The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-08-02
POLITICAL AND FAMILY NEWSPAPER.

cision, while all Of our troops in sight ap-
peared to be disorganizcd and in confusion.
For our artillery we looked in vain, that was
in tho hands the of the rebels. We could
not help coming to conclusion that the battle
was lost irretrievably.
We wondered what our task would be, whether
they would lead our brigade Of 800 or voo
against those almost invincible batteries, or
whether they would suffer US to remain there
until the enemy got our range and moved US
down like so much grass. We were glad when
the command "5th fall in" was given, for we
were impatient to see what would be done next.
The regiment was formed in close column ut
half distance. Company d. had 80 men, and
all its officers. Company F. We believe, had
six men. Company d. was, by far, the strong
est in the regiment. Almost rs soon rs We were
formed, tremendous rushing and crashing
was heard in the woods on our LEFT, and In an
an instant they appeared alive with men, be-
longing to several regiments. They were re-
firing in the utmost confusion. A cry arose.
eft is the enemy retreating," and in an instant
dozen men had left our ranks and sent as
many bullets flying among them. Several fell.
II was q sad mistake-a mistake too often made
in this unhappy war. The retiring troops were
the Ellsworth Zouavcs and the Mass. 5th. "Por
Gods sake don't fire upon your own men,
they cried. The firing ceased and We asked them
why they fed. "we can do nothing with
them," said they. They passed to our rear;
the secession troops following them, until they
saw US. when they opened FIRE upon US, they,
however, retreating to the cover OF the bushes.
At this moment, company Of U. s. Cavalry
retired in disorder. and their So doing occa-
stoned panic in our ranks. The 9Th reg
iment, no, the coiors Of the 5th, fanked on
either side by about 10 or so men, formed line
and commenced their advance through the
woods. The balls flew thick, but the rebels
committed the common mistake Of firing high,
hence our small loss. We traversed the wood
and reached the open field beyond, there we
expected TO meet the enemy--no enemy was to
be seen. The enemy had retired to wood on
the opposite side of the field, and from thence
they sent numerous but ill-directed volleys,
fortunately for us.) We halted in the middle
Of the field, and for fifteen minutes poured a
continual storm Of bullets into the woods. but
ofcourse we are utterly unable to estimate the
effect of our shots. AT length battery ofrifed
cannon on our right having got our range,
II was thought hest to retire; tho order was
given. and we retired, not in good order, nor
in any particular order, but pellmel every
man seeking his individual safety. When We
reached the place where We had formed, we saw
sight which made us sick. Imagine five OF
six thousand men spread over wide expanse
ofcountry in an inextricable state of confusion
with dozens of shells and cannon balls flying in
their midst; imagine four or five hundred men
bleeding on the field, and you will have the last
grand tahleau of the battle OF Bull Run. An
account of the retreat in my next.
Yours, &C., TYPo.