Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-01-02
BUDGET OF SOUTHERN NEWS.
FIGHTING IN NORTH CAROLINA.
THE REBELS "sURPRIsKD" ON TAR RIVER.
From the Wilmington Journa11

[Frcm the Wilmington Journal
KINGSTON, Dec. is.-The skirmish that I
taking place at Chinkapin Chapel, on the
Upper Trent road, resulted id the repulse Of
the enemy, with loss on their side tso am
informed) of Ave Killed and six wounded, to
say nothing Of the dead and wounded horses
There is report going the rounds here (and
/ am really fearful that it is too true) to the
pickets on the south side of Tar river, near
Taf's store, between Greenville and Washing
ton, and have captured one entire company of
our cavalry, commanded by Captain Moore,
OF the Third North Carolina.
Butler Enforcing his Orders.
(From the Petersburg Express, Dec 22)
We learn from a gentleman who reached
here yesterday afternoon, on the Norfolk train,
that Butler is rigidly enforcing his order re-
quring all persons to take the oath of allegiance
to the LlncOln Government
Large numbers have taken this cath in Nor
folk and every citizen OF Portsmouth, except
three.
In Nansemond and Princess Anne counties
ALI clizens residing between Bernard's Mill
ard Portsmouth have taken the oath. Many of
these, II not all, are loyal to the Confederate
government, but they have no alternate save
Punishment from their homes. Bernsrd's Mill
Is the outer picket station of the FederaIs.
Six citizens of Nsnsemond county have been
sentenced by Butler to six months imprson-
ment tor whipping negro.
Rebel Account OF the Assault ppon Knox
.-...-. Vile.
A correspondence of the Augusta Constitution
ailst writes an interesting description of the
charge OF the Confederate troops upon the Fed
erai works at Knoxville. He says:
To the left OF Knoxville, upon a high bill, is
commands all approaches to it for more than a.
mile. In its front and fianks was once a thick
heid OF pines, which were cut down by the
enemy the tops falling in II directions. making
a mass Of brush and Tim Der almost impass ble
In addition TO this they had wires netted ali
around their works, aad a ditch from four to
SIX feet deep, corresponding with the regularity
OF the ground, the extreme slope OF the pa apet
making an acuteangle with the fall of the ditch
Immediately in their front, for two or three
hundred yards, all brush and rubbish were
removed, In orrar tna' their grape and canister
might have clear sweep at any attacking =
column. This fort, Bry ans, Humphreys and
part OF " Walford's brigades were ordered to
assault at day light on the morning Of tae beth
Uf November.
Through this rugged field OF obstacles, BET fore
day, Bry ans brigade felt its way, with many
fail and many bTuse, yet quietly. ulcom-
plsinng gly, tie men follow ed the dark figure Of
Their guiding Us through the gloom. 10 the line
oi shaI pshooteTs stationed at the edge Of the
clearing Here the command rested waiting
daylight Each man pressed his cap more
hTmly down upon his brow. and with lips
eempiessed and steadfast eye waited fo- the
Noro 10 move, whilst Generals Bryan and
humphrey glded noiseiessly through their
coIulnands, carefully examining the ground
All was quiet as the grave. Suddenly the
stliiiess was broken by the sharp crack of a
Mlrie rifle, when sup, boys, charge ., was
given by our commanders. The bra we fellows
sprlngIng up with shout on they pressed TO
the fort, through murderous fire OF shot and
shell. Owing 10 rain on the day before and
1rost on the night of the attack, the earth would
give way from under our gallant men as they
climbed upon the shoulders of each other en-.
deayoring to reach the paraper, and down they
would tumble into the ditch. Hand grenade
alter hand grenade were thrown upon them
and yet they still remained climbing and fall
ing for over haf an hour, whilst the air spar.
hled with Whistling fuses and incessant rolls
attempts TO scale the sides Of the fort impossi-
Ole, (only one man. Sergeant. Major Bailey, OF
the 5tth Georgia, reaching the top-he, POOR
fellow, was killed immediately we slowly
Withdrew under terrible fire from the enemy
1t was a sight long to be remembed TO see
Gen. Brya an at the head of the column, leading
and cheering his men, giving orders IN a calm
and self possessed tone. Indeed, he seemed to
bear charmed life. Whilst hundreds around
him were killed and wounded, he was un-
away crying, ''raily, boys, rally, we are not
WhIpped-We could not climb the fort, that's
all y The men all stopped at his command,
and pressing forward to shake hands in CRATE
ful delight Of his safety. One of his coIonels
scolded him severely for exposing himself SO
recklessly.
Many sons Of the sunny South Redeemed the
field with their hearts blood, whist not a
Yankee, that could see, was slain Oh !! il
was sad sight to see those two old warriors
Generals Bryan and Humphrey, who essayed
to speak to each other after the fight, but could
not They turned their heads and went: yes
wept bitter tears to the memory of their gallant
dead. Never did men go SO boldly up to death
The enemy run flag of truce and acted very
humanely to our wounded, sending all who
could be moved to us. The Yankees say it was
the charge Of the war, and none but Long
streets corps would ever have made it.