During the first hours of combat, Gen. Birney, on tired regiments in the centre falling back, of his own accord rapidly pushed across to give them a hand to raise themselves to a renewed fight. with our left. The Parrots, in the mean while, of a mile additional on left of said road from were placed in position, and, under the admirable Schurz's troops being taken elsewhere. management of Lieut. Benjamin, did splendidly. Two mountain-howitzers, also reported, and were placed on our right in the edge of the woods, near the road, and commenced shelling the woods in front of the open space, which were now occupied by the enemy, our skirmishers having previously fallen back. The artillery fire now became very severe, and General Schenck was convinced that it was very essential that he should have another battery, and so sent me to you to get one. I arrived to find one, Capt. Romer's, just starting. You also directed to order Gen. Schenck to fall gradually back, as he was too far forward. This he had perceived, and anticipating, fell slowly back, placing his division behind the slope of the hill in front of the one we had occupied in the morning. Capt. Romer's battery in the mean time had taken position in front of the white house, on the right of the pike, a little in advance of the hill on which we were. Lieut. Benjamin's battery had suffered severely, so much so that he reported only one section fit for duty, the other having lost all its cannoneers. They were placed in position, and fired one or two rounds at the woods in front of the position we had just left. We were now ordered to descend the hills, cross the road, and take up our position behind the house, in front of which was Capt. Romer's battery. This we did, deploying the brigades in line of battle, the Second brigade in front, and First brigade in the rear. We remained so during the night. The above report is respectfully submitted, with the remark that it is made without any communication with General Schenck, he being severely wounded, and prevented by his surgeons from attending to any business whatever. And although fully assured that the main points are correct, there may have been some orders or movements of minor importance which, in my position as Aid-de-Camp, carrying orders, might not have come within my notice. I am, General, your most obedient servant, Army of Virginia. Commanding First Corps, Army of Virginia. REPORT OF GENERAL KEARNY. HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, THIRD CORPS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, CENTREVILLE, VA., Aug. 31, 1862. Col. George D. Ruggles, Chief of Staff to MajorGeneral John Pope: COLONEL: I report the part taken by my division in the battle of the two previous days. On the twenty-ninth, on my arrival, I was assigned to the holding of the right wing, my left on Leesburgh road. I posted Colonel Poe with Berry's brigade, in first line, General Robinson, First brigade, on his right, partly in line and partly in support, and kept Birney's most disciplined regiments reserved and ready for emergencies. Toward noon, I was obliged to occupy a quarter In early afternoon Gen. Pope's order, per Gen. Roberts, was to send a pretty strong force diagonally to the front, to relieve the centre in woods from pressure. Accordingly I detached on that purpose General Robinson, with his brigade, the Sixty-third Pennsylvania volunteers, Col. Hayes, the One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania volunteers, Captain Craig; the Twentieth Indiana, Col. Brown; and, additionally, the Third Michigan Marksmen, under Col. Champlin. General Robinson drove forward for several hundred yards, but the centre of the main body being shortly after driven back and out of the woods, my detachment thus exposed so considerably in front of all others, both flanks in air, was obliged to cease to advance, and confine themselves to holding their own. At five o'clock, thinking, though at the risk of exposing my fighting line to being enfiladed, that I might drive the enemy by an unexpected attack through the woods, I brought up additionally the most of Birney's regiments the Fourth Maine, Colonel Walker and Lieut.-Col. Carver; Fortieth New-York, Col. Egan; First New-York, Major Burt; One Hundred and First New-York, Lieut.-Col. Gesnerand changed front to the left to sweep with a rush the first line of the enemy. This was most successful. The enemy rolled up on his own right; it presaged a victory for us all. Still our force was too light. The enemy brought up rapidly heavy reserves, so that our further progress was impeded. General Stevens came up gallantly in action to support us, but did not have the numbers. On the morning of the thirtieth, Gen. Ricketts, with two brigades, relieved me of my extra charge of the left of the road, and I again concentrated my command. We took no part in the fight of the morning, although we lost men by an enfilading fire of the enemy's batteries. A sudden and unaccountable evacuation of the field by the left and centre occurring about five P.M., on orders from Gen. Pope, I massed my troops at the indicated point, but soon reoccupied with Birney's brigade, supported by Robinson, a very advanced block of woods. The key-point of this new line rested on the brown house toward the creek. This was held by regiments of other brigades. Soon, however, themselves attacked, they ceded ground and retired without warning us. I maintained my position until ten P.M., when, in connection with Gen. Reno and Gen. Gibson, assigned to the rear-guard, I retired my brigades. My command arrived at Centreville in good order at two A.M. this morning, and encamped in front of the Centreville forts. My loss in killed and wounded is over seven hundred and fifty-about one in three-in some regiments engaged a great deal severer; in the Third Michi gan, one hundred and forty out of two hundred; none taken prisoners, except my engineer officer, who returned to the house supposed to be held by the troops alluded to. It makes me proud to dwell on the renewed efforts of my Generals of brigades-Birney and Robinson. My regiments all did well, and the remiss in camp seemed as brightest in the field. Besides my old tried regiments, who have been previously noted in former actions, and maintained their prestige, I have to mark the One Hundred and First New-York and Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania volunteers as equalling all that their comrades have done before. Their commanders, Lieut.-Col. Gesner, with the One Hundred and First New-York volunteers, and Major Birney, with the Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania volunteers, have imparted to them the stamp of their own high character. The Sixty-third Pennsylvania and Fortieth New-York volunteers, under the brave Colonel Egan, suffered the most. The gallant Hays is badly wounded. The loss of officers has been great; that of Col. Brown can hardly be replaced. Brave, skilful, a disciplinarian, full of energy, and a charming gentleman, his Twentieth Indiana must miss him. The country loses in him one who promised to fill worthily high trusts. The Third Michigan, ever faithful to their name, under Col. Champlin and Major Pierce, lose one hundred and forty out of two hundred and sixty combatants. Col. Champlin is again disabled. The staunch Fourth Maine, under Walker and Carver, true men, of a rare type, drove on through the stream of battle irresistibly. The One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania volunteers were not wanting. They are Pennsylvanians-mountain men-again have they been fearfully decimated. The desperate charge of these regiments sustains the past history of this division. The lists of killed and wounded, and reports of brigades and regiments, will be shortly furnished. Randolph's battery of light twelves was worked with boldness and address, though narrowly watched by three long-reaching enfilading batteries of the enemy. It constantly silenced one of theirs in its front, and shelled and ricocheted its shots into the reënforcements moving from the enemy's heights down into the woods. On the twenty-seventh, with two sections and Robinson's brigade, Capt. Randolph had powerfully contributed to Gen. Hooker's success at Bristow station. Capt. Graham, First United States Artillery, put at General Sigel's disposition, as repeatedly drove the enemy back into the woods, as the giving way of that infantry left the front unobstructed. His practice was beautifully correct, and proved irresistible. On the thirty-first, Capt. Graham, not being required on the right, was sent to the extreme left, and rendered important service with Gen. Reno, firing until late in the night. long-range Parrotts covered our right flank, and drove afar the enemy's battery and regiments. I name these gentlemen as ornaments to their branch of the service. I must refer to Gen. Hooker to render justice to the part taken by my First brigade, under Gen. Robinson, and Randolph's battery, in the affair of the twenty-seventh, at Bristow station. Again am I called on to name the efficiency of my staff. Capt. Mindil, often cited, brave and intelligent, was the only military Aid present to assist me; but Dr. Pancost, Division SurgeonGeneral, not only insured the promptness of his department, but with heroism and aptitude, carried for me my orders. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Major-General, Commanding First Division. COLONEL SCAMMON'S REPORT. HEADQUARTERS FIRST PROVISIONAL BRIGADE, KANAWIA Captain G. M. Bascom, A.A. G.: SIR: I send, herewith, the reports of Colonel White and Lieut.-Col. Coleman, commanding the Twelfth and Eleventh Ohio regiments in the recent affair at Bull Run. I have already rendered a report of the march, and I have only to transmit the detailed reports, with such remarks as I deem necessary to preserve a true record of the affair. I reached Bull Run bridge at half-past eight A.M. of the twenty-seventh. On our near approach to the bridge I heard the reports of cannon, apparently some five or six pieces, fired with some degree of rapidity. On reaching the bridge we found that the New-Jersey brigade, under Gen. Taylor, was engaged with the enemy, but hearing only cannon, fancied that it was only a contest between artillery at long-range. I did not then know that the New-Jersey brigade was unprovided with artillery. I do not remember to have heard any musketry beyond what might have passed for the accidental discharge of a few pieces from carelessness of soldiers. Certainly, there was nothing bearing the least resemblance to the rattle of musketry from four regiments of infantry. We had just left the cars, when the New-Jersey troops came pouring along the track of the railroad in utter disorder-some of them talking of overwhelming numbers of the enemy, some censuring because they were ordered to retreat without firing a gun. I asked the meaning of what I saw, and was answered that Gen. Taylor had ordered the troops to move back around a bend of the road, to get out of range of the enemy's cannon. I wrote a note to General Taylor, announcing my arrival, and that I would move up instantly to his support. The Twelfth Ohio was ordered to the bridge to hold it, and was moving up as fast as the press of the retreating force would permit, when I received from the Assistant Adjutant-General of Gen. Taylor the information that he was disabled, and turned over the command to me. I sent my Assistant Adjutant-General, Lieut. Kennedy, of the Twentythird Ohio volunteers, to halt the fugitives and narrow track produced some little delay in the movement, at the same time the enemy shelling. Scarcely had we taken the position when I resave the bridge if possible. The Twelfth regiment was then filed to the right, up the hill-side, facing the bridge, brought to the front, and advanced on hands and knees through the insufficient covering of grass and low shrubbery to the brow of the hill, the centre overlooking the bridge, the left deflected a little to the rear, to engage the lower rifle-pit and the enemy on the opposite bank of the run. The galling fire poured into their advance soon hurled them back, but in a short time a regiment was sent to outflank our right, and another our left, while a charge was made down the hill on our front. Companies A and F were at once advanced to the right and rear to defend our right. Our line of battle was now crescent-shaped, with three regiments pouring a heavy fire into it, which positions were held against this great odds for two hours and a half, and had it not been for the timely assistance of the Eleventh regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, in driving back a column passing to our left and rear, we should have been surrounded, but this enabled me to draw off by the right flank in good order. turn them back. He soon returned with the report that his efforts were in vain. I appealed to those in my own vicinity-the rear of the retreating troops to face about and redeem them-ceived your order to advance and take position to selves, but without effect. They declared that the General had ordered them to "retire," and retire they did most disgracefully, despite the urgent appeals of Assistant Adjutant-General Dunham, of their own brigade, and myself. About this time Lieut. Wright, of the Fourth New-Jersey regiment, came to me with ten men, appearing to be very indignant at the conduct of the brigade, and asked to be led back to the ene my. I ordered him to report to Col. White, at the bridge. The names of the men forming this squad, who wished to save their honor, were, as given me by Lieut. Wright, Ord.-Sergt. Hannery, Sergt. Pettitts, Corp. Cox, privates John Winer, David Pope, John Connor, Joseph Schlab, Joseph Schern, George H. Cherry, Kilbon Fender-all of the Fourth New-Jersey regiment. I beg that they may be suitably rewarded, and that Captain Dunham and Lieutenant Wright be promoted for their gallantry. I have little else to add to the report already rendered. I beg leave, however, to ask a suitable notice of the gallant conduct of the officers and men of the Eleventh and Twelfth Ohio, whose bearing could not be excelled by any troops whatever-for there was no faltering We then formed on the brow of the next hill among them, nor was there the slightest appear-in our rear on a line parallel to the first. The ance of any thing but eagerness to engage the enemy, and fight against every odds of numbers. I have made especial mention of Col. White and Lieut.-Col. Coleman and Hines. I should add the name of Major Jackson, of the Eleventh; and though such mention may seem a matter of course, I should be unjust were I not to bear witness to the coolness and efficient energy of Lieutenants Kennedy and Botsford, of my staff. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. P. SCAMMON, Colonel Commanding First Brigade. COLONEL WHITE'S REPORT. FAIRFAX STATION, VA., August 27, 1862. Col. E. P. Scammon, Commanding First Prov. SIR: I have the honor to report the part taken in the action at Bull Run bridge this day by the Twelfth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, under my command. In obedience to your orders, the Twelfth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry left Alexandria this morning at four A.M., by rail, for Bull Run bridge, where it arrived about eight o'clock, disembarked, and formed on the railroad track on the left bank of the stream, fronting two rifle-pits on the opposite side. The men were ordered to lie down behind the embankment of the road, while the Eleventh regiment Ohio volunteer infantry was ordered to the left to prevent a flank movement of the enemy by a ford in that direction. These positions were taken while the enemy were pressing the First New-Jersey brigade, which had preceded us in the advance across the bridge, and their retiring forces mixing with ours on the enemy advanced his forces in the same manner as before, except that the regiments on our right moved further to our rear, making a desperate effort to cut us off, and did succeed in passing between the regiment and Capt. H. S. Clement, with twenty men, who was sent by Lieut.-Col. Hines to the right to observe and report the enemy's movement in that direction, but fortunately he effected an escape and joined us two miles below. We were finally compelled to fall back to the next ridge in the rear, where a stand was made, and with the assistance of the gallant Eleventh Ohio regiment, which did all that was in the power of men under the circumstances, put a check to their advance, and enabled us to get off our wounded and retire in good order, they covering the retreat. The officers of my command did their whole duty, and deserve great praise for gallantry and the manner in which they handled their several commands. Lieut.-Col. J. D. Hines and Major E. H. Carey are deserving of special commendation, and to their individual exertion in maintaining order, and their prompt assistance in handling the regi ment, I am in a great measure indebted for being able to withdraw, in an open meadow, a worn-out and exhausted regiment, in the face of a foe four to one. Wm. B. Nesbit, Lieutenant and Adjutant, and James H. Palmer, Sergeant-Major, are also deserving a special notice for gallantry and devotion to duty. In passing with orders along the line while the command was lying and delivering their fire, they were conspicuous and greatly exposed. The non-commissioned officers and pri LIEUTENANT KENNEDY'S REPORT. HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, KANAWHA DIVISION, August 31, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to report my knowledge of the connection of the First New-Jersey brigade with the engagement at Bull Run bridge on Wednesday, August twenty-seventh, 1862. This brigade, falling back before the forces of the enemy, crossed the bridge, passing through the lines of the Eleventh and Twelfth Ohio regiments, which were formed with the right of the Twelfth regiment resting upon, or near, the bridge. At the rear of the Twelfth an attempt was made by some person, as also by myself by your order, to halt the string of refugees from the New-Jersey brigade. I was informed that they were ordered back by Gen. Taylor, and were commanded to form on the left of the First brigade. Of this I informed you. About this time Capt. Dunham, A.A.G. of the First NewJersey brigade, brought back the word that they had received no such orders, and they were to be halted. A fruitless attempt was made. The Twelfth regiment having been ordered forward to protect the bridge by your orders, I went forward to Colonel White, whom I found fighting bravely under a heavy fire. Having accomplished the orders upon which I was sent I returned with a report of the condition of affairs in front. In accordance with orders, I then directed the Eleventh up the hill on the left bank of the river, where I left it under the guidance of Lieutenant James L. Botsford, A.A.D.C., and then returned to the rear to rally the New-Jersey troops, if possible, and conduct one regiment up to the front on the right, and protecting the threatened flank of the Twelfth regiment. Having passed down the railroad for some distance, I endeavored to stop the retreating columns but to men and officers I appealed in vain, until having thrown a guard across the road, a force of some one hundred and fifty or two hundred was gathered together. About this time, General Taylor, suffering from his wound, passed, borne upon a litter, and appealed to me to rally the men, and for God's sake to prevent another "Bull Run." I promised to do all I could. Shortly after, Captain Dunham, A.A.G., came to my assistance. I requested him to take a horse and go to head off the retreating columns, move some distance down the railroad and bring the force back to the front, and to do so by throwing a guard across the road with instructions to bayonet the first man who attempted to pass. He readily consented, and finally succeeded in Hon. O. P. Morton, Governor of Indiana: DEAR SIR: I most respectfully submit the following report of the part taken by the Nineteenth Indiana volunteers in the battle of the twentyninth and thirtieth of August, 1862, at Bull Run: At one o'clock A.M., on the twenty-ninth, we left Manassas for Bull Run. Arriving on the battle-field, we were immediately ordered to support Captain Campbell's battery of Gibbon's brigade, which was then moving down to the engagement. A line of battle was formed in rear of the battery, in which position we remained until the close of the engagement for the evening. We were ordered a short distance to the left, where we went into camp during the night. Early in the morning of the thirtieth August the cannonading became general along the lines, which ceased in a few hours. In the afternoon we received orders to be ready to march at a moment's notice. We soon formed in line and marched to the front and centre of our lines, which were there engaged with the enemy. Large numbers of disorganized troops were returning through the woods from the front, where the battle was raging fiercely. The Nineteenth Indiana moved forward through the woods with a firm step until we approached near the enemy. I then ordered company B to go forward as skirmishers. They had not advanced but a short distance until the enemy fired upon them, when they returned to the regiment. We remained in that position for some time in advance of any other troops in the centre, when we were ordered to fall back and take position in the field. The Nineteenth Indiana fell back under fire in perfect order. I halted the regiment several times, and awaited the approach of the enemy. During the time fifteen of my command were wounded. After returning, we were ordered to take position toward our left to support Capt. Campbell's battery of Gibbon's brigade. We held the position for some time, driving back the enemy with great loss by discharges from Capt. Campbell's battery. We lost one man killed and three wounded at that place. We were then ordered to take a position on a hill some distance east. The movement was made in fine order. After remaining a short time, we were ordered to take position on our extreme left, where we remained until about ten o'clock at night, when we, in connection with the entire brigade, covered the retreat from the battle-field to Centreville. During the whole en-my own observation, and was all that could be gagement the officers and men of my command behaved with great coolness and courage. The killed, wounded, and missing of the Nineteenth Indiana volunteers on the thirtieth of August, 1862, are as follows: One killed, eighteen wounded, and eleven missing. Total, thirty. Very respectfully, A.M. S. MEREDITH, CAPTAIN WILKINS'S REPORT. HEADQUARTERS THIRD REGIMENT INFANTRY, SIR: I have the honor to report that on the thirtieth of August this regiment arrived on the old battle-field of Bull Run, at about seven o'clock A short time after, the brigade was formed in line of battle, (in front of the Dogan house,) and the regiment ordered forward as skirmishers, with orders to occupy the crest of the hill in our front; our left resting on the Alexandria and Warrenton turnpike. We remained in this position about three hours, when I received orders to advance the line, which was promptly done. To effect this, it was necessary to drive the enemy from some houses in front of our left. This was gallantly done by three companies, under the command of Lieut. Sheridan, with the loss of two men killed and three wounded. Our line of skirmishers were then marched with those of the Pennsylvania reserves, the Bucktails on our left, and Gen. Butterfield's on the right. At about half-past four P.M. the attack was made by our troops on the right, and a short time after a movement was observed on our left, among the skirmishers of the Pennsylvania reserve, which ended in their retiring entirely from their position. This was immediately reported to Gen. Sykes, who directed me to occupy the same ground with my skirmishers, which was accordingly done. The skirmishers of the Third infantry then occupied all the open ground in front, extending from wood to wood. The left of our line of skirmishers was hotly pressed at this time, but the line was held until the movement on our right commenced. I then assembled the skirmishers on the right of the turnpike and retired by it, having directed the skirmishers on the left to rejoin me. This they were unable to do, but under Lieut. Sheridan they assembled on Col. Warren's brigade, and were with him in the fierce engagement which they had on the left. With all the men of my regiment I could get together I joined the brigade, which I found formed in front of the Henry and Robertson House. Shortly after we were ordered forward to engage the enemy, who were pressing our left. We had a short and close conflict at this point, and were finally forced to retire, which we did in good order. Subsequently we moved to Centreville, arriving at one o'clock in the night. desired. He mentions with praise the conduct of Lieutenants Whitney and Eckert, the former wounded and the latter contused. Lieut. Penrose was active and energetic. Sergeant James Torpy, of company H, with ten men of that company, held one of the houses occupied by us against a vastly superior force, and only retired when half his men were wounded and the house surrounded. He was subsequently wounded and left on the field. Seargeant-Major August Kaiser, First Sergeant Stanley Moniton, of company H; Hopkins, of company I; and Litzinger, of compa ny K; Smith, of company B; Hessian, of compa ny G; Coady, of company F; Shaeffer, of company E; Morris, of company C; Hanlef, of company D'; and Sergeants Flynn, Ackland, and Scully, of the regiment, are mentioned as having been distinguished for coolness and bravery during the entire contest. Lieut. Devoe, Adjutant of the regiment, rendered me important services during the action, and behaved with the same indifference to danger which has distinguished him on former occasions. Our entire loss was five killed, fifteen wounded, and twenty-five missing, many of whom were no doubt killed. JOHN D. WILKINS, Captain Third Infantry, Commanding Regiment. To Lieut. H. H. POWELL, Asst. Adjt.-General First Brigade Regulars. JEFF. DAVIS'S MESSAGE. To the Senate and House of Representatives of I have the gratification of presenting to Con gress two despatches from Gen. Robert E. Lee, commanding the army of Northern Virginia, communicating the result of the operations north of the Rappahannock. From these despatches it will be seen that God has again extended his shield over our patriotic army, and has blessed the cause of the Confederacy with a second signal victory on the field already memorable by the gallant achievement of our troops. Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon the skill and daring of the Commanding General who conceived, or the valor and hardihood of the troops who executed, the brilliant movement whose result is now communicated. After having driven from their intrenchments an enemy superior in number, and relieved from siege the city of Richmond, as heretofore communicated, our toil-worn troops advanced to meet another invading army, reenforced not only by the defeated army of Gen. McClellan, but by the fresh corps of Gens. Burnside and Hunter. After forced marches, with inadequate transportation, and across streams swol len to unusual height, by repeated combats they turned the position of the enemy, formed a juncCapt. Walker, acting field-officer, had charge tion of their columns in the face of greatly supe of the left wing, and rendered me much assist-rior forces, and fought the decisive batttie of the ance by his coolness and the prompt carrying out thirtieth, the crowning triumph of their toil and of orders. Lieut. Sheridan's conduct came under valor. JEFFERSON DAVIS. |