OFFICIAL REPORTS
OF „
GENERALS JOHNSON AND BEAUREGARD
OF THE
BATTLE OF MANASSAS,
JULY 21ST, 1861.
ALSO
OFFICIAL REPORTS
Of the Battle of 1(Mh Sept., Brig. Gen. Floyd commanding ;
Engagement at Oak Hill, Mo., Brig. Gen. Ben McCulloch
commanding ; Engagement at Lewinsville, Sept. 1 Ith,
Col. J. E. B Stuart commanding ; Engagement
on Greenbrier River, 0:t. 3d, Brigadier
Gen. H. R. Jackson commanding;
Engagement at Santa Rosa Island,
Oct. 8th, Maj. Gen. Brax¬
ton Bragg command¬
ing; Engagement at Lees--
burg, Oct. 21 st and 22d, Brig.
Gen. N. G. Evans commanding ;
Bombardment of Forts Walker and Beaure¬
gard, Nov. 1th, Brig. Gen. Thomas F. Drayton
commanding; Engagement at Piketon, Mo., Col.
John S. Williams commanding; Battle in Alleghany
Mountains, Dec. 13th, Col. Edward Johnson commanding.
RICHMOND:
TYLER, WISE, ALLEGRE AND SMITH, PRS.
1 8 6 2.,
OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE BATTLE OF MANAS¬
SAS, JULY 21st, 1861—J. E. JOHNSTON, GENE¬
RAL COMMANDING.
Headquarters Army of the Potomac, )
Fairfax C. H., October 14th, 1861. )
To the Adjutant and Inspector General
Confederate States Army :
Sir : I have the honor to submit to the honorable Secre¬
tary of War a report of the operations of the troops under
my command which terminated in the battle of Manassas.
I assumed command at Harper's Ferry on the 23d of
May. The force at that point then consisted of nine regi¬
ments and two battalions of infantry, four companies of
artillery with sixteen pieces without caissons, harness or
horse, and about three hundred cavalry. They were of
course undisciplined, several regiments without accoutre¬
ments and with an entirely inadequate supply of ammuni¬
tion.
I lost no time in making a complete reconnoisance of the
place and its environs, in which the Chief Engineer, Major
(now Brigadier General) Whiting ably assisted. The results
confirmed my preconceived ideas.
The position is untenable by any force not strong enough
to take the field against an invading army and to hold both
sides of the Potomac. It is a triangle, two sides being
formed by the Potomac and the Shenandoah and the third
by Furnace Ridge. The plateau thus enclosed, and the end
of Furnace Ridge itself, the only defensible position, which,
however, required for its adequate occupation double our
numbers, was exposed to enfilade and reverse fires of artil¬
lery from heights on the Maryland side of the river. Within
that line the ground was more favorable to an attacking than
to a defending force. The Potomac can be easily crossed at
4
many points above and below, so that it is easily turned.
It is twenty miles from the great route into the Valley of
Virginia from Pennsylvania and Maryland by which General
Patterson's approach was expected. Its garrison was thus
out of position to defend that valley, or to prevent General
McClellan's junction with General Patterson. These were
the obvious and important objects to be kept in view. Be¬
sides being in position for them, it was necessary to be able,
on emergency, to join General Beauregard.
The occupation of Harper's Ferry by our army perfectly
suited the enemy's views. We were bound to a fixed point.
His movements were unrestricted. These views were sub¬
mitted to the military authorities. The continued occupa¬
tion of the place was, however, deemed by them indispensa¬
ble. I determined to hold it until the great objects of the
Government required its abandonment.
The practicable roads from the West and Northwest as
well as from Manassas meet the route from Pennsylvania
and Maryland at Winchester. That point was, therefore, in
my opinion our best position.
The distinguished commander of the army of the Potomac
was convinced, like myself, of our dependence upon each
other, and promised to co-operate with me in case of need.
To guard against surprise, and to impose upon the enemy,
Major Whiting was directed to mount a few heavy guns
upon Furnace Ridge and otherwise strengthen the position.
I was employed until the 13th of June in continuing what
had been begun by my predecessor, Colonel (now Major
General) Jackson, the organization, instruction and equip¬
ment of the troops, and providing means of transportation
and artillery horses. The river was observed from the Point
of Rocks to the Western part of the county of Berkeley—
the most distant portions by the indefatigable Stuart with
his cavalry. General Patterson's troops were within a few
hours of Williamsport, and General McClellan's in Western
Virginia were supposed to be approaching to effect a junc¬
tion with Patterson, whose force was reported, by well in¬
formed persons, to be eighteen thousand men.
On the morning of the 13th of June information was re¬
ceived from Winchester that Romney was occupied by two
thousand Federal troops, supposed to be the van-guard of
McClellan's army.
Colonel A. P. Hill with his own (13th) and Colonel Gib¬
bon's (10th) Virginia Regiments was despatched by railway
5
to Winchester. He was directed to move thence towards
Romney to take the best position and best measures to check
the advance of the enemy. He was to add to his command
the 3d Tennessee Regiment which had just arrived at Win¬
chester.
During that day and the next the heavy baggage and re¬
maining public property were sent to Winchester by the
railway, and the bridges on the Potomac destroyed. On the
morning of the 15th, the army left Harper's Ferry for Win¬
chester (the force had been increased by these regiments
since the 1st of June) and bivouacked four miles beyond
Charlestown. On the morning of the 16th intelligence was
received that General Patterson's army had crossed the
Potomac at Williamsport, also that the United States force
at Romney had fallen back. A courier from Richmond
brought a despatch authorizing me to evacuate Harper's
Ferry at my discretion.
The army was ordered to gain the Martinsburg Turnpike
by a flank movement to Bunker's Hill in order to place
itself between Winchester and the expected advance of Pat¬
terson. On hearing of this the enemy re-crossed the river
precipitately. Resuming my first direction and plan, I pro¬
ceeded to Winchester. There the army was in position to
oppose either McClellan from the West or Patterson from
the Northeast, and to form a junction with General Beaure¬
gard when necessary.
Lieutenant Colonel George Stewart, with his Maryland
Battalion, was sent to Harper's Ferry to bring off some
public property said to have been left. As McClellan was
moving Southwest ward from Grafton, Colonel Hill's com¬
mand was withdrawn from Romney. The defence of that
region of country was entrusted to Colonel McDonald's Re¬
giment of Cavalry. Intelligence from Maryland indicating
another movement by Patterson, Colonel Jackson, with his
brigade, was sent to the neighborhood of Martinsburg to
support Col. Stuart. The latter officer had been placed in
observation on the line of the Potomac with his cavalry.
His increasing vigilance and activity relied on to repress
small incursions of the enemy, to give intelligence of inva¬
sion by them, and to watch, harrass and circumscribe their
every movement. Colonel Jackson was instructed to destroy
such of the rolling stock of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail¬
road as could not be brought off, and to have so much of it as
could be made available to our service brought to Winchester.
6
Major Whiting was ordered to plan defensive works and
to have some heavy guns on navy carriages mounted. About
twenty-five hundred militia under Brigadier General Carson
were called out from Frederick and the neighboring counties
to man them.
On the 2d of July, General Patterson again crossed the
Potomac. Colonel Jackson, pursuant to instructions, fell
back before him. In retiring he gave him a severe lesson
in the affair at Falling Waters. With a battalion of the 5th
Virginia Regiment (Harper's) and Pendleton's Battery of
Field Artillery he engaged the enemy's advance, skillfully
taking a position where the smallness of his force was con¬
cealed, he engaged them for a considerable time, inflicted a
heavy loss and retired when about to be outflanked, scarcely
losing a man, but bringing off forty-five prisoners.
Upon this intelligence the army, strengthened by the
arrival of General Bee and Colonel Elzey, and the 9th
Georgia Regiment, was ordered forward to the support of
Jackson. It met him at Darksville, six miles from Martins-
burg, where it-took up a position for action, as General Pat¬
terson, it was supposed, was closely following Colonel Jack¬
son. We waited for him in this position four days, hoping
to be attacked by an adversary at least double our number,
but unwilling to attack him in a town so defensible as Mar-
tinsburg, with its solid buildings and enclosures of masonry.
Convinced at length that he would not approach us, I re- .
turned to Winchester much to the disappointment of our
troops, who were eager for battle with the invaders. Colo¬
nel Stuart, with his cavalry, as usual, remained near the
enemy.
Before the 15th of July the enemy's force, according to
the best intelligence to be obtained, amounted to about
thirty-two thousand. Ours had been increased by eight
Southern regiments. On the 15th of July, Colonel Stuart
reported the advance of General Patterson from Martins-
burg. He halted, however, at Bunker's Hill, nine miles
from Winchester, where he remained on the 16th. On the
17th he moved to his left to Smitlifield. This created the
impression that he intended to attack us on the south, or was
merely holding us in check, while General Beauregard
should be attacked at Manassas by General Scott.
About one o'clock on the morning of July 18th, I received
from the Government a telegraphic dispatch, informing me
that the Northern army was advancing upon Manassas, then
7
held by General Beauregard, and directing me, if practica¬
ble, to go to that officer's assistance, sending my sick to
Culpeper Court-house.
In the exercise of the discretion conferred by the terms
of the order, I at once determined to march to join General
Beauregard. The best service which the army of the Shen¬
andoah could render was to prevent the defeat of that of the
Potomac. To be able to do this, it was necessary, in the
first instance, to defeat General Patterson or to elude him.
The latter course was the most speedy and certain, and
was therefore adopted. Our sick, nearly seventeen hundred
in number, were provided for in Winchester. For the
defence of that place the militia of Generals Carson and
Meem seemed ample; for I thought it certain that General
Patterson would follow my movement as soon as he discerned
it. Evading him by the disposition made of the advance
guard under Colonel Stuart, the army moved through Ash-
by's Gap to Piedmont, a station of the Manassas Gap Rail¬
road. Hence, the infantry were to be transported by the
railway, while the cavalry and artillery were ordered to con¬
tinue their march. I reached Manassas about noon on the
20th, preceded by the 7th and 8th Georgia regiments, and
by Jackson's brigade, consisting of the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 27th
and 33rd Virginia regiments. I was accompanied by Gene¬
ral Bee, with the 4th Alabama, the 2nd and two companies
of the 11th Mississippi. The president of the railroad com¬
pany had assured me that the remaining troops should arrive
during the day.
I found General Beauregard's position too extensive, and
the ground too densely wooded and intricate, to be learned
in the brief time at my disposal, and therefore determined
to rely upon his knowledge of it and of the enemy's posi¬
tions. This I did readily, from full confidence in his capa¬
city.
His troops were divided into eight brigades, occupying
the defensive line of Bull Run. Brigadier-General Ewell's
was posted at the Union Mills Ford; Brigadier-General D.
R. Jones's at McLean's Ford; Brigadier-General Longstreet's
at Blackburn's Ford; Brigadier-General Bonham's at Mitch¬
ell's Ford; Colonel Cocke's, at Ball's Ford, some three miles
above, and Colonel Evans, with a regiment and battalion,
formed the extensive left at the Stone Bridge. The brigades
of Brigadier-General Holmes and Colonel Early were in re¬
serve, in rear of the right. I regarded the arrival of the
8
remainder of the army of the Shenandoah, during the night,
as certain, and Patterson's, with the Grand Army, on the
22nd, as probable. During the evening it was determined,
instead of remaining in the defensive positions then occu¬
pied, to assume the offensive, and attack the enemy before
such a junction.
General Beauregard proposed a plan of battle, which I
approved without hesitation. He drew up the necessary
order during the night, which was approved formally by me
at half-past four o'clock on the morning of the 21st. The
early movements of the enemy on that morning, and the
non-arrival of the expected troops, prevented its execution.
General Beauregard afterwards proposed a modification of
the abandoned plan—to attack with our right, while the left
stood on the defensive. This, too, became impracticable,
and a battle ensued, different in place and circumstance from
any previous plan on our side.
Soon after sunrise, on the morning of the 21st, a light
cannonade was opened upon Colonel Evans's position; a
similar demonstration was made against the centre soon
after, and strong forces were observed in front of it and of
the right. About eight o'clock, General Beauregard and I
placed ourselves on a commanding hill in rear of General
Bonham's left—near nine o'clock the signal officer, Captain
Alexander, reported that a large body of troops was cross¬
ing the valley of Bull Run, some two miles above the bridge.
General Bee, who had been placed near Colonel Cocke's po¬
sition, Colonel Hampton, with his legion, and Colonel Jack¬
son, from a point near General Bonham's left, were ordered
to hasten to the left flank.
The signal officer soon called our attention to a heavy cloud
of dust to the north-west, and about ten miles off, such as
the march of an army would raise. This excited apprehen¬
sions of General Patterson's approach.
The enemy, under cover of a strong demonstration on
our right, made a long detour through the woods on his
right, crossed Bull Run two miles above our left, and threw
himself upon the flank and rear of position. This move¬
ment was fortunately discovered in time for us to check its
progress, and ultimately to form a new line of battle nearly
at right angles with the defensive line of Bull Run.
On discovering that the enemy had crossed the stream
above him, Colonel Evans moved to his left with eleven
companies and two field pieces, to oppose his advance and
9
disposed his little force under cover of the woods near the
intersection of the Warrenton Turnpike and the Sudley
Road. Here he was attacked by the enemy in immensely
superior numbers, against which he maintained himself
with skill and unshrinking courage. General Bee, moving
towards the enemy, guided by the firing, had, with a sol¬
dier's eye, selected the position near the Henry House, and
formed his troops upon it. They were the 7th and 8th
Georgia, 4th Alabama, 2nd Mississippi and two companies
of the 11th Mississippi regiment with Imboden's battery.
♦Being compelled, however, to sustain Colonel Evans, he
crossed the valley and formed on the right and somewhat in
advance of his position. Here the joint force, little ex¬
ceeding five regiments, with six field pieces, held the ground
against about fifteen thousand United States troops for an
hour, until, finding themselves outflanked by the continu¬
ally arriving troops of the enemy, they fell back to General
Bee's first position, upon the line of which, Jackson, just
arriving, formed his brigade and Stanard's battery. Col.
Hampton, who had by this time advanced with his Legion
as far as the Turnpike rendered efficient service in main¬
taining the orderly character of the retreat from that point;
and here fell the gallant Lieutenant Colonel Johnson, his
second in command.
In the meantime I awaited with General Beauregard, near
the centre, the full development of the enemy's designs.
About 11 o'clock, the violence of the firing on. the left in¬
dicated a battle, and the march of a large body from the
enemy's centre towards the conflict was shown by clouds of
dust. I was thus convinced that his great effort was to be
made with his right. I stated that conviction to General
Beauregard, and the absolute necessity of immediately
strengthening our left as much as possible. Orders were
accordingly at once sent General Holmes and Colonel Early
to move with all speed to the sound of the firing, and to
General Bonham to send up two of his regiments and a
battery. Gen,, Beauregard and I then hurried at a ra4id
gallop to the scene of action about four miles off. On the way
I directed my chief of artillery, Colonel Pendleton, to follow
with his own and Alburtis's batteries. We came not a.
moment too soon. The long contest against five-fold odds,
and heavy losses, especially of field officers, had greatly dis¬
couraged the troops of General Bee and Colonel Evans.
Our presence with them under fire, and some example, hadl
10
the happiest effect on the spirit of the troops. Order was
soon restored, and the battle re-established, to which the
firmness of Jackson's brigade greatly contributed. Then,
in a brief and rapid conference, General Beauregard was
assigned to the command of the left, which, as the younger
officer, he claimed, while I returned to that of the whole
field. The aspect of affairs was artificial, but I had full
confidence in the skill and indomitable courage of General
Beauregard, the high soldierly qualities of Generals Bee and
Jackson, and Colonel Evans, and the devoted patriotism of
their troops. Orders were first dispatched to hasten the
march of General Holmes's, Colonel Early's and General
Bonham's regiments. General Ewell was also directed to
follow with all speed. Many of the broken troops, frag¬
ments of companies and individual stragglers, were reformed
and brought into action with the aid of my staff and a por¬
tion of General Beauregard's. ' Colonel (Governor) Smith,
with his battalion, and Colonel Hampton, with his regiment,
were ordered up to reinforce the right. I hav-e since learned
that General Beauregard had previously ordered them into
the battle. They belonged to his corps. Colonel Smith's
_cheqrful courage had a fine influence, not only on the spirit
of his own men, "but upon the stragglers from the troops en¬
gaged. The largest body of these, equal to about four
companies, having no competent field officer, I placed
under command of one of my staff, Colonel F. J. Thomas,
who fell while gallantly leading it against the enemy.
These reinforcements were all sent to the right to re-estab¬
lish, more perfectly, that part of our line. Having attended
to these pressing duties, at the immediate scene of conflict,
my eye was next directed to Colonel Cocke's brigade, the
nearest at hand. Hastening to his position, I desired him
to lead his troops into action. He informed me, however,
that a large body of the enemy's troops beyond the stream
and below the bridge threatened us from that quarter. He
was, therefore, left in his position.
My headquarters were now established near the Lewis
House. From this commanding elevation my view embraced
the position of the enemy beyond the stream and the ap¬
proaches to the Stone Bridge, a point of especial import¬
ance. I could also see the advances of our troops far down
the valley in the direction of Manassas, and observe the
progress of the action and the manoeuvres of the enemy.
We had now sixteen guns and two hundred and sixty
11
cavalry and a little above nine regiments of the army of the
Shenandoah, and six guns and less than the strength of
three regiments of that of the Potomac, engaged with about
thirty-five thousand United States troops, amongst whom
were full three thousand men of the old regular army. Yet
this admirable artillery and brave infantry and cavalry lost
no foot of ground. For nearly three hours they maintained
their position, repelling five successive assaults by the
heavy masses of the enemy, whose numbers enabled him
continually to bring up fresh troops as their preceding
columns were driven back. Colonel Stuart contributed to
one of these repulses by a well timed and vigorous charge
on the enemy's right flank with two companies of his caval¬
ry. The efficiency of our infantry and cavalry might have
been expected from a patriotic people accustomed, like ours,
to the management of arms and horses, but that of the artil¬
lery was little less than wonderful. They were opposed to
batteries far superior in the number, range and equipment
of their guns, with educated officers and thoroughly in¬
structed soldiers. We had but one educated artillerist,
Colonel Pendleton, that model of a Christian soldier, yet
they exhibited as much superiority to the enemy in skill as
in courage. Their fire was superior both in rapidity and
precision.
About twro o'clock, an officer of General Beauregard's
Adjutant General's office, galloped from Manassas to report
to me that a United States army had reached the line of the
Manassas Gap Railroad, was marching towards us, and then
but three or four miles from our left flank.
; The expected reinforcements appeared soon after. Col.
Cocke was then desired to lead his brigade into action to
support the right of the troops engaged, which he did Avith
alacrity and effect. Within a half hour the two regiments
of General Bonham's brigade (Cash's and Kershaw's) came
up, and were directed against the enemy's right, which he
seemed to be strengthening. Fisher's North Carolina regi¬
ment was soon after sent in the same direction. About
three o'clock, while the enemy seemed to be striving to out¬
flank and drive back our left and thus separate us from Ma¬
nassas, General E. K. Smith arrived with three regiments
of Elzey's brigade. He was instructed to attack the right
flank of the enemy now sxposed to us. Before the move¬
ment Avas completed he fell severely Avounded. Colonel
Elzey at once taking command, executed it with great
12
promptitude and vigor. General Beauregard rapidly seized
the opportunity thus afforded him, and threw forward his
whole line. The enemy was driven back from the long
contested hill and victory was no longer doubtful. He made
yet another attempt to retrieve the day. He again extended
his right with a still wider sweep to turn our left. Just as
he re-formed to renew the battle, Colonel Early's three re¬
giments came upon the field. The enemy's new formation
exposed his right flank more even than the previous one.
Colonel Early was, therefore, ordered to throw himself di¬
rectly upon it, supported by Colonel Stuart's cavalry and
Beckham's battery, he executed this attack bravely and
well, while a simultaneous charge was made by General
Beauregard in front. The enemy was broken by this com¬
bined attack. He lost all the artillery which he had ad¬
vanced to the scene of the conflict. He had no more fresh
troops to rally on, and a general rout ensued.
Instructions were instantly sent to General Bonham to
march by the quickest route to the turnpike, to intercept the
fugitives ; and to General Longstreet to follow as closely as
possible upon the right. Their progress was checked by
the" enemy's reserve, and by night at Centreville.
Schenck's brigade made a slight demonstration towards
Lewis's ford, which was quickly checked by Holmes's brigade,
which had just arrived from the right. His artillery, under
Captain Walker, was used with great skill.
Colonel Stuart pressed the pursuit of the enemy's princi¬
pal line of retreat, the Sudley Road. Four companies of
cavalry, under Colonel Bradford and Lieutenant-Colonel
Munford, which I had held in reserve, were ordered to cross
the streams at Ball's Ford, to reach the turnpike, the line of
retreat of the enemy's left. Our cavalry found the roads
encumbered with dead and wounded, (many of whom seemed
to have been thrown from wagons,) arms, accoutrements and
clothing.
A report carn.e to me from the, right, that a strong body
of United States troops was advancing upon Manassas.
General Holmes, who had just reached the field, and Gene¬
ral Ewell on his way to it, were ordered to meet this unex¬
pected attack. They found no foe, however.
Our victory was as complete as one gained by infantry
and artillery can be. An adequate force of cavalry would
have made it decisive.
It is due, under Almighty God, to the skill and resolution
13
of General Beauregard, the admirable conduct of Generals
Bee, E. K. Smith and Jackson, and of Colonels (command¬
ing brigades) Evans, Cocke, Early and Elzey, and. the cour¬
age and unyielding firmness of our patriotic volunteers.
The admirable character of our troops is incontestibly
proved by the result of this battle; especially when it is re¬
membered that little more than six thousand men of the
army of the Shenandoah, with sixteen guns, and less than
two thousand of that of the Potomac, with six guns, for full
five hours successfully resisted thirty-five thousand United
States.troops, with a powerful artillery and a superior force
of regular cavalry. Our forces engaged, gradually increas¬
ing during the contest, amounted to but
men at the close of the battle. The brunt of this
hard-fought engagement fell upon the troops who held their
ground so long with such heroic resolution. The unfading
honor which they won was dearly bought with the blood of
our best and bravest. Their loss was far heavier, in propor¬
tion, than that of the troops coming later into action.
Every regiment and battery engaged performed its part
well. The commanders of brigades have been already men¬
tioned. I refer you to General Beauregard's report, for the
names of the officers of the army of the Potomac who dis¬
tinguished themselves most. I cannot enumerate all of the
army of the Shenandoah who deserve distinction, and will
confine myself to those of high rank. Colonels Bartow and
Eisher, (killed,) Jones, (mortally wounded,) Harper, J. F.
Preston, Cummings, Falkner, Gartrell and Yaughan; J.
E. B. Stuart, of the cavalry, and Pendleton of the artillery,
Lieutenant-Colonel Echols, Lightfoot, Lackland, G. H.
Stewart and Gardner. The last-named gallant officer was
severely wounded.
The loss of the army of the Potomac was 1 OS'killed, 510
wounded, 12 missing. That of the army of the Shenandoah
was 270 killed, 979 wounded, 18 missing.
Total killed, ----- 378
" wounded, ----- 1,489
" missing, ----- 30
That of the enemy could not be ascertained. It must
have been between four and five thousand. Twenty-eight
pieces of artillery, about five thousand muskets, and nearly
five hundred thousand cartridges; a garrjson flag and ten
colors were captured on the field or in the pursuit. Besides
these, we captured sixty-four artillery horses, with their
14
harness, twenty-six wagons and much camp equipage, cloth¬
ing and other property abandoned in their flight.
The officers of my staff deserve high commendation for
their efficient and gallant services during the day and the
campaign, and I beg leave to call the attention of the Gov¬
ernment to their merits. Major W. H. C. Whiting,
Chief Engineer, was invaluable to me, for his signal ability
in his profession and for his indefatigable activity before
and in the battle. Major McClean, Chief Quartermaster,
and Major Kearsley, Chief Commissary, conducted their
respective departments with skill and energy. Major Rhett,
A. A. General, who joined me only the day before, was of
great service. I left him at Manassas, and to his experience
and energy I entrusted the care of ordering my troops to
the field of battle as they should arrive, and forwarding am¬
munition for the artillery during the action. Captains C.
M. Fauntleroy, C. S. Navy, T. L. Preston, A. A. A. Gene¬
ral, and Lieutenant J. B. Washington, A. D. C., conveyed
my orders bravely and well on this their first field, as did
several gallant gentlemen who volunteered their services—
Colonel Cole of Florida, Major Deas of Alabama, Colonel
Duncan of Kentucky. Lieutenant Beverly Randolph, C.
S. N., aided Colonel F. J. Thomas in the command of the
body of troops he led into action, and fought with gallantry.
With these was my gallant friend, Captain Barlow Mason,
who was mortally wounded. I have already mentioned the
brave death of ordnance officer Colonel F. J. Thomas. I
was much indebted, also, to Colonels J. J. Preston, Man¬
ning, Miles and Chisholm, and Captain Stevens, of the En¬
gineer Corps, members of General Beauregard's staff, who
kindly proffered their services and rendered efficient and
valuable aid at different times during the day. Colonel G.
W. Lay, of General Bonham's staff, delivered my instruc¬
tions to the troops sent in pursuit and to intercept the
enemy, with much intelligence and courage.
It will be remarked that the three Brigadier-Generals of
the army of the Shenandoah were all wounded. I have al¬
ready mentioned the wound of General Smith. General
Jackson, though painfully wounded early in the day, com¬
manded his brigade to the close of the action. General Bee,
after great exposure at the commencement of the engage¬
ment, Avas mortally wounded just as our reinforcements
were coming up.
The apparent firmness of the United States troops at Cen-
treville who had' not been engaged, which checked our pur¬
suit, the strong forces occupying the works near George¬
town, Arlington and Alexandria, the certainty, too, that
General Patterson, if needed, would reach Washington, with
his army of thirty thousand men, sooner than we could, and
the condition and inadequate means of the army in ammu¬
nition, provisions and transportation, prevented any serious
thoughts of advancing against the Capital. It is certain
that the fresh troops within the works were, in number,
quite sufficient for their defence; if not, General Patterson's
army would certainly reinforce them soon enough.
This report will be presented to you by my Aid-de-Camp,
Lieutenant J. B. Washington, by whom, and by General
Beauregard's Aid, Lieutenant Ferguson, the captured colors
are transmitted' to thp War Department.
Most respectfully,
Your ob't serv't,
(Signed,) J. E. JOHNSTON,
General.
Official.
B. H. CHILTON,
j'j. General.
REPORT OF GEN. BEAUREGARD OF THE'BATTLE
OF MANASSAS..
Headquarters 1st Corps Army of the Potomac, )
Manassas, August 26th>. 1861. $
General:
# # #
# * # #■ * ^ * * # #
Tile War Department having been informed by me, by
telegraph on the 17th of July, of the movement of Gen. Mc¬
Dowell—Gen. Johnston was immediately ordered to form a
junction of his Army Corps with mine, should the movement
in his judgment he deemed advisable. Gen. Holmes was also
directed to push forward with two regiments, a battery, and
one company of cavalry.
In view of these propositions, approaching reinforcements
modifying my plan of operations, so far as to determine on at¬
tacking the enemy at Centreville as soon as I should hear of
the near approach of the two reinforcing columns. I sent one
of my Aids, Col. Chisholm, of South Carolina, to meet and
communicate my plans to Gen. Johnston, and my wish that
one portion of his force should march by the way of Aldie,
and take the enemy on his right flank and in reverse at Cen¬
treville. Difficulties, however, of an insuperable character;
in connexion with means of transportation, and the marchings-
condition ot his troops, made this impracticable and it was
determined our forces should be united within the lines of"
Bull Run, and thence, advance to the attack of the enemy. •
Gen. Johnston arrived here about noon on the 2Uth July
and being my senior in rank, he necessarily assumed com¬
mand of all the force of the Confederate States, then concen¬
trating at this point. Made acquainted with my plan of ope¬
rations and dispositions to meet the enemy—die^gave them,
2
18
his entire approval and generously directed their execution
under my command.
In consequence of the untoward detention however of some
(5,000) five thousand of General Johnston's Army Corps,
resulting from the inadequate and imperfect means of
transportation for so many troops, at the disposition of the
Manassas Gap Railroad, it became necessary, on the morning
of the 21st, before daylight, to modify the plan accepted, to
suit the contingency of an immediate attack on our lines, by
the main force of the enemy, then plainly at hand.
The enemy's forces, reported by their best informed jour¬
nals to be 55,000 strong, I had learned from reliable sources,
on the night of the 20th, were being concentrated in and
around Centreville, and along the Warrenton Turnpike road,
to Bull Run, near which, our respective pickets were in im¬
mediate proximity. This fact, with the conviction that, after
his signal discomfiture on the 18th of July, before Black¬
burn's Ford—the centre of my lines—he would not renew
the attack in that quarter, induced me at once to look for
"an attempt on my left flank, resting on the Stone Bridge,
which was but weakly guarded by men, as well as but slightly
provided with artificial defensive appliances and artillery.
In view of these palpable military conditions, by half-past
four, A. M., on the 21st July, I had prepared and dispatched
■ orders, directing the whole of the Confederate forces within
the lines of Bull Run, including the brigades and regiments
of Gen. Johnston, which had arrived at that time, to be held
in readiness to march at a moment's notice.
At that hour, the following was the disposition of our
forces:
Ewell's Brigade, constituted as on the 18th July, remained
in position at Union Mills' Ford, its left extending along
■Bull Run in the direction of McLean's Ford, and supported
by Holmes' Brigade, 2nd Tennessee and 1st Arkansas Regi¬
ments a short distance to the rear—that is, at and near Camp
Wigfall.
D. R. Jones' Brigade—from Ewell's left, in front of Mc¬
Lean's Ford, and along the stream to Longstreet's position—
.it Avas unchanged in organization, and Avas supported by
Early's Brigade—also unchanged—placed behind a thicket
of young pines, a short distance in the rear of McLean's
Ford.
Longstreet's Brigade held its former ground at Black¬
burn's Ford, from Jones' left to Bonham's right, at Mitch-
1-9
ell's Ford, and was supported by Jackson's Brigade, consist¬
ing of Colonels James L. Preston's 4th, Harper's 5th, Allen's
2nd, the 27th, Lieut. Col. Echoll's, and the 33rd, Cumming's
Virginia Regiments, 2,611 strong, which were posted be¬
hind the skirting of pines, to the rear of Blackburn's and
Mitchell's Ford, and in rear of this support, was also, Barks-
dale's, 13th Regiment Mississippi Volunteers, which had
lately arrived from Lynchburg. *
Along the edge of a pine thicket, in rear of, and equi¬
distant from McLean's and Blackburn's Fords, ready to sup¬
port either position, I had also placed all of Bee's and Bar¬
tow's Brigades that had arrived, namely, two companies of
the 11th Mississippi, Lieut. Col. Liddell; the 2nd Mississip¬
pi, Col. Falkner, and the Alabama, with the 7th and 8th
Georgia Regiments, (Colonels Gartrell and Lieut. Col. Gard¬
ner,) in all 2,732 bayonets.
Bonham's Brigade,- as before, held Mitchell's Ford, its
right near Longstreet's left, its left extending in the direc¬
tion of Cocke's right. It was organized as at the end of the
18th of July, with Jackson's Brigade, as before said, as a
support.
Cocke's Brigade, increased by seven companies of the 8th,
Hunton's, three companies of the 49th* Smith's Virginia
Regiments, two companies of cavalry, and a battery under
Rogers of four 6-pounders, occupied the line in front and
rear of Bull Run, extending from the direction of Bonham's
left and guarding Island, Ball's and Lewis's Fords, to the
right of Evans's Demi-Brigade near the Stone Bridge, also
under General Cocke's command.
The latter held the Stone Bridge, and its left covered a
farm ford about one mile above the bridge.
Stuart's cavalry, some three hundred men of the army of
the Shenandoah, guarded the level ground extending in rear
, from Bonham's left to Cocke's right.
Two companies of Radford's cavalry were held in reserve
a short distance in rear of Mitchell's Ford, his left extend¬
ing in the direction of Stuart's right.
Colonel Pendleton's reserve battery of eight pieces was
temporarily placed in rear of Bonham's extreme left.
Major Walton's reserve battery of five guns was in posi¬
tion on McLean's farm, in a piece of woods in rear of Bee's
right.
Hampton's Legion of six companies of infantry, six hun¬
dred strong, having arrived that morning by the cars from
20
Richmond, - was subsequently, as soon as it arrived, ordered
forward to a position in immediate vincinity of the Lewis
House, as a support for any troops engaged in that quarter.
The effective force of all arms of the army of the Poto¬
mac on that eventful morning, including the garrison of
Camp Pickens, did not exceed 21,833 and 29 guns.
The army of the Shenandoah, ready for action on the
field, may be set at 6,000 men and 20 guns.*
The Brigade of General Holmes mustered about 1,265*
bayonets, six guns and a company of cavalry about 00
strong.
Informed at 5.30, A. M., by Colonel Evans that the enemy
had deployed some twelve hundred menf with several pieces
of artillery in his immediate front, I at once ordered him, as
also General Cocke, if attacked, to maintain their position
to the last extremity.
In my opinion the most effective method of relieving that
flank was by a rapid, determined attack with my right wing
and centre on the enemy's flank and rear at Centreville,
with due precautions against the advance of his reserves
from the direction of Washington. By such a movement, I
confidently expected to achieve a complete victory for my
country by 12, M.
These new dispositions were submitted to General John¬
ston, who fully approved them, and the orders for their im¬
mediate execution were at once issued.
Brigadier General Ewell was directed to begin the move¬
ment, to be followed and supported successively by Generals
D. R. Jones, Longstreet and Bonham respectively, supported
by their several appointed reserves.
The cavalry under Stuart and Radford were to be held
in hand, subject to future orders and ready for employment
as might be required by the exigencies of the battle.
About 8.30, A. M., General Johnston and myself trans¬
ferred our headquarters to a central position about half a
* That is when the battle began—Smith's Brigade and Fisher's
North Carolina,came up later, and made total of army of Shenan¬
doah engaged of all arms 8,334., Hill's Virginia Regiment, 550,
also arrived,.but was posted as reserve to right flank.
t These were what Colonel Evans saw of General Schencks Bri¬
gade of General Tyler's Division, and two other heavy brigades,
in all over 9,000 men and 13 pieces of artillery—Carlisle's and
Ayres' Batteries.. That is 900 men and two 6-pounders confronted,
by 9,000men and thirteen pieces of artillery,.mostly rifled..
21
mile in rear of Mitchell's Ford, whence we might watch the
course of events.
Previously, as early as 5.30, the Federalists in front of
Evans's position—Stone Bridge—had opened with a large
30-pounder Parrot rifle gun, and thirty minutes later, with
a moderate apparently tentative fire from a battery of rifle
pieces, directed first in front at Evans's, and then in the
direction of Cocke's position, but without drawing a return
fire and discovery of our positions, chiefly because in that
quarter we had nothing but eight G-pounder pieces, which
could not reach the distant enemy.
As the Federalists had advanced with an extended line of
skirmishers in front of Evans, that officer promptly threw
forward the two flank companies of the 4th South Carolina
Regiment and one company of Wheat's Louisiana Batta¬
lion, deployed as skirmishers, to covei' his small front. An
occasional scattering fire resulted, and thus the two armies
in that quarter for more than an hour, while the main body
of the enemy was marching its dubious way through the " Big
Forest" to take our forces in flank and rear.
By 8.30, A. M., Colonel Evans, having become satisfied
of the counterfeit character of the movement on his front,
and persuaded of an attempt to turn his left flank, decided
to change his position to meet the enemy, and for this pur¬
pose immediately put in motion to his left and rear six com¬
panies of Sloan's 4th South Carolina Regiment, Wheat's
Louisiana Battalion's five companies, and two 6-pounders of
Latham's battery, leaving four companies of Sloan's Regi¬
ment under cover as the sole, immediate defence of the Stone
Bridge, but giving information to General Cocke of his
change of position and the reasons that impelled it.
Following a road leading by the Old Pittsylvania (Carter)
Mansion, Colonel Evans formed in line of battle some four
hundred yards in rear—as he advanced—of that house, his
guns to the front and in position, properly supported, to its
immediate right. Finding, however, that the enemy did not
appear on that road, which was a branch of one leading by
Sudley's Springs Ford to Brentsville and Dumfries, he
turned abruptly to the left and, marching across the fields
for three-quarters of a mile—about 9.30, A. M.,—took a
position in line of battle ; his left, Sloan's companies, rest¬
ing on the main Brentsville Road in a shallow ravine, the
Louisiana Battalion to the right, in advance some two hun¬
dred yards, a rectangular copse of wood separating them.
22
One piece of his artillery, planted on an eminence some
seven hundred yards to the rear of Wheat's Battalion, and
the other on a ridge near and in rear of Sloan's position,
commanding a reach of . the road just in front of the line of
battle. In this order he awaited the coming of the masses
of the enemy now drawing near.
In the meantime, about 7 o'clock, A. M., Jackson's Bri¬
gade, with Imboden's, and five pieces of Walton's battery,
had been sent to take up a positio$ along Bull Run to guard
the interval between Cocke's right and Bonham's left, with
orders to support either in case of need—the character and
topographical features of the ground having been shown to
General Jackson by Captain D. B. Harris, of the Engineers
of this Army Corps.
So much of Bee's and Bartow's Brigades, now united, as
had arrived—some 2,8 >0 muskets—had also been sent for¬
ward to the support of the position of the Stone Bridge.
The enemy beginning his detour from the turnpike at a
point nearly half way between Stone Bridge and Centreville,
had pursued a tortuous, narrow trace of a rarely use 1 road,
through a dense wood, the greater part of his way until near
the Sudley Road. A division under Colonel Hunter, of the
Federal Regular Army, of two strong brigades, was in the
advance, followed immediately by another division under
Colonel Heintzelman, of three brigades and seven companies
of regular cavalry and twenty-four pieces of artillery—eigh¬
teen of which were rifle guns. This column, as it crossed
Bull Run, numbered over 16,000 men of all arms by their
own accounts.
Burnside's Brigade—which here, as at Fah'fax C. H., led
the advance—at about 9.45, A. M., debouched from a wood
in sight of Evans's position, some 500 yards distant from
Wheat's Battalion.
He immediately threw forward his skirmishers in force,
and they became engaged with Wheat's command, and the
6-pounder gun under Lieutenant Leftwitch.
The Federalists at once advanced, as they report officially,
the 2d Rhode Island Regiment Volunteers with its vaunted
battery of six 13-pounder rifle guns. Sloan's companies
were then brought into action, having been pushed forward
through the woods. The enemy soon galled and staggered
by the fire, and pressed by the determined valor with which
Wheat handled his battery until he was desperately wounded,
hastened up three other regiments of the brigade and two
23
Dahlgreen howitzers, making in all quite 3,500 bayonets
and eight pieces of artillery opposed to less than 800 men
and two 6-pounder guns.
Despite this odds, this intrepid command of but eleven
weak companies maintained its front to the enemy for quite
an hour, and until General Bee came to their aid with his
command. The heroic Bee, with a soldier's eye and recog¬
nition of the situation, had previously disposed his command
with skill—Imboden's battery having been admirably placed
between the two brigades under shelter behind the undula¬
tions of a hill about 150 yards North of the now famous
Henry House, and very near where he subsequently fell
mortally wounded, to the great misfortune of his country,
but after deeds of deliberate and ever memorable courage.
Meanwhile, the enemy had pushed forward a battalion of
eight companies of regular infantry and one of their best
batteries of six pieces, (four rifled), supported by four com¬
panies of marines, to increase the desperate odds against
which Evans and his men had maintained their stand with
an almost matchless tenacity.
General Bee, now finding Evans sorely pressed under the
crushing weight of the masses of the enemy, at the call of
Colonel Evans, threw forward his whole force to his aid
across a small stream—Young's Branch and Yalley—and
engaged the Federalists with impetuosity; Imboden's bat¬
tery at the time playing from his well chosen position with
brilliant effect with spherical case, the enemy having first
opened on him from a rifle battery, probably Griffins, with
elongated cylindrical shells, which flew a few feet over the
heads of our men and exploded in the crest of the hill im¬
mediately in rear.
As Bee advanced under a severe fire, he placed the 7th
and 8th Georgia Regiments, under the chivalrous Bartow,
at about 11, A. M., in a wood of second-growth pines to the
right and front of, and nearly perpendicular to Evans's line
of battle, the 4th Alabama to the left of them, along a fence
connecting the position of the Georgia Regiments with the
rectangular copse in which Sloan's South Carolina companies
were engaged, and into which, he also threw the 2nd Missis¬
sippi. A fierce and destructive conflict now ensued—the
fire was withering on both sides, while the enemy swept our
short thin lines with their numerous artillery, which, accord¬
ing to their official reports, at this time consisted of at least
ten rifle guns and four howitzers. For an hour, did these
24
Stout-hearted men of the blended command of Bee, Evans
and Bartow, breast an unintermitting battle-storm, animated
surely, by something more than the ordinary courage of even
the bravest men under fire; it must have been indeed, the
inspiration of the cause, and consciousness of the great stake
at issue, which thus nerved and animated one and all, to
stand unawed and unshrinking in such extremity.
Two Federal Brigades of Heintzleman's Division, were
now brought into action, led by Ricketts' superb light bat¬
tery of six ten pounder rifle guns, which, posted on an emi¬
nence to the right of the Sudley Road, opened fire on Imbo-
den's battery—about this time increased by two rifle pieces
of the Washington Artillery, under Lieut. Richardson, and
already the mark of two batteries, which divided their fire
with Imboden, and two guns, under Lieutenants Davidson
and Leftwitch, of Latham's Battery, posted as before men¬
tioned.
At this time, confronting the enemy, we had still but
Evans's eleven companies and two guns—Bee's and Bartow's
four regiments, the two companies 11th Mississippi, under
Lieut. Col. Liddell, and the six pieces under Imboden and
Richardson. The enemy had two divisions of four strong
brigades, including seventeen companies of regular infantry,
cavalry and artillery, four companies of marines, and twenty
pieces of artillery.* Against this odds, scarcely credible,
our advance position was still for a while maintained, and
the enemy's ranks constantly broken and shattered under the
scorching fire of our men; but fresh regiments of the Fede¬
ralists came upon the field, Sherman's and Keye's brigades
of Tyler's Division, as is stated in their reports, numbering
over 6,000 bayonets, which had found a passage across the
*Run about 800 yards above the Stone Bridge, threatened
our right:
Heavy losses had now been sustained on our side, both in
numbers and in the personal worth of the slain. The 8th
'Georgia Regiment had suffered heavily, being exposed as it
took and maintained its position, to a fire from the enemy,
already posted within a hundred yards of their front and
right, sheltered by fences and other cover. It was at this
'time that Lieut. Col. Gardner was severely wounded, as also
^several other valuable officers; the Adjutant of the Regiment,
*See Official Reports of Colonels Heintzleman, Porter, &c.
25
Lieut. Branch, was killed, and the horse of the regretted
Bartow was shot under him. The 4th Alabama also suffered
severely from the deadly fire of the thousands of muskets
which they so dauntlessly affronted under the immediate
leadership of Bee himself. Its brave Colonel, E. J. Jones,
was dangerously wounded, and many gallant officers fell,
slain, or hors de combat.
Now, however, with the surging mass of over fourteen
thousand Federal infantry, pressing on their front, and un¬
der the incessant fire of at least twenty pieces of artillery,
with the fresh brigades of Sherman and Keye's approaching—
the latter already in musket range—our lines gave back, but
under orders from Gen. Bee.
The enemy, maintaining their fire, pressed their swelling
masses onward as our shattered battalions retired; the
slaughter for the moment was deplorable, and has filled many
a Southern home with life-long sorrow.
Under this inexorable stress, the retreat continued, until
arrested by the energy and resolution of Gen. Bee, supported
by Bartow and Evans, just in rear of the Robinson House,
and Hampton's Legion which had been already advanced,
and was in position near it.
Imboden's battery, which had been handled with marked
skill, but whose men were almost exhausted, and the two
pieces of Walton's battery, under Lieut. Richardson, being
threatened by the enemy's infantry on the left and front,
were also obliged to fall back—Imboden leaving a disabled
piece on the ground retired until he met Jackson's brigade,
while Richardson joined the main body of his battery near
the Lewis House.
As our infantry retired from the extreme front, the two
six pounders of Latham's battery, before mentioned, fell
back with excellent judgment to suitable positions in the
rear, when an effective fire was maintained upon the still
advancing lines of the Federalists, with damaging effect,
until their ammunition was nearly exhausted, when they too
were withdrawn in the near presence of the enemy, and re¬
joined their captain.
From the point previously indicated, where General
Johnston and myself had established our headquarters, we
heard the continuous roll of musketry, and the sustained
din of the artillery, which announced the serious outburst
of the battle on our left flank, and we anxiously, but confi¬
dently, awaited similar sounds of conflict from our front at
26
Centreville, resulting from th& prescribed attack in that
quarter, by our rigbt wing.
At half past ten, A. M., however, this expectation was
dissipated from Brigadier General Ewell informing me, to-
my profound disappointment, that my orders for his ad¬
vance had miscarried, but, that in consequence of a com¬
munication from General D. R. Jones, he had just thrown
his brigade across the stream at Union Mills. But, in my
judgment, it was now too late for the effective execution of
the contemplated movement, which must have required quite
three hours for the troops to get into position for the attack.
Therefore, it became , immediately necessary to depend on
new combinations, and other dispositions suited to the now
pressing exigency. The movement of the right and centre,
already begun by Jones and Longstreet, was at once coun¬
termanded with the sanction of General Johnston, and we
arranged to meet the enemy on the field upon which he had
chosen to give us battle. Under these circumstances, our
reserves not already in movement, were immediately ordered
up to support our left flank, namely, Holmes's two regi¬
ments and battery of artillery, under Captain Lindsey
Walker, of six guns, and Earley's brigade. Two regiments
from Bonham's brigade, with Kemper's four six pounders
were also called for, and, with the sanction of General
Johnston, Generals Ewell, Jones, (D. R.,) Longstreet and
Bonham were directed to make a demonstration to their
several fronts to retain and engross the enemy's reserves
and forces on their flank, and at and around Centreville.
Previously, our respective Chiefs of Staff, Major Rhett and
Colonel Jordan, had been left at my headquarters to hasten
up, and give directions to any troops that might arrive at
Manassas.
These orders having been duly dispatched by staff officers
at 11.30 A. M. General Johnston and myself set out for
the immediate field of action, which we reachsd in rear of
the Robinson and widow Henry's houses, at about 12 meri-
dean, and just as the commands of Bee, Bartow and Evans,
had taken shelter in a wooded ravine behind the former,
stoutly held at the time by Hampton with his legion, which
had made a stand there after having previously been as far
forward as the Turnpike, where Lieutenant Colonel Johnston,
an officer of brilliant promise, was killed, and other severe
losses were sustained.
Before our arrival upon the scene, General Jackson had
27
moved forward with, his brigade, of five Virginia regiments,
from his position in reserve and had judiciously taken post
below the brim of the plateau, nearly east of the Henry
House, and to the left of the ravine and woods occupied by
the mingled remnants of Bee's, Bartow's and Evans com¬
mand, with Imboden's battery, and two of Stanard's pieces
placed so as to play upon the on-coming enemy, supported
in the immediate rear by Colonel J. L. Preston and Lieut.
Colonel Echolls's regiments, on the right by Harper's and
on the left by Allen's and Cummings's regiment.
As soon as General Johnston and myself reached the
field, we were occupied with the reorganization of the heroic
troops, whose previous stand, with scarce a parallel, has
nothing more valiant in all the pages of history, and whose
losses fitly tell why, at length, their lines had lost their
cohesion. It was now that General Johnston impressively and
gallantly charged to the front with the colors of the fourth
Alabama regiment by his side, all the field officers of the
regiment having been previously disabled. Shortly after¬
wards I placed S. R. Gist, Adjutant and Inspector General
of South Carolina, a volunteer Aid de Camp of General
Bee, in command of this regiment, and who led it again to
the front as became its previous behavior, and remained with
it for the rest of the day.
As soon as we had thus rallied and disposed our forces, I
urged General Johnston to leave the immediate conduct of
the field to me, while he, repairing to Portico—the Lewis
House—should urge reinforcements forward. At first he
was unwilling, but reminded that one of us must do so, and
that, properly, it was his place, he reluctantly, but fortu¬
nately, complied; fortunately, because from that position,
by his energy and sagacity, his keen perception and antici¬
pation of my needs, he so directed the reserves as to ensure
the success of the day.
As General Johnston departed for Portico, Colonel Bar¬
tow reported to me with the remains of the seventh Georgia
volunteers—Gartrell's—which I ordered him to post on the
left of Jackson's line, in the edge of the belt of pines bor¬
dering the south-eastern rim of the plateau, on which the
battle was now to rage so long and so fiercely.
Col. Wm. Smith's Battalion of the 49th Virginia Volun¬
teers, having also come up by my orders, I placed it on the
left of Gartrell's as my extreme left at the time. Repairing
then to the right, I placed Hampton's Legion, which had
28
suffered greatly, on that flank somewhat to the rear of Har¬
per's Regiment, and also the seven companies of the 8th
(Hunton's) Virginia Regiment, which, detached from Cocke's
Brigade by my orders and those of Gen. Johnston had op¬
portunely reached the ground. These with Harper's Regi¬
ment, constituted a reserve, to protect our right flank from
an advance of the enemy from the quarter of the Stone
Bridge, and served as a support for the line of battle, which
was formed on the right by Bee's and Evans's commands, in
the centre by four regiments of Jackson's brigade, with Im-
boden's four six-pounders, Walton's five guns (two rifled,)
two guns (one piece rifled) of Stanard's and two six-pound-
ers of Rogers' batteries, the latter under Lt. Heaton; and
on the left by Gartrell's reduced ranks and Col. Smith's bat¬
talion, subsequently reinforced Falkner's Second Mississippi
regiment, and by another regiment of the Army of Shenan¬
doah, just arrived upon the field, the Sixth (Fisher's) North
Carolina. Confronting the enemy at this time, my forces
numbered, at most, not more than (1,500 infantry and artil¬
lerists, Avith but thirteen pieces of artillery, and tAVO com¬
panies (Carter's and Hoge's) of Stuart's cavalry.
The enemy's force, now bearing hotly and confidently
doAvn on our position. Regiment after regiment of the best
equipped men that ever took the field—according to their
own official history of the day, Avas formed of Colonels
Hunter's and Heintzelman's Divisions, Colonels Sherman's
and Keyes' Brigades of Tyler's Division, and of the formi¬
dable batteries of Ricketts, Griffin and Arnold regulars,
and Second Rhode Island, and tAVO Dahlgreen howitzers—a
force of over 20,000 infantry, seven companies of regular
cavalry, and tAventy-four pieces of improved artillery. At
the same time, perilous, heavy reserves of infantry and ar¬
tillery hung in the distance around the Stone Bridge, Mitch¬
ell's, Blackburn's and Union Mills' Fords, visibly ready to
fall upon us at any moment; and I Avas also assured of the
existence of other heavy corps, at and around Centreville
and elseAvhere, Avithin convenient supporting distances.
Fully conscious of this portentous disparity of force, as I
posted the lines for the encounter, I sought to infuse into
the hearts of my officers and men, the confidence and deter¬
mined spirit of resistance to this Avicked in\Tasion of the
homes of a free people, which I felt. I informed them that
reinforcements Avould rapidly come to their support, and that
we must, at all hazards, hold our posts until reinforced. I
29
reminded them that we fought for our homes,' our firesides,
and for the independence of our country. I urged them to
the resolution of victory or death on that field. These sen¬
timents were loudly, eagerly cheered, wheresoever proclaim¬
ed, and I then felt reassured of the unconquerable spirit of
that army, which would enable us to wrench victory from the
host then threatening us with destruction.
Oh, my country ! I would readily have sacrificed my life
and those of all the brave men around me, to save your
honor, and to maintain your independence from the degrad¬
ing yoke which those ruthless invaders had come to impose
and render perpetual, and the day's issue has assured me,
that such emotions must also have animated all under my
command. ,
In the meantime, the enemy had seized upon the plateau
on which Robinson's and the Henry Houses are situated—
the position first occupied in the morning by Gen. Bee, be¬
fore advancing to the support of Evans—Ricketts' Battery
of six rifle guns, the pride of the Federalists, the object of
their unstinted expenditure in outfit, and the equally power¬
ful Regular Light Battery of Griffin, were brought forward
and placed in immediate action, after having, conjointly with
the batteries already mentioned, played from former posi¬
tions with destructive effect upon our forward battalions.
The topographical features of the plateau, now become the
stage of the contending armies, must be described in
outline.
A glance at the map, will show that it is enclosed on three
sides by small water courses, which empty into Bull Run
within a few yards of each other, a half-a-mile to the South
of the Stone Bridge. Rising to an elevation of quite one
hundred feet above the level of Bull Run at the Bridge, it
falls off on three sides to the level of the enclosing streams
in gentle slopes, but which are furrowed by ravines of
irregular direction and length, and studded with clumps and
patches of young pines and oaks. The general direction of
the crest of the plateau, is oblique to the course of Bull
Run in that quarter, and to the -Brentsville and Turnpike
Roads which intersect each other at right angles. Imme¬
diately surrounding the two houses, before mentioned, are
small open fields of irregular outline, not exceeding , 50
acres in extent. The houses occupied at the time, the one
by the widow Henry and the other by the free negro Robin¬
son, are small wooden buildings, the latter densely embow-
so
ered in trees and environed by a double row of fences on
two sides. Around the Eastern and Southern brow of the
plateau, an almost unbroken fringe of second-growth pines,
gave excellent shelter for our marksmen, who availed them¬
selves of it with the most satisfactory skill. To the West,
adjoining the fields, a broad belt of oaks extends directly
across the crest on both sides of the Sudley Road, in which,
during the battle, regiments of both armies met and con¬
tended for the mastery.
From the open ground of this plateau the view embraces
a wide expanse of woods, and gently undulating, open
country of broad grass and grain fields in all directions, in¬
cluding the scene of Evans and Bee's recent encounter with
the enemy, some 1,200 yards to the northward.
In reply to the play of the enemy's batteries our own ar¬
tillery had not been either idle or unskillful. The ground
occupied by our guns, on a level with that held by the bat¬
teries of the enemy, wTas an open space of limited extent,
behind a low undulation, just at the eastern verge of the
plateau, some 500 or 600 yards from the Henry House.
Here, as before said, 13 pieces, mostly six-pounders, were
maintained in action. The several batteries of Imboden,
Stanard, Pendleton, (Rockbridge Artillery), and Alburtis's,
of the Army of the Shenandoah, and five guns of Walton's,
and Heaton's section of Rogers's battery, of the Army of
the Potomac, alternating to some extent with each other,
and taking part as needed : all from the outset displaying
that marvellous capacity of our people, as artillerists, which
has made them, it would appear, at once the terror and the
admiration of the enemy.
As was soon apparent, the Federalists had suffered se¬
verely from our artillery, and from the fire of our musketry
on the right, and especially from the left flank, placed under
cover, within whose galling range they had been advanced.
And we are told in their official reports, how regiment after
regiment, thrown forward to dislodge us, was broken, never
to recover its entire organization on that field.
In the meantime, also, two companies of Stuart's cavalry
(Carter's and Hoge's), made a dashing charge down the
Brentsville and Sudley road upon the Fire Zouaves—then
the enemy's right on the plateau—whfth added to their dis¬
order wrought by our musketry on that flank. But still,
the press of the enemy was heavy in that quarter of the
field, as fresh troops were thrown forward there to outflank
31
us ; and some three guns of a battery, in an attempt to ob¬
tain a position, apparently to enfilade our batteries, were
thrown so close to the 33d regiment, Jackson's brigade,
that that regiment, springing forward, seized them, but with
severe loss, and was subsequently driven back by an over¬
powering force of Federal musketry.
Now, full 2 o'clock, P. M., I gave the order for the right
of my line, except my reserves, to advance to recover the
plateau. It was done with uncommon resolution and vigor,
and at the same time Jackson's brigade pierced the enemy's
centre with the determination of veterans, and the spirit of
men who fight for a sacred cause ; but it suffered seriously.
With equal spirit the other parts of the line made the onset,
and the Federal lines were broken and swept back at all
points from the open ground of the plateau. Rallying soon,
however, as they were strongly reinforced by fresh regi¬
ments, the Federalists returned, and by weight of numbers,
pressed our lines back, recovered their ground and guns,
and renewed the offensive.
By this time, between half-past 2 and 3 o'clock, P. M.,
our reinforcements pushed forward, and directed by General
Johnston to the required quarter, were at hand just as I had
ordered forward, to a second effort, for the recovery of the
disputed plateau, the whole line, including my reserve,
which, at this crisis of the battle, I felt called upon to lead
in person. This attack was general, and was shared in by
every regiment then in the field, including the 6th, Fisher's
North Carolina regiment, which had just come up and taken
position on the immediate left of the 49th Virginia regiment.
The whole open ground was again swept clear of the enemy,
and the plateau around the Henry and Robinson Houses re¬
mained finally in our possession, with the greater part of
the Ricketts and Griffin batteries, and a flag of the 1st
Michigan regiment, captured by the 27th Virginia regiment,
(Lieut. Col. Echolls), of Jackson's brigade. This part of
the day was rich with deeds of individual coolness and
dauntless conduct, as well as well-directed, embodied reso¬
lution and bravery, but fraught with the loss to the service
of the country, of lives of inestimable preciousness at this
juncture. The brave Bee was mortally wounded at the
head of the 4th Alabama and some Mississippians, in the
open field near the Henry House ; and a few yards distant,
the promising life of Bartow, while leading the 7th Georgia
regiment, was quenched in blood. Col. F. J. Thomas, Acta
32
ing Chief of Ordnance, of Gen. Johnston's Staff, after gal¬
lant conduct and most efficient service, was also slain. Col.
Fisher—6th North Carolina—likewise fell, after soldierly
behavior at the head of his regiment, with ranks greatly
thinned.
Withers. 18th regiment, of Cocke's brigade, had come up
in time to follow this charge, and in conjunction with
Hampton's legion, captured several rifle pieces, which may
have fallen previously in possession of some of our troops;
hut, if so, had been recovered by the enemy. These pieces
were immediately turned, and effectively served on distant
masses of the enemy, by the hands of some of our officers.
While the enemy had thus been driven back on bur right,
entirely across the turnpike and beyond Young's Branch,
on our left, the woods yet swarmed with them, when our re¬
inforcements opportunely arrived in quick succession, and
took position in that portion of the field. Kershaw's 2nd
and Cash's 8th South Carolina regiments, which had arrived
soon after Withers's, were led through the oaks just east of
the Sudley-Brentsville Road, brushing some of the enemy
before them, and taking an advantageous position along and
west of that road, opened with much skill and effect on
bodies of the enemy that had been rallied under cover of a
strong Federal brigade, posted on a plateau in the south¬
west angle, formed by intersection of the turnpike with the
S.-B. Road. Among the troops thus engaged, were the
Federal regular infantry.
At the same time, Kemper's battery, passing northward
by the S.-B. Road, took position on the open space—under
orders of Colonel Kershaw—near where an enemy's bat¬
tery had been captured, and ivas opened with effective re¬
sults upon the Federal right, then the mark also of Ker¬
shaw and Cash's regiments.
Preston's 28th regiment, of Cocke's brigade, had by that
time, entered the same body of oaks, and encountered some
Michigan troops, capturing their brigade commander, Col.
Wilcox.
Another important accession to our forces had also oc¬
curred about the same time, 3 o'clock, P. M. Brigadier
Gen. E. K. Smith, with some 1,700 infantry of Elzey's
brigade, of the Army of the Shenandoah, and Beckham's
battery, came upon the field, from Camp Pickens, Manassas,
where they had arrived by railroad at noon. Directed in
person by Gen. Johnston, to the left, then so much endan-
33
gered, on reaching a position in rear of the oak woods,
south of the Henry House, and immediately east of the
Sudley Road, Gen. Smith was disabled by a severe wound,
and his valuable services were lost at that critical juncture.
But the command devolved upon a meritorious officer of ex¬
perience—Col. Elzey—who led hi& infantry at once some¬
what further to the left, in the direction of the Chinn
House, across the road, through the oaks skirting the west
side of the road, and around which he sent the battery un¬
der Lieut. Beckham. This officer took up a most favorable
position near that house, whence, with a clear view of the
Federal right and center, filling the open fields to the west
of the Brentsville-Sudley Road, and gently sloping south¬
ward, he opened fire with his battery upon them with deadly
and damaging effect.
Col. Early, who, by some mischance, did not receive or¬
ders until 2 o'clock, which had been sent him at noon, came
on the ground immediately after Elzey, with Kemper's 7th
Virgini% Hays's 7th Louisiana, and Barksdale's 13th Mis¬
sissippi regiments. This brigade, by the personal direction
of General Johnston, was marched by the Holkham House,
across the fields to the left, entirely around the woods
through which Elzey had passed, and under a severe fire,
into a position in line of battle near Chinn's House, out¬
flanking the enemy's right.
At this time, about 3.30 P. M., the enemy driven back on
their left and center, and brushed from the woods bordering
the Sudley Road, south and west of the Henry House, had
formed a line of battle of truly formidable proportions, of
crescent outline, reaching on their left, from vicinity of
Pittsylvania, (the old Carter Mansion), by Matthew's and
in rear of Dogan's, across the turnpike near to Chinn's
House. The woods and fields were filled with their masses
of infantry and their carefully preserved cavalry. It was
a truly magnificent, through redoubtable spectacle, as they
threw forward in fine style, on the broad gentle slopes of the
ridge occupied by their main lines, a cloud of skirmishers,
preparatory for another attack.
But as Early formed his line, and Beckham's pieces play¬
ed upon the right of the enemy, Elzey's brigade, Gibbon's
10th Virginia, Lieut. Col. Stuart's 1st Maryland, and
Vaughn's 3d Tennessee regiments, and Cash's 8th and Ker¬
shaw's 2d South Carolina, Withers's 18th and Preston's 28th
Virginia, advanced in an irregular line, almost sianultane-
3
34
ously, with great spirit from their several positions, upon
the front and flanks of the enemy in their quarter of the
field. At the same time, too, Early resolutely assailed their
right flank and rear. Under this combined attack, the ene¬
my was soon forced, first over the narrow plateau in the
southern angle made by the two roads so often mentioned,
into a patch of woods on its western slope, thence back over
Young's Branch and the Turnpike, into the fields of the
Dogan Farm, and rearward in extreme disorder, in all avail¬
able directions, towards Bull Run. The rout had now be¬
come general and complete.
About the time that Elzey and Early were entering into
action, a column of the enemy, Keyes's brigade of Tyler's
division, made its way across the turnpike between Bull Run
and the Robinson House, under cover of a wood and brow
of the ridges, apparently to turn my right, but was easily
repulsed, by a few shots from Latham's battery, now united
and placed in position by Captain D. B. Harris, of the Vir¬
ginia Engineers, whose services during the day became his
character as an able, cool and skillful officer; and from Al-
burtis's battery, opportunely ordered, by General Jackson,
to a position, to the right of Latham, on a hill commanding
the line of approach of the enemy, and supported by por¬
tions of regiments collected together by the Staff Officers of
General Johnston and myself.
Early's brigade, meanwhile, joined by the 19th Virginia
regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Strange, of Cocke's brigade,
pursued the now panic-stricken, fugitive enemy. Stuart,
with his cavalry, and Beckham, had also taken up the pur¬
suit along the road by Avhich the enemy had come upon the
field that morning; but soon, cumbered by prisoners who
thronged his way, the former was unable to attack the mass
of the fast-fleeing, frantic Federalists. Withers's, R. J,
Preston's, Cash's and Kershaw's regiments, Hampton's le¬
gion and Kemper's battery also pursued along the Warren-
ton road by the Stone Bridge, the enemy having opportunely
opened a way for them through the heavy abatis which my
troops had made on the west side of the bridge several days
before. But this pursuit was soon recalled, in consequence
of a false report which unfortunately reached us, that the
enemy's reserves, known to be fresh and of considerable
strength, were threatening the position of Union. Mills
Ford.
Colonel Radford,, with six companies Virginia cavalry,
35
was also ordered by General Johnston to cross Bull Kun
and attack the enemy from the direction of Lewis's House;
conducted by one of my Aids, Colonel Chisholm, by the
Lewis ford, to the immediate vicinity of the Suspension
Bridge, he charged a battery with great gallantry, took Colo¬
nel Corcoran, of the 69th regiment New York Volunteers, a
prisoner, and captured the Federal colors of that regiment,
as well as a number of the enemy. He lost, however, a
promising officer of his regiment, Captain Winston Radford.
Lieutenant-Colonel Munford also led some companies of
cavalry in hot pursuit, and rendered material service in the
capture of prisoners and of cannon, horses, ammunition,
&c., abandoned by the enemy in-their flight.
Captain Lay's company of the Powhatan troops, and Ut-
terback's Rangers, Virginia volunteers, attached to my per¬
son, did material service, under Captain Lay, in rallying
troops broken for the time- by the onset of the enemy's
masses.
During the period of the momentous events fraught with
the weal of our country, whicht were passing on the blood¬
stained plateau along the Sudley and Warrenton roads, other
portions of the line of Bull Run had not been void of ac¬
tion of moment and of influence upon the general result.
While Colonel Evans and his sturdy band were holding at
bay the Federal advance beyond the turnpike, the enemy
made repeated demonstrations, with artillery and infantry,
upon the line of Cocke's brigade, with the serious intention
of forcing the position* as General Schenck admits in his
report. They were driven back with severe loss by La¬
tham's'(a: section) and Rogers's four six-pounders, and were
so-impressed with the strength of that line as to be held in
check and inactive, even after it had been stripped of all its
troops but one company of the 19th Virginia regiment, un¬
der Captain Duke, a meritorious officer. And it is worthy
of notice that, in this encounter of our six-pounder guns,
handled by our volunteer artillerists, they had worsted such.
a notorious adversary as the Ayres's—formerly Sherman's
battery, which quit the contest under the illusion that it had
weightier metal than, its own to contend with.
The centre brigades—Bonham's and Longstreet's—of the >.
line of Bull Run, if not closely engaged, Avere nevertheless ,
exposed for much of the day to an annoying, almost inces¬
sant fire of artillery of long range; but, by a steady, vete¬
ran-like maintenance, of their positions, they held, virtually,-
36
paralysed all day, two strong brigades of the enemy, with
'their batteries (four) of rifle guns.
As before said, two regiments of Bonham's brigade, 2nd
and 8th South Carolina volunteers, and Kemper's battery,
'took a distinguished part in the battle. The remainder, 3rd
Williams's, 7th Bacon's South Carolina volunteers; 11th
(Kirkland's) North Carolina regiment; six companies 8th
Louisiana volunteers; Shield's battery, and one section of
Walton's battery, under Lieutentant Garnett, whether in
holding their post or taking up the pursuit, officers and
men, discharged their duty with credit and promise.
Longstreet's brigade, pursuant to orders prescribing his
part of the operations of the centre and right wing, was
thrown across Bull Bun early in the morning, and under a
severe fire of artillery, wTas skillfully disposed for the assault
of the enemy's batteries in that quarter, but were withdrawn
subsequently, in consequence of the change of plan already
mentioned and explained. The troops of this brigade were,
1st, Major Skinner; 11th, Garland's; 24th, Lieutenant-
Colonel Hairston; 17th, Corse, Virginia regiments; 5th
North Carolina, Lieutenant-Colonel Jones, and Whitehead's
•company Virginia cavalry; throughout the day these troops
evinced the most soldierly spirit.
After the rout, having been ordered by General Johnston
■ in the direction of Centreville in pursuit, these brigades
advanced near to that place, when night and darkness inter¬
vening, General Bonham thought it proper to direct his
<own brigade and that of General Longstreet back to Bull
Bun.
General D. B. Jones early in the day crossed Bull Bun
with his brigade, pursuant to orders indicating his part in
the |projected attack by our right wing and centre on the
enemy at Centreville, took up a position on the Union Mills
and Centreville Boad more than a mile in advance of the
Bun. Ordered back in consequence of the miscarriage of
^the orders to General Ewell, the retrogade movement was
'necessarily made under a sharp fire of artillery.
At noon this brigade, in obedience to new instructions,
was again thrown across Bull Bun to make demonstrations.
Unsupported by other troops, the advance was gallantly
made until within musket range of the enemy's force—Col¬
onel Davies' Brigade in position near Bocky Bun and under
the concentrated fire of their artillery. In this affair the
•5th, Jenkins' South Carolina, and Captain Fontaine's com-
37
pany of the 18th Mississippi Regiment are mentioned by
General Jones as having shown conspicuous gallantry, cool¬
ness and discipline under a combined fire of infantry and
artillery. Not only did the return fire of the brigade drive
to cover the enemy's infantry, hut the movement unques¬
tionably spread through the enemy's ranks a sense of inse¬
curity and danger from an attack by that route on their rear
at Centreville, which served to augment the extraordinary
panic which we know disbanded the entire Federal Army
for the time. This is evident from the fact that Colonel
Davies, the immediate adversary's commander, in his official
report was induced to magnify one small company of our
cavalry, which accompanied the brigade, into a force of
2,000 men; and Colonel Miles, the commander of the Fed¬
eral Reserves at Centreville, says the movement " caused
painful apprehensions for the left flank" of their army.
General Ewell, occupying for the time the right of the
lines of Bull Run at Union Mills Ford, after the miscar¬
riage of my orders for his advance upon Centreville, in the
afternoon was ordered by General Johnston to bring up his
brigade into battle then raging on the left flank. Promptly
executed as this movement was, the brigade, after a severe
march, reached the field too late to share the glories, as they
had the labors, of the day. As the important position at
the Union Mills had been left with but a slender guard,
General Ewell was at once ordered to retrace his steps and
resume his position to prevent the possibility of its seizure
by any force of the enemy in that quarter.
Brigadier General Holmes—left with his brigade as a sup¬
port to the same position in the original plan of battle—had
also been called to the left, whither he marched with the
utmost speed, but not in time to join actively in the battle.
Walker's rifle guns of the brigade, however, came up in
time to be fired with precision and decided execution at the
retreating enemy, and Scott's cavalry, joining in the pur¬
suit, assisted in the capture of prisoners and war munitions.
This victory, the details of which I have thus sought to
chronicle as fully as were fitting an official report, it remains
to record, was dearly won by the death of many officers and
men of inestimable value belonging to all grades of our-
society.
In the death of General Barnard E. Bee the Confederacy
has sustained an irreparable loss, for with great personal
38
bravery and coolness he possessed the qualities of an accom¬
plished soldier and an able, reliable commander.
Colonels Bartow and Fisher, and Lieutenant Colonel
Johnson of Hampton's Legion, in the fearless command of
their men, gave earnest of great usefulness to the service
had they been spared to complete a career so brilliantly
begun. Besides the field officers already mentioned as hav¬
ing been wounded while in the gallant discharge of their
duties, many others also received severe wounds after equally
honorable and distinguished conduct, whether in leading
their men forward or in rallying them when overpowered or
temporarily shattered by the largely superior force to which
we were generally opposed.
The subordinate grades were likewise abundantly conspic¬
uous for zeal and capacity for the leadership of men in
arms. To mention all who fighting well, paid the lavish for¬
feit of their lives, or at least cripled, mutilated bodies on
the field of Manassas, cannot well be done within the com¬
pass of this paper, but a grateful country and mourning
friends will not suffer their names and services to be forgot¬
ten and pass away unhonored.
Nor are those officers and men who were so fortunate as
to escape the thick-flying, deadly missiles, of the enemy,
less worthy of praise for their endurance, firmness and valor
than their brothers-in-arms, whose lives were closed or
bodies maimed, on that memorable day. To mention all
who exhibited ability and brilliant courage, were impossible
in this report; nor do the reports of Brigade and other sub¬
ordinate commanders, supply full lists of all actually de¬
serving of distinction. I can only mention those whose
conduct came immediately under my notice, or the conse¬
quence of whose actions happened to be signally important.
It is.fit that I should, in this way, commend to notice the
dauntlessc onduct and imper'tiflrhable qoolness of Col. Evans;
and well indeed was he supported by1 CbL Sloan and the
officers of the Fourth South Carolina Regiment, as also,
Major Wheat, than whom, no one displayed more brilliant
courage until carried from the field, shot through the lungs,
though happily, not mortally stricken. But in the desperate
unequal conduct, to which those brave gentlemen Avere, for
a time, necessarily exposed, the behavior of officers and men
generally, was worthy of the highest admiration; and as¬
suredly, hereafter, all those present, may proudly say : We
were of that band who fought the first hour of the battle of
39
Manassas". Equal honors and credit must also be awarded in
the pages of history, to the gallant officers and men, who,
under Bee and Bartow, subsequently marching to their side,
saved them from destruction, and relieved them from the
brunt of the enemy's attack.
The conduct of Gen. Jackson also requires mention as
eminently that of an able, fearless soldier, and sagacious
commander, one fit to lead his efficient brigade : his prompt,
timely arrival before the plateau of the Henry House, and
his judicious disposition of his troops contributed much to
the success of the day. Although painfully wounded in the
hand, he remained on the field to the end of the battle, ren¬
dering invaluable assistance.
Col. Wm. Smith was as efficient, as self-possessed and
brave ; the influence of his example and his words of encour¬
agement was not confined to his immediate command, the
good conduct of which is especially noticeable, inasmuch as
it had been embodied but a day or two before the battle.
Colonels Harper, Hunton and Hampton, commanding
regiments of the reserve, attracted my notice, by their sol¬
dierly ability, as with their gallant commands, they restored
the fortunes of the day, at a time when the enemy, by a last
desperate onset, with heavy odds, had driven our forces from
the fiercely contested ground around the Henry and Robin¬
son Houses. Veterans could not have behaved better than
these well led regiments.
High praise must also be given to Colonels Cocke, Early
and Elzey$ Brigade commanders; also, to Col. Kershaw,
commanding, for the time, the Second and Eighth South
Carolina Regiments. Under the instructions of General
Johnston, these officers reached the field at an opportune,
critical moment, and disposed, handled and fought their res¬
pective commands, with sagacity, decision and successful
results which have been described in detail.
Col. J. E. B. Stuart likewise deserves mention, for his
enterprise and ability as a cavalry commander. Through
his .judicious reconnoisance of the country on our left flank.
He acquired information, both of topographical features and
the positions of the enemy, of the utmost importance in the
subsequent and closing movements of the day on that flank,
and his services in the pursuit, were highly effective.
Capt. E. P. Alexander, C. S. Engineers, gav~ me season¬
able and material assistance early in the day, with his sys¬
tem of signals. Almost the first shot fired by the enemy,
40
passed through the tent" of'his party at the Stone Bridge",
"where they subsequently firmly maintained their position in
the discharge of their duty—the transmission of messages
of the enemy's movements—for several hours under fire.
Later, Captain Alexander acted as my Aid-de-Camp, in the
transmission of orders, and in observation of the enemy.
I was most efficiently served throughout the day by my
Volunteer Aids, Colonels Preston, Manning, Chesnut, Miles,
Rice, Heyward and Chisholm, to whom I tender my thanks
for their unflagging, intelligent and fearless discharge of the
laborious, responsible duties entrusted to them. To Lieut.
S. W. Ferguson, A. T). C., and Col. Heyward, who were
habitually at my side, from 12 noon untill the close of the
battle; my special acknowledgments are due. The horse of
the former was killed under him by the same shell that
wounded that of the latter. Both were eminently useful to
me, and were distinguished for coolness and courage, until
the enomy gave way and fled in wild disorder in every di¬
rection—a scene the President of the Confederacy had the
high satisfaction of witnessing, as he arrived upon the field
at that exulfant moment.
I also received, from the time I reached the front, such
signal service from H. E. Peyton, at the time a private in
the Loudoun cavalry, that I have called him to my personal
staff. Similar services were also rendered me, repeatedly
during the battle, by T. J. Randolph, a Volunteer Acting
A. D. C. to Colonel Cocke.
Captain Clifton H. Smith, of the General Staff, was also
present on the field, fthd rendered efficient service in the
transmission of orders.
It must be permitted me here, to record my profound
sense of my obligations to General Johnston, for his generous
permission to carry out my plans, with such modifications as
circumstances had required. From his services on the field,
as we entered it together, already mentioned, and his sub¬
sequent watchful management of the reinforcements as they
reached the vicinity of the field, our countrymen may draw
the most auspicious auguries.
To Colonel Thomas Jordan, my efficient and zealous As¬
sistant Adjutant-General, much credit is due for his able
assistance in the organization of the forces under my com¬
mand, and for the intelligence and promptness with which
he has discharged all the laborious and important duties of
his office.
41
Valuable assistance was given to me by Major Cabell,
chief officer of the Quartermaster's Department, in the
sphere of his duties—duties environed by far more than the
ordinary difficulties and embarrassments attending the ope¬
rations of a long organized, regular establishment.
Colonel R. B. Lee, Chief of Subsistence Department, had
but just entered upon his dirties, but his experience, and
long and varied services in his department, made him as effi¬
cient as possible.
Captain W. H. Fowle, whom Colonel Lee had relieved,
had previously exerted himself to the utmost to carry out
ordors from these headquarters, to render his department
equal to the demands of the service; that it was not entirely
so, it is due to justice to say, was certainly not his fault.
Deprived, by the sudden severe illness, of the Medical
Director, Surgeon Thomas H. Williams, his duties were dis¬
charged by Surgeon R. L. Brodie, to my entire satisfaction;
and it is proper to say, that the entire medical corps of the
army at present, embracing gentlemen of distinction in the
profession, who had quit lucrative private practice, by their
services in the field and subsequently, did high honor to
their profession.
The vital duties of the Ordnance Department were effec¬
tively discharged under the administration of my Chief of
Artillery and Ordnance, Colonel S. Jones.
At one time, when reports of evil omen and disaster
reached Camp Pickens, with such circumstantiality as to
give reasonable grounds of anxiety, its commander, Colonel
Terrett, the commander of the entrenched batteries, Captain
Sterrett, of the Confederate States Navy, and their officers,
made the most efficient possible preparations for the despe¬
rate defence of that position in extremity; and in this con¬
nection, I regret my inability to mention the names of those
patriotic gentlemen of Virginia, by the gratuitous labor of
whose slaves the entrenched .camp at Manassas had been
mainly constructed, relieving the troops from that laborious
service, and giving opportunity for their military instruc¬
tion.
Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas H. Williamson, the engineer
of these works, assisted by Captain D. B. Harris, discharged
his duties with untiring energy and devotion, as well as
satisfactory skill.
Captain W. H. Stevens, Engineer Confederate States
Army, served with the advanced forces at Fairfax Court-
42
House for some time before the battle ; he laid out the works
there, in admirable accordance with the purposes for which
they were designed, and yet so as t.o admit of ultimate ex¬
tension and adaption to more serious uses as means and part
of a system of real defence when determined upon. He
has shown himself to be an officer of energy and ability.
Major Thomas G. Rhett, ajjter having discharged for seve¬
ral months the laborious duties of Adjutant-General to the
commanding officer of Camp Pickens, was detached to join
the Army of the Shenandoah, just on the eve of the advance
of the enemy, but volunteering his services, was ordered to
assist on the staff of General Bonham, joining that officer
at Centreville on the night of the 17th,"before the battle of
Bull Run, where he rendered valuable services, until the
arrival of General Johnston, on the 20th ot July, when he
was called to the place of Chief of Staff of that officer.
It is also proper to acknowledge the signal services ren¬
dered by Colonel B. F. Terry and T. Lubbock of Texas,-
who had attached themselves to the staff of General Long-
Street. These gentlemen made daring and valuable recon-
noisances of the enemy's positions, assisted by Captains
Goree and Chichester; they also carried orders to the field,
and on the following day, accompanying Captain White¬
head's troop to take possession of Fairfax Court-House.
Colonel Terry, with his unerring rifle, severed the halliard,
and thus lowered the Federal flag found still floating from
the cupola of the Court-House there. He also secured a
large Federal garrison flag, designed, it is said, to be
unfurled over our entrenchments at Manassas.
In connection with the unfortunate casualties of the
day—that is, the miscarriage of the orders sent by courier
to Generals Holmes and Ewell to attack the enemy in flank
and reverse at Centreville, through which the triumph of our
arms was prevented from being still more decisive, I regard
it in place to say, a divisional organization, with officers in
command of divisions, with appropriate rank, as in Euro¬
pean sorvices, would greatly reduce the risk of such mis¬
haps, and would advantageously simplify the communications
of a General in command of a field with his troops.
While glorious for our people, and of crushing effect
upon the morale of our hitherto confident and over-weening
adversary, as were the events of the battle of Manassas, the
field was only won by stout fighting, and, as before stated,
with much loss, as is precisely exhibited in the papers here-
43
with, marked F G and H, and being lists of the killed and
wounded. The killed outright numbered 369—the wounded
1,483, making an aggregate of 1,852.
The actual loss of the enemy will never be known, it may
now only be conjectured. Their abandoned dead, as they
were buried by our people where they fell, unfortunately,
were not enumerated, but many parts of the field were
thick with their corpses, as but few battle fields have ever
been. The official reports of the enemy are studiously silent
on this point, but still afford us data for an approxi¬
mate estimate. Left almost in the dark in respect to the
losses of Hunters and Heintzleman's divisions—first,
longest and most hotly engaged—we are informed that
Sherman's brigade—Tyler's Division—suffered, in killed,
wounded and missing, 609—-that is, about 18 per cent, of
the brigade. A regiment of Franklin's brigade—Gor¬
man's—lost 21 per cent. Griffin's (battery) loss was 30
per cent., and that of Keyes's brigade, which was so handled
by its commander, as to be exposed to only occasional vol¬
leys from our troops, was at least 10 per cent. To these
facts add the repeated references in the reports of the more
reticent commanders, to the " murderous " fire to which they
were habitually exposed—the " pistol range " volleys, and
galling musketry, of which they speak, as scourging their
ranks, and we are warranted in placing the entire loss of
the Federalists, at over forty-five hundred in killed, wounded
and prisoners. To this may be legitimately added as a
casualty of the battle, the thousands of fugitives from the
field, who have never rejoined their regiments, and who are
as much lost to the enemy's service as if slain or disabled
by wounds. These may not be included under the head of
" missing," because, in every instance of such report, we
took as many prisoners of those brigades or regiments as are
reported " missing."
A list appended exhibits some 1,460 of their wounded
and others, who fell into our hands and were sent to Rich¬
mond ; some were sent to other points, so that the number
of prisoners, including wounded who did not die, may be set
down as not less than 1,600. Besides these a considerable
number who could not be removed from the field, died at
several farm houses and field hospitals within ten days fol¬
lowing the battle.
To serve the future historian of this war, I will note the
fact, that among the captured Federalists, are officers and
44
men of forty-seven regiments of volunteers, besides from
some nine different regiments of regular troops, detachments
of -which were engaged. From their official reports, we
learn of a regiment of volunteers engaged, six regiments of
Miles's division, and the five regiments of Bunyon's brigade
from which we have neither sound or wounded prisoners.
Making all allowances for mistakes we are warranted in
saying that the Federal army consisted of at least fifty-five
regiments of volunteers, eight companies of regular infantry,
four of marines, nine of regular cavalry and twelve batte¬
ries, one hundred and nineteen guns. These regiments, at one
time, as will appear from a published list appended marked
"K" numbered in the aggregate 54,14l>, andaverage 964 each;
from an order of the enemy's commander, however, dated
July 13th, we learn that one hundred men from each regi¬
ment were ordered to remain in charge of respective camps—
some allowallowance must further be made for the sick and
details, which would reduce the average to eight hundred—
adding the regular cavalry, infantry and artillery present
an estimate of their force may be made.
A paper appended, marked "L," exhibits, in part, the
ordnance and supplies captured—including some twenty-
eight field pieces of the best chrracter of arm, with over
one hundred rounds of ammunition for each gun, thirty-
seven caissons, six forges, four battery wagons, sixty-four
artillery horses, completely equipped, five hundred thousand
of small arms ammunition, four thousand five hundred setts
rounds of accoutrements, over five hundred muskets, some
nine regimental and garrison flags, with a large number of
pistols, knapsacks, swords, canteens, blankets, a large store
of axes and entrenching tools, wagons, ambulances, horses,
camp and garrisonequipage, hospital stores and some subsist¬
ence.
Added to these results may rightly be noticed here that
by this battle an invading army superbly equipped, within
twenty miles of their base of operations, has been converted
into one virtually besieged, and exclusively occupied for
months in the construction of a stupendous series of fortifi¬
cations for the protection of its own capitol.
I beg to call attention to the reports of the several subor¬
dinate commanders for reference to the signal parts played
by individuals of their respective commands. Contradictory
statements found in these reports should not excite surprise
when we remember how difficult, if not impossible, it is to
45
reconcile the narrations of by-standers or participants in
even the most inconsiderable affair, much less the shifting
thrilling scenes of a battle field.
Accompanying are maps showing the positions of 'the
armies on the morning of the 21st July, and of three seve¬
ral stages of the battle; also, of the line of Bull Run
North of Blackburn's Ford. These maps, from actual sur¬
veys made.by Captain D. B. Harrison, assisted by Mr. John
Grant, were drawn by the latter with a rare delicacy worthy
of high commendation.
In conclusion it is proper, and doubtless expected, that
through this report my countrymen should be made acquaint¬
ed with some of the sufficient causes that prevented the
advance of our forces and prolonged, vigorous pursuit of the
enemy to and beyond the Potomac. The War Department
has been fully advised long since of all of those causes,
some of which only are proper to be here communicated.
An army which had fought as ours on that day against un¬
common odds, under a July sun, most of the time without
water and without food except a hastily snatched meal at
dawn, was not in condition for the toil of an eager, effective
pursuit of an enemy immediately after the battle.
On the following day an unusually heavy and unintermit-
ting fall of rain intervened to obstruct our advance, with
reasonable prospect of fruitful results. Added to this the
want of a cavalry force of sufficient numbers made an effi- 1
cient pursuit a military impossibility.
Your obedient servant,
G. T. BEAUREGARD,
General Commanding.
To General S. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector General,
Richmond, Va.
(Official.) R. H. CHILTON,
Adjutant.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL
JNO. B. FLOYD, OF THE BATTLE OF THE 10 ;h
SEPTEMBER, 1861.
Head Quarters, Army of Kanawha, ^
Camp on the Road, Sep. 12, 1861. \
Hon. L. P. Walker,
Secretary of War :
Sir : Information had reached me for some number of
days, that a heavy force was advancing towards my position,
from the direction of Clarksburg, in the North-Western part
of the State. As these rumors became certainty, I made an
effort to strengthen myself, first, by reinforcement, and se¬
condly, by intrenchments, sufficient to withstand the very
large force of the enemy. My orders to General Wise, I
send you copies of, and also, copies of his replies. I failed
in procuring reinforcements, but succeeded somewhat better
in the construction of a temporary breastwork. At three
o'clock in the evening of the 10th of September, the enemy
under the command of General Rosencranz, (as we learned
through prisoners,) of whose advance I was fully aware, at
the head of ten regiments, made his appearance before our
entrenchments, when the battle instantly commenced. Our
lines were necessarily very extended for the purpose of pro¬
tecting our position, and when manned, left not one man for
reserve. The assault was made with spirit and det^-mina-
tion with small arms, grape and round shot from howitzers
and rifled cannon. There was scarcely an intermission in
the conflict, until night put an end to the firing. The ene¬
my's force is estimated certainly between eight and nine
thousand men, whilst our force engaged, was less than two.
thousand.
48
Upon the close of the contest for the night, I discovered
that it was only a question of time when we should be com¬
pelled to yield to the superiority of numbers. I therefore
determined at once to recross the Gauley River and take
position upon the left bank, which I accomplished without
the loss of a gun, or' any accident whatever. Our loss,
strange to say, after a continued firing upon us by cannon
and small arms, for nearly four hours, was only twenty men
wounded. The loss of the enemy we had no means of ac¬
curately estimating, but we are satisfied from report of pris¬
oners and other sources of information, was very heavy.
We repulsed them in five distinct and successive assaults,
and at nightfall had crippled them to such an extent that
they were in no condition whatever, to molest us in our pas¬
sage across the river. I will only say that our men, without
distinction, behaved with the greatest coolness, determina¬
tion and presence of mind, and while it is impossible to give
praise to one portion of the force engaged over another, it is
but proper to say that the artillery behaved with the greatest
bravery and efficiency; that under the command of Captain
Guy, who had reached me only two days before, and were
for the first time under fire, behaved themselves in a manner
worthy of all praise.
I am very confident that I could have beaten the enemy
and have marched directly to the Valley of Kanawha, if the
reinforcements from Gen. Wise's column had come up when
ordered, and the regiments from North Carolina and Geor¬
gia could have reached me before the close of the second
day's conflict. I cannot express the regret which I feel at
the necessity over which I had no control, which required
that I should recross the River. I am confident that if I
could have commanded the services of five thousand men,
instead of eighteen hundred, which I had, I could have
opened the road directly into the Valley of the Kanawha.
It would seem now as if the object so nearly accomplished,
can only be obtained by an advance upon the enemy, by the
left bank of the Kanawha River, with a sufficient force at
any time to give him battle. This force, if possible, ought
to be collected from Tennessee and Kentucky. Their close
correspondence shows distinctly enough, the urgent necessi¬
ty of so shaping the command in the Valley of Kanawha, as
to insure, in the future, that unity of action upon which
alone can rest any hope of success in military matters.
I have not thought proper to take any other notice of
49
these transactions, than to bring them to the notice of the
President and Secretary of the Confederate States. The
reasons which have induced me to take this course, I am
sure, will not be misunderstood by either.
I apprehend the course the enemy proposes to pursue, is
to carry out the plans indicated by General Rosencranz to
Gen. Tyler, for the invasion of the interior of the State and
the seizure of Lewisburg, set forth in an intercepted lettar
of the latter, a month ago. To prevent this I am in com¬
mand of an actual force of four thousand two hundred men.
This force will be required to oppose the advance of Gen.
Cox and Gen. Rosencranz, with, as their forces, as they un¬
doubtedly will, of at least 1,200 men. This disparity
in numbers, is too great, although I will certainly give battle
to the invading army, at some such strong point in the
mountain passes, as I may hope will equalize, to some extent,
our numbers. This may occur within the next three days,
but should it be deferred for any length of time, I hope the
Department will find itself to strengthen us with reinforce¬
ments. In the mean time, should Gen. Lee attack and re¬
pulse the enemy at Rich Mountain, I will hold myself in
position to fall upon his flank, or rear, as circumstances may
allow, or my force authorize.
I have the honor to be,
With the highest respect,
Your obedient servant,
This is signed by Adjutant Peters, because an injury
prevents my holding a pen.
JNO. B. FLOYD,
Brig. Gen. Com'g. Army of Kanawha.
By William E. Peters, A. A. Gen., Floyd's Brigade.
The above is an exact copy of the original.
Edw'd S. Joynes,
4 War Dep't., Dec. 10, 186 L
REPORT OF ENGAGEMENT AT OAK PULL ON THE
10th AUGUST WITH UNITED STATES TROOPS,
BEN McCULLOCH BRIGADER GENERAL COM¬
MANDING.
Headquarters McCulloch Brigade, Camp )
Weightman, wear Springfield, Mo., Aug. 12, 1861. )
Brig. Gen. S. Cooper,
Adjutant General C. S. A. :
Sir : I have the honor to make the following official re¬
port of the battle of the Oak Hills on the 10th inst. Having
taken position about ten miles from Springfield, I endeavored;
to gain the necessary information of the strength and posi¬
tion of the enemy stationed in and about the town. The
information was very conflicting and unsatisfactory. I,
however, made up my mind to attack the enemy in their
position, and issued orders on the 9th inst. to my force to-
start at 9 o'clock at night to attack at four different points
at daylight. A few days before General Price, in command
of the Missouri force, turned over his command to me and I
assumed command of the entire force, comprising my own.
brigade, the brigade of Arkansas State forces under Gene¬
ral Pierce, and General Price's command of Missourians.
My effective force was five thousand three hundred infan¬
try, fifteen pieces of artillery and six thousand horsemen,
armed with flint lock muskets, rifles and shot guns.. There
were other horsemen with the army who were entirely un¬
armed, and instead of being a help, were continually in the
way. When the time arrived for the night march,.it com¬
menced to rain slightly, and fearing from the want of car¬
tridge boxes that my ammunition would be ruined, I ordered1
the movement to be stopped, hoping to move the next morn¬
ing. Many of my men had but twenty rounds of ammuni¬
tion, and there was no more to be had. While still hesita-
52
ting in the morning, the enemy were reported advancing, and
I made arrangements to meet him. The attack was made
simultaneously at half-past five, A. M., on our right and
left flanks, and the enemy had gained the positions they de¬
sired. General Lyon attacked us on our left and General
Seigel on our right and rear. From these points batteries
opened upon us. My command was soon ready. The Mis-
sourians under Generals Slack, Clark, McBride, Parsons and
Raines were nearest the position taken by General Lyon
with his main force. They were instantly turned to the
left and opened the battle with an incessant fire of small
arms. Woodruff opposed his battery to that of the enemy
under Captain Totten, and a constant cannonading was kept
up between these batteries during the battle. Hebert's
Regiment of Louisiana Volunteers and Mcintosh's Regi¬
ment of Arkansas Mounted Riflemen were ordered to the
front, and after passing the battery, turned to the left and
soon engaged the enemy, with his regiments deployed.
Colonel Mcintosh dismounted his regiment and the two
marched up abreast to a fence around a large cornfield, when
they met the left of the enemy already posted. A terrible
conflict of small arms took place here. The opposing force
was a body of regular United States Infantry, commanded
by Captains Plummer and Gilbert.
Notwithstanding the galling fire poured upon these two
regiments, they leaped over the fence, and gallantly led by
their colonels, drove the enemy before them back upon the
main bodj . During this time the Missourians under Gene¬
ral Price were nobly attempting to sustain themselves in the
center, and were hotly engaged on the sides of the height
upon which the enemy were posted. Far on the right Seigel
had opened his battery upon Churchill's and Green's Regi¬
ments, and had gradually made his way to the Springfield
Road, upon each side of which the army was encamped and
in a prominent position had established his battery. I at
once took two companies of the Louisiana Regiment which
were nearest me and marched them rapidly from the front
and right to the rear, with orders to Colonel Mcintosh to
bring up the rest.
When we arrived near the enemy's battery, we found that
Reid's battery had opened upon it, and it was already in
confusion. Advantage was taken of it, and soon the Lou-
isianans were gallantly charging among the guns and swept
the cannoniers away. Five guns were here taken, and
55
Seigel's command, completely routed, were in rapid re¬
treat with a single gun, followed by some companies of the
Texas regiment and a portion of Colonel Major's Missouri
regiment of cavalry. In the pursuit many of the enemy
Were killed and taken prisoners, and their last gun captured.
Having cleared our right and rear, it was necessary to
turn all our attention to the centre under General Lyon,
who was pressing upon the Missourians, having driven them
back. To this point Mcintosh's regiment, under Lieutenant
Colonel Emery, and Churchill's regiment on foot, Gratiot's
regiment and McRae's battalion were sent to their aid. A
terrible fire of musketry was now kept up along the whole
side and top of the hill upon which the enemy were posted;
masses of infantry fell back and again rushed forward. The
summit of the hill was covered with the dead and wounded.
Both sides were fighting with desperation for the day. Car¬
roll's and Greer's regiments, led gallantly by Capt. Brad-
fute charged the battery, (Totten's) but the whole strength
of the enemy were immediately in rear and a deadly fire was
opened upon them.
At this critical moment, when the fortunes of the day
seemed to be at the turning point, two regiments of General
Pierce's brigade, were ordered to march from their position
(as reserves) to support the centre.
The order was obeyed with alacrity, and General Pierce
gallantly marched with his brigade to the rescue. Reid's
battery was also ordered to move foward, and the Louisiana
regiment was again called into action on the left of it. The
battle then became general, and probably no two opposing
forces ever fought with greater desperation; inch by inch
the enemy gave way and were driven from their position.
Totten's battery fell back—Missourians, Arkansasians, Lou-
isianans and Texans pushed forward—the incessant roll of
musketry was deafening, and the balls fell thick as hail
stones—but still our gallant Southerners pushed onward, and,
with one wild yell broke upon the enemy, pushing them back
and strewing the ground with their dead. Nothing could
withstand the impetuosity of our final charge. The enemy
fled and could not again be rallied, and they were seen at
12 M., fast retreating among the hills in the distance.
Thus ended the battle—it lasted six hours and a half. The
force of the enemy, between nine and ten thousand was
composed of well disciplined troops, well armed, and a large
part of them belonging to the old army of the United States.
54
With every advantage on their side they have met with a
signal repulse. The loss of the enemy is eight hundred
(800) killed, one thousand (1,000) wounded, and three hun¬
dred (300) prisoners. We captured six (6) pieces of artil¬
lery, several hundred stand of small arms, and several of
their standards.
Major General Lyon, chief in command, was killed, and
many of their officers, high in rank, wounded.
Our loss was also severe, and we mourn the death of
many a gallant officer and soldier. Our killed amounts to
two hundred and sixty-five, (265,) eight hundred (800)
wounded, and thirty (30) missing.
Colonel Weightman fell at the head of his brigade of Mis-
sourians, while charging upon the enemy. His place will
not easily he filled. Generals black and Clark were severely
wounded—General Price slightly. Captain Henson, of the
Louisiana regiment, Captain McAlexander, of Churchill's
regiment, Captains Bell and Brown of Pierce's brigade,
Lieutenant Walton and Weaver all fell while nobly and gal¬
lantly doing their duty. Colonel Mcintosh was slightly
wounded by a grape-shot while charging with the Louisiana
regiment. Lieut. Colonel Neal, Major H. Ward, Captains
King, Pearson, Gibbs, Ramsaur, Porter, Lieuts. Dawson,
Chambers, Johnson, King, Adams, Hardista, Mclver and
Saddler, were wounded while at the head of their companies.
Where all were doing their duty so gallantly, it is almost
unfair to discriminate. I must, however, bring to your no¬
tice the gallant conduct of the Missouri Generals McBride,
Parsons, Clark, Slack and their officers. To General Price
I am under many obligations for assistance on the battle
field. He was at the head of his force leading them on, and
sustaining them by his gallant bearing. General Pierce,
with his Arkansas brigade, (Gratiot's, Walker's and Daugh-
erty's regiments of infantry,) came gallantly to the rescue
when sent for. Leading his men into the thickest of the fight,
he contributed much to the success of the day. The com¬
manders of regiments of my own brigade, Cols. Churchill,
Greer, Emery, Mcintosh, Hebert and McRae led their dif¬
ferent regiments into action with the greatest coolness and
bravery, always in front of their men cheering them on.
Woodruff, Bledsoe and Reid, managed their batteries with
great ability, and did much execution.
. For those other offic'ers and men, who were particularly
55
conspicuous, I will refer the Department to the reports of
the different commanders.
To my personal staff I am much indebted for the coolness
and rapidity with which they carried orders about thtf field,
and would call your attention to my volunteer aids, Capt.
Bradfute, Messrs. Armstrong, Ben. Johnson, (who had his
horse killed under him,) Hamilton, Pike and Major King.
To Major Montgomery, Qurtermaster, I am also indebted
for much service. He cheerfully volunteered his services
as an aid during the battle, and was of much use to me.
To Colonel Mcintosh, at one time at the head of his regi¬
ment, and at other times in his capacity of Adjutant Gene¬
ral, I cannot bestow too much praise. Wherever the balls
flew thickest, he was gallantly leading different regiments
into action, and his-presence gave confidence everywhere.
I have the honor to be, sir,
Your obedient servant,,
[Signed.] BENJ. McCULLOCH,
Brigadier-General commanding.
Official. R. H. CHILTON,
A. A. General.
CONSOLIDATED REPORT of the Killed, Wounded and
Missing, in the Arkansas State Forces, after the action of
August \Qth, 1861.
Command.
Second Regiment Cavalry, Col.
Carroll
Third Regiment Infantry, Wood¬
ruff's Battery attached, Col.
Gratiot.
Fourth Regiment Infantry, Col.
Walker
Fifth Regiment Infantry, Colonel
Dockey
General Stalf
Total
(Signed,)
H3
nS
a
61)
a
Remarks.
4)
0
OQ
3
£
S
5
18
2
25
84
1
Not engaged.
3
11
1
Capt. Jefferson
taken prisoner.
33
113
4
A. H. CLINE,
Major and A. D. C.
Official.
R. H. CHILTON,
A. A. General.
REPORT OF THE ENGAGEMENT AT LEWINSVILLE,
VIRGINIA, J.E. B. STUART, COL. COMMANDING.
Headquarters, Munson's Hill, >
September, 11th, 1861.)
General:
I started about 12 o'clock, with the 13th Virginia Volun¬
teers, commanded by Maj. Terrill, 305 men, one section of
Rosser's Battery, Washington Artillery, and a detachment
of First Cavalry, under Captain Patrick, for Lewinsville,
where I learned from my cavalry pickets, the enemy were
posted with some force. My intention was to surprise them,
and I succeeded entirely. Approaching Lewinsville by the
enemy's left and rear, taking care to keep my small force an
entire secret from their observations, I, at the same time
carefully provided against the disaster to myself which I was
striving to inflict upon the enemy, and felt sure, that if ne¬
cessary, I could fall back successfully before any force the
enemy might have, for the country was favorable to retreat
and ambuscade. At a point nicely screened by the woods
from Lewinsville, and a few hundred yards from the place, I
sent forward, under Maj. Terrill, a portion of his command,
stealthily to reach the woods at a turn of the road and re¬
connoitre beyond; this Avas admirably done, and the Major
soon reported to me that the enemy had a piece of artillery
in position, in the road just at Lewinsville, commanding our
road. I directed him immediately to post his riflemen so as
to render it impossible for the cannoniers to serve the piece,
and if possible^ capture it. During subsequent operations,
the cannoniers tried ineffectually to serve the piece, and
finally, after one was shot through the head, the piece was
58
taken off. While this was going on, a few shots from
Rosser's section, at a cluster of the enemy, a quarter
of a mile off, put the entire force of the enemy in full
retreat, exposing their entire column to flank fire from our
pieces. Some wagons and a large body of cavalry first
passed in hasty flight, the rifle piece and howitzer firing as
they passed; then came flying a battery, 8 pieces of artil¬
lery, (Griffin's), which soon took position about six hundred
yards to our front and right, and rained shot and shell upon
us during the entire engagement, but with harmless effect,
although striking very near. Then passed 3 regiments of
infantry at double quick, receiving in succession as they
passed, Rosser's unerring salutation—his shells bursting
directly over-their heads and creating the greatest havoc and
confusion in their ranks. The last infantry regiment was
followed by a column of cavalry, which at one time, rode
over the rear of the infantry in great confusion. The Field-
General and Staff-Officers were seen exerting every effort to
restore order in their broken ranks, and my cavalry videttes
observing their flight reported that they finally rallied a mile
and-a-half below, and took position there, firing round after
round of artillery from that position up the road, where
they supposed our columns would be pursuing them. Capt.
Rosser having no enemy left to contend with, at his own re¬
quest, was permitted to view the ground of the enemy's
flight, and found the road plowed up by his solid shot, and
strewn with fragments of shells—two men left dead in the
road, one mortally wounded, and one not hurt taken prisoner.
The prisoner said the havoc in their ranks was fearful, justi¬
fying what I saw myself of the confusion.
Major Terrill's sharp-shooters were by no means idle,
firing wherever a straggling yankee showed his head, and
capturing a Lieutenant, (captured by Maj. T. himself), one
Sergeant and one private, all belonging to the Nineteenth
Indiana, (Col. Merideth's).
The prisoners reported to me that General McClellan him¬
self was present, and the enemy gave it out publicly that the
occupancy of Lewinsville was to be permanent. Alas, for
human expectations !
The officers and men behaved in a manner worthy of the
General's highest commendation, and the firing done by the
section under direction of Capt. Rosser and Lt. Slocumb,
all the time under fire from the enemy's battery, certainly,
59
for accuracy and effect, challenges comparison with any ever
made.
Valuable assistance was rendered me by Chaplain Ball, as
usual, and Messrs. Hairston and Burks, citizens attached to
my staff, were conspicuous in daring. Corp'l Hagan, and
bugler Freed, are entitled to special mention for good con¬
duct and valuable service.
Our loss was not a scratch to man or horse. We have no
means of knowing the enemy's, except it must have been
heavy from the effects of the shots. We found in all four
dead and mortally wounded, and captured four. Of course
they carried off all they could.
Your attention is specially called to the enclosed, which
was delivered to me at Lewinsville and to my endorsement.
I send a sketch, also. I returned here with my command
after re-establishing my line of pickets there.
Please forward this report to Gen. Johnston, Gen. J.
Longstreet.
Most respectfully,
Your ob't serv't,
J. E. B. STUART,
Col. Commanding.
[official.]
R. H. Chilton, A. A. Gerfl.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE ENGAGEMENT ON
GREENBRIER RIVER OCTOBER 3, 1861, H. R.
JACKSON, BRIGADIER GENERAL COMMAND¬
ING.
Camp Bartow, Greenbrier River, )
October 7th, 1861. J
Col. C. L. Stevenson,
Adjutant General N. W. A.:
Colonel ; In my note of the 3d inst., I gave you a brief
account of the attack made that day upon our position by
the enemy.
Advancing along the turnpike with a heavy column com¬
posed of infantry, artillery and cavalry numbering, at a safe
estimate, from six to seven thousand men, he drove in our
advanced pickets at an early hour in the morning. About
seven o'clock he encountered the main body of the advanced
guard, reinforced to about one hundred strong, and posted
on the right side of the turnpike one mile from our lines by
Colonel Edward Johnson, of the 12th Georgia Regiment,
who took command in person.
You will find this position designated upon the accompa¬
nying map by the capital letter " E." It is but justice to
this superior officer, and to the gallant band whose move¬
ments he directed, to say that it would not have been possi¬
ble for so small a force to have been more skillfully handled
or to have exhibited more obstinate courage in the face of
numbers so overwhelming. They held the column of the
enemy in check for nearly an hour, pouring into the head of
it a galling fire, not withdrawing until six pieces of artillery
had opened briskly upon them, and full battalions of infan¬
try were outflanking them on the right, and then retiring in
such order, and taking such advantage of the ground as to
reach our camp with but a trifling loss. To this brilliant
62
skirmish, in which Colonel Johnson had his horse killed
under him, is doubtless to be ascribed in a measure the ex-
hilirated spirit manifested by our troops during the remainder
of the day. Before taking leave of it, and referring to
former dispatches, I would beg once again to direct to Colo¬
nel Edward Johnson the special attention of the commanding
general, not simply for this peculiarly brilliant service, but
for his gallant and efficient conduct throughout the entire
engagement.
So soon as it had become apparent that the enemy con¬
templated a systematic attack upon our camp, I disposed of
my entire force to meet it. To convey a correct idea, not
simply of that disposition, but of the subsequent action, I
must pray reference to the accompanying map, for which I
am indebted to Lieutenant Colonel Barton, of the 3d Arkan¬
sas Regiment.
As I have already reported to you, our position is not by
nature a commanding one. The causes of its weakness are
the necessity of defending extended lines on our front (not
less than a mile) and on our flanks, and the fact that there
are points in our rear which, in the possession of an enemy,
might give us great trouble. The works essential to our
safety were in progress of construction at the time of the
attack, but were only partially completed, nothing whatever
having been done to strengthen our right flank or our rear.
I am happy to say that during the last three days, through
the indefatigable efforts of Lieutenant Colonel Barton, in
immediate charge of the works, backed by the cheerful labor
of the men, we are already in condition to defy an approach
from any quarter. Not doubting that the attack upon us
had been, to some extent, invited by our commencing to
fortify ourselves against it, and fearing that the enemy
might have been fully advised of our weak points, until he
had actually begun his retreat, my mind could not dispossess
itself of the idea that he had sent another column over the
mountains to turn our right flank. To prepare for this
danger, I held the 1st Georgia Regiment, so far as that
could be done, in reserve for what I apprehended would be
a desperate struggle. I also sent expresses to Colonel Bald¬
win, whom I had previously ordered to the top of the Alle¬
ghany Ridge, directing him to move the 52d Virginia Regi¬
ment as rapidly down as possible, and to fall upon the rear
of the enemy, should he undertake to fall upon ours. That
gallant regiment responded (as I have learned) most heartily
63
to the call, and when halted upon the road, by the tidings
that the day had already been won, despite of its not-to-be-
doubted patriotism, could not entirely conceal its chagrin.
The two brigades in this camp, weakened by the absence
of the several corps on detached service (the 5th having
been reduced from this cause and from sickness to scarce
one-third of its legitimate number) I posted in the following
order: The 1st Georgia Regiment upon our extreme right,
under command of Major Thompson, Colonel Ramsey (the
field officer of the day) having been cut off from us by the
enemy while discharging his duty upon the road ; next to it
was placed the 12th Georgia Regiment—both of these regi¬
ments designed for the immediate command of Colonel John¬
son. At an early moment I threw out what few mounted
men were available under Captain Sterrett, of the Churchville
Cavalry, to different points along the valley upon our right
for the purpose of bringing us timely notice of an approach
by the enemy, and I also strengthened considerably the
picket guard advanced in that direction. The centre I
entrusted to the 5th brigade under command of Colonel
Taliaferro, composed of the 44th Virginia Regiment, Colo¬
nel Scott; the 23d Virginia Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel
Taliaferro, and Major Rogers' Battalion, commanded, in his
absence from sickness, by senior Captain John C. Higgin-
botham. This brigade was reduced in the course of the
action by the detachment of one hundred men under Major
Jones, of the 44th, to reinforce our left wing. This de¬
tachment marched in gallant style, under the enemy's fire,
to the position assigned it in line. The troops on this wing
which, from the character of the ground, were widely dis¬
persed, fell under the general command of Colonel Rust, of
the 3d Arkansas Regiment, and consisted of his own com¬
mand, the 31st Virginia Volunteers, Lieutenant Colonel
Jackson, and the battalion of Lieutenant Colonel Hansbo-
rough, commanded, in his absence on account of sickness,
by senior Captain J. A. Robertson. Upon this flank also
two field pieces had already been placed in battery enfilading
the Huntersville Road, which runs at right angles, if indeed
those terms can be applied to serpentine mountain roads,
from the turnpike. These guns were under the immediate
charge of Captain P. B. Anderson, and the zeal, skill and
determination of that officer leave no doubt that they would
have done great execution had the enemy ventured to call
them into action.
64
Captain Shumaker's battery, consisting of four pieces,
(six-pounders,) one of tbem rifled, and one six-pounder,
under Captain Rice, were held in readiness for the front and
right flank. The places occupied by these various corps,
you will find specified upon the map.
Our forces were all in position when, at about 8 o'clock,
the enemy opened a heavy fire from six (6) pieces of differ¬
ent calibre, placed in a field upon the right-hand side (to
them) of the turnpike road, and bearing upon our front and
centre. This number was subsequently increased by two
other ^pieces, placed on the opposite side of the turnpike,
one near it and the other upon the rise of the hill. This
fire (of round shot, spherical case, shell, and, occasionally,
upon our left wing, of canister,) was continued with extra¬
ordinary rapidity, and without intermission, for upwards of
four hours, the eight guns constituting the well-known field
batteries of Howe and of Loomis. The hill occupied by
Colonel Taliaferro's brigade, invitingly exposed to all of
these batteries, received the greater share of their attention,
and, but for the protection afforded by the ditch and embank¬
ment running along the brow, and constructed under the
immediate supervision of Colonel Taliaferro himself, we
should doubtless have had inflicted upon us a very severe
loss indeed.
This fire was returned with great energy, and, as the re¬
sult has proved, with signal effect, by the guns of Captain
Shumaker and Captain Rice, and by one piece detached from
Captain Anderson's battery and placed upon the hill occu¬
pied by Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson. Lieutenant Massie,
its proper chief, being quite indisposed, although he main¬
tained his position near his piece, it was placed under the
command of Captain Deshler, Aid-de-Camp to Colonel
Johnson. From the fact that the rifled gun of Captain
Shumaker soon became useless to us, (for the cause of this
great misfortune see his own report, addressed to myself,)
at no time could we bring more than five pieces into action,
to return the fire of the enemy's eight. Yet that fire was
returned, and that with so much spirit and energy as to
make this " artillery duel" indeed peculiarly interesting, by
the character of the field and its mountain surroundings,
ever memorable by those who beheld it. That the casualties
among our cannoniers should have been so few, is a subject
of sincere congratulation, and is very much ascribable to
the sound judgment of Captain Shumaker, who repeatedly
65
changed the position of his guns when those of the-enemy
had obtained his range. For a minuter description of the
action in this, its most striking phase, I take great pleasure
in referring to the report of that consummately cool and
skillful officer. From it you will learn why it was that our
pieces, at the close of the four hours' interchange of fire,
were temporarily withdrawn, inducing our friends upon our
extreme left, and evidently the enemy, to suppose that they
had been silenced.
At about half-past nine, a strong column of infantry was
seen to move towards our left flank. Having crossed the
so-called river, (in fact a shallow stream of about twenty
yards in width,) near the point designated on the map by
the capital letter "A," it undertook to turn our position in
that direction. Soon, however, it encountered a portion of
the 3rd Arkansas regiment, which drove it precipitately
back with a destructive fire. The enemy subsequently
turned two of his pieces upon this position of our left wing,
pouring out canister and shell in large volumes, but fortu¬
nately, on account of the protection afforded by the works,
with but little execution.
Simultaneously with this movement towards our left, ano¬
ther column of infantry ascended the wooded hill before our
right wing, at the point designated upon the map by the
capital letter " B." Having become, at its head, involved
in a slight skirmish with one of our picket guards, it was
immediately and strongly reinforced. Subsequently to the
repulse of the column from our left flank, it proceeded in,
the same general direction, ascending the hill at the point
designated by the letter "C," and swelling the force which
now began to threaten seriously our front and right, to some
four thousand men. They moved along the side of the hill,
opening upon our lines a desultory fire of rifle musketry,
which was continued until the close of the action. So soon
as the designs of this column .were fully developed, I ordered
the 12th Georgia regiment to take position near the stream,
where a small detachment of it, under Lieutenant Dawson,
had already been posted, with instructions to engage the
enemy whenever he should attempt to across it.. From the
fact that this movement Avas made in full .face of largely sur
perior numbers, and with a superior weapon, and protected
by cover of the forest, it Avas made Avith an alacrity and a
regularity which deserve high commendation, as does also,
the cool determination with which this command, protecting;
5
66
itself as best it might against the enemy's fire, received it,
but returned scarce a shot. Not long thereafter, I ordered
Captain Shumaker to open up.on the same column, directing
his fire to where he supposed the head of it to be. This he
promptly did with two of his pieces, and so effectively, that
in a short time the unmistakable evidences of their rout be¬
came apparent. Distinctly could their officers be heard,
with Avords of mingled command, remonstrance and entreaty, <
attempting to rally their battalions into line, and to bring
them to thd charge, but they could not be induced to re-form
their broken ranks, nor to emerge from the cover of the
woods, in the direction of our fire. Rapidly and in disorder
they returned into the turnpike, and soon thereafter the en¬
tire force of the enemy—artillery, infantry and cavalry-
retreated in confusion along the road and adjacent fields,
leaving behind them, at different points, numbers of their
killed, guns, knapsacks, canteens, etc., etc. Among other
trophies taken were a stand of United States colors, which
are held subject to the order of the commanding general.
This engagement lasted from seven in the morning to half-
past two o'clock in the afternoon, at which time the enemy,
who had come with artillery to bomhard and demoralize us,
with infantry to storm our camp, with cavalry to rout and
destroy us, and with four days cooked rations in his haversack,
to prosecute a rapid march either towards Staunton or to¬
wards Huntersville, was in precipitate retreat back to his
Cheat Mountain fastness. And it is certainly a matter not
uuworthy of mention, that while his first insolent advances
were received with defiant cheers, running from one end to
the other of our line, he was permitted to take his departure
under the simple reports of our pieces, firing upon him so
long as he continued within tlreir range. The relative weak¬
ness of our force, and the entire absence of cavalry, pre¬
vented our pursuing him, and thereby realizing the legiti¬
mate fruits of our triumph. His loss in killed and wounded
is estimated at from two hundred and fifty to three hundred
—among them an officer of superior rank. Our own, I am
happy to say, was very inconsiderable, not exceeding fifty in
all. This most gratifying result is to be attributed, in a
great degree, to the remarkable coolness of regimental and
company officers, who never seemed for a moment to lose
their presence of mind, never allowed their men unnecessa¬
rily to expose themselves, and profited by every advantage
of ground and position, to shield them from danger.
67
In conclusion, I take great pride in saying that the bear¬
ing of all the troops, both officers and men, with but few
exceptions, was highly creditable to themselves and to the
army. Among those who enjoyed the opportunity, coveted
by all, of attracting special notice, in addition to the name
of Col. Johnson, I would mention those of Capt. Shumaker,
who was wounded at his battery, and to whom I have already
had repeated occasion to refer; of Capt. Wm. H. Rice, of
whom Capt. Shumaker speaks in the following emphatic
language : " He had been working his piece beautifully for
two hours, and t<5o much praise cannot be given him for the
deliberate manner with which he loaded and fired his piece;
loading and firing by detail for an hour, in the midst of a
storm of shot and shell from the enemy, until he was strick¬
en to the earth severely wounded;" of Capt. Deshler, who
directed a rapid fire with marked effect, and of Sergeant
Graves, who fell mortally wounded in the cool and gallant
discharge of his duty. Peculiarly distinguished among the
advanced guard, where all were distinguished, must be re¬
corded the names of Lieut. Gibson, of the Third Arkansas
Regiment—the officer in immediate command; of private
Slayton, of the 31st Virginia Regiment, who was severely
wounded, and of private J. W. Brown, of Company F, First
Georgia Regiment, who, upon hearing the order to fall back,
exclaimed: " I will give them one more shot before I leave,"
and while ramming down his 29th cartridge, fell dead at his
post. Nor can I omit mention, in this connection, of Lieut.
Col. Barton, who, in the .absence of Engineer Staff Officers,
designed, and was in active prosecution of the works to
which we are so much indebted for the defence of our posi¬
tion, and who has shown himself, at all times, prompt to
render cheerful and efficient service.
f
It is hardly necessary to add that Colonels Taliaferro,
whose marked coolness and energy could not fail to inspire
his men, and Col. Rust, in command of the left wing, from
which the enemy was first repelled, discharged their respon¬
sible duty successfully and well.
Finally, my own thanks are specially due to my Aids,
Major F. S. Bloom and Lieut. W. D. Humphries, C. S. A.,
for the gallant and efficient manner in which they responded
to the peculiar and exposing calls made upon them. It is
68
but justice to add that Cadet Henry Jackson, C. S. A., drew
notice to himself by his gallantry under fire.
I have the honor to enclose herewith a list of casualties.
I am, Sir, very respectfully,
Your ob't serv't,
HENRY R. JACKSON,
Brig. Gen. Corri'g.
Official.
R. H. Chilton, A. A. GenH.
REPORT OF THE ENGAGEMENT AT SANTA ROSA
ISLAND ON THE NIGHT OF OCTOBER 8th, 1861,
BRAXTON BRAGG, MAJOR GENERAL COM¬
MANDING.
Headquarters Army of Pensacola, )
Near Pensacola, Fla., Oct. 29th, 1861. )
Sir :
Owing to the disability of Brigadier General Anderson
from his wound, I have been unable to procure earlier a de¬
tailed report of the affair with the enemy on Santa Rosa
Island on the night of the 8th and 9th instants, with a tab¬
ular statement of killed, wounded fmd prisoners; it is here¬
with enclosed. The circumstances - attending this little
expedition rendered it a most daring and successful feat of
arms. Landing from steamers and flats on the enemy's
shore, within sight of his fleet, marching some three or four
miles in the darkness of night over an unknown and almost
impassable ground under his guns, killing his pickets,
storming his entrenched camp of six or seven hundred
men, driving the enemy off in utter confusion and dismay,
and burning every vestige of clothing, equipage and pro¬
vision, leaving them individually m a state of destitu¬
tion, and this under the close range of the guns of his
stronghold, Fort Pickens, without his discovering our object,
or firing a gun, is an achievement worthy of the gallant men
who executed it. Our loss was almost entirely the result of
exhaustion from the fatigue of the march, and from the over
zeal of the hospital guard, left to protect the enemy's sick,
when they were captured. From the nature of the service,
and the necessity of rapidly retiring with our small force
before the enemy could rally from his surprise, some of our
wounded were left on the field, and, I regret to say, indica¬
tions show they were brutally murdered by the enemy. Of
thirteen dead bodies recovered, eleven were shot through the
70
head, having, at the same time, disabling wounds on the
body ; this fact admits of but one inference.
Brigadier General Anderson commends in very just terms
the gallantry of his little band, who have fully justified the
high estimate I had formed of his excellent little army.
They have shown it is only necessary to order and they will
promptly execute, however desperate the undertaking.
The General modestly omits to mention that at the close
of the affair he received a painful wound in the left arm from
a musket ball which will disable him for several weeks.
In commending the troops generally for their good con¬
duct, I cannot omit to mention the separate commanders of
the three small columns—Colonel J. Patton Anderson, 1st
Florida Volunteers ; Colonel J. K. Jackson, 5th Georgia
Volunteers, and Co'lonel J. R. Chalmers, 9th Mississippi
Volunteers.
The darkness and nature of the service rendered it neces¬
sary for each one to act an independent part. They proved
themselves not only gallant leaders, but competent com¬
manders.
To Captain W. R. Roggs, Engineer C. S. A., and 1st
Lieutenant J. E. Slaugmer, C. S. Artillery, Acting Inspec¬
tor General, I am indebted for the perfect knowledge of the
enemy's pickets and positions, obtained by close reconnois-
sance on which the expedition was based, and for the se¬
cret and complete organization which secured its success.
I am, sir,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
BRAXTON BRAGG,
Major General Commanding.
Adjutant General C. S. A., Richmond, Va.
(Official.) R. H. CHILTON,
Assistant Adjutant General.
REPORT OF BRIGADIER-GENERAL R. H. ANDER¬
SON.
Pensacola, Florida, Oct. 23d, 1861.
Sir : I have the honor to submit the following report of
the affair on Santa Rosa island, on the night of the 8th,
and morning of the 9th of October :
The detachment which had been ordered to assemble at the
Navy Yard, arrived at the hour appointed, and were embarked
in good order on the steamer " Time."
Whilst proceeding from the Navy Yard to Pensacola, the
troops were divided into battalions.
The first battalion, thre# hundred and fifty strong, to the
command of which Colonel James R. Chalmers, 9th Missis¬
sippi regiment, was assigned, was composed of detachments
from the 9th and 10th Mississippi and 1st Alabama regi¬
ments.
Three companies of the 7th regiment Alabama Volunteers,
two companies of Louisiana Infantry, and two companies of
the 1st regiment of Florida Volunteers, composed the second
battalion, some four hundred strong, to the command of
which Colonel J. Patton Anderson, 1st Florida regiment of
volunteers, was assigned.
The third battalion, two hundred and sixty strong, under
command of Colonel John K. Jackson, 5th regiment Geor¬
gia Volunteers, was composed of detachments from the 5th
Georgia regiment and the Georgia battalion.
An independent company of fifty-three men, selected from
the 5th Georgia regiment, and Captain Homer's company of
Artillery, lightly armed with pistols and knives, carrying
materials for spiking cannon, burning and destroying build-
ings, gun-carriages, &c., was placed under command of
Lieutenant Hallonquist, Acting Ordnance Officer.
72
Lieutenant Nelms, Adjutant 5th Georgia regiment, was
attached to this command.
The medical officers who accompanied the expedition were
Dr. Micks, of the Louisiana Infantry, Dr. Tompkins, of
the 5th Georgia regiment, Dr. Gilson, of the 9th Mississippi
regiment. Dr. Lipscomb, of the 10th Mississippi regiment,
and Dr. Gamble, of the 1st Florida regiment, and a detail of
twenty men was made to attend on and assist them.
Arriving at Pensacola at about 10 o'clock P. M., the trans¬
fer of the troops to the steamer "Ewing" and the barges
and fiats which had been.provided, was pushed on as rapidly
as possible, but not without some unavoidable delay. It
was found absolutely necessary to employ the Neaffie to as¬
sist us in towing, and, at length, all preparations having
been completed, the boats departed from Pensacola at a little
after 12 o'clock, crossed the bay, and effected a landing at
the point which had been indicated by instructions. Dis¬
embarkation was rapidly executed in good order and silence,
and the battalions were joined upon the beach at a little
after 2 A. M.
To effectually accomplish the object of the expedition,
Colonel Chalmers was directed to advance rapidly along the
north beach, Colonel Anderson along the south beach, and
Colonel Jackson following a fev^ hundred yards in rear of
Colonel Chalmers, was to push his command to the middle of
the island and deploy it as soon as he should hear firing from
either of the other battalions, or should perceive from any
other indications that the enemy's camp was approached or
assailed by the other columns.
Colonels Chalmers and Anderson had been f urthbr directed
to endeavor to restrain their men from firing, to capture
guards and sentinels and to place their commands, if possi¬
ble, between Fort Pickens and the camp of the enemy.
Lieutenant Hallonquist followed in rear of Colonel Jack¬
son's battalion, with orders to do whatever damage he could
to the batteries, building, and camps, from which the enemy
might be driven.
After a march of three or four miles, rendered toilsome
and fatiguing by the nature of the ground, the head of Col.
Chalmers's column came suddenly upon a sentinel, who fired
ineffectually at our troops, and was himself instantly shot
down. v->'
The alarm having been thus given, and it became impos¬
sible to conceai bur further advance from the enemy, I or-
73
dered Col. Jackson to push, his way through the thickets to
the middle of the island and advance as rapidly as possible.
The guards and outposts of the Zouaves were now rapidly
driven in or shot down, and the progress of a few hundred
yards, quickly accomplished by Col. Jackson, brought him
upon the camp of the enemy, in advance of either of the
other battalions. Without a moment's delay he charged it
with the bayonet, but met with no resistance. The camp
was almost entirely deserted, and our troops speedily applied
the torch to the tents, store-houses and sheds of Wilson's
Zouaves.
In the meantime, Colonel Chalmers and Anderson, ad¬
vanced along the shores of the island, encountered pickets
and out-posts, with which they had some sharp skirmishing,
but quickly beat them off and joined in the work of destroy¬
ing the camp.
This having been most thoroughly executed, the troops
were re-assembled, with a view to proceeding against and
destroying the batteries, which lay between the camp and
Fort Pickens, but daylight appearing, and there being no
longer a possibility of a surprise of the batteries, I directed
the signal for retiring to be sounded and the troops to be
put in march for the boats. At about half-way between the
Zouave camp and the point of disembarkation of our troops,
we encountered two companies of United States Regulars,
which had passed us" under cover of the darkness, and posted
themselves behind a dense thicket to intercept our retiring
column, and a very sharp but short skirmish ensued. The
enemy was speedily driven off, and our troops resumed their
march, ^e re-embarkation was successfully accomplished,
and the order given to the steamer to steer for Pensacola,
when it was discovered that a hawser had become entangled
in the propeller-of the Neaffie, and that she could not move.
After some delay, from ineffectual attempts to extricate the
propeller, she and the 'large flat which she had in tow were
made fast to the Ewing. It was sopn found, however, that,
with this encumbrance, the Ewing would not obey her helm,
and that a change in the manner of towing the Neaffie was
necessary. Whilst attempting to make this change, the flats
and barges which the Ewing had in tow became detached
from her, and still further delay was occasioned in recover¬
ing them.
By the time this had been done the hawse r was c+it away
from the propeller, and the Neaffie proceeded her way.
74
The enemy taking advantage of these circumstances, ap¬
peared among the sand-hills, near the beach, and opened a
fire upon the masses of our troops, densely crowded upon
our transports, hut without doing much execution, and we
were soon out of range of their rifles.
The necessity of using the Neaffie as a tug, and the acci¬
dent, which, for some time, disabled her, prevented her
guns from being brought into service; otherwise she might
have rendered effectual service in driving hack the enemy,
who harrassed us from the beach.
Our loss in this affair was as follows :
Killed—Two commissioned officers, five non-commissioned
officers and thirty-two privates.
Wounded—Two commissioned officers, five non-commis¬
sioned officers, and thirty-two privates.
Taken Prisoners—Five commissioned officers, and two
non-commissioned officers, and twenty-three privates.
The larger portion of the officers, non-commissioned offi¬
cers and privates captured by the enemy were the guard left
for the protection of their hospital and sick, and the medi¬
cal officers who had remained in the building to attend to
such of our wounded as might be carried there.
Notwithstanding that I caused the signal for retiring to
be repeatedly sounded during the return of the troops, it
was not heard at the hospital, and the • guard and medical
officers were cut off and taken prisoners.
The loss of the enemy, in killed and wounded, has not
been precisely ascertained, but is certainly known to have
much exceeded our own.
From such imperfect observation as I made in passing over
parts of the ground, I will estimate his loss at fifty or sixty
killed and one hundred wounded.
Twenty prisoners were taken, among them, Major Isaac
Yodges of the United States Artillery.
The destruction of property in the conflagration was very
great. Large stores of provisions, supplies of clothing,
camp and garrison equipage, arms and ammunition, were
entirely consumed.
Some arms were brought away by our men, and in a few
instances money and clothing, as will be seen by the report
of Colonel Jackson, and I would respectfully recommend
that the captors be permitted to retain whatever private pro¬
perty they have taken.
75
It is with pride and pleasure that I hear testimony to,
and call to the notice of the General commanding, the ad¬
mirable conduct of the troops throughout the expedition
and conflict.
The alacrity, courage and discipline exhibited by them,
merit the highest commendation, and give assurance of suc¬
cess in any future encounter which they may have with the
enemies of our country.
I beg leave to refer you to the accompanying reports of
commanders of battalions, and of Lieutenant Hallonquist,
for particulars concerning casualties, incidents and individual
instances of meritorious conduct.
I enclose the report of Captain Brent, C. S. A., who was
charged with the entire arrangements for the transportation
of my command, under whose direction this important mat¬
ter was very successfully managed.
The report of Major Lovell, C. S. A., chief of harbor
police, and in command of the steamer Neaffie is also sub¬
mitted.
The members of my staff, Captain T. S. Mills, Assistant
Adjutant General and Captain Hugh M King, fifth regi¬
ment Georgia volunteers, Lieutenants Calvin Sayre and
Wilbur Johnson, C. S. marines, (who volunteered their ser¬
vices and acted as my aids,) rendered me active and efficient
assistance throughout the whole of the operations.
Captain Mills, who was with Colonel Anderson's battalion
in its first encounter with the enemy, received a severe con¬
tusion in the chest from a partially spent ball, but never¬
theless continued energetically to perform his duties, and
Lieutenant Sayre, whilst fearlessly using his revolver with
effect, had his thigh-bone shattered just above the right
knee by a musket ball, and, being left upon the ground, fell
into the hands of the enemy.
Captain Hugh M. King, in conveying orders and superin¬
tending the destruction of the camp displayed commendable
zeal and activity, and the ardor and intrepidity of Lieutenant
Johnson, whilst deserving especial notice, give promise of
this young officer's future success and distinction.
The officers of the Medical Staff, rendered to the wounded
every service, which, under the circumstances, was possible.
Colonels Anderson and Jackson pay graceful tribute to
the memory of Captain Bradford and Lieutenant Nelms of
their regiments, to which I desire to add my respectful ad-
76
miration for them, and for every brave patriot who fell with
them in defence of their country's liberties.
I am, very respectfully,
Your most obedient servant,
R. H. ANDERSON,
Brigadier General Provisional Army.
Major G. G. Garner,
Assist. Adjt. Gen. Confederate Army,
Headquarters of the Army of Pensacola.
Official. R. H. CHILTON,
A. A. General.
NO.
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18
19
80
81
22
28
24
25
26
8T
28
29
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
40
41
42
77
of Casualties in the Affair of October 8th and 9 th,
1861, on Santa Rosa Island, Florida,
NAMES.
Killed.
Richard Bradford
Wm. R. Routh
J. Ha'e
John J. Thompson....
Wm. E. Smith
Henry A. TUlinghast..
L. A. Nelms
J. H. Beddo
C. H. Caton
R. W. Stewart
J. H. Adams
F. J Cook
John Staunton
J. 8, Jones
D. S. Cody
James xmith
Wm Holbrook
J. B. Higgins
f. E. Holmes
Lewis Holmes
Wounded.
S. H. Anderson
Thomas S. Mills
A. R. Sharett
Joseph Hicks
Peter O'Neal
Wm. Denham
Newton Rice
W. H. Smith
Thomas O'Connor
Edward Elynn
T. A Allen
S. 0. Wheeler
E C.Cody
W. B. B Cason
R. C Hays
Thos. Caldwell
Wm. C. Gorick...,
Walter S. Tuggle
J M. Handley
E. H. Muse
T. B. Thompson
H. H. Webb
W. A. Gilmer
J. W. Carll le.
A. E. Desh <ze
Jefferson Quick
W. T Price
8. G. Farmer
R. L Abston
John S. Garrison
T. K. Stillmaa
J. B. Day
James p. Barksdale...
Ira Ma tin..
John Claxton
Daffy
Michael Mort mer
A (;. Hollingsworth...
Wm M. Eld r
O. N. Ketch um
J. W. Sewell
J H. Day
Captain.
Sergeant.
Private.
1st Lieut.
Sergeant.
Corporal.
Private.
RANK.
1st Florida Vols.
5th Georgia Vols.
Brig. Gen.
Captain.
Private.
Corporal.
2d Lieut.
Sergeant.
Corporal.
Private.
1st Seigeant,
Private.
Sergeant.
Private.
Sergeant.
Private.
REGIMENT.
1st La. Infantry.
Ga. and Mi3s.
Provis'l A rmy.
A. G. D. P. A.
1st Florida Vols.
5th Georgia Vols
5th Ala. Vols.
7th Ala. Vols.
1st Ala. Vols.
9th Miss. Vols.
10th Miss. Vols.
1st La. Infantry
ii
Ga. and Miss.
CO.
REMARKS.
V o3
o
83
" a
E
■S 60
St
>>2 b
S
Seriously.
Seriously.
Seriously.
Slightly.
Slightly.
Slightly.
Seriously.
Slithtly. '
Slightly.
Slight y.
Slightly.
Mortally.
Seriously.
Seriously.
Since dead.
Slightly.
Since dead.
Severely.
Slightly.
Slightly.
Slightly.
Slightly.
Since dead.
Since dead.
Since dead.
Severely.
Slightly.
Slightly.
78
List of Casaulties—Continued.
NO.
NAMES.
RANK.
REGIMENT.
CO.
REMARKS.
Prsoners
*
1
Calvin Sayre
1st Sergeant.
C. S. Marines.
wounded—paroled.
9.
F, M. Farley
2d "
1st Florida Vols.
E
a
Thomas R. Bond
Private.
A
4
Robert I.. Hale
"
A
s
John Mahony
"
B
6
Larkin Nickles
"
B
7
Berj. F. Parker.
"
E
8
F. Y. Finley
"
E
9
John E. Godley
"
F
10
Columb. F. Hollyman.
"
F
11
J. J. H. Patterson
"
F
19
B R. Holt
"
5th Georgia Vols.
A
IS
G. IV. Clarke
"
H
Wounded.
14
T. W. Everett.
"
I
Wounded—since dead.
15
John Burgess
"
5th Ala. Vols.
Wounded.
16
W. H Moore
Corporal.
7th Ala. Vols.
A
17
Henry Ferguson
Private.
D
Wounded—since dead.
18
J. M. Fry
"
J>
19
L. Moore
"
G
20
M, J. Moseley
"
1st Florida Vols.
F
21
Wm. J. Ja-vis
"
F
22
S. C. Gholson
Ass't Surg.
9th Miss. Vols.
Paroled.
23
F. G DeRoche, M. D..
Hor. Stew'd.
Paroled.
24
Lownes Linscomb
Ass't Surg.
10th Miss. Vols.
Paroled.
25
Wm Maulding
Private.
K
26
H. Deshinger
"
C
27
J. D, Cooper.
1st Lit ut.
1st La. Infantry.
28
Daniel Jones
Private.
A
29
Frank Passent
"
((
A
30
J. McL. Jones
"
u
D
31
W. L. Jones
"
(I
D
32
1. B. Coxe
"
il
D
Official,
GEORGE G. GARNER,
Major and AssH AdjH General.
R. H. CHILTON,
Ass't Adf.t General.
(Signed.)
(Official.)
REPORT OF THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE SEVENTH
BRIGADE, WITH THE FEDERAL FORCES, ON
THE 21st AND 22nd OF OCTOBER, AT LEESBURG,
VIRGINIA, BRIGADIER GENERAL EVANS COM-
MANDING.
Headquarters, 7th Brigade, ^
Leesburg, Va., Oct. 31st, 1861. 5
Colonel:
I beg leave to submit the following report of the action of
the troops of the 7th Brigade in the battle of the 21st and
22d instant, with the enemy at Leesburg, Virginia.
On Saturday night, the 19th instant, about 7 o'clock, P.
M., the enemy commenced a heavy cannonading from three
batteries, one playing on my entrenchment, (known as Fort
Evans), one on the Leesburg Turnpike, and one on Edward's
Ferry. Heavy firing was also heard in the direction of
Dranesville.
At 12 o'clock at night, I ordered my entire Brigade to
the Burnt Bridge on the Turnpike. The enemy had been
reported as approaching from Dranesville in large force.
Taking a strong position on the North side of Goose Creek,
I awaited his approach.
Reconnoitering the Turnpike on Sunday morning, the
courier of Gen. MeCall was captured, bearing dispatches to
Gen. Meade, to examine the roads leading to Leesburg.
From this prisoner I learned the position of the enemy near
Dranesville. During Sunday the enemy kept a deliberate
fire without any elfect.
80
Early on Monday morning the 21st inst., I heard the fir¬
ing of my pickets at Big Spring, who had discovered that,
at an unguarded point, the enemy had effected a crossing in
force of five companies and were advancing on Leesburg.
Capt. Duff, of the 17th Regiment, immediately attacked him,
driving him hack with several killed and wounded.
On observing the movements of the enemy from Fort
Evans, at six o'clock, A. M., I found he had effected a cross¬
ing both at Edward's Ferry and Ball's Bluff, and I made
preparations to meet him in both positions, and immediately
ordered four companies infantry, (two of the ISth, one of
the 17th, and one of the 13th), and a cavalry force to re¬
lieve Capt. Duff; the whole force under the immediate com¬
mand of Lt. Col. W. H. Jenifer, who was directed to hold
his position till the enemy made further demonstration of
his design of attack. This force soon became warmly en¬
gaged with the enemy and drove them back for some dis¬
tance in the woods.
At about 10 o'clock, I became convinced that the main
point of attack would be at Ball's Bluff, and ordered Col.
Hunton with his regiment, the 8th Virginia Volunteers, to
repair immediately to the support of Col. Jenifer.
I directed Col. Hunton to form line of battle immediately
in the rear of Col. Jenifer's command, and to drive the ene¬
my to the River, that I would support his right with artil¬
lery. About twenty minutes past 12 o'clock, Meridian,
Colonel Hunton united his command with that of Colonel
Jenifer, and both commands soon became hotly engaged with
the enemy in their strong position in the woods. Watching
carefully, the action, I saw the enemy were constantly being
reinforced, and at half-past two o'clock, P. M., ordered Col.
Burt to march his regiment, the 18th Mississippi, and at¬
tack the left flank of the enemy, while Col's Hunton and
Jenifer attacked him in front. On arriving at his position,
Col. Burt was received with a tremendous fire from the ene¬
my, concealed in a ravine, and was compelled to divide his
regiment to stop the flank movement of the enemy.
At this time, about three o'clock, finding the enemy were
in large force, I ordered Col. Featherston with his regiment,
the 17th Mississippi, to repair, at double-quick, to the sup¬
port of Col. Burt, where he arrived in twenty minutes, and
the action became general along my whole line, and was very
hot and-brisk for more than two hours, the enemy keeping
up a constant fire with his batteries, on both sides of the
River.
31
At about six o'clock, P. M., I saw that my command had
driven the enemy near the banks of the Potomac; I ordered
my entire force to charge and to drive him into the River.
The charge was -immediately made by the whole command,
and the forces of the enemy were completely routed, and
cried out for quarter along his whole line.
In this charge the enemy were driven back at the point
of the bayonet, and many killed by this formidable weapon.
In the precipitate retreat of the enemy on the Bluffs of the
River, many of his troops rushed into the water and were
drowned, while many others, in overloading the boats, sunk
them, and shared the same fate. The rout now, about seven
o'clock, became complete, and the enemy commenced throw¬
ing his arms into the Rivej.
During this action, I held Col. Wm. Barksdale with nine
companies of his regiment, the 13th Mississippi, and six
pieces of artillery as a reserve, as well as to keep up a de¬
monstration against the force of the enemy at Edward's
Ferry.
At eight o'clock, P. M., the enemy surrendered his forces
at Ball's Bluff and the prisoners were marched to Leesburg.
I then ordered my Brigade, (with the exception of the 13th
Regiment Mississippi, who remained in front of Edward's
Ferry), to retire to the town of Leesburg and rest for the
night.
On Tuesday morning I was informed by Colonel Barks-
dale that the enemy were still in considerable force at Ed¬
ward's Ferry. I directed him to make a thorough reconnois-
sance of the position and strength of the enemy and attack
him. At 2 o'clock, P. M., he gallantly attacked a much
superior force in their entrenchments, driving them to the
bank of the river, kilhng thirty or forty and wounding a
considerable number.
About sundown, the enemy being strongly reinforced and
stationed in rifle pits, Colonel Barksdale wisely retired rvith
his regiment to Fort Evans, leaving a guard of tAvo compa¬
nies to Avatch the movements of the enemy, Avho, evidently-
expecting a reneAved attack, retired during the night, and
re-crossed the river at EdAvard's Ferry.
On Wednesday morning, finding my brigade very much
exhausted, I left Colonel Barksdale Avith his regiment, Avith
two pieces of artillery aud a cavalry force, as a grand guard,
and I ordered the other three regiments to fall back towards
Carter's Mill to rest and to be collected in order. Colonel,
6
Hunton, with his regiment and two pieces of artillery, Werd
halted at a strong position on the South bank of the Syco-
lin, about three miles South of Leesburg.
I would here state that in an interview on Monday night
with the commissioned officers of the Federal Army taken
prisoners, I Was convinced that they expected to be re-cap¬
tured either during the night or the next day, and as the
captured officers refused their parole not to take up arms
against the Southern Confederacy until duly exchanged, I
ordered the whole number to be immediately marched to
Manassas. This parole was only offered to give them the
liberty of the town, as I did not wish to confine them with
the privates.
In the engagement on the 21st of October, which lasted
nearly thirteen hours, our loss from a force of seventeen
.hundred and nine, aggregate, was as follows :
EIGHTH REGIMENT VA. VOLS.
KILLED.
WOUNDED,
Commissioned officers,
0
4
Non-commissioned officers,
3
2
Privates,
5
37
Total,.
00 I
43
iSince dead of wounds, three privates and one lieutenant taken
prisoner.
.THIRTEENTH REGIMENT MISS. VOLS. KILLED. WOUNDED.
Commissioned officers, (22d),... .
1
0
Non-commissioned officers,
0
0
Privates,
3
2
Total,.. ..
4
2
^One private taken prisoner.
SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT MISS. VOLS, KILLED. WOUNDED.
Commissioned officers,.. ... 0 1
Non-commissioned officers, 0 0
Privates, 2 8
Total.. .................. 2 .9
83
"EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT MISS. VOLS.
KILLED.
WOUNDED-.
Commissioned officers,
0
7
Non-commissioned officers,
2
6
Privates, —
20
'50
Total,
22
63
Total loss killed and wounded,
153
Taken prisoners,
2
- 155
The force of the enemy, as far as I have been able to
ascertain, was five regiments and three pieces of artillery at
Ball's Bluff, and four regiments, two batteries and a squad¬
ron of cavalry at Edward's Ferry, numbering in all about
eight thousand troops.
In addition to this Force, three batteries of long range
were constantly firing on my troops from the Maryland side
of the river.
The loss of the enemy so far as known is as follows :
Thirteen hundred killed, wounded and drowned;
Captured seven hundred and ten prisoners ;
Fifteen hundred stand of arms ;
Three pieces of cannon ;
One stand of colors, a large number of cartridge boxes,
bayonet scabbards and a quantity of camp furniture.
Among the killed of the enemy was General Baker, for¬
merly Senator from Oregon, and several other commissioned
officers.
Among the prisoners taken were twenty-two commissioned
officers, the names of whom have already been furnished.
General C. P. Stone commanded the Federal forces until
3 o'clock, A. M., on the morning of the 22d, when he was
superseded by Major General N. P. Banks.
The engagement -on our side was fought entirely with the
musket; the artillery was in position to do effective service
should the enemy have advanced from their cover.
The enemy were armed with the Minnie musket, the Bel¬
gian gun, and Springfield musket; a telescopic target rifle
was also among the arms found.
In closing my report, I would call the attention of the
General commanding to the heroism and gallantry displayed
by the officers and men of the 7th brigade, in the action of
the 21st and 22nd of October. The promptness with which
84
every commander obeyed,, and the spirit with which their men
executed my orders to attack the enemy in much superior
force and in a position where he had great advantages, enti¬
tles them to the thanks of the Southern Confederacy. With¬
out food or rest for more than twelve hours previous to the
commencement of the battle, they drove an enemy four times
their number, from the soil of Virginia, killing and taking
prisoners a greater number than our whole force engaged.
To witness the patience, enthusiasm and devotion of the
troops to our cause, during an action of thirteen hours, ex¬
cited my warmest admiration.
As my entire brigade exceeded my most sanguine expec¬
tations, in their intrepidity and endurance, I am unable to
individualize any particular command, as the tenacity with
which each regiment held their positions, was equaled only
by their undaunted courage and firm determination to con¬
quer.
To my General Staff I am much indebted. Maj. John D.
Rogers, Brigade-Quartermaster, was directed to conduct the
baggage train beyond Goose Creek, which difficult duty was
performed in the night with great regularity. Captain Orr,
Brigade-Commissary, was actively engaged in securing com¬
missary stores and in providing cooked rations for the bri¬
gade. To my Acting Aid-de-Camp, Lieut. Chas. B. Wild-
man, of the 17th Regiment Virginia Volunteers, and my
volunteer aid, Mr. Wm. H. Rogers, I am particularly in¬
debted for services on the field of battle. Lieut. Wildman
conducted the 18th Regiment and Mr. Rogers the 17th Regi¬
ment of Mississippi Volunteers to their respective positions
in the action, and both repeatedly bore my orders under
heavy fire.
Capt. A. L. Evans, Assistant Adjutant-General, though
detained by other duty till two o'clock, P. M., rendered
valuable services.
The Medical Staff, both Brigade and Regimental, were all
actively engaged during the day in removing the dead and
wounded, and in patriotically administering relief to the dying
on the field.
I am pained to report the fall of the gallant Colonel E. R.
Burt, of the 18th Regiment Mississippi Volunteers. He
was mortally wounded about four o'clock, P. M., while gal¬
lantly leading his regiment under a tremendous fire. * *
His loss is truly severe to his regiment and to our common
cause.
85
The prisoners taken were sent to Manassas under charge
*of Capt. 0. R. Singleton, of the 18th Regiment of Missis¬
sippi volunteers, with his company, and Captain W. A. R.
Jones, of the 17th Regiment Mississippi volunteers, and a
detachment of cavalry, the whole under command of Capt.
Singleton, who conducted 529 prisoners nearly twenty-five
miles, after the great fatigue of the battle.
Accompanying this report, I enclose an accurate map of
the field of battle, and the reports of the immediate comman¬
ders. To the latter I would respectfully refer for individual
acts of gallantry and patriotism.
I also forward the reports of the Field-Officers of the day,
Lieut. Col. McGuirk, of the 17th Regiment Mississippi vol¬
unteers, to whom I am much indebted for information of the
flank movements of the enemy.
Lieut. Sheffield Duval, here on duty as Topographical En¬
gineer, and Sergeant Wm, R. Chambliss, of the 18th Regi¬
ment Mississippi volunteers, my private secretary, rendered
material service, the former by fighting on foot with his mus¬
ket as a private—the latter by conveying my orders on the
field of battle under heavy fire.
Very respectfully.
Your obedient servant,
(Signed.) N. G. EVANS,
Brigadier General, commanding 7th Brigade.
To Lieut. Col. Thomas Jordan, Assist. Adjt. General,
1st Corps Army of Potomac, near Centreville.
(Official.) JOHN WITHERS,
A. A. General.
REPORT OF THE BOMBARDMENT OF FORTS WAL¬
KER AND BEAUREGARD ON THE 7th NOVEM¬
BER, 1861, THOMAS F. DRAYTON, BRIGADIER
GENERAL COMMANDING.
Headquarters Provisional. Forces, ~p
3d Military District, Dep't S. C., I
Camp Lee, Hardeeville, j
November 24th, 1861. J*
To Captain L. D. Walker,
Ass't Adft Gen?l, Charleston, S[ C. z
Sir : I have the honor of presenting my official report of
the engagement on the 7th inst., between the Federal fleet
numbering fifteen war steamers and gun boats, and Forts
Walker and Beauregard upon Hilton Head and Bay Point,
at the entrance of Port Royal Sound. The fleet was com¬
manded by Captain S. F. Dupont, flag officer of the South
Atlantic Blockading Squadron, and the troops on board the
transports by Brigadier General Sherman.
The distance between the forts is «by coast survey 2 5-8
miles.
The enemy's fleet had been collecting in our waters since
the morning of the 4th instant, and had increased in the
afternoon to thirty-two war steamers and transports.
On receiving a despatch to this effect from Colonel Wil¬
liam C. Heyward, commanding the troops at Camp Walker,
I left my headquarters in Beaufort and repaired by steamer
to Bay Point, which I reached at 6, P. M., passing on the
way the ever watchful little fleet of Flag Officer Tatnall,
Confederate States Navy.
After remaining in consultation until 1.30, A.. M., with
Colonel R. G. M. Dunovant, commandant of the' port, I
took my departure, leaving him such general instruction as
the uncertain mode and direction from which an- attack might
88
be expected Avould permit. I then visited Commodore Tat-
nall, and after an 'interchange of views, took leave, crossed
over to Hilton Head Island, landed there at day light on the
5th, and immediately despatched a courier to Braddock's
Point, South end of the island, ordering Captain Stuart's
Company, 9th Regiment, to march on Fort Walker and em¬
bark thence to strengthen Captain Elliott's gunners in Fort
Beauregard. This eompany did not leave on the 6th as
proposed, as Captain Sassard, of the Steamer Edisto, failed
to comply with his orders to carry it across early in the
morning. They were despatched, however, by the first
steamer at my disposal on the 7th, and before they had
reached half way across the bay, they were cut off from Bay
Point by the advancing fleet of the enemy, and obliged to
seek shelter in Skull Creek, where Captain Stuart disem¬
barked his whole command in safety.
On inspecting Fort Walker shortly after my arrival, I
found twenty guns of various calibre mounted upon the
ramparts, thirteen of which were on the Channel Battery, viz:
One 10-inch columbiad in the centre, flanked to the right
by five 32-pounders and one 9-inch Dahlgren rifle cannon,
and to the left by six other cannon in the following order :
one 32-pounder, one 8-inch columbiad, three 42-pounder
and one rifled 24-pounder.
North bastion,... . 1 32-pounder.
South " 1 32-pounder.
" ■" ...... . .... 1 8-inch howitzer.
" " . . . 1 long 12-pounder.
South flank of bastion,.... 1 navy 32-pounder..
Demilune, 2 24-pou.nders.
Redan, 1 navy 8 inch howitzer.
Of these eight guns, one in the North bastion and two in
the South flank could occasionally be used against the ships
of war ; the rest were for the land defence.
To man the guns within the fort'jtnd for an infantry re¬
serve outside, we had, until reinforcements came from Sa¬
vannah on the afternoon of the 6th, two companies of Col¬
onel Wagoner's 1st Regiment Artillery South Carolina
Militia, numbering... 152 men.
Three companies Col. Hey ward's 9th Reg. S. C. V.21Q "
.Four companies of Col. R. G. M. Dunovant's
12th Reg. S. C. V., under Major Jones 260 "
.Total.
622 «
89
There were stationed on the beach at Camp Lookout, six
miles off, Captain J. H. Screven's mounted guerillas, num¬
bering sixty-five, who acted as scouts and couriers.
About 9 o'clock, A. M., of the 5th, Commodore Tatnall,
who had boldly attacked the enemy's gun boats on the pre¬
vious day, again gallantly steamed out to exchange, shots
with them, but he was met by too large a force and therefore
retired slowly behind our forts. The enemy followed and
engaged both batteries for about forty-five minutes, with no
other injury than three mep, slightly burnt in Fort Beaure¬
gard from the explosion of a caisson struck by a rifle shell.
On the 6th instant the fleet and transports, which had in¬
creased to about forty-five sail, would probably have attacked
us had not the weather been very boisterous. In the after¬
noon about 4, P. M., we received our first reinforcements
from Georgia, four hundred and fifty infantry, under com¬
mand of Captain Berry, C. S. A., and Captain Bead's bat¬
tery of two 12-pound howitzers and fifty men.
I have reason for supposing that this assistance would
have arrived sooner, for General A. R. Lawton, commanding
Provisional Forces in Georgia, wrote from Savannah to Col¬
onel W. C. Hey ward on the 4th instant, 8.30, P. M., as
follows: " From a despatch received to-day from General
Ripley, I infer that you (Colonel H. C. Heyward) have been
sufficiently reinforced from his command until the plans of
the enemy shall be more fully developed."
Two hours after the gallant Georgians came to the rescue,
I received the welcome intelligence that Col. DeSaussure's
15th regiment South Carolina Volunteers, six hundred and
fifty strong, had landed at Seabrook's Wharf, upon Skull
creek, and were close at hand.
At last the memorable 7th dawned upon us, bright and
serene; not a ripple upon the broad expanse of water, to
disturb the accuracy of fire from the broad decks of that
magnificent armada, about advancing in battle array, to
vomit forth its iron hail with all the spiteful energy of long-
suppressed rage and conscious strength. At 9.25 A. M.,
one 9-inch Dahlgren gun opened fire upon the sixty-gun
steamship Wabash, flag-ship of Captain S. F. Dupont, which
led the van, closely succeeded by fourteen other large
steamers and gun-boats.
The shell from the Dahlgren exploded near the muzzle,
and was harmless. Other shots followed from both forts,
and soon the fire became general on land and water. In
90
spite of our fire, directed with deliberation and coolness, the
fleet soon passed both batteries, apparently unharmed, and
then returning, delivered, in their changing rounds, a terri¬
fic shower of shot and shell in flank and front.
Besides this moving battery, the fort was enfiladed by
two gun-boats, anchored to the north, off the mouth of Fish
Hall creek, (F H) on sketch, and another at a point (C) on
the edge of the shoal to the south. This enfilading fire on
so still a sea, annoyed and darnaged us excessively, particu¬
larly as we had no gun on either flank of the bastion to
reply with; for the 32-pouifder on the right flank was shat¬
tered very early by a round shot; and in the north flank,
for want of a carriage, no gun had been mounted. After
the fourth fire, the 10-inch columbiad bounded over the hur-
ter, and became useless. The 24-pounder rifled cannon was
choked while ramming down a shell, and lay idle during
nearly the whole engagement.
The shells for the 9-inch Dahlgren were also too large;
the fourth shell attempted to be rammed home could not be
driven below the trunnions, and was then, at great risk,
discharged.
Thus far, the fire of the enemy had been endured and
replied to with the unruffled courage of veterans. At 10.30
our gunners became so fatigued that I left the f ort, accom¬
panied by one of my Volunteer Aids, Captain H. Rose, and
went back to Captain Read's battery, (one and three-quarter
miles in the rear of the fort,) and brought the greater part
of his men back, to take the places of our exhausted men
inside the fort.
It was while thus engaged with Capt. Read's company,
that Col. W. H. Stiles rode up and reported his regiment,
about two miles off. I instantly directed my Aid, Lieut.
Drayton, to accompany Col. Stiles to the road along which
his regiment was advancing, and to station it in position by
the side of the other Georgia troops. On entering the fort
with Capt. Read's company, they were cordially greeted by
both officers and men. i
The vigorous attack from the fleet continued unabated,,
with still no decided damage to any of their ships. About
12.30 P. M., I again went out of the fort, with my Assist¬
ant Adjutant-General, Captain Young, for the purpose of
mustering together the Infantry and reserves, and have them
in readiness for any eventuality. Before leaving, however^.
9t
I turned over the command' to Col. Heyward, with directions
to hold out as long as anj effective fire could be returned.
Having mounted our horses, we rejoined the troops near
Hospital No. 2. I received information, through, one of the
videttes, that a steamer and small boats were sounding close
to the beach; I detached Capt. Berry, with three companies
©f his battalion, under the guidance of' Capt. Ephraim Bar¬
nard, Volunteer Aid, by a road marked K, to watch the
enemy, beat them back if they attempted to land, and give
notice if he wanted support. I then, with some of my staff,
rode to collect together the other troops, who, through igno¬
rance of our island' roads, had lost their way and had not
yet come up.
On the road marked D, leading to wharf on Skull creek,,
about one-fourth of a mile from. Fort Walker, I unexpectedly
met General Ripley and staff. Saluting him, I enquired if
he visited the island to assume command, and whether he
wished to go back with me into the f ort ? He said no, but
that he would return to Coosawhatchie to collect and bring
back two or three regiments to my support. We then moved
f rom under the fire of the ships to the shelter of some myr¬
tles, where we could not be seen..
I then stated to him the incidents of the morning; how
the men had fought; that the day was going against us;
and that I was then collecting my forces for any emergency
that might arise, and if compelled to defend the island, it
should be retained to the last extremity. We then parted,
he taking the road towards the ferry, and I in pursuit of the
purposes which brought me out of the fort.
On reaching my reserves, at Hospital No. 2, I learned
that the enemy had ceased making soundings, and had gone
back to sea; whereupon, I dispatched Capt. Read to order
Capt. Berry to return from the beach.
Two o'clock had now arrived, when I noticed our men
coming out of the fort, which they had bravely defended for
four-and-a-half hours, against fearful odds, and then only
retiring when all but three of the guns in the water front
had been disabled, and only five hundred pounds of powder
in the magazine—commencing the action with two hundred
and twenty men inside the fort, afterwards increased to two
hundred and fifty-five, by the accession from Read's battery.
These heroic men retired slowly and sadly from their well-
fought guns, which, to have defended longer, would have
92
exhibited the energy of despair rather than the manly pluck
of the true soldier.
The defence of this post, involved a two-fold preparation :
First, to repel the attack from the fleet; and second, an
assault by the beach from the troops upon the transports.
By the beach we had to provide against an attack from the
north, under cover of the Bluff south of Fish Hall Creek,
(marked on map F.H.;) and from the south, (S,) by the beach
under cover of the woods between (J and S) where a picket of
twenty-five men were posted under Capt. Paul H. Seabrook;
and lastly, by the Road marked (K) leading from the beach
to the second Hospital. To guard against surprise either by
Fish Hall Creek, or by the beach at (J and S) when I was
returning to the Fort with a portion of Capt. Read's compa¬
ny, I, at the same time, lead up Col. DeSaussure's Regiment
to the hollow (marked P) west of the wood, and directed
them to lie down. They were perfectly masked from the fire
of the Fort, but not from that of the fleet, for the watchmen
at the mast-heads gave notice of their position, compelling
Col. DeSaussure, after a short time, to fall back under a
heavy fire, to a less dangerous locality.
Had the entrenched camp, with store-houses and maga¬
zines, been made in time, several lives and large quantities
of public property might have been saved. But it was im¬
possible to have made this within the short time and with the
diminutive force at my disposal, for on my arrival at head¬
quarters in Beaufort, on the night of the 17th of October, the
number of troops at Camp Walker were but three hundred
and sixty-two, afterwards increased on the 24th to six hun¬
dred and twenty-two, by the accession of four companies
under Major Jones, of 12th Regiment South Carolina volun¬
teers. To this, may be added, the Engineer force of some
sixty men, who with the soldiers, worked incessantly day and
night. As for evidence of what they accomplished: the eight-
inch columbiad, on the water front, was only mounted on the
first of November, one eight-inch howitzer in the salient of
the south bastion, mounted on the 4th; one thirty-two poun¬
der on the right flank of the bastion mounted on the 5th ; one
eight-inch howitzer mounted on a ship carriage; embrasure
cut through parapet of demilune; on the night of the 5th
covered way and hot shot furnace .for forty-two pounders;
constructed of earth and dry masonry—on the morning of the
6th—together with wads of moss and hay for same, splinter-
proof, occupying only one-half terreplein behind the principal
93
traverse—which was finished on the morning of the engage¬
ment (7th instant,) the material not having arrived before
the 4th instant.
The retreat was commenced about three P. M., towards
Ferry Point, about six miles off, Col. DeSaussure's Regiment
and Capt. J. Read's company of Artillery bringing up the
rear. At 1.30 A. M., by the aid of Commodore Tatnall's
fleet, the steamers St. John's and Edisto and three large
flats, capable of holding one hundred and fifty men each,
the troops were all safely embarked, wdthout provisions; no
ammunition but what was contained in the cartridge boxes,
(the 100,000 cartridges I had made requisition for, and been
anxio-u'sly expecting, not having reached us till after the bat¬
tle.) Fearing that our retreat would be cut off by the en¬
emy's gun boats at Skull creek, no other alternative was
left, but to. leave the Island and concentrate upon the main¬
land, where we would be enabled to fight the enemy on more
equal terms, should he venture beyond the protection of his
fleet and attack us there.
The muskets captured by the enemy, with the exception
of some ten or fifteen, were those left in the Fort, shattered
by shot and shell—others left in camp belonging to men on
sick leave or to those engaged in heating hot shot furnaces
two days before the fight—and some boxes of arms which had
been left on the wharf the night before the battle, belonging
to the sick men of Col. DeSaussure's Regiment, who had
been left behind at Lightwood Knot. These could have been
saved, with a box of swords, if the captain of the steamers
Edisto and St. John's had not refused to take them on board
when directed to do so.
To Capt. Tatnall, Flag-Officer C. S. N., and the officers
and men of his little fleet, I cannot too highly express my
admiration of their intrepidity and hardihood in attacking
the enemy's gun boats, on. the 4th and 5th instants. These
encounters, by interrupting their soundings and the location
of their buoys, no doubt prevented our being attacked on
Tuesday, the 5th instant, before our reinforcements reached us.
I must also acknowledge the assistance extended to us by
the gallant Commodore with his boats on the night of our
retreat from the Island.
FORT BEAUREGARD.
The attack upon this fort, though not so concentrated and
heavy as that upon Walker, was nevertheless very severe..
94
Its armament (see accompanying sketch) was nineteen guns,
of which the following, viz. :
One 8 inch Rodman, bored to 24 pounder, and rifled,
Two 42 pounders,
One 8 inch columbiad,
Two 42 pounders, reamed to 8 inches, and
One 32 pounder, in hot shot battery,
Were the only guns capable of being used against the fleet.
The force on Bay Point was six hundred and forty men,
commanded by Col. R. G. M. Dunovant, 12th regiment S.
C. Volunteers. Of the above, one hundred and forty-nine
garrisoned Fort Beauregard, under the immediate command
of Captain Stephen Elliott, Jr., Beaufort Volunteer Artil¬
lery Company A., 9th regiment S. C. Volunteers. The in¬
fantry force of Col. Dunovant's regiment was entrusted with
the protection of the eastern part of the Island, and of the
defence of the Bastion line at the Island Narrows, whore
an attack was expected from the enemy.
KnoAving how small a force Captain Elliott had to com¬
mand his batteries, I ordered, as soon as I reached Hilton
Head on the 5th inst., Captain Stuart's company, (Hamilton
Guards), 9th regiment S. C. Volunteers, to march upon
Fort Walker, from Braddock's Point, and take thence the
steamer Edisto for Bay Point; but the failure of Captain
Sassard, of the Edisto, to fulfill his appointment at the hour
designated, prevented me from supporting Captain Elliott as
I desired. But on Thursday morning, 7th inst., having ob¬
tained the steamer Emma, I despatched Captain Stuart's
company in her to Fort Beauregard. The rapid advance of
the enemy's fleet, however; to the attack on the batteries,
cut off and compelled her, at the risk of being intercepted,
to turn back and seek shelter in Skull Creek, on the shores
of which Captain Stuart's company safely disembarked and
joined me in the afternoon; and here again was exhibited
another act of heroism, on the part of our veteran Commo¬
dore, who, to save the Emma, interposed his own frail flag
steamer between her and the advancing flag ship of Com¬
modore Dupont, drawing upon himself her entire broadside,
and thus diverting this huge leviathan temporarily from her
course, secured the safety of the Emma, at the peril of his
own vessel.
The non-arrival of any reinforcements at Camp Walker,
until the night of the 6th instant, also prevented me from
sending the four companies of the 12th regiment S. C. Vol-
95
UHteers, under Major Jones, to the support of the other ^s£x
■companies of the regiment at Bay Point.
For the details of the engagement at this port, the nota¬
ble examples of bravery, the general good conduct, their
well-timed retreat, in the direction indicated by the dotted
red lines on the map appended, I beg leave to refer you to
the official reports of Col. Dunovant and Captain Elliott.
But among the many officers and men honorably noticed on
this occasion, in. the official report of Colonel Dunovant,
tone of them are so justly entitled to well-merited enco¬
mium as Captain Stephen Elliott, the commander of the
Fort. Others may have exhibited un equal amount of cool
bravery, in front of the foe, but his opportunities enabled
him to surpass all his brother officers in the skillful arrange¬
ment of his defences, superb condition of his batteries, and
in the high discipline which he had imparted to his model
company, the creation of his own indefatigable exertions.
The delays and dangers incident to the manner in which
troops and supplies of all kinds were landed at the forts of
Port Royal, and the absence of all means of retreat in case
of disaster, had attracted my most serious attention imme¬
diately after I assumed command at Beaufort. On the
evening of the 17th ult., I immediately took steps for reme¬
dying the first and providing for the latter.
With the double object of landing supplies in all weather
at Bay Point, and at the same time of furnishing the means
of retreat beyond the range of the enemy's guns, I directed
one of my volunteer Aids, T. R. S. Elliott, to make an ex¬
amination of the adjacent creeks to the north of the Fort.
He reported that about three miles from the mouth of Moss
Creek there was a depth of water sufficient for steamers
drawing seven feet, at low water ; and that from thence a
causeway of three hundred yards over the marsh might easily
be made, and furnish a sure means of transportation, and
thus avoid the losses and delays which had previously oc¬
curred in landing from the steamers, into flats, upon the
beach.
From the point above indicated, in Moss Creek, flats were
to have been provided and stationed to convey the soldiers
in case of emergency across the creek ; thence by land to
Station Creek, where other flats were to be placed, for the
same object as at Moss Creek ; landing at St. Helena the
transit to White Hall Ferry, opposite Beaufort, was com¬
paratively safe.
96
On Hilton Head I also commenced repairing the wharf at
Seabrook's landing, on Skull Creek, with a view of trans¬
porting stores to Fort Walker, when the weather was toe
boisterous to land them in the surf. The completion of the
wharf was prevented, however, by the unexpected attack of
the enemy. Though in its incomplete state, it had been put
lo successful use.
I succeeded, however, in obtaining from Charleston two1
fiats and two troop boats, and from Savannah three large
flats capable of containing one hundred and fifty men each,
which reached Jenkins Island Ferry in time to assist in em¬
barking our troops on the night of the retreat. Three
other smaller ones were sent at the same time to " White-
Hall Ferry," which assisted in performing the same good
offices for Colonel Dunovant's command. The rest of the
scheme, for want of time and flats, could not be carried out
in the manner I intended.
For the purpose of sending messages between Forts
Walker and Beauregard, and thence to my headquarters
at Beaufort, I had prepared, by the assistance of Captain
Lynch, another of my aids, a number of signal flags, the
designs of which had already been prepared and painted, and
only needed a few more days to have been put into opera¬
tion.
In alluding, as I have, to these matters, I do not mean to
reflect upon any person, as to say these pressing wants
could have been supplied anterior to the period when I en¬
tered upon my new duties. My design has been to exhibit
the condition in which I found my command, and to show
that I have left m> effort untried to improve it.
Noth-withstanding the prompt measures adopted by Col.
DunoVant to effect his retreat in the direction of the nar¬
rows, it is surprising that, with the knowledge possessed by
the enemy, (through Mr. Boutelle and others connected with
the coast survey) that his retreat had not been intercepted by
gun boats passing up towards Beaufort, and mine by other
steamers taking the passage through Skull creek, towards
the ferry landings. Why they did not adopt this course-
must be left to time to explain.
97
CASUALTIES.
The following is a correct list of killed, wounded, missing
and taken prisoners:
Killed in Fort Walker .10
Wounded in Fort Walker 20
Killed in Colonel DeSaussure's 15th regiment South
Carolina Volunteers 1
Wounded severely 15
Wounded in Fort Beauregard. 13
Total killed and wounded 59
Missing 4
Taken prisoners, sick in hospital.. 3
Total killed, wounded, missing and taken prisoners.66
The heads of the Quartermaster's and Commissary's De¬
partments, Major E. Willis and Captain C. D. Owens, have
discharged their several duties with economy and fidelity.
The reports hereunto appended of these officers and their
assistants show how unwearied and earnest were their efforts
to save the public property left at the headquarters in Beau¬
fort. I must likewise make honorable mention of Colonel
W. C. Hey ward, ninth regiment South Carolina Volunteers,
who commanded in Fort Walker and its vicinity, and who,
during the battle, made the best use of the means at his dis¬
posal. Colonel John A. Wagoner, first regiment Artillery
South Carolina Militia, supported by Major Arthur M.
Huger, of the same regiment, was placed in the immediate
command of all the batteries, nine of which, upon the water
front, were manned by the German Artillery companies
A and B, Captains Harms and Werner, first regiment Ar¬
tillery, South Carolina Militia, all of whom fought under
the flag of their adopted country Avith an enthusiasm which
could not have been surpassed had they been fighting in de¬
fence of their own fatherland.
The remaining four batteries on the left flank of the water
front were under the direction of Captain Bedon, ninth re¬
giment South Carolina Volunteers, the flanking and rear
guns of the fort, were manned by detachments from Captains
Bedon's, Cannady's and White's companies, ninth regiment
South Carolina Volunteers. Major F. D. Lee, South Caro¬
lina Engineers, and constructing Engineers of Fort Walker,
7
98
not only fought gallantly at the batteries, but afforded valu¬
able assistance at other points in work during the contest.
Captain Joseph A. Yates, battalion South Carolina Artil¬
lery and acting ordnance officer, was zealous in the execu¬
tion of all the duties assigned to him. Towards the close of
the fight he was severely wounded, but has since recovered,
and is again ready, in another field, to resist all marauders
that approach our shores.
Dr. Ogeer and his able assistants, Drs. W. C. Ravenel
and William Elliott, a volunteer from Savannah, Georgia,
were present and rendered efficient service in the hospitals.
I cannot but regret the painful wound which has been the
cause of the resignation of Dr. Ogeer as Medical Director
in my medical district.
In conclusion, I cannot but express my high appreciation
of the gallant behavior of my aids, Captain Henry E.
Young and Lieutenant J. E. Drayton, as also that of the
gentlemen comprising my volunteer staff, Captains L.
Cheves, H. Rose, E. Lynch, J. E. Eddings, J. J. Middleton,
Jr., and Joseph M. Huger.
The names of the officers and men, not mentioned in
my report, will be found deservedly mentioned in the official
reports of the Colonels of regiments, commandants of bat¬
teries and chiefs of the general staff.
I have the honor to be,
Respectfully, yours,
[Signed.] THOS. F. DRAYTON,
Brigadier General, commanding.
Official. JOHN WITHERS,
A. A. General.
Headquarters Department South Carolina, )
Charleston, Nov. 17, 1861. 3
It might be proper to remark upon the-within report, there
are probably some inadvertant inaccuracies—or to give a re¬
port of movements and orders from these headquarters, and
instructions given after news was received that the enemy's
99
fleet was intended for Port Royal—and flow they were carried
out and followed, I deem, however, that no good would
result to the service from a discussion of these points at
this time, and requesting that should it be thought proper to
publish this report, it should be published with this endorse¬
ment.
It is respectfully forwarded,
- (Signed.) R. S. RIPLEY,
Brigadier General commanding.
REPORT OF COL. R. G. M. DUNOVANT, TWELFTH
REGIMENT SOUTH CAROLINA VOLUNTEERS.
Headquarters 12th Reg't S. C. V., )
Came Lee, Pocotaligo, Nov. 16th, 1861. $
Capt. H. E. Young,
Assistant Adjutant- General.'
Sir : On the 26th of October last, I assumed command of
the forces stationed on Bay Point Island, consisting of three
companies of the 9th regiment, to-wit: the Beaufort Artil¬
lery, Capt. Stephen Elliott, Colleton Rifles, Capt. Ander¬
son, and Capt. Harrison's company of Infantry; six compa¬
nies of the 12th regiment South Carolina Volunteers, to-
wit: company A, Capt. McCorkle, company C, Capt. Davis,
company D, Capt. Booktus, company E, Capt. Hinson, com¬
pany F, Capt. McMakin, and company I, Capt. Valanding-
ham, and a small detachment of Capt. Screven's, of Beaufort
Guerrillas, under Lieut. Youmans. My staff consisted of
Lieut. W. H. Talley, Adjutant, Dr. E. B. Turnipseed, Sur¬
geon, Capt. T. J. Bell, Quartermaster, Capt. E. A. Rabb,
• Commissary, Rev. C» B. Betts, Chaplain, and Mr. Robert
Chisholm, Volunteer on Staff. The entire force on the
island, inclusive of field, staff and company officers, was six
hundred and nineteen. Lieut. Colonel Barnes, of the 12th
regiment, was placed in command of the six companies of
that regiment, and Capt. Anderson's company, then at the
Narrows.
Capt. Elliott was assigned to the command of the work
known as Fort Beauregard, with his own company and Capt.
Harrison's.
The detachment of Capt. Screven s company was ordered
to report directly to me.
102
Monday, the 4th instant, the enemy's fleet made its ap¬
pearance early in the morning, and crossing the bar, came
to anchor to the south of, and opposite the island, but made
no further demonstration of an attack on our position dur¬
ing that day.
In the afternoon Com. Tatnall, with three small steamers,
attacked the nearest of the enemy's vessels, and after sus¬
taining a heavy fire, and replying most gallantly, retired
slowly up the river.
Tuesday morning, in view of the uncertainty of the point
and mode of attack, the following disposition was made of
the companies of the 12th regiment: companies A and D
were posted in rear of a range of sand-hills, distant about
two hundred yards from Fort Beauregard, for the purpose of
protecting that work, in case of an attempt of the enemy to
land. Companies C and E took position near Capt. Ander¬
son's company, at the Narrows, and companies F and I were
held at the camp of the regiment, being about equi-distant
between the detachments, so as to support either.
Between seven and eight o'clock, Com. Tatnall's steamers
again advanced and engaged the enemy, who met the attack
in such numbers, and with such weight of metal, that the
little steamers were compelled again to retreat above the
forts. The enemy followed, firing upon the steamers till
within range of our guns, when Fort Beauregard joined in
the conflict and drew a heavy fire of shot and shell, princi¬
pally the latter, upon that work and the other portions of
the island occupied by our troops. This engagement lasted
nearly two hours, when the enemy's fleet withdrew and as¬
sumed very nearly its former position, opposite our island,
which it retained for the remainder of the day.
The only casualties on our part were those stated in Capt.
Elliott's report, herewith transmitted, as resulting from the-
explosion of a caisson.
The unfavorable state of the weather prevented any fur¬
ther action of the enemy on Wednesday. Thursday morn¬
ing, however, the wind lulled and the water was unusually
smooth; of this the enemy availed himself, and at 8.30 A.
M. the fleet of war vessels, headed by what is supposed to
have been the Minnesota, bore towards the northwest till
reaching the main channel, they moved directly towards our
batteries. As soon as they came within range, Fort Beau¬
regard opened upon the vessel in advance, which, being
seconded by Fort Walker and replied to by the enemy, the
103
action became general. About the time of the first move¬
ment of the fleet, it having been reported to me that barges
filled with troops were leaving the transports, which still
occupied their position opposite the camp, in anticipation of
an attempt to effect a landing in that vicinity, I ordered
companies C and E, which had been withdrawn on Wednes¬
day, back to a point near the earth-work at the Narrows,
retaining at the camp the four remaining companies of the
12th regiment. After, however, having made a careful per¬
sonal observation of the movements of the enemy, and in
view of their steady advance and heavy fire upon the west¬
ern end of the island, I changed the arrangement of the
force, throwing the four companies at the camp in the rear
of the sand-hills before referred to, near Fort Beauregard,
and withdrew, within supporting distance, the two companies
of the 12th, at the Narrows. Thus the troops remained for
several hours under a heavy fire of shot and shell, during
which they exhibited great coolness and promptness in obe¬
dience to orders. Notwithstanding the protection afforded
by the sand-hills, many shot and shell fell around them, but
fortunately, without inflicting injury of any kind. The
batteries at Fort Beauregard were worked with great gal¬
lantry, skill and energy, and the highest praise is due to
Capt. Elliott and his command, for the manner in which
they discharged their important trust. About 2 P. M. the
fire of the enemy upon our batteries was slackened, and re¬
doubled against Hilton Head. A little after 3 o'clock it
was reported to me, by Adjutant Talley, that a boat was
leaving one of the fleet for the shore of Hilton Head, amid
loud cheers from the former, and that Fort Walker was
silent; I at once proceeded to Fort Beauregard, and, after
the colloquies accurately detailed by Capt. Elliott in his re¬
port, ordered him to make arrangements for retreat from the
fort towards the Narrows.
I then returned and issued the necessary orders for the
evacuation of the island, and the force moved in good order
towards the Eastern portion of the island. The only line
of retreat lay across the strip of land known as " the Nar¬
rows," scarce fifty yards wide and one thousand long, to the
main body of Edding's Island, which is itself but an exten¬
sive swamp, entirely impenetrable save by a trail known to
few, and of such extreme difficulty as to preclude the possi¬
bility of transporting baggage of any kind beyond what
could be borne on the shoulders of the men. Of the char-
104
acter of the route and the consequent impracticability of
transportation I had been fully advised, and therefore did
not undertake the removal of camp equipage, stores or
heavy baggage, nor did I think it prudent to destroy such
property by fire, inasmuch as the retreat Avas at best of
doubtful feasibility, and the nature of the movement would
have been thereby revealed to the enemy, and its success
still further jeoparded if not entirely frustrated. I believe
that in consequence of the manner in which the evacuation
of the island was effected, it was unknoAvn to the* enemy
until it had been fully accomplished, and this conviction is
strengthened by their failure to take advantage of the en¬
tire command of Station Creek and Beaufort River to cut off
the retreat at Jenkins' Landing, and especially at Whitehall
Berry.
The body of the command reached the landing at Station
Creek and crossed to Dr. Jenkins' plantation during the
night, and after resting a short time at the latter place, re¬
sumed the march for Beaufort, where it arrived early Friday
morning. The town was deserted by the white population,
and no representative of the quartermaster's or commissary's
department, or other person in authority, nould be found, I
was therefore under the necessity of assuming the responsi¬
bility of taking for the use of the troops such provisions
and necessaries as their condition imperatively demanded, and
had I knoAvn the amount and nature of the stores, might
have saved much public property Avhich has probably fallen
into the hands of the enemy. I proceeded with the com¬
mand to Port Royal Ferry, and thence to this place, regard¬
ing the latter as an important point of defence, and at the
same time one from which I could readily open communica¬
tion to procure the necessary supplies for my command. In
consequence of the intricacy and difficulty of the line of re¬
treat, some officers and men, detained by their duties, lost
their Avay, but all these have since rejoined their respective
companies. There is but one man whom I am under the
necessity of reporting as missing ; as to the particulars of
this 'Case I refer you to the accompanying report of the effi¬
cient surgeon of the 12th Regiment hereAvith submitted.
Some muskets Avere left, but only those Avhich had been
draAvn for enlisted men Avho Avere at the time absent by rea¬
son of the severe epidemic Avhich had thinned our ranks
during the previous month.
No soldier threAV aAvay his arms. In regard to the man-
105
ner in which the retreat was arranged and effected, justice
to myself and others requires that I should add a word of
explanation.
Having received no instructions as to the mode in which
the island of Bay Point should be defended, nor of the con¬
tingencies upon which it should be abandoned, with no
arrangement for receiving orders by means of signals or
otherwise from headquarters, and totally without information
of any plan devised or facilities provided for the retreat of
my command in case of disaster, I felt that these circum¬
stances imposed upon me the obligation of endeavoring to
■secure some means of evacuating the island in the event
such a step should become necessary. Accordingly, the state
of facts above referred to continuing, on Tuesday I went in
person to Captain Elliott, who, perhaps, was more familiar
with the localities than any other person, and after learning
from him in answer to my enquiries that a retreat was prac¬
ticable through Edding's Island if boats and flats could be
secured to take the forces across Station Creek, I instructed
him to select some prudent and trusty person to superintend
the collection of the necessary means of transportation at
the landing on Eddings' Island. The Rev.. Stephen Elliott
was chosen to discharge this important duty, and left on
Thursday morning for that -purpose.
Fortunately Captain Thomas Hankel, Mr. Henry Stuart,
and Mr. W. H. Cuthbert, of Beaufort, had already secured
a large number of flats at Dr. Jenkins' landing for the pur¬
pose of taking them to some point on Eddings' Island for
our relief. Mr. Elliott informed them of the plan agreed
upon, and thus, through the co-operation of these gentle¬
men, and the valuable assistance of Captain Tripp and his
command, the evacuation of the island was effected. I com¬
municated the plan of retreat to none save Captain Elliott,
the adjutant and the quartermaster.
Lieutenant Colonel Barnes, commanding the quarter por¬
tion of infantry, was prompt and energetic in executing the
orders for the movements of his immediate command. From
the nature ©f the attack the forces at Fort Beauregard were
the only active participants in the engagement, and I cannot
close this report without drawing special attention to the
high qualities of the officer exhibited by Captain Elliott
commanding that work. Compelled from the necessities of
our position to act the part of engineer, ordnance officer and
commander of the fort, he exhibited an energy and intelli-
106
gence in preparing the batteries for the fight which were
only equalled by the gallantry and firmness of the defence.
All the members of my staff did their duty. Adjutant
Talley, Captain Bell, quartermaster, and Rev. C. B. Betts,
the chaplain, frequently sent with orders to various parts of
the island during the bombardment, executed their trust in
a manner entirely satisfactory to me.
Lieutennnt Youmans and his detachment were efficient in
the performance of the part assigned them. To Lieutenant
Johnson, of the Beaufort Artillery, the eommand is under
obligations for valuable services rendered at the ferry across
Station Creek, and to Captain Thomas R.. Elliott for similar
aid in passing Whitehall Ferry.
The reports of Captain Elliott and Surgeon Turnipseed
are herewith respectfully submitted.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed.) R. Gr. M. DUNOVANT,
Colonel 12th Meg't S. C. V.
Official copy,
(Signed.) H. E. Young,
A. A. General.
Official,
JOHN WITHERS,
A. A. General.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE ENGAGEMENT AT
PIKETON, JOHN S.. WILLIAMS, COLONEL C. S.
A., COMMANDING.
Camp Near Pound Gap, \
November 13th, 1861. J
General:
Since my last" report* to^you, I have been compelled to
abandon Piketon. by an: overwhelming force that advanced
upon me in two columns—one directly up the River fronr
Prestonsburg, sixteen hundred strong, with a battery of six
pieces, and the other from Louisa, up Johns' Creek, a branch
of the Sandy, numbering eighteen hundred men, with a bat¬
tery of field pieces. Both of these columns converged upon
Piketon. My whole force consisted of 1,010 men, including
sick, teamsters and men on extra duty. I did not believe
that the advance of the enemy would be so rapid, and hoped
that the artillery and reinforcements promised, would arrive,
before they could disturb me at Piketon.
Under this confident hope, I commenced gathering sup—-
plies, explored the leather resources of the country; found
them abundant, and organized a corps of shoemakers and had;
them at work. Major Hawes had purchased a thousand fat,
hogs and a number of beef cattle, and was making prepara¬
tion to salt them. My men were badly clad and badly armed,
with not a knapsack, haversack or canteen; they carried
their powder in horns, gourds and bottles. This was our
condition when the enemy commenced the advance upon us.
Retreat was inevitable—but there was too much public pro¬
perty to be abandoned'without an effort to saye it.
108
I at once? ordered all the transportation possible to be col¬
lected, and sent the sick, the wounded and the live stock to
the rear, on the Pound Gap Road, for the Tazewell route was
no longer safe. I sent a small armed force immediately on
the Tazewell route with written orders to turn back the ar¬
tillery and all public wagons to a point of safety in
Virginia.
1 then sent Captain Holliday with a small mounted party"
on the Johns' Creek Road, and Captains Thomas and Clay
on the river road to Prestonsburg to observe the movements
of the enemy. This was on the night of the 8th. Capt.
Thomas discovered the advanced guard of the enemy
about 15 miles from Piketon. I went in person with Capts.
May and Hawkins, with their companies of infantry, and
Lieut. Van Hook with 20 mounted men, to the position of
Capt. Thomas, near Joy Creek. I found that Capt. Thomas
had burned the bridge there. The men were allowed to re¬
fresh themselves, and the horses secured in a deep mountain
cave, and the whole party of 250 men moved on foot to a
strong position half mile in front of the burnt bridge, here
to await what we supposed to be the advanced guard of the
enemy's force.
I returned to our camp at day light and met the report of
Captain Holliday, who had been fired upon by an advanced
guard of the enemy, of about 150 men. He gave them a
gallant fight, killed 8 of them, having only one of his num ¬
ber wounded and one horse killed.
I despatched Captain Shawhan with his own and Capt.
Cameron's companies, to observe the movements of the
enemy on Johns' Creek, with instructions to engage any
party not more than twice his number, but not to attack the
enemy's full force.
At half-past one o'clock, on the 9th inst., the enemy moved
up to Capt. May's position, with a force of sixteen hundred
men and a battery of six pieces ; and were received by 250
rifles and shot guns, in point blank range, every one of which
took effect. Their column wavered and fell back; but re¬
turned in good order, and attempted to carry the pass by
assault undercover of their cannon, but were repulsed again
with terrific slaughter. They then withdrew beyond the
range of our-shot guns and threw their infantry up the hills,
soon outflanking-our little band and compelling them to fall
ba6k behind the burnt bridge; here our force made a stand;
but the enemy advanced.no farther. I then ordered three
109
more companies of infantry to sustain Capt. May's command
or to cover his retreat if necessary. At 12 o'clock at night
Capt. Shawhan reported to me that the enemy were advancing
in full force on the Johns' Creek Road with great rapidity.
I then ordered Captains May and Shawhan and all the out¬
posts in. I made a display of forces in Piketon, sent the
exhausted infantry in the direction of our retreat and waited
with the balance of the command, the arrival of the enemy.
They came up slowly and cautiously, but were detained for
an hour by Capt. Thomas' company of sharp shooters, sta¬
tioned near the ford which prevented their artillery from
getting into position to rake the town. As they approached,
I moved the rear guard of 400 men off in good order. They
opened upon us a tremendous fire of artillery and musketry
and were replied to by our sharp shooters. We had one
man killed and three wounded, while the enemy had six
killed. In the Joy fight our loss was ten in killed, fifteen
wounded and forty missing—some of the missing men have
gone back to their homes, and others join us daily. We lost
Lieut. Rust who fell gallantly in the discharge of his duty.
My first belief was that the enemy had lost but one hundred
and fifty men; but from subsequent information received
from spies, Union men, escaped prisoners who have joined
us, and others who have examined their burial ground, I am
satisfied the enemy lost over three hundred in killed, with
the usual proportion of wounded.
I cannot speak in terms of commendation too high, of the
gallantry of Captain's May, Thomas, Hawkins and Clay, and
Lieut. Van Hook, and Sam Clay—indeed the officers and
men behaved with so much courage and coolness that,
to discriminate at all, would be invidious. If we had have
had one thousand men more, and a battery of six pieces, we
could have whipped and destroyed both columns, but with
the small force I had, it was impossible to fight both at once,
and to have opposed my whole force to one, would have ex¬
posed my rear to the other. Our cartridge boxes arrived the
day after the fight. We had powder and lead, and made our
own cartridges, and moulded our own bullets. The enemy
have six thousand troops near Piketon, one thousand of them
advanced ten miles this side of that place. They have not
more than 1,500 at Prestonsburg; what they have below, as
reserves, I know but little of, for all communication is cut
off and the whole country is frightened out of its wits and
but few men will act as scouts or guides. I am satisfied that.
110
this large force was not moved up the Sandy, merely for the
purpose of dispersing the unorganized and half-armed, hare-
footed squad under my command.
They intended to move upon the Virginia and Tennessee
Railroad, I think, by way of Tazewell Court House.
They fortify their positions and have a large number of
wagons. The Sandy is now navigable for steamboats to a
point above Piketon.
We want good rifles, clothes, great coats, knapsacks, hav¬
ersacks and canteens, indeed every thing almost, except a
willingness to fight. Many of our men are barefooted, and
I have seen the blood in their tracks, as they marched from
Joy to this place. You know what we want, General, send
such articles as we need to Abingdon. There is little sub¬
sistence here, and I fear I shall be compelled to fall back to
a point where I can subsist until our organization is per¬
fected. We have been so constantly fighting that we have
not had time to complete our muster rolls. I have now over
twelve hundred men. If I could make a forward movement
the effect would be good upon the country.
Mr. Thomas has just received, from the Gov. of Florida,
a commission as " Aid-de-Camp," with rank of Colonel. I
cannot insist on retaining him from such increased rank.
Send somebody else. If the enemy should move by way of
the Pound, I have not a sufficient force to resist them—no
artillery—no entrenching tools, nor axes, spades or picks.
If they come we will give them a fight, but this will do us
no good but to destroy a few of them. I have just learned
from a spy that a steamboat arrived at Piketon yesterday
with supplies to the enemy. Major Howes wants more
money, he has bought hogs, horses, wagons, &c., &c.
Your obed't serv't,
JNQ. S. WILLIAMS,
Colonel, C. S. A.
-Official,
H. W. Chilton,
A. A. General.
REPORT OF THE BATTLE IN ALLEGHANY MOUN¬
TAINS, DECEMBER 13th, 1861, EDWARD JOHN¬
SON, COLONEL 12th GEORGIA REGIMENT, COM¬
MANDING MONTEREY LINE.
Headquarters Monterey Luxe, )
Camp Alleghany, December 19th, 1861. 5
Colonel : I have the honor to submit the following report
of the engagement with the enemy which occurred at this
place on the 13th instant.
On the 12th I sent out a scouting party of 106 men, com¬
manded by Major Ross, of the 52d Virginia Volunteers, with
instructions to ambuscade a point on the pike beyond Camp
Baxter, on Greenhrier. On the afternoon of that day the
advanced guard of the enemy approached, were fired into by
Major Ross's command, and many of them killed or wounded.
Immediately the main body of the enemy approached in force,
deployed and advanced upon our scouting party, who retired
and came into camp that night. On the morning of the
13th, about 4, A. M., I was aroused by the officer of the
day, who reported firing at the advanced pickets on the pike
in the direction of the enemy, I immediately turned out the
whole of my command and prepared to meet them.
I ordered Hansborough's Battalion, the 31st Virginia, com¬
manded by Major Boykin, and Reager's Battalion, to occupy
the crest of the mountain on the right to guard against
approach from that quarter. On this hill there were no de¬
fences. There were some fields and felled timber beyond
which reached the crest of the mountain. The enemy ad¬
vanced to our front, and, conducted by a guide, a Union
man from Western Virginia, who was familiar with the
roads and trails in the vicinity, turned off from the turnpike
about a mile from our position near the base of the moun¬
tain and reached our right by a trail which led into a road
112
coming into the field slightly in our rear; as they approached
this position, pickets thrown out from Hansborough's Batta¬
lion discovered them and reported them as advancing in strong
force. About quarter-past 7, A. M., the enemy advanced and
a terrific fire commenced. The enemy on this flank numbered
fully two thousand. They were gallantly met by our troops,
who did not exceed three hundred at this time. As soon as
I heard the firing, I ordered two companies of the 12th
Georgia, (Hawkins and Blanford,) who had at the first alarm
been posted on the pike about a quarter of a mile in front,
down the mountain to move up immediately to the support
of our forces on the right. Three other companies of the
12th, Davis, Hardeman's and Patterson's (Lieutenant U. E.
Moore commanding) were also ordered to the support of
those on the right who were making a gallant defence and
holding the position against immense odds. Gallantly did
the Georgians move up and, taking position on the left, re¬
ceived a terrible fire from the enemy. By this time the
extreme right had been forced back, but seeing the Geor¬
gians, who came on with a shout, they joined them and
moved upon the enemy, who, taking advantage of some fal¬
len trees, brush and timber, poured upon them a terrific fire.
Our men were checked but not driven back. They did not
yield an inch, but steadily advanced—cheered and led on
by their officers. Many of the officers fought by the side of
their men and led them on to the conflict. I never witnessed
harder fighting. The enemy behind trees with their long
range arms at first had decidedly the advantage, but our men
soon came up to them and drove them from their cover. I
cannot speak in terms too exaggerated of the unflinching cour¬
age and dashing gallantry of those five hundred men who
contended from a quarter past 7, A. M., until a quarter to
2, P. M., against an immensely superior force of the enemy,
and finally drove them from their position and pursued them
a mile or more down the mountain. I cannot name all who
deserve particular mention for their gallantry and good con¬
duct.
Colonel Hansborough, whilst gallantly leading his batta¬
lion, was wounded by a pistol shot and carried from the field.
Soon after the fight became general, the brave Lieutenant
L. T. Thompson, of the 31st Virginia, fell severely wounded;
his good conduct had attracted my attention, and he fell
within a few feet of me. Captain Mollohan, whilst cheering
and leading his men in pursuit of the enemy, fell mortally
113
Wounded. Lieutenant Moore, 12th Georgia Volunteers,,
Whilst gallantly heading a charge, fell mortally wounded.
This gallant officer was ever ready for any expedition in¬
volving danger—he was truly brave.
Captains Davis, Blanford, Hardeman and Hawkins, their
officers and men, behaved admirably. Captain Davis and his
company were conspicuous for their gallantry and good con¬
duct throughout the fight.
Adjutant Willis, Lieutenants McCoy, Ethridge, Marshall
and Turpin, 12th Georgia Regiment, deserve partisular
mention for their good conduct.
Lieutenant Colonel Boykin, commanding 31st Virginia
Volunteers, his officers and men, deserve my thanks for their'
unflinching courage throughout the struggle. This regiment
suffered severely. Lieutenants Toothman, J. Johnson, Mc-
Newman, J. B. Philips, all wounded, deserve honorable men¬
tion. Captain Thompson, 31st Virginia, deserves special!
notice. Adjutant Morgan, Lieutenants Robinson, Raymond,.
Sergeants Jarvis, Rader, Pots, Collings, Musgrave and!
Green, Hansborough's Battalion, are favorably mentioned!
by their commander.
My command consisted of 12th Georgia Regiment under
the immediate command of Lieutenant Colonel E. T. Connor;
52d Virginia, Majors Ross's, Hanborough's and Reagers's;
thirty-first Virginia, Lieutenant Colonel Boykin; "Lee
Battery" of Artillery, four pieces, Captain P. B. Anderson;
Captain Miller's battery, four pieces; a detachment of Pittsyl¬
vania Cavalry, Lieutenant Dabney. The artillery was posted
©n the hill left of my position, which had been entrenched.
Immediately after the troops were turned out the 12th
Georgia and 52d Virginia were ordered into the trenches.
The Pittsylvania Cavalry, dismounted, under Lieutenant
Dabney, also went into the trenches, armed with carbines.
A large column of the enemy, led by one Slater, a
traitor well acquainted with the country, approached the
left of this position by a road running along a leading ridge.
About half an hour after the attack was made on the right,
this column came up on the left to our trenches. They
were evidently surprised to find us entrenched. Here the
brave Anderson, by a fatal mistake, lost his life. As the
enemy advanced he rode to the trench and invited them in,
thinking they were our returning pickets, at the same time
telling our men not to fire. He was instantly shot down by
the advanced body of the enemy's force. Our men then
114
opened a galling fire upon them, and they fell back into the
fallen timber and brush, from which they kept up a constant
fire at our men in the trenches, and upon our artillerists.
My A. A. A. General, Captain James Deshler, of the Ar¬
tillery, whilst behaving most gallantly was shot down in the
trenches by a wound through both thighs. He refused to
leave the field, and remained in the trenches until the day
was over.
Captain Miller opened upon the enemy with his guns and
■behaved with great gallantry, exposing himself at his guns
>to the fire of the enemy's sharp shooters.
-After the enemy's force,.on the right, had been repulsed and
driven from the field, I ordered all of our men who had been
engaged in that quarter to join our troops in the trenches
on the left. They took post Avith the other troops and
opened fire on the enemy as occasion offered. The enemy,
under the fire of artillery and infantry, soon retreated from
the left, leaving their dead and wounded.
The enemy's force on the left was larger, if anything,
than the force on the right. They numbered, in, all about
five thousand men, who had been drawn from Bealington,
Beverly, Huttonsville, Elkwater and Cheat Mountain.
My force did not exceed twelve hundred effective men of
all arms.
General Reynolds, U. S. A., commanded the whole of the
enemy's foices, and General Milroy the attack on our right.
General Milroy is reported, by prisoners captured, to have
been wounded. The enemy left upon the field thirty-five
dead and thirteen Avounded. They carried from the field
large numbers of dead and wounded. This I get from citi¬
zens Avho reside upon the roads along Avhich they retreated.
Ten or twelve ambulances were seen conveying their
wounded. We captured three prisoners, and about one
hundred stand of arms, which the enemy had throAvn away
in his flight.
Although A\Te have reason to be thankful to God for the
victory achieved over our enemies on this occasion, Ave can
but lament the loss of many valuable lives.
Our casualties amount to tAventy killed, ninety-six
wounded, and twenty-eight missing. Many of the missing
have returned since the day of the battle.
I am much indebted to Surgeons H. K. Greene, of the
12th Georgia Regiment, and W. T. Blanc, of the 31st
Virginia, for their attention to our oayb wounded as Avell as
115
fhose of the enemy. They have been untiring in their
efforts to alleviate their sufferings.
Dr. Greene was slightly wounded in the hand by a spent
ball, whilst attending to the wounded.
Herewith I transmit a list of casualties, also the reports
of commanders of regiments and corps.
I am, sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed.) EDWARD JOHNSON,
Colonel 12th Georgia Regiment,
Commanding Monterey Line.
To Colonel C. L. Stevenson, Assistant Adjutant General,
Army North-West, Staunton.
Official. rao. withers.
A. A. General.
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