Warren telegraph. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1857-1861, 1861-07-27


The following letter from an officer in CON-
pany G, Second Regiment Rhode Island volun-
tcers, giving an account Of the battle of last
Sunday, will be read with interest. 1t was ad-
dressed 10 prominent citizen of this town. 1t
seems that our Company passed thirty-six
hours almost wholly without food, or drink, or
sleep.
CAMP CLARK, Washington. D. c.,
July 28d, 1851.
FRIEND -:-I suppose, ere this, you
have heard of our battle and defeat; but think
ing that you would like an account from an
eyewitness, will give it to you We left our
camp at Centerville at two o'clock ON Sunday
morning, and, after marching about ten miles,
we engaged the rebels. The Second Rhode
land Regiment was in the advance, two CON-
panies on each side Of the road acting as skir-
mshW, and my own company was the advance
company on the road, marching by the flank in
four ranks. We were marching in the woods,
and could not see where the enemy were, when
COL Hunter came riding down to us and said,
snow, Rhode Islanders, we expect much of
you-give it to theml" We assured him we
would do it. We then leaped over fence and
found the enemy drawn up in line and ready
for u.s. We rushed down upon them, firing as
fast as we could, but they outnumbercd US, and
being armed with Mimic rifles. cut us completely
to pieces. Through some mismanagement our
regiment was engaged with the rebels thirty
minutes before any other troops came on the
fo1I roco;v;pr N p,oct ooll;po fro Within tho
space of ten minutes, Coils. Hunter and Slocum,
Major Ballou and Capt. Tower fell, which was q
severe loss to commence with. Our men fought
like bulldogs. During the thirty minutes we
were all alone on the field our men expend-
ed all their ammunition, and we had to rob the
dead to last till we were ordered off to replenish.
The rebels are armed with first-rate arms, and
use them WELL They would bring out an
American flag in their line and keep it there
until they could r lily their men in the bushes,
and then make rush upon US. In this way
they deceived us.
Our light battery worked first-rate, but was
obliged to leave the field for want of ammuni-
ton. After fight of about five hours we were
ordered to retreat. On our way back the cne-
my open a nasked battery upon us, and killed
a great many men and horses, and took the light
battery, except one piece. The Rhode Island
Second Regiment received the highest praise
from army officers and the citizens of Washing
ton, for the prompt manner in which they went
into battle. The greatest compliment heard
was that of an officer in the army, saying, that
if became necessary to cover the re reat, he
should be obliged to take the Rhode Island Reg
imcnts and tho Regulars to do it, which
thought was very good.
Major Ballou was in the midst of the battle,
through his horse, shattcring. the Majors legto
pieces so that they had to take It off Ourre-
treat was so hasty that we left both dead and
wounded. How they will fare the Lord only
knows. These rebels are blood thirsty set
You can imagine the shape the men are in at
present, when you know that we marched from
Q o'clock in the morning, without any breakfast,
ten miles, and Immediately attacked the enemy
without resting at all ; and then our retreat -
so sudden that we could not rest. The distance
to Washington was thirty miles. which we were
obliged to max, before we halted, all without
any food except what we could carry in our
haversacls, and this we were obliged to throw
away. So you sec we were on our feet without
rest from 2 o'clock Sunday morning, till eight
o'clock Monday morning, when we arrived at
Long Bridge The mems feet are in very bad
condition. l never knew what it was to suffer
for water before, being obliged to dip it up in
the road all muddy, and drink 1T mud and ALL
1t docs not become me to give my opinion, oil
this battle and its management, but Ihave onc'
and you will, after you have read the whole ac
count.
You must excuse the manner in which this
is put together, for have been writing all day
making reports, and thought l would write
you, if it was late.
----s o -