The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-07-31
THE eULl. RUN BATTLE.
OFFICIAL REi'0RT or TIE FEDERAL, MEDi-
CAL DIRECTOR OUR KILLED AND WOUND
ED FROM EIGHT HUNDRED TO ONE THOU.
ARLINGTON, DEPARTMENT \. f. VIRGINIA,

AnIINGroS, p3r,RrmsNr X. f. viRcSI,,
July &c, 1861. }
SRi,sng chief of the mcca! staff serving with the
army in the Department u Northeastern Virginia have
the honor 20 make the following report OF so much OF the ro
of the action the 2ist at Bcli run within
nv charge AS the officers OF the medical saG were at
sccd the different regiments, and duty with them,
deemed IT proper to remain with and accompany the
General commanding and stan from the beginning to the
termination OF the battle in order thai might be enabled
TO vsi, every part OF The field where the killed ana wound
cd night be found
Ai,et the act ION had fairly commenced and tho wound
cd and the dead lying the Acid in every di
rcctn despatched Assistant Surgeon d. l. Magruder TO
the rear, with directions to prepare church, when bad
observed passed before arriving n tho scene Of ae
ton for the reception OF our wounded and also TO send
the ambanccs forward rs rapidly as possible TO pick up
the woundcd and the dead.
In a very few minutes the embunnccs made their ap-
peorance, and continued throughout the day TO visit
every part Of the ground which was accessible in order
10 he within reach of those parts of the field whcro The
fighting was going ON ana wounded were to he iound
II is due to the ambulance drivers 10 say that they
performed their duties efficiently, and Tho results OF their
operations also show how absolutely necessary these
means Of ronve, aace 20 the comfort and reaf Of the
wounded, in giving them shelter and water when ready
to perish with heat and thirst.
y means Of he ambulance, also the who so to tho
relief u their wounded comrades separated but short
timc from their companies, as having deposited them IN
The aabances they can then return TO their proper
positions
A the General commanding visited almost every part
Of the ground during the conflict, with view to encourage
drec, the movements OF the troops, nay position as n
member Of his staff gave every oppo tunty Of ing
the result OF the action.
therefore embraced the opportunity thus afforded
give direction when needed to the drivers of the anbu
anccs where find rrhc dead and wounded and also 70
those carrying of the woruded where they cond md the
needed conveyance.
Tho srectcrs we're found very useful ant comfortable
to the wounded, and were IN constant roquisoh III con
veyine them to the nearest ambu'ance.
So Ear as am informed, the medical stat belonging TO
the different volunteer regiments discharged their duties
satisfactorily. ! deserved Acting Surgeon Niles basily
engaged dressing wounded men under the shade of tree
Of the field where the fire from the enemy waa
very hot lie addressed brief inquiry as pas scd
relative To the safety of his father. and then resumed his
occupation.
Assistant Surgeon D. l.. Magruder, attached 10 the Com.
mandug Generals staff, did good service in the hospital
church have mentioned and also in two houses near the
church. where tine wounded were paced after the ch'rch
had been tiled. These officers remained bSy engaged
IN Their duties until the encmys cavalry made IL ap
pcaraDce md but narrowly escaped canturc when they
left hrs swift aud Winston. attached 10 The New York
Eighth remained with their sick. sacrificing selfish.
siJer Gus for their own safety order that their wound
ci m gh moi be neglected and arc now prisoners.
an informed that Assistant surgeons Grey aud stems
burg Of the regular army and t'rs Houston aud swan,
Of the New York Fourteenth also preferred TO remain
rather Nmn abandon their charge The conduct OF these
0acerE il worthy of Ill comiaendalion.
would be premature in Inc; N the absence OF sufficient
datHhe reports Of the rcgiuenal surgco%not yet being
recctycd-to express positive opinion as to the number
killed and wounded in the action on the 2lst There
were DO doubt many concealed from Observation under
OF the woods and bushes but Judging from the nui
bers that various parts Of the field, and allowing
wide margin for those Unobservcd should think that
the Killed and wounded oar side did not exceed from
500 to 600
The imWssibility Of making careful survey OF the
field after the battle had ceased mist he my apology for
the hriefncsS and want Of detail IN this report may
mention before concluding that mel on The acid Colonel
Heintzenan United States Army, with a Mime ball il
his arm extracted the ball he "a, ON his horse and
applied the necessary dressings attended to q number
the field, whore from hcmorrhage and other
circumstances immediate attention seemed 10 be ncccs
sary am Sill, very respectfully yoar obedien, servant
". S. KING,
Surgeon and Medical Director. L. s. A.
Captain s 3. Fry, Asst. Adlt Cen, I. S. A.