The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-09-29

| reinforced from NeWbern, stubborn
resistance was made. Our artillery was
soon in position and deadly assault
made upon their works which was car
ried. The enemy flew in great disorder
| for NeWbern. In this e. g2gement a
good many prisoners were taken, many
of whom had deserted our army and
taken up arms against us. In this bat
tie our loss was heavy. Among the
killed was Col. Shaw, commanding the
9Th Regiment. From this point We
moved on Newbern, reaching the
formed aud a fierce resistance was
made by the enemy's sharpshooters.
In this position we remained two days.
In the meantime the enemy was heavily
reinforced and fearing an attack would
prove unsuccessful our army withdrew
but not before capturing 3 or hundred
prisoners and doing vast amount Of
damage to the enemy February 4th
we returned to Kinston, and again be
gan to drill conscripts which were daily
arriving from Raleigh During our
stay here the captured deserters (22 in
number) were tried by court martial and
suffered the penalty of the law. We re-
manned at Kinston in comfortable quar-
tiers until April 18th, when our brigade
moved in the direction of GoldsborO.
Clingman's and COrse's brigade going in
different direction. This movement
somewhat puzzled the troops They
knew not "what was up" until we
reached Plymouth and without any de-
lay stormed the town taking $500
prisoners, 100000 pounds of bacon,
900 barrels of -four, besides quanti-
ties Of other commission stores, with
but little loss to our army. After
we were withdrawn from Plymouth we
were again ordered to Kinston and at
once took up line of march towards
Newbern. The troops being flushed with
victory were ready to attack the city at
a moments notice, just as we were ready
| to make the attack orders came to with
draw and move back to Kinston in quick
time. Upon our arrival at Kinston We
at once took the cars for Petersburg, Va.
Arriving at Weldon it Was ascertained
that the enemy had torn up the road and
burnt two of our bridges, and we were
compelled to march IA miles to Stony
Greek and took the cars again for Peters
burg, Reaching there at p. m May 8,
1864, we were marched miles below the
city, and camped for the night. Next
| day We marched towards Richmond on
the Turnpike road. Marching all night
in round about way, we arrived in two
miles of Drewry's Bluff Next day we
crossed the James River and took posi-
ton at Ohapins Bluff. From this point
we We're moved to Richmond by
steamers; arriving there, we moved 4
miles east of the city and went into
camp. On the next day we moved from
that camp, and were sent across the
James River again to check column of
cavalry that was supposed to be moving
on the Coal Field Railroad. The enemy
soon developed in strong force, but after
brisk skirmish they withdrew.
On the 14th, we were ordered
back to Drewry's Bluff to re-
inforce Gen. Beauregar1, who was
threatened by heavy force. Upon our
arrival there our sharpshooters b9came
hot!y engaged, aud at 6 O'Clock Mr..
Ransom's Brigade attacked the enemy
in well fortified position, but were re-
Regiment, himself being painfully woun-
ded. The next day fierce skirmishing
was kept up all day, but not fading a
suitable position for our artillery, the
battle was d .iayed until the morning of
he 16 b at 5 O'Clock a. m, when Gen.
Beauregard moved forward his entire
line, and attacked the enemy in his
strong works. A most desperate battle
ensued, which lasted until 10 o'clock,
when the enemy was driven back two
miles TO another strong position. Gen.
Baauregard then entrenched himself in
their front, which completely shut off
further operations against Richmond
from that way. In this engagement our
loss was three thousand, killed and
wounded. Among the killed was the
gallant Major Jas A i;ogers, while lead
ing our R3gim 3nt, and a great numbsr
Of our new men, (conscgipts) who fought
manfally. We again moved on the morn
ing Of the 10Th to point near the Ap
pom tttoX river, and being placed ia a
position, were subjected TO a furious
Smelling from the enemy's gun boats
which did but little damage to US TIE
nex5 day We we're ordered to Richmond,
where we arrived in the afternoon and
TOOK the train for Milford station.
Reaching this p3int We again to k up a
I'm of march tor G Lees army, then
Sp3ttsyiga1ia Court House. From Iuis
place we were at once ordered TO Jules
Mills, FIVE miles north OF the court housc .
II re brisk engagement took pace be
tween our sharps hooters and the enc
my soon Wit.r5W From some cause
our division was overlooked at this point
and a. a lat hour wc we're informed that
the whole a ny was falling back and a
forced march hzd to be made to overtake
it. This march told heavily or our men,
many of them bang 80 completely tagged
out" that they felllnto the hand Of theen-
emg. Ol the morning Of the22d we reached
Hanover Junction and went into camp
to rest one day, and on the following
morning We resumed cur march for Ne
chanicsgille. Upon reaching there we
were placsd in line and our sharpshooters
soon became actively engaged with the
enemy and driving them back, we rested
upon our arms for the night.
At this point we remained two
days; then moved one mile west
where we we're confronted by a
heavy force of the army entfenched
| at 6 o'clock an assault was made upon
them and they completely routed o.
June 18th we were ordered TO Peters
burg and took position behind breast
work ut some points in less than 15O
yards from the enemy. This position
/ ,,ra Ind MT nav much no