Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-03-19
LET JUSTICE BE DONE!

Mr.. EDITOR viii you allow an humble reader of
your valuable paper-one who has been in service
for the past ten monthS-to say few words in be-
half of the gallant that have gone forth to meet
the invading foe from the Old North State. One
unacIuainted with the facs of the different engage
ments and the numerous victories achieved by the
Confederate troops, would, from the many ncwspa-
per accounts Of said engagements come to the con-
clusion that none participated in them but Virgin
ianS! Why is this? 1t IS unjust and unpatriotic
to say the least of it. Why could not these cores
pondents give honor to whom honor was due? Was
not NorthCarolina well represented by brave hearts
and stout arms in the memorable battle of 2lst Ju-
ly? Certainly she was but her gallan: sons were
hardly mentioned! Who fought the first battle and
ICON the first victory in struggle for indepen-
dence? Why, with the exception of single CON-
pany, (the Richmond llowtzers, North Carollnians
fought and won it at Bethel! This cannot be de-
MED Were not North Carolinans at Big Sewel
Rich Mountain and Leesburg? If we mistake not,
there uere but, alas! they were not mentioned by
the paid correspondents of certain papers.
Again: was there but Virginia soldiers at
Roanoke Island! To read the many accounts from
the Virginia press, enc would really suppose that
such was the case But on the other hand, we are
assured that North Carouans were in the thickest
Of the fght.rst on the field aud tho last to leare
1t! In fact, It was Capt Lilies company from An
son. and Capt. Knights company from Martin coun-
ties that first engaged and drove back too full regi
ments of the enemy. These brave Carolinans be-
longed to the 3lst regiment n {. volunteers, under
that gallant leader, Col j. V. Jordan, who proved
himself equally as heroic as the lamentcd Captain
Wise-so also did Captains Lilies and Knight and
the brave men under their respective commands were
worthy Of better fate than that which befe them.
Why, then, was not portion Of the heroic conduct
awarded them? Was it because they were unwor-
thy of its That cannot be- for their strong arms
and tplt NIL 81
OF Virgnians! In the future, We would remind
such correspondents to
"Be just and fear not;
LIE: all the ends thu aim st at
BE thy eountrys, thy Gods and truths"
In word, it was the brave North arolinans
that proclaimed their willingness to die for the
! they held so dear before they would surrender the
Island and it was North. Carolinian who exclaim-
ed, when the white flag was about to be raised
"Jor COTS sake do not raise it," They had just
been reinforced, and if they could not have even
tually gained the victory they had the consolation
of knowing that they would have sent several hum
dred more of the Yankees to their long homes and
it was they who were willing to risk the conse.
! ouences. But that is not ALL After the surrender
] there could be found but sir nuSkets in Captain
knights company to fall in the hands of the enemy
the Others being broken against trees in their re-
treat end the remaining six being those belonging
to the sick who were in their quarters. Such then,
is sample Of the heroic conduct of our own Caro-
Ira braves, who was not mentioned in the many
Virginia accounts Of the battle at Roanoke Island.
NortbCarolnians are entitled to some of the glo-
ry in the struggle for independence and it but
shows malicious spirit in the breasts of those who
would seek to give all the credit to favored few.
We should all have the same spirit and the same
mind in this struggle. No is entitled to more
praise than another, and while We would not pluck
single laurel from the brow of any one, yet we
say that there are, both officers and men, Tou other
States who have proved themselves equally as brave
and daring as those from the old Dominion, and are
In humble opinion entitled to just as much
praise But in writing this, Mr.. Editor, are not
led by any selfish motive 1t is for the good of our
cause that has drawn forth these remarks from one
who is in the service for if that spirit is maintained
by certain class OF our citizens it will eventually
bring about denoraizlng effect among troops O
other sister States.
In conclusion, permit me to say that we should
all act together and fight together in this struggle
Letvain praise be forgotten and in the end when ou
independence shall have been proclaimed through
out the world, will find that we will be together
still as free and happy people with no bckering
to mar our happiness. SOLDIER.