Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 19.djvu/232

 226 Southern Historical Society Papers.

found the printed inscription, " Presented to the Defenders of their Country by the New York Bible Society." An United States flag was also stamped on the title page.

Among the haversacks picked up along the route were many let- ters from the Northern States, asking if they liked the Southern farms and if the Southern barbarians had been whipped out yet.

The force of the enemy brought against us was four thousand, ac- cording to the statement of the six prisoners we took. Ours was eleven hundred. Their loss in killed and wounded must be nearly two hundred. Our loss is one killed and three wounded. The fatal case was that of a North Carolinian, who volunteered to fire one of the houses behind which they were stationed. He started from the breastwork to accomplish it, but was shot in the head. He died this morning at the hospital. The wounded are Harry Shook, of Rich- mond, of Brown's Battery, shot in the wrist ; John Werth, of Rich- mond, of the same battery, shot in the leg, and Lieutenant Hudnall, of the same battery, shot in the foot. None of the wounds are serious.

A Louisiana regiment arrived about one hour after the fight was over. They are a fine-looking set of fellows.

As there was force enough at Old Point to send up to Bethel and surround us, we took up the line of March and came up to York- town, where we now are.

1 hear to day that troops from Old Point are now marching up to attack us, but cannot say whether it is so or not.

I should have written you more fully, but the boat was in sight when I commenced, and haste is the order the day, as she leaves after merely touching at her wharf.

T.

[From the Western Democrat.']

YORKTOWN, VA., fune n, 1861. EDITOR DEMOCRAT:

A battle was fought near this place on Monday last, and I hastily send you a short account by my friend, Mr. Tiddy, bearer of dis- patches to Governor Ellis.

The first great battle for Southern independence has been fought. It is the Lexington of the war. North Carolina and Virginia shoul- der the glory of a hard-won field.