Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1863-11-26
RATES OF ADVERTISING.

Hoke's and Hays Brigades in the
Late Fight.
We call the attention of our readers to the
following letter from an officer in Hays bril-
pade, which ~ find in the Richmond Sentinel
Of Yesterday. So far from deserving censure,
the officers and men of Hoke's and Hays bri.
eades should receive Praise for their heroic, i'll
not successful, defence against overwhelming
Eumbers:
SoARRvILLE Ford, Nov. 1lth, 1868.
In the publication of reports concerning the
recent engagement at Rappahannock Bridge,
some Of the Richmond papers have made sew
eral mistakes, which, il you will permit me,
will essay to correct in the columns of your
valuable journal. la the first place the attack
of the enemy was not surprise to the brigade
on picket, as has been erroEeousiy stated. The
Yankee infagtry made their appearance in front
of our works on the north side OF the river, at
IL o'clock O. M, on the 7th instant, and half
an hour afterwards formed a line of battle and
threw forward skirmishers. As soon as this
occurred Col. Penn, commanding Hays Louis
lana brigade (Gen. Hays being absent as q aaem
Der of a court of inquiry despatched a message
to Mai Gen. Early, apprising him OF the fact.
Gen. Earlv's troops were at least six miles
distant from the rlver-the nature of the coun-
tfy being such as not TO admit of their encamp.
ing nearer-and consequently they did not reach
the scene of action unti; a o'clock IN the after
noon: the final charge of the enemy did not take
place until an hour later. You will perceive,
Mr. Editor; by this statement, that the brigade
on picket was not surprised. The fact is, that
q sufficient number OF troops could not have
been placed in our intreEchments to have sue
csssfuly resisted the powerful force the enemy
brought against them-their contracted limits
not admitting of more than two brigades occu-
pyirg them, while the ground in front was ad-
n,rably adapted TO the concentration ofaa very
heavy force of the enemy, and to his placing OF
artillery in favorable and commanding Pesi>
tons.
The nunaber of men that Meade brought to
the attack is estimated by competent authorl-
ties at 10000; we had to oppose them about
1900 men, and one battery of fenr pieces Our
forces on the north bank of the river consisted
of Hays and Hoke's brigades of infantry and
Green's Louisiana battery. The enemy had an
uansually heavy line of skirmishers and three
lines Of battle FIVE times the length of the line
of OUR works, while On osr right very strong
force advaneed against as in columns of somPa-
MES. Three batteries opened upon US at very
short range. The enemy came up to the attack
on our right and centre without firing scarcely
q shot; our men fred most vigorously, but with
eoolness and deliberation, and the eneny's skir
A~-6~3
melted away before the stcrm Of balls that
were poured spon them Ga came the ene-
my's first line Of battle, and hundreds Of Yan-
KEGS bit the dust before it had assembled half
way up the bill, when, shattered and disorgan
ned. the renainder cried out that they surren-
dered.
Closely bekiad, NOT twenty PAGES distant
pressed the second line; which charged our
works with great inapetuosity-th daring OBJ
viossly having been stimulated by whisky;again
aad again, were they hurled back frem ehe
trenches our men fighting most ssubbornly with
clubbed maskets, and, in many instances, with
their asts; but the third line Of Yankees coming
sp, eur gallant fellows were overpowered by
the weight ct numbers, and were compelled TO
yield. As SOON as the enemy got within our
works, they formed line diagcaally with eur
trenches, and marched upon the flank OF eur
left wing, consisting Of the 5th and 7th Louis |
ana Regiments of Heke's brigade-at the same |
time, heavy masses OF Yankees advanced upon
the frent. Thus hemmed III, and with swift
flowing river in their rear, our men were forced