Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-09-15


The prisoners captured state that the enc
had been reinforced the preceding eFs-
ning, by several companies of cavalry, when,
course, operated strongly in their iavor.
One of the prisoners states that this rem
forcement was made in consequence OF IA
received of the meditated attack;
while another states that it was preparatory
to making a raid into the country on last
Sunday. The latter it is thought Was tne
true reason. inasmuch as the reinforcement
consisted of cavalry ; and, if so, it has beea
opportunely prevented by the attack.
We regret to learn that Capt. Booth, "a
Q, 2nd cavalry, fell mortally wounded, While
calamity leading his men in the hottest Oh
the fight. No drawer man has fallen IN this
war, and his comrades and country wlllIoAS
cherish his memory with respect and a1cc-
ton.
We deem it necessary and feel ~author'Zsd
to correct the ~unfounded rumor already ca
the wing, that 200 of our men are killed,
wounded or missing. We are assured on
good authority, that our loss will not reach
over the number stated-some thirty or
forty.
Though the object Of the attack en- Wash,
ingtoa nay not have been fully realized, il
viii not be without its neral effect on the
prswling Yankees and even on our own
NAo0PSs AAS Alo0 w AO nOlS ShG0a4
ling" when the Yankee hordes come out to
steal, nor no more lodging evinced When
they are to be attacked in their StrOngholds.
Gen. Martin has wisely assumed the often
sive, and we earnestly hope it will be reso-
lutely kept up. We have an abundance Of
troops in North Carolina, not only to keep
the Yankees in their present lines, but to
drive them on board their gunboats, and we
earnestly hope to see it done.
1t is due to the troops engaged to say that
they acted g~allantly and fought with desper-
alton. If instances of cowardice occurred,
{ they only served to exhibit the bravery of
the true soldier in more brilliant colors.-
We have not the names Of the different com
panies and officers engaged, but we learn
. that Captains Manney, Poole and the lameu-
, ted Booth distinguished themselves for great
bravery and GOODNESS. Captain Tucker, Of
> this city, and the men of bis command were
s no less conspicuous for good conduct
While we mourn the fate of the few brave
men whe fell in Washington, let the blood
i OF the martyrs be the seed of the army, and
!, raise up men and patriots who will avengs
o their death.-Stats Journal
Since the above was in type we have re-
p ceived the following account from a partici-
IT pant in the fight:
u CAMP CAMPBELL, near Kinston, Sept. 10, '62.
Mr.. EDITOR: A brief account Of the late
affair at Washington, Y. c., by a participant,
, may prove of some interest to at least some
of your numerous readers. For the ~satisfac-
II ton of the friends of our (55th) Regiment,
| will give Q brief detail Of Osr march, &c.
of On the I'd inst, we were drawn up in line,
. when Col Cennelly announced that he wan
" ted zoo men from the regiment to fight"
a0d that ne wanted them to volunteer
n. Nearly all stepped out as volunteers for tbs
r intended service Two companies of 1nl
men each were then formed and placed m
nc der the m of Capt. Null and Can,
6. Smith, respectively. We then had orders to
TX cock three days rationS and prepare to maroh
al early next asrning. Accordingly, On the
morning OF the Sd, we tosk uo the line =,
march, accompanied by two companies oC lar
& men each frem the 18th regiment and III.
ne whole commanded by Capt. Norman of -.
lie 18th, directing our course towards Greer
vile. On the evening of the 4th ne hesead
II, through Greenville, crossed Tar river an
directed Our course down the river to7xar,
at Washington, which, we Learned, was the oh
y Ject Oh our expedition. On the morning al
Cd the 9Th we we're joined by $50 men from ~
9Th N. c., making eur force $40 ,,aa ~
told. Ga we hastened, till abont ! o'cioc4-
2. NJ. when We halted in about 7 miles =
Washington. There we were io;nad ~
At about 200 cavalry. About 10 T. II. wa 90.
out for the attack, taking a cireuitous ront.
ecu in order to surprise the enemy. We ,narch,
on ed on till full day-break, when we 1872
e- the edge of town. Our sdyance immea;a.o
hg ly attacked the outer guard and drove tba.
eli in. This first fire frou the Guard conf,sa,
Ut the greater part of our nen, and cons.,nan,
J they became disorganised; but after som,
az time, the greater part were rallied ma !,
the vanced into tovn Tba e. auo an-
fer Oh in aarnast TIL ~" oonrnene
In lots and cellars, from which they shot :.
rs our Atn. Their batteries. which were :
planted as to sweep the streets, now snona
upon US. but with little effect, as the 60
ol generally passed entirely over orr ba.5s
lHe But prisr to tbs, our cavalry had mad
- Charge iRto town, and drove the v.nks
4sh cavalry (50O) entirely out. Capt. Tnckar
res company was most conspicuous in this daa,
'en- Finally We succeeded in driving the enem
ms to his gunboats, except at one battery Nv
; VI have taken five pieces Of his artillery vb;c
were turned upon him with effect TT
W gunb0ats had commenced their old t,.5a
ney sheiilng and rs our men were i'm no cona;,;,
10 do further execution we r~etreated orr
a. ing with US the cannon we had taken
van Our loss in killed, wounded and mise,
llSh, does not exceed 30, over two-thirds nc 49,
en- are wounded and missing. The enenav,s II
more was evidently much greater. inclrjina
Inc prisoners. Report says $50 killed uaa
a'uiy not been for the panic that arose a,ooaaa
De men, our success would have been CO..
= u The following IS a partial list az go
they ualties IN the both Regiment: