Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1861-08-30
Tho slaughter OF the niacls-HEorsc cav

Mr. Charles Furrand Of Lansing, MON.
Der Of the lst Michigan Regiment gives
the following account Of the charge Of the
Black-Horse Cavalry at Bull Run, which is
by far the most graphic, and evidently cor
rect one, yet published
Commencing with the attack, he says:--
In the first charge upon the masked bat
terry, in line of battle, the Goth New York
were in front, then the Zouaves, and in the
rear the 1st Michigan. Rising on the top
Of the Hill, about thirty rods from the Reb-
els, we fired, intending TO fall back little
and load, as previously ordered. just then
this order was countermanded, and we were
ordered to rush on, unloaded. This new
order was imperfectly understood, and a
portion fell back; upon which all did the
same, but not more than two or three rods.
creating some disorder; but we were in no
sense "driven back" After loading, we
rushed forward, crossed road, deep ditch
and fence, descending the hill, firing as we
advanced. BY the time we reached the
foot of the hill--tbe rebels having fallen
back-the men of the three regiments were
mingled together, every man trying to get
in front, as though fighting on his own hook.
Tho din Of battle was so terrific that no
orders could be heard. We were in this
position nearly stationary perhaps half an
hour.
We then changed, not to retreat, but to
take up a new position more to the right,
to get at those who were firing at us from
that quarter. We were not followed by
the enemy on the left We were in this
vicinity constantly engaged between four
and five hours, though it did not seem an
hour.
Ricketts, Battery of eight guns was sta
toned on the right of our division, and was
taken by the rebels. A portion of all three
of the of the regiments, without any orders,
rushed promiscuously to retake the battery,
which was done. Hero was some hand to-
hand fighting. The horses were all killed
or had run away and we could not take off
the guns, till the Rebels rallied with an in
creased force, and, after spiking the guns
, we fell back to our former position. Fac
ing again to the Rebels, l saw them falling
back, trying to draw away gun into which
had myself driven spike, but ere they
; had got it many rods our bullets had made
such havoc that they abandoned it.
In a few moments | saw two rebels ad-
vanciug to tho gun-one with rife, and
: one with flag, which he was in the act Of
planting by the gun. The man standing
next to me and the rebel riheman drew
+ upon each other and both fell at the same
r moment, killed, as believe, by each other
r At the same time, took deliberate aim al
d the flag bearer, and he fell as fired.
; BY the time had reloaded, another reb
: el was seizing the flag and he to fell as
Q fired. Two more fell at this point in a sim
= liar manner as fast as could load. wa
some fifteen rods distant, and nearer the
gun than most of my comrades, though il
S other parts of the line others were in ad
II vance.
o At this moment, the Black Horse Cav
G airy made its appearance obliquely from
r the right; all the while the masked battery
n as well as infantry, was pouring upon us
J. fearful fire Of shot, shells, canister, &c. A.
d the cavalry appeared, 600 strong, upon The
n full gallop, carbine in hand, our firing 70
It the moment mostly ceased, each man r,
c serving his charge to receive them will
!, suitable honors.
n The horses of the cavalry were all blacl
n or grey. Their front showed line of per
is haps ten rods. Our fire was reserved unit
y the left of their front was within five or 81,
a rods of our right, when we poured contin
n uous volley at them, killing most of th'
e horses in front and many on their sides.-
20 AS they fell, pitching their riders to tn,
e ground, those following fell over them ant
= from our bullets, and in five minutes W,
e had sent them probably four thousand pills
and they lay piled upon each other, a man
1t glod, kicking struggling dying, mass of mel
- and horses-a sight of horror to which nj
r description could do justice! Our aim wa,
70 mostly at the horses and doubt not many
more of the men were killed by the horse
than our bullets.
The story that all this fighting was don,
- by the Zouaves is false. The three regi
It ments were mingled together, and al
c fought equally WE'LL hear speak what
j. know, for was directly in front of the cav
airy, and nearly in the center 1t was th,
general opinion that not over half dozel
of the cavalry escaped alive, though ther,
P may have beer moro.
During this brief but horrible work tn,
masked battery and large bodies of infantry
). were poring their fire into our ranks, ant
Y our men were falling on every hand. W.
1t again returned their fire, and soon after
Of Lieut.. Mauch having been struck down,
a and two others assisted him back, and Oh
d returning, we found our men still standing
" their ground.
y Soon after this flag of truce was raisec
d by the rebels twenty or thirty rods in ou
!, front, and our fire slackened. Immediate
a ly the white flag fell, and our colors wer,
J. raised. We knew not what to make o
n it at the moment, unless they were about t.
c surrender, but supposed afterwards the de
'. sign was to lure us in more deadly rang,
IS of their batteries. In a few minutes th,
is Rebel flag only was again flying in thei
a place. The contest ragged for time longer
is when the firing of the rebels ceased, and W,
le supposed the victory was ours. The Reb
ID els were seen to fall back, but very sool
10 Johnson's army was seen approaching. w
e. had fought necessarily for four or five hours
70 without food or drink, almost exhausted a
t, the beginning, our ranks were thinned anC
p broken, We saw no prospect of support, anC
Il we retreated in disorder; but there was lit
is tie running.