Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-08-04

on the right and one on the left, the line facing
equally toward the enemy, who were supposed
to he coming either on the Union or the Black
burn road.
/ Immediately formed rdat lire as best
could Of the regiments nearest the position,
placing the men IN the ravines, and the
artillery, as much az possible, ia the rear Of
the infantry. Before Capt. Alexander gave me
this last direction, [ learned that Col. Miles
had altered the position Of some regiments
which had before, especially the Third Mieh-
igan regiment, which | had ordered to form
close column by division, to remain aE re
serve, and await further orders from me, The
officer in command OF the rgiment at that
time, Lieutenant Colonel Stevens (Col. Nc
Cnnnel being unWeil, but on the gTOund,) i'm
mediatsly eXecu.ed that order, and put bis Tegi
ment in close column. | went to some other
part Of the field, and on returning found this
regiment depIoyed in line of battle, and In an
other position. I Immediately inquired Of Col
Stevens the reason Of their position being al
tered. He told ne that ClI. Miles had di
rected this movement [ asked why? Colonel
Stevens replied, "I DO rot know, but he bad no
confidence 10 Colonel Mles.D inquired the
reason why? Col. Stevens answered, "BecaBs
C0loael BiiLes is drHBk." That closed the con-
vsrsat0n.
] sent Col Stevens back with his regiment.
TO form closs column hy division. as at first. ]
then reported TO Capt. Alexander that | had
been intsrfered With in my disposition Of the
troops during the day, aGd | could not carry
out Gen. McDoweiPI orders az long az I was
interfered with by a drunken man. Captain
Alexander then answered that General Nc
Dowell now vested the whole disposition of
TIE troops with me, and that I must use my
own judgomen.. went to place another bat
taliion In line, and was net by Col. miles,
WHO ordered NE to form he regiment in an
other direction. replied that al should obey
10 more oTaers that be might see f. to give
me-" Col. Mil 8 then said, "Col Richardson,
shall put you in arrest.' told him ''I never
should obey his arrest, and that he could never
place me in that pOsitiOn.O Col Miles an
sweres that be did not understand this. | said
nothing and went On with the further diEposi-
tion OF the frnoTs, which WJs done according
20 the annexed diagram. As soon as the line
If bst'le wss well formed the enemV's cavalry
made its appearance on The Cente!gille and Ma
Dassss road, anG ordered Lieut. Benjamin 10
open bis Tifed cannon upon them, which he
did, and the cavalry disappeared sft6r few
shots. Il Was now nearly dark, and the troops
sncsmpea in thel7 present position. About 10
O'clock, A. NJ, Gen. Mcdowell informed me
that rstrsst was resolved unOn; that the
troops mus; ne started on he road to Fairfax
ss soon a. possible, aad ordered me to move
last and cover the rerreat IF the army with ny
brigade. I told the general I would do Sc,
snd would stand BY him as long as any man
would. left with ny brigade at two O'Clock
A. NJ, after sll the other regiments end bat
( tsTies had retired. On reaching Fairfax
found it abandoned by cur troops, and COW
cred the resT, bringing ny brigade up in good
order, the New York regiment In front, then
the Massachusetts regiment, and the two
Michigan regiments inrear OF the whole. Ar
rived at Arlington at two O'Clock P. n, on
Monday, after the action.
have the honor to be, very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
]. B. RICHARDSON.
Col. Com. Alb Brigade.
Gen TYLER. Com. 1st Division.