Major Sykes, and the officers of his command, (three of whom, Lieutenants Latimer, Dickenson, and Kent, were wounded,) who, by their discipline, steadiness, and heroic fortitude, gave éclat to our attacks upon the enemy, and averted the dangers of a final overthrow. tect that flank, and a column composed of the | ing orders, rallying troops, and serving with 27th New York, 11th and 5th Massachusetts, his batteries, and finally, I have to state with 2d Minnesota, and 69th New York, moved up the deepest sorrow, was mortally wounded. toward the left flank of the batteries; but so soon as they were in position and before the flanking supports had reached theirs, a murderous fire of musketry and rifles, opened at pistol range, cut down every cannonier and a large number of horses. The fire came from some infantry of the enemy, which had been mistaken for our own forces; an officer in the field having stated that it was a regiment sent by Col. Heintzelman to support the batteries. Major Palmer, and the cavalry officers under him, who, by their daring intrepidity, made the effectiveness of that corps all that it could be upon such a field in supporting batteries, feeling the enemy's position, and covering our retreat. Major Reynolds of the marines, whose zealous efforts were well sustained by his subordinates, two of whom, Brevet-Major Zulin and Lieutenant Hale, were wounded, and one, Lieutenant Hitchcock, lost his life. The evanescent courage of the "Zouaves" prompted them to fire perhaps a hundred shots, when they broke and fled, leaving the batteries open to a charge of the enemy's cavalry, which took place immediately. The marines also, in spite of the exertions of their gallant officers, gave way in disorder. The 14th, on the right, Colonel H. W. Slocum, who was wounded and the column on the left, hesitatingly re- while leading his gallant 27th New York to tired, with the exception of the 69th and 38th the charge, and Major J. J. Bartlett, who subNew York, who nobly stood and returned the sequently commanded it, and by his enthusiasm fire of the enemy for fifteen minutes. Soon the and valor kept it in action, and out of the slopes behind us were swarming with our re- panic. His conduct was imitated by his subtreating and disorganized forces, while rider-ordinates, of whom two, Capt. N. O. Rogers less horses and artillery teams ran furiously through the flying crowd. All further efforts were futile. The words, gestures, and threats of our officers were thrown away upon men who had lost all presence of mind, and only longed for absence of body. Some of our noblest and best officers lost their lives in trying to rally them. Upon our first position the 27th was the first to rally, under the command of Major Bartlett, and around it the other regiments engaged soon collected their scattered fragments. The battalion of regulars, in the mean time, moved steadily across the field from the left to the right, and took up a position, where it held the entire forces of the rebels in check until our forces were somewhat rallied. The commanding-general then ordered a retreat upon Centreville, at the same time directing me to cover it with the battalion of regulars, the cavalry, and a section of artillery. The rear guard thus organized followed our panicstricken troops to Centreville, resisting the attacks of the rebel cavalry and artillery, and saving them from the inevitable destruction which awaited them had not this body been interposed. Among those who deserve especial mention, I beg leave to place the following names, viz. Captain Griffin, for his coolness and promptitude in action, and for the handsome manner in which he handled his battery. Lieut. Ames of the same battery, who, after being wounded, gallantly served with it in action; being unable to ride on horseback, was helped on and off a caisson in changes of position. Capt. Tillinghast, A. G. M., who was ever present when his services were needed, carry and Lieutenant N. C. Jackson, were wounded, and one ensign, Asa Park, was killed. In the last attack, Colonel H. M. Wood, of the 14th New York State Militia, was wounded, together with Captains R. B. Jordan and C. F. Baldwin, and Lieutenants J. A. Jones, J. R. Salter, R. A. Goodenough, and C. Scholes, and Adjutant Laidlaw. The officers of the 14th, especially Major James Jourdan, were distinguished by their display of spirit and efficiency throughout the action. Surgeon Charles Keeney of the Medical Department, who by his professional skill, promptitude, and cheerfulness made the condition of the wounded of the 2d division comparatively comfortable. He was assisted to a great extent by Dr. Ranch of Chicago, a citizen. During the action I received extremely valuable aid and assistance from my aide-de-camp, Lieut. C. F. Trowbridge, and Lieut. F. M. Bache, both of the 16th regiment. Lieut. J. E. Howard, 14th N. Y. S. M., acting brigade-quartermaster, by his zealous attention to duty, brought the wagons of my brigade safely to Arlington. The staff officers of the 2d division commanding, viz., Capt. N. D. Whipple, Lieuts. Cross and Flagan, served with me after the fall of Col. Hunter, and I am indebted to them for gallant, faithful services during the day. Capt. Whipple had his horse killed under him by a cannon ball. Acting Assistant Adj't-Gen., Lieut. W. W. Averill, sustained the high reputation he had before won for himself as a brave and skilful officer, and to him I am very greatly indebted for aid and assistance, not only in performing with the greatest promptitude the duties of his position, but by exposing himself most fearlessly in rallying and leading forward the troops, he contributed largely to their general effectiveness against the enemy. I desire to call the attention of the commanding-general particularly to him. and fired two rounds, when it was charged by the enemy's infantry from the woods on the right of our position. This infantry was mistaken for our own forces, an officer on the field having stated that it was a regiment sent by Col. Heintzelman to support the battery. In this charge of the enemy every cannonier was cut down, and a large number of horses killed, leaving the battery (which was without support except in name) perfectly helpless. Owing to the loss of men and horses it was impossible to take more than three pieces from the field. Two of these were afterwards lost in the retreat, by the blocking up of the road by our own forces, and the complete exhaustion of the few horses dragging them. The same thing happened with reference to the battery wagon, forge, and one caisson. All that is left of the battery is one of Parrott's rifle guns, and one 12-pound howitzer. Of the 95 men who went into action, 28 are killed, wounded, and missing; and of 101 horses, 55 are missing. The following is the list of the killed, wound In conclusion I beg leave to submit the en- Very respectfully, your obedient servant, CAPT. GRIFFIN'S REPORT. Through inadvertence in copying Colonel Porter's Report, the names of the following officers were omitted, of whom honorable mention was then made: Major Went worth and Quartermaster Cornell, both of the New York 8th, also Lieutenant Averill's name was mutilated. N. Y. Tribune, Aug. 16. Killed... Wounded.. Total. 5 8 12 8 28 In conclusion, I would state that my officers and men behaved in a most gallant manner, displaying great fearlessness, and doing their duty as becomes brave soldiers. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHARLES GRIFFIN, Captain Fifth Artillery, commanding Battery D. Lieut. Ames was wounded so as to be unable to In addition, I deem it my duty to add that ride his horse, at almost the first fire; yet he sat by his command directing the fire, being helped on and off the caisson during the differleave the field until he became too weak to sit ent changes of front or position, refusing to A.Q.M., who gallantly served with the battery, up. I would also mention Capt. Tillinghast, pointing a piece and rendering valuable assist ance. NAMES OF KILLED, WOUNDED, AND MISSING OF CAPT. GRIFFIN'S REPORT. Killed-Wm. Campbell, Joseph Cooper, Joseph Howard, James O'Brien, and Frederick A. Reig, all privates. Mortally Wounded-Sergeant Stephen Kane; privates, James Turner and Andrew Wagner. Wounded-First Lieutenant A. Ames, Fifth Artillery; Sergeants T. Maher and John Murphy; privates Robert Bloom, Alexander Campbell, R. Chamberlain, R. R. Connell, George Clark, Samuel Davis, Herman Fisher, James Moran, James M. Sheffield. Missing-Privates, John Allen, S. Griswold, Edward Hopwood, C. R. Holliday, Owen McBride, John H. McIntire, Andrew Roberts, Charles Ridder. The wounded missing are italicized. REPORT OF LIEUTENANT-COLONEL FISKE. HEAD-QUARTERS SECOND REGIMENT NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEERS, CAMP SULLIVAN. NEAR WASHINGTON, July 27, 1861. among the last, if not the last, to leave the field. Their retreat, on the whole route to the camp, was unattended by tumult or any disorder further than leaving their ranks. Their entire confidence in their courage and steadiness, and I hope will meet your commendation. FRANK S. FISKE, Lt. Col. 2d Regt., N. H. Volunteers. Colonel HUNTER, commanding Second Division of army of the Potomac. MAJOR SYKES'S REPORT. HEAD-QUARTERS, BATTALION OF REGULARS, CAMP TRUMBULL, VA., July 24, 1861. CAPTAIN: In compliance with your circular of the 23d inst., I have the honor to report the following casualties that occurred in my command during the recent battle before Manassas: 3 commissioned officers wounded, 1 assistant surgeon missing, 13 rank and file killed, 17 wounded, 12 of whom are missing, 42 missing. Many of the latter are supposed to have taken the Alexandria turnpike by mistake, and will no doubt rejoin their colors to-day. SIR: I have the honor to submit the follow-conduct throughout the day inspires me with ing report of the movements of the Second regiment New Hampshire Volunteers, during the march and battle on the 21st inst. I give the time of the different movements as nearly as possible. The regiment left its camp, near Centreville, at two o'clock A. M., and immediately took its place in the column of the Second Brigade, under Col. Burnside. We continued in the column of the brigade until near the field of battle. On arriving at the battle field (at half-past ten o'clock) we were ordered up to support the Rhode Island battery. Before arriving at the place indicated, we were ordered on to the crest of a hill in a field considerably to the right, exposed to the fire of the enemy's batteries. We here fired upon some battalions, said to be Georgia troops, who retired to the shelter of the woods opposite. After they retired the regiment was withdrawn under shelter of the brow of the hill. We were then ordered to the left, to support the Rhode Island battery. The men took their positions and fired several volleys. Colonel Marston was wounded here and carried to the rear. At 11.30 A. M. we were moved from here to a position on the left, and in advance of the Rhode Island battery, where we fired a few shots at the retreating enemy. After remaining here an hour, more or less, we were ordered to report ourselves to Col. Heintzelman, (one o'clock P. M.) The regiment moved to a position near his column, and I sent the sergeant-major three several times to report the regiment ready to render any succor or support they were able to afford. The sergeant-major was unable to meet with Col. Heintzelman or his staff. After remaining in our position some time, I received an order (2.30 P. M.) to advance to a position indicated, which was to the left, and a quarter of a mile in advance of the troops engaged in that part of the field. The enemy were screened from our sight. As the men were exposed to fire from a battery and from musketry, I ordered them to lie down and fire when any of the enemy were exposed. After a short time we were ordered to withdraw. The men retired leisurely, and in perfectly good order, halting once under the shelter of some woods. On our way to join our brigade we were ordered by an officer of dragoons, whose regiment was in advance of the retreat, to make haste, or we should be cut off by the enemy's cavalry. Our column was formed again in the brigade; but before the formation was complete the retreat began, and continued, with a short rest at our former eamp, near Centreville, to Washington. The men obeyed orders with coolness and precision during the whole day. They took every position they were ordered to, and never wavered or retired until ordered to do so, and were This battalion, composed of two companies of the 2d U. S. Infantry, five companies of the 3d U. S. Infantry, and one company of the 8th U. S. Infantry, left its camp near Centreville about half-past three A. M., on the 21st inst., and after a circuitous march of ten or twelve miles arrived on the enemy's left, and was immediately ordered to support the force under Colonel Burnside, which was suffering from a severe fire in its front. Our line was rapidly formed, opening fire, and a column under Colonel Heintzleman appearing at the same moment at our left, the enemy fell back to the rising ground in his rear. My battalion was then advanced to the front and took a position on the edge of a wood immediately opposite to a masked battery and a large force of the secessionists, posted around a house and the fences and trees around it. The three left companies were deployed as skirmishers under Captain Dodge, 8th Infantry, and did great execution among their ranks. At this time the whole battalion became actively engaged, and a Rhode Island battery coming into action on my right and having no supports, at the request of its commanding officer, and seeing myself the necessity of the case, I remained as a protection to his guns. For more than an hour the command was here exposed to a concentrated fire from the batteries and regiments of the enemy, which seemed doubled when the guns of the Rhode Islanders opened. Many of my men assisted in working the latter battery. As the attack of our army became more developed on the right, and the necessity of my staying with the guns ceased, I moved my battalion in that direction, passing through crowds of retiring troops whom we endeavored in vain to rally. Taking a position on the extreme right in front of several regiments of the enemy, I opened an effective fire upon them, and held my ground until all our troops had fallen | back, and my flank was turned by a large force of horse and foot. I then retired a short distance in good order, and facing to the enemy on the crest of a hill, held his cavalry in check, | which still threatened our flank. At this stage of the action, my command was the only opposing force to the enemy, and the last to leave the field. By taking advantage of woods and broken ground, I brought it off without loss, although the guns of our opponents were playing on our line of march from every height. While thus retiring, I received an order from our brigade- | commander to cover the retreat of that portion of the army near me, which I did as well as I was able, remaining in rear until all of it had passed me. After crossing "Bull Run," my command was threatened by a large force of cavalry-but its order and the regularity of its march forbade any attack. We reached our camp beyond Centreville at 8 P. M. It is but proper to mention that our officers and men were on their feet from 10 P. M., on the 20th, until 10 A. M., on the 22d-without rest, many without food, footsore, and greatly exhausted they yet bore the retreat cheerfully, and set an example of constancy and discipline worthy of older and more experienced soldiers. My officers, nearly all of them just from civil life and the Military Academy, were eager and zealous, and to their efforts are due the soldierly retreat and safety of the battalion-as well as of many straggling volunteers who accompanied my command. mand was under arms, in light marching order, with two days' cooked rations in their haversacks, and commenced the march at half-past two A. M. on the 21st., the brigade of Colonel Franklin leading, followed by those of Colonels Wilcox and Howard. At Centreville we found the road filled with troops, and were detained three hours to allow the divisions of General Tyler and Colonel Hunter to pass. I followed with my division immediately in the rear of the latter. Between two and three miles beyond Centreville we left the Warrenton turnpike, turning into a country road on the right. Captain Wright accompanied the head of Colonel Hunter's column, with directions to stop at a road which turned in to the left to a ford across Bull Run, about half way between the point where we turned off from the turnpike and Sudley's Springs, at which latter point Colonel Hunter's division was to cross. No such road was found to exist, and about eleven A. M. we found ourselves at Sudley's Springs, about ten miles from Centreville, with one brigade of Colonel Hunter's division still on our side of the Run. Before reaching this point the battle had commenced. We could see the smoke rising on our left from two points, a mile or more apart. Two clouds of dust were seen, showing the advance of troops from the direction of Manassas. At Sudley's Springs, whilst waiting the passage of the troops of the division in our front, I ordered forward the first brigade to fill their canteens. Before this was accomplished the leading regiments of Colonel Hunter's division became engaged. The acting Major, Capt. N. H. Davis, 2d General McDowell, who, accompanied by his infantry, rendered essential service by his staff, had passed us a short time before, sent coolness, zeal, and activity. Capt. Dodge, 8th back Captain Wright of the engineers and infantry, commanding the skirmishers on the Major McDowell, one of his aids, with orders left, was equally efficient, and to those gentle- to send forward two regiments to prevent the men, and all my officers, I am indebted for enemy from outflanking them. Captain Wright cordial cooperation in all the movements of the led forward the Minnesota regiment to the left day. Lieut. Kent, although wounded, endeav- of the road, which crossed the run at this ored to retain command of his company, but point. Major McDowell led the Eleventh Masa second wound forced him to give it up. He sachusetts up the road. I accompanied this and Lieut. Dickinson, acting adjutant, wound-regiment, leaving orders for the remainder of ed and Dr. Sternberg, U. S. A., (since escaped,) are believed to be in the hands of the enemy. I beg to call the attention of the brigade-commander to the services of Sergeant Major Devoe of the 3d infantry, who was conspicuous for his good conduct on the field. the division to follow, with the exception of Arnold's battery, which, supported by the First Michigan, was posted a little below the crossing of the run as a reserve. At a little more than a mile from the ford we came upon the battle-field. Rickett's battery was posted on a hill to the right of Hunter's division and to the right of the road. After firing some twenty minutes at a battery of the enemy, placed just beyond the crest of a hill, on their entrance left, the distance being considered too great, it was moved forward to within about 1,000 feet of the enemy's battery. Here the battery was exposed to a heavy fire of musketry, which soon disabled it. Franklin's brigade was posted on the right of a wood, near the centre of our line, and on ground rising towards the enemy's position. In the meantime, I sent orders for the Zouaves to move forward to support Rickett's battery on its right. As soon as they came up I led them forward against an | treat about half-past four P. M. There was a Alabama regiment, partly concealed in a clump fine position a short distance in the rear, where of small pines in an old field. At the first fire I hoped to make a stand with a section of Arthey broke and the greater portion of them fled nold's battery and the United States cavalry, if to the rear, keeping up a desultory firing over I could rally a few regiments of infantry. In the heads of their comrades in front; at the this I utterly failed, and we continued our resame moment they were charged by a company treat on the road we had advanced on in the of secession cavalry on their rear, who came morning. I sent forward my staff officers to by a road through two strips of woods on our rally some troops beyond the run, but not a extreme right. The fire of the Zouaves killed company would form. I stopped back a few four and wounded one, dispersing them. The moments at the hospital to see what arrangediscomfiture of this cavalry was completed by ments could be made to save the wounded. a fire from Captain Collum's company of Unit- The few ambulances that were there were ed States cavalry, which killed and wounded filled and started to the rear. The church, several men. Colonel Farnham, with some which was used as a hospital, with the woundof his officers and men, behaved gallantly, but ed and some of the surgeons, soon after fell the regiment of Zouaves, as a regiment, did not into the hands of the secession cavalry, that appear again on the field. Many of the men followed us closely. A company of cavalry joined other regiments and did good service as crossed the rear and seized an ambulance fuil skirmishers. I then led up the Minnesota regi- of wounded. Captain Arnold gave them a ment, which was also repulsed, but retired in couple of rounds of "canister" from his sectolerably good order. It did good service in tion of artillery, which sent them scampering the woods on our right flank, and was among away and kept them at a respectful distance the last to retire, moving off the field with the during the remainder of our retreat. At this Third United States infantry. Next was led point most of the stragglers were in advance of forward the First Michigan, which was also re- us. Having every reason to fear a vigorous pulsed, and retired in considerable confusion. pursuit from the enemy's fresh troops, I was They were rallied, and helped to hold the desirous of forming a strong rear guard, but woods on our right. The Brooklyn Fourteenth neither the efforts of the officers of the regular then appeared on the ground, coming forward army, nor the coolness of the regular troops in gallant style. I led them forward to the with me, could induce them to form a single left, where the Alabama regiment had been company. We relied entirely for our protecposted in the early part of the action, but had tion on one section of artillery and a few comnow disappeared, but soon came in sight of the panies of cavalry. Most of the road was favorline of the enemy drawn up beyond the clump able for infantry, but unfavorable for cavalry of trees. Soon after the firing commenced the and artillery. About dusk, as we approached regiment broke and ran. I considered it use- the Warrenton turnpike, we heard a firing of less to attempt to rally them. The want of rifled cannon on our right, and learned that the discipline in these regiments was so great that enemy had established a battery enfilading the the most of the men would run from fifty to road. Captain Arnold, with his section of arseveral hundred yards to the rear, and continue tillery, attempted to run the gauntlet and to fire-fortunately for the braver ones-very reached the bridge over Cub Run, about two high in the air, and compelling those in front miles from Centreville, but found it obstructed to retreat. During this time Reickell's battery with broken vehicles, and was compelled to had been taken and retaken three times by us, abandon his pieces as they were under the fire but was finally lost, most of the horses having of these rifled cannon. The cavalry turned to been killed-Capt. Reickell being wounded, the left, and after passing through a strip of and First Lient. D. Ramsay killed. Lieut. woods and some fields, struck a road which led Kirby behaved very gallantly, and succeeded in them to some camps occupied by our troops in carrying off one caisson. Before this time the morning, through which we regained the heavy reinforcements of the enemy were dis- turnpike. At about eight P. M. we reached tinctly seen approaching by two roads extend- the camps we had occupied in the morning. ing and outflanking us on the right. Col. Had a brigade from the reserve advanced a Stewart's brigade came on the field at this time, short distance beyond Centreville near onehaving been detained by the General as a re-third of the artillery lost might have been serve at the point where we left the turnpike. It took post on a hill on our right and rear, and for some time gallantly held the enemy in check. I had one company of cavalry attached to my division, which was joined during the Our artillery was served admirably and did engagement by the cavalry of Col. Stanton's much execution. Some of the volunteer regidivision Major Palmer, who cannonaded them, ments behaved very well, and much excuse can was anxious to engage the enemy. The ground be made for those who fled, as few of the enemy being unfavorable, I ordered them back out of could at any time be seen. Raw troops cannot range of fire. Finding it impossible to rally be expected to stand long against an unseen any of the regiments, we commenced our re-enemy. I have been unable to obtain any re saved, as it was abandoned at or near this crossing. Such a rout I never witnessed before. No efforts could induce a single regiment to form after the retreat had commenced. |