The Greensborough Patriot
June 12, 1862
Page 2
Major Carmichael and
Capt. Martin.
The
following letter from Col. Vance (says the Raleigh Standard,) speaks for
itself. It is, indeed extraordinary that
Gen. Branch should have praised in his report, by name, a number of persons who
took part in the battle of Newbern, and should have made no allusion to these
two officers, who fell while fighting bravely for their country. The friends of these officers, the army, and
the people generally will thank Col. Vance for his timely and eloquent allusion
to these brave men, who sealed their devotion to the cause with their blood—
Headquarters 26th Reg’t. N.C.T., }
Kinston, May 28, 1862. }
Editor
Standard—Sir—With the many lies, whether official or simply officious that have
appeared in the papers in regard to my share in the battle of Newbern, I have
not seen proper to interfere, being content to rest my cause in the hands of my
companions in arms, who were in the fight.
But, Sir, in the case of a gallant officer and chivalrous gentleman who
yielded up his life on that unfortunate field, I feel it due to the noble dead
that I should speak. I allude to Maj.
Abner B. Carmichael, 26th Reg’t N.C. Troops. In the official report of Gen. Branch, his
name is not mentioned. Surely, surely,
when so much fulsome adulation is lavished upon those who fought and escaped;
the aged parents and numerous friends of a brave and intrepid soldier might
have expected at least to hear from his commander a mention of his fate, if not
of his heroism. I wish them to know at
least that his immediate commander was not indifferent to his merits, either as
a man or a soldier, and that his memory is cherished, fresh and green, in the
hearts of the entire regiment.
The
same remarks are applicable to the brave Capt. W. P. Martin, Co. H, these two
officers being the highest in rank who fell that day.
Very
respectfully, Z. B. VANCE
Col.
26th Reg’t N.C.T.
