New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-08-01

that shOud his life be spared, which may the Lord
of Battles grant, his name will be remembered as
one OF the best military commanders of the war.
Our Lieutenant-CoEonel, Chas- De ChoiseGl,
proved himself in this battle an officer whose ma
tive element is war while in regard to Major Day
idson Penn, have but time to say that his action
on the field of battle contributed in no small de-
gree to the success of our regiment. IN the light.
OF onr Adiutant Lieut.. A. NJ, Merriam, his native
GOODNESS and excellent military ability did not de-
sert him when under fire while, ia relation to the
Sergeant Major, Redwood, who, with rife in hand,
entered with spirit into the hottest Of the fight,
allow me to remark that the regiment made al
auspCions selection when it placed him in the posi-
ton he occupies.
have been thus minute in recording the part
taken by our ''crack Seventh in the battle Of the
18th, from the tact that the very existence, Or at
least the presence of the regiment in Virginia. has
been almost, if not entirely, overlooked by the
Virginia press. While the telegraph has been
made to give other regiments the glory which
should attach to its proud banner, President Davis
and Generals Beauregard and johnson have not
been slow to perceive and acknowledge the prom
lnent position which the Seventh of Louisiana has
held in both engagements On Bull Run, and will
all in good time contribute their testimony in favor
of the gallant and Indispensable services rendered
by it on both occasions. Meanwhile the friends of
the members of the regiment will be pleased to
learn that Our Fl AIRY" and his command have
not been idle spectators during the exciting events
of the past few days.
Of the battle Of Sunday, the 2lst, at Stone Bridge,
VIII not attempt reportorial description, as the
telegraph and official accounts will have reached
you before this can appear in your columns. I
wish, however, to correct one or two bIunders of
| the te!egrAphc agent, and again claim a little
need of credit for our favorite Seventh" In the
hrst really lntelligbe account of the fight You re-
ceived over the wires, you were Informed that at
about J o'clock p. NJ, Of the eventful 21st, " hen
| our heroic Spartan force of but Is 600 men after
most valiant and desperate struggle of four
hours, against 35 900 of the enemy. were being
slowly forced from their position near the Stone
Bridge, that Gen. Kirby Smith arrived with his
brigade, on the railroad from Winchester to Ma
nassa5 junction; and that when within two miles
Of the bridge, seeing the violence Of the contest
there, he stopped the cars, disnounted his men,
and, without orders, marched to, and arrived at,
the scene of action just in season to prevent the
loss OF our position and to change the tide of battle
il oar favor.
Now, without wishing to deduct one ota from
the importance of this fortunate and provdential
movement of Gen. Smith, I beg to submit that
Louisiana, represented by her gallant Seventh,
played an important part at this most critical
inncture of the battle. The position Of the Seventh
OF Louisiana having been in Ito center division o
| the defence during the early part of the day
(where, without coming into actual contact with
the center OF the enemy it had been kept marching
on double quick time from one station to another
for several h0urs) was, about II o'clock, ordered
suddenly to march, in company with the Thirteenth
Regiment of Mississippi, under Col Barksdale, tt
regiments were Immediately on their way, and ar
rived on the field at bout O'Clock, just in time tt
reinforce and relieve the tired and almost faintine
troops already in the fight. Fatgued and almos
ready to sink from exhaustion and the Influence o
a bruing sun, Col. Hays and his everready staff
Immediately proered their services to jump to tbs
| rescue and, together with Col Barksdale of the
| Mississippi Thirteenth, under Col Early in com
1nand of the brigade, started on double-quicb
across the field to encounter the foe, then drawn
Up about etourths of mile distant and in the
midst OF most murderous fire of shot shell ant
bullets, Col. Hays, seeing at O glance the urgen
necessity for prompt action, formed his men on ths
march, Major Penn taking position in the front
at which point Col. Hays joined him soon a
| possible. After receiving two Or three volIeys 0
mimic balls from large body of regulars AM
volunteers, an order from Col: Early to charg
| this body, was communicated by an aid to Col
! Hays, who gave it to his command with suel
| vim as to occasion a spontaneous and untiinchn!
| response from the entire regiment The boys sen
up shout which was heard above the roar of tn
| artillery and the incessant firing of infantry, an
which struck terror to the very heart OF the voun
| teers, who beat preCipitate retreat, but VIII
| we're soon rallied by the sterner regulars.
The Thirteenth of Mississippi and our Sevent
we're now within about quarter of a mile of tn
enemy, when an order from Col. Early to halt
| placed both regiments at the mercy of the fire o
the enemy. The order was founded ou the mis-
aiken belief of Col Early that the body on whom
the charge was being made were friends. S vera
! sharp voeys from their ranks soon put all doubt
to rest as to the charater Of the body, aud fres
order to charge, accompanied by perfect wal
whoop from both regiments struck terror to tn
souls OF b0tn regulars and volunteers, and a quic
retreat OF the enemy however, in excellent order
| was made. Gen. Smith now came up in line, an
| general charge was made, when the entire fore
| Of the Federasts broke and fed precipitately i
the direction of Centreviilp, followed closely b
about three thousand fresh cavalry, Gen Juh1
ston division bringing up the rear, in hot pursuit
This is the truth, the whole truth, and simply tn
truth. And when the history of this never-to-be
forgotten battle is written by hands guided by coo
and stubborn facts, it will be seen that louisian
contributed not only her Beauregard but othe
| brave officers and men, to aid materially in tn
accomplishment of the grand result.
In this engagement the following officers of th
Seventh are said to have distinguished themselve
il various ways: Capt Geo D. Clark, Lieuts. Nc
Farland and Davis, of the Continental Guards
OF New Orleans Capt Ratclitf, and Lieuts. HeWi
| and Remington, of the irish Volunteers of l.
!ourche; Capt T. Moore Wilson, and Lieut. 7
Gibbs Morgan, of the Sarsfleld Rangers land Lieut.
| Harper. Knox and Grinlshaw, of Crescent Rifle
Company B. Lieut.. Harper on the 18th, led til
fine company into the field; Lieut.. Saml Flowt
| led the American Rifles into the field and was a
tive and efficient. Lieut.. Driver, of Company
Crescent Rifles, did the State good service on tn
memorable day. In the Virginia Blues Capt. I
4. Wilson, Jr., and Iieuts. Thompson and Belle
ger, and, indeed, the entire company present c
the field numbering some 10 privates, were high
applauded for their gallant and soldierly bearin
private in the ranks OF the Continental Guard
Mr.. Antony Ofergel1. was also highly compliman
ed by his Colonel. The Seventh Regiment Was
ington Artillery, and Major Wheat's Battalion we
the only Louisiana troops engaged in that part
the fight which took place at Stone Bridge.
| EIEANDIERE
P. S.-Our loss in killed and wounded will n'
exceed 1900. About 1000 prisoners have passe
through this place for Richmond up to this writing
--s ee------
The Tiger Rifles AT Manassas.
|
We have before us Il private letter from a me1
I | her of the Tiger Rifles. who Were in the thicke