folder 46: January–September 1862

on the rail road, & my left flank was on the gap left by the militia & Col Sinclair & was consequently unprotected. When they came through that gap I was compelled to change my front in part by taking some men on the rail-road embankment, & fought them there driving them from my flank three times. But after all the regiments on the left had retreated, I was pressed on my right & left flank, & front, & I saw a regiment of Yankees forming on the left flank of my rear. I then of course knew that we were whipped & they were trying to surround us. I gave the order to retreat, & as the whole right depended on me, all gave way. There were about twenty five in my command reported certainly killed & a great many wounded.

I refer you to the official report as to whether I did my duty or not. Of course I can say nothing of the commands of others, as I did not [begin underline] see [end underline] what they did, & was [begin underline] too [end underline] busy to interest myself in their movements. I never expect to be thrown in a more dangerous position.

I told Mr Grousman to call on you for pay for my uniform. I will send the money to you by mail if you are willing to ristk it and I will send it by the first opportunity if I see anyone going to Raleigh.

I don't think you treated the men of our regiment right by giving all to Col Vance's-we suffered more & fought harder & on my account I think you ought at least to have divided. I suppose you acted on what you heard as truth. Our men have suffered a great deal since that fight, but are now faring better. Col's Avery & Hoke had separate commands on my right & must have fough bravely or they would have been forced from their position. I would like to see you & talk with you. Never put any reliance in newspaper reports of a battle. The official reports alone give a true account. Give my love to Cousin Pattie, & the children also to Uncle R. & Dick. Tell Dick to hurry up & come down we expect a lively time here soon.

Write to yours truly. Paper is scarce. Gaston.

[sideways in left margin, midway on page] Gaston Lewis

[in top margin] How do you like Cleveland? Did you buy anything I hear Gov Manly & [Messrs?] Cameron & Mordecai intend to open a stock farm in the mountains

[right margin] Raleigh Mar 24/62

Dear Cos [Mac?],

I would like to hear (and so would Pat) how ^you and yours are coming on in these troublous times. Where are you and what are you about and where are we going, what are your prospects? Let me hear from you.

Patty and babies still at Chapel Hill. P. has been generally well, has occasional headaches which have troubled her somewhat but in the main is much better than could have been expected. The new boy (Herbert) has good keeping power and is a fine, healthy fellow, perhaps more like Plum than Nelly. The other children bright, happy and healthy. Father & I are keeping house together, for he is in attendance on the Supreme Court. The Stay [?] does not come before the court at this Term. The court will probably adjourn on about the 2nd week in July and before that time I expect to see Pat & company here again. I am right impatient to see them, tho' I have been to Ch. Hill twice since she visited. I have also been several times[ over ^part of the line of the R.R. (Chatham) sur-

[left margin, sideways] The wheat thro' Chatham is better than in Wake from what I observe. In Wake tho' there is a large [?] and it's [?] yet the yield is small.

[top right margin, illegible]

vey. I think we can find a good line for the R. R. and a cheap one. Col Morris is a good Engineer-hard working, practical, economical-looking with keen eye to everything himself. Last week I took W Chandler Phillips thro' the Deep R. country. By the by suppose you come up some time and go out with me. I can show you all the points.

Cox went to his regt. now in Longstreet's division near Rich-too soon & he & Lt. Col Bynum are having chills in the same tent. J Roscoe, his sister's husband, is at his wife's sick. Wife & child well-but the former tired of the war!-- We are expecting a great battle at Rich. daily. Gn Johnston I hear is collecting lint & c for the wounded. As Jackson is coming down to assail Mc Clelland's now, our people confidently anticipate victory.

I think Vance will be elected. The people about here prefer him to Johnston though there is much disappointment that Graham will not run. Gov. Graham is a candidate for [?] in Orange. I hear you are [?] in Edgecombe and hope you will agree to come.

Very best & love to Cos Lirry and the boys. Sis Elvira I presume has left Tarboro-Very truly Kemp P. Battle.

[upper right margin] Univ. N.C. Mar. 28th 1862

Mr W.L.Battle has been absent in the last ten weeks, 4 times from Prayers & 1 from Recitation.

His rank in his class is very respectable in French, Latin, and Greek, & respectable in the other Departments.

D.L. Swain, Presd.

Note by the Bursar

Your son has paid for Tuition $30.00 Deposit $3.00 Room Rent -- Servan Hire-- [underline] 33.-

And has, in addition, placed in my hands to pay board and meet other expenses.

M. Fetter.