Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-02-18


is small prairie, six huudred yards 10 length.
On the opposite side of this il thick swamp support
ed by tangled piece OF artillery, more remarkab bile
for the iose it made than for its execution the Yankees
were posted in force. Here Capt Ellis battery came
into action with telling effect. On the right of the
road the 42d vas ordered to advauc under Col Brown
and the eth on the lett under Lieut.. Col Lamo -
With wild cheer that struck terror to the heart OF the
foe the gallant fellows charged right across the
open space into the swamp. and the Yankees fed ike
quicksilver before them.
From swamp to swamp, from covert 10 covert tne
Yankees were driven before the brave North Carolln
ians like herd of hunted deer. About annie from
Shepaidsve there is swamp denser and darker than
any other swamp in country of dark and dense
swamps it extends each side of the road tor per
haps two miles, and here the Yankees in considerable
force in ambush, awaited our coming Our sklrmlshers
failed to find them aud Capt Paris leu bis battery 10
within fifty yards of the enemy before his
was known The Yankees fired close voley at this
short distance his battery, bat strange to say, not
man or horse struck. :
Quick as thought Capt. Paris had bis battery un-
limbered, and the huge Napoleons " poured storm
Of canister and shell through thckets that almost
impenetrable to musket ball. The Yankees made
stern resistance until the artillery opened but that they
could stand and in the widest confusion their right
gave way, never again to be rallied.
On their left, they Jared equally as bad If not worse
for the gallant AID pursued them 80 holly, that they
did not make any stand at their fort bat following the
illustrious example of their right wing they sought
safety On the other side CT the rlVer.
The Yankees had time to fire their commssary store
honsss most If. ctnaly before their departure. But
fortunately they did have time to carry of their
knapsacks, and brave captured clothing In
vast quantities
Overcoats pants, caps vests shoes, boots, backng,
coffee sugar, tea rice, potatoes, beans, onions and
hundred other things too numerous to mention, were
the rich spos of victory.
Your correspondent easted that night the follow
ing bill of fare
lea, Coffee and White Sugar,
Ham and Eggs,
Strawberry Preserves and Biscuit,a
Mountain Butter and Crackers.
Beat it, if ye can, ye fteen-dollar a-day hotel! And
who wouldn't be soldier
After resting the troops for day, destroying the
railroad bridge dsmanting the fort and rendering use
less the artillery which had captured, Gen. Martin
ordered our return Having accomplished successfully,
all that he seut to d. and Gen. Berton by his re-
treat to Knston, having uncovered his left wing Gen
Martini like prudent General as he is, deemed it I'M
wise to remain longer d ShepardsvilIe, with his small
force.
more successful expedition than ours, il every re-
spect has never been planned With the loss of tWen
ty men killed and wounded, have Inflicted loss up
on the enemy of at least FIVE times that number kill
ed and wounded, besides about seventy five prisoners
We have damaged him to large amount Ia supplies
aud munitions of war, and finally We have convinced
him that be holds his boased territory, 10 North Car
DINA by very precarious tenure.
OF the instances Of individual herolsm cannot In
this limited space speak, but Col. Brown, aud Lieut.
Col Bradshaw, of the AID, and Lieut. Col. Lamb, OIL
the 7th where all were brave, conspicuous for
their gallantry Captain Ellis aud Paris, of the artIe
ry ard their officers, remarka bic Tor cool gallany
Captains HARLAN, Morris and Harris of the cava ry
rendered most efficient service. Here let record the
death of gallant gentleman, Capt. Lee, of the Flb
who TELL while leading bis into the hottest of the
fire. FOO much cannot be said in praise of the unfag
gng determination and the unatering bravery of the
noble AID and 18th. All honor to such nen
SOLDAT.