Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-07-05
For the Standard,
CAMP 24TH REG. y. G. Troops,


(Near Ricdmond, Tu.,) June 81, 60
Mr.. EDITOR - As it might interest portion of
your readers to hear from the 9th regiment pro-
pose to give you statement Of what we have been
doing for the past three days. On the night of the
24th we arrived within the Richmond lines much
fatigued clothes well saturated-havng passed
through heavy shower of rain, andhaving left our
tents in Petersburg, bivouacked for tie night At
about eight o'clock the following morning, the long
roll respectfully invited us to fall in which was
soon completed. The regiment was then put in
motion, and after having gone about two miles were
halted for further orders We were then ordered
forward to support a Louisiana battalion which was
being slowly and reluctantly driven back by large
~ superior force Our line under fire,
and an advance commenced by companies COM
mencing on the right, Col. Clarke leading Steadi-
ly each company forwarded through an open field,
until a scope OF woods gained, on each side of
which barren field, the LouisianianS having
been driven from these woods. In this advance,
though not gun had been fired by us, few men
fell from the well directed Minnie balls from the
Yankee Sharp>hooterS, portion of Sickles' brigade
The first two right companies having been deplOyed
as SkirmiSherS under the immediate supervision of
the COOnei-the remainder of the regiment gained
the outer skirt of tie woods and, for the first time
in position to fire with effect. Lying fat on our
faces, and occasionally firing whenever the enemy
could be SEEN which very seldom, we received
a brisk shower Of builetS-takng but little effect
however, they passed over From the time
commenced advancing a battery of two guns
with rife cannon ball played upon US, passing over
with their dcathly shricks, doing no damage-but
if ever ground was Rugged by men, it was done on
that day. AbOut four o'clock in the evening, the
Colonel ordered to charge the battery, which
had advanced that could distinctly hear
the officers giving command to load and fire; we
could also hear them ramning. The battery would
have to be charged through open field under fire
of at least two brga,!eS The Colonel now passed
down the line very calmly, cheering his men
knowing he did that very few would ever sur
vive the charge but confident he would take it, as
his determined cOuntenancc w0a!d fully show
But at this juncurc of affrirS two OF our field pieces
up taking position on our left, and half a
dozen shots from guns Silenced the Yankee bat
terry, and had them skedIddling. Our battery fired
with much accuracy than the Yankees, and
its report much more pleasant to u.s. The or
der to charge then countermanded, as the Yam
KEGS had withdrawn. have not the slightest doubt
hut that the battery could have been taken, but the
loss of life would have made it too dear purchase.
The engagement lasted from ii o'clock till dark
Our loss was , killed and Z wounded. Though our
list of casualties is small in ratio to the other reg
mentS engaged with us, yet we gained the position
we were sent to take, held it, and now hold it.
This is the first time, though in service over II
months that the travelling, peaceful, gallant, dash
ing and bloody 24t!: has snlclt gunpowder.-
W nat was ELECTED by our lire is not knoWh-tWo
field officers were seen to fall and it generally
believed that the cncmy'S loss was considerable.
The officers and men acted very coolly, and TO the
satisfaction of our General, who complmented the
regiment very highly. 1t was feared by some that
Col. Clarke would be too daring and mpetuOss on
the battlefield but the cool and determined man.
ner in which he mannuvred his regiment under
fire won the admiration and entire confidence of his
followers. This, in my opinion, accounts for our
small loss. A heavy firing is going to the left,
and general engagement is looked for
hope that the 9th will sustain itself well as
it did in the last engagement and as all North Car
olinians have done in this dreadful contest. Could
you see the large number of men from our brave
old State around here, you would come to the con-
cluson that North Carolina is doing her. duty, al
though very little is said about it. CUPID.