saw him the last time. I trust he will yet be found. My two mounted orderlies, Cooper and Ballou, were both with me until near the end of the conflict, and are now both missing. My brigade being far in advance, and the ground very hilly and interspersed with patches of wood, rendered it difficult to avoid being enveloped by the enemy. The last individuals probably missed their way, and were killed or captured. I have delayed this report of the action until all the wanderers could be gathered in, and the following may therefore be taken as a very close approximation of the actual casualties in my brigade. Those reported missing are supposed to be killed or taken prisoners: .242 In addition to the above reported loss of the Second Maine regiment, Lieut. Skinner, Surgeon Allen and his son, while assisting the wounded, were taken prisoners. The aggregate loss of this gallant regiment was therefore 174 out of 640, which was the complete strength on going into action. It was impossible to obtain exact returns of my brigade on the morning of the 21st, but I am certain its aggregate strength was about 2,500 men. We captured fifteen of the enemy and brought six prisoners to Washington. In concluding the account of the battle, I am happy to be able to add that the conduct of the First Brigade, First Division, was generally excellent. The troops composing it need only instruction to make them as good as any in the world. I take the liberty to add, in continuation of this report, that the three Connecticut regiments, and a part of the Second Maine Volunteers, of my brigade, left their camp near Centreville at about 10 o'clock P. M., by order of Gen. Tyler, and arrived at Camp McDowell, six and a half miles from the Potomac, at dawn of day the morning after the battle. The camps of my four regiments and half of one company of cavalry were standing, and during the day I learned that the Ohio camp, a mile and a quarter this way, was vacant of troops, and the camp of the New York Second had only a guard of fifty or sixty men left in it. Not wishing the enemy to get possession of so many standing tents and such an abundance of camp equipage, I ordered my brigade to retreat no further until all the public property should be removed. The rain fell in torrents all the 22d. The men were excessively fatigued, and we had only eleven wagons. Brigade Quartermaster Hodge made two journeys to the city to obtain transportation, but, with four or five exceptions, the drivers refused to come out. Over eleven wagons were kept in motion, and at nightfall the troops were drenched to the skin, and without shelter. So, leaving guards at the regimental camps of my brigade, I moved forward with the bulk of the Third Connecticut regiment, and by 11 o'clock at night the majority were housed in the Ohio and New York camps. We kept good watch throughout the night, and early in the morning of the 23d inst., Quartermaster-General Meigs sent out long trains of wagons, and Brigade Quartermaster Hodge walked six miles to Alexandria and brought up a train of cars, and the work of removal proceeded with vigor. As early as at 5 o'clock P. M., the last thing of value had been removed and sent forward to the amount of 175 fourhorse wagon loads. The order to fall in was then given, and the brigade marched in perfect order, every man with his firelock, and at sunset bivouacked near Fort Corcoran. I acknowledge great indebtedness to Brigade Quartermaster Hodge. But for his untiring exertions in procuring the means of transportation, nearly all the public property must liave been abandoned. The men of the different regiments labored with extraordinary zeal, considering their great fatigue, and they merit the highest praise. I had given permission to about 100 sick and lame to limp forward in advance, and about an equal number of cowards and recreants had fled without permission. The balance of my brigade, faithful and laborious, stood by, and they may claim the right to teach that it is unmanly to destroy the public property, and base to abandon it to the enemy, except in cases of the extremest necessity. I have the honor to be, sir, Your most obedient servant, SECOND DIVISION. COLONEL HUNTER'S OFFICIAL REPORT. WASHINGTON, D. C., August 5, 1861. Captain J. B. Fry, Assistant Adjutant-General United States Army: SIR-Having had the honor to command the Second division of the army before Manassas on the 21st of July, 1861, and having been wounded early in the action, the command, as well as tho duty of making the division report, devolved on Colonel Andrew Porter, of the United States Army. I deem it, however, a duty I owe to the gallant gentlemen of my staff, briefly to mention their services. The Hon. Isaac N. Arnold, of the United States House of Representatives, one of my volunteer aids, was with me on the field till I received my wound, and then devoted himself to having the wounded removed, and to alleviating their sufferings. Captain G. P. Woodbury, Chief Engineer of the division, fearlessly exposed himself in front of the skirmishers during our whole advance, and determined, with great judgment, the route of the division. Captain W. D. Whipple, Assistant AdjutantGeneral; Captain Cook, of the Fourth Penn My aid, Lieutenant Samuel W. Stockton, of the First Cavalry, was with me on the field, and his conduct, under a heavy fire, was perfectly beautiful. sylvania Volunteers, aide-de-camp; Lieutenant | comrades to repel the attack of the enemy's Cross of Engineers, and Lieutenant D. W. Flag-forces. The Second Rhode Island regiment of ler, aide-de-camp, all performed their duties to volunteers had steadily borne the enemy's atmy entire satisfaction: they were absent, con- tack, and had bravely stood its ground, even veying orders, during the short time I was in compelling him to give way. At this time Col. the field. Slocum fell, mortally wounded, and soon after Major Ballou was very severely injured by a cannon ball, that killed his horse and crushed one of his legs. The regiment, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Wheaton, continued gallantly to hold its position. Soon after Colonel Martin, of the Seventy-first regiment New York State Militia, led his regiment into action, and planting the two howitzers belonging to the regiment upon the right of his line, worked them most effectively against the enemy's troops. The battery of the Second Rhode Island regiment on the knoll upon the extreme right, was used in silencing the heavy masked battery of the enemy in front, occasion Dr. Rouch, of Chicago, Ill., a citizen surgeon, accompanied the Hon. Mr. Arnold to the field, and devoted himself to the care of the wounded during the whole battle. I have the honor to be, COLONEL BURNSIDE'S REPORT. To Colonel Hunter, Commanding Second Divi sion: SIR-I have the honor to report that the brigade under my command, in common with the rest of the division, left Washington at three P. M. on Tuesday, July 15; encamped that night at Annandale; occupied Fairfax Court House, and encamped there on Wednesday. On Thursday, July 17, proceeded to Centreville, where we remained till Sunday morning, July 21, when the whole army took up the line of march to Bull Run. ally throwing in shot and shell upon the enemy's infantry, six regiments of which were attempting to force our position. Captain Reynolds, who was in command of this battery, served it with great coolness, precision, and skill. The Second regiment of New Hampshire Volunteers, under Colonel Marston, was now brought into the field, and rendered great service in defending the position. Colonel Marston was wounded early in the action, and Lieutenant-Colonel Fiske ably directed the advance of the regiment. Thus my whole brigade was brought into the engagement at the earliest possible moment, and succeeded in Nothing of moment occurred till the arrival compelling the enemy to retire. We were of the division at the crossing of Bull Run, at wholly without support, bearing the brunt of half-past nine o'clock, when intelligence was the contest until relieved by Major Sykes, of received that the enemy was in front with con- the Third Infantry United States Army, who siderable force. The brigade was ordered to formed his battalion most admirably in front halt for a supply of water and temporary rest. of the enemy, and pouring in a destructive fire Afterwards an advance movement was made, upon his lines, assisted in staggering him. At and Col. Slocum, of the Second Rhode Island that moment, after the fight had continued an regiment, was ordered to throw out skirmish-hour or more, Colonel Heintzelman's division ers upon either flank and in front. These were was seen marching over the hill opposite our soon confronted by the enemy's forces, and the left flank, and, attacking the enemy at that head of the brigade found itself in presence of point, the opposing force was soon dispersed. the foe. The Second regiment Rhode Island This point being gained, and the enemy retirVolunteers was immediately sent forward with ing in confusion before the successful charge of its battery of artillery, and the balance of the Colonel Heintzelman's division, I withdrew my brigade was formed in a field to the right of the brigade into the woods in the rear of the line, road. At this time, much to my sorrow, I met for the purpose of supplying the troops with you returning from the field severely wounded, ammunition, which had become well-nigh exand was requested to take charge of the forma- hausted. The Second regiment New Hamption of the division in the presence of the en-shire Volunteers was sent forward to assist one omy. Finding that the Second regiment Rhode Island Volunteers was closely pressed by the enemy, I ordered the Seventy-first regiment New York Militia, and the Second regiment New Hampshire Volunteers to advance, intending to hold the First Rhode Island Volunteers in reserve; but owing to delay in the formation of the two former regiments, the First Rhode Island regiment was at once ordered on the field of action. Major Balch, in command, gallantly led the regiment into it, where it performed most effective service in assisting its of Colonel Heintzelman's brigades at that time three-quarters of a mile distant, and driving the enemy before them. The battery of the Second Rhode Island Volunteers changed its position into a field upon the right, and was brought to bear upon the force which Colonel Porter was engaging. The enemy's infantry having fallen back, two sections of Captain Reynolds's battery advanced and succeeded in breaking the charge of the enemy's cavalry, which had now been brought into the engagement. It was nearly four o'clock P. M., and the battle had continued for almost six hours since | and advised by his Excellency Governor Sprague, the time when the Second brigade had been who took an active part in the conflict, and who engaged, with every thing in favor of our troops was especially effective in the direction and and promising decisive victory, when some of arrangement of the battery of Light artillery the regiments engaging the enemy upon the attached to the Second regiment Rhode Island extreme right of our line, broke, and large Volunteers. It would be invidious to mention numbers passed disorderly by my brigade, officers of the different corps who distinguished then drawn up in the position which they last themselves upon the field for coolness and braheld. The ammunition had been issued in part, very, where all performed their duty so well. when I was ordered to protect the retreat. I cannot feel justified in specifying particular The Seventy-first regiment, New York State instances of fidelity. The officers and men Militia, was formed between the retreating were prompt, steady and brave, and performed columns and the enemy by Colonel Martin, and the several parts assigned to them in the most the Second regiment Rhode Island Volunteers, gallant manner. by Lieutenant Colonel Wheaton. The First Our loss has been very severe. The Second regiment Rhode Island Volunteers moved out regiment particularly suffered greatly. The into the field at the bottom of the gorge, near death of Colonel Slocum is a loss, not only to the ford, and remained for fifteen minutes, his own State, which mourns the death of a until a general retreat was ordered. The regi- most gallant and meritorious officer, who would ment then passed on to the top of the hill, have done credit to the service, while his promwhere it was joined by the remainder of the inent abilities as a soldier would have raised brigade, and formed into column. Large bodies him high in the public estimation. He had of stragglers were passing along the road, and served with me as Major of the First regiment it was found impossible to retain the order, of Rhode Island Volunteers, and when he was which otherwise would have been preserved. transferred to a more responsible position, I Yet the brigade succeeded in retiring in com- was glad that his services had been thus secured paratively good condition, with Arnold's bat- for the benefit of his country. His associate, tery of artillery and Capt. Armstrong's company Major Ballou, of the same regiment, is deservof dragoons bringing up the rear. The retreating of the highest commendation as a brave continued thus until the column was about emerging from the woods and entering upon the Warrenton turnpike, when the artillery and cavalry went to the front, and the enemy opened fire upon the retreating mass of men. Upon the bridge crossing Cub Run a shot took effect upon the horses of a team that was crossing. The wagon was overturned directly in the centre of the bridge, and the passage was completely obstructed. The enemy continued to play his artillery upon the train carriages, ambulances, and artillery wagons that filled the road, and these were reduced to ruin. The artillery could not possibly pass, and five pieces of the Rhode Island battery, which had been safely brought off the field, were here lost. Captain Reynolds is deserving of praise for the skill with which he saved the lives of his men. The infantry, as the files reached the bridge, were furiously pelted with a shower of grape and other shot, and several persons were here killed or dangerously wounded. As was to be expected, the whole column was thrown into confusion, and could not be rallied again for a distance of two or three miles. The brigade reached Centreville at nine o'clock P. M., and entered into the several camps that had been occupied the night before, where the brigade rested until ten o'clock, when, in pursuance of orders from the generalcommanding, the retreat was continued. The column reached Washington about nine o'clock A. M., Monday morning, when the several regiments composing the brigade repaired to their respective encampments. In the movements of my brigade, upon this unfortunate expedition, I was greatly assisted VOL. II.-Doc. 7 soldier and a true man. Captain Tower, of the Second regiment, Rhode Island Volunteers, received his death wound at the very commencement of the battle. He was a young, brave, and promising officer, who is deeply lamented by his comrades and friends. Captain Smith, of the Second Rhode Island Volunteers, was known among us for his many good qualities of head and heart. Lieutenant Prescott, of the First Rhode Island regiment, was also killed in the early part of the action, while gallantly encouraging his company. He was a noble-hearted Christian man, whose memory will be ever fresh in the hearts of his friends. Among those who are missing I have to mention the names of Lieutenant Knight, of the First regiment Rhode Island Volunteers, and Dr. James Harris, of the same regiment. Both are men whom we can hardly afford to lose, and I trust that some measures may be taken by which their fate may be known. Dr. Harris was especially active upon the field of battle in dressing the wounds of disabled soldiers; and, knowing no distinction between friend and foe, treated the enemy's wounded with the same kindness and consideration as those of our own troops. He is probably a prisoner. Other officers might be mentioned, had I the data at hand to specify; but I have not yet received reports from the Seventy-first New York and Second New Hampshire Volunteers. I append a list of casualties so far as reports have been received. It is a sad duty to record a defeat, accompanied with the loss of so many valuable lives. But defeat should only make us more faithful still to the great cause of humanity and civilization, in order that every disaster should be more than compensated for | have behaved better under fire. By an omisby an enduring victory. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. E. BURNSIDE, Col. Commanding. COL. BURNSIDE'S SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT. PROVIDENCE, Aug. 8, 1861. Col. Andrew Porter, commanding Second Division, &c.: COLONEL: You will observe that my report of the movements of my brigade at Bull Run, on the 21st ult., is dated July 24, but three days after the battle. It was made out in the rough on that day, and the next morning (25th) orders came to my camp, directing me to get my First Rhode Island regiment in readiness to leave for Providence on the 7 P. M. train. The work incident to moving a regiment, with its baggage, so occupied me that I had no time to revise my report, but sent it in as it was, intending, at my leisure, to make a supplementary one. It will not seem strange that many omissions and some inaccuracies should have occurred, which I now hope to correct. I stated that after Col. Hunter was wounded he directed me to "take charge of the formation of the division in the presence of the enemy," when I should have said that part of the division in presence of the enemy. I of course knew that you commanded the division by virtue of your superior rank; but you were at that time, as you will remember, in command of your brigade in another part of the field. In another part of my report I mention the arrival of Col. Heintzleman's division on our left. It was Sherman's brigade, with the Sixty-ninth New York Militia in advance, that arrived at about 12 o'clock, and by a most deadly fire assisted in breaking the enemy's lines, and soon after 1 o'clock the woods on our front, which had been so obstinately held, were cleared of the enemy. My brigade had now been engaged since about 10 o'clock. In my first report I mentioned the opportune arrival of Major Sykes's battalion, and it is not necessary to repeat what I then said of their gallant support of my brigade. I beg to again mention the bravery and steadiness manifested by Colonel Martin and his entire regiment, (Seventy-first,) both on the field and during the retreat. Col. Marston, of the Second New Hampshire, was badly wounded in the shoulder, but notwithstanding that he remained in the saddle under fire after his wound was dressed, his horse being led by his orderly. The regiment under charge of Lieut.-Col. Fiske conducted itself most gallantly; both officers and men deserve great praise. Of the two Rhode Island regiments I have already spoken more fully, but cannot close this without again attesting to the admirable conduct of Lieut.-Col. Wheaton of the Second regiment, and Majors Balch and Goddard of the First, with the Staff and company officers and men of both regiments. No troops could sion in copying my first report the name of Capt. Wm. L. Bowers, Quartermaster First Rhode Island regiment, who is reported missing, was not mentioned. He was a brave and efficient officer, whom I could ill afford to lose. I have good reason to hope that he is alive in the hands of the enemy and well cared for. Since my original report I have learned that some others of our missing are in Richmond, among them Lieut. Knight and Dr. Harris, of the First Rhode Island regiment. I beg to supply an important omission in my first report, by attesting to the courage and efficiency of my personal staff, Chaplain Woodbury, of the First Rhode Island regiment, aide-de-camp; Adjutant Merriman, First Rhode Island regiment, A. A. A. G.; and Lieut. Beaumont, United States Cavalry, aidede-camp, who were all active in their assistance on the field. Lieut. Beaumont being in the regular service, I beg to recommend him to the notice of the Commanding-General as a most gallant and deserving young officer. Capt. Curson, Seventy-first New York, division-quartermaster, and Capt. Goodhue, Second New Hampshire, division-commissary, rendered most efficient service in their departments. Capt. Reynolds's battery did such good service in so many parts of the field, that it has a place in several reports, which renders it unnecessary for me to make further mention of it. I have the honor to be, Colonel, Very respectfully, your ob't servant, A. E. BURNSIDE, Colonel Commanding Second Brigade. REPORT OF COL. PORTER. HEAD-QUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION, ARLINGTON, VA., July 25, 1861. CAPT. J. B. FRY, A. A. J. :-I have the honor to submit the following account of the operations of the First Brigade, Second Division of the army, in the battle before Manassas on the 21st inst. The brigade was silently paraded in "light marching order at 2 o'clock in the morning of that day, composed as follows, viz.: 1. Griffin's Battery. 2. Marines, Major Reynolds. 3. Twenty-seventh N. Y. V., Col. Slocum. 4. Fourteenth N. Y. S. M., Col. Wood. 5. Eighth N. Y. S. M., Col. Lyons. 6. Battalion of Regulars, Major Sykes. 7. First Co. 2d Dragoons; four companies Cavalry, Major Palmer. Total strength, 3,700. The marines were recruits, but through constant exertions of their officers, had been brought to present a fine military appearance, without being able to render much active service; they were therefore attached to the battery, as its permanent support through the day. Owing to frequent delays in the march of troops in front, the brigade did not reach Centreville until 4:30 A. M., and it was an hour after sunrise when the head of it was turned to the right to commence the flank movement. The slow and intermittent movements of the 2d Brigade (Burnside's) were then followed through the woods for four hours, which brought the head of our division to Bull Run and Sudley's Mills, where a halt of half an hour took place, to rest and refresh the men and horses. From the heights on this side of the run a vast column of the enemy could be plainly descried, at the distance of a mile or more on our left, moving rapidly towards our line of march in front. Some disposition of skirmishers were then directed to be made at the head of the column by the division-commander, in which Col. Slocum, of the 2d Rhode Island regiment, was observed to bear an active part. The column moved forward, however, before they were completed, and in about thirty minutes emerged from the timber, where the rattle of the musketry and occasional crash of round shot, through the leaves and branches of the trees in our vicinity, betokened the opening of battle. of its commander, Major Sykes. The rebels soon came flying from the woods towards the right, and the 27th completed their rout by charging directly upon their centre in the face of a scorching fire, while the 14th and 8th moved down the turnpike to cut off the retiring foe and to support the 27th, which had lost its gallant colonel, but was standing the brunt of the action, with its ranks thinning in the dreadful fire. Now the resistance of the enemy's left was so obstinate that the beaten right retired in safety. The head of Heintzelman's column at this moment appeared upon the field, and the 11th and 5th Massachusetts regiments moved forward to the support of our centre, while staff officers could be seen galloping rapidly in every direction, endeavoring to rally the broken 8th, but this laudable purpose was only partially attained, owing to the inefficiency of some of its field officers. The head of the brigade was immediately turned slightly to the right, in order to gain time and room for deployment on the right of the 2d brigade. Griffin's battery found its way through the timber to the fields beyond, followed promptly by the marines, while the 27th took direction more to the left, and the 14th followed upon the trail of the battery-tion far behind the brow of the hill in front. all moving up at a double-quick step. The 14th, though it had broken, was soon rallied in rear of Griffin's battery, which soon took up a position further to the front and right, from which his fire was delivered with such precision and rapidity as to compel the batteries of the enemy to retire in consterna At this time my brigade occupied a line considerably in advance of that first occupied by the left wing of the enemy. The battery was pouring its withering fire into the batteries and columns of the enemy wherever they exposed The enemy appeared drawn up in a long line, extending along the Warrenton turnpike, from a house and haystack upon our extreme right to a house beyond the left of the division. Behind that house there was a heavy masked bat-themselves. The cavalry were engaged in feeltery, which, with three others along his line on the heights beyond, covered the ground upon which we were advancing with all sorts of projectiles. A grove in front of his right wing afforded it shelter and protection, while the shrubbery along the road in the fences screened somewhat his left wing. Griffin advanced to within 1,000 yards, and opened a deadly and unerring fire upon his batteries, which were soon silenced or driven away. Our right was rapidly developed by the marines, 27th, 14th, and 8th, with the cavalry in rear of the right; the enemy retreating in more precipitation than order as our line advanced. The 2d brigade (Burnside's) was at this time attacking the enemy's right with perhaps too hasty vigor. ing the left flank of the enemy's position, in doing which some important captures were made, one by Sergeant Socks of the 2d dragoons of a General George Stewart of Baltimore. Our cavalry also emptied the saddles of a number of the mounted rebels. Gen. Tyler's division was engaged with the enemy's right. The 27th was resting on the edge of the woods in the centre, covered by a hill upon which lay the 11th and 5th Massachusetts, occasionally delivering a scattering fire. The 14th was moving to the right flank, the 8th had lost its organization; the marines were moving up in fine style in rear of the 14th, and Capt. Arnold was occupying a height in the middle ground with his battery. At this juncture there was a temporary lull in the firing from the rebels, who appeared only occasionally The enemy clung to the protecting wood on the heights in irregular formations, but to with great tenacity, and the Rhode Island bat-serve as marks for Griffin's guns. The prestige tery became so much endangered as to impel the commander of the 2d brigade to call for the assistance of the battalion of regulars. At this time I received the information through Capt. W. D. Whipple, A. A. G., that Col. Hunter was seriously wounded, and had directed him to report to me as commander of the division, and in reply to the urgent request of Col. Burnside, I detached the battalion of regulars to his assist-ordered by the commanding-general to the top ance. For an account of its operations, I would respectfully beg a reference to the enclosed report of success had thus far attended the efforts of our inexperienced but gallant troops. The lines of the enemy had been forcibly shifted, nearly a mile to their left and rear. The flags of eight regiments, though borne somewhat wearily, now pointed towards the hill from which disordered masses of rebels had been seen hastily retiring. Griffin's and Rickett's batteries were of the hill on the right, supporting with the "Fire Zouaves and marines, while the 14th entered the skirt of wood on their right to pro |