The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-06-03

GEN BRANcHs -BRIGApE.-On Tuesday last, Gen.
Branchs n C. Brigade had severe engagement with
the enemy near Hanover Courthouse, I5 miles from
Richmond From all accounts the Brigade fought with
great bravery, but were overpowered. The Brigade
is composed of good material as there is in the
army and consists of Campbclls, Lees, Lanes, and
Cowans Regiments. Tho Petersburg Express gives
the following account of tho affair:
The sklrmlshlng was very heayy-almoSt battle.
1t commenced tuesday morning. about sunrise, among
cavalry Pickets; at IL o'clock artillery both sides
became engaged and at two O'Clock p m, Gen. L. b.
branchs brigade from North Carolina participated.
the hght commenced at Peck's Turnout, on the
Virginia Central Railroad four miles this side of Ham
over Courthouse. We had one battery of artillery
-four pieces) opposed to some or 10 pieces of the
enemy. BFanch's brigade consisted of the Seventh,
Eighteenth, TwentyEighth and Thirty Seventh n. G.
Regiments.
During the early part of the infantry fight OBJ,
tanned many advantages over the Hess;ans and several
times drove them back but they were constantly rein
forced while we could obtain no renforcemeuts, and
night closed with the Confederates in full retreat
leaving the Yankees full possession of the field and
all our Killed and wounded, few of the latter,
whose injuries were slight, that they had diff
Guilty in saving themselves.
During Ike fight took four pieces of artillery,
but they were all retaken by the enemy who also
ceeded in capturing of our pieces and stI have
it in their possession, for aught We know to the
trary.
1t is stated by the few wounded soldiers who have
reached here, that loss in killed wounded and
prisoners amount to between five and six hundred
We hope that this is over-estimate. Much of thu
fighting at short range, and the enemys loss is
believed to have been large. This however, is
conjecture 1t strange, that while the enemy
was largely reinforced, could obtain none Though
we must have had many in easy marching distance.
| We find the following in the Raleigh Journal Of
Saturday:
Safc.-We most happy to announce that Gen
Branch and his command are safe, notwithstanding the
which Richmond n
Wednesday placed him. dispatch Oh Thursday
evening to Mrs. B., in this city justes this announce
ment.
ANOTHER ACCeUNT.-Tho Richmond Enquirer furn
ishcs the following account of the affair It. differs from
the above from the Express
"Tle skirmsh on Tuesday near Hanover Courthouse
commenced between regiment of North Carolina troops
attached to Gen. Brancs Brigade, and advance party
OF the enemy Om troops galantly repulsed the foe took
sixty three prisoners and pursued the Yankees back upon
their main body. The Confederate Regiment lounG
itself fighting whole Division of the hostile army and
consequently. i'll their turn, men fell back upon then
| own brigade Here the fight ended The loss in killed
and wounded is not believed to have been considerable
on either sde though that Of the enemy is supposed tC
have been the greater.
Such is the simple story of the skrnis, but far differ
ent the reports which filled the yesterday
We allude to these for the purpose of both bringing the
subject the attention of the Provost Marshal and oil
putting citizens their guard.
The terrible stories of blood and carnage and disaster
which were rotaed on Broad street yesterday to gaping
circles or listeners Were told by the handful or towards
who away from the battlefield. They left the brave
men of their regiment behind them and FASTENED here as
if they sent for Some brought their grs-othcr<
threw them away! They made their way across wheat
fields and through swamps Some boarded the train Of
cars, and rode ill., Like every fugitive that away
from fight, they tell the most enormous stoesno one
of which is worthy of being listened to- We hope the
Provost Marshars police will arrest every OF them
who has not returned to his regiment and it would not be
amss to give them to remember their shameful and
criminal deSertiOn of their COofS
The Richmond Examiner of Friday says
We learn that in Tuesdays fight, Hanover juno
ton, Gen Branch succeeded in getting oil his entire
command, with the exception of regiment. which got
out of position but which yesterday effected a junction
with the main body The force of the enemy largely
superior to that of Gen. Branch. The retreat
Quoted in good order to Ashland, where panic sud
denly broke out among troops, and great confusion
followed. Ashland is still within our lines.