Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-06-01
The NortA Carolintans Ut Characteristic.
CAMp NEAR FREpERIcK,BURG, May II

@"N A'N'NN
CAMP NEAR FREpEmcxsBURG, Nay IL. 1868.
To the Editors OF tie Enquirer Gentlemen:-
There appears in your paper Of the 9th inst, If L
mistake not-I have not the paper before me now
q communication from ono OF your correspondents,
giving an interesting accounts Of The late battles near
fredericksburg. Gen. q. II. Hills Division, now
Gen. r. E.. Rodes', is properly mentioned, as having
sustained the blunt of the conflict near Chanceiiors-
va~ batt1e On
the right of the plank road, looking towards Freder-
icksburg, and immediately opposedto ttiat. portion of
the Federal line most strongly fortified. There was
mn error in the colnmunication, no doubt unInten-
tionaIfy made, which, for the honor Of the great State
that has most. nobiy borne her part in this great strus-
gle for our independence, and has expended most
lavishl7 her treasure and the blood Of her noble
sons, | will endeavor to correct, confident that you
will take pleasure in aiding me to perform this act Of
simple justice.
Your correspondent, after awarding just praise to
this army, and particularly 10 this division, mentions
that the latter is composed Of Georgians, Alabanians,
Marylanders and Vlrginlans. 1t is IN this statement
that the error spoken of exists. Five brigades COM
pose this division, commanded respectively by Gen
erals Doles, Colquitt, Iverson, Ramseur and Col. o.
Neal, the latter commanding the brigade formerly
Gen. Rodcs.' Dole's and Colquitts are composed
entirely of Georgians; Col, ONeals of Alabamians,
Iverson's and Ramseur's of North Carol;nians. There
is net a regiment from any other State IN the dlvls-
ion. There 10 not a company or squad, SO far as |
can learn, from either Maryland or Virginia in any of
the regiments composing il. Far be it from me to say
awning winch even Dy mpI1C3tiOu ,CGli teIiu " Tue
Disagreement of the. brave troops from the last men-
toned States, their prowess has been exhibited upon
a hundred bloody fields. Nothing | can say can add
to or detract from their deserved and well merited
fame. But I thought it just and right that the cred
it due to the brave North Carolians, IN consideration
of their unsurpassed heroism and nnriyalled loss in
the late contests, should not be given to others, and
therefore / send this communication.
OF the conduct of the whole division, III the late
battles. | have heard naught but praise, and / will
mention the part borne by a single North Carolina
BRIGADE. as IN evidence Of what the brave sons of that
noble old STATE have done. | mention this brigade
particularly, ccause it is the only one OF whose con-
duct | was III Il great measure an eye witness, and,
therefore. am confident Of the truth Of what | report
Gen Ranse..i brigade went into aotion on Sun
day m5rnirg va something over fourteen hundred
men. and as,t me of the other brigades of the
division III 4 ~t,c>i.F, the enemy and driving them
from their p,.;renchinenis. The conflict lasted here
some two hours or more, and was most terribly severe.
Anv one who has seen this portion of the battle
ground, must be struck with the tremendous advan-
tage the enemy had in position They tonight behind
breastworks formed of layers OF timber, filled in with
earth. The ground for a considerable distance in
front of them covered with timber forming an almost
impenetrable abattis. 1t is really wonderful that they
could ever have been d~islodged and driven out, but
they were: The brave North Carolinians advanced
steadily under o most CALLING fire OF musketry and ar
tiilerysurmounted all obstaclesln front of the breast
works OF the enemy, and compelling them to flee in
rout and disorder, leaped over their parapets and
stood IN their strongholds. Now came a pause of
the iourtecnhundred composing this gallant brigade,