The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-06-09
FROM TEE N. G. TROOPS = 81
2srH N. G. REG'r, Camp Gregg, Va =
.9H rtr~H sg-y May 18th, 1868.

! III rfeN8y May 18th, 1868.
Knowing that We are . long way from home,
and that our f5ends are anxious to hear from the
old 2Sth, and our good old State to hear Of the
deeds of valor Of her sons, write you few lines
In haste, us my time for such things is short. We
/ left this camp on the 29th Of April and marched
to Fredericksburg, ten miles, where we took our
position in line of battle. The enemy had already
efected crossing, and we could see them with
the naked eye in the low grounds. We remained
here in line of battle from Wednesday, III o'clock,
.. NJ, till Friday morn at day dawn. On Thursday
Acvening we were subjected to severe shelling
from she guns of the enemy. At day dawn
Friday we were marched Is miles up the river in
| front of Chaucellorsville The fight had CON-
menced long before we got there. When we
arrived on the ground our men had already driven
| the enemy some distance We kent advancing
and the enemy giving away, until We took -ap q
line OF battle within milo and one half of Chan
celorsville. Here We were subjected TO the shells
of the enemy, but suffered but little, except few
we're wounded Company g., Of the 18th, under
| command Of the brave Capt. 4. G. Morrow, was
deployed as pickets We had picket fighting all
night, more or less Next morning Saturday We
had some heavy artillery fighting and skirmishing
About o'clock a.. NJ, we were moved BY the left
flank and marched around the right flank of the
enemy, distance Of fifteen miles, gaining the
rear of Charlottesville by 8 o'clock p. IN. We
were led by the brave and lamented Jackson, to
whom the credit of this gigantic and daring move
Is accredited. The enemy not suspecting on
this side, vigorous attack was made. The enemy
gave way at all points. by dark we had driven |
them for three or four mies doWn the plank road |
Our brigade advanced dowi the road at a double |
| quick. AS We arrived upon the ground, our |
brigade was subject to enflading fire of artil |
lery, but our men never faltered. AS VIC came |
down the road where the fighting had been, we |
could see at every step the telling effect OF our
shots, as the dead and dying aud wounded lay
fully into the fight, Our line of battle was some
two miles long the musketry and artillery was
terrific; one continual sheet of FIRE from one end Of
the line to the other, the roar of artillery-the |
screaming and bursting of shell made the earth !
almost rock under our feet. We had driven the
enemy back upon their strong fertilization. The
fight ragged more Or less until midnight, when it
ceased for a short period. About one o'clock
Sunday morning, our brigade eGen: Lane's) was
charged by four lines of battle; we waited until
they came close to us when we turned loose upon
them with terrible destruction, which soon drove
them back. We captured several prisoners and
stand of beautiful colors captured by
company E; this ended the night fighting. 1t is
proper here to say to the credit Of Lieut. Col
Speer, that he was wounded here on the knee and
had to leave the field He had been very con-
|
fight, and acted very bravely and gallantly He
is gallant man. BY sun up Sunday morning,
our forces being all posted in position, the fight
was renewed with doubled vgor The scene was
terrific it seemed as il heaven and earth were
coming together. Division after division charged
the Yankee batteries, AID after several hours of
hard fighting we drove them from their position
will not try to describe the scenes Of horror
which followed, nor Of destruction which beggars
oil pio tha Iaolu
daring and the vaior of our men. Such fighting
never has been done by any set Of men, This was
the bloodest day Of the war.
In honor to the 2StE, it might be proper to say
that it made two distinct charges more than the
balance of the brigade made, it had not suffered
as much in the other charges as the rest of the
regiments of the brigade. The hardest of the
fighting ceased about IL or l o'clock Sunday;
there was, however, much artillery and picket
fighting all day and night, which was kept up all
day Monday and Monday Nght, Tuesday and
Tuesday night, when the Yankees crossed the
river.
. cannot do the officers OF the 2Sth regiment
ample justice, as lack the language to dessibe J,
their deeds Of bravery, well as all the officers Of
Lanes brigade. Our brave and gallant General
Lane was all the time at our head in the thickest
of the fight, delivering his orders in his cool and
peculiar style, greatly to the admiration of his
command. Our brave ana gallant Coi Love- (for
whom cannot say eDough) although in quite
feeble health, remained during all the fight with
his command, discharging his duties as brave
and gallant commander. Adjt r. s. Folger was
no less conspicuous n discharging his duties: The
different companies were commanded by Messrs.
Capts Lowell, Linebarger, Clark, Apperson. IIol-
lin, BohanDon and Morrow. Companies B, ID and
K, were commanded by Lieud. T. T Smith. j. ID,
and j. Crowell; companies G and were
q part Of the time under the command Of Lieuts
McCsuly and Tinelove, the Captains we're
slightly wounded. It 10 due the commanders of
companies as well as Lieutcnants to say that they
all behaved, perhaps, with bravery and cool
ness than was ever. before exhibited As to the
condnct of the men 1 cannot say enough; suffice .
il to say their conduct was never equaled fighting ,
three to one and the enemy strongly entrenched,
and driving him from bis position, is only done By
the bravest OF the brave. Thus ended the fight. :
We marched and fought for eight days, soHe of q
our men without rations anything to eat for $
three days; in the rain and mud for two days and
nights no sleep, except under the roar OF artillery
md whiz of the misnie Tho loss OF our army Is .
fuite heavy. We mourn the loss of many Of our c
brave comrades. Nothing bnt the purest motives i.
If patriotism could prompt our mer to stand a
uch hardships, but we have given the foe blow
hat viii last him long. Our men are improving
md we hope to be able TO meet the vandals If they d
.ttemps to forward again. Through the blessings d
# Providence, aud the kind protection Of IN ever
yraciots God We viii be victorious. A. 3. h