Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-01-01
GEN. STERLING pRIeE--HTS MILITARY Ca
s REER AND IT'S RESULTS


We take the following notices of Gan Price from .
the Richmond correspondence of the New Orleans
Delta:
/ presume the history of this distinguished Off
is familiar to you. II ought to be ialnliiar 10
the people of the Confederate States. II would
show that in this age, well in former ages cir
cunstsnces develop genius and that the pressure'of
events Is enough to stimulate the qualities OF the
hero even when herOism has been latent and I'M
suspected. Gen. Prices campaign in Mexico was
decidedly Of The most brilliant episodes of the
war; His conquest in New Mexico with slender
force of volunteers; and fertility of and
extraordinary energy and enterprise, displayed in
suppressing the subsequent rebellion, and in his re.
markable winter campaign against the insurgent In
dams, deserve to be recorded as the most shining
page of the history of the Mexican war; Among
the victories gained by Gen. Price in that were
the battles Of Taos and Rosaes; the latter fought
against a greatly superior force, commanded 10y
Don Angel Treas, Governor of chihuahua, gen
teman who has of late years become well known IN
this country a distinguished leader of the Next
can leaders
The same characteristics have marked General
Prices recent campaign in Missouri; the same orig
naty OF conception, energy of action, readiness OF
invention, and audacity of enterprise. The attack
upon Lexington, which after its successful finale,
was admitted to be one Of the most brilliant affairs
of the whole war, was it is understood discouraged
here by the partisans of the cautious and datory
policy.
After the capture of Mulligan and his forces,
Price intended to attack Fremont before he could
concentrate his army, bIt waS prevented by lack
of ammunition from executing his design. When
Lexington surrendered he had but 2 900 percussion
caps in his whole command lie sent to General
Hardee, and believe to General McCulloch, for
supply of those Indispensable articles but for some
reason, satisfactory perhaps to those officers, they
not sent People here cannot help expressing
the conviction that had Price been :ealously and
efficiently seconded he would, by this time, have
driven the enemy from Missouri, and thus secured
to the Confederacy the most important of the WeS-
tern States. The results flowing from q consumma-
ton Of this kind cannot be over estimated They
extend far beyond the boundaries of Missouri
They reach the frontiers of New Mexico and involve
the destines of Kansas the Indian Nation, Arizona
and New Mexico. With Missouri firmly attached
to the Confederacy, Arizona will remain undisturbed
in our possession; New Mexico will easily be
quired, the Indian Nation will be free from Federal
invasion and even Kansas will fall into our hands.
Missouri cuts off the North from any those
territories but with that State in his power, Lin
coin pour his forces into the region beyond and
force us to desperate struggle to maintain it. The
contest in Missouri is not done for control of Mis-
souri,, but Tor possession of the vast countries which
lie to the west and southwest
As the circumstances attending the accidental
shooting of Mr.. Martin, 4 private in Capt Stoves
Forsyth Company, have been miSreprcsentcd,
have been requested to COPY the letter OF Col Branch
to the iather Of the young man in whose hand the
gun was when the accident occurred:
HEAD QUARTERS SO n. c. Reg S. tt
Fair Grounds, near Raleigh,
November 18th, 1861.
Mr.. II. r. Lehman, Forsyth COunty
Sr:-Yours, of the 18th has been received At
the time Mr.. Martin was shot by gun in the hands
Of your son, was within fifteen yards of the spot
which it occurred and went Immediately to Capt
Stoves tent into which the wounded man was car
ried. On seeing him in the care Of the Surgeons
proceeded Oh the spot to investigate the circumstance
The bystanders without exception cOncurred in sta
ting that Mr.. Martin had requested your to
teach MIN or show him how To charge bayonets
handing him (your SOM his (Martln's) gun for the
purpose. Your son taking the gun, placed himself
in the proper attitude and drew the gun back to
place it in position At that instant it exploded.
No could tell what caused it to explode but all
were that it entirely accidental.
Whilst was making inquiries outside the tent,
the wounded man, probably overhearing them, sent
DIR. Hunter who was by his side, to say to me that
1t was accidental, and your was only project
ing with him." The company had just come off
their first drill with arms.
The occurrence was deeply regretted throughout
the encampment but 40 far as | know 1t has not IN
the least injured the good name of your son.
The person you speak Of who would if posi-
Die, by foul means, ruin and destroy the character
of any and all those brave boys who have left their
homes and firesdes, and gone forward to defend the
rights of the South occasionally to be met
with elsewhere than in Forsyth. None SO harsh
in their structures upon others as those who are
doing nothing themselves for the defence of the
country. We afford to disregard their malice;
it is fire in the which will do us no damage.
While | cannot hope to repress all vice and i'm
morality amongst the troops under my command
shall not fail to cultivate and sustain religious sent-
ments and moral practices among the men. In
none are they more becoming than in the soldier of
righteous cause, and to none they more sure
to bring earthly reward for it is well established
fact that vice and immortality destructive Of
armies than the bullets Of enemies. The religion
which you say your sOn has professed will surely
make him better soldier that he would otherwise
be-may he not hope that it will be buckler in
the day of battle?
| take pleasure in bearing testimony to the good
conduct and orderly department of the men CON-
mand from Forsyth. twill be my to return them
to their home when great mission has been &C.
complished, with their good parental training unim
paired
Mr.. Martin has not died as you seem to suppose
but have but little hope of his recover. He has
the best medical attendance, and every possible
comfort, with the best nursing.
Yours very respectfully,
L. OBJ. BRANCH,
Col Commanding.