The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-03


thousands for sure day had Hunts and Green's bat
terics not been occupying their relative positions the
enemy would have attacked the army in the rear, and
thousands q lives would have paid the forfeit Of the
oversight had such occurred Colonel Miles is my es
tmaton, as well as that Of his entire div sion,
competent and efficient commander, and boldly asscr
that there are very few out Of the eight thousand
under his command that would not cheerfully so int.
battle under his orders.
Justice to injured and efficient officer whose com
mission dates from july l, 1874, induces to make the
above brief statement.
SCENES ON THE BATTLEFIELD
PERSONAL ADVENTURES AT THE BATTLE OF BULL RUN.
From the Boston Traveller, Aug. L.
Mr. Edwin 5. Barrett. of Concord has at our request
furnished the following narrative his experience
the day of the battle of Bull run 1t will be fount
exceedingly interesting and readers will agree thai
n all the civilians who went TO the field that da,
had behaved as well as Mr. Barrett, there would be
reason To complain of them.
is quite possible that the writer in some cases
used wrong military terms for he makes preension
military knowledge; but his narrative will be found
important particulars authentic it interesting
commences with the night before the battlc-
On saturday evening the 10th Of July heard we were
70 start at half past two the following morning
line was to be in readiness at that early hour. We
occupied the camp at Centrevlle since Thursday night
wrapping my blanket around me, at ten O'Clock,
stretched myself upon the bare ground to sleep The
night was cool aud at twelve O'Clock awoke feeling
very cold ,and uIffHe to sleep more anxioisy waited
70 hear the signal prepare At two O'Clock our drum
sounded through the camp, and repeated through
the numerous camEs around us and in hair an nonr
thousand men stood ready to battle for the Union
The Fifth Massachusetts regiment, which ! accompa-
MED was in the division under Colonel Hentzelman nc
ing MAJOR General and our regiment was third in the
lumn The First Minnesota, under Colonel German. led
followed by the Massachusetts, Eleventh. Colonel Clarke
then the Fifth Colonel Lawrence with the regular cayal
ry and battery Of artillery leading the advance We
waited, in marching order, from half past two O'Clock
until after six before the order was given to advance
then we learned that Colonel Hunter with eight regi.
mepts including Governor Spragues command had pre-
ceded u.s. and we were to follow General Mcdowell and
stan now headed our division.
Mounted on secession horse which had
days previously followed in the of the regiment m
company with ouartermaster Billings and Surgeon Uurd
From Centreville took the extreme northern road
leaving the Warrcnon road our left which General
Tyler had taken with his division. Passing through
forest OF heavy oak timber three four miles in
length, we emerged into the open country with wide
interval on our left and the Blue Ridge Mountains dis
incty visible right. We had heard an occasional
cannon shot during the morning. but not unton O'Clock
there any sound of general engagement The heavy
cannenadng on our left and in front caused the
be fastened and our could hardly be- restrained So
eager they for the fight. About mile aud a half
before reached the field the began throw away
-halr blankets, haversdcks ans all unnec append
ages the different regiments trying to throw
them into pile, or as near together possible.
without hating tied my horse near tho hospital
headquarters fastened to the head of the column
which advanced in double quick time till they
came within reach Of the encmy's guns, Tho fight
was raging on our left and in front our division
came to the field. ! could see that the enemy s
batteries posted long ridge with woods extend
ing either flank, and separated from us by valley
IL was now about lai Est eleven O'Clock General Nc
Dowell ordered one brigade under Colonel Franklin con
oil Minnesota. Eleventh
chuscts and Pennsylvania regiment, TO advance down
The hill and take a position in che valley on a ght eleva
ton directly in front CT the rbs batteries 10 lowed on
some distance but the shot ratified about and halted
General Mcdowell and staff while the brigade swept
past and down tie hl. watched for some time the
Colors Of the Fifth with intense interest The regiment
reached the valley, and depoying to the right on to
slight knoll, fell Dat their faces while the shot from
the rebel batteries mostly passed over their heads 4
battery swept past ne 10 take a position followed IL
along some distance when the Major paloped hock IN
me and called out Friend, tel captain F to hurry up
my supports did not know Captain f. but hastened
back aud met an orderly Of whom inquired where lie
He pointed him out t. me near a regiment of
infantry ! rushed up to him and gave my message
He replied, They are coming right along" And on
double quick the regiment followed after the battery
The rife cannon shot, shells and bullets struck ali
around me, and men We're falling in every direction
Beeing high pcrsmmon tree standing alone a Short
distance down the hill. determined TO Climb ii The Ton
was dead ana about thirty feet from the ground
Frnm tbs elevation had unohstruced view Of Tho
.halc line and could into the enemv's ntrench
monts VIII, tic men locked like many bees in A hive
and could plainly zee Their officers riding about and
their different columns ING hither and thither Their
batteries the right and left ware masked with trees
completely, that could distinguish them except by
the flash from their guns; battery II q field
extreme left, was completely concealed by the
stalks placed naturally about it, that mp fneA
came suddenly upon IL never dreaming Of ys y lsar
the tree and bounded along for quarter of 49,. A..
rear felt that above the r.,[ ~ "t L W ,,
tn, the r' in OpS way yn sn u"G ny head striking
/ had reach.@ mo top 81 The troe. New Hampshire
-rcglrieni close at my left had succeeded in driving
the rebels from the woods in front, and with tlrct
cheers, they fell back INTO line. Wien the limo was
formed three cheers were given for Colonel WGrston
who had fought CALAMITY and received severe wounds
Shcrmsns battery then commenced firing on my right.
within thirty rods Oh me, and at the FIRST discharge
tncs cheered and watched the effect OF the she'll which
exploded inside the cnemys ntrcnchneuts The men
eercd again. 10 see That they got the range quickly
md continued to tire with great rapidy while the enc
my returned the fire with equal vgor and precision the
rannonading being Kept up necessarily for an hour
he IpIsf done
the rebels great damage every shot took effect within
their Entertainments. Su ana horses kept failing
GEAR oRr guns, and the infantry lines parted in
many places by their bals. The valley for nearly
onchaif mile in front OF the enemy S works was filed
with our infantry extending patches of woods
right Our batteries w,r, placed Oh various emnences
the flank and rear shifting their positions rrom time to
time The fire from oar tines in this valley was terrific
and as they Kept slowly advancing uring r.rcating to
toad and then Advancing again, IL MA, "A .i1lt which no
words could describe For three long hours We rore9 ino
cher mtrenchments this terrible TIRE AMI whenever the
enemy showed themselves on the TANKS the, were
driven back with great slaughter During all his time
our men We're subjected 90 cross Gre from the enemy
infantry stationed in the woods left Al one time
the "Sars and Stripes waved IN these woods and
dressed much like own called ont not o. Arc thni
way Our men gradually drew up towards the fax whcl
Immediately the secession dag was thrown oti and III,
rebels poured vocy into our men so noypccfodiy that
they were for the time driven back but regane,
the ground
General Mcdowell ordered battery forward to tak
aposton near house right the Fire 2ouavcs wer,
ordered to support IT, The position appeared 10 inc from
my lookout, like a strong ono, was on a hill on
horses running at the top Of their speed and shortly be
gan to ascend the emucnce the Zouavcs follow closely
but scarcely bad the battery halted and fred before tho
enemy opened upon them from new masked batteries
and terrific fire of mu-ketry from tie woods. and II
artillery were driven back, many Of their men and
horses being killed Th 2ouaves stood their ground man
FULLY, firing in lines aud then falling on their faces L
lead. The ranks were becoming drcadfuhy thnncd vet
they would yield mch when sldd MY out dasie
she Back Horse Cavalry and charged furousy with up
lifted sabres, upon them. The Iouaves CALAMITY
this furious onset without ainrhinp ana after Grn, N iii
gnra sol tn .af- mil fD
with their bayOncs any weapon they could seize ant
IN some drag the riders from ther saddles stab
Ding them with their knives and mounting their sp ndit
black horses galop the field. Never, slgco the IA
nous charge of tho Light Brigade cavalry corps
more cut 10 peces There Is bitter amnesty existing