The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-10
FIFTH DIVISION.
COLONEL MILES OFFICIAL REPORT.
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH DIVISION,


Capt JAMES B. FRY, Assistant Adjutant General, Head
quarters Department.
SIR-Ny health being impaired and growing worse IF
delay shall not he able report the operation of my
division on the 2lst inst before Bull Believing, be-
sides that commanders Of brgacs directed report
to headquarters Offer the following for the consideration
Of the General commanding
Pursuant to instructions the brgadcs Of Blenker
Davies soon after daylight, readiness TO march
and take position but prevented from doing by
other divisions blocking up the road discovered how
ever that Davies brigade could be passed 10 the left d
west, through fields to Blackburn's ford. Lieutenant
Brinel engineer officer conducted the brigade, and
soon as possible it joined Colonel Richardson before the
crossing of this ford Bull Fire then opened
By Hunts battery supported by Richardson's brigade
the right Edwards twenty pounsor riaed guns
posted On the left, about six hunred yards
from Richardson's posilion, and ~ sustained by a
took position at CenEevie, and commenced
throwing up asreachmens One regiment being located
at the former work Of the enemy one to the west Of the
the Narreton road aud two on the height to-
WARDS Bah run Wai these last regiments first
placed dbals and Green's batteries Green's afterwards
being removed to Richardson's position consequence Of
notification being sent by that officer that abost 1000 Of
te eneany about to attack him, d tina, he required
more artillery. may here remark that dilsrence
existed in the order Lieutenant Brinc aud self
regard TO the defensive works TO be thrown up, and also
as the quantity of tools he to receive lily orders
his from MAJOR Barnard 10 throw up works at BAbsrns
ford No tools forward bot the small amount Lou
tenant Bre had his These he took to<ftchartl-
sons position, commenced battery and made several
hundred yaras u it. Benks, With his pioneers, i'm
proved and extended The WORKS Csntreviile left by
the enemy.
was SOON reported that the Fourth PennsyIvan regi
nrnt had cit nj its eDcamYnent battery 81 field gEns.
For this Colonel Benke air-ct to organize a coxapany of
experienced European srtii'crts which accepted. 1ho
captain name, regret, ] have forgotten as should
recommend has having permanent command
oen, "e ot,s ss.' 9" soon as IL compseted mv
arrangen with Bicaker i visited Colonel Richardson
found him in proper position ard effectively at work,
HINTS and Edwards battery beng ia good position.
There was no evidence o the oncmy Immediately abont
the ford wnu after the s, opening o. tho fire. when he
flod from barns and houses in the vicinity Then,
a,er ordering proper supports for ME batteries ana
placing fsrcc III position, returned to Cen
trevie finding all quiet, and the troopers at work. Re-
r0inn. here time returned to Richardson, when
II was surmscd that there enemy at that place
found tire ansfunoz of the batteries rapidly d.
vanishing ordered from tie Rigadier few skrmishegs
to 60 forward ard examine the ford determined Icoud
cross do So and sideayor 10 cut the line Of travel
pursued by retrcatng and advancing detacmens Of the
euetv The line Of skrts{efs had barely entered tie
woods, when large force u the enemy discovered
concealed by MeastwWss. He opened fire, which was
hadsoaaey returned. In this affair three u the Six
tec&tA New York Votnteeas wore wounded. The air-
nishcrs report the force u the enemy greatly damaged
By Green's battery. I made no Other attempt on this
ford orders being account TO get int general
engagement. AS l was again returning 10 Bleakers
position, received the notice to telegraph to
Lieutenant Wendell, Typographical Engineer, in
my stat, aud compelled by Illness to remain at
my headquarters. 7. was al this time The order
ceived put bTigades the Warrenton turnpike at
the bridge without delay SEM staff ofcer 10 order
forward Davies brigade but whilst this officer
cutting my Instructions Davies sent word he wanted a
reserve regiment forward that the enemy some 3ooO
was attempting 10 t,xn his flank The stat ofsctr there
FORE properly suspended the giving Of my order and
medatey reported the it TO me- and tais caused to
advance b,a The brigade (Oker's) TO the position
on the warrenton turnpike. senk9's advance 10 that
point nJcded by ugtves from the battle field
When these were passing my headquarters endeavored
to rally them, but my efforts were vain
The SAtacl on Davies position caused painful apsrehen.
sion for tho safety of the left lahk OF the army and
claiming It OF the first importance TINT my division
should occupy the strongest position selt instructions
faves and Richardson to have their brgades fail back
OF Canrevlle Then followed BlenKers brgaoe TO see f
|, position, when was informed the commanding
general had passed then returned 10 Centrevie,
found Davies and Richardson's brisades arriving, and
commenced placing them in position, Richardson's
brigade, with Green's battery DSng placed about
halt mir III advance ofCeutrevic Heights, his line Of bat
te facing Racsbarns ford In rear * Richardson posted
TWO regiments behind fences, as suppor, for the nrst
lne, and still further in and TIE heights placed
Hunts and Edwards batteries two OF Davies regiments
being to support them. then followed Benker
i0und ftdbge battery in admirable position supported
BY the Garabad, Guard; Benker, with three regiments
and the Fourth Pennsylvania battery being IN advance
Having ffea. confidence IA BIS Judgment and trocre,
returned 10 ceprevl6e Heights to await events, when
found all my defensive arrangements changed. Not
knowing who hae done this and seeing Col Richardson
giving different positions to my troops asked by what
authority rs was dCtg when he told Hc ie had isruc-
TONS from my superior ocer. th%est ter met the
commanding general, and compaaed OF the eange. The
Generals views were completed and lcfi nlS> without
further control Of the division AT the time the attack
was made Dawes flank the regiments u Tho brig do
engaged performed their duty gaianty. The ulereeSof
HINTS and EDWARDS opening Are did great damage to
the advancing troops OF the enemy coon fcpu!sng them
am gfeyed that II this engagement brave and accom-.
p.shed young Officer Lieut. Prcsby 0Caig Of the Second
regiment artillery, and who was attached TO Hunts
battery, almost instantly killed Several Of The New
York Voyntee.s woanied, have not the repo,s
relative thereto
Bleiker's brigade whilst on the Warren,on road |
was charged by cavalry bat by prompt ard skir,i |
FIRE, empcd several saddles, and relieved himself from
fut Their annoyance. It's summary embraces the onora
liens Of my division pp 70 the evening u thc 2Isi
Before closing permit me t. namc and DO tscc 10 my
stsG whose aTff0ly IL ra TaT't.nauce Of their d,s
and untirig exerilons throughout the day deserve all
the comncndation1 am able TO besow VIZ
Captain III Vincent Assistant Adlutan General: Lieu
tenant Prime, Engineers; IeutCnant MeNrlan Adutaut
Second infantry and and acting Infantry Gencrai Assist
All surgeon Woodward medical direction, ard Major
Richie New YORK Volunteers Ny Aid lie Camp lle.te
nant Wendell Tcpcgrarhca Engineer, was quite III during
the day, ard thereby prevented from being with M
Lieutenant law kins Second infantry, my aids were
absent on detached service for supplies &C.. and had