Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-01-13
iron Ire .rayettevilIe Observer

-. y L. = -
CAMP WHITING, near Wilmington, Ban. 8.
/. ID ESSRs EDrToRs;AT6e conduct of the 3 lst regi-
nei ut In the late fght-at White HAH having been
pr etty severely aninadvetted upon Ia certain htgh
we'll as loo circles and feeling myself mostly re-
sp1nsibe for what seems to have drawn forth these
criticisms takethe earliest practicable moment TO
state the facts OF the case, and assume publicly my
entire share of the responsibility Early in the &C
tim the 3Ist was ordered, by Gen. Robertson, to a
point on the road aboet $50 yards in the rear of
our forces then engage they being protected by
the gunboat in process of construction and the tim
bers thrown along the river bank.
Here, for two hours, we lay exposed to the enemys
fire of shot, ball and she'll line drawn from the
exact point at which we subsequently aseertained
field battery of twelve pieces was posted, to the
centre of the right Soing of our regiment Tiny posi-
tom would pass directly over the gunboat frame
and adjacent piles of lumber. The fire was terrific
and ocr men were suffering Severely; yet not al
lowed to advance nor fire shot | could not see
the necessity of thus exposing men, and called re-
peatedly on Colonel Jordan, who was some twenty
PAGES in advance, at the head of the regiment to
know fl might move back short distance, leaving
the first TIVE companies, which were not so directly
in range of the enemys guns and more protected by
trees logs &c, thus causing short gap IN oGr line;
but owing to the incessant roar of nusketry and
artillery, could not be heard Most probably this
was not in strict keeping with the ideas of some
better than the causeess murder of the gallant and
| brave men around me. At last when two men had
been killed at my side, and eight or ten wounded
when Shot and shell were flying thickly among US
and the limbs and trees crashing all around gave
the order to fall back, as above. Call this run
ning" scattering to the woods like legion Of
devils was after US" las elegantly expressed by one
of our friendS) anything else most readily take
all the blame that may attach to it. | am glad
gave the order-always shall be-and would do it
thousand times under similar circumstances
But it may be surprising to some as Il was aSreea-
BILE to me- to hear that the highest military author
ity present at Goldsoorough, on our arrival there,
endorsed and approved, most emphatically, my or
der This was done in the presence of distinguish
ed gentleman and soldier Of our State and myself
am fully aware of the fact that officers and men
on the left of our regiment unable to hear order
and seeing the movement, took it for granted that
the whole regiment was falling back, and that some
few did act badly; but it is of the regiment and the
order gave that speak. With the assistance of
Captain (actng Major) Knight and other officers, as
brave and true as ever drew blade, soon restored
order and had the eight companies which | had
caused to withdraw, in readiness to move back to
the scene of action. True, We had moved further
back than was proper or than was intended; but
this account of the slight confusion following the
causes Just mentioned. A few men may have taken
to the woods" not to return; if So hope they may
persist in that latter determination.
When afterwards ordered to the scene of action,
the companies with me obeyed most cheerfully and
readily, and those carried into the ight-the rife
companies fought we'll and calamity.
On the two days succeeding the fight the four
companies left under my command as picket guard,
frequently exchanged shots with the cnemyS pick
cts, killing two certainly, and probably moro.
On the third day detachment of my men was
sent over to bury the yankee dead. They obtained
sixty superior rifles and large number Of overcoats
cartridges, rubber cloths &C., &c buried nine men;
saw many graves dead horses, and signs of terrible
havoc by artillery (Which not before thought
by us to have done much DAMAGE and muSketry.-
Two wounded men, Of oath Massachusetts, regiment
were also brought and cared for. They were bitter
in their deDunclations of Lincoln, profuse in
pressions Of gratitude to for saving their lives
when deserted by their comrades, and apparently
most anxious for peace.
But this is not what set out to write about, and
l conclude as commenced by saying that the Slst
did not in my opinion, act badly, and if it did, am
responsible and alone to blame.
Most respectfully, E. R LILIES,
1t Col 3lst \. Z. T.