The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-08-23

We give below as much of this report as
we have room for. We are gradually get
ting at the truth OF matters as they occurred
at the unfortunate battle Of Bull Run. The
official reports of the battle differ widely
from first accounts by letter writer's.
The report OF Col. Heintzleman will add
to the already enviable reputation of the
Minnesota First. While the much praised
Zouaves, after the first repulse, "did not
appear again on the feld"-the First Mich>
igan "retiring in considerable confusion"
our own Regiment, though repulsed, "re-
tired in good order, did good service in the
woods, and was among the last to retire,
moving off the field with the Third United
States Infantry"
In word, the Minnesota First proved
themselves MEN. We are proud of them.
The division under Colonel Hentzelman
commenced the march at hall past two A. M
on the 2lst, the brigade of Colonel Franklin
leading, followed by those of Colonies Will.
cox and Howard. At Centreville they
found the road filled with troops, and were
detained three hours to allow the divisions
of Gen. Tyler and Colonel Hunter to pass.
The report continues
Between two and three miles beyond Cen.
treville we left the WarrentOn turnpike, turning
into a country road on the right. Captain
Wright accompanied the head OF COL Hunters
column. with directions to stop at road which
turned in to the left to ford across Bull Run,
about half way between the point where we
turned off from the turnpike and Sudley's
Springs, at which latter point Colonel Hunter 8
division was to cross. No such road was found
to exist, and about eleven A. NJ, We found our
selves at Sudleys Springs, about ten miles
from Centrevile, with one brigade of Colonel
Hunters division still on our side of the Run.
Before reaching this point the battle had com.
menced. We cauld see the smoke rising on
our left from two points, a Eile or more apart
Two clouds of dust were seen, showing the
advance of troops from the direction of Man.
aSsas.
At Sudley's Springs. whilst waiting the pas
sage of the troops OF the Division in our front,
ordered forward the First Brigade to fill their
canteens. Before this was accomplished. the
leading regiments of Col. Hunters division
became engaged. Gen. Mcdowell. who, &C
companied by his staff, had passed US short
time before, sent back Capt. Wright of the
engineers, and Major Mcdowell, one of his aids,
with orders to send forward two regiments to
prevent the enemy from Outhanking them.
Capt. Wright led forward the Minnesota regl
ment to the left of the road, which crossed the
run at this point. Major Mcdowell left the
Eleventh Massachusetts up the road. Iaccom-
panied this regiment, leaving orders for the
remainder to follow, with the exception of
ArnOld's battery, which, supported by the First
Michigan, was posted little below the cross.
ing of the Run as a reserve.
At little more than a mile from the ford
we came upon the battle field. Ricketts, bat
terry was posted on hill to the right of Hun
ter's division and to the right of the road AT.
ter firing some twenty minutes at a battery of
the enemy, placed just beyond the crest of
hill, on their entrance left, the distance being
considered too great it was moved forwErd to
within about 900 feet of the enemy's battery.
Here the battery was exposed to heavy fire
of musketry, which soon disabled it, Frank
Inns brigade was placed on the right of the
woods, near the centre of our line and on
ground rising towards the enemy's position.
In the meantime | sent orders for the Zou-
ayes to move forward to support RICKETTS, bat.
terry on tie right. As soon as they came up
led them forward against an Alabama reg
ment, partly concealed in clump OF small
pines in an old field. At the first fire they
broke and the greater portion of them fled to
the rear, keeping up a desultOry firing over
LDe UeaQS vi luelT cOulFducS III ITOuC, at the
same time they were charged by a company of
Secession cavalry on their rear, who came by
road through two strips of woods on our eX.
IRENE right. The fire of the Zouaves killed
four and wounded one, dispensing them. The
discontinue of this cavalry was completed by
fire from Capt. columns company of United
States Cavalry, which killed and wounded sew
eral men. Col Farnham, with some of his of.
fcers and men, behaved gallantly; but the re-
giment of ZOuaves, as reg nent, did not ap
pear again on the field. Many of the men
joined other regiments and did good service as
skirmishers.
then led up the Minnesota regiment, which
was also repdlsed, but retired in good order.
1t did good service in the woods Oh our right
flank, and was among tho last to retire moving
off the field with the Third United States i :
fantry Next was led forward the First Mich.
igan, which was also repulsed, and retired in
considerable confusion. They were rallied
and helped to hold the woods on our right.
The Brooklyn Fourteenth then appeared on
the grOu0d coming forward in gallant style. |
led them forward to the left where the Alaba-
ma regiment had been posted in the early part
of the action, but had now disappeared, but
soon came in sight of the line of the enemy
drawn up beyond the c!ump of trees. Soon
after the firing commenced the regiment broke
and ran. considered it useless to attempt to
rally them. The want of discipline in these
regiments Was SO great. that the most Oh the
men would run from fifty to seven hundred
yards in the rear. and continue to fre-fortu-
nately for the brave Ones-very high in the air
and compelling those iu front 10 retreat.