The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-07-31
Ar Csn,rsv;lla ne saw a sight that thrilled our

At Centreville We saw sight tnat tniiiieo oof
blood and which can never be efaced from our
memory. We knew that the right, wing OF our
army were compelled TO retire, but that II was
utterly routed it was impossible TO believe
A continual stream of humanity was pouring |
in from the battle field. Officers could IND no
companies or regiments. and men could ind no
officers. They had thrown away arms, clothing,
and everything that would ease them on the
march. Here was one with an arm shot of, an
other with bulle; through his shoulder, another
was dragging himself along with ball through
both legs. Here came an officer, Colonell be-
Eeve. with a wounded man in front OF him, and
another behind, holding both on the horse; here
comes another squirting his horse on and riding
down the poor fellows who had not strength
enough to get out of his way.
Here is the n Y l3th,"" here is the Maine
5th,"" here is the Pa 4th," cry out officers OF
the respective regiments. stationed at the road
side with a bunch o: twenty five or thirty men
each, and these woe-be-gone, spirtless, unarmed
men, represent those splendid regiments of the
morning. For three hours | stood by the way
side observing these martyrs TO the mismanage-
ment Of would be military heroes. Many drop
ped bv nv side, and in broken accents related
the horrors of the battle field and described the
manner in which their comrades had been slaugh-
tered. Others begged pteously for water, food,
and safety, while very few spoke only of the
sweetness of revenge that would some time be
| tasted in the future.
| We then sought some supper, though these
sights had rendered US sppetteless, still We must
eat as We knew there was hard work before US.
We've about to retire for the night, that is lie on
the wet grass without coat, blanket, knapsack or
| iacket-all having been lost on the feid-when
the busle sounded the assembly, and We were in.
formed that we must cover the retreat of the fu.
gitive Grand Army.
| About Z. NJ. We took up our army march
for Washington, distant u miles. We were al.
ready worn out by weeks incessant marching
and watching, and this lew order was certainly
depressing to our spirits, especially as most of us
were opposed TO further retreat, but thought
we could hold our position.
We marched all the time in close order and
held ourselves in readiness TO repel an attack
which was momentarily expected from the rebel
cavalry. The regiment returned to Washington
about noon Mondsy-the last of the Grand Ar
my OF occupation. We think we did our duty
as TT girnent. On the days of both battles We
were the first On and the last off the field Col
Mcconnell endeared himself to the hearts of his
soldiers by his gallant and noble conduct on the
field of battle. None now doubts his ability.
During the cannonade our regiment was lying
on side hill, some smoking, reading, writing,
gagged at a game of euehef. 1.-THE enemy "
and in less time than | can write it, writing ma
terial, papers, pipes, &c, were lying in the dirt
aud We were ready to receive the charge.
very few very quiet folks might have been seen
with blanched cheeks ard quivering lips indicat
ing sad want OF material called 81 back bone
The following is the names of those of the Viii
Hams rifles who We're in tae ranks and ready 70,
duty on Sunday-the remainder were either sick
or managed to be detailed on special duty: Jas
B. Ten Eyck, Mason, Thayer, Ellis, Jerome b
Ten Eyck, Foster, Church, Price, Newman, Blan
Patterson, Goodale, Watkins, Charles Shaft, VIM
Shaft, Mathews, Mcclure, Benson Shattuck
Murphy, Ellsworth, Trimmer, Chas Clark, Con
ely, Keits Stall. Marsh, BrisselI, Boyce, Weirs,
Kent, Badger, Weller, Lackey, Ross, w. II. Da
Wis. Geo W. Davis, Billing, Chas. Lewis. Higgins
Amsey, c. Johnson. n. l.. Johnson, Americas
Miller, Alexander, Hammond, Richards, Cottrsl
Claws, Crane, Brooks, Case, Halbert and James
OF these Mason, Patterson, Keits, Kent, W. II
Davis al d Charles Davis left before night.
Our loss is variouslv estimated at from one to
four thousand. | think the former figures are
right or nearly so. Some person is responsible
for this terrible loss. That our retreat should
have resulted in a perfect rout is a disgrace to
American arms and valor, and though we NAV
and doubtless will wipe out the rebels, We can
never wipe out this stain, let alone healing the bro
ken hearts that may be :ound in thousand fam
lilies throughout the north.
Some eight or ten of our boys have furnished
themselves with rifles, and it will not be long ere
We can again be called Williams Rifles, provided
they will give a fight every day or two.
Among the incidents of the day was the cap.
ture of Benson, Shaft and Van Wormer, of our
company, by four rebel scouts; they discovered
the boys, and they showing too much pluck to be
marched into the rebel camp, let them 60 1t is
presumed they made pretty good double quick
time from that to camp.
am really too tired to write any more. Hop.
ing may never have occasion to write as above
again, am yours truly,
| FRANK.