Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-01-02

pany \, Capt Hand, being sent down to the river
| to support Company G, fearing the enemy might
make IN effort to cross during the night
Or Tuesday morning the 10TH companys A, and
| u were relieved from duty by company Is Capt.
J Ar;nfied and company T, Capt Small About 3
| o'clock, our pickets Oponedon the enemy, who were
in very large force on the opposite bank of the river
| distant from one to three hundred yards. In few
moments the ball opened with terrific discharge
of artillery and small arms Col. Leventhorpe drew
ND the IIth in line of battle and awaited orders
The 3lst was ordered to take position the river
| bank but failed from some cause to do So where
! upon Col. LeVenthorpe was ordered to advance
/ which was promptly done, and in good order as
though it were on battalion drill they deployed
the river bank and in the swamp, under murder
Gus discharge of grape, canister and shell from Is
pieces of artillery and amidst the volleys of small
arms from five full brigades of infantry this was
the time to try brave hearts; but the old Bethel
was equal to the occasion, and under their brave
and cool officers went forward as though they be-
longed to Napoleon's old guard. The regiment
acted sharp shooters, and with their Enfield Ri
fes and Riaed English muskets, proceeded to do
their duty in fine style, sencing their batteries one
by one. After an engagement of five hours, the
enemy fell back, leaving quite a numbers of their
dead and wounded on the field
From the best information which I am able to
obtain the eneHy's force consisted of five brigades
of infantry and cavalry, and is pieces of artillery
0fom to 80 pounders) and not less than 10000.
Our entire force did not reach 200, and there were
only engaged the Bethel regiment, 600 strong, sup
ported by two pieces of artillery, of Maj. Moore's
battery.
Under the command of Brig. Gen. Robinson as
cool and brave an officer as has yet drawn his sword
in behalf of Southern independence our loss was
very small considering our position, the numbers
engaged, and the distance between forces, which
at no time could have exceeded three hundred yards
We have, however, to mourn the loss of some brave
spirits, among them Lieut. Means and Sergt. Bristol
Enclosed | send you list of killed and wounded,
with the names Of their company ; also the number
killed and wounded of other regiments who were
under fire but not actually engaged. Our total loss
was killed II; MORALLY wounded and slightly
wounded 45; of this number the Bethel regiment
lost killed l MORALLY wounded, and 81 slightly.
The enemy, through some of their prisoners, admit
a loss in killed and wounded of at least 1900.
After the enemy batteries were Silenced, and the
1lth regiment withdrawn, the 3lst, Col Jor-
dan was again ordered down to the river and fired
a few voeys into the retreating enemy BY day
light on Wednesday morning. we were on the march
for GoldSboro'. After a tramp of 20 miles, we ar
rived there just in time to see the Rail Read bridge
on the w. & w. Rail Road in flames and to hear
the news that the enemy were in full retreat for
Newborn.
An examination of the battle ground at White
Hall bridge next morning disclosed the fact that the
cueruy made IL lIaSLy retreat as they lett behind
about 100 uneuried dead, number Of wounded,
besides eevcral thousand dollars worth Of stores.
The 18th is now encampcd on the Rail Road with
in two miles of town, and have just been placed in
Gen. j. johnson PettigrewS brigade. Our regi-
ment is enjoying excellent health, although we have
not been in house tent for the last eight days
Your obedient servant,
q = BROWN Cant