The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1861-09-06

second night OF our advance, and all
through those blistering and sitting days,
there was not the least provision fo- our
horses. There were cocks of hay and
stacks of corn to the ri ght and left of the
Division, as it flung itself off by regiments
to this and the other side of the road; but,
by strange propriety, Brigader General
Sherman forbade them to be touched. Two
or three hours afterwards few sheaves
and bundles of fodder were hustled on the
ground. But for this not horse would
have been able to stir next day. General
M'Dowell speaks of the rations dealt out
adequately and literally to the men. But
there is not word in his report about the
horses and of this there can be no ques-
ton, that the Cavalry Of the Federal
Army flung themselves into the conflict
in a starved condition. My noble little
horse had not had one good feed for three
days, when spherical ball from the South
ern batteries tore him to pieces Hun
dreds of horses were in like condition.
Col. Corcoran's was greedily eating news
papers, in front of his hut before he mount,
ed him, the morning of. the 21st. Col.
Burnside, of the Rhode Island Regiments,
has truthfully and emphatically odd the
stofy. In his speech at the Fillmore House
at Newport, he says that he protested
against the attack Of the 21st of July, ad-
yising patience and a more effective con
centration of forces before such an attack
was made-advising, indeed, a delay of six
months, rather than what appears to have
been, with all its impediments and checks,
vain, and headstrong precipitation.
After the tolls and peris of the day
our exposure to blistering sun, and fire
still deadlier-we sept soundly that night
of the 18th of July, stretched in the deep
coarse grass the other side of Centreville
Captain Car)isle's battery occupied the
field on our right, across the road, and was
protected by the I'd New York, under Col.
Tompkins. The 10th, Highlanders, lay
in advance of us, little to the right-the
Wisconsin being in our rear-the 18th,
Rochester, Immediately in front. During
the night few shots were exchanged be-
tween the outposts Of both armies. They
failed, however, to provoke any general
alarm and those who heard them took
them for granted-as inevitable lndica-
tions ofapproximating hostilities on mag
nifcent scale-and, thus satisfied, fell off
to sleep again.
Friday, the 10Th, dawned. And Friday
faded into twilight, and night came on and
blotted it out altogether, and left us where
we were the night before-in that sloping
meadow, buried in that deep, coarse grass
lazily and stupidity waiting for some new
and pleasanter development Of events.
Nothing, however, was done that day. 1t
was a dense stagnation in every camp
There was the Blue Ridge glowing and
melting on the horizon. There were the
beautiful and ample woods, spreading
themselves between US and Manassas, GOV
ering in their green depths lines of the
deadlest batteries and legions of fierce
enemies. There were deserted farm
houses, few and far between, breaking
through the sylvan scene, and reminding
every one of home. It was a wearisome
hot, drawing, idle day-just day to re
lax the staunchest nerves and make dolt
aud towards of us all. Just such a day
plays more mischief-breeds dsadlier dis
content and insubordiDation - amopgs
soldiers, than hours Of storm and havoc
And this day to have been repeated Sat
urday to have been just as vacant, just a
Iistless, just as deadening, just as dreamil,
and sluggishly exhausting as Friday was !!
Were it not for the visit Of Father Scully
the young and devoted chaplain Of Colo
mel Cass' Irish Regiment, from Boston
who, having heard Of Thursdays fighting
dashed across from Washington, ever fv
and thirty miles, to see and learn all abou
US, it would, despite of the glariDg sun
shine, have been a gloomy day indeed
His hearty words and presence lit up aires
the life and fire of the Goth; and he cam
in good time, and most kindly staid lon
enough to relieve our own beloved chap
lain, Father O'Reilly, in bis duties at th
confessional. There were few Of the GOT
who failed to confess and ask forgiveness
on that day. Every one, officers as we
as privates, prepared for death. Sincerel
and devoutly they made their peace wit
God This is the secret of their courage
and the high, bright spirit with whic
they bore all the hardships, the privation
the terrors, and the chastisement of IL
battle. II was, in truth, an affecting sigl
l-tha. Of strong, stalwart, rugged men
all upon their knees, all with heads III
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