Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-02-20


pers Regiment and also the companies of the st
lHunton'D Virginia Regiment. which, detached FROM
Cookies Brigade by orders and those of Gen Johnston
had OPPORTUNITY reached the ground. These with Harpers
Regiment constituted reserve protect right flank
Bridge and served support for the line of battle which
was Termed the right kg Bees and vans
bodens four six Founders Waltons FIVE guns 1.-TWO risd
two guns Cone piece rfsd) of StanaFd's and two SIX
ton and the left by Garrels reduced ranks and Col
Smiths bat aon subsequently reinforced Fakners Second
Mississippi regiment and by another regiment of the Army
of Shenandoah just arrived upon the field the Sixth sh
ers North Carolina. Confronting the enemy this time,
forces numbered at most than $500 nfsntr
and artierfst With but thirteen pieces of artillery and
two companies (Cartes and Hoge) of Stuarts cavalry
The enemys force. bearing hotly and confidently
down position. Regiment after rementof the
equipped that took the ed-sccordng to their
Hnnr and T., sn Gonee sbea
and Keyes Bgades of Tylers Division, and of the orm
and Second Rhode Island and Two Dagreen howitzersa
force of 900 infantry companies IF regular
cavalry and twenty-four pieces of improved artillery At
the time perious heavy Of infantry and
ter hung in the distance around the Stone Bridge, Mitch
ems, bAackourns and Union Mills Fords Vsely ready to
fall upon US at any momen and was also assured OF the
existence of ether heavy at and around CenteVe
aqG elsewhere Within convenient supporting distances.
posted the lines for the encounter sought TO infuse into
mined spirit OF resistance to this wicked ingason OF the
homes of free people, which felt Informed them that
we must at all hazards hold our posts until reinforced
reminded them that fought tor homes resdes
and for independence OF country fged them TO
the resolution of victory death that field. These SEN
timens loudly eagerly cheered, wheresoeVer pro-
claimed and then felt r.assnTed of the
ry from the host then threatening with destruction
Oh my country! would readily have sacrificed my life
and those of all the brave around me, to your
honor and to maintain your independence from the deg
ing yoke which those ruthless invaders had to impose
and render perpetual and the days issue has assured me-
that such emotions must have animated all uPder my
command.
In the meantime the eneoy had seized upon the plateau
which Robnson's and the Henry Houses situated
the position first occupied in the morning by Gen. Bee be-
fore advancing to the support of EvansRckets Battery
of six rife guns the pride Of the Fedeas the object OF
their unstined expenditure in outfit and the equally pow
erfu Regular Light Battery Of Griffin. brought for
ward and placed in immediate action after having conont
y with tbs batteries already mentioned played from form
positions with destructive effect upon forward bat
talions.
The typographical features the plateau, become
the stage Of the contendiDg armies be described in
outline
glance at the map will show that enclosed
sides by small water which empty into Bull Run
within few yards Of each other half annie to the South
of the Stone Bridge Rising to elevation of quite
hundred fest above the level OF Bull Run at the Bridge
falls of three sides to the level of the enclosing streams
in gentle slopes, but which turowed by rayines o.
irregular direction and length studded with cumps
patches of young pines and oaks The general direction
the crest OF the plateau is obque to the of Bu
Run in that quarter, and to the Brensvle Turnpike
Roads which ntersect each other at right angles Imme
datey surrounding the houses, before mentioned
small open fields of Irregular outline, not exceeding Isl
acres in The houses occupied the te the
by the widow Henry and the other by the free Robin
Son small wooden buildings the latter denseIy
cred i'll trees and environed by double of fences
two sides Around the Eastern and Southern Brow of t
plateau almost unbroken fringe of second growth pines
gave excellent shelter for marksmen who aVaed them
selves of it with the most satisfactory skill To the West
adjoining the fields, broad belt of oaks extends directly
across the both sides of Sudey Road in which
during the battle regiments OF both armies met and con
tended for tina mastery.
From the open grounds of this plateau the embrace
wide exPanse of woods, and gently undulating ope
country OF broad grass and grain fields IN all decCns II
Guiding the Of Evans Bees recent encounter Will
: the enemy, some 200 yards to the northward.
In reply to the play Of the enemgs batteries ownar
: . he
occupied by guns on level with that held by the bat
terie of the enemy was al open space of limited extent
behind low andulaon just the eastern verge of III
plateau, 500 600 yards from the Henry House.
Here, as before aaid 10 pieces mostly sxpounders
maintained action. The several batteries of lmbUen
Stanard, Pendleon (Rockbrdge Arthery) and Aburtis
of the army of the Shenandoah and five Of Watons
and HI ons section of Rogers battery of the Amy
the Potomac, alternating to extent with each other
and taking part needed all from the outset displaying
that marvellous capacity OF people, artlerss whlc
has made them would appear at the terror and til
d admiration of the enemy.
il yerey from artillery, and from the fire of muske
the right and especially from the left flank placed unde
And we are told in their official reports how regiment afe
regiment thrown forward to dilodge broken,
er to recover lis entire organization on that field
(Carters and Hoge's made dashng charge down til
the enemys right Ike pateau-which added their d
order wrought by our muskety on that flank Bat still
the or the enemy heavy in that quarter OF tn
field, fresh troops thrown forward there to ouhan
u.s. and some three OF battery in attempt to OF
r. thrown close to the $50 regiment Jacksons brigad
regiment sprngng forward seized them but v"
severe loss, and subsequently, driven back by
20 powering force of Federal musketry.
Now full CLOCK P. M gave the order for the rgl
plateau It was done with uncommon resolution and vigo
and at the time Jacksons brigade pierced the
centre with the determination of veterans and the spirit
men who light for but suffered serous
With equal spirit the other parts of the line made the
points from the open ground of the plateau Rayng
however, they strongly reinforced by fresh
ments the Federasts returned and by weight of Eumber
pressed lines back recovered their ground and gun
d. and renewed the offensive.
n By this time, between half-past and O'Clock ?, ID
our relnOrcemens pushed forward and directed by Gene
al to the required quarter hand just
of had ordered forward effort for the recovery
ed the disputed plateau the whole line including
which, al this crisis of the battle felt called upon to lei
to ia person. This attack general and shared in
every then in the field including the 9Th Fisher
North Carolina regiment, which had just and TAX
at position the immediate lett of the Actin Virginia regimen
The whole open ground was again sweptcear OF theen
and the plateau around the Henry and Robinson HOu
M remained finally in possession with the greater part
the RICK stts and Griffin batteries and flag of the lst Mic
NO gan regiment captured by the 9th Virginia regimen
ey QLieut Col Echols of Jacksons brigade. This Pant
ats the day rich with deeds of individual GOODNESS
dauntes conduct well directed embodied resouti
and bravery but faught with the loss the service of
country OF lives of inestimabe pecoasness this u1
raj ture The Grave Fee mertay wounded at the head
,es the 4h Alabama and Mssissippans in the open
Iy the Henry House and few yards distant, the pro
mel lsng HE OF Barlow while leading theth Georgia regime
lp was quenched in blood. Col. F. j. Thomas Acting Oh
at Ordnance, Of Gen. Johnstons Staff after gallant CT
duct and most efficient SERVICE was also slain. col Fish
ersGth North Carona-Hkewse fell, after solderly bel
N0r at the head OF his regiment with ranks greatly hEn
of Wihers 18th regiments of Cookies brigade, had
in time to follow this charge, and in conjunction with Han
ton eglon captured several rifle pieces which may ha
fallen previously in possession of of troops bu
So had been recovered by the These pieces were
medatey turned, and effectively served distant
OF TIE enemy. by the hands of of our officers
her lille the enemy had thus been driven back rig
entirely across the turnpike and beyond Youngs Bran
lad left the woods yet swarmed with them, when
opportunity arrived in quick succession
tooE poson IN that portion OF the field. kershaw