Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-05-24
THE BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG.
REPORT or COLONEL D. McRAE, YWrH NORTH CAROLINA
TROOPS.
HEADQUARTERS EAKLT's BRIGADE,
NJ. Inkb 1890 4


HEApoUARrKRs EARLY's BRIGADE,
May 10th, 1852
GENERAL Il have the honor to report, under your
order the casualties In the Fifth North Carolina Regi-
ment commanded by me on the oh, In the battle near
Williamsburg:
About : O'Clock, T. NJ, my regiment was formed in
line Of battle composed Of the 5h North Carolina on
the right 2Si North Carolina Col Hoke, next, ssh Viz
ginia Lieut. COL White, next, and 24:h Virginia Col.
Terry on the extreme left with orders from Gen. Early
70 ascertain the position and charge battery OF the ell
emy supposed to be stationed in the woods IN cur 'front.'
After formation Of the line we're moved forward by
the direction Of Major General d q. Hill with nsruc-
liol to approach the enemy Close with traed arms,
without firing until close upon them The line passed
down into narshy rayine and my regiment formed itself
in dense underground composed chiefly oil pine which
made the advance in line difficult. On the verge Of the
fsld beyond halted and reformed the line and
med for the enemys battery. Not seeing an indication
of his presence advanced the line about 100 yards into
ield ana did 80 battery situated OF distance OF
7GO 10 goo yards the left opened upon US with she'll
Immediately changed the direction Of the line 10
face towards this point and found that this battery
posted in skirt OF woods Tedoubt, around and On
which there appeared to be at least brigade Of the
smy. As s0rn az made this movement found that
the line broken, and could nowhere see COL HOke
Eith the 23d, L.. COL Hhte with the SSH Virginia.
Phe approach to the battery through open i'd
If soft GARTH without any cover for my troops and fec
ing great anxiety, despatched my AGjdtAnt Lieut..
NcRae and No ior P. j. Sinclair TO Gen. HILL with
quest 20 be Informed what battery to charge. Mi
Sinclair returned with answer that was 20 charge
the battery which opened on us, aud do it quickly.
Immediately pu, the line in motion, sad the men sprang
Uf as a rapid pace. About this time, regiment which
found afterwards to be the 2iLh Virginia, Colonel
Ferry, engaged the enemy az some three hundred
yards to my left in front, and drove him out Of son
houses towards his redolbt. Finding the 2Sd and
oD.l III, of
line with this regiment supper; it, and at the
ime 10 get the Of the houses referred to.
deTei my Ii to advance oblquey 10 the left and when
found my advancing TOO rspidly, aud not suif
GENTLY obEquely ordered halt, passed TO the front
OF the line and urged my men TO move e rapidly and
press more sensbly to the Left and, TO compose them,
ordered them to lie down. The enemy had now CON-
neuced FIRE upon With his rifles which began TO be
fatal and at this moment observed Capt Early, Gen.
E,ry's aid some distance on my left, waving
ltea pushed on. Ny color bearer fist struck down.
hen the x was seiZ5d by his comrade who fell imme-
datey third took il and shared the same fate when
captain Berry Bobnson of Company A, carried it until
he staff shivered to pieces in his had. Ulder this
re of grape from the battery, and Voies from the in
antry the regiment continued TO advance until found
slight shelter at a low fence within hundred yards OF
The redoubt The fire terrific aud my men and iii
,ers we're falling every side and the "a Virginia,
immediately on my left suffering in like proportion.
had delivered my first fire at about 100 yards, and my
70 were firing with effect upon body Of the ent-
nv who were rereating into the redoubt At this time
COL Terry fell upon my left, Colonel HArston also ana
the horse Of my II jor Sinclair had been killed under
him Lieut.. Col. BAcham I'll upon my right, and
found myself with jor hGu7y, OF the pan Virginia
he ouv field officers remaining on hoiss. had pre-.
vously sent my Aojutant TO Gen. HILL announcing my
and the danger OF my position, earnestly begging
teniorcemsnts but finding my forces to small and the
position fatally destructive did OF wal. bis return, but
ordered my command 10 fall of down the OF the
ence aud Immediately afterwards received order
20 retreat. TIE charge upon the battery WGs not at
ended with success. have no doubt it would have
oeeD had the 2Si North Carolina and the ssh Virginia
participated 10 the assault How herocAlly my c jers
md endeayored 10 execute the charge entrusted to
.hem the list OF cs5uslies will exhibit and il is ma
or of pride 10 the survivors, it OF encouragement
10 all engaged 10 know that their whole conduct was under
tue dlrtvuOn and immediate personal observation Of
heir Msior ami Brig General the latter Of whom fell
while brayey Leading the a.tSA. Ali Of my officers and
men behaved with courage, and no discrimination Can
oe made among them. Ny regiment Is nov so reduced
= 70 be Inefficient beg that IL may BE- speedily sup
oied and ask you General in calling TO the attention
lf the Department this regiment, 10 suggest that n
irsI eG.cnatp who survived, may DC assigned 10 tie
sommaud Of the companies who have lost their Captains
ly death wounds and Imprisonment. except in the case
u Capt. h. Jones, who was wounded but escaped,
lud hops will resume his command
Nv Aciltaut who with me throughout the Fl ht,
rendered me most valuable assistance and his good
Duet am sure did not fail TO attract your attention
! beg 20 bring to your notice another instance OF pa
,riotc tci.ou, yhich merits inward. Nj Nicholson U
Washington, ycuuG gentleman OF 81. Louis had vol,
lateered a. private in my ranks AMI on this occasion
accom- panied me as my Orderly on the Eslt He msin
su,d bis position by my eide throughout a-d delivered
ny orders along the line with GOODNESS and precision.
! LAgs tie Lonor 10 be,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
X hGRAE,