Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-10-31
For the Standard.
1.-THE OLD THIRD"

WINCHESTER, VA, Oct 90 1862.
Nix. EDITOR Now that the storm of war has
lulled will you allow little to be said in your cell
umns concerning the "Olt Third" Brigade in
which the bloody 9th" has "a local habitation
and name" You have doubtless heard of the gal
liant charges ma lie by this Brigade at Gaines farm,
Friday nights frolic," and at Manassas ll-yet
no where has the Brigade so distinguished itself as
in the brilliant but fatal charge at Sharpsburg.-
Called upon to retake ground lost to our arms the
Brigade with its ranks thinncd by many a hard
fought field, moved forward in perfect line, amid
showers of shot, she'll and ball. "stil as the breeze,
but dreadful as the Storm" The Yankee host stood
defiant and proud-they thought the victory was
theirs. Mistaken idea, when Hood and Low were
after them with the Texas and "Old Third" Bri-
gades-thg "invncible Division"
Moving short distance, the clarion voice of Col
Low, commanding our Brigade, gave the word to
charge Like an Alpine avalanche, tired of its cold
and barren rocks and longing for the valley below,
the "Old Third" fell upon them, giving them a
deadly volley at close range, and leaplng forward
with the bayonet they fed though J0ve with his
red right arm, had hurled his whole celestial artil-
lery upon them. Driving them from their position
and regaining the ground it was held against all
Odds until the last round of cartridges were fired
away-then sulenly with their face to the foe they
withdrew, rallied, and stood waiting with the bay
onet for theRadVance, and determined to hold their
lines with steel when the lead gone for, be it
remembered, that the Brigade advanced from their
line of defence, and attacked them upon the level
open field
Gen. Hood, in his order, states that we drove off
twenty times number, to say nothing OF the
numerous batteries pouring their deadly discharges
into our ranks You NAV unroll the records Of
military history, and search in vain for brighter
or more brilliant charge. Are not those two Brigades
composing Hoods Division, rightly entitled to the
distinction Of the "Invincible Division? ~ But our
yrn 10
OF the gallant spirits who yielded up their hearts
blood in that memorable charge, and on the bloody
field of Sharpsburg Every regiment lost over half
its number in killed or wounded, and among the
field officers and acting field officers, only two
NAMED uninjured-Capt. York, of the 9th n. o.,
and Capt Robbins 4th Ala, Formerly Professor in
Trinity College. n. c. We mourn the loss Of such
men as Col Liddell and Maj. Evans, killed, and 1t.
Col Butler, wounded of the II tn Miss Col Stone,
1t Col Humphreys, and Mai Blair, of the I'd Miss
wounded. 1t Col. McLemore, 4th Ala. died from
wounds. The gallant 1t. Col. Webb, and Maj or
Lake, of the 9th N. c., wounded, and the lamented
Capt Lowrie killed upon the field. The following
is summary of the losses of the different reg
iments:
18th Mississippi, LOG
End Mississippi, 10
4th Alabama, 81 .
9th North Carolina, 100
Total, $50
The losses of our sister Brigade, Ohe Texas was
equally as severe as that of the "0ld Third" But
there are two names indelibly stamped upon the
hearts OF the brave men of this Division-.names
synonymous with gaLIaatry, iRtrepidity and abiti-
ty-Brig. Gen. Hood, of Texas, commanding the
Division, and Col. Low, 4th Ala, commanding the
"Old Third" If merit be taken into consideration,
then, indeed, may we humbly hope to see our Brig.
General, Ito whom all the men are very much at
tached) promoted to Major General. Col. Low has
proven himself to be the right man in the right
place-possessing the entire confidence of almost
every officer and man in the "Old Third" Truly
we think he has won for himself the wreath to en-
circle his trio of stars We understand that every
field officer and company commander in the Brigade
have recommended his promotion to the wreath,
and no one more richly deserves it. He has won
it with his noble Brigade, on many hard fought
field. Long life to him and the gallant Texan, and
may the two Brigades never be separated They
have won undying fame for their States, without
jealousy or chickering's. '.. ..
And now Mr.. Editor, this article never would
have been written, but that the naked facts might
be known, and the Old North State reminded that
she has one regiment at least that may be ranked
among the "brayest Of the. brave"
VISITOR