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OFFICIAL REPORTS 
 
 or 
 
 GENERALS JOHNSTON AND BEAUREGARD 
 
 OF THE 
 
 BATTLE OF, MANASSAS, 
 
 JULY 21st, 1861. 
 
 ALSO 
 
 OFFICIAL REPORTS 
 
 Of tfie Battle of I Oth Sept., Brig. Gen. Floyd commanding; 
 Engagement at Oak Hill, Mo., Brig. Gen. Ben McCulloch 
 commanding ; Engagement at Lewinsville, Sept. Wth, Col. 
 J. E. B. Stuart commanding ; Engagement on Gieenbrier 
 River, Oct. 3d, Brig. Gen. H. R. Jackson commanding ; 
 Engagement at Santa Rosa Island, Oct. 8th, Maj. Gen. 
 Braxton Bragg commanding ; Engagement at Lees- 
 burg, Oct. 2\st and 22d, Brig. Gen. N. G. Evans 
 commanding ; Bombardment of Forts Walker and 
 Beauregard, Nov. 1th, Brig. Gen. Thomas F. 
 Drayton commanding ; Engagement at Pike- 
 ton, Ky.,Col. John S. Williams commanding ; 
 Battle in Alleghany Mountains, Dec. 1 Sth, 
 Col. Edward Johnson commanding ; Bat- 
 tle of Chustcnalila/i, which took place in 
 the Cherokee Nation, on the 26th of 
 Dec, 1861, Col. James Mcintosh 
 commanding : Battle of Belmont, 
 Nov. 1th, Isconidas Polk, Major- 
 General commanding. 
 
 RICHMOND: 
 
 ENQUIRKR BOOK AND J On PRESS 
 by tyi.h:, WWB, ai.ih.uk ,t smith 
 
 IMl 
 

 OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE BATTLE OF MANAS- 
 SAS, JULY 21st, 1861 — J. E. JOHNSTON, GENE- 
 RAL COMMANDING. 
 
 Headquarters Army of the Potomac, 
 Fairfax C. H., October 14th, 1861. 
 
 To the Adjutant and Inspector General 
 
 Confederate States Army : 
 
 Sir : I have the honor to submit to the honorable Secre- 
 tary of War a report of the operations of the troops under 
 my command which terminated in the battle of Manassas. 
 
 I assumed command at Harper's Ferry on the 23d of 
 May. The force at that point then, consisted of nine regi- 
 ments and two battalions of infantry, four companies of 
 artillery with sixteen pieces, without caissons, harness or 
 horses, and about three hundred cavalry. They were of 
 course undisciplined; several regiments without accoutre- 
 ments, and with an entirely inadequate supply of ammuni- 
 tion. 
 
 I lost no time in making a complete reconnoisance of the 
 place and its environs, in which the Chief Engineer, Major 
 (now Brigadier General) Whiting ably assisted. The results 
 confirmed my preconceived ideas. 
 
 The position is untenable by any force not strong enough 
 to take the held against an invading army and to hold both 
 sides of the Potomac. It is a triangle, two Bides being 
 formed by the Potomac and the Shenandoah, and the third 
 by Furnace Ridge. The plateau thus enclosed, and the end 
 of Furnace Ridge itself, the only defensible position, which, 
 however, required for its adequate occupation double our 
 numbers, whs exposed to enfilade and reverse firea of artil- 
 lery from heights on the Maryland side of the river. Within 
 that line, tin- ground was more favorable to an attacking than 
 to a defending force. The Potomac ran be easily crossed at 
 
many points above and below, so that it is easily turned. 
 It is twenty miles from the great route into the Valley of 
 Virginia from Pennsylvania and Maryland, by which General 
 Patterson's approach was expected. Its garrison was thus 
 out of position to defend that valley, or to prevent General 
 McClellan's junction with General Patterson. These were 
 the obvious and important objects to be kept in view. Be- 
 sides being in position for them, it was necessary to be able, 
 on emergency, to join General Beauregard. 
 
 The occupation of Harper's Ferry by our army perfectly 
 suited the enemy's views. We were bound to a fixed point. 
 His movements were unrestricted. These views were sub- 
 mitted to the military authorities. The continued occupa- 
 tion of the place was, however, deemed by them indispensa- 
 ble. I determined to hold it until the great objects of the. 
 Government required its abandonment. 
 
 The practicable roads from the West and Northwest, as 
 well as from Manassas, meet the route from Pennsylvania 
 and Maryland at Winchester. That point was, therefore, in 
 my opinion, our best position. 
 
 The distinguished commander of the army of the Potomac 
 was convinced, like myself, of our dependence upon each 
 other, and promised to co-operate with me in case of need. 
 To guard against surprise, and to impose upon the enemy, 
 Major Whiting was directed to mount a few heavy guns 
 upon Furnace Ridge, and otherwise strengthen the position. 
 
 I was employed, until the 13th of June, in continuing what 
 had been begun by my predecessor, Colonel (now Major 
 General) Jackson, the organization, instruction and equip- 
 ment of the troops, and providing means of transportation 
 and artillery horses. The river was observed from the Point 
 of Rocks to the Western part of the county of Berkeley — 
 the most distant portions by the indefatigable Stuart with 
 his cavalry. General Patterson's troops were within a few 
 hours of Williamsport, and General McClellan's in Western 
 Virginia were supposed to be approaching to effect a junc- 
 tion with Patterson, whose force was reported, by well in- 
 formed persons, to be eighteen thousand men. 
 
 On the morning of the 13th of June, information was re- 
 ceived from Winchester, that Romney was occupied by two 
 thousand Federal troops, supposed to be the van-guard of 
 McClellan's army. 
 
 Colonel A. P." Hill, with his own (13th) and Colonel Gib- 
 bon's (10th) Virginia Regiments, was despatched by railway 
 
to Winchester. He was directed to move thence towards 
 Roinney, to take the hest position and best measures to check 
 the advance of the enemy. He was to add to his command 
 the 3d Tennessee Regiment, which had just arrived at Win- 
 chester. 
 
 During that day and the next, the heavy baggage and re- 
 maining public property were sent to Winchester by the 
 railway, and the bridges on the Potomac destroyed. On the 
 morning of the 15th, the army left Harper's Ferry for Win- 
 chester, (the force had been increased b}^ three regiments 
 since the 1st of June) and bivouacked four miles beyond 
 Charlestown. On the morning of the 16th, intelligence was 
 received that General Patterson's army had crossed the 
 Potomac at Williamsport, also that the United States force 
 at Romney had fallen back. A courier from Richmond 
 brought a despatch authorizing me to evacuate Harper's 
 Ferry at my discretion. 
 
 The army was ordered to gain the Martinsburg Turnpike, 
 by a flank movement to Bunker's Hill, in order to place 
 itself between Winchester and the expected advance of Pat- 
 terson. On hearing of this, the enemy re-crossed the river 
 precipitately. Resuming my first direction and plan, I pro- 
 ceeded to Winchester. There the army was in position to 
 oppose cither McClellan from the West, or Patterson from 
 the Northeast, and to form a junction with General Beaure- 
 gard when necessary. 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel George Stewart, with his Maryland 
 Battalion, was sent to Harper's Ferry to bring off some 
 public property said to have been left. As McClellan was 
 moving Southwestward from Grafton, Colonel Hill's com- 
 mand was withdrawn from Romney. The defence of that 
 region of country was entrusted to Colonel McDonald's Re- 
 giment of Cavalry. Intelligence from Maryland indicating 
 another movemenl by Patterson, Colonel Jackson, with his 
 brigade, was sent to the neighborhood of Martinsburg, to 
 support Col. Stuart. The latter officer had been placed in 
 rvation <>n the Line of the Potomac with his cavalry. 
 
 Ilis increasing vigilance ami activity was relied on to repress 
 small incursions <>f the enemy, to give intelligence of inva- 
 sion by them, and to watch, liana— and circumscribe their 
 
 ev* iv movement. Colonel .luck son was instructed to destroy 
 such of the rolling stock of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail- 
 road as could not he brought off, and to have so mucb of it as 
 could he made available t" our service brought to Winchester. 
 
Major Whiting was ordered to plan defensive works, and 
 to have some heavy guns on navy carriages mounted. About 
 twenty-five hundred militia, under Brigadier General Carson, 
 were called out from Frederick and the neighboring counties, 
 to man them. 
 
 On the 2d of July, General Patterson again crossed the 
 Potomac. Colonel Jackson, pursuant to instructions, fell 
 back before him. In retiring, he gave him a severe lesson, 
 in the affair at Falling Waters. With a battalion of the 5th 
 Virginia Regiment (Harper's), and Pendleton's Battery of 
 Field Artillery, he engaged the enemy's advance. Skillfully 
 taking a position where the smallness of his force was con- 
 cealed, he engaged them for a considerable time, inflicted a 
 heavy loss, and retired when about to be outflanked, scarcely 
 losing a man, but bringing off forty-five prisoners. 
 
 Upon this intelligence the army, strengthened by the 
 arrival of General Bee and Colonel Elzey, and the 9th 
 Georgia Regiment, Avas ordered forward to the support of 
 Jackson. It met him at Darksville, six miles from Martins- 
 burg, where it took up a position for action, as General Pat- 
 terson, it was supposed, was closely folloAving Colonel Jack- 
 son. We waited for him in this position four days, hoping 
 to be attacked by an adversary at least double our number, 
 but unwilling to attack him in a town so defensible as Mar- 
 tinsburg, with its solid buildings and enclosures of masonry. 
 Convinced at length that he would not approach us, I re- 
 turned to Winchester, much to the disappointment of our 
 troops, who were eager for battle with the invaders. Colo- 
 nel Stuart, with his cavalry, as usual, remained near the 
 enemy. 
 
 Before the 15th of July, the enemy's force, according to 
 the best intelligence to be obtained, amounted to about 
 thirty-two thousand. Ours had been increased by eight 
 Southern regiments. On the 15th of July, Colonel Stuart 
 reported the advance of General Patterson from Martina- 
 burg. He halted, however, at Bunker's Hill, nine miles 
 from Winchester, where he remained on the 16th. On the 
 17th, he moved his left to Smithfield. This created the 
 impression that he intended to attack us on the south, or was 
 merely holding us in check, while General Beauregard 
 should be attacked at Manassas by General Scott. 
 
 About one o'clock on the morning of July 18th, I received 
 from the Government a telegraphic dispatch, informing me 
 that the Northern army was advancing upon Manassas, then 
 
held by General Beauregard, and directing me, if practica- 
 ble, to go to that officer's assistance, sending rny sick to 
 Culpeper Court-house. 
 
 In the exercise of the discretion conferred by the terms 
 of the order, I at once determined to march to join General 
 Beauregard. The best service which the army of the Shen- 
 andoah could render, was to prevent the defeat of that of the 
 Potomac. To be able to do this, it was necessary, in the 
 first instance, to defeat General Patterson, or to elude him. 
 The latter course was the most speedy and certain, and 
 was therefore adopted. Our sick, nearly seventeen hundred 
 in number, were provided for in Winchester. For the 
 defence of that place, the militia of Generals Carson and 
 Meem seemed ample ; for I thought it certain that General 
 Patterson would folloAv my movement, as soon as he discovered 
 it. Evading him, by the disposition made of the advance 
 guard under Colonel Stuart, the army moved through Ash- 
 by's Gap to Piedmont, a station of the Manassas Gap Kail- 
 road. Hence, the infantry were to be transported by the 
 railway, while the cavalry and artillery were ordered to con- 
 tinue their march. I reached Manassas about noon on the 
 20th, preceded by the 7th and 8th Georgia regiments, and 
 by Jackson's brigade, consisting of the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 27th 
 and 33rd Virginia regiments. I was accompanied by Gene- 
 ral Bee, with the 4th Alabama, the 2nd and two companies 
 of the 11th Mississippi. The president of the railroad com- 
 pany had assured me that the remaining troops should arrive 
 during the day. 
 
 I found General Beauregard's position too extensive, and 
 the ground too densely wooded and intricate, to be learned 
 in the brief time at my disposal, and therefore determined 
 to rely upon his knowledge of it, and of the enemy's posi- 
 tions. This I did readily, from full confidence in his capa- 
 city 
 
 His troops were divided into eight brigades, occupying 
 the defensive line of Bull Run. Brigadier-General Swell's 
 was posted at the Union Mills Ford; Brigadier-General I). 
 K. Jones's at McL< an's Ford ; Brigadier-General Longstreet's 
 at Blackburn's Ford; Brigadier-General Bonham's at Mitch- 
 ell's Ford; Colonel Cocke's at Ball's Ford, some three miles 
 
 above, and Colonel Evans, with B regiment and battalion, 
 
 formed the extreme left at the Stone Bridge. The brigades 
 of Brigadier-General Holmes, and Colonel Early, were in re- 
 serve, in rear of the right. I regarded the arrival of the 
 
8 
 
 remainder of the army of the Shenandoah, during the night, 
 as certain, and Patterson's junction with the Grand Army, 
 on the 22nd, as probable. During the evening it was deter- 
 mined, instead of remaining in the defensive positions then 
 occupied, to assume the offensive, and attack the enemy 
 before such a junction. 
 
 General Beauregard proposed a plan of battle, which I 
 approved without hesitation. He drew up the necessary 
 order during the night, which was approved formally by me 
 at half-past four o'clock on the morning of the 21st. The 
 early movements of the enemy on that morning, and the 
 non-arrival of the expected troops, prevented its execution. 
 General Beauregard afterwards proposed a modification of 
 the abandoned plan — to attack with our right, while the left 
 stood on the defensive. This, too, became impracticable, 
 and a battle ensued, different in place and circumstance from 
 any previous plan on our side. 
 
 Soon after sunrise, on the morning of the 21st, a light 
 cannonade was opened upon Colonel Evans's position ; a 
 similar demonstration was made against the centre soon 
 after, and strong forces were observed in front of it and of 
 the right. About eight o'clock, General Beauregard and I 
 placed ourselves on a commanding hill in rear of General 
 Bonham's left. Near nine o'clock the signal officer, Captain 
 Alexander, reported that a large body of troops was cross- 
 ing the valley of Bull Run, some two miles above the bridge. 
 General Bee, who had been placed near Colonel Cocke's po- 
 sition, Colonel Hampton, with his legion, and Colonel Jack- 
 son, from a point near General Bonham's left, were ordered 
 to hasten to the left flank. 
 
 The signal officer soon called our attention to a heavy cloud 
 of dust to the north-west, and about ten miles off, such as 
 the march of an army would raise. This excited apprehen- 
 sions of General Patterson's approach. 
 
 The enemy, under cover of a strong demonstration on 
 our right, made a long detour through the woods on his 
 right, crossed Bull Run two miles above our left, and threw 
 himself upon the flank and rear of our position. This move- 
 ment was fortunately discovered in time for us to check its 
 progress, and ultimately to form a new line of battle nearly 
 at right angles with the defensive line of Bull Run. 
 
 On discovering that the enemy had crossed the stream 
 above him, Colonel Evans moved to his left with eleven 
 companies and two field pieces, to oppose his advance, and 
 
disposed his little force under cover of the wood, near the 
 intersection of the Warrenton Turnpike and the Sudley 
 Road. Here he was attacked by the enemy in immensely 
 superior numbers, against which he maintained himself 
 with skill and unshrinking courage. General Bee, moving 
 towards the enemy, guided by the firing, had, with a sol- 
 dier's eye, selected the position near the Henry House, and 
 formed his troops upon it. They were the 7th and 8th 
 Georgia, 4th Alabama, 2nd Mississippi, and two companies 
 of the 11th Mississippi regiments, with Imboden's battery. 
 Being compelled, however, to sustain Colonel Evans, he 
 crossed the valley and formed on the right and somewhat in 
 advance of his position. Here the joint force, little ex- 
 ceeding five regiments, with six field pieces, held the ground 
 against about fifteen thousand United States troops for an 
 hour, until, finding themselves outflanked by the continu- 
 ally arriving troops of the enemy, they fell back to General 
 Bee's first position, upon the line of which, Jackson, just 
 arriving, formed his brigade and Stanard's battery. Col. 
 Hampton, who had by this time advanced with his Legion 
 as far as the Turnpike, rendered efficient service in main- 
 taining the orderly character of the retreat from that point; 
 and here fell the gallant Lieutenant Colonel Johnson, his 
 second in command. 
 
 In the meantime, I awaited with General Beauregard, near 
 the centre, the full development of the enemy's designs. 
 About 11 o'clock, the violence of the firing on the left indi- 
 cated a battle, and the march of a large body of troops from 
 the enemy's centre towards the conflict, was shown by clouds 
 of dust. I was thus convinced, that his great effort w as to be 
 made with his right. I stated that conviction to General 
 Beauregard, and the absolute necessity of immediately 
 strengthening our left as much as possible. < Orders were, 
 accordingly, at once sent General Holmes and Colonel Karl v. 
 to move with all speed to the sound of the firing, and to 
 General Bonham to send up two of his regiments and a 
 battery. Gren. Beauregard and I then hurried at a rapid 
 gallop to the scene of action, about four mile- off. < hi the W aj . 
 J directed my chief of art ill. -ry. Colonel Pendleton, to follow 
 \\\th his own and Alburtisis batteries. We oame d 
 moment too soon. The long contest, against five-fold odds 
 and heavy Losses, especially of field officers, had greatly dis- 
 couraged the troops of General Bee and Colonel Evans. 
 Our presence with them under fire, and some example, had 
 
10 
 
 the happiest effect on the spirit of the troops. Order was 
 soon restored, and the battle re-established, to which the 
 firmness of Jackson's brigade greatly contributed. Then, 
 in a brief and rapid conference, General Beauregard was 
 assigned to the command of the left, which, as the younger 
 officer, he claimed, while I returned to that of the whole 
 field. The aspect of affairs was critical, but I had full 
 confidence in the skill and indomitable courage of General 
 Beauregard, the high soldierly qualities of Generals Bee and 
 Jackson, and Colonel Evans, and the devoted patriotism of 
 their troops. Orders were first dispatched to hasten the 
 march of General Holmes's, Colonel Early's and General 
 Bonham's regiments. General Ewell was also directed to 
 follow with all speed. Many of the broken troops, frag- 
 ments of companies, and individual stragglers, were reformed 
 and brought into action, with the aid of my staff, and a por- 
 tion of General Beauregard's. Colonel (Governor) Smith, 
 with his battalion, and Colonel Hunton, with his regiment, 
 were ordered up to reinforce the right. I have since learned 
 that General Beauregard had previously ordered them into 
 the battle. They belonged to his corps. Colonel Smith's 
 cheerful courage had a fine influence, not only upon the spirit 
 of his own men, but upon the stragglers from the troops en- 
 gaged. The largest body of these, equal to about four 
 companies, having no competent field officer, I placed 
 under command of one of my staff, Colonel F. J. Thomas, 
 who fell, while gallantly leading it against the enemy. 
 These reinforcements were all sent to the right, to re-estab- 
 lish, more perfectly, that part of our line. Having attended 
 to these pressing duties, at the immediate scene of conflict, 
 my eye was next directed to Colonel Cocke's brigade, the 
 nearest at hand. Hastening to his position, I desired him 
 to lead his troops into action. He informed me, however, 
 that a large body of the enemy's troops, beyond the stream 
 and below the bridge, threatened us from that quarter. He 
 was, therefore, left in his position. 
 
 My headquarters were now established near the Lewis 
 House. From this commanding elevation, my view embraced 
 the position of the enemy beyond the stream, and the ap- 
 proaches to the Stone Bridge, a point of especial import- 
 ance. I could also see the advances of our troops, far down 
 the valley, in the direction of Manassas, and observe the 
 progress of the action and the manoeuvres of the enemy. 
 
 We had now sixteen guns, and two hundred and sixty 
 
11 
 
 cavalry, and a little above nine regiments of the army of the 
 Shenandoah, and six guns, and less than the strength of 
 three regiments, of that of the Potomac, engaged with about 
 thirty-five thousand United States troops, amongst whom, 
 were full three thousand men of the old regular army. Yet, 
 this admirable artillery, and brave infantry and cavalry, lost 
 no foot of ground. For nearly three hours they maintained 
 their position, repelling five successive assaults, by the 
 heavy masses of the enemy, whose numbers enabled him 
 continually to bring up fresh troops, as their preceding 
 columns were driven back. Colonel Stuart contributed to 
 one of these repulses, by a well timed and vigorous charge 
 on the enemy's right flank, with two companies of his caval- 
 ry. The efficiency of our infantry and cavalry, might have 
 been expected from a patriotic people, accustomed, like ours, 
 to the management of arms and horses, but that of the artil- 
 lery, was little less than wonderful. They were opposed to 
 batteries far superior, in the number, range and equipment 
 of their guns, with educated officers, and thoroughly in- 
 structed soldiers. We had but one educated artillerist, 
 Colonel Pendleton — that model of a Christian soldier — yet 
 they exhibited as much superiority to the enemy in skill as 
 in courage. Their fire was superior, both in rapidity and 
 precision. 
 
 About two o'clock, an officer of General Beauregard's 
 Adjutant General's office, galloped from Manassas, to report 
 to me that a United States army had reached the line of the 
 Manassas Gap Railroad, was marching towards us, and then 
 but three or four miles from our left flank. 
 
 The expected reinforcements appeared soon after. Col. 
 Cocke was then desired to lead bis brigade into action, to 
 support the right of the troops engaged, which he did, with 
 
 alacrity and effect. Within a ball' hour, the two regiments 
 
 of General Bonham's brigade, (Cash's and Kershaw's.) came 
 up. and were directed against the enemy's right, which he 
 seemed to be strengthening. Fisher's North Carolina regi- 
 ment was. soon after, sent in the same direction. About 
 
 three o'clock, while the enemy seemed to be striving to out- 
 flank and drive back our left, and thus separate us from Ma- 
 General B. K . Smith arrived, with three regiments 
 of Elzey's brigade. Ik u;i- instructed to attack the right 
 flank of the enemy, now exposed to us. Before the move- 
 ment was completed, he fell, severely wounded. Colonel 
 
 Elzey at on e taking command, executed it with great 
 
12 
 
 promptitude and vigor. General Beauregard rapidly seized 
 the opportunity thus afforded him, and threw forward his 
 whole line. The enemy was driven back from the long 
 contested hill, and victory was no longer doubtful. He made 
 yet another attempt to retrieve the day. He again extended 
 his right, with a still wider sweep, to turn our left. Just as 
 he re-formed, to renew the battle, Colonel Early's three re- 
 giments came upon the field. The enemy's new formation 
 exposed his right flank more even than the previous one. 
 Colonel Early was, therefore, ordered to throw himself di- 
 rectly upon it, supported by Colonel Stuart's cavalry, and 
 Beckham's battery. He executed this attack bravely and 
 well, while a simultaneous charge was made by General 
 Beauregard in front. The enemy was broken by this com- 
 bined attack. He lost all the artillery which he had ad- 
 vanced to the scene of the conflict. He had no more fresh 
 troops to rally on, and a general rout ensued. 
 
 Instructions were instantly sent to General Bonham, to 
 march by the quickest route to the turnpike, to intercept the 
 fugitives ; and to General Longstreet, to follow as closely as 
 possible upon the right. Their progress was checked by 
 the enemy's reserve, and by night, at Centreville. 
 
 Schenck's brigade made a slight demonstration towards 
 Lewis's ford, which was quickly checked by Holmes's brigade, 
 which had just arrived from the right. His artillery, under 
 Captain Walker, was used with great skill. 
 
 Colonel Stuart pressed the pursuit on the enemy's princi- 
 pal line of retreat, the Sudley Road. Four companies of 
 cavalry, under Colonel Radford and Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Munford, which I had held in reserve, were ordered to cross 
 the stream at Ball's Ford, to reach the turnpike, the line of 
 retreat of the enemy's left. Our cavalry found the roads 
 encumbered with dead and wounded, (many of whom seemed 
 to have been thrown from wagons,) arms, accoutrements and 
 clothing. 
 
 A report came to me from the right, that a strong body 
 of United States troops was advancing upon Manassas. 
 General Holmes, who had just reached the field, and Gene- 
 ral Ewell on his way to it, were ordered to meet this unex- 
 pected attack. They found no foe, however. 
 
 Our victory was as complete as one gained by infantry 
 and artillery can be. An adequate force of cavalry would 
 have made it decisive. 
 
 It is due, under Almighty God, to the skill and resolution 
 
13 
 
 of General Beauregard, the admirable conduct of Generals 
 Bee, E. K. Smith and Jackson, and of Colonels (command- 
 ing brigades) Evans, Cocke, Early and Elzey, and the cour- 
 age and unyielding firmness of our patriotic volunteers. 
 The admirable character of our troops is incontestibly 
 proved by the result of this battle ; especially when it is re- 
 membered that little more than six thousand men of the 
 army of the Shenandoah, with sixteen guns, and less than 
 two thousand of that of the Potomac, with six guns, for full 
 five hours successfully resisted thirty-five thousand United 
 States troops, with a powerful artillery, and a superior force 
 of regular cavalry. Our forces engaged, gradually increas- 
 ing during the remainder of the contest, amounted to but 
 
 men at the close of the battle. The brunt of this 
 hard-fought engagement fell upon the troops who held their 
 ground so long, with such heroic resolution. The unfading 
 honor which they won, was dearly bought with the blood of 
 many of our best and bravest. Their loss was far heavier, in 
 proportion, than that of the troops coming later into action. 
 
 Every regiment and battery engaged performed its part 
 well. The commanders of brigades have been already men- 
 tioned. I refer you to General Beauregard's report, for the 
 names of the officers of the army of the Potomac, who dis- 
 tinguished themselves most. I cannot enumerate all of the 
 army of the Shenandoah, who deserve distinction, and will 
 confine myself to those of high rank. Colonels Bartow and 
 Fisher, (killed,) Jones, (mortally wounded,) Harper, J. F. 
 Preston, Cummings, Falkner, Gartrell and Vaughan ; J. 
 E. B. Stuart, of the cavalry, and Pendleton of the artillery, 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Echols, Lightfoot, Lackland, G. II. 
 Stewart and Gardner. The last-named gallant officer was 
 severely wounded. 
 
 The lose of the army of the Potomac was, 1<)S killed, 510 
 wounded, 12 missing That of the army of the Shenandoah 
 was, 270 killed. !l?!» wounded, IS missing. 
 
 Total killed, 378 
 
 " wounded, 1,489 
 
 " mi-siiiL r , ----- 3D 
 
 That of the enemy could not be ascertained. It must 
 hare been between four and five thousand. Twenty-eight 
 pieces of artillery, about five thousand muskets, and nearly 
 five hundred thousand cartridges ; a garrison flag and ten 
 colors were captured on the field or in the pursuit. Besides 
 
 these, we captured sixty-four artillery horSSS, with their 
 
14 
 
 harness, twenty-six wagons, and much camp equipage, cloth- 
 ing, and other property, abandoned in their flight. 
 
 The officers of my staff deserve high commendation for 
 their efficient and gallant services during the day and the 
 campaign, and I beg leave to call the attention of the Gov- 
 ernment to their merits. Major W. H. C. Whiting, 
 Chief Engineer, was invaluable to me, for his signal ability 
 in his profession, and for his indefatigable activity before 
 and in the battle. Major McClean, Chief Quartermaster, 
 and Major Kearsley, Chief Commissary, conducted their 
 respective departments with skill and energy. Major Rhett, 
 A. A. General, who joined me only the day before, was of 
 great service. I left him at Manassas, and to his experience 
 and energy I entrusted the care of ordering my troops to 
 the field of battle as they should arrive, and forwarding am- 
 munition for the artillery during the action. Captains C. 
 M. Fauntleroy, C. S. Navy, T. L. Preston, A. A. A. Gene- 
 ral, and Lieutenant J. B. Washington, A. D. C, conveyed 
 my orders bravely and well, on this their first field, as did 
 several gallant gentlemen who volunteered their services — 
 Colonel Cole of Florida, Major Deas of Alabama, Colonel 
 Duncan of Kentucky. Lieutenant Beverly Randolph, C. 
 S. N., aided Colonel F. J. Thomas in the command of the 
 body of troops he led into action, and fought with gallantry. 
 With these was my gallant friend, Captain Barlow Mason, 
 who was mortally wounded. I have already mentioned the 
 brave death of ordnance officer Colonel F. J. Thomas. I 
 was much indebted, also, to Colonels J. J. Preston, Man- 
 ning, Miles and Chisholm, and Captain Stevens, of the En- 
 gineer Corps, members of General Beauregard's staff, who 
 kindly proffered their services, and rendered efficient and 
 valuable aid, at different times during the day. Colonel G. 
 W. Lay, of General Bonham's staff, delivered my instruc- 
 tions to the troops sent in pursuit and to intercept the 
 enemy, with much intelligence and courage. 
 
 It will be remarked that the three Brigadier-Generals of 
 the army of the Shenandoah were all Avounded. I have al- 
 ready mentioned the wound of General Smith. General 
 Jackson, though painfully wounded early in the day, com- 
 manded his brigade to the close of the action. General Bee, 
 after great exposure at the commencement of the engage- 
 ment, was mortally wounded, just as our reinforcements 
 were coming up. 
 
 The apparent firmness of the United States troops at Cen- 
 
15 
 
 treville, who had not been engaged, which checked our pur- 
 suit ; the strong forces occupying the works near George- 
 town, Arlington and Alexandria; the certainty, too, that 
 General Patterson, if needed, would reach Washington, with 
 his army of thirty thousand men, sooner than we could ; and 
 the condition and inadequate means of the army in ammu- 
 nition, provisions and transportation, prevented any serious 
 thoughts of advancing against the Capital. It is certain 
 that the fresh troops within the works were, in number, 
 quite sufficient for their defence ; if not, General Patterson's 
 army would certainly reinforce them soon enough. 
 
 This report will be presented to you by my Aid-de-Camp, 
 Lieutenant J. B. Washington, by whom, and by General 
 Beauregard's Aid, Lieutenant Ferguson, the captured colors 
 are transmitted to the War Department. 
 Most respectfully, 
 
 Your ob't serv't, 
 (Signed,) J. E. JOHNSTON, 
 
 General. 
 
 (Official.) R. H. Chilton, 
 
 A. A. General. 
 
REPORT OF GEN. BEAUREGARD, OF THE BATTLE 
 OF MANASSAS. 
 
 Headquarters 1st Corps Army of the Potom w. j> 
 Manassas, August 26th, 1861. \ 
 
 General: 
 
 The War Department having been informed by me, by 
 telegraph on the 1 7th of July, of the movement of Gen. Mc- 
 Dowell — Gen. Johnston was immediately ordered to form a 
 junction of his Army Corps with mine, should the movement. 
 in his judgment, be deemed advisable. Gen. Holmes was also 
 directed to push forward with two regiments, a battery, and 
 one company of cavalry. 
 
 In view of these propositions, approaching reinforcements, 
 modifying my plan of operations, so far as to determine on at- 
 tacking the enemy at Centrevillc, as soon as I should hear of 
 the near approach of the two reinforcing columns, I sent one 
 of my Aids, Col. Chisholm, of South Carolina, to meet and 
 communicate my plans to Gen. Johnston, and my wish that 
 one portion of his forces should march by the way of Aldie, 
 and take the enemy on his right flank and in reverse al Cen- 
 trcville. Difficulties, however, of an insuperable character, 
 in connection with means of transportation, and the marching 
 condition ot his troops, made this impracticable, and it was 
 
 rmined our ould be united within the line 
 
 Bull Run, and thence advance to the attack of the enei 
 
 Gen. Johnston arrived here about noon on the 20th duly. 
 and being my senior in rank, he necessarily assumt 1 com- 
 mand of all the forces of the < lonfederate State-, then c n 
 tratinir at this point. Made acquainted with my plan of 
 rations and dispositions to meet the enemy, he gave them 
 
18 
 
 his entire approval, and generously directed their execution 
 under my command. 
 
 In consequence of the untoward detention, however, of 
 some (5,000) five thousand of General Johnston's Army 
 Corps, resulting from the inadequate and imperfect means of 
 transportation for so many troops, at the disposition of the 
 Manassas Gap Railroad, it became necessary, on the morning 
 of the 21st, before daylight, to modify the plan accepted, to 
 suit the contingency of an immediate attack on our lines, by 
 the main force of the enemy, then plainly at hand. 
 
 The enemy's forces, reported by their best informed jour- 
 nals to be 55,000 strong, I had learned from reliable sources, 
 on the night of the 20th, were being concentrated in and 
 around Centreville, and along the Warrenton Turnpike road, 
 to Eull Run, near which, our respective pickets were in im- 
 mediate proximity. This fact, with the conviction that, after 
 his signal discomfiture on the 18th of July, before Black- 
 burn's Ford — the centre of my lines — he would not renew 
 the attack in that quarter, induced me at once to look for 
 an attempt on my left flank, resting on the Stone Bridge, 
 which was but weakly guarded by men, as well as but slightly 
 provided with artificial defensive appliances and artillery. 
 
 In view of these palpable military conditions, by half-past 
 four, A. M., on the 21st July, I had prepared and dispatched 
 orders, directing the whole of the Confederate forces within 
 the lines of Bull Run, including the brigades and regiments 
 of Gen. Johnston, which had arrived at that time, to be held 
 in readiness to march at a moment's notice. 
 
 At that hour, the following was the disposition of our 
 forces : 
 
 Ewell's Brigade, constituted as on the 18th July, remained 
 in position at Union Mills Ford, its left extending along 
 Bull Run in the direction of McLean's Ford, and supported 
 by Holmes's Brigade, 2nd Tennessee and 1st Arkansas Regi- 
 ments, a short distance to the rear — that is, at and near Camp 
 Wigfall. 
 
 I). R. Jones's Brigade — from Ewell's left, in front of Mc- 
 Lean's Ford, and along the stream to Longstreet's position. 
 It was unchanged in organization, and was supported by 
 Early's Brigade — also unchanged — placed behind a thicket 
 of young pines, a short distance in the rear of McLean's 
 Ford. 
 
 Longstreet's Brigade held its former ground at Black- 
 burn's Ford, from Jones's left to Bonham's right, at Mitch- 
 
19 
 
 ell's Ford, and was supported by Jackson's Brigade, consist- 
 ing of I !olonels James L. Preston's 4th, Harper's 5th, Allen's 
 2nd, the 27th, (Lieut. Col. Echol's,) and the 33rd, (Gam- 
 ming's,) Virginia Regiments, 2.611 strong, •which were 
 posted behind the skirting of pines, to the rear of Black- 
 burn's and Mitchell's Ford; and in roar of this support was, 
 also, Barksdale's 13th Regiment Mississippi Volunteers, 
 which had lately arrived from Lynchburg. 
 
 Alnng the edge of a pine thicket, in rear of, and equi- 
 distant from McLean's and Blackburn's Fords, ready to sup- 
 port either position. I had also placed all of Bee's and 1 Jar- 
 tow's Brigades that had arrived, namely: two companies of 
 the 11th Mississippi, Lieut. Col. Liddell; the 2nd Mississip- 
 pi, Col. Falkner, and the 4th Alabama, with the 7th and 8th 
 Georgia Regiments, (Colonels Gartrell and Lieut. Col. Gard- 
 ner,) in all 2,732 bayonets. 
 
 Bonham's Brigade, as before, held Mitchell's Ford, its 
 right near Long-street's left, its left extending in the direc- 
 tion of Cocke's right. It was organized as at the end of the 
 18th of July, with Jackson's Brigade, as before said, as a 
 support. 
 
 < looke's Brigade, increased by seven companies of the 8th, 
 (Tlunton's.) three companies of the 49th, (Smith's,) Virginia 
 Regiments, two companies of cavalry, and a battery under 
 Rogers, of four 6-poundcrs, occupied the line in front and 
 rear of Lull Hun, extending from the direction of Bonham's 
 left, and guarding Island. Ball's and Lewis's Lords, to the 
 right of Evans's Demi-Brigade near the Stone Bridge, also 
 under Crucial Cocke's command. 
 
 The latter held the Stone Bridge, and its left covered a 
 farm ford about one mile above the bridge. 
 
 St unit's cavalry, sonic three hundred men of the Army of 
 
 the Shenandoah, guarded the level ground extending in rear 
 from Bonham's left to Cooke's right. 
 
 r l\\u companies of Radford's cavalry were held in reserve, 
 a short distance in rear of Mitchell's Ford, his h'ft extend- 
 ing iii the direction of Stuart's right. 
 
 Colonel Pendleton's reserve battery, of eight pieces, was 
 temporarily placed in rear of Bonham's extreme h'ft. 
 
 Major Walton's reserve battery, of five gun-, was in posi- 
 
 tion "ii McLean'.- farm, in a piece of woods in rear "1' B 
 
 right. 
 
 Hampton's Legion, of six companies of infantry, sii hun- 
 dred Strong, having arrived that im. ruing, by the cars, from 
 
20 
 
 Richmond, was subsequently, as soon as it arrived, ordered 
 forward to a position in immediate vicinity of the Lewis 
 House, as a support for any troops engaged in that quarter. 
 
 The effective force of all arms, of the Army of the Poto- 
 mac, on that eventful morning, including the garrison of 
 Camp Pickens, did not exceed 21,833, and 29 guns. 
 
 The Army of the Shenandoah, ready for action on the 
 field, may be set at 6,000 men, and 20 guns.* 
 
 The Brigade of General Holmes mustered about 1,265 
 bayonets, six guns, and a company of cavalry, about 90 
 strong. 
 
 Informed at 5.30, A. M., by Colonel Evans, that the enemy 
 had deployed some twelve hundred men,f with several pieces 
 of artillery, in his immediate front, I at once ordered him, as 
 also General Cocke, if attacked, to maintain their position 
 to the last extremity. 
 
 In my opinion, the most effective method of relieving that 
 flank was by a rapid, determined attack with my right wing 
 and centre on the enemy's flank and rear at Centreville, 
 with due precautions against the advance of his reserves 
 from the direction of Washington. By such a movement, I 
 confidently expected to achieve a complete victory for my 
 country by 12, M. 
 
 These new dispositions were submitted to General John- 
 ston, who fully approved them, and the orders for their im- 
 mediate execution were at once issued. 
 
 Brigadier General Ewell was directed to begin the move- 
 ment, to be followed and supported successively by Generals 
 D. R. Jones, Longstreet and Bonham, respectively, supported 
 by their several appointed reserves. 
 
 The cavalry under Stuart and Radford were to be held 
 in hand, subject to future orders and ready for employment, 
 as might be required by the exigencies of the battle. 
 
 About 8.30, A. M., General Johnston and myself trans- 
 ferred our headquarters to a central position about half a 
 
 * That is, when the battle began — Smith's Brigade and Fisher's 
 North Carolina, came up later, and made total of army of Shenan- 
 doah engaged, of all arms, 8,334. Hill's Virginia Regiment, 550, 
 also arrived, but was posted as reserve to right Hank. 
 
 t These were what Colonel Evans saw of General Schenck's Bri- 
 gade of General Tyler's Division, and two other heavy brigades, 
 in all, over 9,000 men, and 13 pieces of artillery — Carlisle's and 
 Ayres's Batteries. That is, 900 men, and two 6-pounders, con- 
 fronted by 9,000 men, and thirteen pieces of artillery, mostly rifled. 
 
21 
 
 mile in rear of Mitchell's Ford, whence we might watch the 
 course of events. 
 
 Previously, as early as 5.3(1, the Federalists in front of 
 Evans's position — Stone Bridge — had opened with a large 
 30-pounder Parrot rifle gun, and thirty minutes later, with 
 a moderate, apparently tentative fire, from a battery of rifle 
 pieces, directed first in front at Evans's, and then in the 
 direction of Cocke's position, but without drawing a return 
 fire and discovery of our positions, chiefly because in that 
 quarter we had nothing but eight G-pounder pieces, which 
 could not reach the distant enemy. 
 
 As the Federalists had advanced with an extended line of 
 skirmishers in front of Evans, that officer promptly threw 
 forward the two flank companies of the 4th South Carolina 
 Regiment and one company of Wheat's Louisiana Batta- 
 lion, deployed as skirmishers, to cover his small front. An 
 occasional scattering fire resulted, and thus stood the two 
 armies in that quarter for more than an hour, while the main 
 body of the enemy was marching his devious Avay through the 
 " Big Forest" to take our forces in flank and rear. 
 
 By 8.30, A. M., Colonel Evans, having become satisfied 
 of the counterfeit character of the movement on his front, 
 and persuaded of an attempt to turn his left flank, decided 
 to change his position to meet the enemy, and for this pur- 
 immediately put in motion to his left and rear six com- 
 panies of Sloan's 4th South Carolina Regiment, Wheatls 
 Louisiana Battalion, five companies, and two 6-poundersof 
 Latham's Hattery, leaving four companies of Sloan's Regi- 
 ment under cover as the sole, Immediate defence of the Stone 
 Bridge, but giving information to General Cocke of his 
 change of position, and the r-Msons that impelled it. 
 
 Following a road leading by the Old Pittsylvania (Carter) 
 Mansion, Colonel Evana formed in line of battle some four 
 hundred yard- in rear — aa be advanced — of that bouse, his 
 gun- to tin' front and in position, properly supported, to its 
 immediate right. Finding, however, thai the enemy did not 
 appear on that road, which was a branch of one Leading by 
 Budley'a Springe Ford to Brentsville and Dumfries, be 
 turned abruptly to the left, and. marching across the fields 
 for three-quarters of a mile — about 9.30, A. M. — took a 
 position in line ol battle; his left. Sloan's companies, rest- 
 ing on the main Brentsville Koad in a shallow ravine, the 
 
 Louisiana Battalion to the right, in advance some two hun- 
 dred yards, a rectangular copse of wood aeparating them. 
 
22 
 
 One piece of his artillery, planted on an eminence some 
 seven hundred yards to the rear of Wheat's Battalion, and 
 the other on a ridge near, and in rear of Sloan's position, 
 commanding a reach of the road just in front of the line of 
 battle. In this order he awaited the coming of the masses 
 of the enemy, now drawing near. 
 
 In the meantime, about 7 o'clock, A. M., Jackson's Bri- 
 gade, with Imboden's, and five pieces of Walton's Battery, 
 had been sent to take up a position along Bull Run to guard 
 the interval between Cocke's right and Bonham's left, with 
 orders to support either, in case of need — the character and 
 topographical features of the ground having been shown to 
 General Jackson, by Captain I). B. Harris, of the Engineers 
 of this Army Corps. 
 
 So much of Bee's and Bartow's Brigades, now united, as 
 had arrived — some 2,800 muskets — had also been sent for- 
 ward to the support of the position of the Stone Bridge. 
 
 The enemy, beginning his detour from the turnpike, at a 
 point nearly half-way between Stone Bridge and Centreville, 
 had pursued a tortuous, narrow trace of a rarely use 1 road, 
 through a dense wood, the greater part of his way until near 
 the Sudley Road. A division, under Colonel Hunter, of the 
 Federal Regular Army, of two strong brigades, was in the 
 advance, followed immediately by another division, under 
 Colonel Heintzelman, of three brigades, and seven companies 
 of regular cavalry, and twenty-four pieces of artillery — eigh- 
 teen of which were rifle guns. This column, as it crossed 
 Bull Run, numbered over 16,000 men, of all arms, by their 
 own accounts. 
 
 Burnside's Brigade — which here, as at Fairfax C. H., led 
 the advance — at about 9.45, A. M., debouched from a wood 
 in sight of Evans's position, some 500 yards distant from 
 Wheat's Battalion. 
 
 He immediately threw forward his skirmishers in force, 
 and they became engaged with Wheat's command, and the 
 6-pounder gun, under Lieutenant Leftwitch. 
 
 The Federalists at once advanced, as they report officially, 
 the 2d Rhode Island Regiment Volunteers, with its vaunted 
 battery, of six 13-pounder rifle guns. Sloan's companies 
 were then brought into action, having been pushed forward 
 through the woods. The enemy, soon galled and staggered 
 by the fire, and pressed by the determined valor, with which 
 Wheat handled his battalion, until he was desperately wound- 
 ed, hastened up three other regiments of the brigade and two 
 
Dahlgreen howitzers, making in all quite 3,500 bayonets, 
 and eight pieces of artillery, opposed to less than 800 men, 
 and two 6-pounder guns. 
 
 Despite this odds, this intrepid command, of but eleven 
 weak companies, maintained its front to the enemy for quite 
 an hour, and until General Bee came to their aid with his 
 ■command. The heroic Bee. with a soldier's eve and recog- 
 nition of the situation, had previously disposed his command 
 with skill — Imboden's battery having been admirably placed 
 between the two brigades, under shelter, behind the undula- 
 tions of a hill about 150 yards north of the now famous 
 Henry House, and very near where he subsequently fell, 
 mortally wounded, to the great misfortune of his country, 
 but after deeds of deliberate and ever memorable courage, 
 
 Meanwhile, the enemy had pushed forward a battalion of 
 eight companies of regular infantry, and one of their besl 
 batteries, of six pieces, (four rifled), supported by four com- 
 panies of marines, to increase the desperate odds against 
 which Evans and his men had maintained their stand, with 
 an almost matchless tenacity. 
 
 General Bee. now finding Evans sorely pressed, ruder tin 
 ■•lushing weight of the masses of the enemy, at the call of 
 Colonel Evans, threw forward his whole force to his aid 
 3S a small stream — Young's Branch ami Valley — and 
 engaged the Federalists with^ impetuosity ; Imboden's Bat- 
 tery at the time playing from his well chosen position with 
 brilliant effect with spherical case, the enemy having first 
 opened on him from a rille battery, probably Griffins, with 
 elongated cylindrical shells, whic i flew a few feet over the 
 head:- of our men, and exploded in the crest of the hill im- 
 mediately in rear, 
 
 As Bee advanced under a severe fire, he placed the 7th 
 and 8th Georgia Regiments, under the chivalrous Bartow, 
 at about 11. A. M., in ;i wood pf second-growth pines to tin 
 right and front of. and nearly perpendicular to Evans's line 
 of battle ; the 4th Alabama to the left of them, along m I 
 connecting the position of tie' Georgia Regiments with the 
 n etangular copsi in which 5 ! • m's South ' larolina comp i 
 were engaged, and into which, he also threw the 2nd MLu 
 sippi. A fierce and destructive conflici now ensued — thi 
 lire was withering on both skies, while the enemy swept 
 short, thin lines with their numerous artillery, which, ac< 
 ing to their official reports, at this time consisted of nt 
 ten rifle guns and four how its ra, For an hour, did tl 
 
24 
 
 ■stout-hearted men of the blended commands of Bee, Evans 
 and Bartow, breast an unintermitting battle-storm, animated 
 surely, by something more than the ordinary courage of even 
 the bravest men under fire ; it must have been, indeed, the 
 inspiration of the cause, and consciousness of the great stake 
 at issue, which thus nerved and animated one and all, to 
 stand unawed and unshrinking in such extremity. 
 
 Two Federal Brigades, of Heintzleman's Division, were 
 now brought into action, led by Ricketts's superb light Bat- 
 tery, of six 10-pounder rifle guns, which, posted on an emi- 
 nence to the right of the Sudley Road, opened fire on Imbo- 
 den's Battery — about this time increased by two rifle pieces 
 of the Washington Artillery, under Lieut. Richardson, and 
 already the mark of two batteries, which divided their fire 
 with Imboden, and two guns, under Lieutenants Davidson 
 and Leftwitch, of Latham's Battery, posted as before men- 
 tioned. 
 
 At this time, confronting the enemy, we had still but 
 Evans's eleven companies and two guns — Bee's and Bartow's 
 four regiments, the two companies 11th Mississippi, under 
 Lieut. Col. Liddell, and the six pieces, under Imboden and 
 Richardson. The enemy had two divisions, of four strong 
 brigades, including seventeen companies of regular infantry, 
 cavalry and artillery, four companies of marines, and twenty 
 pieces of artillery.* Against, this odds, scarcely credible, 
 our advance position was still for a while maintained, and 
 the enemy's ranks constantly broken and shattered under the 
 scorching fire of our men ; but fresh regiments of the Fede- 
 ralists came upon the field, Sherman's and Keye's Brigades, 
 of Tyler's Division, as is stated in their reports, numbering 
 over 6,000 bayonets, which had found a passage across the 
 Run, about 800 yards above the Stone Bridge, threatened 
 our right. 
 
 Heavy losses had now been sustained on our side, both in 
 numbers and in the personal worth of the slain. The 8th 
 Georgia Regiment had suffered heavily, being exposed as it 
 took and maintained its position, to a fire from the enemy, 
 already posted, within a hundred yards of their front and 
 right, sheltered by fences and other cover. It was at this 
 time that Lieut. Col. Gardner was severely wounded, as also 
 several other valuable officers ; the Adjutant of the Regiment, 
 
 'See Official Reports of Colonels Heintzleman, Porter, &c. 
 
25 
 
 Lieut. Branch, was killed, and the horse of the regretted 
 Bartow was shot under him. The 4th Alabama also suffered 
 severely from the deadly fire of the thousands of muskets 
 which they so dauntlessly affronted under the immediate 
 leadership of Bee himself. Its brave Colonel, E. J. Jones, 
 was dangerously wounded, and many gallant officers fell, 
 Blain, or hors de combat. 
 
 Now, however, with the surging mass of over fourteen 
 thousand Federal infantry, pressing on their front and un- 
 der the incessant fire of at least twenty pieces of artillery, 
 with the fresh Brigades of Sherman and Keye's approaching — 
 the latter already in musket range — our lines gave hack, but 
 under orders from Gen. Bee. 
 
 The enemy, maintaining their fire, pressed their swelling 
 masses onward as our shattered battalions retired; the 
 slaughter for the moment was deplorable, and has filled many 
 a Southern home with life-long sorrow. 
 
 Under this inexorable stress, the retreat continued, until 
 arrested by the energy and resolution of Gen. Bee, supported 
 by Bartow and Evans, just in rear of the Robinson House, 
 and Hani] 'ton's Legion which had been already advanced, 
 and was in position near it. 
 
 Imboden's Battery, which had been handled with marked 
 skill, but whose men were almost exhausted, and the two 
 pieces of Walton's Battery, under Lieut. Richardson, being 
 threatened by the enemy's infantry on the left and front, 
 woe also obliged to fall back — Imboden leaving a disabled 
 piece on the ground retired until lie met Jackson's Brigade, 
 while Richardson joined the main body of his battery near 
 the Lewis I louse. 
 
 A.B our infantry retired from the extreme front, the two 
 Biz-pounders of Latham's Battery, before mentioned, fell 
 back with excellcnl judgment to suitable positions in the 
 rear, whence an effective fire was maintained upon the still 
 advancing lines of the Federalists, with damaging effect, 
 until their ammunition was nearly exhausted, when they, too, 
 
 were withdrawn in the mar presence of the enemy, and re- 
 joined their captain. 
 
 Prom the point, previously indicated, where Genera] 
 Johnston and myself had established our headquarters, we 
 heard the continuous roll of musketry, and the sustained 
 din of the artillery, which announced the serious outburst 
 of the battle on our left flank, ami we anxiously, hut confi- 
 dently, awaited similar sound- of conflict from our front ;it 
 
26 
 
 Centreville, resulting from the prescribed attack in that 
 quarter, b} 7 our right wing. 
 
 At half past ten, A. M., however, this expectation was dis- 
 sipated by a dispatch from Brig. Gen. Ewell, informing me, to 
 my profound disappointment, that my orders for his ad- 
 vance had miscarried, but, that in consequence of a com- 
 munication from General D. R. Jones, he had just thrown 
 his brigade across the stream at Union Mills. But, in my 
 judgment, it was now too late for the effective execution of 
 the contemplated movement, which must have required quite 
 three hours for the troops to get into position for the attack. 
 Therefore, it became immediately necessary to depend on 
 new combinations, and other dispositions suited to the now 
 pressing exigency. The movement of the right and centre, 
 already begun by Jones and Longstreet, was at once coun- 
 termanded, with the sanction of General Johnston, and we 
 arranged to meet the enemy on the field upon which he had 
 chosen to give us battle. Under these circumstances, our 
 reserves, not already in movement, were immediately ordered 
 up to support our left flank, namely : Holmes's two regi- 
 ments, and battery of artillery, under Captain Lindsey 
 Walker, of six guns, and Earley's Brigade. Two regiments 
 from Bonham's brigade, with Kemper's four six-pounders 
 were also called for, and, with the sanction of General 
 Johnston, Generals Ewell, Jones, (D. R.,) Longstreet and 
 Bonham were directed to make a demonstration to their 
 several fronts to retain and engross the enemy's reserves 
 and any forces on their flank, and at and around Centreville. 
 Previously, our respective Chiefs of Staff, Major Rhett and 
 Colonel Jordan, had been left at my headquarters to hasten 
 up, and give directions to any troops that might arrive at 
 Manassas. 
 
 These orders having been duly dispatched by staff officers 
 at 11.30, A. M., General Johnston and myself set out for 
 the immediate field of action, which we reached in rear of 
 the Robinson and Widow Henry's Houses, at about 12 meri- 
 dian, and just as the commands of Bee, Bartow and Evans, 
 had taken shelter in a wooded ravine behind the former, 
 stoutly held at the time by Hampton with his Legion, which 
 had made a stand there after having previously been as far 
 forward as the Turnpike, where Lieutenant Colonel Johnston, 
 an officer of brilliant promise, was killed, and other severe 
 losses were sustained. 
 
 Before our arrival upon the scene, General Jackson had 
 
27 
 
 moved forward with his Brigade, of five Virginia regiments, 
 from his position in reserve, and had judiciously taken post 
 helow the brim of the plateau, nearly east of the Henry 
 House, and to the left of the ravine and woods occupied by 
 the mingled remnants of Bee's, Bartow's and Evans's com- 
 mand, with Imboden's Battery, and two of Stanard's pieces, 
 placed so as to play upon the on-coming enemy, supported 
 in the immediate rear by Colonel J. L. Preston's and Lieut. 
 Colonel Echols's Regiments, on the right by Harper's, and 
 on the left by Allen's and Cummings's Regiment. 
 
 As soon as General Johnston and myself readied the 
 field, we were occupied with the reorganization of the heroic 
 troops, whose previous stand, with scarce a parallel, has 
 nothing more valiant in all the pages of history, and whose 
 losses fitly tell why, at length, their ranks had lost their 
 cohesion. It was now that General Johnston, impressively and 
 gallantly charged to the front, with the colors of the Fourth 
 Alabama Regiment by his side, all the field officers of the 
 regiment having been previously disabled. Shortly after- 
 wards I placed S. 11. Gist. Adjutant and Inspector General 
 of South Carolina, a volunteer Aid of General Bee, in com- 
 mand of this regiment, and who led it again to the front 
 as became its previous behavior, and remained with it for the 
 rest of the day. 
 
 As soon as we had thus rallied and dispose! our forces, I 
 urged General Johnston to leave the immediate conduct of 
 the field to me, while he, repairing to Portici — the Lewis 
 H,, use— should urge reinforcements forward. At first he 
 was unwilling, but reminded that one of us must do so, and 
 that, properly, it was his place, he reluctantly, but fortu- 
 nately, complied ; fortunately, because from that position, 
 by his energy and sagacity, his keen perception and antici- 
 pation of my needs, he so directed the reserves as t<> ensure 
 the success of the day. 
 
 As Genera] Johnston departed for Portici, Colonel Bar- 
 tow reported to me with the remains of the Seventh Georgia 
 volunteers— Gartrell' i — which I ordered him to post on the 
 left of Jackson's line, in the edge of the belt of pines bor- 
 dering the SOUth-easterD rim of the plateau, on which the 
 
 battle was now to rage so long and so fiercely. 
 
 Col. Wm. Smith's Battalion of the 49th Virginia Volun- 
 teers, having also come up by my orders, I placed it on the 
 left of Gartrell's as my extreme left at the time. Repairing 
 then to the right, I placed Hampton's Legion, which had 
 
28 
 
 suffered greatly, on that flank, somewhat to the rear of Har- 
 per's Regiment, and also the seven companies, of the 8th 
 (Hunton's) Virginia Regiment, which, detached from Cocke's 
 Brigade, by my orders, and those of Gen. Johnston, had op- 
 portunely reached the ground. These, with Harper's Regi- 
 ment, constituted a reserve, to protect our right flank from 
 an advance of the enemy from the quarter of the Stone 
 Bridge, and served as a support for the line of battle, which 
 was formed on the right by Bee's and Evans's commands, in 
 the centre by four regiments of Jackson's Brigade, with Im- 
 boden's four six-pounders, Walton's five guns (two rifled,) 
 two guns (one piece rifled) of Stanard's and two six-pound- 
 ers, of Rogers's Batteries, the latter under Lt. Heaton ; and 
 on the left by Gartrell's reduced ranks and Col. Smith's batta- 
 lion, subsequently reinforced by Falkner's Second Mississippi 
 Regiment, and by another regiment of the Army of Shenan- 
 doah, just arrived upon the field, the Sixth (Fisher's) North 
 Carolina. Confronting the enemy at this time, my forces 
 numbered, at most, not more than 6,500 infantry and artil- 
 lerists, with but thirteen pieces of artillery, and two com- 
 panies (Carter's and Hoge's) of Stuart's cavalry. 
 
 The enemy's force, now bearing hotly and confidently 
 down on our position — regiment after regiment of the best 
 equipped men that ever took the field — according to their 
 own official history of the clay, was formed of Colonels 
 Hunter's and Heintzelman's Divisions, Colonels Sherman's 
 and Keyes's Brigades, of Tyler's Division, and of the formi- 
 dable batteries of Ricketts, Griffin and Arnold regulars, 
 and Second Rhode Island, and two Dahlgreen howitzers — a 
 force of over 20,000 infantry, seven companies of regular 
 cavalry, and twenty-four pieces of improved artillery. At 
 the same time, perilous, heavy reserves of infantry and ar- 
 tillery hung in the distance around the Stone Bridge, Mitch- 
 ell's, Blackburn's and Union Mills' Fords, visibly ready to 
 fall upon us at any moment ; and I was also assured of the 
 existence of other heavy corps, at and around Centreville 
 and elsewhere, within convenient supporting distances. 
 
 Fully conscious of this portentous disparity of force, as I 
 posted the lines for the encounter, I sought to infuse into 
 the hearts of my officers and men, the confidence and deter- 
 mined spirit of resistance to this wicked invasion of the 
 homes of a free people, which I felt. I informed them that 
 reinforcements would rapidly come to their support, and that 
 we must, at all hazards, hold our posts until reinforced. I 
 
reminded them that we fought for our homes, our firesides, 
 and for the independence of our country. I urged them to 
 the resolution of victory or deatli on that field. These sen- 
 timents were loudly, eagerly cheered, "wheresoever proclaim- 
 ed, and I then felt reassured of die unconquerable spirit of 
 that army, which would enable us to wrench victory from the 
 host then threatening us with destruction. 
 
 Oh, my country ! I would readily have sacrificed my life 
 and those of all the brave men around me. to save your 
 honor, and to maintain your independence from the degrad- 
 ing yoke which those ruthless invaders had come to impose 
 and render perpetual, and the day's issue has assured me, 
 that such emotions must also have animated all under my 
 command. 
 
 In the meantime, the enemy had seized upon the plateau, 
 on which Robinson's and the Henry Houses are situated — 
 the position first occupied in the morning by Gen. Bee, be- 
 fore advancing to the support of Evans — Ricketts' Battery, 
 of six rifle guns, the pride of the Federalists, the object of 
 their unstinted expenditure in outfit, and the equally power- 
 ful Regular Light Battery, of Griffin, were brought forward 
 and placed in immediate action, after having, conjointly with 
 the batteries already mentioned, played from former posi- 
 tions with destructive effect upon our forward battalions. 
 
 The topographical features of the plateau, now become the 
 stage of the contending armies, must be described in 
 outline. 
 
 A glance at the map, will show that it is enclosed on three 
 sides by small water courses, which empty into Bull Run 
 within a few yards of each other, a half-a-mile to the south 
 of the Stone Bridge. Rising to an elevation of quite one 
 hundred feet above the level of Bull Run at the Bridge, it 
 falls off on three sides to the level of the enclosing streams 
 in gentle slopes, but which are furrowed by ravines of 
 irregular direction and length, and studded with clumps and 
 
 patches of young pines and oaks. The genera] direction of 
 the crest of the plateau, is oblique to the course of Bull 
 Run in that quarter, and to the Brentsville and Turnpike 
 Roads which intersect each other at right angles. (imme- 
 diately surrounding the two houses, before mentioned, are 
 small open fields of irregular outline, not exceeding 160 
 acres in extent. The houses occupied at the time, the one 
 by the Widow Henry and the other by the free oegro Robin- 
 son, are small wooden buildings, the latter !• nsely embow- 
 
30 
 
 ered in trees, and environed by a double row of fences on 
 two sides. Around the eastern and southern brow of the 
 plateau, an almost unbroken fringe of second-growth pines, 
 gave excellent shelter for our marksmen, who availed them- 
 selves of it with the most satisfactory skill. To the west, 
 adjoining the fields, a broad belt of oaks extends directly 
 across the crest on both sides of the Sudley Road, in which, 
 during the battle, regiments of both armies met and con- 
 tended for the mastery. 
 
 From the open ground of this plateau the view embraces 
 a wide expanse of woods, and gently undulating, open 
 country of broad grass and grain fields in all directions, in- 
 cluding the scene of Evans and Bee's recent encounter with 
 the enemy, some 1,200 yards to the northward. 
 
 In reply to the play of the enemy's batteries our own ar- 
 tillery had not been either idle or unskillful. The ground 
 occupied by our guns, on a level with that held by the bat- 
 teries of the enemy, was an open space, oi limited extent, 
 behind a low undulation, just at the eastern verge of the 
 plateau, some 51)0 or GOD yards from the Henry House. 
 Here, as before said, 13 pieces, mostly six-pounders, were 
 maintained in action. The several batteries of Imboden, 
 Stanard, Pendleton, (Rockbridge Artillery), and Alburtis's, 
 of the Army of the Shenandoah, and five guns of Walton's, 
 and Heaton's section of Rogers's Battery, of the Army of 
 the Potomac, alternating, to some extent, with each other, 
 and taking part as needed : all from the outset displaying 
 that marvellous capacity of our people, as artillerists, which 
 has made them, it would appear, at once the terror and the 
 admiration of the enemy. 
 
 As was soon apparent, the Federalists had suffered se- 
 verely from our artillery, and from the fire of our musketry 
 on the right, and especially from the left flank, placed under 
 cover, within whose galling range they had been advanced. 
 And we are told in their official reports, how regiment after 
 regiment, thrown forward to dislodge us, was broken, never 
 to recover its entire organization on that field. 
 
 In the meantime, also, two companies of Stuart's cavalry 
 (Carter's and Hoge's), made a dashing charge down the 
 Brentsville and Sudley road upon the Fire Zouaves — then 
 the enemy's right on the plateau — which added to their dis- 
 order, wrought by our musketry, on that flank. But still, 
 the press of the enemy was heavy in that quarter of the 
 field, as fresh troops were thrown forward there to outflank 
 
31 
 
 us ; and some three guns of a battery, in an attempt to ob- 
 tain a position, apparently to enfilade our batteries, were 
 thrown so close to the 33d Regiment, Jackson's Brigade, 
 that that regiment, springing forward, seized them, but with 
 severe loss, and was subsequently driven back by an over- 
 powering force of Federal musketry. 
 
 Now, full 2 o'clock, P. M., I gave the order for the right 
 of my line, except my reserves, to advance to recover the 
 plateau. It was done with uncommon resolution and vigor, 
 and at the same time Jackson's Brigade pierced the enemy's 
 centre with the determination of veterans, and the spirit of 
 men who fight for a sacred cause ; but it suffered seriously. 
 With equal spirit the other parts of the line made the onset, 
 and the Federal lines were broken and swept back at all 
 points from the open ground of the plateau. Rallying soon, 
 however, as they were strongly reinforced by fresh regi- 
 ments, the Federalists returned, and by weight of numbers, 
 pressed our lines back, recovered their ground and guns, 
 and renewed the offensive. 
 
 By this time, between half-past 2 and 3 o'clock, P. M., 
 our reinforcements pushed forward, and directed by General 
 Johnston to the required quarter, were at hand just as I had 
 ordered forward, to a second effort, for the recovery of the 
 disputed plateau, the whole line, including my reserve, 
 which, at this crisis of the battle, I felt called upon to lead 
 in person. This attack was general, and was shared in by 
 every regiment then in the field, including the 6th, Fisher's 
 North Carolina regiment, which had just come up and taken 
 position on the immediate left of the 49th Virginia Regiment. 
 The whole open ground was again swept clear of the enemy, 
 and the plateau around the Henry and Robinson Houses re- 
 mained finally in our possession, with the greater part of 
 the RickettS and Griffin batteries, and a flag of the 1st 
 
 Michigan Regiment, captured by the 27th Virginia Regiment, 
 (Lieut. Col. Echols.) of Jackson's Brigade. This part of 
 the day was rich with deeds of individual coolness and 
 dauntless conduct, as well as well-directed, embodied reso- 
 lution and bravery, but fraught with the ]<>ss to the Bervice 
 of the country, of lives of inestimable preciousness at this 
 juncture. The brave Bee was mortally wounded at the 
 head of the 4th Alabama and some Mississippiana, in the 
 
 Open held near the Henry BottSS ; and a few yards distant, 
 
 the promising life of Bartow, while leading the 7th Georgia 
 
 Regiment, was quenched in blood. Col. F. J. Thomas. Act- 
 
ing Chief of Ordnance, of Gen. Johnston's Staff, after gal- 
 lant conduct and most efficient service, was also slain. Col. 
 Fisher — 6th North Carolina — likewise fell, after soldierly 
 behavior at the head of his regiment, with ranks greatly 
 thinned. 
 
 Withers's 18th Regiment, of Cocke's Brigade, had come up 
 in time to follow this charge, and in conjunction with 
 Hampton's Legion, captured several rifle pieces, which may 
 have fallen previously in possession of some of our troops ; 
 but, if so, had been recovered by the enemy. These pieces 
 were immediately turned, and effectively served on distant 
 masses of the enemy, by the hands of some of our officers. 
 
 While the enemy had thus been driven back on our right, 
 entirely across the turnpike and beyond Young's Branch, 
 on our left, the woods yet swarmed with them, when our re- 
 inforcements opportunely arrived in quick succession, and 
 took position in that portion of the field. Kershaw's 2nd 
 and Cash's 8th South Carolina Regiments, which had arrived 
 soon after Withers's, were led through the oaks just east of 
 the Sudley-Brentsville Road, brushing some of the enemy 
 before them, and taking an advantageous position along and 
 west of that road, opened with much skill and effect on 
 bodies of the enemy that had been rallied under cover of a 
 strong Federal brigade, posted on a plateau in the south- 
 west angle, formed by intersection of the Turnpike with the 
 S.-B. Road. Among the troops thus engaged, were the 
 Federal regular infantry. 
 
 At the same time, Kemper's Battery, passing northward 
 by the S.-B. Road, took position on the open space — under 
 orders of Colonel Kershaw — near where an enemy's bat- 
 tery had been captured, and was opened with effective re- 
 sults upon the Federal right, then the mark also of Ker- 
 shaw and Cash's Regiments. 
 
 Preston's 28th Regiment, of Cocke's Brigade, had by that 
 time, entered the same body of oaks, and encountered some 
 Michigan troops, capturing their Brigade Commander, Col. 
 Wilcox. 
 
 Another important accession to our forces had also oc- 
 curred about the same time, 3 o'clock, P. M. Brigadier 
 Gen. E. K. Smith, with some 1,700 infantry of Elzey's 
 Brigade, of the Army of the Shenandoah, and Beckham's 
 Battery, came upon the field, from Camp Pickens, Manassas, 
 where they had arrived by railroad at noon. Directed in 
 person by Gen. Johnston, to the left, then so much endan- 
 
33 
 
 gered, on reaching a position in rear of the oak woods, 
 south of the Henry House, and immediately cast of the 
 Sudley Road, Gen. Smith was disabled by a severe wound, 
 and his valuable services were lost at that critical juncture. 
 But the command devolved upon a meritorious officer of ex- 
 perience — Col. Elzey — who led his infantry at once some- 
 what further to the left, in the direction of the Chinn 
 House, across the road, through the oaks skirting the west 
 side of the road, and around which he sent the battery un- 
 der Lieut. Beckham. This officer took up a most favorable 
 position near that house, whence, with a clear view of the 
 Federal right and centre, filling the open fields to the west 
 of the Brentsville-Sudley Road, and gently sloping south- 
 ward, he opened fire with his battery upon them with deadly 
 and damaging effect. 
 
 Col. Early, who, by some mischance, did not receive or- 
 ders until 2 o'clock, which had been sent him at noon, came 
 on the ground immediately after Elzey, with Kemper's 7th 
 Virginia, Hays's 7th Louisiana, and Barksdale's 13th Mis- 
 sissippi regiments. This Brigade, by the personal direction 
 of General Johnston, was marched by the Holkham House, 
 across the fields to the left, entirely around the woods 
 through which Elzey had passed, and under a severe fire, 
 into a position in line of battle near Chinn's House, out- 
 flanking the enemy's right. 
 
 At this time, about 3.30, P. M., the enemy driven back on 
 their left and centre, and brushed from the woods bordering 
 the Sudley Road, south and west of the Henry House, had 
 formed a line of battle of truly formidable proportions, of 
 crescent outline, reaching on their left, from vicinity of 
 Pittsylvania, (the old Carter Mansion), by Matthew's and 
 in rear of Dogan's, across the Turnpike near to Chinn's 
 House. The woods and fields were filled with their masses 
 of infantry and their carefully preserved cavalry. It was 
 a truly magnificent, through redoubtable spectacle, as they 
 threw forward in fine style, on the broad gentle slopes of the 
 ridge occupied by their main lines. I cloud of skirmish 
 preparatory for another attack. 
 
 But a> Early formed his line, and Beckham's pieces play- 
 ed upon the right of the enemy, Elzey's Brigade, Gibbon's 
 I Oth Virginia, Lieut. Col. Stuart's 1st Maryland, and 
 Vaughan's 3d Tennessee Regiments, and Cash's 8th and Ker- 
 shaw's 2d South Carolina, Withers'! 18th and Preston's 28th 
 Virginia, advanced in an irregular line, almost simultanc- 
 3 
 
34 
 
 ously, with great spirit from their several positions, upon 
 the front and flanks of the enemy, in their quarter of the 
 field. At the same time, too, Early resolutely assailed their 
 right flank and rear. Under this combined attack, the ene- 
 my was soon forced, first over the narrow plateau in the 
 southern angle made by the two roads so often mentioned, 
 into a patch of woods on its western slope, thence back over 
 Young's Branch and the Turnpike, into the fields of the 
 Dogan Farm, and rearward in extreme disorder, in all avail- 
 able directions, towards Bull Run. The rout had now be- 
 come general and complete. 
 
 About the time that Elzey and Early were entering into 
 action, a column of the enemy, Keyes's Brigade of Tyler's 
 Division, made its way across the Turnpike between Bull Run 
 and the Robinson House, under cover of a wood and brow 
 of the ridges, apparently to turn my right, but was easily 
 repulsed by a few shots from Latham's Battery, now united 
 and placed in position by Captain D. B. Harris, of the Vir- 
 ginia Engineers, whose services during the day became his 
 character as an able, cool and skillful officer ; and from Al- 
 burtis's Battery, opportunely ordered, by General Jackson, 
 to a position to the right of Latham, on a hill commanding 
 the line of approach of the enemy, and supported by por- 
 tions of regiments collected together by the Staff Officers of 
 General Johnston and myself. 
 
 Early's Brigade, meanwhile, joined by the 19th Virginia 
 Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Strange, of Cocke's Brigade, 
 pursued the now panic-stricken, fugitive enemy. Stuart, 
 with his cavalry, and Beckham, had also taken up the pur- 
 suit along the road by which the enemy had come upon the 
 field that morning; but soon, cumbered by prisoners who 
 thronged his way, the former was unable to attack the mass 
 of the fast-fleeing, frantic Federalists. Withers's, R. T. 
 Preston's, Cash's and Kershaw's Regiments, Hampton's Le- 
 gion and Kemper's Battery also pursued along the Warren- 
 ton road by the Stone Bridge, the enemy having opportunely 
 opened a way for them through the heavy abatis which my 
 troops had made on the west side of the bridge several days 
 before. But this pursuit was soon recalled, in consequence 
 of a false report which unfortunately reached us, that the 
 enemy's reserves, known to be fresh and of considerable 
 strength, were threatening the position of Union Mills 
 Ford. 
 
 Colonel Radford, with six companies Virginia cavalry, 
 
35 
 
 was also ordered by General Johnston to cross Bull Run 
 and attack the enemy from the direction of Lewis's House ; 
 conducted by one of my Aids, Colonel Chisholm, by the 
 Lewis Ford, to the immediate vicinity of the Suspension 
 Bridge, he charged a battery with great gallantry, took Colo- 
 nel Corcoran, of the 69th regiment New York Volunteers, a 
 prisoner, and captured the Federal colors of that regiment, 
 as well as a number of the enemy. He lost, however, a 
 promising officer of his regiment, Captain Winston Radford. 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Munford also led some companies of 
 cavalry in hot pursuit, and rendered material service in the 
 capture of prisoners and of cannon, horses, ammunition, 
 &c, abandoned by the enemy in their flight. 
 
 Captain Lay's company of the Powhatan troops, and Ut- 
 terback's Rangers, Virginia volunteers, attached to my per- 
 son, did material service, under Captain Lay, in rallying 
 troops broken for the time by the onset of the enemy's 
 masses. 
 
 During the period of the momentous events fraught with 
 the weal of our country, which were passing on the blood- 
 stained plateau along the Sudley and Warrenton Roads, other 
 portions of the line of Bull Run had not been void of ac- 
 tion of moment and of influence upon the gencnil result. 
 
 "While Colonel Evans and his sturdy band were holding at 
 bay the Federal advance beyond the Turnpike, the enemy 
 made repeated demonstrations, with artillery and infantry,, 
 upon the line of Cocke's Brigade, with the serious intention 
 of forcing the position, as General Schenck admits in his 
 report. They were driven back with severe loss by La- 
 tham's (a section) and R Lf'Ts's four six-pounders, and were- 
 so impressed with the strength of that line as to be held in. 
 check and inactive, even after it had been stripped of all its- 
 troops bul one company of the 10th Virginia Regiment, un- 
 der Captain Duke, a meritorious officer. And it is worthy- 
 of notice that, in this encounter of our six-pounder guns, 
 handled by our volunteer artillerists, they had worsted such 
 a notorious adversary a- the Ayres's — formerly ShermanJs — 
 Battery, which quil the contest under the illusion that it had, 
 
 Weightier metal than its own to contend with. 
 
 The centre Brigades — Bonham'sand Longstreet's — of the 
 
 line of Bull llun. if not closely engaged, were nevertheless 
 exposed for much of the day to an annoying, almost inces- 
 
 sanl fire of artillery of long range; hut. by a steady, vete- 
 ran-like maintenance of their positions, they held, virtually 
 
36 
 
 paralyzed all day, two strong brigades of the enemy, with 
 their batteries (four) of rifle guns. 
 
 As before said, two regiments of Bonham's Brigade, 2nd 
 and 8th South Carolina volunteers, and Kemper's Battery, 
 took a distinguished part in the battle. The remainder, 3rd 
 Williams's, 7th Bacon's South Carolina volunteers; 1 Ith 
 (Kirkland's) North Carolina Regiment ; six companies 8th 
 Louisiana volunteers ; Shield's Battery, and one section of 
 Walton's Battery, under Lieutentant Garnett, whether in 
 holding their post or taking up the pursuit, officers and 
 men, discharged their duty with credit and promise. 
 
 Longstreet's Brigade, pursuant to orders prescribing his 
 part of the operations of the centre and right wing, was 
 thrown across Bull Bun early in the morning, and under a 
 severe fire of artillery, Avas skillfully disposed for the assault 
 of the enemy's batteries in that quarter, but were withdrawn 
 subsequently, in consequence of the change of plan already 
 mentioned and explained. The troops of this brigade were, 
 1st, Major Skinner; 11th, Garland's; 24th, Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Hairston ; 17th, Corse, Virginia Regiments; 5th 
 North Carolina, Lieutenant-Colonel Jones, and Whitehead's 
 company Virginia cavalry. Throughout the day these troops 
 evinced the most soldierly spirit. 
 
 After the rout, having been ordered by General Johnston 
 in the direction of Centreville in pursuit, these brigades 
 advanced near to that place, when night and darkness inter- 
 vening, General Bonham thought it proper to direct his 
 own brigade and that of General Longstreet back to Bull 
 Run. 
 
 General D. R. Jones early in the day crossing Bull Run 
 with his brigade, pursuant to orders, indicating his part in 
 the projected attack by our right wing and centre on the 
 enemy at Centreville, took up a position on the Union Mills 
 and Centreville Road, more than a mile in advance of the 
 Run. Ordered back, in consequence of the miscarriage of 
 the orders to General Ewell, the retrogade movement was 
 necessarily made under a sharp fire of artillery. 
 
 At noon this brigade, in obedience to new instructions, 
 was again thrown across Bull Run to make demonstrations. 
 Unsupported by other troops, the advance was gallantly 
 made until Avithin musket range of the enemy's force — Col- 
 'Onel Davies' Brigade, in position near Rocky Run, and under 
 the concentrated fire of their artillery. In this affair the 
 oth, Jenkins's South Carolina, and Captain Fountaine's com- 
 
37 
 
 pany of the 18th Mississippi Regiment are mentioned by 
 General Jones as having shown conspicuous gallantry, cool- 
 ness and discipline, under a combined fire of infantry and 
 artillery. Not only did the return fire of the brigade drive 
 to cover the enemy's infantry, but the movement unques- 
 tionably spread through the enemy's ranks a sense of inse- 
 curity and danger from an attack by that route on their rear 
 at Centreville, which served to augment the extraordinary 
 panic which we know disbanded the entire Federal Army 
 for the time. This is evident from the fact that Colonel 
 Davies, the immediate adversary's commander, in his official 
 report was induced to magnify one small company of our 
 cavalry, which accompanied the brigade, into a force of 
 2,000 men ; -and Colonel Miles, the commander of the Fed- 
 eral Reserves at Centreville, says the movement " caused 
 painful apprehensions for the left flank" of their army. 
 
 General Ewell, occupying for the time the right of the 
 lines of Bull Run at Union Mills Ford, after the miscar- 
 riage of my orders for his advance upon Centreville, in the 
 afternoon, was ordered by General Johnston to bring up his 
 brigade into battle then raging on the left flank. Promptly 
 executed as this movement was, the brigade, after a severe 
 march, reached the field too late to share the glories, as they 
 had the labors, of the day. As the important position at 
 the Union Mills had been left with but a slender guard. 
 General Ewell was at once ordered to retrace his steps and 
 resume his position to prevent the possibility of its seizure 
 by any force of the enemy in that quarter. 
 
 Brigadier General Holmes — left with his brigade as a sup- 
 port to the same position in the original plan of battle — had 
 also been called to the left, whither he marched with the 
 utmost speed, but not in time to join actively in the battle. 
 
 Walker's rifle guns of the brigade, however, came up in 
 time to be fired with precision and decided execution at the 
 retreating enemy, and Scott's cavalry, joining in the pur- 
 suit, assisted in the capture of prisoners and war munitions. 
 
 This victory, the details of which I have thus sought to 
 chronicle as fully as were fitting an official report, it remains 
 to record, was dearly won by the death of many officers and 
 men of inestimable value, belonging to all grades of our 
 society. 
 
 In the death of General Barnard E. Bee the Confederacy 
 has sustained an irreparable loss, for with great personal 
 
38 
 
 bravery and coolness, he possessed the qualities of an accom- 
 plished soldier, and an able, reliable commander. 
 
 Colonels BartoAV and Fisher, and Lieutenant Colonel 
 Johnson of Hampton's Legion, in the fearless command of 
 their men, gave earnest of great usefulness to the service, 
 had they been spared to complete a career so brilliantly 
 begun. Besides the field officers, already mentioned as hav- 
 ing been wounded while in the gallant discharge of their 
 duties, many others also received severe wounds after equally 
 honorable and distinguished conduct, whether in leading 
 their men forward, or in rallying them, when overpowered or 
 temporarily shattered by the largely superior force, to which 
 we were generally opposed. 
 
 The subordinate grades were likewise abundantly conspi- 
 cuous for zeal and capacity for the leadership of men in 
 arms. To mention all, who, fighting well, paid the lavish for- 
 feit of their lives, or at least crippled, mutilated bodies on 
 the field of Manassas, cannot well be done within the com- 
 pass of this paper, but a grateful country and mourning 
 friends will not suffer their names and services to be forgot- 
 ten, and pass away unhonored. 
 
 Nor are those officers and men who were so fortunate as 
 to escape the thick-flying, deadly missiles, of the enemy, 
 less worthy of praise for their endurance, firmness and valor 
 than their brothers-in-arms, whose lives were closed, or 
 bodies maimed, on that memorable day. To mention all 
 who exhibited ability and brilliant courage, were impossible 
 in this report ; nor do the reports of Brigade and other sub- 
 ordinate commanders, supply full lists of all actually de- 
 serving of distinction. I can only mention those whose 
 conduct came immediately under my notice, or the conse- 
 quence of whose actions happened to be signally important. 
 
 It is fit that I should, in this way, commend to notice the 
 dauntless conduct and imperturbable coolness of Col. Evans; 
 and well indeed was he supported by Col. Sloan and the 
 officers of the Fourth South Carolina Regiment, as also, 
 Major Wheat, than whom, no one displayed more brilliant 
 courage until carried from the field, shot through the lungs ; 
 though happily, not mortally stricken. But in the desperate- 
 ly unequal contest, to which those brave gentlemen were, for 
 a time, necessarily exposed, the behavior of officers and men 
 generally, was worthy of the highest admiration ; and as- 
 suredly, hereafter, all there present, may proudly say : We 
 were of that band who fought the first hour of the battle of 
 
39 
 
 Manassas. Equal honors and credit must also be awarded in 
 the pages of history, to the gallant officers and men. who, 
 under Bee and Bartow, subsequently marching to their side, 
 saved them from destruction, and relieved them from the 
 brunt of the enemy's attack. 
 
 The conduct of Gen. Jackson also requires mention as 
 eminently that of an able, fearless soldier, and sagacious 
 commander, one fit to lead his efficient brigade : his prompt, 
 timely arrival before the plateau of the Henry House, and 
 his judicious disposition of his troops contributed much to 
 the success of the day. Although painfully wounded in the 
 hand, he remained on the field to the end of the battle, ren- 
 dering invaluable assistance. 
 
 Col. Wni. Smith was as efficient, as self-possessed and 
 brave ; the influence of his example and his words of encour- 
 agement was not confined to his immediate command, the 
 good conduct of which is especially noticeable, inasmuch as 
 it had been embodied but a day or two before the battle. 
 
 Colonels Harper, Ilunton and Hampton, commanding 
 regiments of the reserve, attracted my notice, by their sol- 
 dierly ability, as with their gallant commands, they restored 
 the fortunes of the day, at a time when the enemy, by a last 
 desperate onset, with heavy odds, had driven our forces from 
 the fiercely contested ground around the Henry and Robin- 
 son Houses. Veterans could not have behaved better than 
 these well led regiments. 
 
 High praise must also be given to Colonels Cocke, Early 
 and Elze} 7 , Brigade Commanders; also, to Col. Kershaw, 
 commanding, for the time, the Second and Eighth South 
 Carolina Regiments. Under the instructions of General 
 Johnston, these officers reached the field at an opportune, 
 critical moment, and disposed, handled and fought their re- 
 spective commands, with sagacity, decision and successful 
 results, which have been described in detail. 
 
 Col. J. E. il. Stuart likewise deserves mention, for his 
 enterprise and ability as a eavalry eommander. Through 
 his judicious reconnoisance of tin.- country on our left flank. 
 ):•' acquired information, both of topographical features and 
 the positions of the enemy, of the utmost importance in the 
 subsequenl an ! closing movements of the day on that Hank, 
 and his services in the pursuit, were highly effective. 
 
 Capt. E. I'. Alexander, C. S. Engineers, gave me season- 
 able and material assistance early in the day. with In- 
 tern of signals. Almost the first shot fired by the ei 
 
40 
 
 passed through the tent of his party at the Stone Bridge, 
 where they subsequently firmly maintained their position in 
 the discharge of their duty — the transmission of messages 
 of the enemy's movements — for several hours under fire. 
 Later, Captain Alexander acted as my Aid-de-Camp, in the 
 transmission of orders, and in observation of the enemy. 
 
 I was most efficiently served throughout the day by my 
 Volunteer Aids, Colonels Preston, Manning, Chesnut, Miles, 
 Rice, Heyward and Chisholm, to whom I tender my thanks 
 for their unflagging, intelligent and fearless discharge of the 
 laborious, responsible duties entrusted to them. To Lieut. 
 S. W. Ferguson, A. D. C, and Col. Heyward, who were 
 habitually at my side, from 12 noon until the close of the 
 battle; my special acknowledgments are due. The horse of 
 the former was killed under him by the same shell that 
 wounded that of the latter. Both were eminently useful to 
 me, and were distinguished for coolness and courage, until 
 the enemy gave way and fled in wild disorder in every di- 
 rection — a scene the President of the Confederacy had the 
 high satisfaction of witnessing, as he arrived upon the field 
 at that exultant moment. 
 
 I also received, from the time I reached the front, such 
 signal service from H. E. Peyton, at the time a private in 
 the Loudoun cavalry, that I have called him to my personal 
 staff. Similar services were also rendered me, repeatedly 
 during the battle, by T. J. Randolph, a Volunteer Acting 
 A. D. C. to Colonel Cocke. 
 
 Captain Clifton H. Smith, of the General Staff, was also 
 present on the field, and rendered efficient service in the 
 transmission of orders. 
 
 It must be permitted me here, to record my profound 
 sense of my obligations to General Johnston, for his generous- 
 permission to carry out my plans, with such modifications as 
 circumstances had required. From his services on the field, 
 as we entered it together, already mentioned, ond his sub- 
 sequent watchful management of the reinforcements as they 
 reached the vicinity of the field, our countrymen may draw 
 the most auspicious auguries. 
 
 To Colonel Thomas Jordan, my efficient and z.ealous As- 
 sistant Adjutant-General, much credit is due for his able 
 assistance in the organization of the forces under my com- 
 mand and for the intelligence and promptness with which 
 he has discharged all the laborious and important duties of 
 his office. 
 
41 
 
 Valuable assistance was given to me by Major Cabell, 
 chief officer of the Quartermaster's Department, in the 
 sphere of his duties — duties environed by far more than the 
 ordinary difficulties and embarrassments attending the ope- 
 rations of a long organized, regular establishment. 
 
 Colonel R. B. Lee, Chief of Subsistence Department, had 
 but just entered upon his duties, but his experience, and 
 long and varied services in his department, made him as effi- 
 cient as possible. 
 
 Captain "W. H. FoAvle, whom Colonel Lee had relieved, 
 had previously exerted himself to the utmost to carry out 
 orders from these headquarters, to render his department 
 equal to the demands of the service; that it Was not entirely 
 so, it is due to justice to say, was certainly not his fault. 
 
 Deprived, by the sudden severe illness, of the Medical 
 Director, Surgeon Thomas II. Williams, his duties were dis- 
 charged by Surgeon R. L. Brodie, to my entire satisfaction; 
 and it is proper to say, that the entire medical corps of the 
 army at present, embracing gentlemen of distinction in the 
 profession, who had quit lucrative private practice, by their 
 services in the field and subsequently, did high honor to 
 their profession. 
 
 The vital duties of the Ordnance Department were effec- 
 tively discharged under the administration of my Chief of 
 Artillery and Ordnance, Colonel Samuel Jones. 
 
 At one time, when reports of evil omen and disaster 
 reached Camp Pickens, with such circumstantiality as to 
 give reasonable grounds of anxiety, its comma ruler, Colonel 
 Terrett, the commander of the entrenched batteries, Captain 
 Sterrett, of the Confederate States Navy, and their officers, 
 made the most efficient possible preparations for the despe- 
 rate defence of that position in extremity ; and in this con- 
 nection, I regret my inability to mention the names of those 
 patriotic gentlemen of Virginia, by tin- gratuitous labor of 
 whose slaves the entrenched Camp at Manassas had been 
 mainly constructed, relieving the troops from that laborious 
 service, and giving opportunity for their military instruc- 
 tion. 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas II. Williamson, the Engineer 
 of these works, assisted by Captain D. B. Harris, discharged 
 
 his duties with untiring energy and devotion, as well as 
 
 satisfactory skill. 
 
 Captain W. II. Stevens, Engineer Confederate States 
 
 Army, served with the advanced forcefl at Fairfax Court- 
 
42 
 
 House for some time before the battle ; he laid out the works 
 there, in admirable accordance with the purposes for which 
 they were designed, and yet so as to admit of ultimate ex- 
 tension and adaptation to more serious uses as means and part 
 of a system of real defence when determined upon. He 
 has shown himself to be an officer of energy and ability. 
 
 Major Thomas G. Rhett, after having discharged for seve- 
 ral months the laborious duties of Adjutant-General to the 
 commanding officer of Camp Pickens, was detached to join 
 the Army of the Shenandoah, just on the eve of the advance 
 of the enemy, but volunteering his services, was ordered to 
 assist on the "Staff of General Bonham, joining that officer 
 at Centreville on the night of the 17th, before the battle of 
 Bull Run, where he rendered valuable services, until the 
 arrival of General Johnston, on the 20th of July, when he 
 was called to the place of Chief of Staff of that officer. 
 
 It is also proper to acknowledge the signal services ren- 
 dered by Colonel B. F. Terry and T. Lubbock, of Texas, 
 who had attached themselves to the staff of General Long- 
 street. These gentlemen made daring and valuable recon- 
 noisances of the enemy's positions, assisted by Captains 
 Goree and Chichester; they also carried orders in the field, 
 and on the following day, accompanying Captain White- 
 head's troop to take possession of Fairfax Court-House, 
 Colonel Terry, with his unerring rifle, severed the halliard, 
 and thus lowered the Federal nag found still floating from 
 the cupola of the Court-House there. He also secured a 
 large Federal garrison flag, designed, it is said, to be 
 unfurled over our entrenchments at Manassas. 
 
 In connection with the unfortunate casualty of the 
 day — that is, the miscarriage of the orders sent by courier 
 to Generals Holmes and Ewell to attack the enemy in flank 
 and reverse at Centreville, through which the triumph of our 
 arms was prevented from being still more decisive, I regard 
 it in place to say, a divisional organization, with officers in 
 command of divisions, with appropriate rank, as in Euro- 
 pean services, would greatly reduce the risk of such mis- 
 haps, and would advantageously simplify the communications 
 of a General in command of a field with his troops. 
 
 While glorious for our people, and of crushing effect 
 upon the morale of our hitherto confident and over-weening 
 adversary, as were the events of the battle of Manassas, the 
 field was only won by stout fighting, and, as before reported, 
 with much loss, as is precisely exhibited in the papers here- 
 
43 
 
 with, marked F, G and H, and being lists of the killed and 
 wounded. The killed outright numbered 369 — the wounded 
 1,483, making an aggregate of 1,852. 
 
 The actual loss of the enemy will never be known ; it may 
 now only be conjectured. Their abandoned dead, as they 
 were buried by our people where they fell, unfortunately, 
 were not enumerated, but many parts of the field were 
 thick with their corpses, as but few battle fields have ever 
 been. The official reports of the enemy are expressly silent 
 on this point, but still afford us data for an approxi- 
 mate estimate. Left almost in the dark, in respect to the 
 losses of Hunter's and Heintzleman's Divisions — first, 
 longest and most hotly engaged — we are informed that 
 Sherman's Brigade — Tyler's Division — suffered, in killed, 
 wounded and missing, 609 — that is, about 18 per cent, of 
 the brigade. A regiment of Franklin's Brigade — Gor- 
 man's — lost 21 per cent. Griffin's (battery) loss was 30 
 per cent., and that of Keyes's Brigade, which was so handled 
 by its commander, as to be exposed to only occasional vol- 
 leys from our troops, was at least 10 per cent. To these 
 facts add the repeated references in the reports of the more 
 reticent commanders, to the " murderous" fire to which they 
 were habitually exposed — the "pistol range" volleys, and 
 galling musketry, of which they speak, as scourging their 
 ranks, and we are warranted in placing the entire loss of 
 the Federalists, at over forty-five hundred in killed, wounded 
 and prisoners. To this may be legitimately added as a 
 casualty of the battle, the thousands of fugitives from the 
 field, who have never rejoined their "regiments, and who are 
 as much lost to the enemy's service as if slain or disabled 
 by wounds. These may not be included under the head of 
 " missinp, " because, in every instance of such report, we 
 took as many prisoners of those brigades or regiments as are 
 reported " missing." 
 
 A list appended exhibits some 1,460 of their wounded 
 and others, who fell into our hands, and were sent to Rich- 
 mond; some were sent to other points, so that the number 
 of prisoners, including wounded, who (fid not die, maybe set 
 doWD as not loss than 1,600. Besides these a considerable 
 number, who could not be removed from the field, died at 
 several farm houses and field hospitals within ten days fol- 
 low ing the battle. 
 
 To serve the future historian of this war, I will note the 
 fact, that among the captured Federalists, arc officers and 
 
44 
 
 men of forty-seven regiments of volunteers, besides from 
 some nine different regiments of regular troops, detachments 
 of which were engaged. From their official reports, we 
 learn of a regiment of volunteers engaged, six regiments of 
 Miles's Division, and the five regiments of Runyon's Brigade, 
 from which we have neither sound nor wounded prisoners. 
 Making all allowances for mistakes, we are warranted in 
 saying that the Federal Army consisted of at least fifty-five 
 regiments of volunteers, eight companies of regular infantry, 
 four of marines, nine of regular cavalry, and twelve batte- 
 ries, forty-nine guns. These regiments, at one time, as will 
 appear from a published list appended, marked "K," num- 
 bered in the aggregate 54,140, and average 964 each. From 
 an order of the enemy's commander, however, dated July 
 13th, we learn that one hundred men from each regiment 
 were directed to remain in charge of their respective camps — 
 some allowance must further be made for the sick and details, 
 which would reduce the average to eight hundred men — 
 adding the regular cavalry, infantry and artillery present, 
 an estimate of their force may be made. 
 
 A paper appended, marked " L, " exhibits, in part, the 
 ordnance and supplies captured — including some twenty- 
 eight field pieces of the best character of arm, with over 
 one hundred rounds of ammunition for each gun, thirty- 
 seven caissons, six forges, four battery wagons, sixty-four 
 artillery horses, completely equipped, five hundred thousand 
 rounds of small arms ammunition, four thousand five hun- 
 dred setts of accoutrements, over five thousand muskets, 
 some nine regimental and garrison flags, Avith a large 
 number of pistols, knapsacks, swords, canteens, blankets ; a 
 large store of axes and entrenching tools, wagons, ambu- 
 lances, horses, camp and garrison equipage, hospital stores, 
 and some subsistence. 
 
 Added to these results, may rightly be noticed here, that 
 by this battle an invading army, superbly equipped, within 
 twenty miles of their base of operations, has been converted 
 into one virtually besieged, and exclusively occupied for 
 months in the construction of a stupendous series of fortifi- 
 cations for the protection of its own Capitol. 
 
 I beg to call attention to the reports of the several subor- 
 dinate commanders for reference to the signal parts played 
 by individuals of their respective commands. Contradictory 
 statements, found in these reports, should not excite surprise, 
 when we remember how difficult, if not impossible, it is to 
 
45 
 
 reconcile the narrations of by-standers or participants in 
 even the most inconsiderable affair, much less the shifting, 
 thrilling scnes eof a battle field. 
 
 Accompanying are maps showing the positions of the 
 armies on the morning of the 21st July, and of three seve- 
 ral stages of the battle ; also, of the line of Bull Run 
 north of Blackburn's Ford. These maps, from actual sur- 
 veys made by Captain D. B. Harris, assisted by Mr. John 
 Grant, were drawn by the latter with a rare accuracy worthy 
 of high commendation. 
 
 In conclusion, it is proper, and doubtless expected, that 
 through this report my countrymen should be made acquaint- 
 ed with some of the sufficient causes that prevented the 
 advance of our forces and prolonged, vigorous pursuit of the 
 enemy to and beyond the Potomac. The War Department 
 has been fully advised long since of all of those causes, 
 some of which only are proper to be here communicated. 
 An army, which had fought as ours on that day, against un- 
 common odds, under a July sun, most of the time without 
 water and without food, except a hastily snatched, scanty 
 meal at dawn, was not in condition for the toil of an eager, 
 effective pursuit of an enemy immediately after the battle. 
 
 On the following day an unusually heavy and unintermit- 
 ting mil of rain intervened to obstruct our advance, with 
 reasonable prospect of fruitful results. Added to this, the 
 want of a cavalry force, of sufficient numbers, made an effi- 
 cient pursuit a military impossibility. 
 
 Respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 G. T. BEAUREGARD, 
 
 General Commanding. 
 To General S. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector General, 
 
 Richmond, Va. 
 
 (Official.) R. H. Chilton, 
 
 Adjutant. 
 
OFFICIAL REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL 
 JNO. B. FLOYD, OF THE BATTLE OF THE 10th 
 SEPTEMBER, 1861. 
 
 Headquarters Army of Kanawha, ^ 
 Camp on the Road, Sept. 12, 1861. ) 
 
 Hon. L. P. Walker, 
 
 Secretary of War : 
 
 Sir : Information had reached me for some number of 
 days, that a heavy force was advancing towards my position, 
 from the direction of Clarksburg, in the North-western part 
 of the State. As these rumors became certainty I made an 
 effort to strengthen myself, first, by reinforcement, and se- 
 condly, by entrenchment, sufficient to withstand the very 
 large force of the enemy. My orders to General Wise, I 
 send you copies of, and clso, copies of his replies. I failed 
 in procuring reinforcement, but succeeded somewhat better 
 in the construction of a temporary breastwork. At three 
 o'clock in the evening of the 10th of September, the enemy, 
 under the command of General Roscncranz, (as we learned 
 through prisoners,) of whose advance I was fully aware, at 
 the head of ten regiments, made his appearance before our 
 entrenchments, when the battle instantly commenced. Our 
 lines were necessarily very extended for the purpose of pro- 
 tecting our position, ami when manned, left not one man for 
 reserve. The assault amis made with spirit and determina- 
 tion with small arms, grape and round shot from howitzers 
 and rifled cannon. There was scarcely an intermission in 
 the conflict, until night put an end to the firing. The ene- 
 my's force is estimated certainly between eight and nine 
 thousand men. whilst our force engaged was less than two 
 thousand. 
 
48 
 
 Upon the close of the contest for the night, I discovered 
 that it was only a question of time when we should be com- 
 pelled to yield to the superiority of numbers. I, therefore, 
 determined at once to recross the Gauley river and take 
 position upon the left bank, which I accomplished without 
 the loss of a gun, or any accident whatever. Our loss, 
 strange to say, after a continued firing upon us by cannon 
 and small arms, for nearly four hours, was only twenty men 
 wounded. The loss of the enemy we had no means of ac- 
 curately estimating, but Ave are satisfied from report of pri- 
 soners and other sources of information, was very heavy. 
 We repulsed them in five distinct and successive assaults, 
 and at nightfall had crippled them to such an extent that 
 they were in no condition whatever, to molest us in our pas- 
 sage across the river. I will only say that our men, without 
 distinction, behaved with the greatest coolness, determina- 
 tion and presence of mind, and while it is impossible to give 
 praise to one portion of the force engaged over another, it is 
 out proper to say that the artillery behaved with the greatest 
 bravery and efficiency ; that under the command of Captain 
 Guy, who had reached me only two days before, and were 
 for the first time under fire, behaved themselves in a manner 
 worthy of all praise. 
 
 I am very confident that I could have beaten the enemy 
 and have marched directly to the Valley of Kanawha, if the 
 reinforcements from Gen. Wise's column had come up when 
 ordered, and the regiments from North Carolina and Geor- 
 gia could have reached me before the close of the second 
 day's conflict. I cannot express the regret which I feel at 
 the necessity, over which I had no control, which required 
 that I should recross the river. I am confident that if I 
 could have commanded the services of five thousand men, 
 instead of eighteen hundred, which I had, I could have 
 opened the road directly into the Valley of the Kanawha. 
 
 It would seem now as if the object, so nearly accomplished, 
 can only be obtained by an advance upon the enemy, by the 
 left bank of the Kanawha river, with a sufficient force at 
 any time to give him battle. This force, if possible, ought 
 to be collected from Tennessee and Kentucky. Their close 
 correspondence shows distinctly enough the urgent necessi- 
 ty of so shaping the command in the Valley of Kanawha, as 
 to insure, in the future, that unity of action, upon which 
 alone can rest any hope of success in military matters. 
 
 I have not thought proper to take any other notice of 
 
49 
 
 these transactions, than to bring them to the notice of the 
 President and Secretary of War of the Confederate States. 
 The reasons which have induced me to take this course, I am 
 sure, will not be misunderstood by either. 
 
 I apprehend the course the enemy proposes to pursue, is 
 to carry out the plans indicated by General Rosencranz to 
 Gen. Tyler, for the invasion of the interior of the State and 
 the seizure of Lewisburg, set forth in an intercepted letter 
 of the latter, a month ago. To prevent this I am in com- 
 mand of an actual force of four thousand two hundred men. 
 This force will be required to oppose the advance of Gen. 
 Cox and Gen. Rosencranz, with their forces, consisting, as 
 they undoubtedly will, of at least 12,000 men. This dis- 
 parity in numbers is too great, although I will certainly give 
 battle to the invading army, at some such strong point in the 
 mountain passes, as I may hope will equalize, to some extent, 
 our numbers. This may occur within the next three days ; 
 but should it be deferred for any length of time, I hope the 
 Department will find it proper to strengthen us with rein- 
 forcements. In the meantime, should Gen. Lee attack and 
 repulse the enemy at Rich Mountain, I will hold myself in 
 position to fall upon his flank, or rear, as circumstances may 
 allow, or my force authorize. 
 
 I have the honor to be, 
 
 With the highest respect, 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 (This is signed by Adjutant Peters, because an injury 
 prevents my holding a pen.) 
 
 JNO. B. FLOYD, 
 Brig. Gen. ComcTg Army of Kanawha. 
 By William E. Peters, A. A. Gen., Floyd's Brigade. 
 
 The above is an exact copy of the original. 
 
 Edw'd S. Joynes, 
 4 War Deft, Dec. 10, 1861. 
 

 REPORT OF ENGAGEMENT AT OAK HILL, ON 
 THE 10th AUGUST, WITH UNITED STATES 
 TROOPS, BEN McCULLOCH, BRIGADIER GEN- 
 ERAL, COMMANDING. 
 
 Headquarters McCulloch Brigade, Camp 
 Weightman, near Springfield, Mo., Aug. 12, 1861. 
 
 Gen. S. Cooper, 
 
 Adjutant General, C. S. A. : 
 
 Sir : I have the honor to make the following official re- 
 port of the battle of the Oak Hills on the 10th inst. Having 
 taken position about ten miles from Springfield, I endeavored 
 to gain the necessary information of the strength and posi- 
 tion of the enemy stationed in and about the town. The 
 information was very conflicting and unsatisfactory. I, 
 however, made up my mind to attack the enemy in their 
 position, and issued orders, on the 9th inst., to my force to 
 start at nine o'clock at night to attack at four different points 
 at daylight. A few days before, General Price, in command 
 of the Missouri force, turned over his command to me, and I 
 assumed command of the entire force, comprising my own 
 brigade, the brigade of Arkansas State forces, under Gene- 
 ral Pierce, and General Price's command of Missourians. 
 
 My effective force was five thousand three hundred infan- 
 try, fifteen pieces of artillery, and six thousand horsemen, 
 armed with flint-lock muskets, rifles and shot guns. There 
 
 were other horsemen with the army, who were entirely mi- 
 armed, ami instead 6f being a help, were continually in the 
 way. When the time arrived for the night march, it com- 
 menced to rain slightly, and fearing. From the want of car- 
 tridge boxes, that my ammunition would be ruined, I ordered 
 the movement to be stopped, hoping to move the next morn- 
 ing. Many of my men had but twenty rounds of ammuni- 
 tion, and there was no more to be had. While still hesita- 
 
52 
 
 ting in the morning, the enemy were reported advancing, 
 and I made arrangements to meet him. The attack was 
 made simultaneous at half-past five, A. M., on our right and 
 left flanks, and the enemy had gained the positions they de- 
 sired. General Lyon attacked us on our left, and General 
 Seigel on our right and rear. From these points batteries 
 opened upon us. My command was soon ready. The Mis- 
 sourians, under Generals Slack, Clark, McBride, Parsons 
 and Raines, were nearest the position taken by General 
 Lyon with his main force. They were instantly turned to 
 the left and opened the battle with an incessant fire of small 
 arms. Woodruff opposed his battery to that of the enemy, 
 under Captain Totten, and a constant cannonading was kept 
 up between these batteries during the battle. Hebert's 
 Regiment of Louisiana Volunteers and Mcintosh's Regi- 
 ment of Arkansas Mounted Riflemen, were ordered to the 
 front, and after passing the battery, turned to the left and 
 soon engaged the enemy, with the regiments deployed. 
 Colonel Mcintosh dismounted his regiment, and the two 
 marched up abreast to a fence around a large cornfield, when 
 they met the left of the enemy already posted. A terrible 
 conflict of small arms took place here. The opposing force 
 was a body of regular United States Infantry, commanded 
 by Captains Plummer and Gilbert. 
 
 Notwithstanding the galling fire poured upon these two 
 regiments, they leaped over the fence, and gallantly led by 
 their Colonels, drove the enemy before them back upon the 
 main body. During this time the Missourians, under Gen- 
 eral Price, were nobly attempting to sustain themselves in 
 the center, and were hotly engaged on the sides of the 
 height upon which the enemy were posted. Far on the right 
 Seigel had opened his battery upon Churchill's and Greer's 
 Regiments, and had gradually made his way to the Spring- 
 field Road, upon each side of which the army was encamped, 
 and in a prominent position, had established his battery. I 
 at once took two companies of the Louisiana Regiment, which 
 were nearest me, and marched them rapidly from the front 
 and right to the rear, with orders to Colonel Mcintosh to 
 bring up the rest. 
 
 When we arrived near the enemy's battery, we found that 
 Reid's Battery had opened upon it, and it was already in 
 confusion. Advantage was taken of it, and soon the Lou- 
 isianans were gallantly charging among the guns and swept 
 .the cannoniers away. Five ..guns were here taken, and 
 
53 
 
 Seigel's command, completely routed, were in rapid retreat 
 with a single gun, followed by some companies of the Texas 
 Regiment and a portion of Colonel Major's Missouri Regi- 
 ment of Cavalry. In the pursuit many of the enemy were 
 killed and taken prisoners, and their last gun captured. 
 
 Having cleared our right and rear, it was necessary to 
 turn all our attention to the center, under General Lyon, 
 who was pressing upon the Missourians, having driven them 
 back. To this point Mcintosh's Regiment, under Lieutenant 
 Colonel Embry, and Churchill's Regiment, on foot, Gratiot's 
 Regiment and McRae's Battalion were sent to their aid. A 
 terrible fire of musketry was now kept up along the whole 
 side and top of the hill upon which the enemy were posted ; 
 masses of infantry fell back, and again rushed forward. 
 The summit of the hill was covered with the dead and 
 wounded. Both sides were fighting with desperation for 
 the day. Carroll's and Greer's Regiments, led gallantly by 
 Capt. Bradfute, charged^the battery, (Totten's) but the whole 
 strength of the enemy were immediately in rear, and a 
 deadly fire was opened upon them. 
 
 At this critical moment, when the fortunes of the day 
 seemed to be at the turning point, two regiments of General 
 Pierce's Brigade, were ordered to march from their position 
 (as reserves) to support the center. 
 
 The order was obeyed with alacrity, and General Pierce 
 gallantly marched with his brigade to the rescue. Reid's 
 Battery was also ordered to move forward, and the Louisiana 
 Regiment was again called into action on the left of it. The 
 battle then became general, and probably no two opposing 
 forces ever fought with greater desperation ; inch by inch 
 the enemy gave way and were driven from their position. 
 Totten's Battery fell back — Missourians, Arkansians, Lou- 
 isianans and Texans pushed forward — the incessant roll of 
 musketry was deafening, and the balls fell thick as hail 
 stones — but still our gallant Southerners pushed onward, and, 
 with one wild yell, broke upon the enemy, pushing them back 
 and strewing the ground with their dead. Nothing could 
 withstand the impetuosity of our final charge. The enemy 
 fled and could not again be rallied, and they wero seen at 
 12 M., fast retreating among the hills in the distance. 
 Thus ended the battle. It lasted six hours and a half. The 
 force of the enemy, between nine and ten thousand, was 
 composed of well disciplined troops. w<-ll armed, and a large 
 part of them belonging to the old army of the United States. 
 
54 
 
 With every advantage on their side, they have met with a 
 signal repulse. The loss of the enemy is eight hundred 
 (800) killed, one thousand (1,000) wounded, and three hun- 
 dred (300) prisoners. We captured six (6) pieces of artil- 
 lery, several hundred stand of small arms, and several of 
 their standards. 
 
 Major General Lyon, chief in command, was killed, and 
 many of their officers, high in rank, wounded. 
 
 Our loss was also severe, and we mourn the death of 
 many a gallant officer and soldier. Our killed amounts to 
 two hundred and sixty-five, (265,) eight hundred (800) 
 wounded, and thirty (30) missing. 
 
 Colonel Weightman fell at the head of his brigade of Mis- 
 sourians, while gallantly charging upon the enemy. His 
 place will not easily be filled. Generals Slack and Clark, of 
 Missouri, were severely wounded — General Price, slightly. 
 Captain Hinson, of the Louisiana Regiment, Captain Mc- 
 Alexander, of Churchill's Regiment, Captains Bell and 
 Brown of Pierce's Brigade ; Lieutenants Walton and 
 Weaver, all fell nobly and gallantly doing their duty. Col- 
 onel Mcintosh was slightly wounded by a grape-shot while 
 charging with the Louisiana Regiment. Lieutenant Colonel 
 Neal, Major H. Ward, Captains King, Pearson, Gibbs, 
 Ramsaur, Porter; Lieutenants Dawson, Chambers, John- 
 son, King, Adams, Hardista, Mclver and Saddler, were 
 wounded while at the head of their companies. Where all 
 were doing their duty so gallantly, it is almost unfair to 
 discriminate. I must, however, bring to your notice the 
 gallant conduct of the Missouri Generals, McBride, Par- 
 sons, Clark, Slack, and their officers. To General Price I 
 am under many obligations for assistance on the battle field. 
 He was at the head of his force leading them on ; and sus- 
 taining them by his gallant bearing. General Pierce, with 
 his Arkansas Brigade, (Gratiot's, Walker's and Daugherty's 
 Regiment of Infantry,) came gallantly to the rescue when 
 sent for. Leading his men into the thickest of the fight, he 
 contributed much to the success of the day. The command- 
 ers of regiments of my own Brigade, Colonels Churchill, 
 Greer, Embry, Mcintosh, Hebert and McRae, led their dif- 
 ferent regiments into action with the greatest coolness and 
 bravery, always in front of their men, cheering them on. 
 
 Woodruff, Bledsoe and Reid, managed their batteries with 
 great ability, and did much execution. 
 
 For those other officers and men, who were particularly 
 
55 
 
 conspicuous, I will refer the Department to the reports of 
 the different commanders. 
 
 To my personal staff I am much indebted for the coolness 
 and rapidity with which they carried orders about the field, 
 and would call your attention to my volunteer aids, Capt. 
 Bradfute, Messrs. Armstrong, Ben. Johnson, (who had his 
 horse killed under him,) Hamilton, Pike and Major King. 
 To Major Montgomery, Quartermaster, I am also indebted 
 for much service. He cheerfully volunteered his services as 
 an aid during the battle, and was of much use to me. 
 
 To Colonel Mcintosh, at one time at the head of his regi- 
 ment, and at other times in his capacity of Assistant Adju- 
 tant General, I cannot bestow too much praise. Wherever 
 the balls flew thickest, he was gallantly leading different 
 regiments into action, and his presence gave confidence 
 everywhere. 
 
 I have the honor to be, sir, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 (Signed) BEN McCULLOCH, 
 
 Brigadier- General, commanding. 
 
 (Official.) B, H. Chilton, 
 
 A. A. General. 
 
CONSOLIDATED REPORT of the Killed, Wounded and 
 Missing, in the Arkansas State Forces, after the action of 
 August 10th, 1861 : 
 
 Command. 
 
 Second Regiment Cavalry, Col. 
 Carroll 
 
 Third Regiment Infantry, Wood- 
 ruff's Battery attached, Col. 
 Gratiot 
 
 Fourth Regiment Infantry, Col. 
 Walker 
 
 Fifth Regiment Infantry, Colonel 
 Daugherty 
 
 General Staff 
 
 Total 
 
 (Signed.) 
 (Official.) 
 
 
 nS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ti 
 
 bO 
 
 ^3 
 
 a 
 
 a 
 
 a 
 
 =3 
 
 co 
 
 i-2 
 
 O 
 
 DO 
 
 s 
 
 * 
 
 £ 
 
 5 
 
 18 
 
 2 
 
 25 
 
 84 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 11 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 33 
 
 113 
 
 4 
 
 Remarks 
 
 Not engaged. 
 
 Capt. Jefferson, 
 taken prisoner. 
 
 A. H. CLINE, 
 
 Major and A. D. G. 
 
 R. H. Chilton, 
 
 A. A. General. 
 
REPORT OF THE ENGAGEMENT AT LEWINSVILLE, 
 VIRGINIA, J. E. B. STUART, COL. COMMANDING. 
 
 Headquarters Munson's Hill, 7 
 September 11th, 1861. \ 
 
 General 
 
 I started about 12 o'clock, with the 13th Virginia Volun- 
 teers, commanded by Maj. Terrill, 305 men, one section of 
 Rosser's Battery, Washington Artillery, and a detachment 
 of First Cavalry, under Captain Patrick, for Lewinsville, 
 where I learned from my cavalry pickets, the enemy were 
 posted with some force. My intention was to surprise them, 
 and I succeeded entirely. Approaching Lewinsville by the 
 enemy's left and rear, taking care to keep my small force an 
 entire secret from their observation, I, at the same time, 
 carefully provided against the disaster to myself which I was 
 striving to inflict upon the enemy, and felt sure, that if ne- 
 cessary, I could fall back successfully before any force the 
 enemy might have, for the country was favorable to retreat 
 and ambuscade. At a point, nicely screened by the woods 
 from Lewinsville, and a few hundred yards from the place, I 
 sent forward, under Maj. Terril), a portion of his command, 
 stealthily to reach the woods at a turn of the road and re- 
 connoitre beyond; this was admirably done, and the Major 
 soon reported to me that the enemy had a piece of artillery 
 in position, in the road just at Lewinsville, commanding our 
 road. I directed him immediately to post his riflemen so as 
 to rentier it impossible for the cannoniers to- serve the piece, 
 and if possible, capture it. During subsequent operations, 
 the cannoniers tried ineffectually to serve the piece, and 
 finally, after one was shot through the head, the piece was 
 
58 
 
 taken off. While this was going on, a few shots from 
 Rosser's section, at a cluster of the enemy, a quarter 
 of a mile off, put the entire force of the enemy in full 
 retreat, exposing their entire column to flank fire from our 
 pieces. Some wagons and a large hody of cavalry first 
 passed in hasty flight, the rifle piece and howitzer firing as 
 they passed ; then came flying a battery, eight pieces of ar- 
 tillery, (Griffin's,) which soon took position about six hundred 
 yards to our front and right, and rained shot and shell upon 
 us during the entire engagement, but with harmless effect, 
 although striking very near. Then passed three regiments of 
 infantry, at double quick, receiving in succession as they 
 passed, Rosser's unerring salutation — his shells bursting 
 directly over their heads and creating the greatest havoc and 
 confusion in their ranks. The last infantry regiment was 
 followed by a column of cavalry, which at one time, rode 
 over the rear of the infantry in great confusion. The Field, 
 General and Staff-Officers were seen exerting every effort to 
 restore order in their broken ranks, and my cavalry videttes, 
 observing their flight, reported that they finally rallied a mile 
 and-a-half below, and took position there, firing round after 
 round of artillery from that position up the road, where 
 they supposed our columns would be pursuing them. Capt. 
 Rosser having no enemy left to contend with, at his own re- 
 quest, was permitted to view the ground of the enemy's 
 flight, and found the road plowed up by his solid shot, and 
 strewn with fragments of shells — two men left dead in the 
 road, one mortally wounded, and one not hurt, taken prisoner. 
 The prisoner said the havoc in their ranks was fearful, justi- 
 fying what I saw myself of the confusion. 
 
 Major TerrilPs sharp-shooters were by no means idle, 
 firing wherever a straggling Yankee showed his head, and 
 capturing a Lieutenant, (captured by Maj. T., himself,) one 
 Sergeant and one private, all belonging to the Nineteenth 
 Indiana, (Col. Merideth's). 
 
 The prisoners reported to me that General McClellan him- 
 self was present, and the enemy gave it out publicly that the 
 occupancy of Lewinsville was to be permanent. Alas for 
 human expectations ! 
 
 The officers and men behaved in a manner worthy of the 
 General's highest commendations, and the firing done by the 
 section, under direction of Capt. Rosser and Lieut. Slocumb, 
 all the time under fire from the enemy's battery, certainly, 
 
59 
 
 for accuracy and effect, challenges comparison with any ever 
 made. 
 
 Valuable assistance was rendered me by Chaplain Ball, as 
 usual, and Messrs. Hairston and Burks, citizens attached to 
 my staff, were conspicuous in daring. Corp'l Hagan, and 
 Bugler Freed, are entitled to special mention for good con- 
 duct and valuable service. 
 
 Our loss was not a scratch to man or horse. We have no 
 means of knowing the enemy's, except it must have been 
 heavy from the effects of the shots. We found in all four 
 dead and mortally wounded, and captured four. Of course 
 they carried off all they could. 
 
 Your attention is especially called to the enclosed, whioh 
 was delivered to me at Lewinsville, and to my endorsement. 
 I send a sketch, also. I returned here with my command 
 after re-establishing my line of pickets there. 
 
 Please forward this report to General Johnston, Gen. J. 
 Longstreet. 
 
 Most respectfully, 
 
 Your obed't serv't. 
 (Signed.) J. E. B. STUART. 
 
 Colonel Commanding. 
 (Official.) R. H. Chilton, A. A. General. 
 
OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE ENGAGEMENT ON 
 GREENBRIER RIVER, OCTOBER 3, 1861, H. R. 
 JACKSON, BRIGADIER GENERAL COMMAND- 
 ING. 
 
 Camp Bartow, Greenbrier River, 
 October 7th, 1861. 
 
 Col. C L. Stevenson, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General, N. W. A. : 
 
 Colonel: In my note of the 3d inst., I gave you a brief 
 account of the attack made that day upon our position by 
 the enemy. 
 
 Advancing along the turnpike with a heavy column, com- 
 posed of infantry, artillery and cavalry numbering, at a safe 
 estimate, from six to seven thousand men, he drove in our 
 advanced pickets at an early hour in the morning. About 
 seven o'clock he encountered the main body of the advanced 
 guard, reinforced to about one hundred strong, and posted 
 on the right side of the turnpike, one mile from our lines, by 
 Colonel Edward Johnson, of the 12th Georgia Regiment, 
 who took comma ml in person. 
 
 You will find this position designated upon the accompa- 
 nying map by the capital letter " E." It is but justice to 
 this superior officer, and to the gallant band whose move- 
 ments he directed, to say that it would not have been possi- 
 ble for so small a force to have been more skillfully handled, 
 or to have exhibited more obstinate courage, in the face of 
 numbers so overwhelming. They held the column of the 
 enemy in check for nearly an hour, pouring into the head of 
 it i galling fire, not withdrawing until six pieces of artillery 
 had opened briskly upon them, and full battalions of infan- 
 try wore outflanking them on the right, and then, retiring in 
 such order, and taking such advantage of the ground, as to 
 reach our camp with but a trifling loss. To this brilliant 
 
62 
 
 skirmish, in which Colonel Johnson had his horse killed 
 under him, is doubtless to be ascribed, in a measure, the ex- 
 hilirated spirit manifested by our troops during the remainder 
 of the day. Before taking leave of it, and referring to 
 former dispatches, I would beg once again to direct to Colo- 
 nel Edward Johnson the special attention of the commanding 
 general, 'not simply for this peculiarly brilliant service, but 
 for his gallant and efficient conduct throughout the entire 
 engagement. 
 
 So soon as it had become apparent that the enemy con- 
 templated a systematic attack upon our camp, I disposed of 
 my entire force to meet it. To convey a correct idea, not 
 simply of that disposition, but of the subsequent action, I 
 must pray reference to the accompanying map, for which I 
 am indebted to Lieutenant Colonel Barton, of the 3d Arkan- 
 sas Regiment. 
 
 As I have already reported to you, our position is not, by 
 nature, a commanding one. The causes of its weakness are 
 the necessity of defending extended lines on our front (not 
 less than a mile) and on our flanks, and the fact that there 
 are points in our rear which, in the possession of an enemy, 
 might give us great trouble. The works, essential to our 
 safety, were in progress of construction at the time of the 
 attack, but were only partially completed, nothing whatever 
 having been done to strengthen our right flank or our rear. 
 I am happy to say that during the last three days, through 
 the indefatigable efforts of Lieutenant Colonel Barton, in 
 immediate charge of the works, backed by the cheerful labor 
 of the men, we are already in condition to defy an approach 
 from any quarter. Not doubting that the attack upon us 
 had been, to some extent, invited by our commencing to 
 fortify ourselves against it, and fearing that the enemy 
 might have been fully advised of our weak points, until he 
 had actually begun his retreat, my mind could not dispossess 
 itself of the idea that he had sent another column over the 
 mountains to turn our right flank. To prepare for this 
 danger, I held the 1st Georgia Regiment, so far as that 
 could be done, in reserve, for what I apprehended would be 
 a desperate struggle. I also sent expresses to Colonel Bald- 
 win, whom I had previously ordered to the top of the Alle- 
 ghany Ridge, directing him to move the 52d Virginia Regi- 
 ment as rapidly down as possible, and to fall upon the rear 
 of the enemy, should he undertake to fall upon ours. That 
 gallant regiment responded (as I have learned) most heartily 
 
63 
 
 to the call, and when halted upon 'the road, by the tidings 
 that the day had already been won, despite of its not-to-be- 
 doubted patriotism, could not entirely conceal its chagrin. 
 
 The two brigades in this camp, weakened by the absence 
 of the several corps on detached service, (the 5th having 
 been reduced from this cause and from sickness to scarce 
 one-third of its legitimate number) I posted in the following 
 order: The 1st Georgia Regiment, upon our extreme right, 
 under command of Major Thompson, Colonel Ramsey (the 
 field officer of the day) having been cut off from us by the 
 enemy while discharging his duty upon the road ; next to it 
 was placed the 12th Georgia Regiment — both of these regi- 
 ments designed for the immediate command of Colonel John- 
 son. At an early moment I threw out what few mounted 
 men were available under Captain Sterrett, of the Churchville 
 Cavalry, to different points along the valley upon our right, 
 for the purpose of bringing us timely notice of an approach 
 by the enemy, and I also strengthened considerably the 
 picket guard advanced in that direction. The center I 
 entrusted to the 5th Brigade, under command of Colonel 
 Taliaferro, composed of the 44th Virginia Regiment, Colo* 
 nel Scott; the 23d Virginia Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel 
 Taliaferro, and Major Rogers's Battalion, commanded, in his 
 absence from sickness, by senior Captain John C. Iliggin- 
 botham. This brigade was reduced in the course of the 
 action by the detachment of one hundred men, under Major 
 Jones, of the 44th, to reinforce our left wing. This de- 
 tachment marched in gallant style, under the enemy's fire, 
 to the position assigned it in line. The troops on this wing, 
 which, from the character of the ground, were widely dis- 
 persed, fell under the general command of Colonel Rust, of 
 the 3d Arkansas Regiment, and consisted of his own com- 
 mand, the 31st Virginia Volunteers, Lieutenant Colonel 
 Jackson, and the Battalion of Lieutenant Colonel Ilansbo- 
 rough, commanded, in his absence on account of sickness, 
 by senior Captain J. A. Robertson. Upon this Hank, aU<>. 
 two field pieces had already been placed in battery enfilading 
 the Huntersville Road, which runs at right angles, if indeed 
 those terms can be applied to serpentine mountain roads, 
 from the turnpike. These guns were under the immediate 
 charge of Captain V. I». Anderson, and the zeal, skill and 
 determination of that officer, leave no doubt thai they would 
 have done great execution, had the enemy ventured to call 
 them into action. 
 
64 
 
 Captain Shumaker's Battery, consisting of four pieces, 
 (six-pounders,) one of them rifled, and one six-pounder, 
 under Captain Rice, were held in readiness for the front and 
 right flank. The places occupied by these various corps, 
 you will find specified upon the map. 
 
 Our forces were all in position, when, at about 8 o'clock, 
 the enemy opened a heavy fire from six (6) pieces of differ- 
 ent calibre, placed in a field upon the right-hand side (to 
 them) of the turnpike road, and bearing upon our front and 
 center. This number was subsequently increased by two 
 other pieces, placed on the opposite side of the turnpike, 
 one near it and the other upon the rise of the hill. This 
 fire (of round shot, spherical case, shell, and, occasionally, 
 upon our left wing, of canister,) was continued with extra- 
 ordinary rapidity, and without intermission, for upwards of 
 four hours, the eight guns constituting the well-known field 
 batteries of Howe and of Loomis. The hill, occupied by 
 Colonel Taliaferro's brigade, invitingly exposed to all of 
 these batteries, received the greater share of their attention, 
 and, but for the protection afforded by the ditch and embank- 
 ment running along its brow, and constructed under the 
 immediate supervision of Colonel Taliaferro himself, we 
 should doubtless have had inflicted upon us a very severe 
 loss indeed. 
 
 This fire was returned with great energy, and, as the re- 
 sult has proved, with signal effect, by the guns of Captain 
 Shumaker and Captain Rice, and by one piece detached from 
 Captain Anderson's battery and placed upon the hill occu- 
 pied by Lieutenant Colonel Jackson. Lieutenant Massie, 
 its proper chief, being quite indisposed, although he main- 
 tained his position near his piece, it was placed under the 
 command of Captain Deshler, Aid-de-Camp to Colonel 
 Johnson. From the face that the rifled gun of Captain 
 Shumaker soon became useless to us, (for the cause of this 
 great misfortune see his own report, addressed to myself,) 
 at no time could we bring more than five pieces into action, 
 to return the fire of the enemy's eight. Yet that fire was 
 returned, and that, with so much spirit and energy, as to 
 render this " artillery duel " peculiarly interesting, by 
 the character of the field and its mountain surroundings, 
 ever memorable by those who beheld it. That the casualties 
 among our cannoniers should have been so few, is a subject 
 of sincere congratulation, and is very much ascribable to 
 the sound judgment of Captain Shumaker, who repeatedly 
 
65 
 
 changed the position of his guns, when those of the enemy 
 had obtained his range. For a minuter description of the 
 action, in this, its most striking phase, I take great pleasure 
 in referring to the report of that consummately cool and 
 skillful officer. From it you will learn why it was that our 
 pieces, at the close of the four hours' interchange of fire, 
 were temporarily withdrawn, inducing our friends upon our 
 extreme left, and evidently the enemy, to suppose that they 
 had been silenced. 
 
 At about half-past nine a strong column of infantry was 
 seen to move towards our left flank. Having crossed the 
 so-called river, (in fact a shallow stream, of about twenty 
 yards in width,) near the point designated on the map by 
 the capital letter "A," it undertook to turn our position in 
 that direction. Soon, however, it encountered a portion of 
 the 3rd Arkansas Regiment, which drove it precipitately 
 back with a destructive fire. The enemy subsequently 
 turned two of his pieces upon this position of our left wing, 
 pouring out canister and shell in large volumes, but fortu- 
 nately, on account of the protection afforded by the works, 
 with but little execution. 
 
 Simultaneously with this movement towards our left, ano- 
 ther column of infantry ascended the wooded hill beforeour 
 right wing, at the point designated upon the map by the 
 capital letter " B." Having become, at its head, involved 
 in a slight skirmish with one of our picket guards, it was 
 immediately and strongly reinforced. Subsequently to the 
 repulse of the column from our left flank, it proceeded in 
 the same general direction, ascending the hill at the point 
 designated by the letter "C," and swelling the force, which 
 now began to threaten seriously our front and right, to some-! 
 four thousand men. They moved along the side of the hill.. 
 opening upon our lines a desultory fire of rifle musketry, 
 which was continued until the close of the anion. So soon 
 as the designs of this column were fully developed, 1 ordered' 
 the 12th Georgia Regiment to take position near the stream; 
 where i small detachment of it, under Lieutenant Dawson;, 
 had already been posted, with instructions to engage thi 
 enemy whenever he should attempt to cross it. From the 
 fact that this movement was made in full face of largely su- 
 perior numbers, and with a superior weapon, and protected 
 
 by cover of the forest, it was made with an alacrity and a 
 regularity which deserve high commendation, as does also 
 the cool determination with which this command protecting 
 5 
 
66 
 
 itself, as best it might, against the enemy's fire, received it, 
 but returned scarce a shot. Not long thereafter, I ordered 
 Captain Shumaker to open upon the same column, directing 
 his fire to where he supposed the head of it to be. This he 
 promptly did with two of his pieces, and so effectively, that 
 in a short time the unmistakable evidences of their rout be- 
 came apparent. Distinctly could their officers be heard, 
 with words of mingled command, remonstrance and entreaty, 
 attempting to rally their battalions into line, and to bring 
 them to the charge, but they could not be induced to reform 
 their broken ranks, nor to emerge from the cover of the 
 woods, in the direction of our fire. Rapidly and in disorder 
 they returned into the turnpike, and soon thereafter the en- 
 tire force of the enemy — artillery, infantry and cavalry — 
 retreated in confusion along the road and adjacent fields, 
 leaving behind them, at different points, numbers of their 
 killed, guns, knapsacks, canteens, etc., etc. Among other 
 trophies taken, were a stand of United States colors, which 
 are held subject to the order of the commanding general. 
 
 This engagement lasted from seven in the morning to half- 
 past two o'clock in the afternoon, at which time the enemy, 
 who had come with artillery to bombard and demoralize us ; 
 with infantry to storm our camp ; with cavalry to rout and 
 destroy us, and with four days cooked rations in his haversack, 
 to prosecute a rapid march either towards Staunton or to- 
 wards Huntersville, was in precipitate retreat back to his 
 Cheat Mountain fastness. And it is certainly a matter not 
 unworthy of mention, that while his first insolent advances 
 were received with defiant cheers, running from one end to 
 the other of our line, he was permitted to take his departure 
 under the simple reports of our pieces, firing upon him so 
 long as he continued within their range. The relative weak- 
 ness of our force, and the entire absence of cavalry, pre- 
 vented our pursuing him, and thereby realizing the legiti- 
 mate fruits of our triumph. His loss in killed and wounded 
 is estimated at from two hundred and fifty to three hundred 
 — among them an officer of superior rank. Our own, I am 
 happy to say, was very inconsiderable, not exceeding fifty in 
 all. This most gratifying result is to be attributed, in a 
 great degree, to the remarkable coolness of regimental and 
 company officers, who never seemed for a moment to lose 
 their presence of mind ; never allowed their men unnecessa- 
 rily to expose themselves, and profited by every advantage 
 of ground and position, to shield them from danger. 
 
67 
 
 In conclusion, I take great pride in saying that the bear- 
 ing of all the troops, both officers and men, with but few- 
 exceptions, was highly creditable to themselves and to the 
 army. Among those who enjoyed the opportunity, coveted 
 by all, of attracting special notice, in addition to the name 
 of Col. Johnson, I would mention those of Capt. Shumaker, 
 who was wounded at his battery, and to whom I have already 
 had repeated occasion to refer ; of Capt. Wm. H. llice, of 
 whom Capt. Shumaker speaks in the following emphatic 
 language : " He had been working his piece beautifully for 
 two hours, and too much praise cannot be given him for the 
 deliberate manner with which he loaded and fired his piece; 
 loading and firing by detail for an hour, in the midst of a 
 storm of shot and shell from the enemy," until he was strick- 
 en to the earth severely wounded ; of Capt. Deshler, who 
 directed a rapid fire with marked effect, and of Sergeant 
 Graves, who fell mortally wounded in the cool and gallant 
 discharge of his duty. Peculiarly distinguished among the 
 advanced guard, where all were distinguished, must be re- 
 corded the names of Lieut. Gibson, of the Third Arkansas 
 Regiment — the officer in immediate command ; of private 
 Slayton, of the 31st Virginia Regiment, who was severely 
 wounded, and of private J. W. Brown, of Company F, First 
 Georgia Regiment, who, upon hearing the order to fall back, 
 exclaimed: "7 will give them one more shot before I leave,'''' 
 and while ramming down his 29th cartridge, fell dead at his 
 post. Nor can I omit mention, in this connection, of Lieut. 
 Col. Barton, who, in the absence of Engineer Staff Officers, 
 designed, and was in active prosecution of the works, to 
 which we are so much indebted, for the defence of our posi- 
 tion, and who has shown himself, at all times, prompt to 
 render cheerful and efficient service. 
 
 It is hardly necessary to add that Colonel Taliaferro, 
 whose marked coolness and energy could not fail to inspire 
 his men, and Col. Rust, in command of the left wing, from 
 which the enemy was first repelled, discharged their respon- 
 sible duty successfully and well. 
 
 Finally, my own thanks are especially due to my Aids, 
 Major F. 8. Bloom, and Lieut. W. 1). Humphries, C. S. A 
 for the gallant and efficient manner in which they responded 
 to the peculiar and exposing calls made upon them. It is 
 
68 
 
 but justice to add that Cadet Henry Jackson, C. S. A., drew 
 notice to himself by his gallantry under fire. 
 
 I have the honor to enclose herewith a list of casualties. 
 I am, Sir, very respectfully, 
 
 Your ob't serv't, 
 (Signed.) HENRY R. JACKSON, 
 
 Brig. Gen. Com'g. 
 (Official.) 
 
 R. H. Chilton, A. A. Gen'L 
 
BErORT OF THE ENGAGEMENT AT SANTA ROSA 
 ISLAND, ON THE NIGHT OF OCTOBER 8th, 1861. 
 BRAXTON BRAGG, MAJOR GENERAL COM- 
 MANDING. 
 
 Headquarters Army of Pensacola, {[ 
 Near Pensacola, Fla., Oct. 29th, 1861. i 
 
 Sir : Owing to the disability of Brigadier General Ander- 
 son from his wound, I have been unable to procure earlier a 
 detailed report of the affair with the enemy, on Santa Rosa 
 Island, on the night of the Sth and 9th instants, with a tab- 
 ular statement of killed, wounded and prisoners ; it is here- 
 with enclosed. The circumstances attending this little 
 expedition rendered it a most daring and successful feat of 
 arms. Landing from steamers and flats on the enemy's 
 shore, within sight of his fleet, marching some three or four 
 miles, in the darkness of night, over an unknown and almost 
 impassable ground, under his guns, killing his pickets. 
 storming his entrenched camp of six or seven hundred 
 men, driving the enemy off in utter confusion and dismay, 
 and burning 'every vestige of clothing, equipage and pro- 
 vision, leaving them individually in a state of destitu- 
 tion, and this under the close range of the guns of his 
 stronghold, Fort Pickens, without his discovering our object, 
 or firing a L r un. is an achievement worthy of the gallant men 
 who executed it. Our loss was almost entirely the result of 
 exhaustion from the fatigue of the march, and from the over 
 .zeal of the hospital guard, left to protect the enemy's sick, 
 ■when they were captured. From the nature of the 
 and the necessity of rapidly retiring with our Bmall force. 
 before the enemy could rally from his surprise, some of our 
 wounded were left on the field, and. T regrel to say, indica- 
 tions show they were brutally murdered by the enemy. Of 
 thirteen dead bodies recovered, eleven were shot through the 
 
70 
 
 head, having, at the same time, disabling wounds on the 
 body; this fact admits of but one inference. 
 
 Brigadier General Anderson commends, in very just terms, 
 the gallantry of his little band, who have fully justified the 
 high estimate I had formed of this excellent little army. 
 They have shown, it is only necessary to order, and they 
 will promptly execute, however desperate the undertaking. 
 
 The General modestly omits to mention that, at the close 
 of the affair, he received a painful wound in the left arm, 
 from a musket ball, which will disable him for several weeks. 
 
 In commending the troops generally for their good con- 
 duct, I cannot omit to mention the separate commanders of 
 the three small columns — Colonel J. Patton Anderson, 1st 
 Florida Volunteers ; Colonel J. K. Jackson, 5th Georgia 
 Volunteers, and Colonel J. R. Chalmers, 9th Mississippi 
 Volunteers. 
 
 The darkness and nature of the service rendered it neces- 
 sary for each one to act an independent part. They proved 
 themselves not only gallant leaders, but competent com- 
 manders. 
 
 To Captain W. R. Boggs, Engineer C. S. A., and 1st 
 Lieutenant J. E. Slaughter, C. S. Artillery, Acting Inspec- 
 tor General, I am indebted for the perfect knowledge of the 
 enemy's pickets and positions, obtained by close reconnois- 
 sance on which the expedition was based, and for the secret 
 and complete organization which incurred its success. 
 I am, sir, 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 (Signed.) BRAXTON BRAGG, 
 
 Major General Commanding. 
 Adjutant General C. S. A., Richmond, Va. 
 
 (Official.) R. H. Chilton, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General. 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL R. II. ANDER- 
 SON. 
 
 Pensacola, Florida, Oct. 23, 1861. 
 
 Sir : I ha7e the honor to submit the following report of 
 the affair on Santa Rosa Island, on the night of the 8th, 
 and morning of the 9th of October : 
 
 The detachment which had been ordered to assemble at the 
 Navy Yard, arrived at the hour appointed, and were embark- 
 ed in good order on the steamer " Time." 
 
 Whilst proceeding from the Navy Yard to Pensacola the 
 troops were divided into battalions, as follows : 
 
 The first battalion, three hundred and fifty strong, to the 
 command of which Colonel James R. Chalmers, 9th Missis- 
 sippi Regiment, was assigned, was composed of detachments 
 from the 9th and 10th Mississippi and 1st Alabama Regi- 
 ments. 
 
 Three companies of the 7th Regiment Alabama Volun- 
 teers, two companies of Louisiana Infantry, and two com- 
 panies of the 1st Regiment of Florida Volunteers, composed 
 the second battalion, some four hundred strong, to the com- 
 mand of which Colonel J. Patton Anderson, 1st Florida 
 Regiment of Volunteers, was assigned. 
 
 The third battalion, two hundred and sixty strong, under 
 command of Colonel John K. Jackson, 5th Regiment Geor- 
 gia Volnnteers, was composed <>f detachments from the 5th 
 Georgia Regiment and the Georgia Battalion. 
 
 An independent company, of fifty-three men, selected from 
 the 5th Georgia Itegimcnt, and Captain Homer's company 
 of Artillery, lightly armed with pistols anil knives, carrying 
 materials for Bpiking cannon, burning and destroying build- 
 ings, gun-carriages, fee., was placed under command of 
 Lieutenant Hallonqraist, Acting Ordnance Officer. 
 
72 
 
 Lieutenant Nelms, Adjutant oth Georgia Regiment, was 
 attached to this command. 
 
 The medical officers who accompanied the expedition were 
 Dr. Micks, of the Louisiana Infantry ; Dr. Tompkins, of 
 the 5th Georgia Regiment; Dr. Golson, of the 9th Mississippi 
 Regiment; Dr. Lipscemb, of the 10th Mississippi Regiment, 
 and Dr. Gamble, of the 1st Florida Regiment; and a detail 
 of twenty men was made to attend on and assist them. 
 
 Arriving at Pensacola at about 10 o'clock, P. M., the trans- 
 fer of the troops to the steamer " Ewing " and the barges 
 and flats which had been provided, was pushed on as rapidly 
 as possible, but not without some unavoidable delay. It 
 was found absolutely necessary to employ the Neaffie to as- 
 sist us in towing, and at length, all preparations having 
 been completed, the boats departed from Pensacola at a little 
 after 12 o'clock, crossed the bay, and effected a landing at 
 the point which had been indicated by instructions. Dis- 
 embarkation was rapidly executed in good order and silence, 
 and the battalions were joined upon the beach at a little 
 after 2 A. M. 
 
 To effectually accomplish the object of the expedition, 
 Colonel Chalmers was directed to advance rapidly along the 
 north beach, Colonel Anderson along the south beach, and 
 Colonel Jackson, tollowing a few hundred yards in rear of 
 Colonel Chalmers, was to push his command to the middle of 
 the Island, and deploy it as soon as he should hear firing from 
 either of the other battalions, or should perceive from any 
 other indications that the enemy's camp Avas approached or 
 assailed by the other columns. 
 
 Colonels Chalmers and Anderson had been further directed 
 to endeavor to restrain their men from firing, to capture 
 guards and sentinels, and to place their commands, if possi- 
 ble, between Fort Pickens and the camp of the enemy. 
 
 Lieutenant Hallonquist followed in rear of Colonel Jack- 
 son's Battalion, with orders to do whatever damage he could 
 to the batteries, buildings, and camps, from which the ene- 
 my might be driven. 
 
 After a march of three or four miles, rendered toilsome 
 and fatiguing by the nature of the ground, the head of Col. 
 Chalmers's column came suddenly upon a sentinel, who fired 
 inefficiently at our troops, and was himself instantly shot 
 down. 
 
 The alarm having been thus given, and it becoming impos- 
 sible to conceal our further advance from the enemy, I or- 
 
73 
 
 dered Col. Jackson to push his way through the thickets to 
 the middle of the Island and advance as rapidly as possible. 
 
 The guards and outposts of the Zouaves were now rapidly 
 driven in or shot down, and the progress of a few hundred 
 yards', quickly accomplished by Col. Jackson, brought him 
 upon the camp of the enemy, in advance of either of the 
 other battalions. Without a moment's delay, he charged it 
 with the bayonet, but met with no resistance. The camp 
 was almost entirely deserted, and our troops speedily applied 
 the torch to the tents, store-houses and sheds of Wilson's 
 Zouaves. 
 
 In the meantime, Colonels Chalmers and Anderson, ad- 
 vancing along the shores of the Island, encountered pickets 
 and out-posts, with which they had some sharp skirmishing, 
 but quickly beat them off and joined in the work of destroy- 
 ing the camp. 
 
 This having been most thoroughly executed, the troops 
 were re-assembled, with a view to proceeding against and 
 destroying the batteries, which lay between the camp and 
 Fort Pickens, but daylight appearing, and there being no 
 longer a possibility of a surprise of the batteries, I directed 
 the signal for retiring to be sounded and the troops to be 
 put in march for the boats. At about half-way between the 
 Zouave camp and the point of disembarkation of our troops, 
 we encountered two companies of United States Regulars, 
 which had passed us under cover of the darkness, and posted 
 themselves behind a dense thicket to intercept our retiring 
 column, and a very sharp but short skirmish ensued. The 
 enemy was speedily driven off, and our troops resumed their 
 march. The re-embarkation was successfully accomplished, 
 and the order given to the steamer to steer for Pensacola, 
 when it was discovered that a hawser had become entangled 
 in the propeller of the Neaffic, and that she could not move. 
 After some delay, from ineffectual attempts to extricate the 
 propeller, she and the large flat which she had in tow were 
 made fast to the Ewing. It was soon found, however, that, 
 with this encumbrance, the Ewing would not obey her helm, 
 and that a change in the manner of towing the Neaffie was 
 necessary. Whilst attempting to make this change, the flats 
 and barges which the Swing had in tow, became detached 
 from her, and still further delay was occasioned in recover- 
 ing them. 
 
 By the time this had been done the hawser was cut away 
 from the propeller, and the Neaffie proceeded on her way. 
 
74 
 
 The enemy taking advantage of these circumstances, ap- 
 peared among the sand-hills, near the beach, and opened a 
 fire upon the masses of our troops, densely crowded upon 
 our transports, but -without doing much execution, and we 
 were soon out of range of their rifles. 
 
 The necessity of using the Neaffie as a tug, and the acci- 
 dent, which, for some time, disabled her, prevented her guns 
 from being brought into play ; otherwise she might have 
 rendered effectual service in driving back the enemy, who 
 harrassed us from the beach. 
 
 Our loss in this affair was as follows : 
 
 Killed — Two commissioned officers, four non-commissioned 
 officers, eleven privates, and one citizen volunteer. 
 
 Wounded — Two commissioned officers, five non-commis- 
 sioned officers, and thirty-two privates. 
 
 Taken Prisoners — Five commissioned officers and two 
 non-commissioned officers, and twenty-three privates. 
 
 The larger portion of the officers, non-commissioned offi- 
 cers and privates, captured by the enemy, were the guard 
 left for the protection of their hospital and sick, and the medi- 
 cal officers who had remained in the building to attend to 
 such of our wounded as might be carried there. 
 
 Notwithstanding that I caused the signal for retiring to 
 be repeatedly sounded during the return of the troops, it 
 was not heard at the hospital, and the guard and medical 
 officers were cut off and taken prisoners. 
 
 The loss of the enemy, in killed and wounded, has not 
 been precisely ascertained, but is certainly known to have 
 much exceeded our own. 
 
 From such imperfect observation as I made in passing 
 over parts of the ground, I will estimate his loss at fifty or 
 sixty killed and one hundred wounded. 
 
 Twenty prisoners were taken, among them, Major Israel 
 Vodges, of the United States Artillery. 
 
 The destruction of property in the conflagration was very 
 great. Large stores of provisions, supplies of clothing, 
 camp and garrison equipage, arms and ammunition, were 
 entirely consumed. 
 
 Some arms were brought away by our men, and in a few 
 instances money and clothing, as will be seen by the report 
 of Colonel Jackson, and I would respectfully recommend 
 that the captors be permitted to retain whatever private pro- 
 perty they have taken. 
 
75 
 
 It is with pride and pleasure that I bear testimony to, 
 and call to the notice of the General commanding, the ad- 
 mirable conduct of the troops throughout the expedition and 
 conflict. 
 
 The alacrity, courage and discipline exhibited by them, 
 merit the highest commendation, and give assurance of suc- 
 cess in any future encounter which they may have with the 
 enemies of our country 
 
 I beg leave to refer you to the accompanying reports of 
 commanders of battalions, and of Lieutenant Hallonquist, 
 for particulars concerning casualties, incidents and individual 
 instances of meritorious conduct. 
 
 I enclose the report of Capt. Brent, C. S. N., who was 
 charged with the entire arrangements for the transportation 
 of my command, under whose direction this important mat- 
 ter was very successfully managed. 
 
 The report of Major Lovell, C. S. A., Chief of Harbor 
 Police, and in command of the steamer Neaffie, is also sub- 
 mitted. 
 
 The members of my Staff, Captain T. S. Mills, Assistant 
 Adjutant General, and Captain Hugh M. King, Fifth Regi- 
 ment Georgia Volunteers, Lieutenants Calvin Say re and 
 Wilbur Johnson, C. S. Marines, (who volunteered their ser- 
 vices and acted as my aids,) rendered me active and efficient 
 assistance throughout the whole of the operations. 
 
 Captain Mills, who was with Colonel Anderson's Battalion 
 in its first encounter with the enemy, received a severe con- 
 tusion in the chest from a partially spent ball, but never- 
 theless continued energetically to perform his duties ; and 
 Lieutenant Sayre, whilst fearlessly using his revolver with 
 effect, had his thigh-bone shattered, just above the right 
 knee, by a musket ball, and being left upon the ground, fell 
 into the hands of the enemy. 
 
 Captain Hugh M. King, in conveying orders and superin- 
 tending the destruction of the camp, displayed commendable 
 zeal and activity, ami the ardor and intrepidity of Lieut. 
 Johnson, whilst deserving especial notice, give promise of 
 this young officer's future success and distinction. 
 
 The officers of the Medio*! Staff rendered to the wounded 
 every service, which, under the circumstances, was possible. 
 
 Colonels Anderson and Jackson pay graceful tribute to 
 the memory of Captain Bradford and Lieutenant Nelms, of 
 their regiments, to which 1 desire to add my respectful ad- 
 
76 
 
 miration for them, and for every brave patriot who fell with 
 them in defence of their country's liberties. 
 I am, very respectfully, 
 
 Your most obedient servant, 
 
 R. H. ANDERSON, 
 Brigadier General Provisional Army. 
 
 Major G. G. Garner, 
 
 Assist. Adjt. Gen. Confederate Army, 
 
 Headquarters of the Army of Pensacola. 
 (Official) R. H. Chilton, 
 
 A. A. General. 
 
77 
 
 LIST of Casualties in the Affair of October Sth and 9th. 
 1861, on Santa Rosa Island, Florida. 
 
 NO. 
 
 KlLLBD. 
 
 [Richard Bradford. ... 
 
 Wm. R. Routh 
 
 J. Hale 
 
 John J. Thompson 
 
 Wm. E. Smith 
 
 Henry A. Tilllnghast.. 
 IL. A. Nelms 
 
 J. H. Beddo 
 
 JC. H. Caton 
 
 R. W. Stewart 
 
 J. H. Adams 
 
 F. J Cook 
 
 ; John Staunton 
 
 J. S, Jones 
 
 D. S. Coriy 
 
 James Smith 
 
 17 Wm. Holbrook . 
 
 IS J. B. Higgins... 
 
 19 J. E. Holmes... 
 
 20 Lewis Holmes.. 
 
 Wocndkd. 
 
 i 
 
 6 
 7 
 8 
 8 
 
 10 
 
 11 
 
 u 
 u 
 u 
 
 10 
 10 
 17 
 II 
 If 
 80 
 11 
 88 
 80 
 
 'J 4 
 
 80 
 M 
 
 87 
 88 
 88 
 M 
 81 
 88 
 80 
 
 34 
 
 80 
 00 
 
 27 
 
 M 
 If 
 
 4' 
 41 
 
 01 
 
 R. H.Anderson 
 
 Thomas 3. Mills 
 
 A. R. 8harett 
 
 Joseph Hicks 
 
 Peter O'Neal 
 
 Wm. Denham 
 
 Newton Rice 
 
 W. H. Smith 
 
 Thomas O'Connor 
 
 Edward Flynn 
 
 T. A Allen 
 
 8. C.Wheeler 
 
 E. C.Cody 
 
 W. B. B. Cason 
 
 R. C. Hays 
 
 Thos. Caldwell 
 
 Wm. C. Gorick 
 
 Walter 8. Tuggle 
 
 J. M. Handley 
 
 K. H. Muse 
 
 T. B. Thompson. 
 
 H. H. Wet.b 
 
 W. A. Gilmer 
 
 .' 01 Carll le 
 
 A. K. Destine 
 
 on Quick 
 
 W. T Price 
 
 8. (i. Farmer 
 
 B. L. Abston 
 
 John 8. Garrison 
 
 T. K. Stillmao 
 
 J. B. Day 
 
 J»ra»s P. Barksdale. . 
 
 Ira Ma' tin. . 
 
 John Claxton 
 
 Dnffy 
 
 Michael Mort mer . . . 
 A < . llollingswortb.. 
 Wm M. Eldr 
 
 C. N. Ketchum 
 
 J. W. Sewell 
 
 J. H. Dmy 
 
 RANK. 
 
 Captain. 
 
 Sergeant. 
 
 Private. 
 
 1st Lieut. 
 Sergeant. 
 Corpora). 
 
 Private. 
 
 Brig. Gen. 
 
 Captain. 
 
 Private. 
 
 Corporal. 
 2d Lieut. 
 Sergeant. 
 Corporal. 
 Private. 
 
 1st Seigeant. 
 Private. 
 
 Sergeant. 
 Private. 
 
 Sergeant. 
 Private. 
 
 REGIMENT. CO. 
 
 Ut Florida Vols 
 
 5th Georgia Vols 
 
 1st La. Infantry. 
 Ga. and Miss. 
 
 Provls'l Army. 
 A. G. D. P. A. 
 1st Florida Vols. 
 
 5th Georgia Vols. 
 
 5th Ala. Vols. 
 7th Ala. Vols. 
 
 1st Ala. Vols. 
 Bin Miss. Vols. 
 
 loth Miss. Vols. 
 1st La. Infantry. 
 
 Ga. and Miss. 
 
 Seriously. 
 
 Seriously. 
 
 Seriously. 
 
 Slightly. 
 
 Slightly. 
 
 Slightly. 
 
 Seriously. 
 
 Sll^hty. 
 
 Slightly. 
 
 Slight'y. 
 
 Slightly. 
 
 Mortally. 
 
 Seriously. 
 
 Seriously. 
 
 Since dead. 
 
 Slightly. 
 
 Since dead. 
 
 Severely. 
 
 Slightly. 
 
 BUghtly. 
 
 Slightly. 
 Slightly. 
 
 i 
 I? 
 K 
 A 
 A 
 A 
 C 
 C 
 D 
 D 
 I) 
 I) 
 I 
 H 
 F 
 
 A 
 A 
 A 
 A 
 A 
 A 
 E 
 V. 
 V. 
 
 <; 
 
 F 
 F 
 
 I) 
 K 
 
 <; 
 
 K 
 
 B Since dead. 
 
 B Since dead. 
 
 B 
 
 D Since dead. 
 
 1» Severely. 
 
 I> 
 
 I) Slightly. 
 
 D Slightly. 
 
78 
 
 List of Casualties — Continued. 
 
 NO. 
 
 NAMES. 
 
 REGIMENT. ,00. 
 
 Prison krs 
 
 Calvin Sayre 
 
 F. M. Farley 
 
 ThoiriHS R. Bond 
 
 Robert I,. Hale 
 
 John Mahony 
 
 Larkln Nickles 
 
 Benj. F. Parker 
 
 F. Y. Finley 
 
 John E. Godley 
 
 Columb. F. Hollyman 
 J. J. H. Patterson.... 
 B B. Holt 
 
 G. W. Clarke 
 
 T. W. Everett. 
 
 John Burgesa 
 
 W. H. Moore 
 
 Henry Ferguson 
 
 J. M.Fry 
 
 L. Moore 
 
 M. J. Moseley 
 
 Win. J. Jarvis 
 
 S. C. Gholson 
 
 F. G. DeRoche, M. D. 
 
 Lo wnes Lipscomb 
 
 Win Maulding 
 
 H. Deshinger 
 
 J. D. Cooper ... 
 
 Daniel Jones 
 
 Frank Passent 
 
 J. McL. Jones 
 
 W. L. Jones 
 
 J. B. Coxe 
 
 1st Sergeant. 
 
 2d 
 
 Private. 
 
 C. S. Marines. 
 1st Florida Vol? 
 
 Corporal. 
 Private. 
 
 Ass't Surg. 
 Ho?. Stew'd. 
 Ass't Surg. 
 Private. 
 
 1st Lieut. 
 Private. 
 
 5th Georgia Vols. 
 
 5th Ala. Vols. 
 7ih Ala. Vols. 
 
 1st Florida Vols. 
 9th Miss. Vols. 
 10th Miss. Vols. 
 
 1st La. Infantry. 
 
 wounded — paroled. 
 
 Wounded. 
 
 Wounded — since dead. 
 
 Wounded. 
 
 Wounded— since dead. 
 
 Paroled. 
 Paroled. 
 Paroled. 
 
 Official, 
 (Signed.) GEORGE W. GARNER, 
 
 Major and Ass't Adft General. 
 
 (Official.) R. H. Chilton, 
 
 Ass't Adft General. 
 
REPORT OF THE ENGAGEMENT OE THE SEVENTH 
 BRIGADE, WITH THE FEDERAL FORCES, ON 
 THE 21st AND 22nd OF OCTOBER, AT LEESBURG, 
 VIRGINIA, BRIGADIER GENERAL EVANS COM- 
 MANDING. 
 
 Headquarters Seventh Brigade, ) 
 
 Leesburg, Va., Oct. 31st., 1861. J 
 
 Colonel 
 
 I beg leave to submit the following report of the action of 
 the troops of the Seventh Brigade, in the battle of the 21st 
 and 22d instants, with the enemy at Leesburg, Virginia : 
 
 On Saturday night, the 19th instant, about 7 o'clock, P. 
 M., the enemy commenced a heavy cannonading from three 
 batteries, one playing on my entrenchment, (known as Fort 
 Evans,) one on the Leesburg Turnpike, and one on Edward's 
 Ferry. Heavy firing was also heard in the direction of 
 Dranesville. 
 
 At 12 o'clock at night, I ordered my entire Brigade to 
 the Burnt Bridge on the Turnpike. The enemy had been 
 reported as approaching from Dranesville in large force. 
 Taking a strong position on the North side of Goose Creek, 
 I awaited his approach. 
 
 Reconnoitcring the Turnpike on Sunday morning, the 
 courier of Gen. McCall was captured, bearing dispatches to 
 Gen. Meade, to examine the roads leading to Leesburg. 
 From this prisoner I learned the position of the enemy near 
 Dranesville. During Sunday the enemy kept up a deliberate 
 fire without any effect. 
 
80 
 
 Early on Monday morning, the 21st inst., I heard the 
 firing of my pickets at Big Spring, who had discovered that 
 at an unguarded point, the enemy had effected a crossing in 
 force of five companies and were advancing on Leesburg. 
 Capt. Duff, of the 17th Regiment, immediately attacked him, 
 driving him back with several killed and wounded. 
 
 On observing the movements of the enemy from Fort 
 Evans, at six o'clock, A. M., I found he had effected a cross- 
 ing both at Edward's Ferry and Ball's Bluff, and I made 
 preparations to meet him in both positions, and immediately 
 ordered four companies infantry, (two of the 18th, one of 
 the 17th, and one of the 13th,) and a cavalry force to re- 
 lieve Capt. Duff; the whole force under the immediate com- 
 mand of Lt. Col. W. H. Jenifer, who was directed to hold 
 his position till the enemy made further demonstration of 
 his design of attack. This force soon became warmly en- 
 gaged with the enemy and drove them back for some dis- 
 tance in the woods. 
 
 At about 10 o'clock, I became convinced that the main 
 point of attack would be at Ball's Bluff, and ordered Col. 
 Hunton, with his Regiment, the 8th Virginia Volunteers, to 
 repair immediately to the support of Col. Jenifer. 
 
 I directed Col. Hunton to form line of battle immediately 
 in the rear of Col. Jenifer's command, and to drive the ene- 
 my to the river ; that I would support his right with artil- 
 lery. About twenty minutes past 12 o'clock, meridian, 
 Colonel Hunton united his command with that of Colonel 
 Jenifer, and both commands soon became hotly engaged with 
 the enemy in their strong position in the woods. Watching 
 carefully the action, I saw the enemy were constantly being 
 reinforced, and at half-past two o'clock, P. M , ordered Col. 
 Burt to march his regiment, the 18th Mississippi, and at- 
 tack the left flank of the enemy, while Col's Hunton and 
 Jenifer attacked him in front. On arriving at his position, 
 Col. Burt was received Avith a tremendous fire from the ene- 
 my, concealed in a ravine, and was compelled to divide his 
 regiment to stop the flank movement of the enemy. 
 
 At this time, about three o'clock, finding the enemy were 
 in large force, I ordered Col. Featherston, with his regiment, 
 the 17th Mississippi, to repair, at double-quick, to the sup- 
 port of Col. Burt, where he arrived in twenty minutes, and 
 the action became general along my whole line, and was very 
 hot and brisk for more than two hours, the enemy keeping 
 up a constant fire with his batteries, on both sides of the river. 
 
81 
 
 At about six o'clock, P. M., I saw that my command had 
 driven the enemy near the banks of the Potomac; I ordered 
 my entire force to charge and to drive him into the river. 
 The charge was immediately made by the whole command, 
 and the forces of the enemy were completely routed, and 
 cried out for quarter along his whole line. 
 
 In this charge the enemy were driven back at the point of 
 the bayonet, and many killed and wounded by this formida- 
 ble weapon. In the precipitate retreat of the enemy on the 
 Bluffs of the river, many of his troops rushed into the water 
 and were drowned ; while many others, in overloading the 
 boats, sunk them, and shared the same fate. The rout now, 
 about seven o'clock, became complete, and the enemy com- 
 menced throwing his arms into the river. 
 
 During this action. I held Col. Win. Barksdale, with nine 
 companies of his regiment, the 13th Mississippi, and six 
 pieces of artillery as a reserve, as well as to keep up a de- 
 monstration against the force of the enemy at Edward's 
 Ferry. 
 
 At eight o'clock, P. M., the enemy surrendered his forces 
 at Ball's Bluff, and the prisoners were marched to Leesburg. 
 
 I then ordered my Brigade, (with the exception of the 
 13th Regiment Mississippi, who remained in front of Ed- 
 ward's Ferry,) to retire to the town of Leesburg and rest for 
 the night. 
 
 On Tuesday morning I was informed by Colonel Barks- 
 dale that the enemy were still in considerable force at Ed- 
 ward's Ferry. I directed him to make a thorough reoon- 
 noissance of the position and strength of the enemy and 
 attack him. At 2 o'clock, P. M., he gallantly attacked a 
 much superior force in their entrenchments, driving bhem to 
 the bank of the river, killing thirty or forty, and wounding 
 a considerable number. 
 
 About sundown, the enemy being strongly reinforced and 
 
 ioned in rifle pits, Colonel Barksdale wisely retired with 
 
 bis regiment to Fori Evans, leaving a guard of two eompa- 
 
 to watch the movements of the enemy, who, evidently 
 
 cting i renewed attack, retired during the night, and 
 
 re-crossed the river at Edward's Ferry. 
 
 < >n Wednesday morning, finding my Brigade very much 
 exhausted, I left Colonel Barksdale, with his regiment, with 
 two pieces of artillery and a cavalry force, as a grand guard, 
 and I ordered the other three regiments to fall back towards 
 Carter's Mill to rest and to be collected in order. <'"lonel 
 6 
 
82 
 
 Hunton, with his regiment and two pieces of artillery, were 
 halted at a strong position on the south bank of the Sycolin, 
 about three miles south of Leesburg. 
 
 I would here state, that on an interview on Monday night, 
 with the commissioned officers of the Federal Army taken 
 prisoners, I was convinced that they expected to be re-cap- 
 tured either during the night or the next day, and as the 
 captured officers refused their parole not to take up arms 
 against the Southern Confederacy, until duly exchanged, I 
 ordered the whole number to be immediately marched to 
 Manassas. This parole was only offered to give them the 
 liberty of the town, as I did not wish to confine them with 
 the privates. 
 
 In the engagement on the 21st of October, which lasted 
 nearly thirteen hours, our loss from a force of seventeen 
 hundred and nine, aggregate, was as follows : 
 
 EIGHTH REGIMENT VA. VOLS. KILLED. WOUNDED. 
 
 Commissioned officers 
 
 Non-commissioned officers 
 
 Privates .- 
 
 Total 8 43 
 
 Since died of wounds, three privates and one lieutenant taken 
 prisoner, 
 
 THIRTEENTH REGIMENT MISS. VOLS. KILLED. WOUNDED, 
 
 Commissioned officers (22d) 1 
 
 Non-commissioned officers 
 
 Privates.. 3 2 
 
 Total.. 4 2 
 
 One private taken prisoner. 
 
 SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT MISS. VOLS. KILLED. WOUNDED. 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 2 
 
 5 
 
 37 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 9 
 
83 
 
 EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT MISS. VOLS. KILLED. WOUNDED. 
 
 Commissioned officers 7 
 
 Non-commissioned officers 2 6 
 
 Privates 20 50 
 
 Total 22 63 
 
 Total loss killed and wounded, 153 
 
 Taken prisoners 2 1 55 
 
 The force of the enemy, as far as I have been able to as- 
 certain, was five regiments and three pieces of artillery at 
 Ball's Bluff, and four regiments, two batteries and a squad- 
 ron of cavalry at Edward's Ferry, numbering in all about 
 eight thousand troops. 
 
 In addition to this force, three batteries of long range 
 were constantly firing on my troops from the Maryland side: 
 of the river. 
 
 The loss of the enemy so far as known is as follows : 
 
 Thirteen hundred killed, wounded and drowned; 
 
 Captured seven hundred and ten prisoners; 
 
 Fifteen hundred stand of arms ; 
 
 Three pieces of cannon : 
 
 One stand of colors, a large number of cartridge boxes,, 
 bayonet scabbards and a quantity of camp furniture. 
 
 Among the killed of the enemy was General Baker, for- 
 merly Senator from Oregon, and several other commissioned 
 officers. 
 
 Among the prisoners taken were twenty-two commissioned 
 officers, the names of whom have already been furnished. 
 
 General C. 1*. Stone commanded the Federal forces until 
 3 o'clock, A. M.. on the morning of the 22<\, when he was 
 superseded by Major General N. I'. Banks. 
 
 The engagment on our side was fought entirely with the 
 musket; the artillery was in position to do effective service 
 should the enemy have advanced from their cover. 
 
 The enemy were aimed with the Minnie musket, the Bel- 
 gian gun. and Springfield musket ; a telescopic target rifle 
 was also among the arms found. 
 
 In closing my report, I would call the attention of the 
 General commanding t<» the heroism and gallantry displayed 
 by the officers and men of the 7th Brigade, in the action of 
 the 21st and 22d of October. The promptness with which 
 
84 
 
 every commander obeyed, and the spirit with which their men 
 executed my orders to attack the enemy, in much superior 
 force, and in a position where he had great advantages, enti- 
 tles them to the thanks of the Southern Confederacy. With- 
 out food or' rest, for more than twelve hours previous to the 
 commencement of the battle, they drove an enemy, four 
 times their number, from the soil of Virginia, killing and 
 taking prisoners a greater number than our whole force en- 
 gaged. To witness the patience, enthusiasm and devotion 
 of the troops to our cause, during an action of thirteen 
 hours, excited my warmest admiration. 
 
 As my entire Brigade exceeded my most sanguine expec- 
 tations, in their intrepidity and endurance, I am unable to 
 individualize any particular command, as the tenacity with 
 which each regiment held their positions, was equalled only 
 by their undaunted courage and firm determination to con- 
 quer. 
 
 To my General Staff I am much indebted. Maj. John D. 
 Rogei s, Brigade Quartermaster, was directed to conduct the 
 bao-ffao-e trains beyond Goose Creek, which difficult duty was 
 performed in the night with great regularity. Captain Orr, 
 Brigade Commissary, was actively engaged in securing com- 
 missary stores and in providing cooked rations for the Bri- 
 gade. To my Acting Aid-de-Camp, Lieut. Chas. B. Wild- 
 man, of the 17th Regiment Virginia Volunteers, and my 
 Volunteer Aid, Mr. Wm. H. Rogers, I am particularly in- 
 debted for services on the field of battle. Lieut. Wildman 
 conducted the 18th Regiment, and Mr. Rogers the 17th Re- 
 giment of Mississippi Volunteers to their respective posi- 
 tions in the action, and both repeatedly bore my orders un- 
 der heavy fire. 
 
 Capt. A. L. Evans, Assistant Adjutant General, though 
 detained by other duty till 2 o'clock, P. M., rendered valu- 
 able services. 
 
 The Medical Staff, both Brigade and Regimental, were all 
 actively engaged during the day in removing the dead and 
 wounded, and in patriotically administering relief to the dying 
 on the field. 
 
 I am pained to report the fall of the gallant Colonel E. R. 
 Burt, of the 18th Regiment Mississippi Volunteers. He 
 was mortally wounded about four o'clock, P. M., while gal- 
 lantly leading his regiment under a tremendous fire. * * 
 His loss is truly severe to his regiment and to our common 
 cause. 
 
85 
 
 At about 2 o'clock, P. M., on the 21st a message was sent to 
 Brigadier General 11. L. White to bring his militia force to 
 my assistance at Fort Evans. He reported to me, in person, 
 that he was unable to get his men to turn out, though there 
 were a great number in town, and arms and ammunition were 
 offered them. 
 
 The prisoners taken were sent to Manassas under charge 
 of Capt. 0. R. Singleton, of the 18th Regiment Of Missis- 
 sippi Volunteers, with his company, and Captain W. A. R. 
 Jones, of the 1 7th Regiment Mississippi Volunteers, and a 
 detachment of cavalry; the whole under command of Capt. 
 Singleton, who conducted 529 prisoners nearly twenty-live 
 miles, after the great fatigue of the battle. 
 
 Accompanying this report, I enclose an accurate map of 
 the field of battle, and the reports of the immediate com- 
 manders. To the latter I would respectfully refer for indi- 
 vidual acts of gallantry and patriotism. 
 
 I also forward the report of the Field Officer of the day, 
 Lieut. Col. McGuirk, of the 17th Regiment Mississippi Vol- 
 unteers, to whom I am much indebted for information of the 
 flank movements of the enemy. 
 
 Lieut. Sheffield Duval, here on duty as Topographical 
 Engineer, and Sergeant Wm. R. Chambliss, of the 18th Re- 
 giment Mississippi Volunteers, my private secretary, ren- 
 dered material service — the former by fighting on foot with 
 his musket as a private — the latter by conveying my orders 
 on the field of battle, under heavy fire. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 (Signed.) N. G. EVANS, 
 
 Hi ■ igadier General commanding 1th Brigade. 
 
 To Lieut. Col. Thomas Jordan, Assist, ddjt. General. 
 
 1st Corps Army of Potomac, near ( \ ntreville. 
 
 (Official.) John Withi R8, 
 
 A. A. dm nil. 
 
REPORT OF THE BOMBARDMENT OF FORTS WAL- 
 KER AND BEAUREGARD, ON THE 7th NOVEM- 
 BER, 1861, THOMAS F. DRAYTON, BRIGADIER 
 GENERAL COMMANDING. 
 
 Headquarters Provisional Forces,"] 
 
 3d Military District, Dep't S. C, ^ 
 
 Camp Lee, Hardeeville, ( 
 
 November 24th, 1861. J 
 
 To Captain L. D. Walker, 
 
 AmU AoVt Gen I, Charleston, S. C. : 
 
 Sir: I have the honor of presenting my official report of 
 the engagement, on the 7th inst., between the Federal fleet. 
 numbering fifteen war steamers and gun-boats, and Forts 
 Walker and Beauregard, upon Hilton Head and Bay Point. 
 at the entrance of Port Royal Sound. The fleet was com- 
 manded by Captain S. F. Dupont, Flag Officer of the South 
 Atlantic Blockading Squadron, and the troops on board the 
 transports by Brigadier General Sherman. 
 
 The distance between the forts is by coast survey 2 5-8 
 miles. 
 
 The enemy's fleet had been collecting in our waters sinee 
 the morning of the 4th instant, and had increased in the 
 afternoon to thirty-two war steamers and transports. 
 
 On receiving a despatch to this effect from Colonel Wil- 
 liam C. Ileyward, commanding the troops at Camp Walker, 
 I left my headquarters in Beaufort and repaired by steamer 
 to Bay Point, which I reached at 6. I'. M.. passing on tin- 
 way the ever-watchful little fleet of Flag Officer Tatnall, 
 I confederate States Navy. 
 
 After remaining in consultation until 1.80, A. M., with 
 Colonel R. G. M. Dunovant, commandant of the post, I 
 took my departure, leaving him such general instructions as 
 the uncertain mode and direction, from which an attack might 
 
88 
 
 bo expected, would permit. I then visited Commodore Tat- 
 nall, and after an interchange of views, took leave, crossed 
 over to Hilton Head Island, landed there at day light on the 
 5th, and immediately despatched a courier to Braddock's 
 P( int, south end of the Island, ordering Captain Stuart's 
 Company, 9th Regiment, to march on Fort Walker and em- 
 bark thence to strengthen Captain Elliott's gunners in Fort 
 Beauregard. This company did not leave on the 6th, as 
 proposed, as Captain Sassard, of the steamer Eclisto, failed 
 to comply with his orders to carry it across early in the 
 morning. They were dispatched, however, by the first 
 steamer at my disposal on the 7th, and before they had 
 reached half-way across the bay, they were cut off from Bay 
 Point by the advancing fleet of the enemy, and obliged to 
 seek shelter in Skull Creek, where Captain Stuart disem- 
 barked his whole command in safety. 
 
 On inspecting Fort Walker shortly after my arrival, I 
 found twenty guns, of various calibre, mounted upon ^the 
 ramparts, thirteen of which were on the Channel Battery, viz : 
 One 10-inch columbiad in the center, flanked to the right 
 by five 32-pounders and one 9-inch Dahlgreen rifle cannon, 
 and to the left by six other cannon in the following order: 
 one 32-pounder, one 8-inch columbiad, three 42-pounders 
 and one rifled 24-pounder. 
 
 North bastion, 1 32-pounder. 
 
 South " 1 32-pounder. 
 
 " *< 1 8-inch howitzer. 
 
 " " 1 long 12-pounder. 
 
 South flank of bastion, 1 navy 32-pounder. 
 
 Demilune, 2 24-pounder. 
 
 Redan, 1 navy 8-inch howitzer. 
 
 Of these eight guns, one in the north bastion, and two in 
 the south flank, could occasionally be used against the ships 
 of war ; the rest were for the land defence. 
 
 To man the guns within the fort, and for an infantry re- 
 serve outside, we had, until reinforcements came from Sa- 
 vannah, on the afternoon of the 6th, two companies of Col- 
 onel Wagoner's 1st Regiment Artillery South Carolina 
 
 Militia, numbering ... 1 52 men. 
 
 Three companies Col. Hey ward's 9th Reg. S. C. V.210 " 
 Four companies of Col. R. G. M. Dunovant's 
 
 12th Reg. S. C. V., under Major Jones 260 " 
 
 Total 622 " 
 
89 
 
 There were stationed on the beach at Camp Lookout, six 
 miles off, Captain J. H. Screven's mounted guerrillas, num- 
 bering sixty-five, who acted as scouts and couriers. 
 
 About 9 o'clock, A. M., of the 5th, Commodore Tatnall, 
 who had boldly attacked the enemy's gun-boats on the pre- 
 vious day, again gallantly steamed out to exchange shots 
 with them, but he was met by too large a force, and therefore, 
 retired slowly behind our forts. The enemy followed and 
 engaged both batteries for about forty-five minutes, with no 
 other injury than three men slightly burnt, in Fort Beaure- 
 gard, from the explosion of a caisson struck by a rifle shell. 
 
 On the 6th instant the fleet and transports, which had in- 
 creased to about forty-five sail, would probably have attacked 
 us, had not the weather been very boisterous. In the after- 
 noon about 4, P M., avc received our first reinforcements 
 from Georgia, four hundred and fifty infantry, under com- 
 mand of Captain Berry, C. S. A., and Captain Read's Bat- 
 tovj, of two 12-pound howitzers, and fifty men. 
 
 I have reason for supposing that this assistance would 
 have arrived sooner, for General A. R. Lawton, commanding 
 Provisional Forces in Georgia, wrote from Savannah to Col- 
 onel W. C. Heyward on the 4th instant, S.30, P. M., as 
 follows: "From a despatch received to-day from General 
 Ripley, I infer that you (Colonel W. C. Heyward) have been 
 sufficiently reinforced from his command, until the plans of 
 the enemy shall be more fully developed." 
 
 Two hours after the gallant Georgians came to the rescue, 
 I received the welcome intelligence that Col. DcSaussure's 
 15th Regiment South Carolina Volunteers, six hundred and 
 fifty strong, had landed at Seabrook's Wharf, upon Skull 
 ('reck, and were close at hand. 
 
 At last the memorable 7th dawned upon us, bright and 
 serene; not a ripple upon the broad expanse of water, to 
 disturb the accuracy of fire from the broad decks of that 
 magnificent armada, about advancing in battle array, to 
 vomit forth its iron hail, with all the spiteful energy of long- 
 Bnppressed rage and conscious strength. At il.J.") A. M., 
 one 9-inch Dahlgreen gun opened fire apon the Bixty-gnn 
 mship Wabusli. flag-ship of Captain S. F. Dapont, which 
 led the van. closely succeeded by fourteen other large 
 mera and gun-boats. 
 
 The shell from the Dahlgreen exploded near the muzzle, 
 and was harmless. Other -hots followed from both forts, 
 
 and soon the fire became general on land and water. In 
 
90 
 
 spite of our fire, directed with deliberation and coolness, the 
 fleet soon passed both batteries, apparently unharmed, and 
 then returning, delivered in their changing rounds, a terri- 
 fic shower of shot and shell in flank and front. 
 
 Besides this moving battery, the fort was enfiladed by 
 two gun-boats, anchored to the north, off the mouth of Fish 
 Hall creek, (F H) on sketch, and another at a point (C) on 
 the edge of the shoal to the south. This enfilading fire on 
 so still a sea, annoyed and damaged us excessively, particu- 
 larly as we had no gun on either flank of the bastion to 
 reply with ; for the 32-pounder on the right flank was shat- 
 tered very early by a round shot ; and in the north flank, 
 for want of a carriage, no gun had been mounted. After 
 the fourth fire, the 10-inch columbiad bounded over the hur- 
 ters, and became useless. The 24-pounder rifled cannon was 
 choked while ramming down a shell, and lay idle during 
 nearly the whole engagement. 
 
 The shells for the 9-inch Dahlgreen were also too large ; 
 the fourth shell attempted to be rammed home could not be 
 driven below the trunnions, and was then, at great risk, 
 discharged. 
 
 Thus far, the fire of the enemy had been endured and 
 replied to with the unruffled courage of veterans. At 10.30 
 our gunners became so fatigued that I left the fort, accom- 
 panied by one of my Volunteer Aids, Captain H. Rose, and 
 went back to Captain Read's Battery, (one and three-quarter 
 miles in the rear of the fort,) and brought the greater part 
 of his men back, to take the places of our exhausted men 
 inside the fort. 
 
 It was while thus engaged with Captain Read's company, 
 that Col. W. H. Stiles rode up and reported his regiment, 
 about two miles off. I instantly directed my Aid, Lieut. 
 Drayton, to accompany Col. Stiles to the road along which 
 his regiment was advancing, and to station it in position by 
 the side of the other Georgia troops. On entering the fort 
 with Capt. Read's company, they were cordially greeted by 
 both officers and men. 
 
 The vigorous attack from the fleet continued unabated? 
 with still no decided damage to any of their ships. About 
 12.30, P. M., I again went out of the fort, with my Assist- 
 ant Adjutant General, Captain Young, for the purpose of 
 mustering together the infantry and reserves, and have them 
 in readiness for any eventuality. Before leaving, however, 
 
91 
 
 I turned over the command to Col. Hcyward, with directions 
 to hold out as long as any effective fire could be returned. 
 
 Having mounted our horses, Ave rejoined the troops near 
 Hospital No. 2. I received information, through one of the 
 videttes, that a steamer and small boats were sounding close 
 to the beach; I detached Capt. Berry, with three companies 
 of his battalion, under the guidance of Capt. Ephraim Bar- 
 nard, Volunteer Aid, by a road marked K, to watch the 
 enemy, beat them back if they attempted to land, and give 
 notice if he wanted support. I then, with some of my staff, 
 rode to collect together the other troops, who, through igno- 
 rance of our Island roads, had lost their way and had not 
 yet come up. 
 
 On the road marked D, leading to wharf on Skull creek, 
 about one-and-one-fourth of a mile from Fort Walker, I unex- 
 pectedly met Gen. Ripley and staff. Saluting him, I enquired 
 if he visited the Island to assume command, and whether he 
 wished to go back with me into the fort ? He said no, but 
 that he would return to Coosawhatchie to collect and bring 
 back two or three regiments to my support. We then moved 
 from under the fire of the ships to the shelter of some myr- 
 tles, where we could not be seen. 
 
 I then stated to him the incidents of the morning; how 
 the men had fought ; that the day was going against us ; 
 and that I was then collecting my forces for any emergency 
 that might arise, and if compelled to defend the Island, it 
 should be retained to the last extremity. We then parted, 
 he taking the road towards the ferry, and I in pursuit of the 
 purposes which brought me out of the fort. 
 
 On reaching my reserves, at Hospital No. 2, I learned 
 that the enemy had ceased making soundings, and had gone 
 back to sea; whereupon, I dispatched Capt. Read to order 
 Capt. Berry to return from the beach. 
 
 Two o'clock had now arrived, when I noticed our men 
 coming out of the fort, which they had bravely defended for 
 four-and-a-half hours, against fearful odds, and then only 
 retiring when all but three of the guns in the water front 
 had been disabled, and only five hundred pounds of powder 
 in tlir magazine — commencing the action with two hundred 
 and twenty men inside tin- fort, afterwards increased to two 
 hundred and fifty-five, by the accession from Read's Battery. 
 These heroic men retired slowly ami sadly from their well- 
 served guns, which, to have defended longer, would have 
 
92 
 
 exhibited the energy of despair, rather than the manly pluck 
 of the true soldier. 
 
 The defence of this post, involved a two-fold preparation: 
 
 First, to repel the attack from the fleet ; and second, an 
 assault by the beach from the troops upon the transports. 
 
 By the beach we had to provide against an attack from the 
 north, under cover of the Bluff south of Fish Hall Creek, 
 (marked on map F. H.;) and from the south, (S,) by the beach 
 under cover of the woods between (J and S) where a picket of 
 twenty-five men were posted under Capt Paul H. Seabrook; 
 and lastly, by the Road marked (K) leading from the beach 
 to the Second Hospital. To guard against surprise, either by 
 Fish Hall Creek, or by the beach, at (J and S) when I was 
 returning to the Fort, with a portion of Capt. Read's compa- 
 ny, I, at the same time, lead up Col. DeSaussure's Regiment 
 to the hollow (marked P) west of the road, and directed 
 them to lie down. They were perfectly masked from the fire 
 of the Fort, but not from that of the fleet, for the watchmen 
 at the mast-heads gave notice of their position, compelling 
 Col. DeSaussure, after a short time, to fall back, under a 
 heavy fire, to a less dangerous locality. 
 
 Had the entrenched camp, with store-houses and maga- 
 zines, been made in time, several lives and large quantities 
 of public property might have been saved. But it was im- 
 possible to have made this within the short time and with the 
 diminutive force at my disposal, for on my arrival at head- 
 quarters in Beaufort, on the night of the 17th of October, the 
 number of troops at Camp Walker were but three hundred 
 and sixty-two, afterwards increased on the 24th to six hun- 
 dred and twenty-two, by the accession of four companies 
 under Major Jones, of 12th Regiment South Carolina Volun- 
 teers. To this, may be added, the Engineer force of some 
 sixty men, who, with the soldiers, worked incessantly day and 
 night. As an evidence of what they accomplished : the eight- 
 inch columbiad, on the water front, was only mounted on the 
 first of November; one eight-inch howitzer, in the salient of 
 the south bastion, mounted on the 4th; one thirty-two poun- 
 der on the right flank of the bastion, mounted on the 5th ; one 
 eight-inch howitzer, mounted on a ship carriage ; embrasure 
 cut through parapet of demilune, on the night of the 5th ; 
 covered way and hot shot furnace for forty-two pounders, 
 constructed of earth and dry masonry, on the morning of the 
 6th — together with wads of moss and hay for same, splinter- 
 proof, occupying only one-half terreplein behind the principal 
 
93 
 
 traverse — was finished on the morning of the engagement, 
 (7th instant), the material not having arrived before the 4th 
 instant. 
 
 The retreat was commenced about three, P. M., towards 
 Ferry Point, about six miles off, Col. DeSaussure's Regiment, 
 and Capt. J. Read's company of Artillery bringing up the 
 rear. At 1.30, A. M., by the aid of Commodore Tatnall's 
 fleet, the steamers St. John's and Edisto and three large 
 flats, capable of holding one hundred and fifty men each, 
 the troops were all safely embarked, without provisions ; no 
 ammunition but what was contained in the cartridge boxes, 
 (the 100,000 cartridges I had made requisition for, and been 
 anxiously expecting, not having reached us till after the bat- 
 tle). Fearing that our retreat would be cut off by the en- 
 emy's gun-boats at Skull creek, no other alternative was 
 left, but to leave the Island and concentrate upon the main- 
 land, where we would be enabled to fight the enemy on more 
 equal terms, should he venture beyond the protection of his 
 fleet and attack us there. 
 
 The muskets captured by the enemy, with the exception 
 of some ten or fifteen, were those left in the Fort,. shattered 
 by shot and shell — others left in camp, belonging to men on 
 sick leave, or to those engaged in heating hot shot furnaces, 
 two days before the fight — and some boxes of arms which had 
 been left on the wharf the night before the battle, belonging 
 to the sick men of Col. DeSaussure's Regiment, who had 
 been left behind at Lightwood Knot. These could have been 
 saved, with a box of swords, if the captain of the steamers 
 Edisto and St. Johns had not refused to take them on board, 
 when directed to do so. 
 
 To Capt. Tatnall, Flag-Officer C. S N., and the officers 
 and men of his little fleet, I cannot too highly express my 
 admiration of their intrepidity and hardihood, in attacking 
 the enemy's gun boats, on the 4th and 5th instants. These 
 encounters, by interrupting their soundings and the location 
 of their buoys, no doubt prevented our being attacked on 
 Tuesday, tlie &th instant . before our reinforcements reached us. 
 I must also acknowledge the assistance extended to us by 
 the gallant Commodore, with his boats, on the night of our 
 retreat from the Island. 
 
 FORT BEAUREGARD. 
 
 The attack upon this Fort, though not so concentrated 
 and heavy as that upon Walker, was nevertheless very severe. 
 
94 
 
 Its armament (see accompanying sketch) was nineteen guns, 
 of which the following, viz. : 
 
 One 8 inch Rodman, bored to 24 pounder, and rifled, 
 
 Two 42 pounders, 
 
 One 10 inch columbiad, 
 
 Two 42 pounders, reamed to 8 inches, and 
 
 One 32 pounder, in hot shot battery, 
 Were the only guns capable of being used against the fleet. 
 
 The force on Bay Point was six hundred and forty men, 
 commanded by Col. R. G. M. Dunovant, 12th Regiment S. 
 C. Volunteers. Of the above, one hundred and forty-nine 
 garrisoned Fort Beauregard, under the immediate command 
 of Captain Stephen Elliott, Jr., Beaufort Volunteer Artil- 
 lery Company A, 9th Regiment S. C. Volunteers. The in- 
 fantry force of Col. Dunovant's Regiment was entrusted with 
 the protection of the eastern part of the Island, and of the 
 defence of the Bastion line at the Island Narrows, where an 
 attack was expected from the enemy. 
 
 Knowing how small a force Captain Elliott had to com- 
 mand his batteries, I ordered, as soon as I reached Hilton 
 Head on the 5th in St., Captain Stuart's Company, (Hamilton 
 Guards), 9th Regiment S. C. Volunteers, to march upon 
 Fort Walker, from Braddock's Point, and take thence the 
 steamer Edisto for Bay Point; but the failure of Captain 
 Sassard, of the Edisto, to fulfill his appointment at the hour 
 designated, prevented me from supporting Captain Elliott as 
 I desired. But on Thursday morning, 7th inst., having ob- 
 tained the steamer Emma, I despatched Captain Stuart's 
 company in her to Fort Beauregard. The rapid advance of 
 the enemy's fleet, however, to the attack on the batteries, 
 cut off and compelled her, at the risk of being intercepted, 
 to turn bick and seek shelter in Skull Creek, on the shores 
 of which Captain Stuart's company safely disembarked and 
 joined me in the afternoon; and here again was exhibited 
 another act of heroism, on the part of our veteran Commo- 
 dore, who, to save the Emma, interposed his own frail flag 
 steamer between her and the advancing flag ship of Commo- 
 dore Dupont, drawing upon himself her entire broadside, 
 and thus diverting this huge leviathan temporarily from her 
 course, secured the safety of the Emma at the peril of his 
 own vessel. 
 
 The non-arrival of any reinforcements at Camp Walker, 
 until the night of the 6th instant, also prevented me from 
 sending the four companies of the 12th Regiment S. C. Vol- 
 
95 
 
 unteers, under Major Jones, to the support of the other six 
 companies of the regiment at Bay Point. 
 
 For the details of the engagement at this post, the nota- 
 ble examples of bravery, the general good conduct, their 
 well-timed retreat, in the direction indicated by the dotted 
 red lines on the map appended, I beg leave to refer you to 
 the official reports of Colonel Dunovant and Captain Elliott. 
 But among the many officers and men honorably noticed on 
 this occasion, in the official report of Colonel Dunovant, 
 none of them are so justly entitled to well-merited enco- 
 miums as Captain Stephen Elliott, the commander of the 
 Fort. Others may have exhibited na equal amount of cool 
 bravery, in front of the foe, but his opportunities enabled 
 him to surpass all his brother officers in the skillful arrange- 
 ment of his defences, superb condition of his batteries, and 
 in the high discipline which he had imparted to his model 
 company, the creation of his own indefatigable exertions. 
 
 The delays and dangers incident to the manner in which 
 troops and supplies of all kinds were landed at the forts of 
 Port Royal, and the absence of all means of retreat, in case 
 of disaster, had attracted my most serious attention imme- 
 diately after I assumed command at Beaufort. On the 
 evening of the 17th ult., I immediately took steps for reme- 
 dying the first and providing for the last. 
 
 With the double object of landing supplies in all weather 
 at Bay Point, and at the same time of furnishing the means 
 of retreat beyond the range of the enemy's guns, I directed 
 one of my Volunteer Aids, Capt. T. R. S. Elliott, to make an 
 examination of the adjacent creeks to the north of the Fort. 
 He reported that about three miles from the mouth of Moss 
 Creek there was a dep'h of water sufficient for steamers 
 drawing seven feet, at low water; and that from thence a 
 causeway of three hundred yards over the marsh might easily 
 be made, and furnish a sure means of transportation, and 
 thus avoid the losses and delays which had previously oc- 
 curred in landing from the steamers, into flats, upon the 
 beaeb. 
 
 From the point above indicated, in Moss Creek, flats were 
 to have been provided and stationed, to convey the soldiers, 
 in ease of emergency, across the creek ; thence by land to 
 Station Greek, where other flats were to be placed, for the 
 same object as at Moss Creek; landing at St. Helena the 
 transit to White Hall Ferry, opposite Beaufort, was com- 
 paratively safe. 
 
96 
 
 On Hilton Head I also commenced repairing the wharf at 
 Seabrook's landing, on Skull Creek, with a view of trans- 
 porting stores to Fort Walker, when the weather was too 
 boisterous to land them in the surf. The completion of the 
 wharf was prevented, however, by the unexpected attack of 
 the enemy. Though in its incomplete state, it had already 
 been put to successful use. 
 
 I succeeded, however, in obtaining from Charleston two 
 flats and two troop boats, and from Savannah three large 
 flats, capable of containing one hundred and fifty men each, 
 which reached Jenkins Island Ferry in time to assist in em- 
 barking our troops on the night of the retreat. Three 
 other smaller ones were sent at the same time to "White 
 Hall Ferry," which assisted in performing the same good 
 offices for Colonel Dunovant's command. The rest of the 
 scheme, for want of time and flats, could not be carried out 
 in the manner I intended. 
 
 For the purpose of sending messages between Forts 
 Walker and Beauregard, and thence to my headquarters 
 at Beaufort, I had prepared, by the assistance of Captain 
 Lynch, another of my aids, a number of signal flags, the 
 designs of which had already been prepared and painted, and 
 only needed a few more days to have been put into opera- 
 tion. 
 
 In alluding, as I have, to these matters, I do not mean to 
 reflect upon any person, as to say these pressing wants 
 could have been supplied anterior to the period when I en- 
 tered upon my new duties. My design has been to exhibit 
 the condition in which I found my command, and to show 
 that I have left no effort untried to improve it. 
 
 Notwithstanding the prompt measures, adopted by Col. 
 Dunovant, to effect his retreat in the direction of the nar- 
 rows, it is surprising that, with the knowledge possessed by 
 the enemy, (through Mr. Boutelle and others connected with 
 the coast survey,) that his retreat had not been intercepted 
 by gun boats passing up towards Beaufort, and mine by 
 other steamers taking the passage through Skull Creek, to- 
 wards the ferry landings. Why they did not adopt this 
 course, must be left to time to explain. 
 
97 
 
 CASUALTIES. 
 
 The following is a correct list of killed, wounded, missing 
 and taken prisoners : 
 
 Killed in Fort Walker 10 
 
 Wounded in Fort Walker 20 
 
 Killed in Colonel DeSaussure's loth Regiment South 
 
 Carolina Volunteers 1 
 
 Wounded severely 15 
 
 Wounded in Fort Beauregard 13 
 
 Total killed and wounded 59 
 
 Missing 4 
 
 Taken prisoners, sick in hospital 3 
 
 Total killed, wounded, missing and taken prisoners. 66 
 
 The heads of the Quartermaster's and Commissary's De- 
 partments. Major E. Willis and Captain C. 1). Owens, have 
 discharged their several duties with economy and fidelity. 
 The reports hereunto appended, of these officers and their 
 assistants, show how unwearied and earnest were their eiforts 
 to save the public property left at the headquarters in Beau- 
 fort. I must likewise, make honorable mention of Colonel 
 Wm. C. Heyward, Ninth Regiment South Carolina Volun- 
 teers, who commanded in Fort Walker and its vicinity, and 
 who, during the battle* made the best use of the means at his 
 disposal. < 'olonel John A. Wagoner, First Regiment Artillery 
 South Carolina Militia, supported lj|f Major Arthur M.. 
 Huger, of the same regiment, was placed in the immediate: 
 command of all the batteries, nine of which, upon tbe water' 
 front, weir manned by the German Artillery companies 
 A and 15. Captains Harms and Werner, First Regiment Ar- 
 tillery, South Carolina Militia, all of whom fought, under 
 the Hag of their adopted country, with an enthusiasm which 
 could not have been surpassed, had they been lighting in 
 defence of their own fatherland. 
 
 The remaining four batteries, on the left flank of the water 
 from, were under the direction of Copt. Josiah Bedon, Ninth 
 Regiment South Carolina Volunteers; and the Banking Mini 
 
 rear lmuis of the fort, were manned by detaehmeii ts from ( !ap- 
 
 tains Bedon's, Cannady a and White s companies, Ninth l»e- 
 gimenl South Carolina Volunteers. Major F. I>. Lei-. South' 
 Carolina Engineers, and constructing Engineer of Forf 
 
 7 
 
98 
 
 Walker, not only fought gallantly at the batteries, but 
 afforded valuable assistance at other points in the work dur- 
 ing the contest. 
 
 Captain Joseph A. Yates, battalion South Caaolina Artil- 
 lery, and Acting Ordnance Officer, -was zealous in the execu- 
 tion of all the duties assigned to him. Towards the close of 
 the fight he was severely wounded, but has since recovered, 
 and is again ready, in another field, to resist all marauders 
 that approach our shores. 
 
 Dr. Ogeer and his able assistants, Drs. W. C. Ravenel 
 and William Elliott, a volunteer from Savannah, Georgia, 
 were present and rendered efficient service in the hospitals. 
 I cannot but regret the painful wound, which has been the 
 cause of the resignation of Dr. Ogeer, as Medical Director 
 in my medical district. 
 
 In conclusion, I cannot but express my high appreciation 
 of the gallant behavior of my aids, Captain Henry E. 
 Young and Lieutenant J. E. Drayton, as also that of the 
 gentlemen composing my volunteer staff, Captains L. Cheves, 
 H. Rose, E. Lynch, J. E. Eddings, J. J. Middleton, Jr., 
 and Joseph M. Huger. 
 
 The names* of the officers and men, not mentioned in my 
 report, will be found deservedly mentioned in the official 
 reports of the colonels of regiments, commandants of batte- 
 ries, and chiefs of the general staff. 
 J .have the honor to be, 
 
 Jlespectfully, yours, 
 
 (Signed.) THOS. F. DRAYTON, 
 
 * Brigadier General, commanding. 
 
 (Official.) John Withers, 
 
 A. A. General. 
 
 Headquarters Department South Carolina, ) 
 Charleston, Nov. 29, 1861. } 
 
 It might be proper to remark, upon the within report, 
 there are some probably inadvertant inaccuracies — or to give 
 a report of movements ordered from these headquarters, and 
 instructions given after news was received that the enemy's 
 
99 
 
 fleet was intended for Port Royal — and how they were car- 
 ried out and followed. I deem, however, that no good would 
 result to the service from a discussion of these points at this 
 time, and requesting that should it be thought proper to 
 publish this report, it should be published with this endorse- 
 ment. 
 
 It is respectfully forwarded, 
 (Signed.) R. S. RIPLEY, 
 
 Brigadier General commanding. 
 
REPORT OF COL. R. G. M. DUNOVANT, TWELFTH 
 REGIMENT SOUTH CAROLINA VOLUNTEERS, 
 
 Headquarters 12th Reg't S. C. "V., > 
 Camp Lee, Pocotaligo, Nov. 16th, 1861. $ 
 
 Capt. H. E. Young, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant- General.: 
 
 Sir: On the 26th of October last. I assumed command cf 
 the forces stationed on Bay Point Island, consisting of three 
 companies of the 9th Regiment, to wit: The Beaufort Artil- 
 lery, Capt. Stephen Elliott; Colleton Rifles, Capt. Ander- 
 son, and Capt. Harrison's company of Infantry ; six compa- 
 nies of the 1 2th Regiment South Carolina Volunteers, to 
 wit : company A, Capt. McCorkle ; company C, Capt. Davis ; 
 company D, Capt. Booktus ; company E, Capt. Hinson : 
 company F, Capt. McMakin, and company I, Capt. Valland- 
 ingham, and a small detachment of Capt. Screven's Beaufort 
 Guerrillas, under Lieut. Youmans. My staff consisted ot 
 Lieut. Wm. H. Talley, Adjutant; Dr. E. B. Turnipseed, 
 Surgeon; Capt. T. J. Bell, Quartermaster; Capt. E. A, 
 Rabb, Commissary ; Rev. C. B. Betts, Chaplain, and Mr. 
 Robert Chisholm, Volunteer on Staff. The entire force on 
 the Island, inclusive of field, staff and company officers, was 
 six hundred and nineteen. Lieut. Colonel Barnes, of the 
 12th Regiment, was placed in command of the six companies 
 of that Regiment, and Capt. Anderson's company, then at 
 the Narrows. 
 
 Capt. Elliott was assigned to the command of the work 
 known as Fort Beauregard, with his own company and Capt. 
 Harrison's. 
 
 The detachment of Capt. Screven's company was ordered 
 to report directly to me. 
 
102 
 
 Monday, the 4th instant, the enemy's fleet made its ap- 
 pearance early in the morning, and crossing the bar, came 
 to anchor to the south of, and opposite the Island, but made 
 no further demonstration of an attack on our position dur- 
 ing that day. 
 
 In the afternoon Com. Tatnall, with three small steamers, 
 attacked the nearest of the enemy's vessels, and after sus- 
 taining a heavy fire, and replying most gallantly, retired 
 slowly up the river. 
 
 Tuesdays morning, in view of the uncertainty of the point 
 and mode of attack, the following disposition was made of 
 the companies of the 1 2th Regiment : companies A and D 
 were posted in rear of a range of sand-hills, distant about 
 two hundred yards from Fort Beauregard, for the purpose 
 of protecting that work, in case of an attempt of the enemy 
 to land. Companies C and E took position near Capt. An- 
 derson's company, at the Narrows, and companies F and I 
 were held at the camp of the regiment, being about equi- 
 distant between these detachments, so as to support either. 
 
 Between seven and eight o'clock, Com. Tatnall's steamers 
 again advanced and engaged the enemy, who met the attack 
 in such numbers, and with such weight of metal, that the 
 little steamers were compelled again to retreat above the 
 forts. The enemy followed, firing upon the steamers till 
 within range of our guns, when Fort Beauregard joined in 
 the conflict, and drew a heavy fire of shot and shell, princi- 
 pally the latter, upon that work and the other portions of 
 the Island occupied by our troops. This engagement lasted 
 nearly two hours, when the enemy's fleet withdrew and as- 
 sumed very nearly its former position, opposite our Island, 
 which it retained for the remainder of the day. 
 
 The only casualties on our part were those stated in Capt. 
 Elliott's report, herewith transmitted, as resulting from the 
 explosion of a caisson. 
 
 The unfavorable state of the weather prevented any fur- 
 ther action of the enemy on Wednesday. Thursday morn- 
 ing, however, the wind lulled and the water was unusually 
 smooth; of this the enemy availed himself, and at 8.30, A. 
 M., the fleet of war vessels, headed by what is supposed to 
 have been the Minnesota, bore towards the northwest, till 
 reaching the main channel, they moved directly towards our 
 batteries. As- soon as they came within range, Fort Beau- 
 regard opened upon the vessel in advance, which, being 
 seconded by Fort Walker, and replied to by the enemy, the 
 
103 
 
 action became general. About the time of the first move- 
 ment of the fleet, it having been reported to me that barges 
 filled with troops were leaving the transports, which still 
 occupied their position opposite the camp, in anticipation of 
 an attempt to effect a landing in that vicinity, I ordered 
 companies C and E, which had been withdrawn on Wednes- 
 day, back to a point near the earth-work at the Narrows, 
 retaining at the camp the four remaining companies of the 
 12th Regiment. After, however, having made a careful per- 
 sonal observation of the movements of the enemy, and in 
 view of their steady advance and heavy fire upon the west- 
 ern end of the Island, I changed the arrangement of the 
 force, throwing the four companies at the camp in the rear 
 of the sand-hills before referred to, near Fort Beauregard, 
 and withdrew, within supporting distance, the two companies 
 of the 12th, at the Narrows. Thus the troops remained for 
 several hours, under a heavy fire of shot and shell, during 
 which they exhibited great coolness and promptness in obe- 
 dience to orders. Notwithstanding the protection afforded 
 by the sand-hills, many shot and shell fell around them, but 
 fortunately, without inflicting injury of any kind. The 
 batteries at Fort Beauregard were worked with great gal- 
 lantry, skill and energy, and the highest praise is due to 
 Capt. Elliott and his command, for the manner in which 
 they discharged their important trust. About 2, P. M., the 
 fire of the enemy upom our batteries was slackened, and re- 
 doubled against Hilton Head. A little after 3 o'clock it was 
 reported to me, by Adjutant Talley, that a boat was leaving 
 one of the fleet for the shore of Hilton Head, amid loud 
 cheers from the former, and that Fort Walker was silent. 
 I at once proceeded to Fort Beauregard, and, after the col- 
 loquies accurately detailed by Capt. Elliott in his report, 
 ordered him to make arrangements for retreat from the fort 
 towards the Narrows. 
 
 I then returned and issued the necessary orders for the 
 evacuation of the Island. The only line of retreat lay 
 across the strip of land known as the " Narrows," scarce 
 fifty yards wide ami one thousand long, to the main body 
 of Eddings'a [aland, which is itself but an extensive 
 swamp, entirely unpenetrable, save by a trail, known to few, 
 and of such extreme difficulty as to preclude the possi- 
 bility of transporting baggage, of any kind, beyond wbat 
 could be borne on the Bhouldera of the men. Of the char- 
 acter of the route and the consequent impracticability of 
 
104 
 
 transportation, I had been fully advised, and, therefore, did 
 not undertake the removal of camp equipage, stores or 
 heavy baggage ; nor did I think it prudent to destroy such 
 property by fire, inasmuch as the retreat was, at best, of 
 doubtful feasibility, and the nature of the movement would 
 have been thereby revealed to the enemy, and its success 
 still further jeoparded, if not entirely frustrated. I believe 
 ■that in consequence of the manner in which the evacuation 
 of the Island was effected, it was unknown to the enemy 
 until it had been fully accomplished, and this conviction is 
 strengthened by their failure to take advantage of the en- 
 tire command of Station Creek and Beaufort River, to cut 
 off the retreat at Jenkins's Landing, and especially at White- 
 hall Ferry. 
 
 The body of the command reached the landing at Station 
 Creek and crossed to Dr. Jenkins's plantation, during the 
 night, and after resting a short time at the latter place, re- 
 sumed the march for Beaufort, where it arrived early Friday 
 morning. The town was deserted by the white population, 
 and no representative of the quartermaster's or commissary's 
 departments, or other person in authority, could be found, I 
 was, therefore, under the necessity of assuming the responsi- 
 bility of taking, for the use of the troops, such provisions 
 and necessaries as their condition imperatively demanded, and 
 had I known the amount and nature of the stores, might 
 have saved much public property, which has probably fallen 
 into the hands of the enemy. I proceeded with the com- 
 mand to Port Royal Ferry, and thence to this place, regard- 
 ing the latter as an important point of defence, and at the 
 same time one from which I could readily open communica- 
 tion to procure the necessary supplies for my command. In 
 consequence of the intricacy and difficulty of the line of re- 
 treat, some officers and men, detained by their duties, lost 
 their way, but all these have since rejoined their respective 
 companies. There is but one man whom I am under the 
 necessity of reporting as missing ; as to the particulars of 
 this case, I refer you to the accompanying report of the effi- 
 cient Surgeon of the 12th Regiment, herewith submitted. 
 Some muskets were left, but only those which had been 
 drawn for enlisted men, who were at the time absent, by rea- 
 son of the severe epidemic, which had thinned our ranks 
 during the previous month. 
 
 No soldier threw away his arms. In regard to the man- 
 ner in which the retreat was arranged and effected, justice 
 
105 
 
 to myself and others requires that I should add a word of 
 explanation. 
 
 Having received no instructions as to the mode in which 
 the Island of Bay Point should be defended, nor of the con- 
 tingencies upon which it should be abandoned, with no 
 arrangement for receiving orders by means of signals or 
 otherwise from headquarters, and totally without information 
 of any plan devised or facilities provided for the retreat of 
 my command, in case of disaster, I felt that these circum- 
 stances imposed upon me the obligation of endeavoring to 
 secure some means of evacuating the Island, in the event 
 such a step should become necessary. Accordingly, the state 
 of facts above referred to continuing, on Tuesday I went in 
 person to Captain Elliott, who, perhaps, was more familiar 
 with the localities than any other person, and after learning 
 from him, in answer to my enquiries, that a retreat was prac- 
 ticable through Eddings's Island, if boats and flats could be 
 secured to take the forces across Station Creek, I instructed 
 him to select some prudent and trusty person to superintend 
 the collection of the necessary means of transportation at 
 the landing on Eddings's Island. The Rev. Stephen Elliott 
 was chosen to discharge this important duty, and left on 
 Thursday morning for that purpose. 
 
 Fortunately Captain Thomas Hankcl, Mr. Henry Stuart, 
 and Mr. W. H. Cuthbert, of Beaufort, had already secured 
 a large number of flats at Dr. Jenkins's landing, for the pur- 
 pose of taking them to some point on Eddings's Island, for 
 our relief. Mr. Elliott informed them of the plan agreed 
 upon, and thus, through the co-operation of these gentle- 
 men, and the valuable assistance of Captain Tripp and his 
 command, the evacuation of the Island was effected. I com- 
 municated the plan of retreat to none save Captain Elliott, 
 the adjutant and the quartermaster. 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel Barnes, commanding the greater por- 
 tion of infantry, w;is prompt and energetic in executing the 
 orders for the movements of his immediate command. From 
 the nature of the attack the forces at Fort Beauregard were 
 the only active participants in the engagement, and I cannot 
 close this report without drawing special attention to the 
 high qualities of the officer exhibited by Captain Elliott 
 commanding that work. Compelled from the necessities of 
 our position to act the part of engineer, ordnance officer and 
 commander of the fort, he exhibited an energy and intelli- 
 gence in preparing the batteries for the fight, which were 
 
106 
 
 only equalled by the gallantry and firmness of the defenee. 
 
 All the members of my staff did their duty. Adjutant 
 Talley, Captain Bell, Quartermaster, and Rev. C. B. Betts, 
 the Chaplain, frequently sent with orders to various parts of 
 the Island during the bombardment, executed their trust in 
 a manner entirely satisfactory to me. 
 
 Lieutenant Youmans and his detachment were efficient in 
 the performance of the part assigned them. To Lieutenant 
 Johnson, of the Beaufort Artillery, the command is under 
 obligations for valuable services rendered at the ferry across 
 Station Creek, and to Captain Thomas R. Elliott for similar 
 aid, in passing Whitehall Ferry. 
 
 The reports of Captain Elliott and Surgeon Turnipseed 
 are herewith respectfully submitted. 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 (Signed.) R. G. M. DUNOVANT, 
 
 Colonel WthReg't S. C. V. 
 
 Official copy, 
 (Signed.) H. E. Young, 
 
 A. A. General, 
 
 (Official.) John Withers, 
 
 A. A. General. 
 
OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE ENGAGEMENT AT 
 PIKETON, JOHN S. WILLIAMS, COLONEL C. S. 
 A., COMMANDING. 
 
 Camp Near Pound Gap, 
 Nov. 13th, 1861. 
 
 General : 
 
 Since my last report to you, I have been compelled to 
 abandon Piketon, by an overwhelming force, that advanced 
 upon me in two columns — one directly up the River from 
 Prestonsburg, sixteen hundred strong, with a battery of six 
 pieces, and the other from Louisa, up Johns's Creek, a branch 
 of the Sandy, numbering eighteen hundred men, with a bat- 
 tery of field pieces. Both of these columns converged upon 
 Piketon. My whole force consisted of 1,010 men, including 
 sick, teamsters and men on extra duty. I did not believe 
 that the advance of the enemy would be so rapid, and hoped 
 that the artillery and reinforcements promised, would arrive 
 before they could disturb me at Piketon. 
 
 Under this confident hope, I commenced gathering sup- 
 plies, explored the leather resources of the country ; found 
 them abundant, and organized a corps of shoemakers and had 
 them at work. Major Ilawcs had purchased a thousand fat 
 hogs and a number of beef cattle, and was making prepara- 
 tion to salt them. My men were badly clad and badly armed, 
 with not a knapsack, haversack or canteen; they carried 
 their powder in horns, gourds and bottles. This was our 
 condition when the enemy eommenoed the advance upon us. 
 B 'treat was inevitable — but there was too much public pro- 
 perty to be abandoned without an effort to save it. 
 
108 
 
 I at once ordered all the transportation possible to be col- 
 lected, and sent the sick, the wounded, and the live stock to 
 the rear, on the Pound Gap Road, for the Tazewell route was 
 no longer safe. I sent a small armed force immediately on 
 the Tazewell route with written orders to turn back the ar- 
 tillery and all public wagons to a point of safety in Vir- 
 ginia. 
 
 I then sent Captain Holliday with a small mounted party 
 on the Johns's Creek Road, and Captains Thomas and Clay 
 on the river road to Prestonsburg to observe the movements 
 of the enemy. This Avas on the night of the 8th. Captain 
 Thomas discovered the advanced guard of the enemy about 
 fifteen miles from Piketon. I went in person with Captains 
 May and Hawkins, with their companies of infantry, and 
 Lieut. Van Hook, with 20 mounted men, to the position of 
 Capt. Thomas, near Joy Creek. I found that Capt. Thomas 
 had burned the bridge there. The men were allowed to re- 
 fresh themselves, and the horses eecured in a deep mountain 
 cove, and the whole party, of 250 men, moved on foot to a 
 strong position half mile in front of the burnt bridge, here 
 to await what we supposed to be the advanced guard of the 
 enemy's force. 
 
 I returned to our camp at day light and met the report of 
 •Captain Holliday, who had been fired upon by an advanced 
 guard of the enemy, of about 150 men. He gave them a 
 gallant fight, killed eight of them, having only one of his 
 number wounded and one horse killed. 
 
 I despatched Captain Shawhan with his own and Captain 
 Cameron's companies, to observe the movement of the enemy 
 on Johns's Creek, with instructions to engage any party 
 not more than twice his number, but not to attack the ene- 
 my's full force. 
 
 At half-past one o'clock, on the 9th inst., the enemy moved 
 up to Capt. May's position, with ;i force of sixteen hundred 
 men and a battery of six pieces ; and were received by 250 
 rifles and shot guns, in point blank range, every one of which 
 took effect. Their column wavered and fell back ; but re- 
 turned in good order, and attempted to carry the pass by 
 assault under cover of ther cannon, but were repulsed again 
 with terrific slaughter. They then withdrew beyond the 
 range of our shot guns and threw their infantry up the hills, 
 soon outflanking our little band, and compelling them to fall 
 back behind the burnt bridge ; here our force made a stand ; 
 but the enemy advanced no farther. I then ordered three 
 
109 
 
 more companies of infantry to sustain Capt. May's command, 
 or to cover his retreat, if necessary. At 12 o'clock at night 
 Capt. Shawhan reported to me that the enemy were advanc- 
 ing in full force on the Johns's Creek Road with great ra- 
 pidity. I then ordered Captains May and Shawhan and all 
 the outposts in. I made a display of forces in Piketon, sent 
 the exhausted infantry in the direction of our retreat, and 
 waited with the balance of the command, the arrival of the 
 enemy. They came up slowly and cautiously, but were de- 
 tained for an hour by Capt. Thomas's company of sharp- 
 shooters, stationed near the ford, which prevented their artil- 
 lery from getting into position to rake the town. As they 
 approached, I moved the rear guard of 400 men off in good 
 order. They opened upon us a tremendous fire of artillery 
 and musketry, and were replied to by our sharp-shooters. 
 We had one man killed and three wounded, while the enemy 
 had six killed. In the Joy fight our loss was ten in killed, 
 fifteen wounded and forty missing. Some of the missing 
 men have gone back to their homes, and others join us daily. 
 We lost Lieut. Rust, who fell gallantly in the discharge of 
 his duty. My first belief was that the enemy had lost but 
 one hundred and fifty men ; but from, subsequent information 
 received from spies, Union men, escaped prisoners who have 
 joined us, and others who have examined their burial-ground, 
 I am satisfied the enemy lost over three hundred in killed, 
 with the usual proportion of wounded. 
 
 I cannot speak in terms of commendation too high, of the 
 gallantry of Captains May, Thomas, Hawkins and Clay, and 
 Lieut. Van Hook, and Sam Clay. Indeed the officers and 
 men behaved with so much courage and coolness that to dis- 
 criminate at all would be invidious. If we had have had 
 one thousand men more, and a battery of six pieces, we 
 could have whipped and destroyed both columns, but with 
 the small force I had, it was impossible to fight both at once, 
 and to have opposed my whole force to one, would have ex- 
 posed my rear to the other. Our cartridge boxes arrived tin- 
 day after the fight. We had powder and lead, and made our 
 own cartridges, and moulded our own bullets. The enemy 
 have six thousand troops near Piketon, one thousand of them 
 advanced ten miles this side of that place. They have not 
 more than 1,500 at Prestonsburg j what they have below, as 
 reserves, I know but little of, for all communication is cut 
 off, and the whole country is frightened out of its wits, and 
 but few men will act as scouts or guides. I am satisfied that 
 
no 
 
 this large force was not moved up the Sandy merely for the 
 purpose of dispersing the unorganized and half-armed, bare- 
 footed squad under my command. 
 
 They intend to move upon the Virginia and Tennessee 
 Railroad, I think, by way of Tazewell Court House. They 
 fortify their positions, and have a large number of wagons. 
 The Sandy is now navigable for steamboats to a point above 
 Piketon. 
 
 We want good rifles, clothes, great coats, knapsacks, hav- 
 ersacks and canteens; indeed everything almost except a 
 willingness to fight. Many of our men are barefooted, and 
 I have seen the blood in their tracks as they marched from 
 Joy to this place. You know what we want, General ; send 
 such articles as we need to Abingdon. There is little sub- 
 sistence here, and I fear I shall be compelled to fall back to 
 a point where I can subsist until our organization is per- 
 fected. We have been so constantly fighting that we have 
 not had time to complete our muster rolls. I have now over 
 twelve hundred men. If I could make a forward movement 
 the effect would be good upon the country. 
 
 Mr. Thomas has just received, from the Governor of 
 Florida, a commission as "Aid-de-Camp," with rank of Col- 
 onel. I cannot insist on retaining him from such increased 
 rank. Send somebody else. If the enemy should move by 
 way of the Pound, I have not a sufficient force to resist them, 
 no artillery, no entrenching tools, nor axes, spades or picks. 
 If they come we will give them a fight, but this will do us 
 no good, save to destroy a few of them. I have just learned 
 from a spy that a steamboat arrived at Piketon yesterday 
 with supplies to the enemy. Major Hawes wants more 
 money; he has bought hogs, horses, wagons, &c, &c. 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 JNO. S. WILLIAMS, 
 
 Colonel C. S. A. 
 
 (Official.) R. H. Chilton, 
 
 A. A. General. 
 
REPORT OF THE BATTLE IN ALLEGHANY MOUN- 
 TAINS, DECEMBER 13th, 1861, EDWARD JOHN- 
 SON, COLONEL 12th GEORGIA REGIMENT, COM- 
 MANDING MONTEREY LINE. 
 
 Headquarters Monterey Line, ) 
 Camp Alleghany, December 19th, 1861. ) 
 
 Colonel : I have the honor to submit the following report 
 of the engagement with the enemy which occurred at this 
 place on the 13th instant. 
 
 On the 12th I sent out a scouting party of 106 men, com- 
 manded by Major Ross, of the 52d Virginia Volunteers, with 
 instructions to ambuscade a point on the pike beyond Camp 
 Baxter, on Greenbrier. On the afternoon of that day the 
 advanced guard of the enemy approached, were fired into by 
 Major Ross's command, and many of them killed or wounded. 
 Immediately the main body of the enemy approached in force, 
 deployed and advanced upon our scouting party, who retired 
 and came into camp that night. On the morning of the 
 13th, about 4, A. M., I was aroused by the officer of the 
 day, who reported firing at the advanced pickets on the pike 
 in the direction of the enemy. I immediately turned out the 
 whole of my command and prepared to meet them. 
 
 I ordered Hansborough's Battalion, the 31st Virginia, com- 
 manded by Major Boykin, and Reager's Battalion, to occupy 
 the crest of the mountain, on the right, to guard against 
 approach from that quarter. On this hill there were no de- 
 fences. There were some fields and felled timber, beyond 
 which reached the crest of the mountain. The enemy ad- 
 vanced to our front, and, conducted by a guide, a Union 
 man from Western Virginia, who was familiar with the 
 roads and trails in this vicinity, turned off from the turnpike, 
 about a mile from our position, near the base of the moun- 
 tain, and reached our right by a trail, which led into a road 
 
112 
 
 coming into the field slightly in our rear. As they approach- 
 ed this position, pickets thrown out from Hansborough's Bat- 
 talion discovered them, and reported them as advancing in 
 strong force. About quarter-past 7, A. M., the enemy ad- 
 vanced and a terrific fire commenced. The enemy on this flank 
 numbered fully two thousand. They were gallantly met by 
 our troops, who did not exceed three hundred at this time. 
 As soon as I heard the firing, I ordered two companies of the 
 12th Georgia, (Hawkins and Blanford,) who had at the first 
 alarm been posted on the pike, about a quarter of a mile in 
 front, down the mountain, to move up immediately to the 
 support of our forces on the right. Three other companies of 
 the 12th, Davis's, Hardeman's and Patterson's (Lieut. U. E. 
 Moore commanding) were also ordered to the support of 
 those on the right, who were making a gallant defence, and 
 holding the position against immense odds. Gallantly did 
 the Georgians move up, and, taking position on the left, re- 
 ceived a terrible fire from the' enemy. By this time the 
 extreme right had been forced back, but seeing the Geor- 
 gians, who came on with a shout, they jomed them and 
 moved upon the enemy, who, taking advantage of some fal- 
 len trees, brush and timber, poured upon them a terrific fire. 
 Our men were checked, but not driven back. They did not 
 yield an inch, but steadily advanced — cheered and led on 
 by their officers. Many of the officers fought by the side of 
 their men, and led them on to the conflict. I never witnessed 
 harder fighting. The enemy, behind trees, with their long 
 range arms, at first had decidedly the advantage, but our men 
 soon eame up to them and drove them from their cover. I 
 cannot speakin terms too exaggerated of the unflinching cour- 
 age and dashing gallantry of those five hundred men, who 
 contended from a quarter past 7, A. M., until a quarter to 
 2, P. M., against an immensely superior force of the enemy, 
 and finally drove them from their position and pursued them 
 a mile or more down the mountain. I cannot name all who 
 deserve particular mention for their gallantry and good .con- 
 duct. 
 
 Colonel Hansborough, whilst gallantly leading his batta- 
 lion, was wounded by a pistol shot and carried from the field. 
 Soon after the fight became general, the brave Lieutenant 
 L. T.Thompson, of the 31st Virginia, fell severely wounded. 
 His good conduct had attracted my attention, and he fell 
 within a few feet of me. Captain Mollohan, whilst cheering 
 and leading his men in pursuit of the enemy, fell mortally 
 
113 
 
 wounded. Lieutenant Moore, 12th Georgia Volunteers, 
 whilst gallantly leading a charge, fell mortally wounded. 
 This gallant officer was ever ready for any expedition in- 
 volving danger. He was truly brave. 
 
 Captains Davis, Blanford, Hardeman and Hawkins, their 
 officers and men, behaved admirably. Captain Davis and his 
 company were conspicuous for their gallantry and good con- 
 duct throughout the fight. 
 
 Adjutant Willis, Lieutenants McCoy, Ethridge, Marshall 
 and Turpin, 12th Georgia Regiment, deserve particular 
 mention for their good conduct. 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel Boykin, commanding 31st Virginia 
 Volunteers, his officers and men, deserve my thanks for their 
 unflinching courage throughout the struggle. This regiment 
 suffered severely. Lieutenants Toothman, J. Johnson, Mc- 
 Newman, J. B. Philips, all wounded, deserve honorable men- 
 tion. Captain Thompson, 31st Virginia, deserves special 
 notice. Adjutant Morgan, Lieutenants Robinson, Hay— 
 mond, Sergeants Jarvis, Rader, Pots, Collings, Musgrave 
 and Green, Hansborough's Battalion, are favorably men- 
 tioned by their commander. 
 
 My command consisted of 12th Georgia, Regiment, under 
 the immediate command of Lieutenant Colonel E. T. Con- 
 nor; 52d Virginia, Majors Ross, Hansborough and Reagers 
 Battalions; 31st Virginia, Lieutenant Colonel Boykin; 
 "Lee Battery" of Artillery, four pieces. Captain P. B. An- 
 derson ; Captain Miller's Battery, four pieces ; a detach- 
 ment of Pittsylvania Cavalry, Lieutenant Dabney. The: 
 artillery was posted on the hill left of my position, which 
 had been entrenched. 
 
 Immediately after the troops were turned out, the 12th> 
 Georgia and .52d Virginia were ordered into the trenches. 
 The Pittsylvania Cavalry, dismounted, under Lieutenants 
 Dabney, also went into the trenches, armed with carbines. 
 
 A large column of the enemy, led by one Slater, a traitor,, 
 well acquainted with that country, approached th*3 left of. 
 this position by a road running along a leading ridge. 
 About half an hour after the attack was made on the right., 
 this column came up on the left to our trenches. They; 
 were evidently surprised to find us entrenched. Here the 
 brave Anderson, by a fatal mistake, lost his life. As the 
 enemy advanced he rode to tin- treneh and invited them in, 
 thinking they were our returning pickets, at the same time 
 telling our men not to fire. lie was instantly shot down by 
 
114 
 
 the advanced body of the enemy's forces. Our men then 
 opened a galling fire upon them, and they fell back into the 
 fallen timber and brush, from which they kept up a constant 
 fire at our men in the trenches, and upon our artillerists. 
 My A. A. A. General, Captain James Deshler, of the Ar- 
 tillery, whilst behaving most gallantly, was shot down in the 
 trenches by a wound through both thighs. He refused to 
 leave the field, and remained in the trenches until the day 
 was over. 
 
 Captain Miller opened upon the enemy with his guns and 
 behaved with great gallantry, exposing himself at his guns 
 to the fire of the enemy's sharp-shooters. 
 
 After the enemy's force, on the right, had been repulsed 
 and driven from the field, I ordered all of our men who had 
 been engaged in that quarter to join our troops in the 
 trenches on the left. They took post with the other troops 
 and opened fire on the enemy as occasion offered. The en- 
 emy, under the fire of artillery and infantry, soon retreated 
 from the left, leaving their dead and wounded. 
 
 The enemy's force on the left was larger, if anything, 
 than the force on the right. They numbered, in all, about 
 five thousand men, who had been drawn from Bealington, 
 Beverly, Huttonsville, Elkwater and Cheat Mountain. 
 
 My force did not exceed twelve hundred effective men of 
 all arms. 
 
 General Reynolds, U. S. A., commanded the whole of the 
 enemy's forces, and General Milroy the attack on our right. 
 General Milroy is reported, by prisoners captured, to have 
 been wounded. The enemy left upon the field thirty-five 
 dead and thirteen wounded. They carried from the field 
 large numbers of dead and wounded. This I get from citi- 
 zens who reside upon the roads along which they retreated. 
 Ten or twelve ambulances Avere seen conveying their 
 wounded. We captured three prisoners, and about one 
 hundred stand of arms, which the enemy had thrown away 
 in his flight. 
 
 Although we have reason to be thankful to God for the 
 victory achieved over our enemies on this occasion, we can 
 but lament the loss of many valuable lives. 
 
 Our casualties amount to twenty killed, ninety-six 
 wounded, and twenty-eight missing. Many of the missing 
 have returned since the day of the battle. 
 
 I am much indebted to Surgeons H. K. Greene, of the 
 12th Geurgia Regiment, and W. T. Blanc, of the 31st 
 
115 
 
 Virginia, for their attention to our own wounded, as well as 
 those of the enemy. They have been untiring in their 
 efforts to alleviate their sufferings. 
 
 Dr. Greene was slightly wounded in the hand by a spent 
 ball, whilst attending to the wounded. 
 
 Herewith I transmit a list of casualties, also the reports 
 of commanders of regiments and corps. 
 I am, sir, very respectfully, 
 
 Your most obedient servant, 
 (Signed.) EDWARD JOHNSON, 
 
 Colonel \1lth Georgia Regiment, 
 Commanding Monterey Line. 
 
 To Colonel C. L. Stevenson, Assistant Adjutant General, 
 Army North-West, Staunton. 
 
 (Official.) Jno. Withers, 
 
 A. A. General 
 
[Copy.] 
 ORDERS, No. 5. 
 
 Headquarters, Western Department, 
 Bowling Green, Nov. 30, 1861. 
 
 The General has been impatient for reports of the battle 
 of Belmont. They have been received, and he pronounces 
 the work well done. 
 
 To Major General Polk, who formed troops capable of 
 such actions, and whose dispositions prepared them for such 
 a victory, to Brigadier General Pillow, who so skillfully led, 
 and to the officers and soldiers who so gallantly followed that 
 lead over a hard contested field to complete success, his 
 thanks are due and his congratulations heartily given. 
 
 This was no ordinary shock of arms ; it was a long and 
 trying contest, in which our troops fought by detachments, 
 and always against superior numbers. 
 
 The 7th of November will fill a bright page in our mili- 
 tary annals, and be remembered with gratitude by the sons 
 and daughters of the South. 
 
 (Signed,) A. S. JOHNSON, 
 
 General C. S. A. 
 
 (Official,) W. W. Mackall, 
 
 A. A. General. 
 
 (Official.) R. H. Chilton, 
 
 A. A. General. 
 
REPORT OF THE BATTLE OF BELMONT, MAJOR 
 GENERAL POLK, COMMANDING. 
 
 Haedquarters 1st. Division, ^ 
 
 Western Department, Columbus, Ky., > 
 
 November 10th, 1861. ) 
 
 Col. W. W. Mackall, C. S. A., A. A. G. 
 
 I have the honor to submit the following report of the 
 operations of the Army under my command, in the battle of 
 the 7th. 
 
 From information received from several sources, I had 
 reason to believe it was the intention of the enemy to attack 
 my position at this place at an early day, provision to meet 
 which was made accordingly. 
 
 Between two and three o'clock, on the morning of the 7th, 
 a courier arrived at my headquarters, informing me of the 
 movement of a strong force, designed to attack General 
 Thompson's positions, at Bloomfield and New Madrid. 
 
 When, therefore, I was informed shortly after day-break, 
 through a member of my staff, that the enemy had made their 
 appearance in the river with gun-boats, and transports, and 
 were landing a considerable force on the Missouri shore, five 
 or six miles above Belmont, I became satisfied it was their 
 intention to make the attack general. 
 
 I despatched, immediately, messengers to the General 
 Officers of Division, to inform them of my impressions and 
 the posture of affairs, with instructions to make such dispo- 
 sition of their commands, m the emergency required. 
 
 The same Information vaa conveyed to Col. Tappan, who 
 was in command of the force at Belmont. 
 
120 
 
 To General Pillow, whose Division was nearest the point 
 immediately threatened, I gave orders, in person, to move 
 immediately to the relief of Col. Tappan, with four of his 
 regiments. For this service he detailed Col. Russell's, Col. 
 Wright's, Col. Pickett's and Col. Freeman's Regiments of 
 Tennessee Volunteers; these, with Col. Tappan's 13th Ar- 
 kansas, Capt. Beltzhoover's Watson Battery, and a Squadron 
 of Lieut. Col. Miller's Battalion of Cavalry, composing the 
 force on the other side, were deemed sufficient to resist the 
 column reported to have landed. 
 
 Having an adequate number of steamers at the landing, 
 this order was promptly executed. 
 
 My attention was then directed to the proper distribution 
 of the forces for receiving an attack on the Columbus side 
 of the river. 
 
 Having examined, and found the batteries in the fort in 
 a proper condition, I proceeded up the river to examine the 
 dispositions of General McCown, who was charged with the 
 defences of the left flank ; these I found to be satisfactory. 
 He had already advanced a battery of long-range guns, un- 
 der the command of Captain R. A. Stewart, of the Louisiana, 
 "Point Coupee" Battery, to a position from whence he could 
 reach with ease the enemy's gun-boats. 
 
 From this point, and that occupied by the heavy siege 
 Battery, under command of Captain Hamilton, as also, from 
 several of the guns of the fort, he opened a heavy fire, which 
 was duly responded to by the enemy ; after half-an-hour's 
 engagement, the boats were driven up the river ; at a sub- 
 sequent period, they again dropped down and renewed the 
 conflict, throwing shot and shell into the works. This was 
 continued for an hour, when they were again forced to retire. 
 
 Ascertaining that the remaining portion of General Pil- 
 low's Division, as well as that of General Cheatham was in 
 proper position, I returned to the river bank, opposite to 
 Belmont. 
 
 At 20 minutes past ten o'clock, the firing of the enemy's 
 advanced guard upon our pickets was heard, and, in about 
 40 minutes afterwards, the engagement became general with 
 all arms. 
 
 Taking my position on the river bank, mid-way between 
 the two points of expected attack, I despatched one of my 
 aids to the Missouri shore, to inform Gen. Pillow of my po- 
 sition, and readiness to afford him such support as he might 
 require. 
 
121 
 
 In reply, he requested me to send him additional ammu- 
 nition, a regiment of infantry, and a section ef artillery, to 
 be held as a reserve. 
 
 The ammunition and Col. J. Knox Walker's regiment 
 were sent him immediately, and, instead of a section of ar- 
 tillery, I despatched him two field batteries — those of Cap- 
 tains W. H. Jackson and Polk. Such a force of field artil- 
 lery had become necessary, from the fact, that Capt. Beltz- 
 hoovcr's Battery, from want of ammunition, had ceased 
 firing, and the enemy had opened fire with a heavy battery, 
 of the presence of which, upon the field, I had, until then, 
 not been apprised. 
 
 The steamer transporting these batteries, in her attempt 
 to land them, on the Missouri shore, by some means lost her 
 stage-planks, and the landing, at that moment, became im- 
 possible. She was forced to return to the Kentucky shore. 
 Capt. Polk's Battery was landed at a later hour, but too late 
 to render service in the operations of the day. 
 
 By this time it was obvious that further reinforcements 
 had become necessary, and Col. Carroll's 15th Tennessee, 
 and Col. Marks' 1 1th Louisiana Regiments, which had been 
 ordered to the river bank, and were held as a reserve, were 
 ordered forward. 
 
 I directed Col. Marks to land his regiment higher up the 
 river, with a view to a flank movement, which he was ordered 
 to make. 
 
 Shortly after his landing, he was met by General Pillow, 
 who directed him, with his regiment, and that of Col. Car- 
 roll, to move rapidly on the enemy's flank. 
 
 General Pillow directed Colonel Russell, with his Brigade, 
 to support that movement, and himself accompanied this 
 command, during the execution of the movement, under 
 Col. Marks. Captain dackson, who had reported to Gene- 
 ral Pillow that he could not get his battery ashore, was at- 
 tached to his staff, and directed to lead this column. In 
 aiding Lieutenant Colonel Barrow, who was in immediate 
 command of the 11th Louisiana, to bring a portion of the 
 column into line, he fell, severely WOnnded. 
 
 Apprehending every moment an attack in my rear, on 
 Columbus, which subsequent information proves to have 
 been the enemy's plan, it was, with great reluctance, I les- 
 sened the force assigned to its defence ; nevertheless, it vr&fl 
 obvious from the yielding of our columns to the heavy pres- 
 sure of the masses of the enemy's infantry, ami the fierce 
 
122 
 
 assaults of their heavy battery, that further reinforcements 
 were necessary, I ordered down General Cheatham, with the 
 1st Brigade of his Division, under command of Colonel 
 Preston Smith. 
 
 The General having arrived in advance of his Brigade, 
 was directed by me to take the nearest steamer, and to move 
 promptly across the river, to rally and take command of the 
 portions of the regiments within sight on the shore, and to 
 support the flank movement ordered through Colonel Marks. 
 This he did promptly and effectively. 
 
 At this juncture the enemy fired our tents, and advancing 
 his battery nearer the river bank, opened a heavy fire on the 
 steamers which were transporting our troops, in some in- 
 stances driving shot through two of them at the same time. 
 
 Their commanders, pilots, and other officers, nevertheless, 
 stood firmly at their posts, and exhibited a fearlessness and 
 energy deserving of the highest praise. 
 
 These boats were the " Prince," under Captain Butler, 
 who particularly distinguished himself; the " Charm," un- 
 der Captain Trask, and the " Hill," under Captain Newell, 
 with the " Kentucky," under Captain Lodwick. 
 
 I directed Captain Smith's Mississippi Battery to move to 
 the river bank, opposite the field of conflict, and to open 
 upon the enemy's position ; I also directed Major A. P. 
 Stewart, in command of the heavy guns in the fort, to open 
 upon the same position, it being now seen that these guns 
 could be used without causing danger to our own troops. 
 
 This joint fire was so terrific as to dislodge the enemy, 
 silence their battery, and cause them to take up their line of 
 march for their boats. 
 
 They had scarcely put themselves in motion when they 
 encountered Colonel Marks first, and afterwards General 
 Cheatham in their flank, with both of whom severe conflicts 
 followed, and by Avhom they were driven in with great loss. 
 
 On the arrival of General Cheatham's Brigade, being now 
 satisfied the attack on Columbus, for some reason, had failed, 
 I took charge of it, together with Captain White's Company, 
 of Lieutenant Colonel Logwood's Battalion of Cavalry, and 
 proceeded with them across the river, having first ordered 
 two Regiments of General McCown's Division to follow. 
 
 On landing, I was met by Generals Pillow and Cheatham, 
 whom I directed, with the Regiments of General Cheatham's 
 command, and portions of others, to press the enemy to 
 their boats. 
 
123 
 
 This order was executed with alacrity and in double quick 
 time. 
 
 The route over which we passed was strewn with the dead 
 and wounded of the conflicts of Colonel Marks and General 
 Cheatham, already alluded to, and with arms, knapsacks, 
 overcoats, &c. 
 
 On arriving at the point where his transports lay, I or- 
 dered the column, headed by the 154th Sen'r Regiment of 
 Tennessee Volunteers, under cover of a field thickly set 
 with corn, to be deployed along the river bank, within easy 
 range of the boats. This being accomplished, a heavy fire 
 was opened upon them simultaneously, riddling them with 
 balls, and, as we have reason to believe, with heavy loss to 
 the enemy. Under this galling fire they cut their lines and 
 retreated from the shore, many of their soldiers being driven 
 overboard by the rush of those behind them. 
 
 Our fire was returned by the heaviest cannonading from 
 their gun-boats, Avhich discharged upon our lines showers of 
 grape, cannister and shell, as they retired with their convoy 
 in the direction of Cairo. 
 
 It being now sunset, and being left in possession of the 
 field, I ordered the troops to retire. 
 
 My first acknowledgments for this signal triumph of our 
 arms, and the defeat of the machinations of our enemy, are 
 due to the favoring providence of Almighty God, by which 
 the plans of our enemies were unveiled and frustrated, and 
 by which the hearts of our troops were made strong in the 
 day of battle. 
 
 Confiding in the justice of our cause, we have felt we 
 could put our trust in His protection and defence, and He 
 has given us the victory. 
 
 Our thanks are due to the brave officers and soldiers who, 
 under God, were the instruments of this victory. 
 
 To Brigadier General Pillow, to whom the duty of receiv- 
 ing the enemy's attack was assigned, is due the credit of 
 meeting that attack with firmness, and of sustaining the heat 
 of the conflict in the early part of the engagement. 
 
 This he did with persistent energy and gallantry, coura- 
 geously supporting and encouraging his troops by cheering 
 words and personal example 
 
 My thanks are due to General AfcCoWD for the prompti- 
 tude with which he made the dispositions proper for the 
 defence of the left flank on the Columbus side, ami for the 
 manner in which he controlled the movements of the gun- 
 
\u 
 
 boats by the judicious management of the field battery of 
 Captain Stewart, the seige battery of Captain Hamilton, and 
 the heavy guns in the fort. 
 
 I am indebted also to General Cheatham, who, at a later 
 hour, by his promptitude and gallantry, rallied the broken 
 fragments of our column and directed them with such resist- 
 less energy against the enemy's flank. 
 
 Colonel Marks, of the 11th Louisiana Regiment, rendered 
 the most efficient service, by the decision with which he led 
 his column, in the face of the most discouraging circum- 
 stances, to the attack of the enemy's flank. 
 
 The condition of the field after the battle, and the route 
 pursued by the flying enemy, sufficiently testify to the 
 deadly aim of the Louisianians and Tennesseans, who com- 
 posed his command. It was in this attack that the gallant 
 Major Butler lost his life in the performance of a duty in 
 advance of his column. He was a young officer of high 
 promise, and deeply lamented by all who knew him. 
 
 The firmness with which Colonel J. V. Wright and his 
 gallant regiment sustained themselves on the left flank of 
 the first line of battle, as elsewhere, merits strong recom- 
 mendations. 
 
 The Watson Battery was served with decided ability and 
 unflinching courage by its commander, Captain Beltzhoover, 
 who retired his guns from the field only after he had ex- 
 hausted his ammunition. 
 
 In this connection, also, as belonging to the same com- 
 mand, it is due to Colonel Tappan and his regiment to say, 
 that the promptness with which they prepared to receive the 
 enemy, and the determined courage with which they sus- 
 tained their part of the general conflict, is entitled to ap- 
 probation. 
 
 To Captain M. Smith, of the Mississippi Battery, and to 
 Major A. P. Stewart, who directed the Artillery in the Fort, 
 I am particularly indebted for the skill and judgment mani- 
 fested in the service of the guns under their command, to 
 the joint fire from which, I feel not a little indebted for 
 turning the fortunes of the d;iy. 
 
 But to recite in detail all the instances of skill and 
 courage displayed by individual Commanders and their seve- 
 ral commands, would be to run well through the list of those 
 who were engaged, and to anticipate also the reports of the 
 division and regimental Commanders. 
 
 The battle was fought against great odds, both as to num- 
 
125 
 
 bers and position, the Mississippi river dividing the field, 
 placed us at a disadvantage, which it was necessary to over- 
 come, and, although we experienced an occasional reverse, 
 these reverses were soon repaired, and the results of the day 
 proved, beyond all doubt, the superiority of our troops in 
 all the essential characteristics of the soldier 
 
 To A. A. A. G. Blake, C. S. A., Lieut. Dixon, C. S. A. 
 Engineers, Captain Champney's Ordnance, Lieut. Snowden, 
 C. S. A., Topographical Corps, Major H. W. Winslow, 
 Acting A. D. C., all members of my staff, I feel indebted 
 for their promptness and activity in the execution of my 
 orders, and for their support in directing the operations of 
 the day. 
 
 In a conflict continued through so many hours and so hotly 
 contested, the list of casualties must be expected to be large. 
 Our loss in killed was one hundred and five, wounded four 
 hundred and nineteen, missing one hundred and seventeen. 
 Total six hundred and forty-one. 
 
 The number of prisoners taken by the enemy, as shown 
 by their list furnished us, was one hundred and six, all of 
 whom have been returned by exchange. 
 
 Of the enemy's loss we have no means of accurate infor- 
 mation, but from all the sources open to us, the condition of 
 the field, the list of prisoners taken by us, the report of 
 those returned to us, and the reports of the enemy, I am 
 satisfied it cannot fall short of fifteen hundred ; fourteen- 
 fifteenths of that number must have been killed, wounded 
 and drowned. 
 
 After making a liberal exchange of the captured, with the 
 enemy, one hundred of their prisoners remain still in my 
 hand. 4- . 
 
 I have also a stand of colors, a fraction over one thousand 
 stand of arms, with knapsacks, ammunition and other mili- 
 tary stores. 
 
 Respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 (Signed.) L. POLK, 
 
 Major General commanding. 
 (Official.) R. H. Chilton, 
 
 A. A. General. 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL GIDEON J. 
 
 PILLOW. 
 
 Headquarters 1st Division, 
 Army at Columbus, Nov. 10th, 1861. 
 
 E. D. Blake, Captain C. S. A., 
 
 Acting Assistant Adjutant General : 
 
 Under instructions delivered in person by Major-General 
 Polk, on the morning of the 7th inst., I crossed to the village 
 of Belmont, on the Missouri shore, four Regiments of my 
 division, and as rapidly as possible placed them in position 
 about four hundred yards from the river bank, in line with 
 Col. Tappan's Regiment and Col. Beltzhoover's Battery, to re- 
 ceive the large force of the enemy advancing on the small 
 encampment at that place. These regiments, from measles, 
 and diseases incident to the Mississippi bottom and absentees, 
 had been reduced to below five hundred men for duty, as 
 shown by the daily morning report. They were formed into 
 line of battle, with Col. Wright's Regiment on the left of Col. 
 Beltzhoover's Battery, and with Colonels Picket, Freeman, 
 Tappan, and Russell's Regiments on the right (the last now 
 under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Bell) of the Battery. 
 Their Regiments, all told, numberedabout 2,500 men. Before 
 the line of batttlc was formed I advanced three companies of 
 skirmishers, taken from the Regiments of Colonels Tappan, 
 Pickett, and Freeman's, under the command of Adjutant 
 Stith, of Freeman's Regiment, to check the advancing 
 column so as to give me time to make the necessary dis- 
 positions for battle. Using the utmost possible despatch, I 
 had barely got the force in position, when the skirmishers 
 were driven in, and the shock took place between the opposing 
 forces. Had I been less pressed for time to make the 
 necesary disposition of my small force, my imperfect knowl- 
 edge of the surroundings of the field, would of itself have 
 
128 
 
 embarrassed me. But I had no choice of position, nor time 
 to make any reconnoisance, nor even satisfactory disposition 
 for occupying the field left me. When the conflict com- 
 menced and both lines were fairly engaged, I soon observed the 
 enemy's cavalry turning my left flank, and hovering around 
 me, closing the field nearly to the river. Having no cavalry 
 at hand, I was under the necessity of ordering a portion of 
 my force engaged with the enemy in front (weak as was that 
 force) to protect mo from that body of cavalry, said to be 
 four hundred and fifty strong. For this purpose, orders 
 were given to Col. Wright to detach one company of his 
 Regiment. He accordingly assigned this duty to Company 
 A, then commanded by Lieut. Rhea. Several attempts were 
 made by the enemy's infantry to flank my right and left 
 wings ; but the attempt on the right was defeated by the 
 deadly fire and firm attitude of that wing, comprised of the 
 Regiments of Colonels Russell and Tappan, commanded by 
 Colonel Russell, as Brigade commander. The attempt to 
 turn the left wing was defeated by the destructive fire of 
 Beltzhoover's battery and Colonel Wright's Regiment, aided 
 by a line of felled timber extending obliquely from the left 
 into the bottom. In these attempts of the enemy, and the 
 movement of the troops, it was easy to see that his force was 
 large enough to have surrounded my little force with triple 
 lines. Failing in these efforts to flank my position, he 
 pressed heavily forward the advanced line and braced it firmly 
 with his large reserve. I advised Major-General Polk, of 
 my position, and of the strength of the enemy, and asked 
 for support and a supply of ammunition, which was becoming 
 short from the constant and heavy fire which was required 
 to check the advance of the determined foe. 
 
 The two wings of the line stood firm and unbroken for 
 several hours, but the center, consisting of Colonels Pickett 
 and Freeman's Regiment being in the open field, and greatly 
 exposed, once or twice faltered ; but by my own, and the 
 efforts of their officers, were promptly returned to their origi- 
 nal position, and continued the conflict. At length Colonel 
 Beltzhoover reported to me, that his ammunition was ex- 
 hausted — Col. Bell had previously reported his regiment out 
 of ammunition, and Colonel Wright that one Battalion of his 
 regiment had exhausted its ammunition I directed Colonel 
 Beltzhoover to remove his guns to the rear. The team of 
 one gun had run off with the limber, leaving the gun in its 
 position of Battery. The others were drawn to the river 
 
129 
 
 bank, and Col. Beltzhoovcr applied to me to assist him in 
 removing the gun which lie could not remove. I rode up to 
 the right wing of Col. Wright's Regiment for the purpose of 
 directing a detail of men to remove this gun, but that regi- 
 ment was so hotly engaged with the enemy, and were in such 
 close proximity to him, that I thought it better to let the gun 
 go, even if it should be ultimately lost, than to weaken the 
 small force which then held in check the enemy's masses, 
 pressing heavily upon the regiment. My battery being si- 
 lenced for want of ammunition, and one regiment and a bat- 
 talion having exhausted its supply, and the enemy's force 
 being unchecked, and now emerging into the edge of the 
 field. I ordered the line to use the bayonet. The charge 
 was made by the whole line, and the enemy driven back into 
 the woods. But his line was not broken, and he kept up 
 a deadly lire, and being supported by his large reserve, my 
 line was forced back to its Original position while that of the 
 enemy advanced. The charge was repeated the second and 
 third time, forcing the enemy's line heavily against his re- 
 serve, but with like result. Finding it impossible longer to 
 maintain my position without reinforcements and ammuni- 
 tion, I ordered the whole line to fall back to the river 
 bank. In this movement my line was more or less broken 
 and my corps mingled together, so that when we reached the 
 river bank it had the appearance of a mass of men rather 
 than an organised corps. On my arrival in the rear of the 
 Command, 1 met Col. J. K. Walker, (of my own Division,) 
 with his regiment, coming to my support. I ordered him to 
 advance his regiment as promptly as possible, to eheck the 
 advance of the enemy's force ami hold him hack, so as to 
 give mi' time to move the Force up the river bank, and to 
 form the command; and said to him that I would cross through 
 
 the fallen timber, turn the cm mv S position and attack him 
 
 in the rear. Col. Walker's regiment promptly advanced, 
 with the enemy's force in the open field. ,.nd held him im 
 check until hi- line of fire and A rtillery had cut down a large 
 portion of the regiment, when it was forced hack and shel- 
 tered itself under the bank of the river, from which position 
 tin- regimen! kept up a constanl fire, while it moved by the 
 flank up the river bank. When the enemy's force reached 
 the bank of the river, he was met by the fire of Captain 
 
 Smith's Battery , (of General Cheatham's Division.) from the 
 opposite side of the river, which being well directed, together 
 9 
 
130 
 
 with that of the heavy guns from the works above Columbus, 
 made him recoil from the front. 
 
 In the meantime, I had advanced the main body of my 
 original force in broken order up the river, to a point where 
 I could cross through the fallen timber, to make the flank 
 movement. There I met Col. Marks's, (of Brigadier Gen- 
 eral J. P. McCown's Division), and Col. Carroll's, (of my 
 own Division), Regiments, ordered by Major General Polk, 
 to my support. I immediately placed these fresh troops 
 under command of the gallant old veteran Col. Marks, at the 
 head of the column, and directed him to lead the advance in 
 double-quick time, through the woods, and to the enemy's 
 rear, and to attack him with vigor, telling him that I would 
 support the movement with all the forces formerly engaged, 
 though from their conflict of four hours with such superior 
 numbers, it was hardly to be expected that they could act 
 with the same vigor as the fresh troops. In this movement 
 I directed Col. Russell, who was commanding a Brigade, and 
 who had throughout the day promptly executed all my 01*- 
 ders, and aided me with dispositions and movements, to rally 
 and push forward his command to the support of Col. Marks's 
 attacking column. My brave young friend, Captain W. H. 
 Jackson, who reported to me for duty on my staff, (being 
 wholly unable to get his light battery on shore,) I directed 
 to lead this column against the enemy's rear. 
 
 The movement was promptly and gallantly made, and was 
 a complete success. The enemy finding himself between two 
 fires, that of Smith's Artillery in front, and of Colonels 
 Marks's and Russell's column in the rear, after a feeble re- 
 sistance, broke and fled in great disorder, and was hotly pur- 
 sued by our troops. The brave General Cheatham now 
 havino- reached that part of the field, by his presence added 
 new vigor to the pursuit. 
 
 The enemy's forces were cut to pieces by a destructive 
 fire until they had reached a point far in the bottom, when 
 General Cheatham thought it prudent to halt the column, 
 and to bring up his brigade which was on the way. Having 
 returned to the river bank for that purpose, where he met 
 General Polk, bringing with him Colonel Smith's Brigade 
 of General Cheatham's Division, who had now arrived, Gen- 
 eral Polk ordered the pursuit continued with the whole 
 force accompanying the pursuing column himself until we 
 reached the point where the enemy had made his surgical 
 headquarters, and depository of stores of ammunition, bag- 
 
131 
 
 gage, etc. Here we found a yard full of knapsacks, arms, 
 ammunition, blankets, overcoats, mess-chest, horses, wagons, 
 and dead and wounded men, with surgeons, engaged in the 
 appropriate duties of their profession. The enemy's route 
 of retreat was strewn likewise with many of these articles, 
 and abundantly with blood, dead and wounded men. The 
 pursuit was continued under the immediate command and 
 direction of Major General Polk, until we came in sight of 
 the enemy's gun-boats and transports. 
 
 Upon reaching the new field of duty, by direction of the 
 Major General I ordered the victorious commands as they 
 arrived to move as rapidly as possible through the corn-field, 
 to the bank of the river, directing the different corps enter- 
 ing opposite the ground they would occupy on the river 
 bank, and lining the bank for more than a mile, when being 
 in position they should open their fire on the troops, and as 
 the boats passed up the river to give the enemy their fire. 
 
 I need not say that this whole movemeut was admirably 
 executed. When the fire opened it was so hot and destruc 
 tive that the troops on the boats rushed to the opposite side 
 of the boats, and had to be forced back by the bayonet to 
 prevent capsizing. They did not take time to unloose the 
 cable, but cut all loose, and were compelled to run through 
 the fire of sharp shooters, lining the bank for more than a 
 mile. 
 
 I also directed Captain Taylor's company of Lieut. Col. 
 Logwood's Battalion, (Tennessee Volunteers,) with whom 
 was Lieut. Col. Miller, to pursue up the river bank, the 
 enemy's Cavalry, Battery, and two thousand of his Infantry. 
 that could not be taken on board in their distressed condi- 
 tion. These last were so fleet of heel, and had got so good 
 a start, that the Cavalry could only overtake the stragglers 
 and slow of foot, many of whom were made prisoners. 
 These fine horsemen and admirable marksmen, could not re- 
 turn, however, from such a pursuit, without delivering, with 
 rifles, vollies of salutes to their Northern brethren, with 
 whom they so much regretted to part, and whose better ac- 
 quaintance they sought to make. 
 
 Thus ended the day, so glorious to our arms, that its re- 
 fulgence will be seen by the descendants of the gallant men 
 who formed the army, long after their remains shall have 
 mouldered into dust, and all else lost in oblivion except the 
 memory of their glorious deeds. 
 
 That the small Spartan army, which withstood the con- 
 
132 
 
 stunt fire of three times their number, for nearly four hours, 
 (a large portion of them being without ammunition,) did its 
 duty gallantly, is manifest from the length and character of 
 the conflict, the great inequality of numbers, and the result. 
 
 That the officers were all at their posts, nobly meeting all 
 their responsibilities is proven by the fact, that the field 
 officers were nearly all dismounted, some of them having 
 had two horses killed under them. In the case of Colonel 
 Beltzhoover, whose guns were lost, I deem it proper to say, 
 that, when his ammunition was exhausted, I ordered him to 
 take his guns from the field. He brought them (all except 
 one) to the bank of the river, under a fire of the enemy 
 which it was easier to face than retire from. The gun he had 
 no means of removing was committed to my charge. He 
 fought his guns gallantly until all his ammunition was ex- 
 hausted, and then removed them, with the retiring force, as 
 far as it was possible to remove them on the bank of 
 the river. They were then abandoned. He had 45 of his 
 horses killed, and all wounded except one. This is the 
 highest vindication of his almost uneqalled gallantry. I 
 am happy to say, however, that we recaptured all of those 
 guns but two, and captured one of the enemy's guns. We 
 likewise captured arms, ammunition, knapsacks, ambulances, 
 mess chests, and portfolios of general officers, surgical in- 
 struments, and all the vast paraphernalia of an army nearly 
 sufficient for the wants of a new army In such a conflict 
 of arms ; illustrating so fully the superior mettle of the 
 Southern soldier — a conflict in which all did their duty it is 
 impossible to discriminate. To mention individual officers or 
 men, who distinguished themselves, would require a cata- 
 logue of the whole. I must content myself by referring 
 the Major General to the reports of Colonels and Brigade 
 Commanders. 
 
 To the noble dead, who have sacrificed their lives in vin- 
 dication of the honor and rights of their country on the 
 bloody field of Belmont, we may be excused for paying a 
 last tribute of respect. They died like heroes. Many of 
 them falling, were seen still fighting until overwhelmed by 
 superior numbers. Their noble spirits deparated to Him 
 who presided over the bloody field and crowned our arms 
 with a victory, scarcely having a parallel in history. 
 
 I am reluctant to close this report without special notice 
 of my personal staff, more especially since they have no one 
 else by whom testimony to their good behavior and gallant 
 
133 
 
 conduct can be borne. Major Finnie, my Division Quarter- 
 master, and Captain Jackson, commanding one of my splen- 
 did batteries, but, in the action, on duty on my staff, wete 
 dangerously wounded while executing my orders. Captain 
 Jackson's horse received six balls at the time he was himself 
 wounded. Major Henry, my Assistant Adjutant General, 
 had two horses killed under him. Captain Bethel's horse 
 was wounded. Lieutenant Pillow, my son, had his horse 
 killed. Lieutenant Long, one of my aids-de-camp, alone 
 escaped untouched. Colonel Birch, my legal aid, was ab- 
 sent, under my orders, upon important business connected 
 with this department of the service. These facts prove 
 them to have been at the post of duty. I need not add that 
 they rendered me important aid in my trying and responsi- 
 ble position. The fact of two of them being cut down, and 
 the others dismounted, placed me, for a large portion of the 
 conflict, in a position not a little embarrassing for want cf 
 staff officers. I must also acknowledge the very valuable 
 assistance I received from Major Winslow, aid-de-camp to 
 Major General Polk, who reported to me for duty, and who 
 was active and efficient in bearing my orders the balance of 
 the day, in doing which he was greatly exposed. Small 
 portions of the Mississippi and Tennessee Cavalry, forming 
 a portion of this army, reached me late in the conflict, under 
 the command of Lieutenant Colonel Logwood, and Lieuten- 
 ant Colonel Miller accompanying the command, and reported 
 with a small command, upon my arrival upon the bank of 
 the river, and were promptly placed in position to meet the 
 enemy's cavalry on the left. From this portion of the line 
 I received no further trouble, and, though no general conflict 
 took place with the enemy, it was, doubtless, owing to the 
 fact that he did not choose to accept a trial of strength at 
 their hands. 
 
 Having spoken in wonis of not undeserved praise of the 
 heroic little army that withstood for four hours throe times 
 their numbers of the picked troops of the enemy, and of 
 those brave officers and men (if Generals Cheatham and 
 M<-< !own*8 Division, whose good fortune it was to part icipate 
 in that brilliant achievement, ain' of the timely aid rendered 
 from the field and fixed batteries already mentioned, I must 
 lie permitted to ascribe the glorious resultB, full of miracu- 
 lous incidents, to the over-ruling providence of a merciful 
 God, and to acknowledge, thus officially and publicly, mv 
 profound consciousness of His sustaining power over mv 
 
134 
 
 own heart and resolution of purpose, and in shielding my 
 person from the many perils with which my pathway through 
 this dark and bloody field Avas beset. 
 
 That our loss should have been severe in such a conflict, 
 might be expected. That of the enemy's was more 
 than treble ours. Of this we had the most abundant evi- 
 dence in the incidents of the field, in his flight, and his 
 helpless condition, when assailed in his crowded transports 
 with the fire of thousands of deadly rifles. 
 
 I transmit herewith a list of our killed, wounded and 
 missing, numbering 632. Of this number 562 were of my 
 own division and Tappan's Regiment, which constituted the 
 force originally engaged. 
 
 We have no means of knowing accurately the loss of the 
 enemy, but we buried of the enemy 295. The enemy, under 
 a flag of truce, were engaged at the same labor a large por- 
 tion of the day. We have near 200 Federal prisoners 
 wounded, and the enemy had seven ambulances (which we 
 captured) actually engaged in taking their wounded from 
 their surgical headquarters to their boats while the action 
 was progressing. We have the most unquestionable infor- 
 mation from persons who were in Cairo when the Federal fleet 
 returned, who state that the enemy were a day and a half 
 removing and burying their dead and wounded from their 
 boats. And all accounts from Cairo, and from persons who 
 were on the boats during our fire, represent the fire on the 
 enemy huddled on the transports was more destructive than 
 that of any part of the battle. A Captain of one of the 
 transports of the enemy's expedition represents the loss to 
 be 1,800 or 2,000 men. With these sources of information, 
 and all the light these afford, I think the enemy's loss could 
 not be less than 2,000 men. 
 
 (Signed ) GID. J. PILLOW, 
 
 Brigadier General, C. S. A. 
 
 (Official.) R. H. Chilton, 
 
 A. A. General. 
 
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL B. F. CHEAT- 
 HAM. 
 
 Headquarters, Camp Moore, } 
 November 8th, 1861. $ 
 
 Capt. E. D. Blake, 
 
 Acting Assistant Adjutant- General : 
 
 Sir: In obedience to the order of Major-General Polk, I 
 herewith transmit a report of the operations of the forces 
 under my command, in the engagement opposite Columbus, 
 on the 7th instant. 
 
 I remained with Major-General Polk, near the Battery on 
 the hill, until the hour of 10, A. M., when under his orders 
 I rejoined my own division, having previously placed it in 
 position, and awaited orders from him. At about the hour 
 of twelve-and-a-half, P. M., I received orders from Major- 
 General Polk to bring forward to the river one of my bri- 
 gades, and immediately advanced to that position the 1st 
 Brigade, Col. Preston Smith commanding, composed of the 
 154th Sr. Regiment Tennessee Volunteers, commanded by 
 Lieut. Col. Marcus J. Wright, and the Regiment of Missis- 
 sippi Volunteers, commanded by Colonel A. K. Blythe. 
 Carrying the 2d Brigade of my division, composed of the 6th 
 and 9th Regiments Tennessee Volunteers, Col. Win. H. 
 Stephens commanding, in possession of the right of our lines, 
 which position was occupied by this Brigade during the entire 
 day. On my arrival at the river bank, fronting the town, 
 my command was drawn up preparatory to crossing to the 
 opposite shore. Just at this time the enemy obtained posses- 
 sion of the field and camp, but recently occupied by the 13th 
 Arkansas Regiment, Capt. Beltzhoover's Light Battery, and 
 drove our troops under the river bank, and up the stream to 
 a point opposite the position occupied by the troops under 
 
136 
 
 my command, and brought forward their batteries close up 
 to the river bank, end opened a brisk cannonade upon my 
 troops and the steamers detailed to transport the command 
 across the river; seeing the impracticability of throwing the 
 troops across the river at this time, resulting from the con- 
 fusion of the transports under fire, their embarkation was 
 suspended for a short time, and under the orders of Major- 
 General Polk, I proceeded with my staff aboard the steamboat 
 " Prince" to cross over and rally the large body of troops 
 then on the opposite side of the river, and attack the enemy 
 in the flank. Just as I was in the act of going aboard the 
 steamer, not willing to loose the service of either one of my 
 staff, I dispatched Lieut. Col. Ashford, late of the 2d Regi- 
 ment Tennessee Volunteers, to inform Major-General Polk 
 that I had placed the Battery of Captain Melancthon Smith 
 of the 2d Brigade of my division in the rear of the town, 
 near the hospital, and to request him to send an order to 
 Captain Smith to advance his Battery to the river near the 
 mill, and shell the camp and field before mentioned, and at 
 this time in the possession of the enemy, and I am happy to 
 inform you that the order was executed in the most gallant 
 and effective manner, and contributed not a little to the gen- 
 eral success of the day. Upon my arrival on the opposite 
 side of the river, I found the fragments of the 13th Regiment 
 Arkansas Volunteers, Col. Tappan, 2d Regiment Tennessee 
 Volunteers, Col. Walker, and 13th Regiment Tennessee Vol- 
 unteers, Col. John V. Wright, formed and anxious to again 
 confront the enemy. These Regiments, with others, had 
 already suffered severely in the engagement of the forenoon. 
 In a feAv minutes these three Regiments formed in line under 
 my direction, the 13th Arkansas in front, followed by the 2d 
 and 13th Tennessee, and moved directly back from the river 
 in the direction of the enemy's transports and gun-boats in- 
 tending, if possible, to take them in flank. Advancing about 
 a half mile, I suddenly came upon about fifty mounted men, 
 who were hailed and found to be Illinois cavalry, and at the 
 same moment and immediately in front I discovered a large 
 body of troops, the 7th Iowa and Col. Logan's Illinois Regi- 
 ment drawn up in line of battle. I immediately ordered my 
 column forward and formed a line in a small ravine, the 13th 
 Arkansas on the right, flanked by the 2d and 13th Tennessee, 
 with some detached companies from other Regiments, and at 
 once opened upon the enemy a most terrific fire, and which 
 they promptly returned, but under the rapid and galling fire 
 
137 
 
 of our column, the enemy soon wavered and were charged 
 upon with the bayonet, and completely routed, and under 
 the continuous fire from our column in pursuit, were slaugh- 
 tered from that point to within a few hundred yards of their 
 gun-boats, lying more than two miles from the position in 
 which we engaged them. Here it was that Capt. J. Welby 
 Armstrong fell, while gallantly calling to his men to follow 
 him in the pursuit of the dismayed and retreating foe. 
 
 In this engagement, we recaptured several pieces of ar- 
 tillery, took forty of the enemy as prisoners, besides a large 
 number killed and wounded. After the rout began, I sent 
 forward with the troops, my Adjutant General, James D. 
 Porter, Jr., and returned in the direction of Columbus to 
 meet my own command, for which I had sent my Aid-de- 
 Camp, Major F. IT. McMairy, so soon as I discovered the 
 enemy posted in front. On my arrival near the river, I met 
 Major General Polk, and reported in person the rout of the 
 enemy and the successful operations of the forces under my 
 command. 
 
 Col. Smith, in the meantime, had succeeded in crossing 
 the river with his brigade, and I immediately ordered him 
 forward, at double-quick, hoping to arrest the flying column 
 of the enemy. On arriving at the dwelling-house, used by 
 the enemy as hospital for the wounded, Gen. Polk came up 
 with the head of the column, and remained with it until we 
 arrived at a point directly opposite the gunboats of the en- 
 emy, when, under his order, I directed Col. Smith to move 
 the heads of his command to the river above the boats of the 
 enemy, and, facing by the rear rank, throw his left below 
 them. Seeing the boats in the act of moving off, Lieut. Col. 
 Wright moved the right wing of the 154th to the right, and 
 immediately in front of the enemy, and finding them hurry- 
 ing on board, deployed his command as skirmishers, and 
 opened a destructive fire on the enemy. The left wing of the 
 154th with Col. Blythe's Mississippi Regiment, both under 
 Col. Smith, charged doAvn on the retreating boats and opened 
 fire upon them. Lieut. Col. Miller, of the 1st Battalion 
 Mississippi Cavalry, with a part of his command joined us 
 here, and having dismounted his command rendered import- 
 ant service in the attack on the gunboats. Before making the 
 
 attack on the enemy's boats, 1 detailed ('apt. Fitzgerald, of 
 
 Company F, 151th Regiment, with sixteen men as skirmish- 
 ers, who, after the attack, rejoined the command, having 
 killed three of the enemy and captured eight prisoners; these, 
 
138 
 
 with four captured by Lieut. Col. Wright's command, were 
 delivered over to the proper authorities. I have no means 
 of ascertaining the amount of injury inflicted on the enemy 
 in this attack on his transports, but conclude from the cool- 
 ness and deliberation of my men in taking their aim, that 
 the slaughter must have been considerable. On my return 
 from the attack on the gunboats, I detailed a force to bring 
 in the wounded and prisoners. I also ordered Capt White, 
 of the Tennessee Cavalry, to proceed down the lake and 
 look after a body of the enemy who were supposed to have 
 retired in that direction. He reported on the following morn- 
 ing that he captured eight prisoners. In concluding this 
 report, I beg leave to return, through the Major General 
 commanding, my thanks to the officers and men under my 
 command for the coolness, courage, and gallantry exhibited 
 in the engagement at Belmont. To the two gentlemen com- 
 posing my staff, Maj. Porter and Maj. McMairy, I am much 
 indebted for their zeal, promptness, and gallantry on the 
 field, as I am, also, to John J. Campbell and Abbot L. Rob- 
 ertson, two young gentlemen, members of my military fam- 
 ily, acting as volunteer aids, both boys in years, yet exhib- 
 iting the spirit of veterans. For a detailed report of the 
 operations of my own division of the army, I refer you to 
 the copies of Col. Preston Smith, commanding the First 
 Brigade, Col. W. H. Stephens, commanding the Second 
 Brigade, Lt. Col. John H. Miller, commanding the First 
 Mississippi Battalion of Cavalry, herewith forwarded. 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 (Signed,) B. F. CHEATHAM, 
 
 Brigadier General commanding Second Division. 
 
 (Official,) R. H. Chilton, 
 
 A. A. General. 
 
Committee Room, > 
 
 4th February, 1S62. ) 
 
 To the Honorable the Piesident of the Provisional Congress : 
 
 Sir: The Committee on Military Affairs have examined 
 the report of the battle of Chustenahlah, made by Colonel 
 (now General) James Mcintosh, as also the reports of the 
 officers subordinate to him in that most brilliant affair. 
 
 The Committee direct me to report the same back to the 
 Congress, with the recommendation that the report of Col. 
 Mcintosh be published. 
 
 I have the honor to be 
 
 Your obedient, &c, &c., 
 
 W. B. OCHILTREE, 
 One of the Commit t e. 
 
[Copy.] 
 
 REPORT OF THE BATTLE OF CHUSTENAHLAH, 
 WHICH TOOK PLACE IN THE CHEROKEE 
 NATION ON THE 26th OF DECEMBER, 1861— 
 JAMES McINTOSH, COLONEL COMMANDING. 
 
 Headquarters Division, Van Buren, ) 
 Arkansas, January 1st, 1862. ) 
 
 General 
 
 I have the honor to submit the following report of the 
 battle of Chustenahlah, which took place in the Cherokee 
 Nation on the 26th December, 1861. 
 
 Before entering upon the details of the battle, it is neces- 
 sary for me to state that I entered the Cherokee Nation with 
 a portion of my Division upon the representation of Col. 
 Cooper, commanding the Indian Department, calling upon 
 me for additional force. This call was based upon the hos- 
 tile stand taken by the Creek Chief Opoth-lay-oho-la, and the 
 disaffection which has sprung up in one of the Cherokee 
 Regiments. I hastened to Fort Gibson with one thousand 
 six hundred men, had an interview with Col. Cooper, and 
 entered into arrangements for mutual co-operation. The 
 plan proposed was, that Col. Cooper, with his force strength- 
 ened by Major Whitfield's Battalion, should move up the 
 Arkansas river, and endeavor to get in the rear of Opoth- 
 lay-oho-la's position, on one of the tributaries of the Verdi- 
 gris river, near the " Big-Bend" of the Arkansas — while 
 my force should march up the Verdigris river, opposite the 
 position held by the enemy, and then move directly upon 
 him. On account of the scarcity of forage, it was mutually 
 determined that either force should attack the enemy on 
 sight. I left Fort Gibson at 12 M. on the 22d ult., with 
 the following force : 
 
141 
 
 Five companies of the South Kansas-Texas Regiment, 
 commanded by Lieut. Col. Lane. The available strength of 
 the 6th Regiment of Texas Cavalry, under Lieut. Colonel 
 Griffith. 
 
 Seven companies of the 3d Regiment of Texas Cavalry, 
 commanded by Col. Young. 
 
 Four companies of my own regiment, 2d Arkansas, 
 mounted riflemen, under Capt. Gibson, and Capt. Bennett's 
 company of Texas, attached to the headquarters of the Di- 
 vision. 
 
 This force amounted to one thousand three hundred and 
 eighty men, (1,380). On the evening of the 25th ult., a 
 part of the enemy's force appeared in sight, immediately 
 after our arrival in camp. A regiment was sent to observe 
 them. I soon became satisfied that this party was endeav- 
 oring to lead us on a fruitless chase. I therefore restrained 
 my impatient men, and ordered them back to camp. During 
 the evening an Express reached me from Col. Cooper, with 
 the intelligence that it would probably be two or three days 
 before he could make the preconcerted movement, on ac- 
 count of the desertion of his teamsters, and generously 
 stated that if I found it necessary to advance, he would give 
 me all the assistance in his power. From this point, know- 
 ing it was impossible to move my train further, I ordered it 
 to remain in charge of Captain Elstner, Acting Brigade 
 Quartermaster, with a guard of one hundred men, with four 
 days cooked rations. I left camp early on the morning of 
 the 36th, and moved cautiously towards the stronghold of the 
 enemy among the mountains, running back into the "Big 
 Bend" of the Arkansas. Lieut. Col. Lane, with his regi- 
 ment, moved in advance. A company of his regiment under 
 Capt. Short, was thrown forward as an advance guard, with 
 orders to throw out flankers well to the right and left. To- 
 wards 12 M. we approached Shoal Creek, a tributary of the 
 Verdigris. As soon as ('apt. Short had crossed the stream, 
 a heavy and continuous firing was opened upon him. The 
 company gallantly maintained its position. I immediately 
 ordered Lieut. Col. Griffith, with his regiment, to move up 
 on the right, and Col. Young on the left. The center. Gom- 
 el of Lieut. Col. Lane's regiment, Oapt. Bennett's com- 
 pany, and the detachment of the 2d Regiment of Arkansas 
 Mounted Riflemen, then moved forward, and crossed the 
 stream in the face of the enemy in large numbers, posted to 
 the right, on a high and rugged hill, with its side covered 
 
142 
 
 with oak trees. The enemy continued their fire upon us. 
 Col. Young promptly crossed the stream, and formed upon 
 the left of the center, which was already in line of battle. 
 Lieut. Col. Griffith, with his regiment, was ordered to march 
 up the stream which flowed at the base of the hill on which 
 the enemy was posted, and after coming opposite their left 
 flank, to dismount, cross the stream, and attack him in the 
 flank. All these orders were promptly and efficiently exe- 
 cuted, and the whole force ready for action. The enemy 
 was in a very strong position, and from it, observed our ac- 
 tions, in happy innocence of the gallant resolve which ani- 
 mated the hearts of those in the valley below them. The 
 Seminoles, under the celebrated Chief Halek Tustenuggee, 
 were in front on foot, posted behind the trees and rocks, 
 while others were in line near the summit of the hill. 
 
 Opoth-lay-oho-la's Creeks were beyond, on horseback. A 
 feAV representations of other tribes were also in the battle. 
 The whole force was estimated at 1700. Between the rough 
 and rugged side of the hill, a space of two or three hundred 
 yards intervened of open ground ; each tree on the hill-side 
 screened a stalwart warrior — it seemed a deperate underta- 
 king to charge a position which appeared almost inaccessible, 
 but the order, charge to the top of tlie hill, met a responsive 
 feeling fiom each gallant heart in the line, and at 12, M., 
 the charge was sounded. One wild yell from a thousand 
 throats burst rpon the air, and the living mass hurled itself 
 upon the foe. The sharp report of the rifle came from every 
 tree and rock ; but on our brave men rushed, nor stopped 
 until the summit of the 1 ill was gained, and we were min- 
 gled with the enemy. The South Kansas-Texas Regiment 
 led by those gallant officers, Col. Lane and Maj. Chilton, 
 breasted itself for the highest point of the hill, and rushed 
 over its rugged side with the irresistable force of a tornado, 
 and swept every thing before it. The brave Major Chiltcn 
 while approaching the summit of the hill, received a severe 
 wound in the head, but with unabated vigor continued in the 
 fight. Capt. Bennett, with his company and the detachments 
 of the 2nd Regiment, Arkansas Mounted Riflemen, under 
 Capt. Gipson, gallantly charged side by side. Capt. Gipson 
 was ordered to dismount his command and move into a thicket 
 into which he had driven a portion of the enemy, which he 
 did promptly and with great execution. After charging 
 some distance on the extreme right, the gallant Col. Young 
 observing that the enemy were moving to the more rugged 
 
143 
 
 part of the field of battle on the left, with ready foresight, 
 rapidly moved his regiment to that portion of the field, and 
 succeeded in cutting off many of the enemy. Lieutenant 
 Colonel Griffith having obeyed the first order given him, ob- 
 serving the enemy flying from the hill, rapidly mouted his 
 command and moved up the stream ; crossed it seme distance 
 above and gallantly encountered the enemy, who had made 
 a stand near their principal encampment. The enemy by 
 this time were much scattered, and had retreated to the rocky 
 gorges amid the deep recesses of the mountains, where they 
 were pursued by our victorious troops, and routed in every 
 instance with great less. 
 
 They endeavored to make a stand at their encampment, 
 but their efforts were ineffectual , and we were soon in the 
 midst of it. Property of every description was scattered 
 around The battle lasted until four o'clock, when the firing 
 gradually ceased, and Ave remained victors in the centre of 
 Opoth-lay-oho-la's camp. 
 
 The loss sustained by the enemy was very severe. Their 
 killed amounted to upwards of two hundred and fifty. 
 
 Our loss was eight killed, and thirty-two wounded. The 
 brave and gallant Lieut. Fitzhue was shot in the head, and 
 fell while gallantly leading his company. 
 
 Capt. J. D. Young, of Young's Regiment, and Lieut. Dur- 
 ham, of the South Kansas-Texas Regiment, were both wound- 
 ed while in the thickest of the battle. We captured one hun- 
 dred and sixty women and children, twenty negroes, thirty 
 -wagons, seventy yoke of oxen, about five hundred Indian 
 horses, several hundered head of cattle, one hundred sheep 
 and a great quantity of property of much value to the enemy. 
 The stronghold of Opoth-lay-oho-la was completely broken 
 up and his force scattered in every direction, destitute of the 
 simplest elements of subsistence. 
 
 At 4 o'clock the rally was sounded, and the different com- 
 mands went into camp on the battle field. The dead and 
 wounded were collected and cared for. The officers of the 
 Medical Department of die different regiments deserve much 
 credit for their promptness in attending to the wounded. 
 
 A party of Stand Watie'e Regiment of Cherokees, num- 
 bering three hundred, under the command of the Colonel, al- 
 though under my orders, came up just as the battle termin- 
 ated. This regiment had been ordered to join me from its 
 station on the < irandKiver. It was no fault of its commander 
 that it did not reach us sooner. Every effort, on his part, 
 was made in order to reach us in time. 
 
144 
 
 At early dawn, on the day after the battle, .1 again left 
 camp in pursuit of the flying enemy. After a hot pursuit, 
 of twenty-five miles, we overtook two wagons, which were 
 captured and burnt. At this moment, sharp firing was 
 heard upon the left, and a messenger came from Colonel 
 Stand Watie, with a report that he was engaged with the 
 enemy. 
 
 I immediately moved in the direction, and, upon our ar- 
 rival, I ascertained that Colonel Watie had overtaken a 
 number of the enemy, and had gallantly charged them. 
 Major Bendinot, commanding the left flank of the regiment, 
 had rushed into a ravine and driven the enemy from it. In 
 the skirmish fifteen (15) of the enemy were killed, and a 
 number of women and children taken. 
 
 Throughout our rapid march, sometimes on ground covered 
 with snow, and at others facing the chilly blasts from the 
 North, the greatest enthusiasm prevailed in anticipation of 
 the coming struggle, and, at all times during the march, and 
 on the battle field every officer and soldier of the brigade 
 nobly did his duty, and it is with heartfelt pride, that I 
 bring them to the notice of the Department. 
 
 The charge, at the commencement of the battle, was 
 splendid. None more gallant was ever made. Individual 
 acts of daring and hand to hand encounters were of frequent 
 occurrence during the day, but it would be impossible to 
 enumerate them. I, therefore, refer the Department to the 
 reports of regimental and detachment commanders, herewith 
 transmitted. 
 
 To Captain Elstner, of the 2d Regiment Arkansas Mount- 
 ed Riflemen, who acted as Brigade Quartermaster and Com- 
 missary, my thanks are due for the efficient and able manner 
 in which he conducted the affairs of his Department. 
 
 To my " personal staff " I am indebted for much valuable 
 service. Both Mr. Frank C. Armstrong and Mr. James S. 
 Vann, my volunteer Aids-de-Camp, went gallantly into the 
 fight, and bore themselves with great coolness and courage. 
 
 Lieutenant G. A. Johnston, the Acting Assistant Adju- 
 tant General, was also active and efficient in carrying vari- 
 ous orders, and deserves great credit for his coolness 
 during the battle. 
 
 I have the honor to be, General, 
 
 Very respectfully, your obd't servant, 
 (Signed,) JAMES MclNTOSH, 
 
 Colonel Cornd'g Division. 
 (Official.) John Withers, A. A. G. 
 
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