Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-01-14
From the faTssssE Tile 0bserverl sss7.S:
Oxxp NHlrna, ~ ~ Wilminoton. Tan s

CxHP WarrHad, p Ar Wilmington, Jan g.
Misses EDroHs: The conduct Of the 8lst resi
Aenf! the lsse Rght at White Hall having. been
pretty severely animadverted upon in certain high
d We'll rs k1 circles and feeling myself mostly re-
shsHssble for what seems to have drawf, forth these
criticisms, take the earliest practcabe moment to
state the facts Of the case, and assume publicly my
entire STARE Of the responsibility. Early in the ac-
ton the 3lst was ordered, by Gen. Robertson to a
point on the road about 100 yards in the rear of
our Forces then engaged; they being protected by
toe gunboat in process Of construction and the tim
bers thrown along the river bank. .
Here, for two hours we lay exposed to the ene,nys
fire of shot ball and shell. A line drawn from the
exact point at wtich We subsequently ascertained q
field battery of twelve pieces was posted, to the
centre Of the right sotng Of our regiment (my posi-
tion) would. pass directly the gunboat frame
and adjacent pies Of lumber. The fire was terrific
and our men were suffering severely yet not al
lowed to advance nor fire shot ] could not see
the necessity Of thus exposing uen, and called re-
peatedly on Colonel Jordan, who was some twenty
PAGES in advance, at the head Of the regiment, to
know if 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 our line;
but owing to the incessant roar of musketry and
artillery, could not be heard Most probably this
was not in strict keeping with the ideas of Some
military men, but to my humble view it seemed
better than the causeess murder of the gallantand
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-
Ming" scattering to the woods like legion of
devils was after US; Gas elegantly expressed BY one
of our friends anything else, most readily take
all the blame that may attach to it. I am glad
gave the order-always shall be-and would do tia
thousand times over under similar circumstances -
But it may be surprising to some as it was agreea-
Bile to me- to hear that the highest military author
ity present at Golasooroagh on our arrival there,
endorsed and approved, most emphatically, my or
der. This vas 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 ether officers, as
brave and true as ever drew blade, soon restored
order and had the eight companies which l had
caused to withdraw, in readiness to move back tc
the scene Of action. True, We had moved further
back than was proper or than was intended; bu,
this On 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 chcerfally and
readily, and those carried into the fght-the rifle
mpaines-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 enemys pick
cts, killing two certainly, and probably more.
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 was 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 denuncaations of Lincoln, profuse in ex.
pressions of gratitude to us 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
conclude as commenced by saying, that the 31st
did not in my opinion act badly, and if it did am
responsible and alone to blame
Most respectfully, E. r. LILIES,
Ii. go. slst n. q. T. 80