were put upon double-quick up the hill, wheel- | ing to the left, into an old stubble-field, where we halted, and our arrival was announced by a shot from a rifle cannon whistling over our heads. The halt did not last two minutes, when Col. Burnside led the different regiments into their positions on the field. The Second Rhode Island entered the field first, to the extreme right, then the Rhode Island battery, six pieces, and the two howitzers of the Seventy-first; and then to the left the Seventy-first, and after it, on its left the First Rhode Island, and then the Second New Hampshire, all formed in line of battle on the top of the hill. This movement was done at double-quick. We were immediately ordered to fall back and lie down, as the discharge from the enemy's battery was very severe. The First and Second Rhode Island regiments, the Rhode Island battery, and the two howitzers opened fire on the enemy. One of the Rhode Island guns was immediately disabled by a shot from the enemy, and was carried off the field. The Seventy-first lay there as ordered, when an aid from Col. Burnside rode up and asked for the field officers. Col. Martin then ordered us forward. Prior to this some of the Seventy-first had gone over to the First Rhode Island, and were fighting in their ranks. Boroughs, commissary of the Seventy-first, rode up in front of us, dismounted from his horse, and told the boys to go in and fight on their own account, which they did with a will. Just prior to this Capt. Hart, of Company A, had been wounded and carried from the field; also Capt. Ellis, of Company F. Then Lieut. Oakley came on. Going forward to the brow of the hill he received a shot in the leg of his pantaloons from one of his own men. Some time after this the firing ceased upon both sides. McDowell, with his staff, then rode through our lines, receiving a cheer from the Seventy-first, and passed down the hill to the left, within 600 feet of the enemy's line. After that the brigade fell back into the woods and rested, taking care of the wounded, and removing them to the hospital; some straggling about over the fields without their muskets, looking on at the fight in other parts of the engagement, which they supposed was the end of the battle, thinking the day was ours. At about 3 o'clock we formed in line again, on the brow of the hill. It was at this time that a shell fell over my left shoulder, and striking the ground behind me, rebounded upon the foot of private Wm. N. Smith, of Brooklyn, tearing it open. He threw his arms around my neck, and I assisted in carrying him to the hospital. I returned from the hospital towards my regiment, and met other troops retreating, who informed me that my regiment had gone across the fields. I ran past Sudley Church, then used as the hospital, up the hill, saw a regiment about half a mile ahead, which I sup posed was the Seventy-first; took a short cut across the fields, when the cavalry galloped up and arrested me. They took me back to the hospital, where, during the confusion, I managed to conceal myself under a blanket, which was saturated with blood. Col. Barker, of the Virginia cavalry, then galloped up, and ordered all the unwounded prisoners to be driven to the Junction. I should think there were about 50 prisoners in all at that point. They left me, supposing I was wounded. A guard was left to guard the hospital. I arose to go in quest of Dr. Peugnet, and found him engaged in amputating the arm of Harry Rockafellow, of S. Street, Philadelphia, .of Company F, Seventy-first regiment. Dr. Peugnet requested me to assist him, and he having completed his operation, then amputated the arm at the shoulder-joint of a sergeant of a Maine or a New Hampshire regiment, who had a brother about 17 years of age, who had remained behind to take care of him. This man died under the operation. The next operation was that of my friend Wm. Smith, of Brooklyn, whom I had conveyed to the hospital. His foot was amputated. During this time Drs. Foster, Swift, and Winston, of the Eighth New York; Dr. De Grant, Dr. Griswold, Dr. Buxton, and the doctor of the Fourth Maine; Dr. Stewart, of Minnesota; Harris, of Rhode Island, and four others whose names I did not learn, one of whom, I believe, was the surgeon of the West Point battery, were attending to the wounded of their respective regiments. Private Tyler, of the West Point battery, had his thigh amputated and died that night. Cornelius, Col. Martin's servant, who was wounded while assisting the colonel to dismount, also died. Mullen, Second Rhode Island, and two of the Seventy-first, whose names I do not know, were found dead next morning. Gen. Beauregard and Col. Barker came up about 74 o'clock that evening with 150 prisoners of different regiments, most of whom were Fire Zouaves. He stopped and inquired how our wounded were getting along, while the prisoners were driven towards the Junction by the cavalry. During the night a number of prisoners were brought in, and on Monday morning 30 were sent on, their hands tied together in front with Manilla rope; among them was the lad of 17, from Maine, who plead bitterly to be left to see his brother buried, but was refused. During the forenoon an order was issued by Gen. Johnston for every one to be removed from Sudley Church to Richmond, via the Junction. All who were not wounded were taken under a tree and tied, as an attack was anticipated. Our doctors strongly remonstrated against this order, as the greater part of our wounded, 280 in number, had not received any attention. Capt. Patrick, of the Virginia cavalry, stated these were his instructions, and he meant to carry them out. We were accordingly | back on parole-Drs. Peugnet, Swift, Winston, all seized, hands bound, except the doctors, who De Graw, Buxton, and Stewart-and immediwere in ambulances. It was then raining in ately commenced attending to the wounded. torrents, and some 80 of the wounded were Their exertions were unremitting; their time lying in the vicinity of the church and black- day and night was given to the wounded until smith shop without any shelter excepting a all the wounds were properly dressed and all blanket. The doctors were hurriedly taken cared for. away, we being told that our wounded would be cared for by themselves. On Wednesday morning, Dr. Peugnet put me in charge of the hospital, and allowed me to choose 20 from the prisoners and wounded, who were able to take care of the wounded, to assist me. The same morning a lady of the neighborhood brought us a bottle of wine and two dozen eggs, and we bought at noon twelve dozen eggs from a sutler. Thursday morning a number of secession doctors made their appearance, bringing with them some luxuries, which they gave to our doctors. Some time during the day Noble, of Company F, and Gillette, of the Engineer Corps, both of the Seventy-first, were brought in as prisoners, and were retained as assistants at the hospital. They were not wounded. This day a number of ladies and farmers of the surrounding country visited our hospitals, bringing with them Here we waited till 12 o'clock at night in the rain, awaiting orders, when I requested Capt. Patrick to allow me to go down to the hospital to see a relative who was badly wounded, telling him it would be better to shoot our wounded at once than to allow them to die off by inches; they were all calling for water, and no one there to give it to them. He then said, "Well, my man, choose another man with you and go down." I chose Smith, of Company H, Seventy-first regiment. Capt. Patrick then inquired if there were any more men who had brothers or relatives among the wounded. A general rush took place among the prisoners -they all stepping forward. He then allowed Atwood Crosby, of Maine, to take care of his brother, who was wounded in the back, and five others: Tompkins, Company C, Seventy-milk, soup, and cakes. first; John Hand, of Massachusetts; a young boy of the Second Rhode Island, about 17 years old; Deegan, of the Twenty-seventh, and another, an assistant to a Maine surgeon, and his servant, who cooked for the prisoners, under the direction of Tompkins. The rest were kept out in the rain all night, and the follow-containing the wounded, who had undergone ing morning were sent to Richmond. During Monday night a man from Wisconsin died, calling for his mother. He had a daguerreotype of his wife and two children. He called me to give him some water, which I did very frequently. He called for his "Dear mother "these were his last words. He was a man about 5 feet 6 inches, with a light mustache, and was wounded in the groin. A boy about 18 years old, dressed in the uniform of the Eighth regiment, about 5 feet 10 inches in height, sandy complexion, shot in the head; had $21 in his pocket-book, and a white silk badge, marked "Parker Guard," died Monday night. Lieut. Devers, of Ellsworth Zouaves, wounded in the arm. He laid down to rest, and in the morning, when I went to bandage his arm, I found him dead. Also, a man from Rockland, Me., named Fletcher. On Friday, they commenced removing the prisoners and wounded, amongst them Capt. Gordon, of the Eleventh Massachusetts, Lieut. Hamlin, Scott Life Guard, and all the noncommissioned officers, leaving instructions with us to be prepared to follow the ambulances operations, on Saturday. In the mean time, Capt. Allen, of the Eleventh Massachusetts, disguised as a private and wounded prisoner, a Wisconsin boy, named Worldorf, and myself, planned an escape, which was successfully accomplished between 5 and 10 P. M. Friday night. We ran the guard, and crawled on our hands and feet out of hearing distance of the sentinels; proceeded in a north-east direction until 3 A. M.; met two pickets of the enemy in a small tent on the main road, which we had to cross to accomplish our escape; the pickets cowed at our appearance, and hid behind a tree, and we backed some one hundred feet with sticks pointed in the direction of the pickets, and then turned and ran about two miles, keeping a little to the north. At 2 P. M., not knowing where we were, we determined to approach a house and inquire. On Tuesday, Allen, of Company C, Seventy- We met two women at the gate, and told them first, died. He was wounded in the abdomen. we belonged to the Fourth Alabama regiment. Butler, of Company C, Seventy-first, Elizabeth-They asked for Messrs. Grey of that regiment town, N. J., also died; wounded in legs. if we knew them-and a number of others, Doctors were not there to amputate. George all of whom, we told them, were shot at Bull Sayne and John P. Morrissey, both of the Sev- Run. They asked where we came from, and enty-first, also died Wednesday morning, within where were our arms. These questions we one hour of each other, lying side by side. evaded, and asked them to show us the way to Mead, of Massachusetts, a wealthy shoe-manu- Centreville, which they did. We took an opfacturer, died while having his thigh amputa- posite direction, and at 4 P. M. halted at anted. Several others died, whose names I could other house, where an old man came out and not learn, numbering in all 32. asked if we were soldiers. We replied in the affirmative, and added that we belonged to the On Tuesday evening, six of the doctors came Fourth Alabama regiment, and had been picking blackberries and strayed away from our camp. He then said, "Are you the regiment that is waiting for artillery?" I replied, "The same." "Then, boys," said he, "you are stationed at Ball's Mill, three miles from here, [pointing in the direction of Leesburg,] halfway from here to Leesburg." He then said, "Were you in the fight Sunday?" "Yes." "I am glad, boys, you escaped from the slaughter. These d- -d Yankees, I would like to see every man of them strung up; I never could bear them. I will send Edward to show you the way to the main road." We thanked him and left. At 5 P. M. came to a railroad. I saw a little boy and girl, and asked them what road it was. They replied they did not know, but if we would go to the house Jeff. would tell us. After some further inquiries, without getting any information, we crossed the track and took to the woods, and continued our march until 6 P. M., when we saw a house standing alone in the bushes. We determined to go there, and get something to eat. Arriving at the gate, we inquired if they had something to sell us. They said they had, and we lost no time in investing in fifty cents' worth of hoe-cake and milk. While we were devouring these (to us) luxuries, a horseman galloped up to the door, and the lady of the house called the man with whom we were conversing, "Cousin George," (his name is Edwards.) We suspected something wrong, and took a precipitate leave down the hill, and continued our march. Half an hour after leaving this house we crossed the main road, and crossed the field, in order to reach a wood which we supposed was a forest, but which turned out to be nothing but a small thicket. Soon after crossing the thicket, we espied eight mounted troopers at full speed, passing along the road, some fifteen yards ahead; not supposing they were in search of us, we continued on our way, when, upon looking round, we found they had halted at the foot of the hill, and were looking in all directions; at last they saw us, and commanded us to halt and come back. This we had no desire to do; and, knowing the fence along the road to be impassable on horseback, we thought our chances of escape were good. We accordingly ran, and they fired, one or two of them dismounting simultaneously with the discharge of the others' guns, to let the rails of the fence down in order that they might pursue us into the woods. In the mean time we had gained the wood and found another fence surrounding it. This fence was equally as wide as the first one. They galloped off to the edge of the woods where we should have to pass to make our escape, and surrounded the woods. Here they dismounted, took down the rails and entered the bushes, and commenced their search. In the mean time we had run back to where we entered the bush, and hid under two large elm trees, Capt. Allen clipping the branches, in order that we might pull them down over us with more facility; it was perhaps five minutes before they reached this portion of the thicket, and these trees being so much exposed, they concluded no person was there, and went away to the other end of the woods, but soon returned, and on passing one of these trees, one of the horses ridden by one of our pursuers grazed my right leg with his hoof, and so close were they upon us that we overheard all their conversation. During this time, some twelve or fifteen of the inhabitants of Milford turned out with their guns and pistols to assist the troopers to find the Yankees; and an order was given, by an old man in citizen's dress, for the horsemen to follow up in the next woods, with orders to the men who had come together, to look in all the bushes and to turn over all the old logs, and leave nothing undone which they might suppose would tend to our capture. Here one of them reckoned the Yankee had got away: another said that if they were in those woods, they would give us a right warming, and they commenced discharging their guns in the bushes in every direction, but, happily, did not aim in the direction of our tree. In about an hour the old man returned, and ordered a boy about eighteen years of age to remain beside us on a log, with instructions to fire at us the moment he saw us-"Even," said he, "if you do miss them." It was now 9 P. M., and the long prayed-for darkness came to our rescue, and helped to cover our retreat. For nearly another hour the old wretch kept prowling about the woods, and finally went away. At about 11 o'clock we were so exhausted that we fell asleep, and rested until 12, when Allen crawled over to me and said, " 'They haven't got us yet." I had dreamt, during my short slumber, that I was a captive, and he had some difficulty in persuading me to the contrary. Being reassured, I arose from my retreat, and, as we emerged from beneath the branches which had just saved our lives, we beheld the youth who, two hours before, had been placed to watch for us; he was in a deep slumber, and had his gun grasped between his folded arms, in a horizontal position. I drew my knife to despatch him, but Capt. Allen prevented me. We then retraced our steps for nearly a mile and a half, and struck over for the Potomac, which we reached at 44 o'clock Sunday morning, having kept up a quick and double-quick step all along the road. Having reached the Potomac, we sat down to rest; but we were hardly seated before we saw a man on horseback approaching us by the road. He walked his horse past us as though he was unaware of our presence, until he reached the corner of a fence surrounding a cornfield, when he put spurs to his horse and went up the hill at full speed. We suspected something in this movement, and looking for | in motion since two hours before day, which shallow water, but finding none, we imme- settled the question as to their intention to diately plunged into the stream and swam the make the attack. Beauregard, who had studriver. When within twenty feet of the oppo- ied the whole ground around-knew every hill, site shore we heard firing and cries of "come ravine, and pathway-had made all the necesback," and on turning round we saw ten or sary arrangements and planned the battle. Not fifteen men, in their shirt sleeves, ordering us knowing at what point of a semicircle of ten back, and firing several shots at us. Of course miles around Manassas the enemy would attack, we did not obey this command, but started off his forces had to be scattered in such a way as at a good pace into what we supposed was to guard all points, prevent a flank movement Maryland. We had not gone far before we came on either side, and guard his intrenchments and to another stream, which we waded. supplies in the centre. We afterwards ascertained that we had crossed We got up in the morning at daylight, took a . Edward's Island about 17 miles from Washing-cup of coffee and remained quietly laughing and ton. Before losing sight of our pursuers, talking at head-quarters, while the scouts were Capt. Allen showed his pistol, and shook it in passing in and out bringing news from the enedefiance of them. This was the only weapon, my. At a quarter past six in the still, bright with the exception of the knife, we had among morning, we heard the first deep-toned sound us. This was about half-past five Sunday of cannon on the centre of our line, about three morning. Finding ourselves among friends, miles off. We waited till nine for further inforwe walked five miles to Great Falls, where we mation, and at nine the generals ordered to horse, laid down and rested till noon. On waking and away we dashed to the hill overlooking the we resumed our march, and reached the arsenal point at which cannon, like minute guns, had at nine at night, where we found our picket-continued slowly to fire. The enemy could not guard of Second Vermont regiment. They see any of our troops, but were firing at the dust received us kindly, provided us with supper, kicked up along the road, which they saw above and furnished us with a bed. The next morn- the low trees. We were for some time at the ing we all hurried on to Washington, and tele-point they were firing at, and some twenty or graphed our safe arrival to our friends. Doc. 7. * * E. P. DOHERTY. -N. Y. Times. SECESSION LETTERS AND NARRATIVES. DOCTOR J. C. NOTT'S ACCOUNT. 66 thirty balls of their rifled cannons whizzed through the air above us, and I felt very forcibly the remark of Cuddy to his mother Mause, that a straggling bullet has nae discretion" and might take my head off as well as that of anybody else. The firing at this point kept up slowly from a quarter past six till eleven, when we heard a gun fire on the extreme left of the semicircle, and we were then satisfied that the firing in front was a mere feint. In a few RICHMOND, July 23, 1861. minutes the cannon firing came in rapid succesDEAR HARLESTON: I have seen the great and sion, as if one battery was answering another. glorious battle of Manassas, which brought a The generals then ordered "to horse" again, nation into existence, and the scene was grand and away we rode to the seat of battle, about and impressive beyond the power of language. three miles off. When we arrived on the top of We foresaw the action several days ahead-the a hill, in an old field, we could get glimpses of enemy were known to be advancing in immense the fight through the woods. The cannons masses from Arlington towards Fairfax, and the were roaring and the musketry sounded like a master stroke was at once made, to order John-large bundle of fire crackers, and the constant ston down from Winchester, by forced marches, before Patterson could get down on the other side. Johnston's troops marched all twentysix miles, then crowded into the railroad, came down in successive trains, without sleeping or eating, (15,000,) and arrived, many of them, while the battle was raging. roaring of the big guns, the sharp sound of rifled cannons, Minié rifles and muskets, with the bursting of shells, made one feel that death was doing his work with fearful rapidity. The enemy had concentrated all his forces on this one point, while ours were scattered around a half circle of ten miles, and the few I got to Manassas the morning of the day regiments who received the first onset were previous to the fight; and knowing well both most terribly cut up. It was far greater odds Generals Beauregard and Johnston, and their than human nature could stand, the regiments staff officers, I went immediately to head- were torn to pieces, driven back, and so overquarters. Zac. Deas, among the rest, was there whelmed by numbers that I feared the day was in full feather, and I of course felt at home in lost. At this stage of the game the enemy his camp, where I spent the night. General was telegraphing to Washington that the batBeauregard determined to attack them in sev-tle had been won, and secession was about to eral columns at once the next morning, so as be crushed. My heart failed me as I saw load to cut them up before Patterson could arrive- after load of our poor wounded and dying but our scouts came early in the morning, in-soldiers brought and strewed on the ground, forming the generals that the enemy had been along the ravine where I was at work. Dr. The victory was dearly bought, but still blood is the price of freedom; and we can at least, while we drop a tear over the graves of our fallen friends, feel the proud consolation that they have died like heroes, and given liberty to unborn generations. Fanthray, who belonged to General Johnston's | details which will reach you through print long staff, and myself were just getting fully to before this. work, when an old surgeon, whom I do not know, came to us and said the enemy were carrying every thing before them, and ordered us to fall back to another point with the wounded, as they were turning our flank, and the battle would soon be upon us. Accordingly the wounded were taken up and we fell back, but after following the ambulances for a mile, we found that they were to be taken all the way to Manassas-about four miles-where there were hospitals and surgeons to receive them, and we returned to our position near the battle. At this juncture I saw our reinforcements pouring in with the rapidity and eagerness of a fox chase, and was satisfied that they would drive every thing before them. No one can imagine such a grand, glorious picture as these patriots presented, rushing to the field through the masses of wounded bodies which strewed the roadside as they passed along. For half a mile behind me the road passed down a gradual slope, and through an old field, as I looked back, I could see a regiment of infantry coming in a trot, with their bright muskets glittering in the sun; then would come a battery of artillery, each gun carriage crowded with men and drawn by four horses in full gallop. Next came troops of cavalry, dashing with the speed of Murat; after these followed, with almost equal speed, wagons loaded with ammunition, &c., screaming all the while, "push ahead boys," "pitch into the d-d Yankees," "drive them into the Potomac." This kept up from about mid-day till dark, and I felt as if the Alps themselves could not withstand such a rush. The cannon and small-arms were roaring like a thunder storm as they rushed to the battle-field. One regiment, which had been driven back by overwhelming numbers, was now supported, and I soon perceived that the firing was getting further off, as I had expected, and I knew that the "pet lambs" now could only be saved by their superior heels. About this time, too, the last of General Johnston's command arrived on the cars, opposite the battle-ground, to the number of some three or four thousand, and although they had been two nights without sleep, they jumped from the cars and cut across to the field. By this time we had collected about 15,000 against their 35,000, and, from all accounts, no red fox ever made tracks so fast as did these cowardly wretches. They were all fresh and better accoutred in every respect than our men, one half or more of whom had to make forced marches to get at them. They had selected their position coolly and deliberately in the morning, while ours were scattered over ten miles and had to run through the mid-day sunshine. If our men had been equally fresh they would have gone straight into their intrenchments at Arlington. But I will not speculate on the future and weary you with Our troops are pouring in every day from the South, and if Beauregard and Johnston choose to lead them, they can plant the hated Palmetto tree beside the Bunker Hill monument, which was erected to commemorate the same principles for which we are now fighting, and to which a degenerate race has proved recreant. They have forced this fight upon us, and after exhausting every thing but honor for peacé, it is their turn to sue for terms. I never had any idea of military science before. Beauregard and Johnston played it like a game of chess without seeing the boardwhen a messenger came and told the enemy's move, a move was immediately ordered to put him in check.* The times are so exciting here that I cannot yet foresee my movements. I found that they had surgeons enough for the wounded in the hospitals at Manassas, and having no commission, I left and came up to Richmond to send down many things needed for the patients, thinking I could serve them better in this way than any other. -Mobile Evening News, July 30, *The position of the Confederate forces is thus given in the paper: EXPLANATION OF SKETCH. A. The columns of the enemy making the feint attack on the centre of the Confederate lines. B, B. The columns of the enemy, 35,000 strong, making the real attack on the left of the Confederate lines. 1. Manassas Junction, with Confederate troops holding the fortified camp. 2. The 15,000 Confederate troops who fought the battle and defeated the 85,000 Federals who attacked them. 3. The centre of the Confederate lines; a battery in position. 4. 4, 4, 4. Positions of troops forming the Confederate lines, where they were kept in line to meet an advance from any quarter. It is understood that some reinforcements were sent down from these positions to join in the fight on the left. 5, 5. Railroads which make the junction at Manassas. NOTE. From the extreme left to the extreme right of our lines, which formed nearly a true semicircle, the distance was ten miles; but whether this distance was measured by the arc or directly across from right to left, is not clear. |