Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-07-26

The latest private intelligence from the
sixth regiment is to The 22d inst, the morn
ing after the great battle. From a letter dated
at Camp near Relay House," we gather the
folowing:-
"The feelings of sorrow which fill the breast
of every soldier in our army, in consequence
OF our defeat in Virginia, is deeper than can
describe. We hear the story of the terrible
battle from those who witnessed it, and from
several who were in the hottest of the fight
We have here now, as prisoners, two OF the
Fire Zouaves who escaped to washington
from the field OF battle and thence took the
cars this way, completely exhausted and de-
morazed We took them as deserters. They
say they came away because they could not
! find their regiment and lad no officers to di'
rect them One of them received seven balls
through his clothes, but was not much wound
ed. They describe the scene as horrible and
say there seemed to be no end to the masked
batteries. We have probably exaggerated ac-
counts Of the rout, but solemnly believe, and
it is the universal opinion here, that the lie
ment in rushing our troops forward before
they were ready for such a movement-which
was made, not because Gen. Scott thought the
time had come, but in consequence of the cla-
mors of editors and politicians. Secondlf,
made more serious and disastrous by the near
proximity of inexperienced and cowafdly wag-
oners, and hundreds OF civilians, members of
congress, &C., all of whom became very much
frightened, and by their conduct before the
troops, creating a paLic, which could not be
controlled by the officers"
81 met a secessionst, last evening He re-
joiced over the news, and advised me to go
home Yes, said l. our time of service has
expired, and we may go home, but many will
return, and those who do not will find ten true
men ready to fill their places told him he
had only seen the beginning of the glorious
uprising that when one man fell in battle ten
men would rush forward to avenge his DEATH
ing at home 2"
Sunday and Sunday night was in com
mand ofthe coast guard, and about one clock
at night we received the first news of our de.
feat, and at the same time, Col. Jones received
orders by telegraph to get his regiment ready
for instant service l Immediately caused the
camp to be alarmed, and it really looked good
to see with what promptness the soldiers seized
their muskets and rushed to the line. Col.
Jones announced the contents of the dispatch
and asked if there was any man in the regi.
ment who would run from the enemy under
any circumstances unless he was ordered? A
loud mo" with loud cheers rang through the
lines. Said he-"If one man thinks he will
run let him step out and will discharge him
at once" He then told us we should proba-
bly, receive instant orders TO 90 to Washing
ton and meet the enemy. Said he, "Will you
stand by me like men?" A loud Eyes" was
the response. "Good," said he, II did not
doubt your bravery, or your disposition, but
It does me good to hear your determination
from your own lips" The men were then
supplied with forty rounds of cartridges and
caps, filled their canteens with water and their
haversacks with bread and raw pork, and then
waited orders. In an hour and half, word
came that we should not be wanted at Wash
ington, and SSeli s ttifie,aaLe axetoppapt of
---scu- from using ONE bottle oil your riss'----@,
cohtem tal-4.e-'"" every kind eve our men would
rather die the field OF battle than run be-
fore an enemy.
The Lowell band are with us, and when the
alarm was given, instead of taking their brass
instruments, they seized all the odd muskets
they could find and scattered themselves
among the companies, prepared to fight. Their
brave conduct has made them many friends
here.
Many of the regiment are anxious to get
home, so that they may re-enlist in other regi,
ments, and tile delay in sending US is rather
aggravating to their feelings"