The Greensborough Patriot

July 17, 1862

Page 2

Col. Vance and his Regiment.

            As many of our readers feel a deep concern for Colonel Vance and his regiment, we will state what we know of his movements and situation since he reached Richmond.  The Colonel arrived at Richmond on Wednesday the 26^th, his regiment forming a part of Gen. Ransom’s brigade.  He rested an hour or two in the public square, and then proceeded under orders to the neighborhood of the Seven Pines, where he had a sharp skirmish with the enemy. He took part with his regiment in the terrible struggle of Tuesday below Richmond.  We have seen no account of the killed and wounded of his regiment in that battle, but we learn that the brigade to which Col. Vance is attached, charged for one mile and a quarter under the fire of 32 pieces of artillery, with shells weighing 300 pounds falling on the field from the enemy’s gun boats.  Colonel Vance’s regiment behaved nobly.  They never faltered, but went forward, shouting for “old North Carolina” and “old Zeb.”—The Colonel was in the front.  Four of his gallant dead were found next morning within 40 feet of the cannon’s mouth—ahead of every other Southern regiment, for no other dead were found so near the guns.  Capt. John Jones, of Caldwell, getting separated from his regiment in the darkness and confusion, pressed straight on towards the flashing of the guns, until stopped and turned back to the right by Gen. Ransom.  It was a glorious affair for our arms, and among the bravest of the brave on the occasion were Vance and his regiment.

            We learn that Gen. Ransom’s brigade, to which Col. Vance belongs, has been transferred from Gen. Huger’s to Gen. Longstreet’s division, and that the latter division is near the enemy on the James river.—Standard.