Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-11-21

back. We brought off all our wounded with us,
list of which give below. These five companies
all that were actually engaged, the others be-
ing held in reserve They fought 5000 infantry,
800 cavalry, and the Yankees played necessarily
upon them with pieces of artillery.
The men were conscious Of the forces they had to
meet, but they marched with unfalterng- step,
neryed for the unequal conflict Col Radcliffe or
dered retreat, and Serg't Major Polk again detail
ed to destroy the bridge. Having etfectually OBJ
structed the road Immediately in rear of our forces
engaged, he took his men, and after our forces had
passed, and the bridge almost entirely destroyed he
called for two men to go back and hoist the gates of
the mill PrivateS Wilcox of Company Ii, and
lIudSpeth, Company |, volunteed, and bravely per-
formed this perllous job. We marched quietly away,
leaving the saw cutting the air in great furry
Just before we lefs we fired into them with a few
shell from one of Capt Moores pieces.
We marched past Williamson late at night, the
citizens flying from the place in great confusion-
We marched until o'clock Monday morning. At
day light struck out again and marched until 2
o'clock, when VIC stopped to get something to eat
Many OF them had not eat mouthful since Satur-
day night. Then commenced marching and coun-
termarchng, which it would take week to de-
scribe in detail. Our regiment had quite rough
time notwithstanding our Colonel was junior in the
whole command, our regiment was kept in front
when we advanced and in the rear in the retreats.
The 18th and 18th regiments had bountifGl supply
of wagons, having LETT TarbOro with ten each, and
captured several others from the "buiialows," but
pressing pal pable necesSt;s were for trans
portatiOn for sick and wounded, to say nothing
of provisions and supplies ard ordnance stores our
five little broken down concerns had to answer.
On Tuesday Gen. Martin assumed command We
advanced and retreated until We. acquired very
correct knowledge of the geography OF the country
We'll, finally on Thursday, we got in sight of the
rear guard of the Iauks, when we got orders to
march back-we went nine miles in quick time
oh ra-N md r,Trlf Shn IN Eppn
The Yankees were pushing back for Hamilton,
which place they had already burnt, and we in an
opposite direction. | suppose it would be difficult
to say which party deserves most credit for having
gained points fifteen miles from each other. In
military circles ! suppose it would be termed "ju-
diCouSichauge Of OaSe or mastery strategic move
mcHtS.'
Tired wet, and hungry, we lay down in an old
field that night to rest and sleep. AbOHt o'clock
in the morning it began to snow, and at o'clock
the stern order to I" fall IN" was given and obeyed
with aacritv. We had numbers of men barefoot
many without blanket or change Of clothing, and
although the snow about four inches deep and
still falling very rapidly they fell in-thcir shouts
and yells rising and swelling until the whole air
was made vocal with the music. As glanced my
eye along the shvering and ragged lines, thought
of our old fathers Valley Forge, and involunta
ry exclaimed "Sach men can never bc conquered"
1t was gloomy yet sOu.-inSpring scene, and us We
moved off thought | had never before felt the ar
cor and enthusiasm of soldier. We marched in
this condition eleven miles through the snow, and
bivouacked for the right without tents.
We remained near TarborO until ordered to this
place. Of the british deeds of the Yankecs-of the
rich and fertile country they have invaded and de-
spoiled to great dcgree-Of the homes of comfort,
happiness and plundered and left scenes of wild
and dreary waste should like to speak, but have
already protractcd this letter to an unpardonabic
length.
l., Io,- Il
numbers of fine cattle and fat hogs. In Hyde
County alone, | was cretlbly informed they had
10000 barrels of old corn on hand.
One third of the wealth of our devoted State is
now in Yankee hands, and one hundred millions
more of her property, TO say nothing of the stock
and small gram, is in imminent peril. Our citizens
in the Eastern Counties staunchly loyal though
considerably depressed. The feeling and sentiment
of the people is embodied in the following remark
made to US one day by prominent and intelligent
gentleman, said he,-" gentlemen If you have come
to keep the enemy wSthin his lInes and to protect
US and our property from his dcpredations, all we
have is at your disposal but if you have come to
make another Washington affair Of it, in Gods name
20 back and do not provoke them"
When will the Government learn the value of
North Carolina to the Confederacy?
LEDDO.
PS You must allow me space to say that
though "aSt not the least" interesting and impor-
tant item to be mentioned is the fact that be-
loved old Colonel" and esteemed Commander-in-
Chief, Gov. Vance, visited us and remained day or
two 1t would be useless expenditure Of time and
paper to tell how the boys greeted him, and how
they crowded around the campfire to listen to his
familiar voice. The most of US could not help call
ing HIM "Colone." lie slept one night with the
officers under their rude pinetop tent, and appeared
perfectly at home" LEDDO.
Casualties in the 26th " g. Reg't. in the engage
ment at RGwrs NiH Sunday eUening, NoU 2, 1862.
Company A-Kled-John r Taylor, leg shot off.
Company D-Thrce taken prisoners, but since
paroled.
Company E-KiIlcd-None. Wounded-G w
Phillips severely in hip; VI Beal, in side, slightly.
Company F-Wounded-J II Nelson, severely in
the thigh.
Company I-Klcd-None. Wounded-Privates
Gaines McRory, severely; II Chandler in side; w
NJ B Dixon, taken prisoner.
Company K-Kied-J Winfield. Wounded
1t w Ingram, slightly; privates S Short shot
through the left hand j p Teal, Short Thos
Bowman, w Arlington and o Carpenter, wounded
slightly.