Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-09-17
The Affair at Washington,


The facts which have come to us from undoubted
sources, of the late attack upon the town of Wash
ngton we are glad to say enable US to correct some
unfortunate rumors which have gone out.
Ihe entire command of the expedition was COM
mitted IN charge of that cool and intrepid officer,
capt Stephen d. Pool, who at the defence of Fort |
Macon and in the recent attack upon Washington,
showed himself to be an able officer
It's not true that the enemy was advised both at
Newbern- and Washington of the intended attack.
The enemy was ready for it. but was not expecting
IT, We learn that the enemy haG determined upon
raid upon WILLIAMSON and Hamilton and that the
force at Washington had been reinforced from New
bern the day before, and was to leave Washington
that morning for the intended raid.
The expedition against Washington was made
with no view or expectation of holding the place, we
are informed, but for the purpose Of destroying or
capturing the enemys stores, to capture the "con.
trabands" in bis possession, and if possible to make
Washington so hot as to drive the enemy from the
place. Brig. Gen. Martin committed the entire ex-
pedition to the direction Of Capt. Pool, having pre-
Vousy, in consultation, ordered the plan of attack
and the general scheme of its conduct About 800
men composed the expedition, consisting of infant
ry, cavalry and artillery. Gen. Martin, it was un-
derstood, would remain in the neighborhood to rem
der any support or succor which might be needed
The attack was made on Saturday morning last
at day-break. Our force approached quietly until
they encountered the pckets at the west end of the
town. who Immediately demanded them to halt
1t. Davis, who led the advance, demanded sur
render, when the pckets Immediately fired into our
ranks Our advance had been peremptorily ordered
not to fire upon the pckets but to charge vigorous
ly upon them, but unfortunately, when they fred
upon our men, their fire was returned by number
of pieces This aroused of course. the entire town.
At once portion Of our cavalry charged into the
town down Market street, while portion of the in
fantry charged down Second street. As soon as our
infantry arrived at the Academy, they were fired
upon by the enemy from the building. Here our
men captured pieces Of artillery, with ammuni-
ton, which were afterwards served by Capt Manney
and his men, At this time, Capt Boothe, who
gallantly led the Cavalry, dangerously wounded,
upon which panic seized most of the Cavalry, ex-
cepting portion of Capt. fuckers company, who
under his command, gallantly demeaned themselves
throughout the whole affair. A panic had also
seized many of the infantry, who ingloriously fed
The enemy took to the houses at once, and fired
upon our troops from the windows, &c. Our men
were forbidden to fire upon the houses, lest they
might injure some of the females and children:
The gun-boats Louisiana and Picket commenced
throwing shells and other missiles upon the town,
damaging the houses, but fortunately did not set
them on fire. During the fight the steamer Picket
was blown up by the ignition of her magazine, kill
ing ali on board but - persons-the loss was abou:
GO on board of the vessel.
Capt Pool held the town about four hours and then
of cannon captured. The enemy's loss, including
the destruction on board of the Picket, was 16O, in
killed wounded and missing. Our loss was Is
killed, Al wounded and 80 missing, most of whom
have since come in.
The conduct Of Capt Pool during the whole af
fair is highly spoken Of Capts. McRae and Cobb,
of the Sth n. c. Regiment, Capt. Norman Of the
18th N. c., Capt. Manney of the artillery, and Cap
tains Boothe and Tucker, of the Cavalry and others
whose names we have forgotten, all distinguished
themselves. Capts. Boothe, Null and Norman were
dangerously, and Lieuts Grimes and Station severe
ly wounded. Other names among the killed and
wounded we have not obtained.
1t is understood that the Cavalry companies of
Capts. Walker and Lawrence were not in the fight,
having "skeedaddled" at an early period. On the
fall of Capt Boothe, his company it is said became
panic STRICKEN and got out of danger Capt Tucker,
1t. Utley, and other officers and of his compa-
ny behaved with the utmost courage, charging the
enemy in all directions and damaging him seriously.
We regret to learn that Corporal Smedes and pri-
Yates R. Burns, j. King, Winborne, Bridgers, and
perhaps others, are missing. Some of those it is
feared were killed, and others taken prisoners.
The enemy's force, including those on the gun
boats, amounted to about 1000. Only about $50
of our men participated in the fight some of whom
both officers and men, are said 70 have be-
haved badly. 1t must be considered, however,
that the most of them were raw troops had not
smet powder before and were engaged in most
hazardous undertaking. To assault fortified town,
guarded by vlgilant foe, should be undertaken by
veteran and daring troops.
Strange to say, no negroes were apprehended in
this attack At the Academy, one large, impudent
teOW came OuL anu aSSalleQ one OF IHtli,
"What have you id rebels come here for p
The soldier replied with his bayonet, running it
through him, killing him instantly. As soon as
they found the Confederates were in the town, they
all rushed for the boats and got out Of the way.
After our forces left, we learn that the Yankees
Immediately commenced arresting all the citizens
who were supposed to sympathise with the Confed
crates. During the fight, we learn, most worthy
lady received flesh wound in one of her limbs.
A friend who was in the expedition writing from
Kinston, says: "Capt Tucker won for himself a
name for vaor and GOODNESS Of which any man might
be proud"
The City Council of Macon, Ga has rendered te
the Confederate Government thirty acres of laud
within the corporate limits of the city, for the erec
ton of Confederate States Armory. The tender
has been accepted by the Government and the land
ordered to be surveyed.