Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-05-28
CAMP NEAR CHANCELLeRsVILLR,
3D. RECT n. &. Troops,
Nav 18th 1863.

CAMP NEAR CHANCELLeRsyILLR,
Sd RECT n. g. Troops
May 18th, 1868.
MEssRs FULroN & PRICE -
Gentlemen: | wish send you short account Of the
battle at Charlottesville, which you can publish i'll
your paper not, as may seem to you most proper
In this acc wish to say netting OF the 81 rtgi-
ment with which AN connected, and may also add a
line respec' ing tie lst commanded by Col Nc
Dowel
We left Skinker's Neck on Wednesday, April goth,
and after nearly days march, reached Hamilton 8
Crossing, where the troops were stationed Tor the night
1t was supposed 10y some, and hoped by few others,
that there would be fight that day at the above
mentioned place, and every preparation had been made
by the Generals TO that ind but it was not so to be,
and e~r!y on Friday morning we started for place
4 properly named The Wilderness,' for wilderness it
most certainly is lmost without water with stunted
trees, reminding of OvergrOwn gauky boys, with
their l. gs halt through their breeches than Of TALL state
| Iy trees, such may be n NOrth Carolina
hen one happens by to meet one OF the resi-
dents of this Sahara OF Virginia, be encounters rCugh
uncouth aud unuored spt cmen OF something, dressed
up in mans coths who has scarcely ht ard of any
thing beyond the limits of lis circumscribcd vision
in this little place where the flowers almost refuse to
bloom AID Hhere the birds scarcely heard to
sing.
Here it was that the fight commenced on Saturday
evening May 2nd, about 5 o. IN , snd continued about
two days and halt Both the 1st and Bird regiment,
were in the forefront Of the battle and acted with great
galantry throughout so much that when 1t was said
to one OF the Virg mia officers by member of the 3rd
that these ments anxious to be brigaded with
North o. roina troops, else sent to their State,
as they had identity in their present position, where
they merely acted from stern sense OF duty soldiers
and not ,1en who had rights which acknowledged
by all those who in authority it promptly and
warmly replied that 1.-The two regiments married
last night to the brigade and hereafter, would have
Identity If they never possessed 1t before" l hope
this may be so, we seem to be DESTINED to remain
with Virginia neighbours, and also In close proxm
IoE rl,.So h0a tho has 40 ~
the RappahannOck ard it would be we'll and Just if
we are remain in this brigade, that should at
least ceive the measure that Ia given to Others.
don't wish complain, Nessrs Editors, neither would
the troops in question ask that any Partially should be
shown them, but they do claim that the bene-
fits granted to Virginia regiments shoad be extended
to them in like manner
But | sm perhaps wandering from the subject in
hand. The regiments fought bravely and we'll and
have already received the Communications of their Brig
adler, Sen CCeton, who is commanding the dvi-
sion in quence of the illness necessary absence
of Ms General Irimble The casualties in these two
regiments alone, very great. There eleven
officers and hundred and sixt your privates d..
ed. This is supposed to be rect statement the
excitement has subsidized, and the missing have
turned 10 their place.. trust that these may all re
cover d be restored to their several stations again
with renewed health and strength, and thus be enabled
to serve in the defence of their country.
Both officers and privaes behaved very courageous
lily, yet of one have been requested to make es
L
the reg ment was withdrawn account of the ammu-
milton having b len exhausted, Sergeant H. q. Butler,
Go. G, the Colour Bear>r, who wounded in the
thigh, and consequently could not retreat finding that
be was about TO De captured by the enemy tore the
Battle Flag from the lance and concealed it beneath
log. He taken and carried a prisoner to
the house at Chance orsville but the Flag saved,
and now, it is believed in possession OF some OF our
Troops When our forces drove the enemy from this
position, Butler riding sideways Yankee
horse, lgG by Yankee prisoner. HaviDg bten too
badly wounded to ride the horse in the ordinary way
or to Gu lie him without aosistaUo be took this
kee as his servant, and made him perorm act which
he doubtless understood much better than he did the
art of fighting.
| Several officers and MI Of the lst regiment were
badly wounded, aud have gone to the for treat
ment, which hope may be the means OF their speedy
recovery in order to their speedy return to duty which
[ am they most a1dently desire. This regiment
deserved and received the praise for galIanry
which accorded to the 80.
| One word more for l would fan speak of our dead
They precious to the living, and teach
from their silent graves lessons Of duty and patriotism
which it would be well for all to learn Still it is
painful to remember them this dying life the spent
their best energies and powers ia the defence of III If
righfu heritage, and sealed our righteous Cause with
their hearts blood. But they have passed away from
the noise and turmoil of these frightfu times and a.
we water their newl y-made graves with tears,
but hope that their rigid devotion to their duty
soldiers may those who associated with them
and Others who may after them ard stand in their
places, to emulate their bright examples.
Captain Thomas f. Armstrong and thirty-eght pri-
Yates of the 3rd were killed during the engagement
Though they unsbrouded, and uncefnsd, and tho
marble marks the spot where they Sleep yet in the
words of the holy Bishop of Georgia. trust that when
this is ended the country may erect shaft to the
memory ct these AMI of all brave and unrecorded
dead which will tell TO their childrens children the sto-
~ OF their deeds aud of their selEsacrcng devotion
to the land which gave them birth. They will live for
ever in hearts best memories as we trust they now
live in the Paradise OF God May their souls rest in
peace, and the great resurrection morning, may
and they 18th all the faithful of all times and all ages be
reunited around the throne of God one living army OF
the living God to Him for ever and ever ia that
holy land where all is peace and quietness, and joy.
| | know neither the names the number OF those
who killed in the lst regiment and therefore
| give you information on this point.
Messrs. Editors, have written this short account
and if you choose to publish it in your Journal you
can do so not you will confer favor on the writer
by throwing it into the fire, where perhaps it may meet
with its seearned fate at any rate for the sake
of seltpreservaton, shall shield myself under the sig
nature of MEMO.
- % For the Journal.
Es KINsToN, N. c.,
May 22nd 1863.