Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-07-25
Losses of the Rhode Island Regiments.

|
Mr.. Joseph p. Manton, who accompanied
the first regiment to the battle, has returned,
and says that our men did their duty like he
roes. Not "A man tlinched They went TO
the field, wearied by a heavy march and at
ter living :or two days on hard biscuit, but
they fought heroically until their ammuni-
ton was exhausted, and the enemy were re-
inforced by overwhelming numbers, and then
they withdrew in ORDER
Col Burnside intended that they should act
as reserve force But on reaching the field
1t became at once necessary Tor them to 90 into
action. They did it with a will Advancing
to the brow of a hill they fired in good order
and most effectively. retiring to load, and then
advancing again. The shells of the battery
dld fearful execution among the euemy, as
could be plainly seen.
The rebels lire chiefly solid shot, which
were far less Injurious. The officers were at
their posts, encouraging aud cheering on their
their men, and Rev. Mr.. Woodbury. as active
as any. Our brigade thought ONE that the
victory was won, as indeed it was. But sud
denly immense achievements OF fresh troops
appeared against them, and as the ammunition
was exhausted, they could To nothing but re.
| tire.
Jesse ComStock, who was wounded in the
leg, was riding in the ambulance, when a
Drudge, ana while the ambulance was stopped.
a shell burst under it, blowing ii and poor
Comstock into tie air lie was of course in.
stantly killed
90 great was the pressure of dsorganized
soldiers who jolne; them on the retreat, that
1t was Impossible TO keep the companies TO-
gether Mr.. Nlantun himself was separated
from MS company for some time. But they
came over Long Bridge in line, with Col
i burnside ana Gov. Sprague at their head
| The colonel, on jaded horse, saw them well
INTO their Old camp before lie sought rest for
himself.
L he regiments began their march at O'Clock
sunday morning before breakfast, went thir.
Teen ihiles TO the field, fought five hours, and
marched thirty eight miles to Washington
without rest or food
George &. Goulding of this city reported
| killed, is safe in Washington.
Mayor Sullivan Ballou was wounded by a
cannon ball, which passed through his horse
ana struck his leg He died during the am.
| putation III the hospital
Capt. Tower was shot early in the action n
ball hitting him in the throat. Lieut. Prescott
tell with his men, Mr.. Manton and some of
MS comrades brought off his body about half
mile under hot fire, but they were obliged
to drop it.
James Dorrty, of the Mechanic Rifles, first
regiment, was killed. He last worked in this
city for Daniel c. Grmwood lis s-ftH 1ttl4rrc
sides in Fall River. Jardes i. Dockray was
wounded y e Oy sslh.es i through tue elbow.
Sol- oocnm was shot in the breast and in
/ the leg. Mr.. Manton saw him half reclining
III a farm house, very pale, and apparently
about TO die Lieut.. Col. Frank Wheaton.
captain Of cavalry, U. S. A., commanded the
second regiment after Col. Socum was wound
ed. He discharged his duties finely Our
men formed under fire.
After Col. Hunter, who was in command of
the division, was wounded, Col. Burnside
took his place. Gov. Spraguc and Rev. Mr..
Woodbury. rendered most valuable services
aiding linn.
Mr.. Manton believes that the enemy had
nearly one hundred thousand men at and near
Manassas, besides the men that johnson
brought and that we must have been over.
powered by their superior numbers, even if
johnson had not joined Beauregard Col
burnside estimates the number Of the enemy
actually engaged at fifty five thousand men,
WINE we DID not have more than fifteen "
twenty thousand actually engaged Our large