Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-08-02
TIE THIRD

The "a Vermont Regiment. at the Battle
of Bull Run, was in the 81 Brigade, COM
manded by Col. Howard, of the Sd Maine
Regiment, acting us Brigadier General. The
Brigade contained the Sd Maine. Col. How
ard the 18th Maine. Gel. Berry the 9TH
Maine. Col. Dunncls and the 2i We rmont
Col. Whiting. The Brigade was the Sd in
order of the Sd Division. under actins-Maj.
Gen, Col. IIcintzelman, Of the 18th u. S.
Infantry.
The most ~succinct account We have seen
Of the part which the 81 Brigade took in the
action of tie 2lSt, is given by a correspond,
cnt of the Boston Journal, apparently a
member of the Sd Maine Regiment. On
their march TO the field of action. he saws
that about two miles beyond Centreville the
Brigade turned to the right, in order to out
flank the encmy's position and attack in the
rear
Gen. Tylei's division ist Div in which was
the "a Maine, attacked in front. BY order of
Gen. Mcdowell, our brigade halted at the turn
and allowed Coils. franklin and Wilcox to pass on.
The Ellsworth Zouaves were the rear regiment of
WilcoXis Brigade. The guns had now become quite
frequent, and we SAW the rcd-shirted and red
capped Zouaves disappear at double quick. We
waited till noon, some improving the time to get a
little sleep. An order then came TO hurry us for
| ward, and VIC marched at quick step for about 4
~m,los-then tcok a path Through the woods-a
shorter route than the others had taken. Messen-
gers came back saying we were carrying the day,
- -. -. -A,-k 80 I 49, ---
| Mcdowell to go Ut double quick. This was unfortu-
nate. for the men were tired and very much heated
but the order came from the scene of conflict and
We pressed on. When we came near the baltic
ground, we began to meet ambuiances with the
wounded and dying. Col. Hunter Vas 10 1nt ole
severely woundet whom we met. We were Iii len
under cover of the woods where was a hospital. As
soon as we came out the cannon balls began to fy
about US in terrible profdsion. Some of the ofi-
GERS left their horses here, preferring to be on foot.
col. Howard and aids rode at the head of the col
nn-Ma 4th in advance, Vermont I'd next,
Maine 9TH next, Maine Sd in the rear.
The first two formed in line in a ravine and
marched up a hill where there were some trees.
but unfortunately the battery they we're to sup
port retTcated before they arrived, and met them
as they came up. The 5th and Sd formed and
awaited orders. but soon after a body of cavalry
came dashinS down the hill in retreat, and there
Il battery of the enemy opened nearly upon the
right flank of the ravinc. This accelerated the
fight Of the cavalry, and when the cannon balls
began to strike among the ranks of these reserved
regiments, they became somewhat scattered. The
flight OF the cavalry, which indicated a genera,
etrcat operated disastrously upon these men, but
they aiterward rallied, WHEN Col. Howard return.
CD Tor them to come up 10 the support of the two
regiments already advanced to the brow of the
hill. These two had fired about twenty rounds
apiece until their muskets became too hot for use.
"A part of tho Vermont u had rifles, and their
officers desired to halt, saying they could reach
the enemy from that point, col. Howard Consent
cdl this Case, and the Vermont 81 were grati6ed
to sec a body of the enemy's troops flee before
their hre, and retreat along the road to Manassas
junction. Col. Whiting, Vermont %. showed
great GOODNESS and courage, as also did Col. Berry.
Sth Maine, who brought away the flag in his own
hand. The Maine 4th had halted in a line with
the Vermont I'd, but the enemy were so sheltered
ana at a such a distance their firing took little
eject. The I'D and 9TH came up, but advanced no
Iurther. NO order to that effect had come from
Coi: H., but undoubtedly their officers supposed
such tU be the command. Col. H.. made a strenu-
Gus attempt to move them, riding out in front and
urging them on, but once halted it was impossible
10 advance them further, and they were exposed
to a calling fire. Maj. Staples, commanding the
81 Maine. and Lieut.. Burt, brigade Quartermas-
ter, conducted with heroic gallantry, leading on
the regiment. Col. Towards horse was shot, and
shells were exploding about him. The FIRE of our
musketry seemed so utterly useless and the ranks
were so thin that no better course could be takep
than to retreat, as all our forces we're doing. fey
we had reached the ravine again the battery began
to pour down upon US a most destructive fire. We
passed up the opposite hill. Troops were now Hy-