Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-03-12
The s1st REGIMENT N. C. Volunteers.

Our readers will peruse with pleasure the follow.
lowing letter from Lieut. Colonel Fowe, in reply to
an aspersion cast the 3lst volunteer regiment of
this State, by correspondent of one Of the Rich
mond papers. Col. Fowle was cool and entirely
selfpossessed on the occasion, and therefore cor
rectly remembers what took place. He states
what we felt sure was tIue-that those of the 3lst
engaged in the action and those held in reserve, &C.
quilted themselves like true men,
For the Standard.
Mr.. IioLDEN:-ln your paper Of this date find
extract from the report OF an individual. signing
himself bohemian" Of the battle of Roanoke
Island, as follows:
The 3lst North Carolina at once ran to their
quarters Col Jordan riding at the head of the
frightened procession"
The above is totally untrue. Eight companies of
the 3lst were on OF near the battlefield, two of
them, Captains Lilies and Knight were in the re-
doubt where the hard fighting took place. under the
command of Col. Jordan. Six of them, Captains
Belts, Manly, PIcot, Jones, Mckay. and Witty,
were held a reserve under my command, assisted
BY Maj Yeates, in the of the redoubt. The
two companies first mentioned behaved in such a
manner to extort praise from all who witnessed
their gallant conduct The six companies in re-
serve, though under fire for four hours and half,
without being allowed to fire gun, behaved with
the utmost GOODNESS, and showed every disposition
to.engage in the battle which was wagIng. The or
ders received by the reserve were, to stand fast
til sent for. The Adutant of the Regiment, Lieut..
Holden, was dispatched to Col Jordan, to inform
him of our readiness to engage in the fight and,
der orders, remained near Col. Shaw during the
whole of the fight, to bring the earliest infor
nation of the reserve eing needed. When the re-
treat commenced, two Of the six companies were
thrown in some slight confusion for moment, but
as soon as they heard my voice rallying them they
stood firm, and allowed their retreating brethren
who had fought calamity at the redoubt, to pass
them. As the last companies from the redoubt
passed, the order was communicated to me to let
my men fall back with the rest and then, and not
before they fell back They preserved their CON-
pany organization until they commenced to retreat,
and then, owing to the narrowness of the road and
the number OF men crowded together, it became i'm
possible.
This correspondent says they "ran." Mr.. Edi-
tor he must have been looking at some other men,
for the forces under my command did not run, but
walked | walked part of the way with them my
self, and afterwards accompanied them on horse
back. Had they have run, should have mounted
my horse at once.
The other two companies of the Slst were station
ed as follows: Capt .GodwiH's at Fort Forrest on
the Tyrrell side Capt q. remained at his Fort,
which was also manned by Capt. Whites company
of the l7th until Saturday night after the surren
der. Whenever the enemy came within range, they
fred upon them very vigorously. After the sur
render Fort Forrest was evacuated. Capt Godwin's
company was the last to leave as have been in
formed. Capt Goodwin, with Capt. Vernon, were
the last men 10 leave the Fort When they left
they fired the magazine which exploded about dark.
Capt Miers company was left in charge Of the
camp. DANL y. FOWLE,
1t. Col Slst Regt N G. Vols.
al X