Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-09-24
Letter from Capt. Boothe.

We have received letter from Capt Boothe,
commanding I'd squadron I'd N. @. Cavalry, dated
Camp near Hamilton, N. c., Sept 20, 1852, in
which he gives account Of the par. borne by his
command in the recent fight in Washington. We
give below the material portions OF Capt Boothe's
letter; emitting those portions in which he reflects
on the Standard and one of the Cavalry Captains
who took part in the engagement Capt Boothe
says: ..- ...Es-.- .-sa -.... 4
hs order of march from the place of rendezvous was
as follows, vE Infantry first commanded by Capt s. D.
Pool was to enter Washington by certain route then
followed Capt. fuckers company of Cavalry, which
ordered to enter town from different point and to act
simultaneously with the Infantry; and lastly the other
four companies of Cavalry and Capt Adams battery of
Artillery commanded by myself was ordered to within
easy distance of town. to On arriving at
the place designated the column halted aud waited pa
tenty for the fight to begin, which only short time
mand forward" which executed with alacrity On
on we went at smart gaop, until reached redoubt
crossing the road just before entering town. here we met
their pieces aud had to reload Now Mr.. Editor, did
fortified town After some little delay we passed he OBJ
structons and entered the town. when discovered the
enemys Cavalry TO our left, formed in solid column TO
receive Lieut.. Wynn being in command of the first
squadron OF Cavalry was ordered TO lead in the charge
which am proud to say he executed to my entire sats-
faction Lieut.. Roberts, being chief of the first platoon
was at his post, and gaanty supported Lieut. Wynn,
while both officers and were alike eager for the
contest In this charge wounded and after
borne from the 6eld-but although wounded had the
pleasing assurance and knew that my company in the
hands Of efficient officers, and that they would do justice
to myself, company and glorious old State am inform
ed by those who are we'll calculated to judge and impair
tally too, that my stood like veterans successfully
dispensing the enemys Cavalry wherever appeared in
town Finally, the town being cleared of Cavalry, my
command had to contend with Infantry disOyal citlsens
who Tired on them from behind fences from the windows
OF houses and in word from every available place Of
which breastwork could be formed Lieut.. Wynn with
the company having remained in town as long as any
thing could be accomplished and in fact until all - the
firing ceased save that of the gun-boats-the
streets being raked with and ansterhe concluded
of the town. which assured done in splendid Or
DER to await orders from the commanding officer OF the
expedition, Capt. Pool. They awaited here only few
the request of Lieut. Roberts, gave him command of the
most OF my company to return to town dsmounted and
am assured by Lieut. Wynn that he had positively to re-
fuse great many he would not have had enough men
left for the protection Of the horses Lieut. Roberts
turned to town, but the fight had not been renewed
away the captured pieces of Artillery, which proud
to say he did with hearty good will
1t true that Of came to me- aud only one,
and enteated him to return TO his company hence the
ridiculous that begged my to return and not
disgrace themselves. know that my company with one
or two exceptions scompOsed of gallant and noble sons
as North Carolina produces and am ever ready to risk
my reputation in their hands"
Capt Boothe also refers to the gallant conduct of
Capt Adams on the OCCASION and asks why he has
not been complimented while others have. He says
Capt A. stood galantly at his post amid storm of
shot and she'll
In our paper of the 18th September, after our
somewhat extended notice on the 18th, Of the fight
of which Capt Boothe complains, we said:
"We have been informed by Lieutenant belongng to
Capt BoOthes company that did injustice in our last
TO portion of the squadron which he commanded in the
recent fight in Washington. We assured that Lieut.
Wynn, of Hertford, whom the command of the squad
ron devoved after the fall of Captain Boothe acquitted
himself with great gaanty and that the greater portion
Of Capt BOohes and Capt Turner'S companesthe latter
commanded by Lieut. Graham-remaned in town ss long
as any other cavalry company 1t certainly not our
intention TO do injustice to any connected with the
expedition, and we make the correction with pleasure
We made the above correction on the authority
of Lieut. Roberts. We presume Capt Boothe had
not seen the above when he penned his letter.
Certainly we can have no motive to do any officer
or soldier injustice. We publish accounts of bat
ties as they are furnished us, not knowing any
thing about them except as we are informed If
We make mistakes, we are always ready to correct
them; if we do any one injustice, we are always
prompt to do full justice when further and more
correctly informed.
But we refer all who took part in the Washing
ton fight to the official report of that conflict
That is document which bears the stamp Of au-
thority. When published, it will be seen whether
we justly censurable for any Of the accounts we
have heretofore given of the fight referred to.