Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-07-05
Our Brave Southern Troops.


Our Brave Southern Troops.
We have steadily maintained from the beginning
of this war; that fighting in such cause as ours is,
and to secure such ends as the Southern soldiers
propose to accomplish, there no troops on earth
their equals-certainy mono their superiors in cour
age, endurance and seEsacrifce The idea which
has prevailed among many Of the West Pointers,
that our volunteer troops were not to be trusted,
and that men must become the mere slaves and au-
donations OF military power before they can be re-
lied upon, has had most damaging effect upon
our prospects hitherto A few months ago, scarce
ly a West Point graduate in the army could be
found, who believed that it was safe. to trust our
undisciplined troops to receive or make charge
it ought to be done. Gen. Price had proven them
In Missouri, and in few instances at other points
they had been tried but it remained for the intrepid
jackson liz the Valley, and the fierce contest on the
Peninsula and around Richmond, to demonstrate it
beyond cavil. No troops in the world have shown
greater aacrity, skill and ntrepdity charge bay
oRet, than our Southern troops have done on the
Chickahominy and in these fearful encounters
North Carolinans have been conspicuous
The charges Of the Confederate troops at the ia
king of McClellan's Notifications. at Esons and
Gaines Mills, have not been excelled any where.
The Dispatch, describing the affair at Gaines
Mills, says
advancing cautiously but rapidly in the skirt
of woods and in the dips to the left, Wilcox and
Pryor deploycd their men into line of battle
FeatherStone being in the rear-and suddenly ap-
pearing on the plateau facing the timber covered
HILL rushed down into the wide gully, crossed it,
clambered over all the fclled timber, stormcd the
timber breastworks beyond it. and began the ascent
of the HILL under terrific fire Of sharpsnooers and
an Incessant discharge Of grape and canister, from
pieces posted on the brow of the HILL and from bat
terieS in their camps to the rig hJ on the high fiat
lands. Such a position was never stormed before.
In descending into the deep creek, the infaDtry and
artillery fire that aSSaed the three brgades was the
most terrific record Twenty-six pieces were
laundering at them, and perfect haistorm of lead
fell thick and fast around them. One Of Wilcox's
regiments wavered,-down the General rushed,
furiOuSly, sword in hand and threatened to behead
the first that hcsitated. Pryor steadily adj
vanccd, but sl)wly and by the time that the three
brigadeS had stormed the position, passed up the
hill through timber and felled trees, Feather
stone was far in advance. Quickly the Federals
withdrew their pieces and took up fresh position
to aSSa the three brgades advancing in perfect line
of battle from the woods and upon the plateau
Officers had no horses, all were shot-Brigaiers
marched on foot sword in hand, Regiments were
commanded by Captains, and companies by Ser
geants yet onward they rushed, with yellS and
cOlorS flying and back ard, still backward fell the
FederalS their men tumbng every moment in
scores"
The Examiner says that in this charge Gen. Pen
ders brigade composed mostly of North Carolinians,
bore Curious part. The Dispatch further re-
marks -
much hos been said ofrepeated charges" made,
and "repu!Ses." Wild maginations have concocted
many such foolish reports. There was but one
charge" ami from the moment the word of COM
mand was given" fix bayonetS-forward" our
advance never stopped despite the awful recep-
ton which met It. 1t is true that or two regi
ments became confused in passing The deep
ditch abattiS and timber earthwork-it is also true
that several slipped from the ranks and to the
rear, but in many cases these were wounded men
but the total number of "stragglers" would not
amount to more than one hundred. This is strict
Ly true, and rebounds to our immortal honor"
Our men fight we'll even in the absence of their
commanding officers. If General, Colonel or
other officer falls, the light still goes Leuten-
ants, Sergeants and COrpoyals Immediately rally to
the charge.
A correspondent of the Richmond Wing graphi-
cally describes the part the gallant Gen. Pcketts
Virginia brigade bore in this bloody charge. While
advancing amid the thick hail Of death-mssles from
the enemy's guns, men falling on every hand, the
gallant brigade wavered for a moment when Lieut.
Holland of the 2Sth Va, seized his regmental flag,
and shouted, "On, men--to stay here is death!'-
At this moment, others shouted Onward" Ion
ward" and soon the flag waved in triumph over
the first line of the enemy But to hold this, the
second had to be taken, and on they went, Chamber
ing over the greatest impedIments, while battery
of eight pieces Of the enemy was belching out death
in continuous voley. The regiments were
broken the brigades were mixed up, no General or
field officer was upon the ground, but to stay there
death. Lieut. Stewart OF the same regiment
shouted "Boys! let Us take that battery
agreed! agreedr' shouted numbers, and spring
ing forward over an open space Of 400 yards, cx-
posed to the battery, they pushed on and captured
nearly every piece at the point of the bayonet
But here this galan: band met new and more
gallant foe regiment of U. s. dragons charged
them in gallant style, but our boys fell into line
and steadily waited till the dragons within 40
yards, when they opened upon them, and the line
of dead men and horses now lying on that bloody
field but too plainly atteStS the deadneSs of their
aim. One bold fellow charged up to within few
feet of Sergeant Lee color bearer of the 28th, and
impudcntly cried out, Surrender that flag sill"
"With my life only" said Lee bringing the spear
of the flag staff to a charge. At this moment Cor
porals Eakin and Boon, of the color guard fired
the bold fellow and brought him from the saddle
All honor to our brave boys. Let their names
be engraven upon the rock with the point of dia-
mond never to be effaced.
ANOTHER FALSE CHARGE.-The Charlotte Demo-
crat says it has treason to believe" that combi-
nation has been formed between Col Vance and
oursel to the effect THAT his friends would support
Mr. Holden for Senator next Fall, in the place of