The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-08-19
HEADQUARTERS 4TH BRIGADE, LIGHT DIv'N, !
General Ort}er No. 6, july %, 1862. {

HEADQUARTERS 4TH BRIGADE, LIGHT D1v'N,
General Order No. 6. July %, 1862.
The General Commanding the Brigade having
been authorized to have inscribed on the battle
flags of his Regiments the names of actions in
which th ey have participated, avails himself of the
opportunity to refer to some of those actions
At Newbern, besides feet of gun-boats, YOU
fought 1000 Of the best troops in the Federal
service, having reserves of 1000. You numbered
less than 1000 not Of whom, officers and men,
had ever been in battle before. After an uninter-
rupted fire of four hours-which has not been ex-
ceeded in severity by any you have since heard,
Except one hour at Gaines MILL and after you
had inflicted on the enemy loss of not less than
half your own numbers in killed and wounded
you made good your retreat out of a peninsula in
which he had confidently boosted that he would
capture you us he would ''chickens in a coop"
At Slash Church you encountered the Division
of Gen. Porter and part Of the Division of Gen.
Sedgwhich, numbering at least 10000, and in
Guiding 5000 United States regulars.
You, with the two ether regiments temporarily
acting with you, numbered about 1000. You re-
pulsed the enemys attack, and boldly advancing
attacked him with such vigor that, after a six
hours combat, you withdrew in perfect order to
avoid being surrounded during the nigEt-the
enemy no: daring to follow you beyond the field
of battle.
Your Commander might have justified himself
in retiring before such superior forces, both at
Newborn and Slash Church but when on assum-
ing command he resolved never to retreat before
amy hostile force without fighting it, he did not
place too high estimate the valor and dis
cpne Of the brave it is his pride to COM
manu.
In the late brilliant operations below Richmond
you were the first Brigade to cross the Chicka-
hominy you were the first to encounter the enc
my nd he first fn STA hat
retreat in which the able combinations Of our
Gencral-in- Chief allowed him to take no rest I'M
til he found shelter under the guns of his ship
ping You captured from him flag before any
other troops had crossed the Chickahomny
At Mechancsvic you were under a heavy fire
on Thursday evening" the Goth, and Friday morn
ing, which you had no opportunity to return.
vt Gaines Mill you opened the fight and con-
tinued in it until the enemy had been driven from
every part of the field.
On Monday, at Frazcrs Farm, you were again
in the heat Of the engagement from its opening
to its close, driving the enemy before you for
great distance, and capturing battery
On Tuesday, at Malvern Hill you were again
under terrific fire, which you had no opportuni-
ty to return.
Though rarely able to turn out 5000 men tor
duty, you have, in six pitched battles and several
okirmishes, lost | ,250 in killed and wounded
NOAOi'SiI
two wounded, and one taken prisoner by an over
whclming force
Whilst making this bloody but brilliant record
for your Brigade, you have been as soldiers Of
freedom should always be: modest, uncomplain-
ing, and rcgardtu Of what is due to others.
Your ranks have been thinned by the casualties
OF war; but be not discouraged. In few days
they will be filled by recruits, and yours will be
the proud task of teaching them to maintain the
reputation you have achieved.
The Regiments of the Brigade are respectively
entitled to have inscribed their flags as follows
The 9TH Regment-"Newbern, Slash Church,
Mechanicsville, Gaines Mill, Frazier's Farm, Nal
vern HILL
1.-THE same inscription is to be inscribed on the
flags of the 18th, 37th and SD Regiments.7
The 18th Regment-"Slash Church, Mechan-
icsvillc, Gaines Mill, Frazier's Farm, Malvern
Hill"
Branch Artillery Capt Latham -"Newbern,
Slash Church."
The Quartermaster of the Brigade will furnish
flags inscribed as above
L. OBJ. BRANCH.
Brig Gen. CONG