Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-11-05
For the Standard.
"THE OLD THIRD"

WINCHESTER, VA, Oct. 20 1862.
Mr.. EDITOR Now that the storm of war has
lued, will you allow little to be said in your col
umns concerning the "Old Third Brigade in
which the "boody 9Th has ga local habitation
and name" You have doubtless heard of the gal
liant charges made by this Brigade at Gaines iarm,
Friday nights lrolic" and at Manassas ll-yet
no where has the Brigade so distinguished itself as
in the brilliant but fatal charge at Sharpsburg.-
Called upon to retake ground lost to our arms the
Brigade with its ranks thinned by many a hard
fought field, moved forward in perfect line, amid
showers of shot, shell aud ball. still as the breeze
but dreadful as tue Storm" The Yankee host stood
defiant ard proud-tl,ey thought the victory was
theirs. Mistaken idea, when Hood and Low were
after them with the Texas and "Oid Third Bri-
gades-the "nvincble Division"
Moving short distance, the clarion voice of Col.
Low, commanding Brigade, gave the word to
Charge. Like an Alpine avalanche, tired of its Geld
and barren rocks, and longing for the valley below,
the "Old Third fell upon them, giving them
deadly volley at close range, and leaping forward
with the Layonet they fled as though J0ve with his
red right arm, had hurled his whole celestial artil
lcry upon them. Driving them from their position
and regaining the ground, it was held against all
Odds until the last round of cartridges were fired
away-then suenly with their face 10 the foe, they
withdrew, rallied, and stood waiting with the bay
onet for their advance and determined to hold their
lines with steel when the lead gone; for, be it
remembered, that the Brigade advanced from their
line of defence and attacked them upon the level
open field
Gen. Hood in his order, states that drove of
twenty times our number, to say nothing Of the
numerous batteries pouring their deadly discharges
into our ranks. You may unroll the records Of
military history, and search in vain for brighter
or more brilliant charge. Are not those two BrgadeS
composing Hoods Division, rightly entitled TO the
distinction Of the "Invincible Division: p But our
loss was heavy and deeply do we deplore the loss
OF the gallant spirits who yielded up their hearts
blood in That memorable charge, and on the bloody
field of Sharpsburg. Every regiment lost over half
its number in killed wounded, and among the
field officers and acting field officers only two
manned uniniured-Capt. York, of the 9th n. G.,
and Capt. Robbins, 4th Ala formerly Professor in
Trinity College. n. c. Wemourn the loss Of such
men as Col LidaelI and Maj. Evans, kiilci and 1t
! Col Butler, wounded, Of the tn Miss. Col Stone
| 1t Col Humphreys. and Mai. Blair, of the I'd Miss
wounded. 1t Col. McLemore, 4th Ala, died from
wounds. The gallant Lit. Col. Webb, and Maj or
Lake, of the 9th N. c., wounded and the la,nented
| Capt Lowrie killed upon the field. The following
is summary Of the losses of the different reg
| imcnts
| 18th Mississippi, lni
| End Mississippi, 10
| 4th Alabama, 81
| 9Th North Carolina, 100
Total, $50
| The losses of our sister Brigade, Uhe Texas was
| equally as severe as that of the "Od Third" But
there are two names ndelibly stamped upon the
hearts of the brave men of this Division-nan,es
synonymous with gallantry, intrepidity and aIui-
ty-Brig Gen. Hood Of Texas, commanding the
Division, and Col. Low, 4th Ala, commanding the
"Od Third" If merit be taken into consideration,
then, indeed may We hun5ly nope to see our Brig.
General, Ito whom all the men are very much at
tached,) promoted to Major General Col. Low has
proven himself to be the right man in the right
place-possessing the entire confidence of almost
every officer and man in the "Old Third" Truly
we think he has won for himself the wreath to ell
circle his trio of stars. We understand that every
field officer and company commander in the Brigade
have recommended his promotion to the wreath,
and no one more richly deserves it. He has won
it with his noble Brigade, on many hard fought
field. Long life to him and the gallant Texan, and
may the two Brigades never be separated. They
have won undying fame for their States without
jealousy or chickering's.
And now, Mr.. Editor, this article never would
have been written but that the naked facts might
be known, and the Old North State reminded that
she has regiment at least, that may be rank &C
among the "bravest of the brave"