The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-11-10


affairs with fidelity and success, they being now
thriving people.
CAMP NEAR ABINGDON, VA, }
Oct. 10, 1868
Mr.. EDITOR : When the history Of the present
war comes to be written, that page on which shall
be recorded the heroic deeds of the SONS of the
"Old North State will be one of lis brightest.
AS the acts of any portion of the North Carolina
troops must be OF interest to all the people of the
state, you will pardon me for introducing to your
numerous readers an organization as yet not much
known to the people of the State "Thomas Le-
glon, raised In the extreme western counties of
Morth Carolina, with three companies from East
Tennessee, is composed of a regiment commanded
by Lieut.. Col James r. Love. battalion com
manded by Lieut.. Col. VIM. c. Walker, and an
artillery company commanded by Capt J L. Levi,
the whole under the command Of Col. William II
Thomas. Included in the regiment two CON-
panles of Indians from jackson county At the
time of Burnsides advance into East Tennessee,
COL Thomas, with the Indians aud few white
men, was cut off from the rest of the command,
and, as we hear, is now defending the passes of
the Smoky MOUNTAINS where doubtless he will
make a good report If an opportunity is afforded
The rest OF the command; now comprising the
major part of the 4th brigade Of the army of upper
East Tennessee, has Of late been in very active
service aud has participated in nearly every en-
ga9enent IN East Tennessee since the Federal in-
Vaslon. A part of the Legion participated 10 the
engagement at Limestone on the 9TH of Septem-
Der, where some four hundred Of the enemy were
captured, and 1t was complimented for its gallant
bearing. At Carter Depot, on the 2lst and 22d
OF September, 1t bore its part with honor, and
cessfully resisted on the night of the 2lst large
body OF the enemy that advanced to attack one Of
our batteries. In the late advance down the East
Tennessee and Virginia Railroad, our Legion COM
posed the entire Infantry force. Gen. Williams,
with the cavalry, was in the front, while fol-
lowed to point below Greenvillc. On Saturday,
the 10Th, Gen Williams tough the enemy all day
at Blue Springs, where, in consequence of the
great superiority in numbers, the enemy succeeded
III fanking him, which caused rapid retreat
cessary. Before day Sunday morning We com.
menced :he retreat towards Virginia. just at the
dawn of day, at a point some two or three miles
above Greenvlle, our train was fired at, the wag-
ons halted till the Legion passed to the front,
when the march was resumed. la few moments
we came upon large body Of the enemy that had
moved up in the night and had got above us. The
enemy immediately opened fire, which our boys
promptly returned and followed up by charge
that forced the dastardly Yankees to run like
frightened ours. Here some cavalry and artillery
passed the wagon train from our rear, and thus
our gallant boys pressed on, led by
SoiOuel 1IONS, duu CuceEcu ny tue COtu-
manding General The next five or six miles
a continued succession of charges, before which
the Yanks were compelled in every instance to
give way. The whole Of our transportation, long
train, was kept close up. The enemy at last
turned over to our left, aud the whole passed by.
But at Rheat0wn, a short distance above, we were
overtakcn by fresh troops Of the enemy, but by
dint Of hard fighting and fast driving again
succeeded in getting loose, and made good our
retreat to Zollicofer Io sum up: We were up
all night, in the morning made charge Of seven
miles on foot, driving largely superior aud we'll
mounted force before u.s. finally turned them off to
cur left, and then Oh being oEertaken stunned the
eucmy 50 as to make him keep at too safe dis
tance to again modest Us the retreat On We'd
nesday the l4th, we fought them at Zollicoder,
where being again fanked, we fell back to Abing
don, bringing the trains off safely. Here the enc
my, after lowering round US for two days while we
in line of battle, fell back, tearing up the rail
road and burning bridges. We have now received
and WILL presume, follow the re-
treating enemy, but | know not the programme Of
our Generals. One thing, however, will predict,
and that is, if we ever get the Yanks in close
a place as they had US, We will catch them
Very respectfully, your ohed't serv,t,
JAS. W. TERRELL,
CAPT and 4 @ NJ Rcpt Thomas BIha,e