Weekly standard., 1862-03-19
The Second North. Carolina Regiment

The Second North.Carolina Regiment.
Our correspondent "Sylrtne" has given US an
account of the fight between the Merrimac and the
Yankees, which, however, has been anticipated by
the telegraphic and newspaper accounts. The
friends Of the second regiment will be glad to hear
ffep it. Our correspondent says: "
asOur regiment IS still enjoying good health, and
we are eager for opportunity of testing our brave
ry Our recent reverses have by no means discour-
aged U.S. We expected them. We had been so
successful at first that became careless and neg
ected too much to implore the aid Of Him who alone
gveth victory. Our regiment is even without
chaplain, and we have no opportunities whatever of
attending divine worship. Whose fault is this? |
think it very hard indeed that the poor soldier who
has left the comforts of home and braved the dam
gers of the battle field, should be deprived of hear
ing the word of God preached. Soldiers are expos
ed to many temptations, and every regiment should
by all means, have chaplain to adu,onsh them"
For the Standard.
Mr.. HOLDEN: My attention has been called to an
extract from the report of one calling himself Bo.
hemian," in your paper of the Sth inst, in which
the 3lst regiment is grossly misrepresented The
company which | commanded, with five Others be-
longing to the slst regiment were held in reserve
under the command of Lieut. Col Fowle, about
four hundred yards in the Of the entrenchment,
where the battle was fought where We remained
for nearly five hours with the balls of the enemy
! passing over and falling among U.s. every instant
AS the fight progressed the dead and wounded were
carried through our ranks. Though under fire our
selves, yet our orders were such, that were not
permitted to fire single musket. As far as could
judge the men were waiting with cool deberation,
for the order to advance and engage in the fight |
don't think ever saw any one more cool and self
possessed than our commander, 1t. Col Fowle.
During the fight he mingled freely with the men,
and his GOODNESS gave them more confidence than
ever in him their leader; while MAJ. Yeates, in
his usual good-humored way, would say something
| to cheer the men,
When the companies from the engagement came
through our ranks in retreat for moment there
was little confusion among US, but as soon as 1t.
Col. Fowles voice was heard ordering every man to
stand and cover the retreat of their brave comrades
who had so gaIlanty defended the entrenchments,
| they rallied and stood like men until the order was
communicated to us also to fall back. Col. F. Or
dered the companies to march off in regular order,
and saw the last company off before he mounted his
horse and Joined the retreat For some distance I
succeeded in preserving my companys organization
but the road was so narrow and there SO many
men retreat:ng together that the members of some
~f the other companies became mixed with mine.
The bulk Of the company remained together, and
| proceeded with me to camp. If there was running
and great confusion (as represented by "Boheman')
upon the part Of any company Of the 31st regiment
did not see it. can say for my men and think I
can say much for the other companies, that they
were not dspirited from what took place on Roam
oke Island but all seem to to be exchanged
and should opportunity present ITSELF they will
do their duty. W. D. JONES,
Captain Co. H.,
3lst Reg. N. G. Troops
Forestville, March TO- 1862