Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-03-13
For the Standard.

Eappahannock, Tuesday, 24th February.
While quietly sitting by their camp fires, Tues
day morning, this brigade was startled by an order
from Gen. Hoke to be in Sadiness to move against
the enemy at r. M-troops to be supplied with
tvrtv rounds of ammunition. At that hour the
forces moved of promptly, following narrow,
winding road in the direction of the river. The
roads beinh heavy, it was necessary to make fire.
auent halts to " close up" the rear. Fearing that
these delays would give the'eneny time to discover
movement and possibly to ambush US on the
way company of cavalry under command OF capt.
baltimore was sent forward to observe their move
ments. Coming in sight of their camps, we found
the enemy were very active in forming their lines.
Gen Hoke then gave the order to double quick
that We might secure a position before the enemy
could move out to meet us. The line was formed
fronting the camps in the following order 57th n.
c., Jol Godwin,) on the right; 2lst n. O., (Maj
Rankin commandlng) on the left Of the 57th; on
the extreme left was the 54th n. c., Capt Rogers
commanding y 9th n. c., Qieut. Col Webb COM
manding) on the right of the 18th, with lst n. c.
Battalion, S. S, Capt Cooper commanding in the
centre. This done, skirmishers were thrown out
and .dvanced rapidly to "feer' the enemy lines
Gen. Hoke ordered Maj Tate of the 9th \. e. to
take two companies and try to turn the enemys
right flank as soon as the engagement became gen.
eEaL The order to advance was now given, and in
a moment the fight opened with the greatest fury
In accordance with the Generals order, Maj. Tate
moved to the left with portion Of the 54th n. c.
and Capt Whites company, Of, and Lieut.. Tur-
ner's detachment, company E, 9th n. C., to turn
the enemy's right flank. After an obstinate fight,
the AInking party charged and successfully turned
their right when the main line of the enemy gave
way, our whole force charging upon them, driving
them through their camps to their extreme rear
works. At this juncture, every thing was DEEPEN
dant upon discipline, but unfortunately, as at Shi
loh, troops, now in full possession of the chief
part IF the enemys camps, betook themselves to
struggling about, looking for trophies and plumber,
when suddenly the enemy moved down upon US a
heavy column of reserves. driving US in confusion
from all the ground we had won. Finding it i'm
possible to rally the in sufficient force to make
any successful resistance to such erwhelming
numbers, we slowly fell back to strategic point
on an open plain in front of our own camps.
The enemy, mistaking our reverse for rout
began arranging to follow cup their success by an
attack upon Us in our strong positions. Some Of
our men captured by the enemy made their escape
TO whom indebted for this information. -
Our lines were rapidly formed, and every available
brought out (though there were some skulk-
ers, as usual when the General moved US forward
about one hundred yards, and halted. We were
not kept long in waiting Soon the enemy could
be seen deploying along the edge of the woods in
front of us, but out of range. The General then
made short speech to the men, reminding them
that all depended pom a successful reSiS-
tance-that if the enemy got into our camps we
vatiOn would inevitably follow, as it would be i'm
possible to supply ourselves again with blankets,
axes cooking utensils &c. He concluded, by tel
ling them to "stand 6rm-gve not an inch-and
reserve your fire till the enemy comes close up"
During this time the enemy was completing his
formations, and then slowly advancing came square
,ly 10 our 'front.' with heavy supporting column
Just in rear of his centre, evidently with the design
Of piercing our line and dividing US in twain. His
:no' ements were beautifully executed, and dis
play clever generalshp, with superb discipline
When within long range he halted, as though invi-
ting US to move on him. We war ed our cOlors and
gave him yell of defiance. Seeing we were not
to be drawn out, he came gallantly forward, OPEN
ing . furious fire upon he advanced. 1t
difficult to restrain fren returning the fire
at once, but soon the range became perfect, when
we opened upon our assailants, delivering volley
after yoiley with terrible effect AT this moment,
.tifn. HOke, fearing the supporting column of the
enemy would break centre, ordered the gallant
Maj. Rankin with the 21st N. G. to turp the enc
Inys right which done-and then, " with a
rush" from right to left we pressed them back and
finally completely routed the foe, capturing three
stand of colors, many prisoners and valuable Quar-
terinaster's stores. Captains j. A. Lea and j. G.
Turner were severely wounded and greatly distin-
guished themselves.
Lieut. Col Webb,+ 9th n c., was captured, with
some subaltern officers and men. He was in the
IhckeGt of the fight and though unfortunately
taken in the first engagement has proven by his
daring assault upon the enemy that he is worthy
Of all the donors bestowed upon him. Col. God
win, Lieut.. Col Jones, and Maj Craige of the 9th
y. O., were conspicuous in the fight, and acted
with their usual. hercism. Major Rankin handled
his regiment with cQpsummate skill and Captains
EEll Blackburn and Jones, Lieuts. Miller, Oaks,
l:9cSe and Alspaugh, all of the 2lst n. c., were
,a1LFe sDd efficient Capt Beard, Adutanf Semple
and dieG! Dickey, of the 57th N. T., and Capt
Rogers and Lieut. Williams of the 54th n. c. were
active participants in The events of this glorious
5ty. Capt GooyeT, com handing 1st n G. Bat
:Ail9n and LieEtS. Williamson, Woodruff and FAINT
81 VS. came, and, in tat, the Nhole battalion COW
themselves Tith gloEV: Ofth,> old "historic"
S,'n, perhaps wolld We Sufficient to say "she was
YefSeH on !nlS occasion. Capt York. suffering
SION severe lndIsPosition, was not in tie Scton,
tM A!ePG ALIEN led bis company in gallant st.vle.
33APe<os " NY, vincent, Guess Snd Raw, AGrtS
Meoans and Eients. Loekhart Speed Mcpherson,
neE, Rl&Gp, As6ane RothrOqk, Miller, Walker
N'w:IeE' JENKINS Crawford Burton and Warlick
sTH;cung sers Maj John j. @bitc yColSrSSlrg't
:sinpson sq9 Corp1 Ross, Of .the .ColoT,Saard all
rSpasyea SoiaieF'y bearing, great pO8erS Of sndL-
<seSerSec special mention COR meritoEiouo 1872
pr .. ). Davis, Surgeon Oh L. G. uplke .h;O 49,
zen q GS healing art" generalIv went into ~ a.
Son like true soldier and could be seen hal 'Ino,
fSr al We hold dear. Ayet even CouIrissaries and
Sf4sstsFs forgot TO seek Shelter, and boldly
am onteq tes Toe, Gept. Smith, Of Gen. HokeiT
was "aetsSe cool and brave"
49, S.e iSllure to mention the nabaes of Coils
9!e-y' o'h y. G, and Mcdowell, 54ds \. C., two
W. is s ssI tTo So bis ho..s By Fsalss,
wy R'9'erfOEe'fF y IN mss