Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-06-16

our range) and as re could see a strong IN |
fantry reserve in rear Of their batteries. it
was deemed advisable to retire. was not
able to recall Capt johnson from the left,
and vas forced to leave the dead and badly
wounded on the field, together with an old
ambulance, a two horse wagon and our KNAPP
sacks. The twelve-pound brass howitzer al
so had to be left, as one of the horses was
killed and three others badly wounded. We
know the names of seven killed and fifteen
woundrd on Our side in the engagement, 9th
ers whose names we do not know, were Ell.
Their killed or wounded as we rctreated across |
the field t. the road under the %eneIny's fire, !
ana a few III the woods where the engagement
FIRST commenced. Exposed all the previous
night to a drenching rain without tents, dc.
prlved of food, having marched over a horri-
oily muddy road with unusually heavy KNAPP
sacks, and having fought bravely and will
Ingly for three hours in anticipation of being
reinforced, We were not in a condition to re-
treat. Many Of my brave men fell from ex-
haustation On the roadside, and [ an sorry to
Inform you that many Of them are still miss
1ng, but trust that in a few days the number
Will be greatly reduced, as some are finding
thelr way back to camp daily.
We were pursued by Infantry, artillery
and a regiment of cavalry beyond Hanover
: ~ Il y L ~ "a pdC IL jill VI
stating that you had yourself, engaged an
other portion of the enemy.
Guns were placed on the Railroad Hill,
formerly occupied by the 18th n. c. Regi-
ment as a campaign ground, which prevented
our reatreating by the Ashland road, as we
had anticipated, and forced us to take the
right hand road to Taylorsville, along which
we we're shelled for a short distance. The
cavalry pursued US beyond Col. Wickham's
farm and were only prevented from making
a charge by our throwing the regiment into a
, field and making it march along the fences,
L while Lieut.. Potts protected Our rear with
=, his Parrot gun.
4 We succeeded in reaching Taylorsville
about sunset and for the three days We were
ehdeavoring to join the rest of the command.
a We had scarcely any thing to eat.
i 1t. Col. Thos L Lowe and Major S. D.
J. Lowe bore themselves we'll during the &C
u ton, and were of great assistance, often, in
the execution of their duties, passing through
" the hottest fires. Major Lowe was unaccount-
y ably separated from the regiment after pas
&c sing Hanover G. H, and is still missing,
II Adjutant D.. A. McRae and Capt. Gibbon, A.
&. D., also rendered me great assistance in
le Carrying orders and proved themselves brave
men. Both Surgeon Robert Gibbon and asst
lie Surgeon r. G. Barham, allowed themselves
u to be taken prisoners rather than leave our
e wounded. Surgeon Gibbon subsequently sue.
ceeded in making his escape, the wounded
3 having been cared for and sent in accordance
10 with orders from a Federal Hospital. We
~ were at one time deceived by the flag of the
22d Massachusetts regiment, which is nearly
y white, when our firing ceased, and Jno. A.
~ Alternately, our Regimental Hospital Stew.
*. 10 ard volunteered to meet it, and was fired up.
III on by the enemy. Though companies D and
as E took most of the prisoners, yet the new
nc Springfield rifles, repeaters and swords now
AZ in possession of the regiment, show that all
H. behaved well, and it would be invidious in
~ me to discriminate among the company, of
70 fcers and men, where all acted 50 we'll their
It, respective parts. This is the first time that
III, the 18th has ever been under fire. Theil
III bravery has been thoroughly tested in this
~ unequal contest, and though they have prov
1o' ed themselves courageous, our escape from
NO crob a., ovorwbolr;n1 f,roo q hrt ha 70
VI garded as Providential.
'l The companies of Col. Lees (37th) n. G
III Volunteers, which were doing picket duty a
,h Talliaferro's Mil, came up during the artil
~ lery firing, and were ordered to keep them.
az selves covered in the woods before DR.. Kin
news residence. h%ve not learned the cas-
IT, , uaIties in these two companies. Col. LIE
d will incorporate their report in his own
IN. Respectfully,
mt JAMES H. LANE,
Col. Commanding 28th Reg, N. G. '.
U" Brig. Gen. L. OBJ. BRANCH,
lie Commanding End N, c.. Brigade.