The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-08-01
letter from DIR. Arndt-Ra,tIe of
NHamasSas

We have been permitted TO make the following inter-
estng extracts from letter from Dr. p s. ARNpr Asst
Surgeon in the End Wis. Regiment
CAMP PEcE, AT FORT CoRcoRAN, va, July 25, '61
now have little leisure and will give you sketch
of our last We started from our camp near
CentreVle, Sunday forming, shortly after O'clock
After Regiments had passed on the road ahead of
u.s. cur regiment fell in and began move for the scene
of strife, which about four miles distant We fell in
in the rear of the entire column with our ambulances
counted, as they passed. in ALL q regiments of Infant
ry 80 guns in batteries and do know the number
of Cavalry. 1t was the most splendid and imposing
sight ever witnessed, or expect to see again
We halted near the battle ground; which was about
five miles from where the battle was fought on the 18th
The battle ground series of hills and valleys and
nearly all covered with thick growth of timber and
brush. The rebels had for circuit of miles around
planted masked batteries. Our army advanced eau
tiousy; chose their position and think about O'clock
opened fire them from guns. After firing short
time they opened their batteries upon us from several
points, and we continued fire steadily and kent m
our advance After awhile Infantry we're brought
into action, and heavy experienced on both
sides. AS our advanced the rebels would retreat
their batteries, and themselves in their
rifle pits, where they comparatively safe except
when they raised to fire. Our would watch closely
|
more One Of Capt. Langworthy's men, whose gun wo'd
not carry quite far enough would jump over the fence
behind which our regiment was concealed and run
ahead few PAGES and deliver his fire. ami scarcely a
time without bringing down his man; finally he shot,
ana ms dying words were, Tel my folks shot in
the back, but not running away Another of our men
who was an excellent marksman watched for of the
rebel commanding officers When he showed himself
he hred he saw him drop from his horse and Just as he
had remarked to his comrade, Eve brought him to the
groundn shot hit him in the head and all he said was
'Oh, GodP and fell back dead. But must not parcu-
arize might fill column of isolated deeds of bravery
like the foregoing.
trey neglected or forgotten kept driving them
from their batteries until IN advance could pick
up shot and shell without hunting much after them We
mad located our hospital at log house. about two miles
from the general engagement and the first wounded ma
brought in was Lieutenant of the 69th N. Y Reg't-
skull fractured by bursting she'll At noon the house
was filed with the wounded brought Off the field And
still the fight went on without moments interval until
nearly O'Clock, L. NJ, when our army retreated, SIM
ultaneously with theirs. Could we have known how
badly they cut up bold push would have given
us the most complete victory record But as it was
both sides seemed willing to quit for the day.
Our troops were so completely exhausted with heat
thirst and want of food, coupled with the extreme "a
tigue of the fight that retreat was not made in a.
good order would have been for safety and when
our army had the rebels charged on US with
their cavalry, which, ! am told was 5000 strong aut
did us very serious damage. 1t was but mouentariIy
for our flying artillery wheeled upon Them and dscharg
ed broadsde down the road, doing them most terrib
havoc, and they willing ourselves to retreat
Ii during this cavalry charge that 1 made yer,
narrow escape, they charged right in upon US ant
fred-their bullets flying thick as hail. II live to b
as old as Methuseah never shall forget the pecuia
humm ing sound of bullet flying past my ears. 1t wa
at this charge also that Doctor Lewis either killed
taken prisoner and Doctor Irwin very near bein
killed At this time was giving Capt. Strong of Ra
cine, swallow Of brandy; he was lying stretchel
complet ely exhausted-and think in consequence the
missed u.s. After Doctor Irwin fred shot the cava
ry man that wounded him, the horse the rebel whee
ed and ran the road with hsrder dragging tn
1t stirrups The Doctor will always have an honorab
scar and in the forehead at that After this we hustle
along bac k for Cenireyine, and when we came to Ii
10 high bridge crossing Bulls Run, most unexpectedly
masked battery poured into grape shot, never sa
so much destruction in short space of time keI
alongside of the artillery the t, and as we wei
descending to the bridge and when within fifty feet Of
the first shot fred killing horses and riders and heal
ing them up in promscuous ruin, The weight of Il
guns pushing forward would pile top ofthe othe
expected to see the opposite shore alive, and
sprang behind stone wall next to and lag there
I'll the 2nd shot was hred, which came in less tine tha
| could tell you by writing. 1 then sprang forward an
leaped over the bank, where L was for moment out
range of shot; then waded through with han
ing my coat talhe water being only three feet dee
and the stream about forty feet wide When reache
10 the opposite shore, rushed with all my remaniI
strength into the timber which proved protection,
lie got Cenreville about dark. gathered up u
Mt wounded who had rereated from the field
them all into building had occupied for hospit
on 18th, dressed all their wounds and got throu;
ABOUT half past 10 O'Clock, VIII en- accidentally
on Surgeon Hamilton, who informed me that geuer
had been ordered and advised go with hi
"a right back to the hospital, woke Up Capt. Ian
- worthy Lieut.. LIE Fetch aud three other of Wco
sin boys that knew able to travel and START
for the fort the Long Bridge opposite Washington
&c slung haversack had picked up the field over
% shoulder, with a few biscuit, took my instrumeI
dy under my arm and drew imaginary line for Farfa
We passed through early the next morning and reach
the Fort at Long Bridge about noon on Monday maklI
st in all travel OF over IS miles foot and without
% ring to rest on the way, made triumphal entran
"t with my three wounded men, and Capt Clinton who
or card enclose, rendered the hospitaities OF II
-, soldier had good dinner and he gave me a Der
'eu when laid down and slept till the next morning
urs Surgeon Lewis is certainly prisoner If moi Killed
was twice taken prisoner and escaped and Wien Is
up seen was surrounded by rebel cavalry with both his
in tolls drawn, saying to them" Come on You Sons
oro B-s l am good for twelve of yeu." Doctor r.,
- attacked by ayalry man and ordered to SUR,
all der but refused to do when the rebel fired ais nj,
at him, cutting through his cap and Tounding him in
forehead. TIE Eoctor having Sharp's Rife in his h,
al the tune, drew up and shot him dead One of our
5 men was in baggage wagon, when cavalry msa ca
. up caught him by the Lar, hauled him Gut md ran
r sWer3 thrcpzR hun,