Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-06-07
WAR NEWS.
THE GREAT RIoHMoND BATTLE.

mond papers,
The battle of Saturday, 31st May, took place this
side of Laurel Grove, between the York river rail
road and the Williamsburg stage road, about seven
miles from Richmond. Gen. Hills Division COM
menced the attack about eleven o clock in the fore
noon. The enemy, in large force. had entrenched
themselves behind consecutive batteries and felled
trees crosswse in front of them, to render the
approach of our troops the more difficult
AS soon as the enemy's position was reached Gen.
Hill prepared for vigorous attack. Featherstones
brigade led the advance. 1t was commanded on the
occasion by Col. Anderson the General being i'll in
the city. Garland's brigade commenced the attack
on the left, and in few minutes the engagement
became general.
After musketry and cannon skirnish, during the
continuance of which brave troops wthstood
the full fire Of the batteries and charge order
ed and nobly made by General HILL the Second
Florida, Sixth Virginia and Fifth South Carolina
leading the charge up to the very muzze of the guns
under terrific fire Of grape, canister, round shot
and shell, that cut them down by scores. Mounting
over the first battery, they took possession at the
point of the bayonet the Yankees fleeing to the
next in position in the rear, which, in turn, opened
its fire, and in TURF, was taken, large numbers of
the Yankees being killed and taken prisoners
The Dispatch says: Observing the strength of
the eHemy's line in front, our commander ordered
up the 4th North Carolina who advancing in force
broke through the I'd Mississippi battalion, in their
hurried progress, and divided the latter corps in
such manner that, subsequently, their whole force
could not be again collected. Brilliant in concep-
ton and execution, the finely drilled North Carroll
mans ianked the enemy dense line of skirmishers
and did such havoc by their hanking fire that
the enemy precipitately fell back upon their ur-
finished brcastwork in and cor1mandIng the entrance
TO, the extensive grounds of Barker's farm
Having arrived in open ground our forces COM
menced to howl in a fearful manner terrifying the
nd 40 ,I,
North Carolina regardless of consequences, shut
their eyes to the chances and attacked the work in
gallant style, being supported by other regiments to
the right and left. They gained their object but it
is said were unable to retain it. for the enemys large
brass howitzers dealt destruction among them, and
it IS reported they fell back in admirable order until
fresh troops could be brought to bear upon the
hordes of Pennsylvanians, who, in thousands were
pouring voles upon them.
Capt. Barnes, of company F, 4th North Carolina
State Troops was killed in the action on Saturday
We are informed that but Captain of this regi-
ment escaped uninjured, the rest killed and wound
ed. Only 2l3 men of the 4th North Carolina an
swered at roll call yesterday morning. and the regi
ment took over 700 into the fight.
Capt Bacon, of the 9th Georgia, while acting as
aid to Col Anderson, was killed.
In the last charge the retreating FederalS, be-
yond their camp, Col. d. d. Smith, of the 9th
Georgia, was wounded in the thigh.
After an obstinate fight Of two hours the enemy
fell back, leaving sixteen pieces ofNrtillery compos
ing three batteries in possession of our victorious
troops. Our loss here was heavy including several
officers. The Yankee loss was not ascertaned, but
it is supposed to have been equally heavy The
behaviour Of the troops splendid One CON-
pany of the North Carolina regiment alone took one
hundred and sixty-tive prisoners, and brought them
to the The enemys force was estimated at
fully 10000, and reinforced constantly.
Later in the day, zen. Longstreets division came
up and rushed eagerly into the battle. About four
o'clock our artillery came into play, and did excel
lent service, as has been already said. Although
heavily reinforced, the enemy charged by
Longstreets and Hills men and driven off the field
our men taking possession Of their camps and forti-
tcations The Yankees very closely contested the
ground they fell back, while our force steadily
pushed upon their line.
As an incident of the fight we may mention that
renforcements were ordered to Anderson, and as but
one regiment could be spared, the 4th South Caro-
lima, Col Jenkins, was sent Upon arriving, COL
j. was asked if one regiment was all that could be
sent Yes" replied the Colonel. "But that will
do. kRoo these boys" The gallant charge of the
4th afterwards fully verified the good opinion of
their commander
The 9th Alabama, 9th Georgia, and 23d Georgia
suffered severely, the 9th Alabama being nearly de-
cimated The 9TH Georgia lost 100 out of the 500
men they took into the field
Among the distinguished acts Of daring on Satur-
day was the capture by Capt Thomas Walton, of
Mississippi, of the colors of Federal regiment He
was acting on General Longstreets staff and while
Col. Gess regiment was charging he galopped
ahead Of it and dashing into the Yankee regiment
seized their coorS and bore them off He then rode
up to Giles regiment and presented the flag to
them. The act was rewarded by three hearty cheers
from our men. The gallant Captain was shot in the
head later in the day. but refused TO leave The field
before the fighting was over.
Gen. Rhodes brigade, of Hills division, was in
the thickest Of the fight 1t went into the engage
ment with about $50 men, and of these l. 092
killed or wounded in the desperate fight Gen.
RS men fought like heroes. The officers suffered
much. Gen. Rhodes received painful though not
serious, flesh wound in the arm. Philip T. Sutton,
of this city, one of his aids lost his left in the
afternoon by Mimic ball, after acquitting himself
calamity on the field.
After the cessation of the firing on our right
wing, the enemy attempted demonstration, across
the Chickahominy, on our left wing, north of the
Mechancsville and on the Nine Mile road.
The plan of the battle was this: Gems. Hill and
Longstreet were to attack in front, and when the
enemy were repulsed Gen. Whiting was to march
down the nine mile road and make an attack upon
the flank. The force was started down this road,
but come unexpectedly upon large body Of the
enemy, who had crossed the ChickaLominy and en-
trenched themselves. This was on the left of the
railroad and east of the New Bridge or nine mile
road as it is known in country parlance.
Writings division, formerly Maj. Gen. Smiths,
consisted of his own brigade commanded by Col.
Pender (the famous "9d brigade" which Bee led
at Manassas Hoods brigade, of Texas Pettigrew's
brigade, and Col. Hampton's brigade, and numbered
about IA, 600 men.
Col Jenkins commanded a brigade, composed of
the 9th South Carolina regiment, Col. Giles; 9th
South Carolina regiment COL Bra.ton and the Pal
metto Sharpshooters, Lieut. Col. Walker. The
former commander, Brig. Gen. R H. Anderson,
commanded division in the fight. He has not
signed; the Gen. Anderson who resigned is from
Tennessee, and his place commander of the Ten
nessee brigade was assigned to Brig. Gen. Robert
Hatton who was killed.
While proceeding down the New Bridge road,
endeavorng to get to the rear of the enemy, who
were falling back before Gen. Longstreet Gen.
Writings division was attacked by the enemy on