The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-07-29
:si BATTLE At BULL RUN.
LETTER FROM MEMBER OF THE SEVENTY.
NINTH REGIMENT.

IL
ARLINGTON HIGGINS, July -, 1901.
DEAR BRoTHER:-We attacked the rebels on Sunday. We
got ready to march at two O'Clock the morning. and
marched along another road from the where the bat
tory we attacked before situated We crossed bridge
which they thought was undermined where were put
ON double quick for about mile 10 get Of range
Of the batterythe Seventy NINTH Sixty ninth and the
Indiana regiments. Generals Sherman and Tyler In
command They fled us into the woods and marched us
right forward in line, and we secured the woods
and hunted the cowardly dogs into their dens
We then opened batteries the rebels, who
were In large force all around We had
three four batteries with u.s. including Shermans They
shelcd the woods in which they had dozens of masked
batteries which seems 10 be their forte. The Sixty ninth
then ordered to charge and the Seventy ninth fol-
lowed them up the hills through gueys
waist deep, and the enemy playing on us from dozen
points with canister and SHE'LL but double quick
up tho hills, where their infantry waiting for us,
when fred and charged them, and drove them from
their position and followed them up the way till
disodged them from three POSITIONS when for
the first time as high they We then brought
forward two Of batteries and fred few shells,
when Sherman ordered the infantry forward to the
charge. The Sixty ninth were sent round to the
right OF it to flank the rebels, and the Seventy ninth
with the Second Wisconsin TO back sent the
charge This after nearly every regiment except us
had been sent up and cut to pieces However, went
forward and charged on them, when they poured SHE'LL
canister and balls into like hail. but tho Second Wis
consin ran back except about twelve of them which
with u.s. The cowardy rebels then hosted the Amer
can flag on one OF their forts when supposed
friends had taken II which went around TO flank them
The then forward to follow them up but when
within few yards Of them they opened their guns again,
and poured shell and canister right into US, and
then thousands Of infantry, firing at tho same
us with old muskes, we had TO fall back and while re.
treating another masked battery opened upon US and
can assuse you we had very hard time of II. When
close to the fort could have taken it had the
Second Wisconsin stood by The rebels then poured
their cavalry out Of the woods after when had
fall back on the main body. They shot all the horses
from batteries, and we were unable to take them
back, the rebels took them and turned them against
US, when we had not single piece hardly to cover
retreat. Then the rebels poured out large force Of
fantry, about 1000, to follow up, and without
single regiment in reserve we had to retreat all In
fusion The United States regulars, and those of Sher
mans battery the of their horses gaoped
on, eavng their guns to the rebels
From where the battle was fought 10 this place Is
about thirty miles, so we had pretty long march Of it
We commenced our retreat about four Sunday after
noon and arrived in our camp Monday morning. you
can imagine how we must feel But must not forget
dear old Colonel. He shot dead before fred
second round he stood out front Of and waving his
sword ordered charge bayones which were the last
words he said. Nearly all officers were either killed
wounded or taken prisoners We have but about egh, left
out OF our complement Thirty five of our company
missing All the other companies in proportion Our cap
tain is missing We believe he is captured The sixty.
ninth had their colors taken but they CALAMITY reook
believe is taken prisoner. Malcolm shot In the
head, but not very serious found him In the hospital
which lay between the two armies The coward rebel dogs
fired into and sheled the hospital which full Of wound
ed men, The last report that heard that they had
set fire TO it. stood sentry there while regiment
retreating, and whenl left brought Malcolm with He
Ii now in Washington John Stratton also wounded
and taken prisoner They made him tako hold Of the sad
die and run back with them threatening to shoot him
but seeing some officers they dropped him and made
after them so he escaped, and Is safe II would be
well TO let his wife know Of this Our company the
ms ain Gapftr alv
and uncle John White Is Third avcnue) had TO lead
the company and no did il well you lie is now
missing saw him after the battle, all sound but he
sad behind TO assist the Captain suppose they
both taken prisoners by the rebel cavalry They very
fond Of taking officers and have doubt that this
been their fate the regiment pursued by the
cavalry for considerable distance, and officers
not seen afterwards Uncle had about hundred dollars
in gold hmthe very thing the rebels like. am sorry
that did not ask some Of II from him
Psi have since learned that one of our men
talking to uncle just when taken by the rebel cavalry
W.