Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-09-02
WAR NEWS.
The late Fight at Reaps, Station.


The people residing in this locality, have just re-
ceved an idea of the war; which has most indelibly
impressed it upon their minds. Heretofore they
have only read the newspaper accounts end heard
the recitsls of the wounded and convaesceht, as
they would pass back and forth to their homes
We felt sure the Confederate authorities would
protect this Railroad but this feeling Of security
was greatly shaken, however, when on yesterday
two weeks ago, we learned that Grant had suddenly
swung around an entire army corps seized the
road, and proceeded to fortify The subsequent
unsuccessful efforts of our forces TO diSlodge the
enemy, had the effect to still further depress us,
and when, daring the past five or, six days, we
learned that the enemy we're gradually extending
their lines down the road hope gave way to feel
ing OF deep despair. We prepared for the worst,
and many, we regret to say, have realized all and
more than they expected ...-
Destruction of the Railroad.
A walk to-day, from the IA Mile Crossing to
Keams, q distance of four miles, showed truly
sad scene. On both sides of the track the enemy
have swept fences and crops, leaving scarcely a
TestlSe remaining. The crops consisting chiefly of
corn and sorghum, have been fed to and horses,
aud the fences piled upon the railroad slls to assist
IN the burning. - --- '... -.r- ..-.
The road is quite effectually destroyed as far as
Mrs. Fannie HattOn's place, distance of about %
mics south of Reams' Station. Above the station,
L did not extend my walk, and therefore cannot
speak from, observation, but from all can learn,
the same destruction has taken place at least to the
Yellow Tavern, making all about nine miles of the
track destroyed In some places observed that
tue sis had not been destroyed bnt for the greater
portion OF the distance, slls have been burnt and
the iron heated. .f.. ...-. -r r- s'~i--
The Battle Yesterday.
The battle yesterday opened in this immediate
neighborhOOd, as early as IL O'clock and was COM
manded by that gallant son of South Carolina, Gen.
Wade hampton. He had at hand his brave assis-
tants, Generals Butler RoSser; Barringer and also
ChambIiss Virginia brigade, whose noble leader
fell but few days since the north of James riv
er, but by whom commanded yesterday, have been
unable to learn. ~
The enemy's cavalry were centred chiefly about
Malone's crossing with strong force extending
out Oh the countyh nd leading to Brunswick stage
road. This force was encountered a half mile or
more from the railroad and our cavalry dismounted
and ordered to charge.
Like veterans they obeyed the command, and un-
der the eye Of their great leader, rushed forward
with an impetuosity that proved irresistible Upon
nearing The railroad there no woods to protect
an asSaulting column, and the approach is up
steep hill. Through this open space and up this
rising ground, our lighting troopers drove the enc
my to and beyond the railroad, for distance of q
half mile or more In the meantime such of the
enemy had advanced to the south Of the crossing
hearing the firing on their right quickly drew in
their lines, and fell back.
The way being now clear south of the crossing,
Gen. Hampton quickly swung his column of dis.
mounted cavalry around to the right of thesraiI-
road facing in the direction of Petersburg and con-
tinued to advance, the enemy lSlling back before
him.
From short distance above the farm formerly
owned and occupied by DIR. Crawford, on both sides
of the railroad, the enemy had thrown I'D strong
ioruhcatlols, built of logs fence rails and EARTH
these fortfcatOns extended on the left as high I'D
as the lower water tank at Reams stretching across
the road, and passing to the right in front of
Oak Grove Church as far east as Emmons' plsata.
ton On the right the enemy's works xtended I'D
the side OF the county road from Lan;ers place to
about 400 yards this side of Duvars Blacksmith
shop, where they abruptly turn TO the right ari
extend ill northeaSterly direction around Duval'S
sugar cant field, until they strike TIE other line OF
works away off near EmmorS place They were
protected On all sides, and they thought both in
front and rear.
At given signal the order to charge was given.
Ind Oh both sides of the road up cama the COHfed-
e:ate troops-the cavalry the right, and Gen
A. Z. Hills infantry on the left. Both charges
were alike successful, but the l"o-kS on tie left
being the strongest ard most hCaviiy manned, the
infantry suffered most. The cavalry never fought
better, and many Of them leaped the breaStworks
and shot such Of the enemy as remained in the
trenches. The cavalry column comprised Georgi.
ginians, all racing to be in first at what they ex-
pected would be the death struggle. Strange to
say, the casualties here were unprecedentedly
small, and | sn crediby informed that the 18Th
Virginia regiment lost not q man killed and had
but Two wounded, Capt Junius Goodwin, well
known III your city, commanded a squadron oi
ChaInbllSS brigade aud was in the thickest of the
fight Fifteen of bis men captured fifty one pris-
onerS.
Gen. Hampton occupied a prominent position
overlooking The field aud il was enough for the
cavalry ~ know that the eye of their noble leader
was upon them, and that his wise head and skill
ful hand controlled aud directed all their operations
General Hampton will prove a most worthy snc
cessor 10 the chiVsrous Stuart The men not Only
have confidence in him, but they love him, and as
long as his life is spared to command them, we
may safely predict success in future for the cavalry
where 1t is possible to cUmnand success.
OF the subordinate cavalry generals, it was my
fortune to meet only with Gen. Barrnger, of North
Carolina A more courteous gentleman, and one
who enjoys to greater extent the esteem and res.
pect of his men, the service cannot boast Gen.
B. has done much service in the vicinity of Peters.
burg and your people are much indebted to him
and his men for their timely aid on the memorable
9th of June, when Kautz's raiders actually entered
the suburbs, and the spires and steeples of Pc
tersburg.
1t is due to our noble sister State-North. Carroll.
na-to say that the entire infantry column engaged
in the assault on the left of the railroad, was com
POSED of her sons. Never did men move forward
with a 6rmer step when ordered to charge and
never did troops fight with more distinguished gal
lantry. Any who will visit the battle field as
have done and see the character of the work they
had to perform, will concur with me in the opinion
that the men who carried them in the face of such
fearful fire, from both infantry and artillery, are
worthy of being cassed among the bravest As a
Virginian | am proud to award this humble tribute
to the gallanry OF the brave North Carolinians who
participated in this desperate fight 1t is true that
they have fought on every battlefield since this
war ommenced-commencingw with Bethel, in June
1861, and closing at Reams' Station, August 1864
with as much gallantry and determination as the
troops from any other State, but on yesterday, as
none but North Carolinlans partcipated in the as