Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-04-28
For the standard.
KINSTON BATTLES.

4 Report, to all 6hOm 1t may cOncerR-GTsetlHg:
Tho 6lst Regiment, n. c. Troops, was organized
in the town Of Wilmington, on the - day OF
August in the year of our Lord 1862 OF which
one Jas. ID. Radcliffe then, and is now, the
Colonel commanding. This regiment has undonot-
eily had the easiest time of it of any in the Con-
federatc service, having done less marching, less
fighting, enjoyed more high living, worn the hand
S1neSt uniforms and received the greatest amount
If praise from various and high distinguished tunc
tionaries, to say nothing Of the unbounded admra-
lion of the fair women OF the land who welcomed
us everywhere. The health of the regiment has
nOt been as good as It might have been, owing
principally to the fact of its being too stationary.
Before entering upon the detail of the part plaSe1
by the 6lst in the Knston battles, think it right
70 give few notes taken from ms diary, which
will enable the curious to trace ont the path we
took to reach this gay little battlefield just in time
for tie fight.
We went to Smithville from Wilmington on the
10th September; to Camp Radcliffe, miles, 25th;
TO Smithville, 4th October; to Northeast Bridge,
above Wilmington, 9th; to Camp Collier near
GoldSboro', f4th to Tarborc', 18th left Tarboro'
for the country around Plymouth 9th, constantly
marching and ountermarehing; left camp near
Plymouth, (close by Miss Lucy Johnson's,) I'd No
vemGer, at q o'clock, P NJ, marched 80 miles, and
arrived at Spring Green November Sd at day
break, at Fortifcations, Sd; Cross Roads, 4th;
waded through deep snow with about 100 bare
road 9Th left 10TH and arrived in Greenville 18th;
at H tddock's Cross Roads, 18th near Black Jack
Meeting House, 18th; at Taft's Store, 18th; at
Greenville, 23i; left Greenvile 18th December, and
at kinston 9th; at Southwest Bridge, near the
battlefield, 18th; fought like the ID 18th and
14th, 0hough as usual we We had no credit for IT'D
retre1ted towards Goldsboro, under Gen. Evans,
from South Carolina, l4th; at Goldsboro', 18th;
left GoldsborU' for Wilmington, (marched every
step right down the Rairoad) arriving I'd January,
1868 at Masonboro' Sound, 9th February; at Will
mington, 10th; at Charleston, (hey made US ride
all the wayD 18th; at Savannah, March Sd at our
old camp near Charleston 9th and at this blessed,
miserable hour We are on the most GOd-forsaken
spot of Gods habtable globe-James' Island, Saint
Andrews Parish, in the great State Of South Caro-
lima. o. Hr. Dteis, have mercy upon usl If
compatible with thy finite goodness, mercy, and
wisdom, We do most heartily and earnestly unite
our prayers and beseech thee, either to remove US
from James Island, or remove James Island far
away from US.
Forgetful of the important duty derolring upon
the, Of making Report Of the Eight at Enlston,"
rather OF the part taken by the 6lSt regiment in
the battles near Kinston on Saturday and Sunday,
18th and l4th of December last | have entered,
unintentiOnslly, too much upon the detail of the
.Htttneas OF this regiment, which, 1 must repeat,
has not been moved about sufficiently for the pro-
motion of the good health of the same-for all of
which most respectfully ask indulgence. My des-
tini3s are united inseparably with the 6lst regi:
ment, and am extremely SolCitouS as 10 any thing
affecting its sanitary condition stick to it STILL
we have not had sufficient exercise. We ought
ecr..sjonalLy to move our CAMP
Now to the report. According to the best and
mo>trcliaole accounts, the battles of Kinston &C.
CURED about the 18th and l4th December, 1862.
The first fight was on Saturday, that is in which
the 6lst regiment had any thing to do. On Friday
night the 18th, We were about II miles on the road
from hinstOn to Greenville. We received marching
orders about twilight. In about fourteen minutes,
(neary quarter of an hour) we were on the march.
We marched rapidly to Southwest Bridge, below
klnston, crossing at the County Bridge over the
Mouse. Next morning company of the regiment
lad little skirmish with the enemy at the bridge
over Southwest Creek, at about o'clock. But
little blood split on either side. At about 10
O'Clock, Lieut. Col. Devane was ordered BY Col
AadSilne to take seven companies of the regiment
to Hines Mills, about miles. We went As
soon as getting there, and we went in double quick
q good deal ofthe way, we were promptly deployed
as sklrnJshers IN the edge of old field, nearest
the enemy. We had not been here long, say forty
minutes, before the ball opened. Rapid and terrific
firing ensued. Minnie balls whiStIed through the
air by front and cross 6res from the enemy, as if
they had nothing else to do. We held them in
check Tor some time, and were compelled to fall
bEck, owing to the enemy advancing upon us in
overwhelming numbers. Here we lost several men
killed and wounded. Nothing has been said about
oS4Sfc.I Inc OAlanCe OF us releQ mostly
upon our legs to take US to the next stand. We
tell back. We went towards Kinston We made A
stand next about mile distant, in an open field
don't know whUse place it was | had not time
70 inquire of any body that knew. Drawn I'D in
line OF battle here, company Of skirmishers was
"ent out to 60 till they met the enemy. They
went probably ninety yards, and after firing one
round, and having the compliment promptly &C
khOwledgcd, they marched in retreat bringing the
Intelligence that large body of the enemys Skin
LIIShers We're advancing through the woods, and
several regiments were hanking Us on our left
we iad orders from Gen. Evans TO retreat under
nre; In g00d order We did so. We fred and fell
0Aek' and fell back and flied. The next big field
N came 70, We made another stand, taking advan-
tee Oh the woods oil the Kmston side Here we
lSd pretty lively Srtillery duaI lasting about an
Aour, oeSdes, suppose, about two thousand we'll
Tf!eSted shots o. small arms from the cnnmy We
nI io"' ana did not return the fire bccA use our
9.S were inferior. and We could not reach them
= .,., Iah give them the devil nuY, thought About
Ss'h7 on Sat1rdSy night, We fell back. thror, qh
s,as hi. "uu ana wsts-, 10 HarreG's Chapel 1t
w., G't'er, cold highland all bsu,Is wet HIM
ony ana worn out We were in ksarin- ~ The -
mil aI Iu u'u not have spark of fire to varm MS
ahot an out one or two o'clock in tla ,nn-n;rr. -
of :, ' W une We had concluded ia NIB g. G. Us
Abont an built fires, thawed ana saHed ,;r,
Mesro.u ay' our excellent Conmissarv CO ne
Ourselves and Us something to cat We refreshed
lssS oGe battle field of SrnSan =" were then
'-' u which you have heard S0 i4.n peesmbcr,