Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-07-09
For the Standard
CAMP 24Tu REG. N. G. Troops, }

L
Near Richmond, Ta.,) June q, 80
Mr.. EDITOR: As it might interest portion of
your readers to hear from the 9th regiment pro-
pose to give you statement of what we have been
doing for the past three days. On the night of the
oath, we arrived within the Richmond lines, much
fatigued, our clothes well saturated-havlng passed
through heavy shower of rain, and having left our
tents in Petersburg, bvouacked for the night. At
about eli ht O'Clock the following morning. the long
roll respectfully invited US to fall in," which was
soon completed. The regiment was then put in
motion and after having gone about two miles were
halted for further orders. We were then ordered
forward to support Louisiana battalion which was
being slowly and reluctantly driven back by large
ly superior force Our line was soon under fire,
and an advance was commenced by companies COM
mencinS the night Col. Clarke leading Steadi-
ly each company forwarded through an open field,
until scope oi WOODS gained. each side of
which was a barren field. the Loui>ianlans having
been driven from these woods. In this advance,
though not gun had been fred by US, few men
fell from the we'll directed Minnie balls from the
Yankee sharpshooers, portion Of S:ckles brigade.
The first two right companies having been deployed
as SkirmiSherS under the immediate supervision of
the Co!onei-the remainder Of the regiment gained
the outer skirt of the woods, and, for the first time
in position to fire with effect. Lying fat on our
faces, and occasionally firing whenever the enemy
could be seen, which was very seldom, we received
brisk shower of bullets-;aking but little effect,
however, they passed over US. From the time
We commenced advancing, battery OF two guns
with rifle cannon ball played upon US, passing over
with their dea,hly shrieks, doing no damage-but
if ever ground Was Rugged by men. it was done on
that day. About four o'clock in the evening, the
Colonel was ordered to charge the battery, which
had advanced so near that could distinctly hear
the officers giving command to load and fire; we
coull also hear them ramning. The battery would
have to be charged through open field under fire
of at least two origades. The Colonel now passed
down the line very calmly, cheering his men
knowing as he did chat very lew would ever sur
vive the charge, but confident he would take it. as
his determined countenance would fully show
But at this uncture OF tirs, two of our field pieces
came up taking position our left, and half
dozen shots from guns silencedt the Yankee bat
terry, and bad them sheauddling. Our battery fired
with much more accuracy than the Yankees, and
its report was much more pleasant to us. The
der to charge was then countermanded, as the Yam
KEGS had Withdrawn. have not the slightest doubt
but that the battery could have been taken, but the
loss of life would have made it too dear purchase.
The engagement lasted from ii o'clock till dark
Our loss was 9 killed and 7 wounded. Thong our
list of casualties is small in ratio to the other regi
ments engaged with US, yet we gained the position
We were sent to take, held it, and now hold it.
This is the first time, though in service over IL
months, that the travelling, peaceful gallant dash
ing and bloody 24t5 has snelt gunpowder.-
What was effected by our fire is not known-two
field officers were to fall, and it is generally
believed that the encmy's loss was considerable
The officers and men acted very coolly, and 10 the
satisfaction of our General, vino somplimented the
regiment very highly. 1t was feared by some that
Col. Clarke would be too daring and impetuous on
the battlefield, but the cool and determined man.
ner in which he manoeuvred his regiment under
fire. won the admiration and entire confidence of his
followers. This, in my opinion, accounts for our
small loss. heavy firing is going on to the left
and general engagement is looked for.
hope that the oath will sustain itself as we'll as
it did in the last engagement, and as all North Car
olinians have done in this dreadful contest Could
you see the large number of men from our brave
old State around here, you would come to the con-
clusion that North Carolina is doing her duty, al
though very little is said about it. CUPID.