llf : 111 iP1
47W aj Uk jy iilly .
SiOpevaniiura
,IN ADVA NC
ON THE
WEST SIDE OF TRADE STREET
CHARACTER - IS AS IMPORTANT TO STATES AS IT IS TO INDIVIDUALS, AND THE GLORY OF THE ONE IS THE COMMON PROPERTY OF THE OTHER.
CHARLOTTE, N. C., 'TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1864.
TWELFTH ' V0LUJUE---K U M li E If 609.
Editor and Proprietor.
(Published every Tuesday,Q)
BY
.WILLIAM J. YATES,
EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
O
$10 IN
ADVANCE.
o
87 Transient advertisements must be paid for in
advance.
Sag Advertisements not marked on the manuscript
T.r a specific time, will be inserted until forbid and
charged accordingly.
AN ACT
'IN
RELATION TO THE MILITIA- AND A GUARD
FOR HOME DEFENCE. '
Ssc. 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of
the State of North Carolina, and it id hereby enacted
b,y the authority of the same, That the exemptions
from service in the Militia of the State, shall be for the
same causes, and to the same extent and no farther,
that are prescribed in the acts of Congress of the Con
federate States, providing for the enrollment of men
for the public defence and granting exemptions from
the same, commonly call:; i i lie conscriptiou and ex
emption acts.
Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the
duty of the Gnvernur to -as.se to be enrolled as a guard
fdr home defence all white male persons not already
enrolled in the service rf the Confederate States, be
tween the ages of eighteen and fifty years, resident in
thi3 State, including foreigners not naturalized, who
have been residents in the State for thirty days before
such enrolment, excepting persons filling the offices
of Governor, Judges of the Supreme and Superior
Courts of Law and Equity, the members of the General
Assembly and the officers of the several Departments of
the Government of the State, Ministers of the Gospel
of the several denominations of the State changed with
the duties of churches, and such other persons as
the Governor, for special reasons, may deem proper
subjects of exemption.
Sec. 3. Be it further enacted, That all persons-above
the age of fifty, who may volunteer for service in said
guard for home defence, and shall be accepted by a
Captain of a company for the ?anic, sliitll be-deemed to
beiong thereto, ani shall be held to service therein,
either generally or for any special duty or expedition
aa the commanding officers of re,'r; meats or companies,
according to the nature ofthe. particular service in
question may determine.
Sec. 4- Beit further enacted, That, the Governor
shall cause all persons enrolled in pursuance of the
two preceding sections of this act to be formed into
companies, with liberty to elect the e'o th iii h&'hraeiHs
cers of such companies, and thenc-e into battalions or
regiments, brigades and divisions according to his dis
cretion, arid he shall appoint the fiiel i officers of such
battalions, regiments, brigades and divisions, and
shall issue commissions in due form to all the otScers
aforesaid.
Sec. 5 Be it further enacted, That members of .the
Society of Friends, commonly called Quakers, may be
exempted from the provrsion of this act by paying the
Sam of one hundred dollars according to aTi ordinance
of the Convention of this State in that behalf, ratified
the 12th day of May, 1862. Provided that when a
Quaker shall have paid or had levied of his property
the sum of five hundred dollars under the act-of Con
gress called the conscription law aforesaid, he shall
not be required to pay any sum of money for his ex
emption under this act.
Sec, 6. That the said guards for home defence may
be called out for service by the Governor in defence of
the State against invasion and to suppress invasion,
either by regiments, battalions, or companies, en masse,
or by drafts or volunteers from the same, as he, in his
discretion may direct; shall be under hi command,
through the officers appointed as herein provided:
shall serve only within the limits of this State,-and in
terras of duty to be prescribed by the Governor, not
exceeding three months at one term. They, or so many
of them as may be at auy one time called into service,
may be Organized iuto infantry, artillery or cavalry as
he may direct, and the infantry and artillery may be
mounted if he shall so determine, the men furnishing
their own horses and accoutrements and arms, when
approved by the Governor, on such terms as he shall
prescribe.
Sec. 7. Be it further enacted, That the Governor may
furnish to said troops the arms, accoutrements and
. ammunition of the State when called as aforesaid into
active service, and sliiill prescribe rules for their return
and to prevent the waste, destruction .or loss of the
same.
Sec: 8. Be it further enacted, That all laws and
clauses of laws coming within the meaning and pur
view of 'this act be, and tjie same are hereby repealed.
Sec. 9. -Be it further enacted. That the commissions
of officers of the Militia, called into service by this act,
are suspended only during the period of such service.
Sec. 10. Be it further enacted. That this act shall be
in force from the date of its ratification.
Ratified the 7th day of July, 183.
Amendments to the above Law.
AN ACT TO AMEND AN ACT IN RELATION TO
THE MILITIA AND A GUARD FUR HOME
DEFENCE.
Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of
the State of North Caroliya, and it is hereby enacted
by the authority of the same. That neither the Govern
or of this State, nor the officers acting under an act
ratified on the 7tb day of July, 18t3en!it!ed "An act
in relation to the Militia and a Guard for Home De
fence,'.' shall call out for drill or musTt r the persons
enrolled under said act, oftener than once a month in
company drill, or oftener thau twice a year in battalion
drill, which battalion drills shall take the place of the
company drills for the month in which they are ap
pointed, uuless when called into actual service to repel
invasio.i or suppress insurrection, or to execute the
laws of the State.
Sec. 2. Be it further enacted. That the Governor
shall have the -power to use the Guards of Home De
fence for the purpose of arresting conscripts and de- !
serters; Provided, they shall not be ordered upon this
duty beyoud the limits of the counties in which they
reside or the counties adjacent thereto.
Sec 3. Be it further enacted, That in addition to the
exemptions contained in the act to which this is an
amendment, there shall be exempt County commission
ers appointed under an act entitled "An act for the re-,
lief of wives and families of soldiers in the army," reg
ular millers, blacksmiths who have established shops,
necessary operatives in factories aim foundries, the
Attorney General, Solicitors of the several circuits and
counties, physicians of five years' practice, contractors
with the State or Confederate government, one editor
to each newspaper and theneccs;ary compositors, mail
carriers, professors iti colleges and teachers in acade- !
miea ;- Provided, that this-exemption shall only Apply to
the drills speeified in this bill and not to service when
the Guard for Home Defence is called into.the field.
Ssc 4. Be it further enacted. That for failure to at- '
tend the battalion or regimental drill, each field officer
shall forfeit and pay one hundred dollars; each Captain
and other officers who shall fail to iuuter and drill
their companies at the tiiu's appointed, shall forfeit and
pay for each failure fifty dollars, and if a non-commis i
siooed officer or private shall fail to attend at auy drill,
he shall forfeit and pay not less than five nor more than
twenty-five dollars; Provided, that every absentee shall
be allowed until the next master to make bis excuse.
The fines shall be adjudged by regimental and compa
ny courts-martial, ana judgments are to ue entered up
and the fines collected in the same mode and in accord
ance with the provisions of the Militia Law of North
Carolina, passed at the second .extra session of the
General Assembly, 1861'. 1 ' '
Sec 5. Be it further enacted, That the Surgeon Geu-
fAi hr nH with ih oHiri... h nnnt r.f the Gov-
ernor, may appoint surgical boards, not exceeding
three, composed of two physicians each, who shall de
clare by their certificates those persons who shall be
exempt from service under the actio which this is an
amendment, on account of mental or physical disabili
ty, and they shall receive the pay of their rank and
traveling expenses, to be determined by the Adjutant
General. .
Sec 6. Be it further enacted, That the Guard for
i-home defence, should they be called into service by
the Governor, shall receive the some pay, rations and
allowances-as soldiers in the Confederate States7" ser
vice, and shall be subject to the rules and articles of
war of the Confederate States.
Skc 7. Be it further enacted; That when the pressure
of public danger shall not prevent the observance of
such a rule, the said Guard for home defence shall not
be ealled into service en masse, but by draft3 of a num
ber of men from each convenient" company, so as to
make up the aggregate force required.
Sec 8. Be it further enacted,' That thi3 act shall be
in'force and take effect from and after its ratification.
Read three times and ratified in General Assembly,
this the 14lh day of December, A. D., 1863.
NOTICE.
I-wish to hire twenty good able-bodied Negro men
for which I will pay $400 per year. Those having
such hands to hire will please call on Robt F Davidson
in Charlotte. '
I also wish to hire two good carpenters. I will pay,
in Iron and castings, if preferred.
J. W. DERR,
Jan. 19, 1-864 Spring Hill Forge, N. C.
A 0 TIC E.
The Association for the Relief of the Working Men
of Charlotte having opened in the Store 'opposite the
Court House, formerly occupied by Loewenstein, have
now on hand Bale Yarn, Salt, and Alamance Cloth,
which. will be exchanged for Produce and Provisions
on liberal terms.
WANTED Corn, Meal, Flour, Wheat, Molasses, But
ter, Lard, Tallow, Bacon, Dried Fruit, Ac.
. A. GRAHAM, Commissary.
Nov 17, 1863 tf
, - ; 0
Frisiti&i' IVBaleriaEs lor Sale.
I desire to sell the Printing Materials connected with
the late ''North Carolina Whig" newspaper, published
in .this town- The materials consist of a Hand Press
wili Iuking Apparatus,' Long Primer and Brevier Type,
together with a. fair assortment of 1 ancy and Job-Type.
Further information will be furnished by addressing
the undersigned at Charlotte.N. C.
Oct 27, 'G3 . RACHAEL R. IIOLTON.
V T T O N C A U S S AXDS IS OB S .
Cotton Cards for sale, but an early call will only se
cure a pair as we only have ten pair.
We have on hand and can make to order calf-skin
Shoes and Gaiters of very fine English leather.
Lots ladies' calf-skin Bootees.
Lot of thick Brogan, large sizes.
J. F. BUTT, Mint Street,
June 23,1.863 tf Charlotte, N. C.
WANTED,
A single white man, over conscript age, to assist on a
Plantation and take charge of 5 or 6 hajids. -Apply at
this Ollice.
. December 8, 1863. .
ARRIVAL and DEPARTURE
Of . jflesseti set's
OF THE SOUTHERN EXPRESS COMPANY
At Charlotte Office, Daily.
ARRIVES.
From Char. & S C. Railroad 5 00
" N. O. Railroad 6 25
" A., T. & O. Railroad 10 00
" Wil., C. & R. Railroad 3'15
DEPARTS.
A. M. and 5 P.M
14 and 5 "
u
P. M.
For
u
N G. Railroad 6 20 A.
Char. & S C Railroad 7 00
Wil., C. & R. Railroad 7 30 "
sr.
and 5 50 P.M
and 600 "
A., T. & O. Railroad 3 00 P. M.
It is desired that all Parcels, Packages or Freight to
be forwarded by either of the above Trains, be sent to
this Oilice One IIouu previous to its departure.
T. D. GILLESPIE, Agent. .
Charlotte, Sept. 7, 1863. tf
EXPKISSS NOTICE.
Office Southkrx Express CoUpaxy,
Charlotte, Sept. 24, 18o3.
In order to avoid misunderstanding and to make
our charges conform to the liability assumed, this
Company hereby gives notice that from and after Octo
ber 1st, ISO 5, shippers will be required to place their
valuation upon each package before it will be received.
Such valuation will be inserted in the Company's
receipt, and establish the liability of the Conipanj- for
tire amount. The act 'of. God and the public enemy
only excepted T. D. -GI LLESPIE,
-Sept 28, 1863 Agent.
. TANNERY;.
We have a Tannery in full operation about six miles
from Charlotte, on the C. & S. C. Railroad line. It is a
first-clais Tannery-, and we are prepared to purchase,
at mai ket prices, Hides of all descriptions, and supply
the trade atcurreul prices.
. " A. II. GRIFFITH,
July 13, tf C. E. BELL.
St;l; f IV. Carolina CIv?Ia ltd County.'
Court of I!e-is and Quurer Sessions.
J 1 Muffin et al, vs. The Heirs at law and next of kin
of J B Harry, deceased.
Petition for" Reprobate of Will.
It appearing to the satisfaction of the Tourt that
tlie defendants in this case, Anna. E Bridges and her
children, 'John L Bridges, Abury. Blalock and wife
Sarah, W'trshingtou L Bridges, -Edmund II Bridges,.
Hamilton A Bridges, Lafayette Benton, Elizabeth Ben
ton, Sarah Hany and Marcus L II Harry," heirs at law
of J B Harry, are non-rri dents of this State-: It is
therefore ordered that publication be made . in the
Western Democrat, a newspaper published in the town
of Charlotte, Mecklenbmg county, for six consecutive
weeks, notifying defendant's to be and. appear at the
next Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions to be held
for the county of Cleaveland at ;,the Conrt HoiK-e in :
Shelby, on the 6th .Monday after the 4th .Monday in i
November, 18t!3, then and there to make themselves '.
parties to this issue if they think proper so tj do.
Witness, S. Williams, Clerk of said Court a t office, '
iiie ih .Monday after the 4th )fohda.v In' August. 1803.
adv $10 98-Gt S. WILLIAMS, Clerk.
IY0TJCE,
Ha-vinpf taken out Letters of Administration on the.
Mate u., i nereov nuutyaii ,
person? inleoted to eaia oeceasea to make immediate
paynieut, and those having claim? against hlni to pre
sent them within the time prescribed by law-or thi
notice will.be pleaded fn bar of l heir recovery.
Dec 8, 1863 Im JOHN TT "njlISON, Admr,
t " or the Western Democrat.
ATTENTION, LADIES.
-' . ... i r i
! Notice is hereby given to the ladies ot iieck
! lenburg, Cabarrus and the adjoining countie
that
will
iti accordance with an aneieni custom we
cease paying our addresses to our lady tnends ot
the aforesaid counties, as this is leao year: and
being advocates of "woman's rights," do each and
every one of us promise and bind ourselves not to
write to any. young lady unless she writes. to us
first, as this would be going beyond the limits of
oar privileges. Ladies, a chance is now offered
for corresponding with whoever- you may choose..
Send in your letters, they will be thankfully re
ceived and promptly responded to.' It is to be
hoed and believed that all' concerned will be be
nefitted by tliis notice and many an aching heart
relieved. iYoung Men of. Co. H,
Tarboro, Feb 1, 1863; 35th N. 0. Kegt.
One thing that ought tq commend the "young
men" of this Company 4o the attention of the la
dies, is the fact that they have all re-enlisted for
the war
Camp Taylor, Va., Charlotte Battery,
Army of Northern Va., Feb 12, 18.64.
Editor of Western Democrat : .Through your
columns. I take great pleasure, in behalf ot the
members of the Charlotte Battery, to inaKe known
to their friends that they have re-enlisted for the
war. They have served nearly three years, and
are still willing to undergo the -many privations
Which the soldier has to endure. Their patriotic
example I hope will encourage others to pursue
the same course. llespectfully yours,
Arthur Williams,
Lieut. Comd'g Battery.
This was formerly Brem's Battery. The guns
were made of the bells belonging to the different
churches in this town. We learn that the late
commander, Capt Graham, h"
as resigned.
Correspondence of the Western Democrat.
Camp Lane's Brigade, Feb. 14, . 18G4.
Mr. Yates: Since-my last letter our quiet life
was disturbed for a little while with apprehensions
of a move. A beautiful spell of weather lasting a
week or ten days, dried the roads and started the
yankee cavalry afield. They had scarcely saddled
their horses' before we had orders to prepare ra
tions and be ready to move at any moment. Never
were orders more unwelcome. Pork, potatoes,
sorghum, fruit, butter and all sorts of good things
1 from home, were abundant in every tent and shan
ty, and the prospect of good living better than it
had been fur a long time. To .ltave these things
would be terrible, and t.v have them hauled was
impossible, so that a very profound solicitude pre
vailed throughout the camp. On Sunday the 31st
ult.," intelligence reached us that tjie cavalry of
tlie enemy in heavy force had crossed the Robison
River, were at iladison C. II., and were probably
advancing upon our pickets on the opposite of the
Rapidan. The pickets were immediately tripled
and everything gotten in readiness to punish their
temerity, but. theday passed off without any ap
pearance of Yankees, and the next morning we
learned that this heavy force had re-crossed the
R-apidan, sati.-fiud with the capture of a few of the
Gth Virginia cavalry, who were on picket, aud'the
wife of a deserter, whose removal .within their
lines was said to be the motive of the whole demon
stration Our position on .the extreme left wing
of the army is unpleasant in-consequence o' the
constant liability of annoyances from the enemy's
cavalry. They will in all probability tease us all
winter, though there is little ,daYiger of their in
flicting any serious danger in this brigade, or any
point immediately in its rear.
The spirit of re-eulistment, invoked by the no
ble troops from Tennessee, is now rife in thisarmy.
Of the- re-enlistment of this brigade there is no
doubt. The old 28th Regiment, originally com
manded by Gen Lane, the first, and s?ive one oth
er, (37th,) the jonly regiment from our State to
re-organize for "three yeare or the war" antece-
dent to the passage of the Conscript Act, has again
testified its devotion to and confidence in he
Confederate cause by re-enlisting for the war.
The other regiments have been so circumstanced
as to be .unable to try the question yet, but the
universal conviction is, that there will be no fal
tering, and that the battle scarred heroes who
have blazoned upon their banner the rvames of
many of the hardest battles of the war, will con
tinue to strike for liberty until the last armed -foe
expires or is driven discomfitted from Southern
soil. The voice of North Carolina's soldiers will
be a manly and indignant rebuke to the craven
spirit of those at home Who are crying for peace,
and urging terms with the enemy, lest later than
this we may gel less mercy at the hands of- the
enemy than now. North Caralina soldiers accus
tomed to driving the enemy before them are res
tive, under propositions to cringe before the vile
and hated Yankee and beg terms of' peace at his
hands. lnade' alter b
into line under the colors
rigadevthey are wheeling
they have earned through
the storm and imke of a score of battles, flnd-as
they range themselves under .the folds of those
tattered standards they express the unalterable
dcteruinafion never to lay rfnim their arm until
Lonleder&te independence is won and N rth Caco-
lina politically, ccmmereialfy and socially emanei- I
pated from all dependence upon and intercourse
with the most faithless, ila.riii.-.ha dpsniftahle
people upon whom the sun shines. - The buoyant
faith of our Jbrave soldiers in the inevitable snc
cess of the caue is exhilarating to one who has .
witnessed the desrondenrv of flip r.onrd t home. !
The fact is, Mr Editm, this is the place to stifle
apprehensions of sul jugation ; they can't live in j
ttns atmosphere, and any mac who will come out i
and cro- through this
army will go back home re
inforced -in faith and
completely s.-)ti.-fitd that it
din t iu iaiiKetuum lo whip this army and over-
run this county. The spirit and- temper of the
aiu.y are aomiraDic; can you say so much lor tne-
People at hnip ?
Occasional.
..
He did right.
-While a company of the 8th :
J1'- C Legimeut was marching through Petersburg ;
tne otner aay, a genueman standing op income
walk disowvered that one ot the soldiers- was Dare-
footed, and he called, him to him and took off his )
v i ta cuuco uuu tit bucui lu lilt; OUtUi'Ji x w ;
right. No one ought to see a soldier go barefooted, j
S?1 - For the Western Democrat.
THE LATE FIGHT WEAR NEWBERN.
. . Headquarters 43d N. C. Regt
KlNSTON, 24. C, Feb. 11, 1SU4
Mr Yates: Pardon me for trespassing on your
ti b t , wigh tQ represDt the true state of
the late affair at Batchelor'a- Creek, is my excuse.
I vouch for the truth of the statement Iend you,
being a participant myself,
I commence my story . by leaving Kinston in
time to sperfd Sunday night, tbe 31st ult., or rath
er a part of it, on a farm not more than 1 miles
from the enemy's pickets, which extended-an. our
road about ba4f mile this side of Batchelor's Creek.
We bivouacked without fire at this point until 1
o'clock Monday morning, when our command
Hoke's Brigade received orders to be up and on
tbe road. Our march was made very silently with
the evident intention of surprising jthe 'first picket
post and capturing the guard," it possible. That
plan, however, failed, and as soon as the; first shot
was fired the column- pressed on rapidly, in order
to cross the bridge over the creek before it could
be destroyed, "but . -the guard at , the bridge had
heard Jthe shots fired at tho post ii front of them
and were prepared for us, for upon reaching the
creek and being on the point of charging over the
bridge, amid a shower of rifle balls, we heard from
a source dot to be doubted, that the phinks. had
been torn up from the bridge. Here we were, be
tween 2 and 3 o'clock, a. m., with the bridge des
troyed in front of us and the poit.t guarded by a
strong picket 'undera hot fire of musketry, and
knowing that every moment 'as giving the enemy
time for re-inforcements. . The bridge, or rather
the passage of it, was admirably fortified as an out
post, as there was a "block kouse,"- which was
proof agr.inst musketry, and a' line of rifle pits in
addition. As soon as it was seenthat no crossing
could be made as affairs then stood, Gen Hoke or
dered up one piece, or perhaps a section of artil
lery, in order to knock down" the "block house"
and so run the enemy from its cover; but owing
to the position of the house, which was go low, that
the artillery could not be sufficiently depressed to
bear upon itj or the darkness of the nigh.t, we fail
ed to dislodge the enemy; and as nothing better
could be doie, Gen Hoke awaited daylight. This
gave the reinforcements time to come up. The
garrison of the little fort raised a cheer when they
saw that they had help, but we all felt sure that
as soon as it would be light enough for us to see,
that the cheering would be all on one side. As
soon as daylight came Gemlloke threw the 21st
Georgia and 21st NSrth Carolina across the creek,
some distance- below the . bridge. This crossing
was effected on logs and trees thrown across the
streams, and under a sharp fire of the enemy. The
pl.an was this, as soon .'us Col Meroer, commanding
the two regiments thrown across below, should at
tack the enemy on his flank, Lt Col Lewis, com
manding the 43d N. C, was to lay the bridge, and
rush across,- attacking the enemy in his front.
Praise and partiality aside, both the plan and ex
ecution was most admirably doue. Co. A of the
-13d, and also a party of poutooncrs had already
armed themselves each with a plank in addition
to his ordinary accoutrements, and as soon as the
cheers of Col Mercer's men were heard over the
creek and .his rifles firing, Lt Col Lewis with his
regiment the 4od made a rush 'for the bridge,
laid their planks and. crossed over in the face, of a
hot fire which only ceasejj when the defenders of
the block houSe were captured. The 43d pressed
on with the Jes't of the brigade closely following,
and in a very few' minutes a. new line ot battle was
formed. Caskie's splendid battery was with us,
and no one can say that they left their part un
done. They galloped to the front even to the
sharpshooters, unlimbercd their pieces, fired, and
w.ere ready for another gallop ahead. The fight
here now. closed. ' Without 'a -moment's rest, tlie
brigade pressed on, hoping to reach a point where
our road crossed the railroad, in order, to cut off a
train which we knew had come up to the assist
ance of the troops with whom we were engaged,
but unfortunately we were only foot cavalry and
ns we came in about one hundred and fifty yards
of the road, the train passed. We had, however,
cut off a great manv stragglers, which were, picked
up here, besides a sectiou of rifled g-iiu and a de-
tachment who were on duly at another point on
Batchelor's Creek. These two pieces and one '
hundred aud forfy men, surrendered themselves to
a body of our forces whom Gen Pickett sent back
for that purpo-o. The whole command that is.
Gens- Corse's, Clingmatv's and our brigade had
now reached this point, distaut about 3 miles from
.Newbern. General Clingman's and our brigade
moved still nearer the town, to withio H milus,
, . ... . .. , ;'., Anno
but nothing more ot muen importance was. aone.
I only wish- to correct some erroneous opinions
with regard to. the affair, ror instance it has
been stated that Col S.hav of the 8th N C. Rngt.
was killed by a negro while laying a bridge. That
is certainly a mistake; he w.s.not engaged'at the
tune, was
in rear of our brig.-ute anu was strucu
by an accidental
shot at
least a quarter of a mile !
(if not a half,) from the bridge, W "Mchit j
said that he was h.ytug planks Another instance
and L am done: iNo persons were ourneu in meir ,
7 . m :n c .Ja T
nouses at inuiiiinnat, n.- u.- silu, o .
ever heard ; in fact, such reports must have had
no credence at first. . , -
Tho 1st North Carolina Battalion acfed on the
occasion as sharpshooters and did their duty nobly.
Their gallant behavior cad not be doubted, since j
their killed tell on tne onuge wuh iaces to mo
enemy, ine oiner upun uw i iuu imi.hub atiu
their parts nobly, but were not called on. as those
IVur battalions mentioned above. - 1).
I . I I.,.,. . .A' n t. ..I.... ,1 J u nt f ,
I . FronUhe Wilmington Journal
e have been favored with the following high
lv ifterest-in'r
lv ir.terpt4nr account ot the movement.-'
of the
force -which left this place, under conunaii(l of
Brigadier General Martin. M co-oporato in ll re-
ccnt demonstration against rwUtru. ll wui oo
seen that General Muriin, with the gallant officers
an(j mei, under Ins command, accomplisnea an ana
niore than Cad been assigned to them, and that it -
blame attaches anywhere for the comparative tail-;
ur(j of the c0bined movements, none of that
tIiiii. ..... ...adV to General Martiu or jLe bravo
.. . aru uoj5r hjs command.
"As a part of the programme of the Ute move-j.
mpot naLnst Ntwbem by the Confederate forces i
mm r T I.-
under the command of Maj. Gen. Pickett, an ex-
pedltion was . orgmized under the direction of
Brig.; General Martin, for the. purpose of culling
the line of railroad communication between New
bern and Morehe'ad City,' and pref enting re-in-forcemerits
from being Rent to the, Tclief'of the for
inef plaoe from the latter. ,The expedition con
sisted of the 17th N. C. Regt.r Lieut. Col. Jno. C.
Lamb, commanding; the 42nd Rcgt , N. C .T.,
Col. John. hi Brown commanding, Captain Paris'
(Virginia) Battery of Artillery, and Capt Kills'
Battery of Maj. J. WV'Moore's Battalion 'of Artill
ery; and two COm-panievof Cavalry Capt. Ilrrris
and Capt. Harhtud the latter from South C- roli-n.-
- ; ' ;
The expedition moved from Wilmington on the
28tb ult., and made an average ' march of twenty
miles a day over, heavy sandy roads at this end of
the line, and deep muddy ones at the other. No
remarkable incident ocenred until our forces ap
proached the auctuy's lines-, when General Martin
disposed his forces as follows: Ao advanced guard,
consisting of all the cavalry, three companies of
infantry, and one of artillery, was thrown forward
to "feel" tho enemy the cavalry being under tho
immediate command of Lieut. Col. R. J. Jeffords,
5th S. C. cavalry, and the whole undor the com
mand of Col. George Jackson. The rest of the in
fantry"and urtillcry under the immediate pupervi-sion-of
the (Commanding General. Oh nearing the
first pickets of the enemy and discovering them on
the alert, the cavalry dashed furiously forward,
aiid the Yankee jiickets (twenty-five of thirty in
number) retreated as fast as their horses would
carry them. The road over which pursuers and
pursued had to pass was through a swamp, and
full of deep holes overflowing with mud and water.
But on they eped some of the Yunkee horses
and their riders turnin? somersets in the mod. and
ours running over them, and tumbling headlong
into the deep mire after." - f hem, inflicting niany
bruises uporr men and horses (breaking the "neck
of one of the latter") but doing' no serious damage
to the riders. It was at this point that L'ut.
Muse, of Harris' cavalry, while gallantly leading
the charge, fell mortally wounded by a pistol shot
from a "aukee who was being hotfy pursued.
Having captured a portion and dispersed the rest
of these out-post pickets, the column moved for
ward and soon came to a trading post of the Yan
kees but the enemy had fled in the direction of a
blockhouse some half mile distant pickets and
reserves. The march was continued aud prepara
tions made to storm the work, but a close exami
nation disclosed the fact tknt the position had
been evacuated by the enemy in such hot haste
that they left their provisions, books, letter, &e.,
behind them: Continuing the march for two and
a half miles further a second blockhouse was dis
covered, and our forces were brought to a stand
by a shot from" a six pounder "which went whizzing
over their" heads. No one knew the strength of
the place how much infantry or artillery consti
tuted the garrison, lt was easily discovered that
it was a well-built., thick walled house, eurround-
ed by a circumvIlation of earth works.
After a shell or two from Capt. Ellis' Battery,
it was at onjd determined by the commanding
General to attack the place with infantry.
Capt. Biggs, Coaipany A, 17th Regiment, was
directed to throw his men forward as skirmishers,
and feel the strength of the enemy. With the
alacrity of volunteers and the sleadincss of regu
lars, they advanced across the open field, in the
face of the discharges frjim the six-pounder and
small arms. When within about two' hundred
yards of the block houses, Capt. B. ordered his
men to charge the works They responded with
a yell which rang out auihj the volleys of musket
ry. . It was but the work of but a moment. Tho
Yankees broke and run for their livesv A beauti
ful six-pounder cannou, a number of rifles," knap
sacks, clothing, commissary atore?, &c.t Were cap
tured here, besides a few Yunkees who were not
quick enough in getting away. One killed aud
one wounded. No loss on. our side. Lieut. lias
sell, of this Company, acting Brigade Ord-iance
OfSceron Gtu. Martiu' staff, when his Company
was thrown forward, by permission, of the General,
rejoined it and participated in this gall int charge.
But the principnl work of the day was still to be
done. Newport Barracks-a strong fort: was
four aiiles beyond, just on the railroad, and the
Yankees were falling hack in that direction.
Just as our forces were emerging, from a dense
wood into an opu field, they were admoniMhed by
a shell from u sixpounder Parrott gun that the
enemy were about to content their further ad
vance. Our artillery roturned this compliment in gallant
style, and. the. General directed the lufautry to
form into line of battle, the whole being under bis
This was quickly dona and the order to. move
forward responded to with alaciify and spirit. In
an unbroken line, they advanced upon the enemy
amid the shot and shell of their artillery. When
about half way across the field, the order to charge
' ' " I t I -'l l 4- 1
was &ve" anu uur DrHY? uo8 ou,vjeu torwaru
; Wsfrong had greatly the
, o' , .
- - ' - .. -
derbrush and woods on the other side of the held.
But no matter.,. On
pressed our
brave boys, with
a yell of the 'wildest
cnthusi:.Mii. As thpy. ap
proached the enemy, the musketry became an una- j
ted on both siden rapid and-continuous; hut the I
enemy continued, to give ground and fall back'in
the direction of the fort, closely pursued by our I
forces. . , ' I
After driving them through the -woodland.!
over the field intcrvmitig between our troops 'and
the fort, the enemy opened on us with a 32 poun- '
der from the fort; Capt. Paris delittied a few well ,
directed .shots at them fmu his 12 pound Napol- )
Con?, when the Geii'ral detcrinim-d to H.i?aalt the !
works-with iitf.mtry. Skirmishers were thrown ;
forward, but on their appearance, the enemy, bav- j
iug previously et fire to all the buildings, eyacua-
ted the place, set tire. to the Railroad bridge, and j
tore up the county bri'Igo ".over Newport river, to
- wt TTAnr Vkiiiunir
it was now nigni, ana alter a
tix houiV, over the distance of
t I . la.
ruDnin S,Tilt 0f
, fi ofJf
gallant troops Were in possession
ofihe field the enemy flying for life. ' Altogeth
er, our troops captured seven pieces of artillery,
several hundred stand of arms, two hundred boxes
of ammunition, about seventy-five prisoners, six!
slaves, a dozen horses, and commissary stores
1a i ; ,i . !
euougli to subset the troops darmS their stay iu ,
tho neighborhood, besides a large quantity of clo
thing which oar men supplied thctnsclrcs such
a overcoats, pants, blankets, &c. The enemy
burnt'most of their quartermaster and commissary
stores. Theyalso burnt their stabks with their,
horses in them! Some few Borscs . were rescued
by our men. In addition to our. captures, wo de
stroyed one thousand barrels of turpentine belong
ing to the U. S. government and burnt two Rail
road bridges.
' We have to lament the death of the brave and
gallant Captain Leith, of the 17th Regimeit,. N.
C. f., aud five others whose names have not been
I ascertained; in tbe general engagement above re-Lferred-
to.."- . ' ' - '
f Besides the capture of prisoners, about twenty
of the enemy were killed most of their wounded
being carried off the field.
The next morning the General directed Colon?)
Jeffords with a detachment of CO cavalry, to male
a reconnoissance in the vicinity of Ncwbcrn not
having heard from our forces there, and beinp iu
entire ignorance as to the movements of our troops.
.This work was thoroughly accomplished. Col.
J. went within a mile of Newborn, obtained valu
able information, capturing two block houses,.spi
king the guns, Uaring up aud burning every rail
road and county bridge between the Trent and
ShepardsvilU, or Newport Barrack, snfl bringing
off a full outfit of clothing for his men.
In obedience to orders, General Martin return
ed to Wilmington with his commund, after having
accomplished all, and more than all, that had been
assigned him.
AWAUNINQ.
From a letter in the N. C. Christian Advocate
from the Rev J II Robbms, 12th N. 0. Regiment,
Va , wo take the following extract:
"All the descrtcri that I have seen executed,
and all the prisoners with whom 1 have talked,
bay they were persuaded to desert by their friends
al home. Oh, how blind i& that friendship ami
how ruinous that sympathy, that advises a man to
desert his country auditing upon him the odious
ncs of a traitor ami the calamity of execution as a
deserter. This is the result of complaining letters,
representing the dtperate condition of matters at
homer murmuring about hard tiue, as if a time of
w.ir is 'uot always hard. Women of North Caro
lina, if vou live your husband sisters if you love
your brothers, aud wish thetc to live useful lived
and die honorable deaths hide your sorrows in
your own hearts, fcotfer like the women of '76, and
only send to your friends in the army the messages'
of love, and the advice of wire beads and brave
hearts. So Unit those men who long clung to tho
homp circle, beforo they oould dash the tears front
thrir eyes and take the helmet and make bare tho
arm of war, may be etrong by your prayers and
advice, and not weaker in the sight of tbe foe.M
Tbaitohs Executed. JS Stanly, L Bryan,
Mitchell Busick, Wm Irwin, and Amos Amyctt,
of Nethereutt'8 Battalion, who had descried their
colors and gone to the yankecs and taken up arms
against their land and kindred, wcro hanged -iu
Kinston on the 12th inst. . The prisoners were ac
companied to tho gallows by Iloko's and Bartow's
Brigades. They "ascended the scaffold with a firm
and elastic step, and seemed to bear op under
their trials with much fortitude. They had but
little to eay except Busick, who en treated his old
comrades in arms to. stand by their flag and never
desert it under any eifenmstanecs whatever, lest
they should come to the fgnominous end of thoso
who wero then about to die the felon's death and
11 a feJou's grave. "Oh that I never been born'
one ol the prisoners was beard to exclaim ia his
anguish a moment . before the trap fell.' Corral
pomhncc of the Rafeiyh Confederate.
Cotton 7ar'd Factory. Wo were gratified
to find on a brief vixit to Fayettevillo recently, that
the enterprising citizens cf that placo had formed
a company to establish a Cotton Card manufactory.
Through their indefatigable agent, J II Roberts,
they have succeeded in procuring four, finchlnen.
and a good deal of material for the manufacture of
cotton cards. Two of tlie tnachinrs and a portion
of the matcri.il have already come to hand, and au
experienced machinist is employed in putting ihcut
up. I hey. will be in operation in a short time.
The machinery, although complicated, will renuiro
but little motive pwcr. a dog being sufficient to
turn it; anu does not occupy raoiethatt one-third
of the space required for a power prilling', press.
W hen in operation it is very xnnpw. The card
teeth are cut, bent, and inserted in the- leather
faster than we could stick the end of a pin in tlx?
leather. ie have seldom seen so intricate, yet
perfect, piece of machinery., The manipulations of
the fingers which hold the wire, cut, bend and in
sert it in the leather, remind ono of the human
hand, directed by the intellect, yet far more
prompt, true and bkilllul. We hope the enter
prise will be emiiently successful. Cotton cards
are much in demand, and we hope the company
can afford them at such a price that the poor and
rich may be supplied. A. C. Christian Advocate.
DlKCONTKNT IN 1 11 E A It M V ho chief causo
of discontent in the army hitherto, has been al
most entirely . with the substitute law, under the
operation of which-, many able bodied young men
.were left undisturbed at. h'uue.to carry on private,
business on their own account to speculate, or
spend their lime as idle -spectators of the great
events of this stupendous Mrngfo of the Country
for indi pendence. A week spent in the army,
during the month of Dvfcrobur lat, afforded us it
pn-rty gtM.d opportunity to discover tho fccliugi
a"d he::rth sentiments of ioMicrs- in regard to
this nod other subjects of public interest," and we .
thcrefura know what we say when we declare that
much, very much depends on the riid execution
of the autinubftitute law recently parsed by Con
gress, as to what will be the moral condition of the
army in the ispriog. The soldiers in the field re
gar it as agross wrong that any youngmen should
be left at home to accumulate fortunes by specula
tion whilst they aru bcariojptae eooraious burdens
of this. wr, almost at their own expense, tbe pay
of tho soldier being insufficient lor lit indiipeosa- '
ble wants; and we verily believe that unlcs thy
are appeased on this subject by the faithful exe
cution of the law bearing u;v! it, wc sluU liar$
trouble JSaliblury .Watchman. - '
i
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