The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-08-16
NEW SERIES-NO. 400

me only slightly on the right cheek. To see
me now you would not think had been touch.
ed. During the first part of the fight the bull
| lets flew around and amongst us in fine style.
| Three passed SO near me that could / have
seen them, could have touched them with my
finger, and one just under my nose. 1 actually
felt it as it brushed by me-the same shot
wounded poor Lieut.. -, the Adjutant of
the Sd Regiment, who was yard two in
rear of me, passing through the heshy part of
his thigh. 1t seemed that God, in his infinite
mercy, shielded me from all harm throughout
| The day.
The writer continues
" The Sixteenth Alabama regiment was cut
to pieces. We marched over the ground where
they lay, the Colonel of it wounded; saw
him on the field, and gave him water from my
| canteen. His wounds were afterwards dress
| ed by one of the Surgeons Of our battalion.
The Black Horse Cavalry, of Virginia, New
Orleans ZoUaves. the Fourth Alabama, and
one or two regiments of Georgia, and South
Carolina, were also badly cut up. 1t is estl-
| mated that at least three thousand of the enes
my were killed and wounded. l am unable to
say how many on our side were lost; eight or
nine hundred, l think, will cover the whole.
We lost fifteen killed in our battalion, and
twenty-seven wounded, missing or taken pris-
oners. Lieutenants D. and H., of the Sd In
fantry, were the only officers wounded; both
were taken prisoners, and also Dr.. -. In
fact, all the wounded fell into the hands
of the enemy. They were started to
Washington in ambulances some time before
we left the field, but were cut off or taken
prisoners. Our battalion was the last to
leave the field. Our entire army of volunteers,
for some reason l know not what, was
panic.struck all Of sudden, and took
to their heels. some of them not stopping until
| they reached Washington ; and others not even
then. At the close of the fight our battalion
held some four regiments, with large force
of cavalry, in check for some time, neither side
being disposed to fire upon the other, We
thinking at first they were some of our own
troops; but finding Gut to the contrary, we
opened fire upon them, which they did not re-
turn for some time, when they opened bat
terry upon u.s. and we seeing that we should
soon be outfanked by the Infantry and cavalry
VIC iCtlcu III SOOu VI CUNeIlUS lut TelTedb
of our army. The enemy knew Sxe were seg-
uars and although they had more than ten
times number, were not disposed to at.
| tack us. 1t is my opinion that we saved our
army from being cut to pieces. / think we
had the best of the fight. Notwithstanding the
disgraceful retreat of our troops. 1t is report.
ed that the enemy were ninety thousand
strong, nevertheless l think we could have
held our position had not the volunteers been
panic stricken. The great fault is the want of
proper officers to head them. In great many
cases the officers were the first to leave the
| field. Some regiments went into action with
no officers at all. In fact there was very little
organization in our army that could see.
Every regiment fought on its own hook, no
one regiment being supported by another.
And to this fact attribute our defeat, if it can
| be called one."
The writer, after expressing great conf.
dence in General Mcclellan, and the hope
that the army will soon be better organized,
goes on to mention the deaths of several of
the rebel officers, whom he had known in
better times, and pays high tribute to
their courage and conduct:
"The South Carolina troops" he says,
''fought like tigers, and headed by General
Bonham, won the field. He rode in front of
his troops, and led them to the fight, carrying
the colors in his own hands. Our battalion
was so situated when we were supporting
battery, that had full view of the battle field.
In fact we were almost in the centre of the
fight. Men and horses were shot down all
around me. The scene was exciting and sub.
lime, and at the same time most awful
will make only one extract more from
this interesting letter, as it confirms the
declaration of the first writer quoted, in
the hope it may induce politicians to worry
one another and let gun powder alone:
''This was altogether political battle,
fought by politicians. hope they are satisfied,
and will for the future permit General Scott to
exercise his own judgment with respect to
military affairs. Otherwise, God only knows
what will become of the Government and the
army"
With the firm conviction, and earnest
prayer, that Almighty God WILL in his
wise Providence, overrue the unruly wills
and affections of sinful men, that the pain
full events that are passing before our eyes,
will be ordered by His governance, that
they will contribute to His own glory, the
good of his church, and the unity, prosper
ity, and happiness of this great nation,
Iremain, Gentlemen, most truly and respect
| fully yours, E. G. GEAR.
General Fremont has ordered the