED from resigning then,
because of the impending conflicts around Rich
monG Welding 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 Br;gadier 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. l could not consent that a
Junior officer in my own command should be pro-
NOTED to command Inc, when no allegation is made
of my unfitness or 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 aronian, the slur
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.
l do not wish, however, to be idle so long as the
footsteps of the invader press our soil. If your
Exce!lency can make my services available in any
capacity houerer subordinate they are freely ten.
dered-in any service which will not subject me to
a renewal of wrong.
have felt bound to communicate to you, Gov
ernor, the reasons which have impelled me to sur
render commission especially cherished because
of the magnanimity accompanying its bestowment
by your predecessor, Gov. Ellis. In order to be
Just to myself, have been obliged to dwell more
upon the subject than my inclnatlons would prompt
shall very shortly file in the ADJ: Generals Office
a complete narrative of the part borne by the 18th
in the events Of the war, together with list of its
officers and men, the fate of those dead, and thu
whereabouts of the survivors.
have the honor to be, Governor,
Your ob't serv't,
D. K. McRAE,
NJ AT