Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-10-01
For the Standard.
PERSONAL.

w. " Holden, Esp
Smith your Semi-W eekly issue of the 18th
inst, in the description of the late attack upon
Washington, there was gross injustice done me and
my command by your informant"
The lst squadron of Cavalry was commanded by
Lieut.. Wynns, the Cd by myself being composed
of my company and Capt. Turner's, of Orange,
which was at the time under the immediate COM
mand of Lieut. W. A. Graham-the whole COM
IDandcd by Capt. Boothe The Cavalry force charg-
ed in column of four upon the Federal Cavalry.
Having driven the enemy's Cavalry from town, the
front of the column suddenly halted the whole
force yelling at the top of their voices. If the
command Halt" was given in 'front.' it was not
heard by either myself or Lieut.. Graham, who |
have stated, were in the rear. The halt being so
sudden there was quite shock, which produced
more or less confusion in our ranks; We were then
near the centre of the town, no enemy being in
sight but firing irreSularly into from his con-
cealed positions, houses, cellars, fences, sc.
Il was at this point that | first learned that Capt
BOTTLE had fallen. The command of the Cavalry
then desolVed upon me as senior officer | having no
knowledge of the plan of attack or the part the
CaG'lIy forces were expected to perform. Having
to make space for Capt Adams Battery to pass
down narrow street. filled with 800 horses neces-
Sarlly created confusion and disorder to some ex-
tent. sent Immediately to Gen. Martin for orders,
stating to him our position; while waiting for or
uoiS ILe OdNdlIS, Will lew eACepIlODS, Oel2Y-
cd with GOODNESS, shooting the enemy whenever he
dared to raise his head. My orders then from Gen.
Martin were to dismount the men and fight as ill.,
fantry. Selecting point where the horses would
not he unnecessarily exposed to the grape and canis
ter, and where the guard left in charge of them
could more cffectually defend them from an attack
from the Federal Cavalry, l had given orders to
dismount and some had done SO, at which time |
received orders from Gen. Martin to report TO his
Headquarters with a company of Cavalry | re-
ported with my company to him at Cherry's Rum
and was ordered to go below to the Cross Roads,
known as the cold Ford" and there hold it. in
case the enemy should attempt to flank our forces
and attack US in the rear.
There remained until | received orders from
Gen. Martin to fall back upon the Greenville road
all Of our forces having left Washington. Whilst
l was at the "Old Ford" l have no doubt that
most or all of the Cavalry officers, with the MAORI
ty OF their respective companies, were firing upon
the enemy wherever they could find him.
This Mr.. Editor, is the part that and my CON-
pany took in the attack, and had rather believe
that it was conclusion jumped at by your inform.
ant that " Walkers company skedaddled," from the
fact OF not seeing during the latter part of the
engagement than from any feeling of malice or pre-
mcdtated motives to injure me and nv men in the
public estimation.
| was gratiied to see the correction made in re-
gard to the officers and men of Capt. Boothe's
squadron, and hope that may confidently rely on
your doing the same in regard to me and nv COM
Pany. W. JORDAN WALKER, Capt
Comdg Co. &. 41st n. G. T., Cavalry