Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-07-09

anu requirements gave promise OF much future useful
ness. Lieut. Gloss, We understand, was shot in the
head in the battle of Gaines Mill. Their bodies
were not recovered but were buried where they fell
Our Brave Southern Troops.
We have steadily maintained from the beginning
of this war, that lighting in such cause as ours is,
and 70 secure such ends as the Southern soldiers
propose to accomplish, there are no troops on earth
their equals-certainly none theirsuperors in cour-
age, endurance, and selfsacrifce. The idea which
has prevailed among many of the West Pointers,
that our volunteer troops were not to be trusted,
and that men must become the mere slaves and au-
tomatons OF military power before they can be re-
lied upon has had a most damaging effect upon
our prospects hitherto. A few months ago, scarce
ly West Point graduate in the army could be
found, who believed that it was safe to trust our
undiscipned troops to receive or make charge as
it ought to be done. Gen. Price had proven them
in Missouri, and in few instances at other points
they had been tried, but it remained for the intrepid
jackson iE the Valley and the fierce contest the
Peninsula and around Richmond, to demonstrate it
beyond cavil. No troops in the world have shown
greater aacrity, skill and intrepdity at charge bay
onet, than our Southern troops have done ON the
Chickahominy; and in these fearful encounters
North Carolinans have been conspicuous.
The charges of the Confederate troops at the ta-
king of McClellan's fortifcatons at Ellison's and
Gaines Mills, have not been excelled any where.
The Dispatch describing the affair at Gaines
Mills, says:-.
".Adyancing cautiously but rapidly in the skirt
of woods and in the dips to the left Wilcox and
Pryor deployed their men into line of battle
Featherstone being in the rear-and suddenly ap-
pearing on the plateau facing the timber covered
hill rushed down into the wide gully, crossed it,
clambered over all the felled timber, stormcd the
timber breastworks beyond it. and began the ascent
Of the hill, under terrific fire of sharpsncoters and
an ncessant discharge Of grape and canister, from
pieces posted the brow of the hill, and from bat
teries in their camps to the right on the high fiat
lands Such position was never stormed before.
In descending into the deep creek the infantry and
artillery fire that assaled the three brgades the
most terrific on record. Twenty-six pieces were
laundering at them, and perfect hailstorm Of lead
fell thick and fast around them One of Wilcox's
regiments wavered, down the General rushed,
furiously, sword in hand and threatened to behead
the first man that hesitated. Pryor steadily ad-
vanced, but slowly, and by the time that the three
brigades had stormed the position, passed up the
stone was far in advance. Quickly the Federals
withdrew their pieces and took up fresh position
to assa the three brgades advancing in perfect line
of battle from the woods and upon the plateau
Officers had no horses, all were shot-Brigaders
marched on foot sword in hand Regiments were
commanded by Captains, and companies by Ser.
geants, yet onward they rushed, with yells and
colors flying, and backward still backward fell the
Federals, their men tumbling every moment in
Scores"
The Eraminer says that in this charge Gen. Pen
ders brigade composed mostly of North Carolinians,
bore glorious part. The Dispatch further re-
marks
"Much has been said ofrepeated charges" made,
and "repuses." Wild imaginations have concocted
many such foolish reports. There was but one
"charge" and from the moment the word of COM
mand was given" fix bayonets-forward! our
advance never stopped despite the awful recep-
ton which met It. 1t is true that one or two regi-
ments became confused in passing over the deep
ditch abattis and timber earthwork-iti is also true
that several slipped from the ranks and to the
rear, but in many cases these were wounded men !;
but the total number Of "straggers" would not
amount to more than one hundred. This Is strict
ly true, and rebounds to our immortal honor"
Our men fight we'll even in the absence Of their
commanding officers. If General, Colonel or
other officer falls, the fight still goes on. Lieuten-
ants, Sergeants and Corporals Immediately rally to
the charge.
correspondent of the Richmond Whig graphi
cally describes the part the gallant Gen. Picketts
Virginia brigade bore in this bloody charge While
advancing amid the thick hail Of death-missiles from
the enemy's guns, men falling on every hand, the
gallant brigade wavered for moment, when Lieut..
Holland of the 2Sth Va, seized his regipental flag,
and shouted, "On, men-to stay here is death!"-
At this moment others shouted "Onward!" SON
wardI" and soon the flag waved in triumph over
the first line of the enemy. But to hold this, the
second had to be taken and on they went Chamber
ing over the greatest impedlments, while battery
of eight pieces of the enemy was belchng out death
in one continuous volley. The regiments were
broken, the brigades were mixed up, no General or
field officer upon the ground, but to stay there
was death. Lieut. Stewart Of the same regiment
shouted, "Boys! let Us take that battery!'
agreed! agreed" shouted numbers, and spring
ing forward over an open space Of 400 yards, ex-
posed to the battery, they pushed on and captured
nearly every piece at the point of the bayonet
"But here this gallant band met a new and more
gallant foe. A regiment of U. S. dragons charged
on them in gallant style, but our boys fell into line
and steadily waited till the dragons were within ~
yards, when they opened upon them, and the line
Of dead men and horses now lying on that bloody
field but too plainly attests the deadliness OF their
aim. One bold fellow charged up to within few
feet of Sergeant Lee color bearer of the 2Sth and
impudently cried out, "Surrender that flag. sir !"
with my life only" said Lee, bringing the spear
of the flag staff to charge At this moment. Cor
poras Eakin and Boon, Of the colorguard, fired on
the bold fellow and brought him from the saddle. !"
All honor to our brave boys. Let their names
be engraven upon the rock with the point Of dia-
mond, never to be etfaced. .--