August 28 we arrived near the Junction, and on the 29th, with the
balance of the division, guarded the left flank of the army, not partici
pating in the engagement of that day. Early in the morning of August
30 we marched to the battle ground of Mauassas, passing to the front
of General SigePs corps, being between him and the enemy. We suf
fered no loss from the cannonade of the forenoon. In the afternoon
the brigade advanced into the strip of woods immediately in our front,
and after waiting some little time charged, in conjunction with the
Second Brigade, across the open meadow upon the enemy s batteries.
The regiment lost quite a number of men killed and wounded in cross
ing the field, and owing to the rapidity of the charge fell into some
COD fusion.
Arriving at the swell of ground, some rods beyond which was the
rebel line of battle, the regiment formed in line, joining the left of the
Second Maine Regiment, and opened fire, holding our portion of the
line steadily until ordered to retreat. .After the retreat the regiment
rallied in the rear of General SigePs batteries and marched to Centre-
ville.
Our loss in this battle was 96 killed, wounded, and missing,* includ
ing 5 commissioned officers, viz: Captain Ransom and Lieutenants
Ruby and Chittick killed, and Captain Barry and Lieutenant Swan
wounded, being about one-third of the force we took into the field
290. The behavior of the regiment, both officers and men, was good,
not a single one flinching.
The night of August 31 the regiment stood guard in front of Centre-
* Sixteen killed, 63 wounded, and 17 missing.
476 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., AND MD. [CiiAr. XXIV.
ville. September 2 we marched to the vicinity of Chain Bridge, and
September 3 to our old camp at Hall s Hill. On the 6th broke up
camp and inarched to the Alexandria Seminary, camping near it, and
two days after again broke camp and marched to and encamped in the
rear of the breastworks at Fort Craig. On the 12th marched for Mary
land, passing through Eockville, and reaching Frederick September 14.
September 15 camped near Middletown, and on the 16th passed through
Boonsborough and Keedysville, camping near the battle ground of the
following day.
During the battle of the 17th the regiment rested in the rear of and
supported the batteries of the division, the whole being held in reserve.
We lost no men during the battle. On the 18th we were stationed
with the brigade on the extreme left of the army, guarding a portion
of our front on the Antietam, and on the 19th marched to our present
camp.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
BOBEKT T. ELLIOTT,
Captain. Commanding,
Per GEO. PRENTISS,
Acting Adjutant.
Col. H. S. LANSING,
Commanding Third Brigade.
No. 94.
Report of Capt. William Huson, Tivelfth New York Infantry, of the battle
of Bull Run.
HEADQUARTERS TWELFTH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS,
HalVs Hill, Va., September 6, 1862.
CAPTAIN : I have the honor to report to you the action of this regi
ment during the engagement of the 30th ultimo :
Colonel Weeks having been ordered to assume command of the
brigade, Captain Eoot, Company K, was left in charge of the regiment.
He being wounded early in the action, the command devolved upon me
as next senior officer. The regiment left their bivouac of the night
previous at daybreak of Saturday, August 30, and without having had
supper the evening before or breakfast that morning marched to the
old battle-field of Bull Run, a distance of about 7 miles, where they
were placed in position to support Captain ? s battery. Although
shot and shell were liberally dealt out to them, fortunately no casual
ties occurred at this time (9.30 a. m.).
The regiment remained in this position till 3 p. m., when it was
ordered forward to a belt of woods a little to the right of its former
position, again halted, and ordered to lie down. The formation was
in column doubled on center, in which position they remained until, the
bugle sounded the attention and advance. The advance was made by
the Seventeenth New York Volunteers deploying and forwarding in
line of battle ; the Forty-fourth New York, Eighty-third Pennsylvania,
Twelfth New York, and Sixteenth Michigan in column doubled on
center. We marched into the open field, where we were met by a ter
rible fire from a masked battery of three guns, throwing shell, grape,
and canister in quick succession, wofully thinning our ranks at each
discharge.
Orders were now given to deploy, and in consequence of the deadly
CHAP. XXIV. J CAMPAIGN IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA. 477
fire under which we were some little confusion necessarily took place,
which was soon overcome by ordering the men to lie down. The
deployment being completed, we advanced in line of battle for a short
distance, when an order was received to face by the right flank. Here
the enemy had an oblique fire upon us, and we lost many of our men ;
but the movement brought us behind a third belt of woods, which
somewhat protected us, and we were marched through to the front,
where we found the Forty- fourth on our left and the Sixteenth on our
right.
The enemy s infantry was protected by a hill, and they laid com
pletely covered by it, while we were completely exposed to their fire
as well as that of their battery on the right of the infantry. Our loss
here was most serious, and I ordered bayonets fixed and preparations
made for a charge, as our fire could not be made to tell upon the
enemy; but upon consultation with the commanding officer of the
Forty-fourth, Adjutant Watson, Captain Hoagland, and other officers,
it was deemed inadvisable to attempt the charge, as we had no support
to warrant such a movement. An order was then given for the regi
ment to fall back behind a thin belt of woods and reform, which was
obeyed without confusion ; but the enemy, seeing the movement, brought
all three guns to bear, and caused us serious loss.
I now received an order from Colonel Weeks through Adjutant
Watson to fall back in good order to a piece of woods to the right of
those occupied by us before the advance, as all the troops on the right
of the Third Brigade were making the best of their way to the same
place, but here the fire of the enemy was more severe than ever, as they
opened batteries on our right, left, and center, and the confusion could
not be arrested until we arrived behind our artillery.
Here we were met by General Butterfield, who in a few moments
succeeded in rallying and reforming the brigade, and we were marched
off the field in good order. We now felt secure in the hands of our
general, as we had previous proofs of his bravery and judgment. We
were now marched to Centreville, which place we reached at 12 at
night.
The next morning Captain Wood (my ranking officer) reported for
duty, he having been sick the day previous, and took command of the
regiment.
The regiment went into action with 16 officers and 336 men, and upon
calling the rolls after the action 9 officers and 106 men answered to their
names.
Before closing this report I must beg leave to mention by name a
few of the officers who rendered me most excellent aid. Captain Boot
being wounded, we lost his assistance and advice. Captain Fowler,
although wounded, refused to leave the field, and to Captain Hoagland
I am under great obligations. To Adjt. George P. Watson and Lieu
tenant Oliver, for their coolness and assistance, I beg leave to return
my thanks. To Lieutenants Estes, Bates, Behan, Auer, Smith, and
Color-Bearer Fairnie, for examples of bravery and coolness and their
encouragement of the men, the thanks of the regiment are due.
This being the first time I have had the command of a regiment,
under circumstances may I hope my conduct will meet with the ap
proval of my commanding general.
1 remain, respectfully,
WILLIAM HUSON,
Captain, Commanding Twelfth New York Volunteers,
478 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., AND MD. [CHAP. XXIV.
No 95.
Report of May. William T. C. Grower, Seventeenth New YorJc Infantry,
of the battle of Bull Run.
SIR : I have the honor to submit the following report of the part
taken by the Seventeenth Regiment in the action of Groveton, or Bull
Run, on Saturday, August 30, 1862 :
Lieutenant-Colonel Bartram being absent from the regiment (acting
as chief of staff to General Butterfield, commanding the division), I as
sumed command. Our brigade arriving on the field after a sharp march
of 5 or 6 miles, I received orders to form line on the left of the road and
facing the woods, in which the enemy s skirmishers were already quite
active. The men, who had had no time to get their breakfasts, now
commenced cooking their coffee amidst the fire of artillery, the shot
and shell flying about thick and fast. We here lost 2 men by round
shot.
I now received orders to advance and drive out the enemy s skir
mishers from the woods in front. We were ordered to take up position
at the edge of the woods a nd near the road. The enemy s artillery
being quite active, the men were ordered to lie down. We remained
in this position until about 5 o clock, when Colonel Bartram appeared
with orders for the brigade to move forward. The men were up in a
moment, and we advanced in the same order as before, viz, the Seven
teenth Regiment forming the first line, the rest of the brigade support
ing us in column doubled on the center. We crossed the road, the men
scrambling over the fence at the other side, and moved forward steadily
in quick-time. No sooner had we appeared in plain view of the enemy
than he opened a tremendous fire of artillery and musketry on our ad
vancing line. Nothing could surpass the behavior of officers and men,
the latter steadily closing up the huge gaps made in the ranks by the
terrific fire of the enemy. Placing myself at their head, I now gave the
word u Double-quick, charge," and with a mad yell the gallant fellows
rushed up the hill to what was almost certain death.
We now reached a sort of plateau, a battery on the summit of the
hill playing upon us, while another on the right opened with grape and
canister, completely enfilading our position. The woods on our left
were full of the enemy s infantry. We seemed entirely without sup
port, being some distance in advance of the brigade. I was compelled
to halt, and ordered the men to lie down and commence firing.
I looked around with some anxiety. Most of our officers had fallen,
and one-half of the men had been killed or wounded crossing the field
and in the charge up the hill. Captains Wilson and Martin had fallen
the former mortally, the latter dangerously, wounded. Captains Dem-
erest and Blauvelt were shot dead while nobly cheering on their men.
Captain Burleigh was also wounded, and almost his entire company
swept away.
We had held the position perhaps fifteen minutes when I was myself
placed hors de combat by a Minie ball through the leg, shattering the
bone severely. Captain Vickers then assumed command, and I believe
was ordered to retire shortly afterward.
When all did so well it is difficult to make distinction. I can only
speak of those whose conduct fell particularly under my own observa
tion. Captains Wilson, Blauvelt, Martin, and Burleigh were conspicu
ous for bravery. I must also mention the praiseworthy conduct of
Jvieutenants Foley au4 Sprague (acting adjutant), and also Lieutenants
CHAP. XXIV.1 CAMPAIGN IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA. 479
Reed and Green and Orderly-Sergeant Clancy, of Company H, who
commanded his company through the fight after his captain fell.
In this short but sanguinary engagement our loss in killed and
wounded was not less than 11 officers and 200 men, including 3 color-
bearers, but 87 effective men being left in the regiment at the first roll
call after the battle.*
I am. sir. very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. T. C. GROWER,
Major, Seventeenth New York Volunteers.
Col. H. S. LANSING,
Commanding Third Brigade.
[Indorsement.]
Respectfully forwarded as a part of the report of the battle of Grove-
ton, 30th August, 1862. Major Grower, being still confined to his bed
with his wound, has been unable to forward it earlier.
H. S. LAPSING,
Colonel, Commanding Third Brigade.
No. 96.
Report of Maj. Freeman Conner, Forty-fourth Neiv York Infantry, of the
battle of Bull Run and the Maryland Campaign.
Came off picket at daylight August 30, 1862, and marched 7 miles, to
the old battle ground of Bull Run. We were then marched in the di
rection of the enemy and formed in column in rear of the Seventeenth
Regiment New York Volunteers, when we took breakfast, being then
about 9 o clock. We remained until about 1 o clock in this position,
having 2 men wounded by unexploded shells. At aJbout 1 o clock we
advanced forward about half a mile and halted in the woods. Two
companies were immediately thrown out to strengthen the line of skir
mishers. About 3 o clock we were ordered to advance on the enemy s
lines, to do which we were obliged to cross a bad piece of ground,
where we received the fire of the enemy s musketry and artillery on
our right flank and the fire of our artillery in our rear. After remain
ing there about half an hour, many of our supports having fallen back
and finding it impossible to hold our position, the order was given to
the regiment to march in retreat. After having passed through woods
we halted and formed line, where we remained till orders were received
from General Butterfield to move to the rear, where our brigade was
formed.
We entered the engagement with 12 officers and 148 men. The
casualties were as follows, viz : Six officers wounded, one of whom was
taken prisoner; enlisted men, 5 killed and 60 wounded and missing. t
On the morning of 17th [September] the regiment was marched with
the brigade into a ravine to support batteries, where it remained till
4 p. m., when we were marched to the right to support General Sumner.
He sent back word that he was able to hold his position, and we were
* Nominal list shows 3 officers and 17 men killed, 9 officers and 101 men wounded, and
53 men missing ; total. 183.
t See p, 259,
480 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., AND MD. [CHAP. XXIV.
marched back again. On the 18th, a. in., we were marched to the ex
treme left of our lines and placed in position to support batteries.
On the 19th we were inarched in pursuit of the enemy to near our
present camp. On the 20th instant we were marched forward with the
intention of crossing the river. When we were in the middle of the
stream orders came to right-about-march, and we then took position in
the canal, to cover the retreat and prevent the enemy from crossing in
case he attempted.
About 3 p. m. we returned to camp, stacked arms, got supper, and
marched back to the canal (on picket), where we remained twenty-four
hours, until relieved by Martindale s brigade. Keturned to present
camp, where we have remained ever since.
FREEMAN CONNER,
Major, Commanding Forty-fourth New York.
No. 97.
Report of Capt. De Witt G. McCoy, Eighty-third Pennsylvania Infantry,
of the battle of Bull Run.
HDQRS. 83D PA. VOLS., THIRD BRIO., MORELL S Div.,
Fifth Corps, Army of the Potomac.
COLONEL: I have the honor to submit the following statement of
the operations of the above-named regiment at the battle of Manassas,
August 30, 1862:
The regiment left its position during the day and night of the 29th
of August, 1862, about 3 miles northwest of Manassas Junction, at
daylight on the morning of the 30th, under command of Lieutenant-
Colonel Campbell, reaching the battle ground of the 30th of August at
or about 9 o clock a. m. Immediately after reaching the ground the
regiment was formed in close column doubled on the center, having the
New York Forty-fourth Regiment in our front, the New York Seven
teenth Regiment in advance of the Forty-fourth. In this position we
remained until about 1 o clock p. m., under an occasional fire from the
enemy s artillery. At about 1 o clock p. m. we advanced about half a
mile, occupying a piece of woods immediately in front of our former
position, and also immediately in front of the enemy s position. Here
we remained about two hours, during which time skirmishing in front
was continuous and rapid.
At about 3 o clock p. m. we were ordered forward and advanced a few
rods, when the regiment halted, deployed into line, and immediately
advanced in double-quick, leaving the woods in which we were posted,
emerging upon an open field. When about half way across the field,
which is about 50 rods wide, Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell fell severely
wounded in the left leg. The fire from the enemy s batteries during the
time we were crossing the field was quite severe. The regiment still
advanced at double-quick until it had nearly crossed the field, when it
was flanked into a small piece of woods on our right. Here line of
battle was formed, with Major Lamont in command of the regiment.
Here we remained perhaps twenty minutes under a brisk fire, during
which time Major Lamont was wounded in the left arm. Soon after it
became apparent from the increasing fire and from observations made
with regard to that matter that we were being flanked on the right,
jnen ^rp gteadily returning the fire in front, but ao far 88
OUAP. XXIV.] CAMPAIGN IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA. 481
be ascertained with but little effect, the enemy being concealed behind
some obstacle (I believe the cut of the railroad through the hill).
On ascertaining the fact that the troops on the right of our brigade
had given way it at once became apparant that to hold our position was
impossible, and that to remain longer would probably result in being
surrounded and captured, and having an order to retreat, an order was
given our regiment to retreat, which it did, forming again with the
other regiments of the brigade on the road in rear of the battle ground,
after which the regiment -marched, with the brigade for Centreville,
where it arrived about 11 o clock p. m.
The number of men engaged was 224, of whom 14 were killed, includ
ing Lieutenants Wittich, of Company I, and Harrington, of Company
G, two young and valuable officers ; 72 wounded and 11 missing, among
the latter Captain Jones, of Company A.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
D. C. McCOY,
Captain, Eighty -third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers.
Col. H. S. LANSING,
Commanding Third Brigade.
No. 98.
Report of Brig. Gen. George Sykes, U. S. Army, commanding Second
Division, of the battle of Bull Run.
HDQRS. SYKES* DIVISION, PORTER S ARMY CORPS,
Camp at Vanderwerkeri s, Va., September 6, 1862.
SIR : I have the honor to submit the following report :
On the 27th ultimo General F. J. Porter s army corps, of which my
division forms a part, effected a junction with the Army of Virginia,
under General Pope. The day following we marched to Bristoe Sta
tion, on the Orange and Alexandria Kailroad; thence, on the 29th, to
Manassas and westwardly toward Gainesville, making a demonstration
against the enemy, and exchanging a few cannon shot with him in the
evening. We bivouacked for the night near Bethlehem Church, on the
Gainesville road, and at daylight on the 30th marched to the old battle
ground of Bull Bun, arriving about 9 a. m. General Pope s army was
on that ground and in its vicinity. Two brigades of my division (First
and Second) were thrown in advance of the Dogaii house, facing to the
west, their left resting on the Warreuton turnpike. The Third Brigade
and my three batteries were held in reserve. An extensive forest
masked my front, and on my left, to the south of the Warrenton turn
pike, a second forest covered the country and screened the enemy from
all observation. These two forests, half a mile apart, near my advanced
position, were separated by an open plain that rose in the form of an
irregular V toward a commanding crest held by the enemy. His can
non, immediately behind this crest, overlooked my whole division, and
is my troops took their place he made good use of it.
From that time until 3 o clock p. m. a sharp cannonade ensued and
some practice, among the skirmishers. Those of the enemy were forced
Dack into the forest on the left of the Warrenton turnpike, and some
31 R R VOL xii, PT U .
482 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., AND MD. [CHAP. XXIV
houses and fences previously occupied by him were seized and held by
iny light troops (Third Infantry).
Thus far we had seen none of the enemy s infantry, none of the cav
alry, and only the muzzles of his cannon over the crest heretofore
mentioned. We were in profound ignorance of his position, strength,
or designs. About 4 p. m. I was ordered to support an attack to be
made by General Butterfield. This attack was based upon the suppo
sition that the enemy was in fall retreat so announced in the orders
of General Pope. Porter s army corps was to be the pivot of opera
tions. The troops on our right were to swing toward us, clear the
enemy in front (if there), and then, by a joint movement with Porter,
we were all to hurry him up in his retrograde movement. The Penn
sylvania Reserves, under General J. F. Reynolds, had been posted on
my left, south of the Warrenton pike. Just previous to the attack
these troops were withdrawn, leaving my left flank entirely uncovered
and the Warrenton road open. Colonel Warren, Fifth New York Vol
unteers, commanding my Third Brigade, seeing the paramount necessity
of holding this point, threw himself there with his brigade, the remnants
of two regiments, and endeavored to fill the gap created by the removal
of Reynolds.
Butterfield s attack was gallantly made and gallantly maintained
until his troops were torn to pieces. My First Brigade, under Col. R.
C. Buchanan, U. S. Army, moved to his aid, relieved him, and became
furiously engaged. The troops on our right did not properly support
this attack, in consequence of which the whole movement failed. The
enemy, posted in a railroad excavation, was as secure as earthen em
bankments could make him, and as our troops emerged from the woods
they were met by withering volleys, that decimated their ranks. Their
own fire was almost harmless against a sheltered foe. This advance of
parts of Porter s and McDowell s army corps was on the left center of
our line. The enemy, seeing its failure, and that our weak point lay
on my left in front of Warren, poured upon his little command, under
cover of the forest, a mass of infantry that enveloped almost destroy ed
him, and completely pierced our line. Out of 490 men in the Fifth New
York Volunteers, 79 killed and 170 wounded attest the nature of this
attack.*
It became necessary to retire from the ground we occupied. Buch
anan s and Chapman s brigades did so in columns of regiments in line
of battle under a severe artillery fire, and never wavered. Weed s,
Smead s, and Randol s batteries moved with and near them. Warren
gathered the remnant of his brigade in rear of Young s Run. I sug
gested to General Porter that my troops should occupy the plateau of
the Henry and Robinson houses beyond Young s Run, and endeavor to
hold it against the oncoming foe. Naturally it was the strongest posi
tion on the field. He acquiesced in my suggestion, and during the
movement to that point I remained with Weed s battery, that again
had been brought into action near the Dogan house. After a short
interval, riding rapidly toward the plateau, I learned from my adjutant-
general, Lieutenant Cutting, that some general officers had sent Chap
man s brigade into action on the extreme left, and that the plateau was
held by other troops.
Buchanan s and the remnant of Warren s brigades were then formed
immediately in rear of the plateau. The enemy continuing to outflank
our left, Buchanan was ordered to the support of the forces engaged in
* See p. 260.
CHAP. XXIV.] CAMPAIGN IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA. 483
that direction, and maintained a gallant and bloody conflict with the
foe until, outnumbered, outflanked, and badly crippled, I directed him
to retire. Chapman, thrown in previous to Buchanan, fighting desper
ately for three-quarters of an hour, seriously cut up and fired into by
volunteers behind him, was also ordered to retire. This was directed
only after a regiment of volunteers on his right and one on his left had
fallen back, exposing both his flanks, while a New York battery to the
right of him cleared out just when its services were most necessary.
The remains of my command were then united on the plateau. My ar
tillery joined me near this position.
Capt. J. E. Smead, Fifth Artillery, was unfortunately killed in bring
ing off his guns. From the nature of the fight he and Eaudol had