Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-08-27
The Fifth Virginia Regiment in the Battle
of Manassas.


The Fifth Virginia Regiment in the Battle
of Manassas.
Early Sunday we were aroused by the drum
beating the long rol and we Immediately form
ed in line Of battle. Soon the enemy colnmen-
ced heavy cannonading en- cur right, which
our accomplished Generals soon discovered to be
feint made by the enemy to attract our atten-
ton in that quarter, while their real attack
would be made on the extreme left. We were
Immediately ordered to take position several
miles to the lett. We had not been in position
long. before it became evident we were in a
warm neighborbood. The enemy's artillery, just
in our front, bur hid from our sight by a skirt
Of woods and an elninence between US, thunder
ed forth its deadly missiles, and presently, too,
the sharp, ringing crack of the rifle was heard,
showing that the advance guard of skirmshers
had met. Cavalry scouts could be seen, gallop-
ing within the lines, when terrible voley of
musketrj, immediately IL our front, assured us
that the call had opened, aud the fight had com
nenced in risht good earnes..
Between 0 AID 10 O'Clock A. NJ, the enemy.
in tremendous force, advanced his right against
our left, with tie view OF turning our LETT wing
and getting position in the rsar of the juno
tion." They We're met by several South Caro-
lima regiments GGcluding Hampton's Legiou) and
the Alabama 4th, our regiment (the 9th Virgin
| ia) being held in reserve; but soon we were or
dered forward to sapport the 4th Alabama. On
our way to take position On a hill we were met
| by por, ion OF a South Carolina regiment vino
had been compelled to fall back by an noverwE ell
ming force, and who informed Us that the 4th
Alabama was being literally cut to pieces Here,
also. we met two pieces OF the Washington La)
Artillery retiring, having expended their stock
of ammunition. This was by no means encour-
aging, but we felt the necessity tor greater exer-
ton on our part, a. d forward we rushed to the
assistance OF our friends. Amid perfect show
er OF inusketry and cannon balls the command
to halt and lie down was given, as it was impos
sibie for us to return the enemy's fire, they be-
ing completely sheltered by the bill. Not being
able to return the enemy's fire, or even see them
our men cried out to be led forward or taken
back to the foot of the hill but our gallant Col
Harper assure! Us that he haa no orders to sd
vance, but was directed to occupy this position
until the enemy should make their appearance
when we were to fire and charge baycnets.
| Finally, the order to advance was given, and
under perfect shower of shell and shot we a.
rose and started up the hill. A portion of oul
regiment misunderstanding the order, we were
thrown into temporary confusion but soon raj
lied, and our gallant Major W,n S. H. Baylor
taking the lead we rushed forward and gained
the position on the hill behind some old houses
Before We gained position, however, the Fourth
Alabama Regiment had been compelled to re-
treat, and we found ourselves face to face will
a powerful force Of the enemy, and conspicuou
among them was the famous Ellsworth Zouaves
Just in onr front was the Second New Yorl
Regiment. On the left of them the Zouave
were stationed, willie on our right, and complet.
| ly tlankin;s u.s. was the First or Second Main
Regiment. We fired telling volley of musket
ry into the regiment in our 'front.' which drove
them rapidly to the rear. This drew the ire o
those on our left upon as, and while engage,
with them, the Maine regiment on our right
(whom we supposed at first to be friends,) adyan
ced rapidly upon us, and sheltering themselve
by lying down pehind a fence, they poured
most destructive fire into cur ranks. and her
some of our best and bravest men fell Here til
noble and brave Billy Woodward exclaimed, .
will never retreat Give me liberty or give N.
DEATH" His lips had scarcely given utteranc
to these heroic words, when ball pierced hi
brave heart. 1t soon became evident that Will
our single regiment it was impossible to main
tain the position, exposed as we were to centr
aRd two raking Hank fires from at least four time
our number.
We etherefore fell back 20 skirt of woods som
hundred yards in the rear, where we were joiuet
J Ii,
fought so gallantly snd suffered so terribly at til,
house on the hill before We came up A portion
of South Carolina regiment also Joined in will
Us here, and during the rest Of the evening ",
fought side by side.
| In every part of the field the contest now rag
ed, and desperate Efforts were made by eaci
party to gain some decided advantage, withou
apparent success, though they greatly outnum-
befed Us, and | looked on st the terribly ant
desperate strife without being able in my owl
mind to determine which would be victors.
Greatly to the encouragement of our brave
troops, who were so heroically struggling agains
superior numbers, several fresh batteries made
their appearance end took position Oh an eini-
nence just to our left.
These opened upon the enemy, whose mair
column was sheltered behind gradually slopine
hill thickig covered by small timber, and pro
tectec oy part of the celebrated Sherman Bat
tery. 4 tremendous cannonadlng now toob
pace that-far surpassed anything ever ilnagin
ed. it appeared to me as if Heaven and eartt
were Delng rent asunder, 80 terrible was the
orasa anu roar OF the monster Instruments o
death. Several times the enemy attempted tc
rally for charge on our batteries bat when
ever their lines came within the terrible dischar
ges of round shot and canister from our batteries
swept them like chaf before the wind, their
long and sple didly formed lines fairly melting
away. Yet the tremendous force before u
seemed not to diminish, and every inch of ground
was contested with sullen and determined force
our brave troops fighting with renewed euergy
and igor Being parched With thirst and al
most exhausted, ran down to what appeared
to De branch or mud hole, and drank copiouslg
OF the muddy water, and was Just returning tS
my regiment when | met Gen. johnston. whe
inquired OF me to what regiment belonged
| tod him. He then inquired how Gen. Jack
sons brigade was getting along. told him we
were lighting bravely and well, but against large
odds, and needed help. He at once said 60 ioio
your regiment and tell IL am Il, h1ll tho;. =.