road we were occupying, opened on us with a | again a warm and quick fire of shell, and with heavy fire of shells and round and grape shot.

rifled cannon on our position on the road, which continued afterwards and with little intermission, with loss of some lives again in my New York regiment, until the close of the fight.

While this was going on, Capt. Alexander, of the Engineer Corps, brought up the company of pioneers, or axe-men, which, with its officers and sixty men, had been entirely detailed from the regiments of my brigade, to open a communication over the bridge, and through the heavy abatis which obstructed the passage of troops on our front beyond the run. To sup

To avoid the effects of this as much as possible, I ordered the men to fall back into the woods on each side of the road, and was presently reinforced by two guns of Ayres's battery, under Lieutenant Ransom, which passed to the head of the road. A brisk cannonading was then opened, but a very unequal one, on account of the superior force and metal of the enemy. While this continued, I left my horse and passed through the wood, and remained some time by our guns, to be satisfied whether we were making any impression upon the ene-port him while thus engaged I brought up, and my's work. I soon found that it was not thus placed in the road towards the bridge, Mcto be carried, and such also was the opinion of Cook's and Tompkins's regiments, detailing the officer in charge of the guns. Retiring, I also, and sending forward to the bridge, a comfound that the most of my two regiments in pany of the Second New Yorkers, to cover the the rear had fallen back out of range of the hot men while cutting through the enemy's abatis. and constant fire of the enemy's cannon, against A second company from Lieut.-Col. Mason's which they had nothing to oppose. The suffer- command was also brought forward with axes, ing from this fire was principally with the afterwards, to aid in clearing the obstructions, Second New York, as they were in the line and thus, in a short time, Capt. Alexander sucwhere most of the shell and shot fell that passed ceeded in opening a passage. Capt. Carlisle's over the heads of the Second Ohio. battery was now posted on the hillside, in the open field, to the left of the road towards the bridge.

Taking with me two companies of the Second Ohio which were yet in the woods maintaining their position, I returned to cover and bring away Ransom's guns. It was just at this place and point of time that you visited yourself the position we were leaving. I must not omit to speak with commendation of the admirable manner in which these guns of ours were handled and served by the officers and inen having them in charge. And I may notice the fact, also, that as we were withdrawing from this point we saw another heavy train of the enemy's guns arrive, and move up the stream on the other side of their battery with which we had been engaged, along what I supposed to be the road from Manassas, towards where the battle was raging with our troops on the right.

The

Very soon after, some reverses of fortune appearing to have taken place with our troops on the other side, who were falling back up the run, it was discovered and reported to me that a large body of the enemy had passed over the stream below the bridge, and were advancing through a wood in the low ground at our left with an evident purpose to flank us. To intercept this movement, I ordered forward into the road, still lower down, two of Carlisle's brass howitzers, a few rounds from which, quickly served, drove the rebels from the woods and back to the other side of the stream. It was not long after this that the unpleasant intelligence came of our army being in retreat from the front across the ford above, and the order My three regiments being all called in, then was received to fall back on Centreville. retired and rested in good order, at the centre retreat of my Brigade, being now in the rear of the front, near the turnpike. Here I was of our Division, was conducted in the reverse informed by Col. McCook that you had crossed order of our march in the morning, the Second the run above, with other portions of our di- New York moving first, and being followed by vision, and left with him an order for me to re- the Second and First Ohio, the two latter regimain with my infantry in that position, sup-ments preserving their lines in good degree, porting Carlisle's battery, which was posted close to the road on the right. This was 1 Capt. Carlisle, while we thus rested, was playing with much apparent effect upon the enemy's works across the run, with his two rifled pieces, as was also Lieut. Haines with the large Parrott gun. Soon after, having successive and cheering reports, confirmed by what we could observe, of the success of our army on the other side of the run, I discovered that bodies of the enemy were in motion probably retreating, to their right. To scatter these and hasten their flight, I ordered into the road towards the bridge, the two rifled guns, and had several rounds fired with manifest severe effect. This, however, drew from the enemy's batteries

P. M.

rallying together, and arriving at Centreville with closed ranks, and sharing comparatively little in the panic which characterized so painfully that retreat, and which seemed to be occasioned more by the fear of frightened teamsters and of hurrying and excited civilians, (who ought never to have been there,) than even by the reckless disorder and want of discipline of straggling soldiers. Near the house which was occupied as a hospital for the wounded, about a mile from the battle ground, a dashing charge was made upon the retreating column by a body of the rebel cavalry, which was gallantly repelled, and principally by two companies of the Second Ohio, with loss on both sides. Here, also, in this attack, occurred some of the

12

umn of the enemy's infantry, which I observed | sition near the desired point, when I was met with my glass, of at least 2,500 men, and soon by Col. Davies, who informed me that he had after two other bodies of men, of at least a beaten the enemy handsomely in front. I told regiment each, who now occupied the lines on him that I had been ordered back to Centreville the other side of the run, which lines now ap- by Col. Miles; that the rest of my brigade had peared full to overflowing. that they intended to make a push across our that point with my regiment for the purpose of Supposing now gone on, and that I had been directed to go to front in column, or would endeavor to turn our facing the enemy there, which I had done, and left, about 11 A. M. I began to fortify my posi- Col. Davies went, as I supposed, to his brigade. tion by throwing up an earthen parapet for Soon after this I was met by a staff officer of three guns, with embrasures across the road, Gen. McDowell's, who told me to put my briand commenced an abatis of timber, by felling gade in position on the left of the road from trees, pointing outward, between this battery Centreville to Blackburn's Ford, and stretching and the log house to the left. About this time toward the Union and Centreville road, facing the enemy on the opposite side appeared to be the enemy. Other troops had also fallen back falling back in confusion from our right attack, to this point-distant about a mile from Cenwhich continued for some time, and then the treville-and about 6 o'clock P. M., Capt. Alextide changed, and they seemed to be returning ander, of the Corps of Engineers, directed me, in large masses. At the interval between these by order of Gen. McDowell, to take the general two extremes, I was ordered by Col. D. S. arrangement of the troops at that point in my Miles to throw forward my skirmishers and own hands, he suggesting, as a good line of defeel the enemy, and accordingly two companies fence, between a piece of woods on the right of the 3d Michigan regiment were sent for- and one on the left, the line facing equally towward and down the ravine, to cover our front ards the enemy, who were supposed to be comand advance. These Capt. Brutchshmeider's light infantry battalion, I immediately formed that line as best I could were supported by ing either on the Union or the Blackburn road. which also advanced down the ravine, accom- of the regiments nearest the position, placing panied by Lieut. Prime, corps of United States the men in the ravines, and the artillery, as far Engineers, who went for the purpose of ascertaining the enemy's position-he volunteering try. Before Captain Alexander gave me this as possible, on the hills in the rear of the infanhis services for that particular purpose. Col. last direction I learned that Col. Miles had Davies also threw forward a company of skir-altered the position of some regiments which I mishers on his right. The enemy's skirmishers had placed before, especially the 3d Michigan were in force in the woods in front, and cov-regiment, which I had ordered to form close ered themselves with trees and rifle-pits which column by division, to remain as a reserve, and had been thrown up before. Our two advance await further orders from me. companies were driven back, the enemy pur- command of the regiment at that time, Lieusued, and were in turn driven back by the tenant-Colonel Stevens, (Colonel McConnel beThe officer in spherical case-shot of Green's battery, and I ing unwell, but on the ground,) immediately ordered back the light infantry, and also the executed that order, and put his regiment in two companies, to the former position. The close column. I went to some other part of company in front of Col. Davies's command re- the field, and on returning found this regiment tired about the same time. By 5 P. M. I had deployed in line of battle, and in another posithe battery and the abatis nearly completed, tion. I immediately inquired of Colonel Stemaking my defences as secure as the short time vens the reason of their position being altered. and few implements used would allow. No He told me that Colonel Miles had directed this enemy appeared in force in my front with a movement. I asked him why? Col. Stevens disposition to assault, but about this time a replied, "I do not know, but he had no confiheavy column of infantry appeared to the left dence in Col. Miles." I inquired the reason of Colonel Davies, in a ravine, moving up to why? Col. Stevens answered, "Because Col. the attack. This brigade opened a heavy fire Miles is drunk." That closed the conversation. upon them and gallantly drove them back, as I sent Col. Stevens back with his regiment, to he informed me afterward. During this firing, form close column by division, as at first. which was shortly after 5 o'clock, I received then reported to Capt. Alexander that I had orders from Col. Miles, through one of his staff, been interfered with in my disposition of the to retreat upon Centreville, and endeavor to troops during the day, and I could not carry hold that position. I immediately collected out Gen. McDowell's orders as long as I was my brigade and put it in motion on the road interfered with by a drunken man, Capt. Alextowards Centreville, and was at the head of the ander then answered that Gen.McDowell now 2d Michigan regiment in rear of the brigade, vested the whole disposition of the troops with when a staff officer proposed to me to throw me, and that I must use my own judgment. I my regiment in line, face toward the enemy, went to place another battalion in line, and I between the house occupied the night before was met by Col. Miles, who ordered me to by Hunt's battery and the Union and Centre-form that regiment in another direction. I reville road, upon which road the enemy was plied that "I should obey no more orders that supposed to be advancing. I had gained a po- he might see fit to give me." Colonel Miles

I

sible, otherwise to use his discretion. Capt. Ayres did not cross Bull Run, but remained with the remainder of your Division. His report herewith describes his operations during the remainder of the day. Advancing slowly and continuously with the head of the column, to give time for the regiments in succession to close up their ranks, we first encountered a party of the enemy retreating along a cluster of pines. Lieut.-Col. Haggerty of the Sixtyninth regiment, without orders, rode over and endeavored to intercept their retreat. One of the enemy, in full view and short range, shot Haggerty, and he fell dead from his horse. The Sixty-ninth opened fire on this party, which was returned; but, determined to effect our | junction with Hunter's Division, I ordered this fire to cease, and we proceeded with caution toward the field, when we then plainly saw our forces engaged. Displaying our colors conspicuously at the head of our column, we succeeded in attracting the attention of our friends, and soon formed the brigade in rear of Col. Porter's. Here I learned that Col. Hunter was disabled by a severe wound, and that Gen. McDowell was on the field. I sought him out and received his orders to join in the pursuit of the enemy, who were falling back to the left of the road by which the army had approached from Sudley Springs. Placing Col. Quimby's Regiment of Rifles in front, in column by division, I directed the other regiments to follow in line of battle, in the order of the Wisconsin Second, New York Seventy-ninth, and New York Sixty-ninth.

most identical with that of the great bulk of the secession army, and when the regiment fled in confusion and retreated toward the road there was a universal cry that they were being fired upon by our own men. The regiment rallied again, passed the brow of the hill a second time, and was again repulsed in disorder. By this time the New York Seventy-ninth had closed up, and in like manner it was ordered to cross the brow of the hill and drive the enemy from cover. It was impossible to get a good view of the ground. In it there was one battery of artillery, which poured an incessant fire upon our advancing column, and the ground was irregular, with small clusters of pines, affording shelter, of which the enemy took good advantage. The fire of rifles and musketry was very severe. The Seventy-ninth, headed by its colonel, (Cameron,) charged across the hill, and for a short time the contest was severe. They rallied several times under fire, but finally broke and gained the cover of the hill. This left the field open to the New York Sixty-ninth, Col. Corcoran, who, in his turn, led his regiment over the crest, and had in full open view the ground so severely contested. The firing was very severe, and the roar of cannon, musketry, and rifles, incessant. It was manifest the enemy was here in great force, far superior to us at that point. The Sixty-ninth held the ground for some time, but finally fell back in disorder.

but there found a detachment of rebel cavalry; then made a circuit, avoiding Cub Run bridge into Centreville, where I found Gen. McDowell. From him I understood that it was his purpose to rally the forces and make a stand at Centreville.

At this time Quimby's regiment occupied another ridge to our left, overlooking the same field of action, and similarly engaged. Here Quimby's regiment advanced steadily down (about 3 P. M.) began the scene of disorder the hill and up the ridge, from which he open- and confusion that characterized the remainder ed fire upon the enemy, who had made another of the day. Up to that time all had kept their stand on ground very favorable to him, and the places, and seemed perfectly cool and used regiment continued advancing as the enemy to the shell and shot that fell comparatively gave way till the head of the column reached harmless. Crossing Bull Run, I sought it at the point near which Rickett's battery was so its last position before the Brigadier crossed, severely cut up. The other regiments de- but it was not there; then passing through the scended the hill in line of battle, under a severe wood where in the morning we had first formcannonading, and the ground affording compared line, we approached the blacksmith's shop, ative shelter against the enemy's artillery, they changed directions by the right flank and followed the road before mentioned. At the point where this road crossed the bridge to our left the ground was swept by a most severe fire by artillery, rifle, and musketry, and we saw in succession several regiments driven from it, among them the Zouaves and battalion of marines. Before reaching the crest of the hill the roadway was worn deep enough to afford shelter, and I kept the several regiments in it as long as possible; but when the Wisconsin Second was abreast of the enemy, by order of Maj. Wadsworth, of Gen. McDowell's staff, I ordered it to leave the roadway by the left flank and to attack the enemy. This regiment ascended to the brow of the hill steadily, received the severe fire of the enemy, returned it with spirit, and advanced delivering its fire. This regiment is uniformed in gray cloth, al

But about 9 o'clock at night I received from Gen. Tyler in person, the order to continue the retreat to the Potomac. This retreat was by night, and disorderly in the extreme. The men of different regiments mingled together, and some reached the river at Arlington, some at Long Bridge, and the greater part returned to their former camps at or near Fort Corcoran. I reached this point at noon next day, and found a miscellaneous crowd crossing over the aqueduct and ferries. Conceiving this to be demoralizing, I at once commanded the guard to be increased, and all persons attempting to pass over to be stopped. This soon produced