The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-04-29
SECOND NJ. c. CAVALRY.

between a portion of the n G. Cavalry and
party of the enemy, recently in the Eastern part
of this State, we copy the following account from
the Raleigh Journal. 1t is no doubt correct
statement of the affair:
After two days aud nights spent with the
pickets of the "a Cavalry, many of whom were
eye-witnesses of the occurrence, enabled to
present our readers with the following bIlef
account of the fight at John Gillet's in the lower
part of Jones county, \. g., between q detach-
me Mt of the I'd Cavalry, LieutCol. W. G. Robin
son commanding, and a pillaging party of the
enemy, which furnished us by participant
in the fight and most of the facts of which We
had corroborated by others:
On Sunday, the 18th instant, Col. Robinson
act out in quest of the enemy, who, he learned,
was perpetrating the most wanton aud heartless
excuses in Jones and Onslow counties. His
command consisted of the following companies
and parts of companies: Capt Bryant 50 men,
Capt Strange so men; Capt, Turner, so men; a
detachment of Capt. Coles 10 men, Lieut.. King
commanding; detachment Of Capt. Andrews,
l3 men, 1t. Allison commanding; a detachment
of Capt. Thomas, 81 men, Orderly Scrg't Win
sted commanding; and men of Capt. Hays COM
pany-the entire command consisting of about
two hundred and six men. The expedition
started from point which need not be mentioned,
and proceeded in the direction which promised
the greatest certainty Of meeting with the enemy
When or how they came upon his tracks, Is
matter of Indifference, but those tracks were
marked with desolation and terror, and theft and
robbery. All that was valuable was packed in
stolen wagons, which were drawn by stolen horses
and hauled away. Ladies' dresses, children S
shoes pins and needles were deemed of sufficient
value to constitute part of his booty. On the
Cavalry fastened, having already learned pretty
accurately that the number of the enemy did not
exceed tro hundred; while by some it esti-
mated at one hundred and twenty-five Before
starting, Col Robinson had secured the services
and cooperation of prudent aud reliable guide,
who is as remarkable for his sound discretion aud
incorruptibo patriotism for his unassuming
valor and eentlenIunly derortment-we aude to
Lieut. John Ncthercutt, Sheriff of Jones county
Ii was late, about nidnig ht-our Cavalry
drew near to John Gillct's and were met By
negro who informed them that the Yankees had
his master in irons. and, with his family, had him
confined in up stairs, aud begged them to
60 his relief The enemy force known
not superior if equal to our own. The plan Of
the house and the grounds was clearly asccrtaincd
from their intelligent guide The house was sit
uated within a square field, which was enclosed
by an ordinary rail fence parallel with which, aluus
the main road, ran broad and deep ditch which
considered impossible far as the avenue leading
80 the house This ditch was continued beyond
the avenue along the road but not regarded
Offering any serious obstruction. Around the
house and enclosing it from the field was patent
plank fence. The length of the avenue from the
main road to the house notes do not state, and
whether it was fifty hundred aud fifty
yards, told by Lieut.. Nethercutt, We caLnot
state with certainty. Col. Robinson now con-
suited his officers and communicated his plan of
attack. 1t had been ascertancd that a sentinel
posted at the mouth Of the avenue. whom it
was resolved to capture il possible without shoot
ing him or creating any alarm, but at all events
TO silence him. Two men sent forward for
this purpose, and finding it impossible to secure
him otherwise, he shot down At the report
of the gun by which the sentinel was killed, Col.
Robinson at the head of his charged down
the road in lines parallel to the house and then up
the avenue, Captains Bryan and Coles squad
charging up to the fence in front, and Col Rob
inson dashing to the left and calling on his men
to follow him. Here Capt. Bryants aud Coles
men acted with the utmost GOODNESS and bravery
firing into the windows, yard, and wherever
Yankee could be seen. Lieut. Blassingame imi-
tating the bravery of his gallant Captain Bryant.
cheered on his aud acquitted himself
yaliantly
At this stage Of the action it was announced
that the Yankees were running towards the
swamp, and Col Robinson ordered the MEN near
est him Coles squad) to charge down the road
and intercept the fugitivcs, but instantly recalled
them. The enemy were now pouring pretty
hot fire upon men in the avenue and road
which produced temporary confusion, and they
hestated to charge. In an instant the Colonel
was again among them, cheering and rallyin his
men, and, putting himself at their head, his we'll
known noble voice rang throughout the line
'come on my brave fellows; toHor me" On
dashed the Colonel followed by men who were
willing to die by his side, or with him share the
gories of victory. They charged up the avenue
and around the house TO the left and rear The
Colonel still cheering on his men and urging them
70 the attack, at every breath assuring them that
the victory was theirs, swept to the palings aud
shot down enemy. Rushing further on and
still shouting words Of encouragement in the ears
Of all who followed Lin, he levelled his revolver
at another Yankee, but failed to kill him; aud
who, taking advantage of his position, shot the
brave Colonel, who, with pistol lie veled, and still
shouting "tohow mr., my men, fell from his
horse. Words are unavang. \ Drawer man
than Col Robinson never fell in battle When
this sad loss fell upon us, our tronrs without
leader followed the senior Captain, Strange from
the field, who instantly ordered retreat.
In the meantime when the Colonel charged
around the house from the left, seeing the neccs-
sity of surrounding the house aud charging Oh
the right, thereby d.straetng the enemy and
dividing his FIRE, Serg't Cole cried out tear down
the fence the right which, being done, he
ieaped the ditch and fence, calling the men to