The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1861-08-15

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No enemy appeared in force in my
front with a disposition to assault, but
about this time a heavy column of in
fantry appeared to the left. of Col.
Davies, in a ravine, moving up. to the
attack. This brigade opened heavy
fire upon them, and gallantly drove
them back, as he informed me after
wards. During this firing, which was
shortly after 5 o'clock, received or
ders from Colonel Miles, through one
OF. his staff, to retreat upon Centerville;
and endeavor to hold that position. /
immediately collected together my
brigade, and put it in motion on the
road TO Centeryille, and, was at the
head of the Second Michigan regiment
in rear of the brigade, when staff off.
Ger proposed to me to throw my regi-.
ment in line, face towards the enemy,
between the house occupied the night
before by Hunts battery and the Union
and Centeryille road, upon which road
the enemy was supposed to be advanc-
ing. | had gained position near the
desired point, when l was met by Col.
Davies, who informed me that he had
beaten the enemy handsomly in front.
| told him bad been ordered back to
Centerville by Colonel Miles; that the
rest of my brigade. had gone on, and
tina. had been directed to 90 to that
point with mY regiment, for the purpose
of facing the enemy there, which. had
done, and Col. Davies went, as / sup
posed, to his brigade. Soon after this
was met by staff officer of Gen. Nc
Dowell's who told me to put my brigade
in position on the left of the road from
Centerville TO Blackburn's ford, and
stretching towards the Union and Cen
terville road, facing the enemy. Other
troops had also fallen back to this point
distant about mile from Centerville
-and at about o'clock P. M. Captain
Alexander of the corps of Engineers,
directed me, by the order of General
Mcdowell, to take the general arrange
ment of the troops at that point in my
own hands, he suggesting as good
line of defense between piece of
woods on the right and one on the left,
the line facing equally towards the
enemy, who were supposed to be COM
ing either on the Union or Blackburn
road. Il Immediately formed that line
as / best could of the regiments near
est the position, placing the men in the
ravines, and the artillery, as much as
possible, on the hills, in the rear of the
infantry Before Captain Alexander
gave me the last direction, / learned
that Col. Miles had altered the position
of some regiments which had placed
before, especially the Third Michigan
regiment which had ordered to form
close column by division, to remain as
a reserve, and await further orders
from me. The officer in command of
the regiment at that time, Lieutenant
I Colonel Stevens, (Col. Nc Connel being
unwell, but on the ground, immediate
| ly executed that order, and put his reg
iment in close column.
i went to some other part of the
| field, and on returning found this regi-
ment deployed in line of battle and in
another position. immediately in
quired of Col. Stevens, the reason of
their position being altered He told
me that Colonel Miles had directed this
movement. / asked him why? Colo
mel Stevens replied, 81 do not know,
but he had no confidence in Colonel
Miles," 1 inquired the reason why
Colonel Stevens answered, Because
Colonel Miles is drunk" That closed
the conversation / sent Col. Stevens
back with his regiment, to form close
column by division, as at first. 1 then
reported to Capt. Alexander, that /
had been interfered with in my dispo-
sition of troops during the day, and ]
could not carry out Gen. McDowell's
orders as long as was interfered by a
drunken man. Captain Alexander
, then answered that Gen. Mcdowell
now vested the whole disposition of the
troops with me, and that must use
my own judgment. went to place
another battalion in line, and was
met by COL Miles who ordered me te
form the regiment in another direction
l replied that " should obey no more
orders that he might see fit to give me- >
Colonel Miles then said, Colone
Richardson, / shall put you in arrest
| l told him" Il never would obey his ar
! rest, and that he never could put me
in that position" Col. Miles answered
!, that he did not understand. this. ]
| said nothing, and went on with further
, disposition of the troops, which wa:
done accordingly in the next diagram
| As soon as the line of battle was wei
(. formed, the enemy's cavalry made it.
' appearance on the Centerville ant
3 Manassas road, and l ordered Lieut.
5 Benjamin to open his rified cannon
upon them, which he did, and the cav
. airy disappeared after few shots. i
9 was now nearly dark, and the troops
|. encamped in their present position
/ About ten o'clock P. M. Gen Mellow
: ell informed me that retreat was re
f solved upon that the troops must b
started on the road to Fairfax as soor
5 as possible, and ordered me to move las
e and cover the retreat of the army il
j my brigade. / told the General ]
!, would do SO, and would stand by hin
!. as long as any man would. Ileft will
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