Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-07-07
For the Journal.
CAMP 3RD N. @. CAv.,)
near Petersburg, Va,
June 22nd, 1864.

EeellEg Couuueut lnaL many or your rea0STS VIII DC
anxious to hear OF the whereabouts of this regiment
the art it has played in this the most ocve campaign
of tie war; shall respass for short while upon your
patience, promising nothing interesting, but simply
plain statement of facts. With heavy hearts turned
our backs on Newbern when almost within our grasp
to take up the march (as Madame Camp Rumor a.
'oays Tehabte) said, for Northern Virginia Early on
the morning of the 9th of May we left Kinston and,
after marching FIVE days and the great ter part of the
same number of nights reached Petersburg. We rest
ed here one Lour when drawn up in ine count
ed fours, AND beaded towards Richmond. The enemy
were in possession OF the turnpike go leaving 1T we
turned towards Chesterfield q. II. Couuitt's brigade
of infantry with pieces of artillery with the 3rd
n. Q. Cavalry, composed Beauregards escort Ifyou
recolc how Uery much rain was needed about that |
time, you can Imagine what dust regiment of Cavalry
would kick up, and how we fared for those five days
when at times you could lot your file ader After
leaving Petersburg We proceeded quietly along until
enemy's Cavalry Col. Baker Immediately charged
Them drove them from the road, add, supported by
regiment of infantry, held them in check u4til Gen.
Beauregatd passed through, and then brought up the
rear, reaching Drewr Bluff just at day on the morn
ing of The 18th, having marct ed from klnston NJ u
to Rict mond, Va, in six days Here we rested eur
weary limbs and jaded horses until the l6th the day
that Gen Baauregard so handsomely "called halt 10
Butler in bis 'On to Richmond" and sent him bowling
back to Bermuda Hundreds. On the 18th our regl-
ment opened communication with Petersburg along the
turnpike We remained here picketing aud scouting
until tie Oath, when ORDER to JON GoFdonE
brigade. On reaching tie brigade Col Baker as rank
ing officer, took command, the gallant Gordon having
lialen at the head of his brigade few Gays before
When the smoke OF battle clears away the "Ro OF
Honor" is made up high up upon its list 10 letters
large and glowing, Will be written GORDON. North
Carolina may well feel proud Of sUch worthy On
the morning OF the 9th, Lit Col Wad6ell, command
ing the regiment received orders to move down to the
Hanover Ferry road and feel the enemy. He had not
gone far, when he touEd that the enemy were moqiog
up the read, Col w. immediately ordered Capt. Nc
Cammy to dsmount his squadron and dcploy them rs
skirDisbers After deploying, the Captain moved hls
skirmishers forward ard tackled the encmg- After
sharp fight the enemy broke pursued drove
them upon their line of battle, and attacked that
Soon the enemy commenced tuning the right flank Of
our skirmsh line jus. at this time orders given
to fall back when retired sow y, part of the time
exposed TO fire front and The enemy confident
y expected capture skirmisbers but were sadly
disappointed Capt. Me- lammy changing the front OF
the right company and driving tie fanking party back
While engaged in front the Yankee cavalry moved to
our LETT and endeavored to get in the Having
certaned what desired, mounted, and were NOV.
ing down the read 10 form ne OF batte 10 more ad
vantageOus POSITION The enemy ma8kiog this for
treat division CT bis cavalry to harrass rear
and even presumed to charge Capt McCIammys squad
Ion bringing up rear; but quickly perceivng their
INTENTION be wheeled bis squadron to the eftabout by
TOURS, drove them back in much dis rider, copturng
several men auo horses ! ne enemy were sufficiently
amused for tbey did not make their Appearance any
more during this day. We engaged them again at Cold
Ha1bOr the 29ih, boiling them il check until rein
forced by division of infantry. On The 3lBt, with w
H. F. Lees division met ana repueet Smiths army
corps of infantry and Wilson's Cavalry division. Again
on the 2nd OF June, fought both their cavalry and IN
fantry at Ashland. KILLING great many and captur
: ing several, together with $50 horses. During this
n fight Ger. Lee dismoGpted the LIST, End and 9th n
, o., and two squadrons perkins ard McOIammy) o.
The 3rd and made charge in regular antry style fo
over two miles, completely routing the enemy. hf
II chase very exciting; the, enemy f9d IN the wdes
confusion. Again fought all daY of the Bird, at Halves
the 10Th continually skruishing with the enemy
On the 17th caught all that remained of Grants
army the North side Of James River, shelIed bis
2 wagon train the river, enjoyed the confusion
among bis transfers caused by this proceeding such
cutting loose mules, turning Wagons bottom sile up
and took up line of march for Petersburg. Reach
ed Petersburg the 10Th, aud the 2lst fought one
among the hardest fgh's of this campaign. Hancnck
: corps of infantry, with two squadrons of Wilson's
cavalry, moved and attacked right, doing pickle
duty six miles from Petersburg. Col. Baker dis
mounted all the regiment, except of 90. A. and
threw them forward to skirmsh. Soon tie Yankee
cavalry z equadrons) moved down the road held by
Capt. McClammy's squadron. He poured voLey into
them and at the same tim according to orders, Lieut.
i Ward charged them, and drove them completely awoy
they retired IN OF the Infantry. They theL
moved up their Infantry and the action became general
/ We held our ground uu Gen. Bsrrpger came up ltE
the brigade, and after fight of three hours in which
killed 81 OF the enemy and captured over that number
of prisoners Hancock, with bis fighting corps, tel
back before Barrngers brl gade of cavalry leaving bis
dead and wounded In Cur possession. Col Baker was
captured misaking the position of the enemy be rode
forward with orders for another regiment, aud sur
rounded and captured. During the recent fights We
q have suffered greatly, having lost in killed, wounded
and captured, IL officers and 1853 The reg en
is at present commanded by the gallant Maj. Moore
very Efficient olicr, and universally esteemed BY
:. bis command. 1t. COL Wadde was with much re-
uctance forced to leave the command punt OF bis
health and remained in the cld longer than he should
have done, and is iaboring under attack
d in one of the Hospitals at Richmond Of any move
Il meats outside OF the brigade know nothing
We have plenty of ratt0ns having drawn as extra
rations for The last MONTH RICE peas onions sugar and
coffee, in addition to oneha pound of meat and usua
bread ratioua in excellent health and spirits, and
fully confident that the mighty Ulysses will neusr reach
Richmond. The enemy she'll Petersburg every day
but have as yet damaged the city very little He hopes
doubt to take Petersburg he did Vicksburg, by
It digging. Prisoners say he tas promised his army tha
there shall De no charging, but my word toc it
Y this burg " will not.tal by the spade. Hoping thai
communication with the outside world may soon be
opened and that will not much longer be forced
! " run the blockade with mail, aud hear some
thing more than the of nusketry and the boom oil
e cannon, leave you, Messrs Editors and your nu-
merous readers, TO enjoy the delightful aeabreeze
promising to let you hear from US when anything of note
,, turns up OMEGA.
From the New York Daily News.
| Illinois, Kentucky, Virginia.
What sad contrasts this bloody conflict now ir