New-York daily tribune., 1861-09-08
THE sEvENTY-NINTH.
n. the Editor of The N. Y Tribune.


Tsas Editor Of The NJ Y Tribune
SIR: In pursuance of the promise conveyed in my
last letter. Of carrying on through the same channel
your kindness has opened to me, the narrative Oh the
action of the 10Th Regiment and all the circumstances
which could interest its many friends in every land
where Seotchmen may be found shall commence 'nis
communication from the date at which my last closed
II may be remembered that when last wrote, was
detailed to NewYork for thirty days by the Secretary
Of War, special duty and TO bring to satisfactory
settlement the various claims against the regiment
Before, however, half that period of thirty days had
expired received telegraph from Gel Cameron, re-
questing to report myself at camp speedily as
possible. Immediately started for Washington, and
was panied to find my arrival that the occasion for
this sudden summons a conspiracy which had
sprung up in the regiment against the Colonel-the
gallant and lamented Cameron This conspiracy, which
had for its object his removal from the Colonecy found
its birth in the breasts of few disaeced oiicers, who
had from the first opposed the regiments going to the
war, and who increasingly famed on every opporupi'
ty the embers of that discomfort which has eventually
placed the regiment in its present POSITION and led 20
the punishment of men whose greatest fault was listen
ing TO the eounsels of those who urged them on to
mutiny for their own purposes. My influence, hap
ply, had the effect of che king this dlsaected spirit
for time and by obtaining from the Governor OF the
State of New-York the commission Of Col. Cameron.
as Colonel Of the 18th, removed one Of the principal
grounds urged by these few dissatisfied officers for their
unwilngness to recognize, as soldiers should do the
eonstitutionally elected Colonel their From
this period up to the time when saw the regiment, IN
pursuance of ORDERS march into Virginia. and prepared
TO return 10 Newly ork to carry out the purposes for
which had been detailed. Learning on the eve OF my
info udad do (yvh In Il
anticipated could take place go soon,l that battle
was at hand, at once determined to postpone my &C.
parure and proceed to the field, and with this ohlect
started on a special train for Alexandria at clock
in the evening of the Friday previous to the Sunday
on which the battle fought, with tue Secretary OF
War; the Assistant Secretary, Col McCullum, Bishop
Mclvaine of Ohio and his son, and my con, Aban Eli
liOt, of the 18th, We arrived at Buck Station ab0ut
dusk and found that the enemy had torn up the rails
Nothing remained, therefore, but TO seek aaylum
for the night, and with that view proceeded TO
farmhouse in the neighborhood with Leopold Samson,
Qaartermaster of the 3lst Regiment, and with some
difficulty prevailed on the propnetress stanch Seces
siouist, whose husband AMI sons were IN the rebel
ranks TO give us supper aud shelter. After, n con-
junction with Quartermaster Samson arranging every
thing for the comfort of the Secretlry OF War and our
party for the night Bishop Mclvaine asked the lady
wonh hermit the service to be performed before we
retired 10 this she assented, and the Bishop went
through the beautiful service of the Scottish Pres-
byterian Church. had often in my Life before seen
in hours OF trial the influence Of our beautiful service
on the heart but had before seen IL moro NOV
irgly and mpresslvey felt. The lady Of the house and
her sister were in tears aud expressed with deep emo
ton the agony she felt that brothers who worshiped
al the same alters and nightly poured forth the same
prayers should be at and at that moment prepar-
/ ing TO take each others lives.
TIE circumsa of the hour perhaps lent additional
mpressvenes 10 the scene, but the Secretary OF War
said be had never experienced more serene delight
than when joining IN that family worship In Seces,
4 .aahfrw Nnfrr IN IA nOl
highland fashion, Col. McCuum sleeping on the hoor
in The Chi room aud my son lying across the thres-
old myself in adjoining room with my revolver In
hand all ready Tor any emergency, not knowing at
what hour in the midst Of many Secessionists We
might find ourselves attacked
In the morning. when We awoke, we found the sun
plaripg down on us with fiery heroeness unknown IN
The hottest DAYS in the North the Thermometer being
over lOO3 in tue shade Here we endeayOred TO obtain
some conveyance TO carry us on, but all our efforts
were in vain.
Tie Secretary proceeded in his carriage, accompanied
by lis Assistant-Secreary and aid-decamp, but the
rest of us being unable TO obtain any other means,
started on foot for Fairfax. Our party consisted OF
Rishop McIlvaine, my son, Leopold Samson, Mr..
Ti0eu and myself, and Mr.. Nalllerc Of the War
Department, Of whom the Bishop and his son, owing
10 the intense heat and fatigue, gave way upon the
tourney and returned TO Alexandria. The remainder
Of us arrived at Fairfax about dusk, having had an
opportunity of examining the evidence of the masked
batteries of the enemy which were pauted all along
the line Of country to Fairfax Court-Hoase at inter-
walls Of a quarter OF mile. Fairfax we found COM
pletey deserted bat one negro woman being left in
charge of the principal hotel After, by much bribery
and entreaty procuring rereshment and rest for the
night we proceeded our journey early in the morn
| ing on foot again, and after weary and bstering
march under broiling came up to the hospital OF
the 18th at Centreville about lOi O'clock the event
| full morning of Sunday, the Dist.
| lost not moment in endeavoring TO obtain from
Lieut.. Weatherspoon, who was In charge Of the hos
ptal the whereabouts of the regiment and had pointed
out 70 me by him the route which they had taken and
their probable position the smoke from that direction
indicating that the battle had opened and the contend
ing armies were then engaged. Proceeding onward
still ON foot in tho direction in which my regimen
was presumed to be placed. had not gone far wheI
we were overtaken by two of Gen. Mansields staff
Major Williams and the Rev. Robert Keller. OF tn,
circumstances which occurred subsequently think
more becoming, az they concern me personally &c
| much to permit Major Williams, the gallant Adede
Camp Of Gen. Mansfield, to speak rather than write
myself. ,,
August "a, 1851 !
the koGL Of and oss on Su1a'S r. 5S
we overlook Lieut. Col Elliot OF the 79th Regiment whom
bad met our o Ss S 1s s5s ,n
other gentleman clerk in the War Department Col Enio.
sR$ s s
to him 10 take enable ha proceed
se asi %scS M to be the Upon
other side found the road entirely Oosused By huge trees
pushed on through every obstacle and ser riding condebs
distance came upon the hill overlooking the bsttehsd Here
psned observe number Of sragser from various
regiments esthy leaving the ground Wesopped many &c
could and successful TO certain extent In inducing
them to the field Col Elliot then requested me go
and have the engineers Of schenk and Brig
sdes to the obueions so that the reserve
artillery advance support OF who evil
denty wayeng this time As proceeding this duty
my attention attracted by large cloud Of dust rising far
right showing that force was arriving which
10 be Pstterson's and raised cheer deeming the
field our own. In short time learned TO dismsy
Johnston arriving with large body to the support
Elliot aud found that these bgde could not spsro thei art.