The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1861-09-11

s"io"h ~ ah ootuse auRie III tne ShtTt vi u
wood which ran parallel to the line of the
enemy. Col Cash arriving, formed prompt
ly on the left of Capt Rhett, gaining a d.
rect fire from the wood upon the enemy in
front, while my regiment had an entilade
fire upon their left flank. In this position
continuous fire was kept up by our whole
line until the enemy was driven back and
re.formed upon the crest of the hill. Af
fairs were in this condition when Captain
Ksmper reported his battery, and was Or
dered up, and directed TO take position on
the hill by the captured battery and to fire
| upon the flank of the enemy over The heads
tf my regiment in the road. Returning to
execute the Crde~, he WIS taken prisoner by
some of the fugitive Zouaves in our rear
and detained some minutes but released by
the timely arrival Of some Of our troops
and his own address, h5 soon brought up
his pieces and placed them in the position
indicated, whence he poured a most des-
tructive fire through the ranks Of the enemy,
who I'll led up their files with regularity,
steadiness and precision worthy the ancien,
fame of the United States Regulars, of
which it is believed that force was COM
posed. Twice were they broken, and twice
they reformed. But again driven from the
hill, they fell back out Of our fire. Cant.
kemper then withdrew his battery to rest
his men, having lost one killed, Two woun-
ded, and some Of his horses.
During the heat Of the engagement
single company Of Marylanders, under
Lieut. Cummings, am told, reported TO
me, and asked for position, which gave
them on my left where they conducted
Themselves gallantly during the fight.
Meantime the enemy occupied, in great
force, an elevated ridge in front and to the
right of us, abont half mile distant. No
troops of ours being visible, except the
forces immediately under my command and |,
having RECEIVED no order since entered the
field, deemed it prudent to retain my posi-,
ton and rest the command for the present. !
Within n few minutes, however, | percev-
ed regiment emerging from the wood on
the left of Col. Cash. and advancing in ad-
mirable order up the slope to the hill re.
Gently occupied BY the forces of the enemy, |
whom We had driven off. | immediately
advanced my whole command, moving nv |
regiment by the eight flank along the road, |
Col. Cash advancing in the field in line
Arriving on the face Df the hill towards the |
enemy formed line Of battle to the left Of |
the road. Here found Col. Withcrs' Vir. |
gnia Regiment on the hill TO the right of |
the road, to whom communicated nv pur-
pose to form line and advance to the at
tack, and asked his CO operation, to which
he Immediately acceded. With Col. With
ers' command | found, also, the remnant
.! llamptons Legion, under Capt. Conner,
assisted by Capt. Gary. Capt, Conner re-
ported to me, and was assigned to my left.
evidences Of movement became perceptble
hI the line of the enemy, aud in few min
utes they were 10 full retreat by the rear cf
their left flark. then proposed to Col.
Withers to proceed towards the Stone
Bridge with view to cut them off, and
forming to the right into column. Col.
Withers being in advance, we marched TO.
wards that point.
! detailed some of NY mon under Gen
Johnson Hagood and Col. Allen J. Green,
of South Carolina, who were doing duty
in my Regiment, as volunteer privates, each
TO take charge Of one of the captured guns
and turn them on the enemy, while Capt.
kemper took charge Of two others, and
they continued firing until ordered TO de-
sist by one Of our general officers.
| directed my march along the turnpike
to the Stone Bridge, while Col Wilhe,s
TUNED tc the right and entered the wood.
He threw out n skirmishng company who
crossed below the bridge ia advance. while
my command was mar ched along the road.
Arriving on the north side Of Bull Run, n
reserve of the enemy was seen occupying
the wood in front with artillery, and de-
ployed line of battle in the field TO the right
Of the road, Col. W;thers forming line in
my rear.
Here sent Adjutant Sill TO the rear to
report to the frat general officer he might
meet with, that had occupied that posi-
ton /; that the enemy was in front, and that
| awaited orders. lie delivered his mes
sage 10 Col. Chesnut, aid to Gen. Beaure.
guard, and returned, In the meantime,
Maj. Hill. c. s. A., of the staff Of Gen. -
reported to me with a squadron of cavalry,
under command of Maj. John Seott, C. s.
A., and stated that Gen. Beaurcgard author
lied ,he pursuit Of the enemy, with view
| to cut them of.
Immediately formed column for the ad
vance, when Surgeon Stone, U. y. A., rode
up, and asked why ! was retreating 1-mis.
taking us for friends He was informed Of
his mistake, and sent TO the rear rs prison
er, first informing me thai the enemy were
in forge in our 'front.'. Throwing out the