The Nevada Democrat., 1861-08-20

The California Regiment at ManRsss =.
The S2d regiment ofN. Y. volunteers, be.
ing composed mostly Of old CalifOrnians, ls
called the California regiment. II is CON-
manded BY Col. ROderick Matheaou, and
at the battle Of Manassas was among the
regiments in the reserve. Col. Miles, who
commanded the reserve, was too drunk to
know what was going on during the day, but
at 5 o'clock P. NJ. be did order Col. Mathe-
sons regiment forward to support the N. Y.
10th and 3lst in a movement to stem an adj
vance of Virginia Cavalry. They succeed.
ed 10 turning The Cavalry to the right abous
and then the SD, in the absence of further
orders, held it's position to render such aid
as 1t could t0war0s the protection of one OF
our batteries which was playing upon the
enemy's horse. While the SD was In this
position, the 10th aud 3lst having passed
within its rage, a youthful Orderly rode up
to Col. Matheson TO inform him that the
Black Cavalry, sheltered from bis observa.
tion by piece Of woods, were coming up
on the right, and If be would take q cut
upon their errand. The evolution was per.
formed, gave the protection that was desir.
ed, aud the Black Horse gave up It's pur-
pose in that quarter. While the regiment
however, was adhering to this position. the
same youth who had impaired the previous
suggestion rode up 10 the regiment again,
and told Ma heson be had better fall back
on Centreylle, as his duty ut that spot had
been thoroughly performed. As this was
about the fret sign Of orders with one sin.
gle exceptiOn) be had received during the
entire day, MatheAon felt some curiosity TO
know who this young Lieutenant was, and
whence these orders came he therefore
turned sharply on the youth, who he now
perceived could not be more than % or 23.
and said, "Young man, would like to know
your Damep The youth replied that he
was the son Of Quartermaster General
Meigs. "By whose authority do you deliy.
er these orders ~ was the Californian
next inquiry. The young man smiled and
remarked. "Well. sir, the truth IT, that for
the last few hours have been giving all
the orders for this division, and acting az
General, too, for there is no General on the
! FIELD"
The Califoruians now took new position
near Centreville, for the purpose OF aiding
in protecting the retreat Of our forces.
While thus posted, at ca =. NJ, the enemy's
cavalry again showed itself in superior
force, and were making threatening dem
onstration on the 32d's left, when, seeing
the lst Massachusetts, coming up from The
direction of Bulls Run, MathesOn went ID
its Colonel, (Cowdin,) pointed out the enc
my, and asked him IL be would stand by
him and hold him, If possible, In check.
COwdin quickly seized the Californian's
hand, and, as be grasped II hard, replied,
with much emotion, that "his regiment
could be depended on---for they had no
home bat mother earth !"
The De Kalb Of New York, which bad
Just come in fresh from Alexandria. also
yielded to Matheson's command, and thus
the danger, being well provided against
passed of. The three regiments remained
In this firm position I'LL the disheartened
trail Of fugitivee from the battlefield had
all passed, and then, accompanied by Cow
dn's and the Dc Kalb, 1t fell back with the
rest. Leaving bis regiment near Centre
VILE in the hands of his Lieutenant Colonel
Matheson, who was still without orders, now
went ia search Of General, not caring any
longer to perform General himself He
found Miles and Richardson disputing for
command but learning that the former
had been superseded by the latter through
McDowell's order during the progress Of
the battle. he took bis orders from Bicbsrd-
con during the remainder Of day.