Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-08-05

".
at 9 O'Clock the roar Of artillery died Ga the ear.
and our eager lines to The right and left Of us al.
yanced under the canopy Of sulphurous smoke thit
densely hung in lowering clouds at the base Of the
enemy's position. Iwatehed their long lines Is
they advanced with flying colors, and none but !
patriot can realize the emotion that filed my breast
and the thoughts that fitted Through my mind II
was time when hours were compressed into min
utes hearts cease throbbing and the blood iesdor
mant in your veins They are finally hid from view,
ana then began the terrible rattle of musketry,
sounding not unlike the pelting of hail on the house,
top, until it finally eliminates in continuous roar
that language cannot describe while the detonating
thunder OF artillery again sets in and adds new hor
rofs to the bloody drama of death that is going on
sometimes the ear can catch the pealing cheer Of
our men ringing out amid the din IS some advan-
tage is gained, and our hearts beat tumultuously
Win JOY only to be again oppressed BY hearing the
hated "huzzah Of the enemy. Thus the fight
continues until long after the sun has set until
perhaps 10 O'clock, when il gradually and an
oppressive silence reigned until daylight only dis
turoed by the distant grooming Of the wounded and
dying that covered the ground Thus ended the
second days fight -, -.
We lay and slept in line of battle in our old posi-
tlon IN dread uncertainty as to the result of the
days tight At dawn we learned that Longstreet's
corps mad crossed the enemys position on the right
put on account of overpowering odds the enemy had
hurled against him, he was forced to fall back eay-
ing all out four OF the 10 pieces of artillery had
captured Hills forces also drove the enemy from
the centre, out he, too was forced back while the
DIVISIONS on our left were equally unfortunate. In
results
July 8. The day wore on, and an anxious ST.
lence regned Only the pickets kept up desulto-
~ nr'ng The hour Of Battles o'clock again
came, and from the stir amongst the artillery in our
rear, Knew that one more effort would be made,
we had one hundred and fifty pieces of artillery
in position, while, perhaps the enemy bad 200. We
began the hight and the oldest soldier in our army
says ne never witnessed anything that equalled it.
The numbering Of the thunder overhead, las sauall
passed during the fght) was but as the wall of an
infant to the roar of lion, in comparison with the
deafenlng roar that shook the ground 1t lasted for
three long hours, and the last hour the rattle of
mnsketry oommingled with the fierce roar OF the
artillery. The same scene was enacted as of the
day before with the like results as we could tell BY
the loud "huzzah" of the enemy that rang in my
ears with the painfuness of the expressed anguish
OF mother weeping at the death of her first born
Once more we were forced to leave works that the
most daring courage and herolsm was evinced to
take. Just at night we q mean our division, was
ordered to make night attack on the position in
front of US as forlorn hope. We were to attack
ADVANCE,
with Daniel as support. Our battle cry was to be,
"North. Carolina to the rescuep' The attack was
to De made just as the moon arose. In front of us,
bid only by slight hill stood this frowning emf
nence cleared of timber and crowned with artillery
thckly parked. Between its base and summit two
long lines OF stone fence ran parallel with the
nit and behind these rock walls two lines of battle
stood, musket and rife in hand awaiting our ap.
proach. The order astounded me, and thought
ho ID of tho
position, or else they think our little brigade of 900
can accomplish impossibilities. But the hour of
trial approaches. In his Enthusiastically clear,
ringing voice. our noble commander gives the word
"ForwardT We spring forward and clutch our
arms nervously; gaze in faces never expect to
see again on earth. Pocket books and last MESA
ges were hurriedly given to Surgeons and those
whose dYties cause them to remain in the rear and
We msfen boldly forward, sweepmg in good bina
through the tall wheat that divides our positoH We
near the base of the hill that towers aud loom$up
mountain like, in our immediate 'front.' and halt at
low given command within the pale of grave
yard with marble monuments that seem typical of
our fate. The enemy seem aware of our approach
Their commands can be heard and they are evil
IDENTIFY preparing to receive US. We are ordered to
lie down, and our great hearts thump and beat with.
in our bosoms as if they would leap out while no.
bic Ramseur and scouts creep forward to reconnoi-
ire For 10 minutes we lay in dire suspense. A
few random shots are fired, ard few whistling
shells from artillery whistle over our heads, and we
expect the whole air to blaze forth with leaden and
iron hail. But the firing ceases and silence reigns
The rising moon creeps under cloud Messengers
are sent down our lines, and instead of the dismal
deathknell sound of forward" the gladly obeyed
command of "fall back without noise" is given,
and soon We again back in our old places in line
of battle. Our General saw the fool hardness and
madness of the attempt, and being unwilling know
ingly to sacrifice his command be, on his own re-
sponsibty, ordered US back and for that act there
are many Carolina mothers, wives, sisters and chill
dren who should pray blessings on his head Thus
ended the battle Of the Sd Of July. The losses on
our part in the three days fight was heavy-15 or
10000, doubtless. The enemy's are probably much
heavier"