Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-11-26
From the Richmond Examiner
disaster 40 G,H. H0l<ts Brigade.
AT eur OLD CAMPS ON THE RAPIDAN,
To the Editor Of The Examiner:


To the Editor Of The Examiner:
history OF the misfortune which beell our brigade
tie afternoon of Saturday the 7h inst is due to the
friends of the unfortunate officers ard soldiers at home.
[ therefore beg leave to offer, for the Information of
SUCH only such in formation have been able to gath
from the officers who escaped On Friday the Louis
lana brigade, under Brigader General Hayes, sent
across the Rippahannock to act picket guard at
the point where the railroad from Cupeper Court House
to Manassas crosses the Rappshannock. Whilst the
enemy bed this road during the latter part OF the
he had thrown up line of breastworks from a
point short distance below the end oil the railroad
bridge the other sde which works faced from the
river and extended some distance up and dlverging
from the river.
The Louisianans occupied the lower part of these
works. The poBtoou bridge the only place of crossing
for Infantry, bling upon their left and about one hum
drei yards above where the railroad bridge had been
burned At halEpdst O'Clock, Z. III l., the long roll
was beat ia encampmen and every fl for duty
called upon. to fall in knew not why, had no
artillery, the day being quite windy, and our camp
being about six miles from the river The whole of
Eafly's division marched rapidly to the river.
Brigaiier General Hoites brigade of three regiments,
the SIKH, Fifty fourth and Fifty seventh, COM
manded by Colonel A. .. Godwin, formerly first pro-
vest marshal OF Richmond,s ordered the
river to occupy the extreme left OF the breast
works This brigade crossed the river under heavy
fire Of artillery, (or the LouisiaiaDs already
sustaining furious tire from several batterIes).-
This fire from tie artillery and sharpshooters
kept up until after sunset The other two brigades OF
General Early's DIVISION commanded by Brgader
Generals Gordon and Pegram, were held in position
his side of the river BY sunset the enemy had
tended his lines, in the form OF hall moon, to en-
velop our forces entirely his right and left resting
the river above and below. At the time he had
formed three lines of attack, behind the other, to
assault the works held by General Hayes and the right
Of Hoke's brigade The sun had gone down when this
terrible onset wns made. Although the odds were
greatly against US, and had only four pieces OF
tilery that side Of the river, received the
shock as brave only do. The Louisanians fought
with desperation. The enemy's front line torn to
tces aud scattered in confusion. Being reinforced by
the second and third lines, the enemy again advanced
upon the works. aud by overpowerng numbers, leaped
the works into the ditch and came to hand-tohand
fight.
were compelled to yield. Some surrendered Others
rushed to the pontoon and escaped some Others, be-
ing cut off from that plunged into the river below and
swan across, Jew being dfowued- General Hays es
caped after be bad surrendered. COs MOnagsn and
Peck swan the river. fore than half this brigade
missiog. The extreme right OF General Hoke's br
gade fought witt equal Vaour and shared similar fate
The possession of the works held by the LousaDalns
gave the enemy possession OF the pontoon bridge, and
thus cut off General Hokcs brigade tom any escape
except by swimming Our extreme right being thrown
back the brave Colonel Godwin although surro unded
on oil Sides except th9 river se still fought On and
when compelled to yield ground to overwhelming Odds
fell back with force OF about seventy five men, still
returning the eneyS ne and refused 10 SURRENDER un-
til fighting was useless
Lieutenant Colonel Tate ard Majn York, Captains
Mcpherson and Ray and Lieutenant Mebane, Of Il e
Sixth with CAPTAIN Adams of the staff, broke away
and es .aped The bridge in the darkness. euten-
ants Williams, Smith and Fitzgerald OF the Fifty
toarth B owD Of the Sixth with few Others, pung
cd into the river aud SWAN safely but, uaorlun-
ately others were dfowned Lieut.; Ool: d, Joaesf m
plunged in to SWIM but the codness OF the water COM
PEELED them to put back