Greensborough Patriot
Sep. 18, 1862
Page 2
From
the Raleigh Standard
The Affair at Washington
The facts which
come to us from undoubted sources, if the late attack upon the town of
Washington, we are glad to say, enable us to correct some unfortunate rumors
which have gone out.
The
entire command of the expedition was committed in charge of that cool and
intrepid officer, Capt. Stephen D. Pool, who at the defence of Fort Macon and
in the recent attack upon Washington showed himself to be and able officer.
It
is not true that the enemy was advised both at Newbern and Washington of the
intended attack. The enemy was ready for
it, but was not expecting it. We learn
that the enemy had determined upon a raid upon Williamson and Hamilton, and
that the force at Washington had been reinforced from Newbern the day before,
and was to leave Washington that morning for the intended raid.
The
expedition against Washington was made with no view or expectation of holding
that place, we are informed, but for the purpose of destroying or capturing the
“contrabands” in his possession, and if possible to make Washington so hot as
to drive the enemy from the place. Brig.
Gen. Martin committed the entire expedition to the direction of Capt. Pool,
having previously, in consultation, ordered the plan of attack and the general
scheme of its conduct. About 800 men
composed the expedition, consisting of infantry, cavalry and artillery. Gen. Martin, it was understood, would remain
in the neighborhood to render support or succor which might be needed.
The
attack was made on Saturday morning last at day break. Our force approached quietly until they
encountered the pickets at the west end of town, who immediately demanded them
to halt. Lt. Davis, who led the advance,
demanded a surrender, when the pickets fired into our ranks. Our advance had been peremptorily ordered not
to fire upon the pickets, but to charge vigorously upon them, but
unfortunately, when they fired upon our men, their fire was returned by a
number of pieces. This aroused of course
the entire town. At once a portion of
our cavalry charged into the town down Market street, while a portion of the
infantry charged down Second street. As
soon as our infantry arrived at the Academy, they were fired upon by the enemy
from the building. Here our men captured
four pieces of artillery, with ammunition, which were afterwards served by
Capt. Manney and his men. At this time,
Capt. Boothe, who gallantly led the cavalry, was dangerously wounded, upon
which a panic seized most of the Cavalry, excepting a portion of Capt. Tucker’s
company, who, under his command, gallantly demeaned themselves throughout the
whole affair. A panic had also seized
many of the infantry, who ingloriously fled.
The enemy took to the houses at once, and fired upon our troops from the
windows, etc. Our men were forbidden to
fire upon the houses, lest they might injure some of the families and children.
The
gun boats Louisiana and Picket commenced throwing shells and other missiles
upon the town damaging the houses, but fortunately did not set them on
fire. During the fight the steamer
Picket was blown up by the ignition of her magazine, killing all on board but
12 persons—the loss was about 60 on board of the vessel.
Capt.
Pool held the town about four hours and then retired, his men slowly dragging
out the four pieces of cannon captured.
The enemy’s loss, including the destruction on board of the Picket, was
160, in killed, wounded and missing. Our
loss was 10 killed, 41 wounded and 30 missing, most of whom have since come in.
The
conduct of Capt. Pool during the whole affair is highly spoken of. Capts. McRae and Cobb, of the 8th
N. C. Regiment, Capt. Norman, of the 16th N. C., Capt. Manney, of
the artillery and Captains Boothe and Tucker of the Cavalry, and others whose
names we have forgotten, all distinguished themselves. Capts. Boothe, Mull and Norman were
dangerously, and Lieuts. Grimes and Sinton severely wounded. Other names among the killed and wounded we
have not obtained.
It
is understood that the Cavalry companies of Capts. Walker and Lawrence were not
in the fight, having “skedaddled” at an early period. On the fall of Capt. Boothe, his company, it
is said, became panic stricken, and got out of danger. Capt. Tucker, Lt. Utley, and other officers
and men of his company behaved with the utmost courage, charging the enemy in
all directions and damaging him seriously.
We regret to learn that Corporal Smedes, and privates R. Burns, J. Ling,
Winborne, Bridges and perhaps others are missing, some of those it is feared
were killed, and others taken prisoner.
The
enemy’s force, including those on the gunboats, amounted to about 1,000. Only about 450 of our men participated in the
fight, some of whom, both officers and men, are said to have behaved
badly. It must be considered, however,
that the most of them were raw troops, had not smelt powder before, and were
engaged in a most hazardous undertaking.
To assault a fortified town, guarded by a vigilant ____, should be
undertaken by veteran and daring troops.
Strange
to say no negroes were apprehended in this attack. At the Academy, one large, impudent fellow
came out and assailed one of our men, asking “What have you damned rebels come
here for?” The soldier replied with his
bayonet, running it through him, killing him instantly. As soon as they found the Confederates were
in town, they all rushed for the boats and got out of the way.
After
our forces left, we learn that the Yankees immediately commenced arresting all
the citizens who were supposed to sympathize with the Confederates. During the fight, we learn a most worthy lady
received a flesh wound in one of her limbs.
A
friend who was in the expedition, writing from Kinston says: “Capt. Tucker won
for himself a name for valor and coolness of which any man might be
proud.”
