Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-10-28
Tho Fight at RrisfoK Station.

AAC ASoS dt 0tSStOW SSOSlOus
We are permitted by friend to make the follow
ing extracts from letter written by an officer
whose statements may be implicitly relied on in re-
latlon to the fight at Bristow Station. The blame
for this disaster seems attaches to Gen. Heth, of
Virginia:--
The army Of Gen. Lee left the south side of
the kapidan week before last and passed in the
direction of Madison Court House, the right flank
OF the enemy-1 suppose if found practicable, to
get IN their rear or at least to cut off portion of
their force. They, Qhe enemy however, retreated
rapidly as soon a they heard Of our movements,
burning camp and garrison equipage, destroying
provisions, &c, in considerable quantities Their
night was so rapid didn't overtake them in force
until near Bristow Station on the evening of the
l4tn inst Bristow is three or four miles this side
OF Manassas Junction l will here mention our
cavalry have been capturing them in small squads
ai! the way from Robinson river. Hills and Ew-
ellis corps marched by different roads, al most par
allel to each other, from three to five miles apart
to be within supporting distance of each other
Inc different divisions of our corps march in front
every third day, as to equalize the hsrdships as
much as possible. The day spoken of was Ander.
sons, but from some cause, 1 know not why, he
was halted during the day and Heth thrown for
ward.
The battle ground is mostly cleared field, the
railroad passing through it from to 10 feet high,
making formidable breastwork. A short dis.
lance from this, on the enemy's side, the ground
rises gradually until . considerable elevation Is
gained. Upon this were placed the enemy's bat
teries, and near its base they have rife pits also
Their batteries were SO arranged as to have raking
tire in 'front.' and also an en6lading one, both right
and left of any force advancing. | learn both Hill
and Heth were present when our advance came up.
It was thought the enemy were in camp, and If
dash were made they would be scattered like chat.
Ours (Krkland's) and Cooks brigades were or
dered to advance and charge. The skirmishers
were not allowed time to feel the enemy and see in
what force they really were. The consequence vas
both brigades were badly cut up in short time.
Exposed to CALLING fire from all the batteries, the
railroads and pits, how could it be otherwise p
Col Jones, of the 26th, informs me the most Of his
men killed fell on the side of the railroad the enc
my were on and that where he charged it was fully
ten feet high: Our men had to fall back, and as
any body will conclude in confusion, considering
two brigades. were fighting two corps We had
five or six pieces of artillery taken, the enemy
advanced rapidly upon our retreating forces, and
all or nearly all the horses had been killed at the
batteries. Had the exact position Of the enemy
| been found out and our corps concentrated, and
One division thrown on their eft the other on their
right, how different would have been the result
Instead of the capture of our artillery and the loss
| III hueus "OuHueu anu missing OF nearly nIteeH
| hundred men, we would have bagged their whole
force engaged their artillery and gained brilliant
victory; or if the attack had been delayed hour,
l an informed Ewell would have been in their rear.
As it was the enemy re!reated on Centreville du-
ring the night 80 the attack so far as position was
concerned, was in vain. am fully convinced that
some body, high in command, is greatly to be
blamed, and if justice were done, would be cashier
ed. wish North-C Carolina brigades could be placed
in North Carolina Divsions-then give us our own
Generals and when we gain victory, give US the
credit of it, and i we act badly, let bear the
blame learn Gen. Lee highly disapproves the
whole proceeding As subsequent events have
proved, bis object was not to have general fight
but to push the enemy vigorously as far as posi-
bic, and then to completely destroy the Orange 4
Alexandria Railroad.
had forgotten to mention that Gen. Kirkland,
after advancing near, sent an aid back to Hill and
! open an en6lsdlng fire upon him. The answer
and no directions were given at all. Walkers and
Davis brigades of our divisions, the first Virgnans
and Tennesseeans, and the other Mssssi ppians,
were not called into action at all. 1t was these
who tainted North Carolinians with losing batter.
les, though it was the first mentioned who failed to
support ours at Gettysburg the first day, which
caused such slaughter, and both broke and rum
When see our State treated with such marked in
justice, it makes my blood boil in my veins and
cannot help giving vent to my feelings. consider
every man killed and wounded on the 18th instant
an unnecessary sacrifice, and that too, when South
ern men are so precious. In other respects sup
| pose the expedition has been complete success