The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1862-05-07

which ! allude.
Though he had volunteered, the youngster
was deemed too small to endure the fatigues
Of the campaign, and il was suggested TO the
parents that they should procure snbsti-
tute. This was accordingly done, and the
latter took his place in the ranks. The boy,
however, obstlnately refused to go home,
and when the regiment went into the battle he
dashed not only into the thickest charges,
but always managed to keep far ahead OF his
companions. On one occasion he left the
regiment three or four hundred yards in the
rear, and reckless of the danger of being
shot from behind, crept from tree to tree
and bush to bush, until he arrived within
fifty yards of the enemy, and there cooIy
loaded, fired and brought down his victim
at every shot Several men seeing his criti-
cal position, went up to induce him to re-
turn !; but he had his paddy up" and OBJ
stinately refused to bulge. fortunately the
enemy made no advance, and though the lit
tie hero was hit in his clothing several times,
he escaped harm, and now has one Of the
proudest regulations that can follow him
through life. wish had his name to give
to the public, but it has escaped my memo
ry.
was informed TO day BY an officer high
in command, that had we pursued the Fed
erals to the river brink on Sunday night, we
might have bagged thousands more. Major
Gilmer, of the Engineers, and party rode
down TO within musket shot Of them, and
describe their confusion 10 have been i'm
mense. They were huddled together like
coyey OF partridges, and making their way
as best they could on board their transports.
The presence OF the gunboats and the desire
to economise life were doubtless the pru-
Dental considerations which prevented this
step, and probably il is as well that no ad-
vance was made.
am more than ever satisfied that on both
days we obtained victory-on the first a
decided physical victory, and on the second
a moral one. We have not only captured
three or four thousand prisoners, including
a General, a large amount Of artillery, fifteen
stand of arms, all their transporta>
tion wagons, and destroyed considerable
portion Of their tents, clothing, and personal
effects, but, we have demorallZed the Federal
army. blighted the prestige Of insinciblity
with which they came into the hight, and
have caused concentration Of the enemy in
front Of Us, where il they advance at all,
they must leave the water courses, and stand
upon an equal footing with ourselves. Moth
ing but the intervention OF their dlaboiical
gunboats and the river Tennessee prevented
a complete rout, and if they will only afford
Us an opportunity to try their mettle without
these adjuncts, they will speedily learn that
Beauregdrd aud his army are match for all
.he troops that are likely to be brought
against Us.
Among The trophies Of the battle | have
seen are some of the Federal shields with
which The courageous officers and men, who
can afford it, are wont TO envelope their val
liable personal indentities. They are made
of steel, and completely cover the body from
the neck to the thigh joints, being supported
by adjustable bands which pass over the
shoulders like suspenders. One OF them,
taken from the body Of an officer, had dent
10 it, made BY minnie bullet, deep enough
to embrace the head Of your thumb. yet the
metal was not pierced, and the life of the
wearer was reserved to be sacrificed 70 an
unchariiable bullet in the head. Their
weight is thoroughly inconyenIent, and must
prove a terrible drawback to the Yankees
when they run. Probably the next inyen-
ton will be bomb and bullet.prouf helmet,
and possibly a complete personal masked
battery. One Of our soldiers put on the
shield to which | have referred. and allowed
another 10 strike him with al iron bar with
all his strength, but il produced no more ef-
feet, except to bend the bar, than il the blow
had been aimed at a solid rock. They are
great inyention--for towards.
Of other trophies we have an abundance.
Fully nine-tenths ot our army are now wear
ing Federal hats and oyercOats, aud look
like very arislocratic Yankees, but woe to
them il they should show themselves during
i fight. They would be killed by our own
people without scruple Of deliberations.
Needle books. hair oil, pots Of preserves and
iellics, handkerchiels, deguerreotypes, let
ters, watches and Federal money, are iloat-
ing about on the curious wave Of camp life
in abundance, aud many Of our men have
added really valuable acquisitions to their
heretofore limited stock OF luxuries. Much
more might have been supplied to the army
...fI ~ h,v. hann hrnnphf away. but this