The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1883-05-30

Of battle, aud then kept the enemy in
check until DARK. when We continued
our rueat TO iiu.es' Hui. near y v
Market, and about u o'clock next morn
lDg the eoemy again began TO press. Ne
remained until ~ o clock. when We found
that they were haDking Us In the same
manner that they had done on the two
previous OCCASIONS, aud Gen. Eariy then
began 70 withdraw u IN lIne of battle.
which was very successfully done until
about night, when We withdrew 10 Browns
Gap and Port Republic, the place of one
OF Jachson's great victories. Here we
were called upon next day to 20 u and
drive of their cavalry. which We did.
intiIctIng considerable los. upon them.
Weir-Csve, September 2Sth.-Moved
aIouul a good deal yesterday, but halted
for the night neal where we started In
the morning, except We were on the north
side Of the Shenandoah.
Waynesboro, September 2gth.-Ye.-
terday had a most disagreeabic march.
not arriving in camp until four o'clock
this morning, travelling all night 10 the
rear of a wagon train ~ protect il from
Yankee cavalry, who were threatening
on ali sides. Troops beginning to recover
from %etfec's Of asst weeks misfortunes;
10 tolerab!e fighting trim, and anxious TO
retrieve their lost reputation.
Mount Sydney, October 4th, 1851
Another day of rest and what was quite
as much needed, a good dinner. The
gentleman with whom we dined was ran
somed by his wife and daughters paying
all their jevelry and silver, and the house
redeemed by payment OF $40 in gold.
Enemy near H~arrisonburg few miles from
here.
Harrisonburg, October 7th.-Aga n
On the march following the enemy.
Camp near New Market, October 9th.
1t Is probable we VIII remain In our
present p stloD for some time. Enemy
been driven below >tra burg, aud az they
destroyed ever thing n their retreat.
Se have not the ~whercw:tha 10 subsiSt
lur army on. Country u ~perteet desoli-
lou Nj stock aui prDSisiIr- it,trovei.
Near Suasburs, OF Iith -Iceter-
lay reported TO Gen. Ro ser cavalry
fenerli). About dark mnunted my men
behind his took a b path over the
mountains, over the most rugged roads
| ever travelled. About 3 o'clock came
up in rear OF Yankee camp. Dismount-
ng my men, prepared to charge them.
We had been informed a Cavalry Divi-
ion were encamped at this place, but
found only forty men, every one of whom
We captured with their horses. Had .
pleasant time.
Near Strasburg, OFT. lSth.-Enemy
remarkably quiet.
New Market, Oct. 20th.-Yesterday
ed the enemy in their position, whipping
them badly, and driving them from their
treastworks. capturing twenty-odd pieces
OF artillery, driving them several miles
Our left wing shamefuiiy gave way, which
necessita ted the drawing in of our lines,
which was done in considerable confusion.
At that time the Yankee Cavalry Ct argSd
and completely routed our men. 1t was
impossible to check the fight, officers
and men behaving shamefully. Twice
the Yankees got between me and the
route | had to travel, which rendered it
necessary for me to take 10 the woods to
avoid capture. About seven O'Clock ar
rived at a place on Fishers Hill. where
We halted to endeavor to gather up the
s~traggleIs and rearringe our troops.
After resting a few hours, fell back to
this place. 1t was the hardest days
work [ ever engaged in trying to rally
the meu. LUX our HdRS Al ulutTeut
times, begging, commanding, entreating
the men to rally-would ride up and
down the lines, beseecning them by all
they held sacred and dear, to stop and
fight, but without any success. | don't
mean my Brigade only, but all. The
Generalization wa too great. All my
exertions were of no avail. | was riding
a horse that | captured in our nigh at
tack upon the cavalry which l mention
in MY letter Of last Monday, and had him
killed by a shell early in the engagement,
while on his back, the shell not missing
my leg two inches. Afterwards found a
horse on the field, rode him the remain
der of the day. He also was struck, but
not much hurt. Had a ball to strike
me on the leg, but so slightly that the
blow was scarcely perceptible, the bail
having expended it, force. Gen. Ram
seur was wounded mortallv, and fell into
the hands of the enemy. Gen. Battle,
of Alabama, severely wounded. The
only salvation for this army and the
country will be to infict severe punish
ment on all who fail to discharge their
duty. There will be a general Court
Martial this afternoon, and all delin-
quents will be tried.
To L. .,