The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-14


,ob,s 10 ire ...eared only occasionally the
cu,@ -eular formations, but to serve as marks for
n's guns. The prestige Of success had thus far at
tended the efforts Of inexperienced but gallant troops
The lines Of the enemy had been forcbly shifted nearly
milo to their left and rear the flags Of eight
regiments, though borne somewhat YEARLY,
now pointed towards the hill from which
the dsordered masses of rebels had been hastily
retiring Grifn's and Ricketts, batteries were ordered
by the commanding general to the top Of the hill on our
right supporting them with the Fire zouaves and ma
rines while the Fourteenth entered the skirt Of the
wood On their right to protect that flank, and o
column OF the Twenty seventh New York and
Eleventh and Fifth Massachusetts, Second Minnesota
and sixty-nnth New York moved up towards
the left flank Of the batteries but so soon as they
were in position, and before the thanking supports
had reached them murdcrous fire of musketry and rifles
opened at pistol cut down every cannoner and
q large number Of horses. The fire came from some in
fantry OF the enemy which had been mis-
taken for our own forces officer on the Geld
having stated that it was q regiment sent by
Colonel Heintzelman to support the batteries The
courage Of the Zouayes prompted them to Are
hundred shots, when they broke and fed leaving the
batteries open to charge Of the enemys cavalry which
took place Immediately The Marines also spite of the
eKerohs Of their gallant officers, gave way in disorder.
The Fourteenth the right and the column the left
hositatngly retired, with tho exception OF the Sixty.
ninth and Thirty ninth New York. who nobly stood and
returned the fire Of the enemy for fifteen minutes Soon
the slopes behind swarmng with retreating
and dsorganZed forces whilst rderess horses and
siery teams ran furiousiy through the flying crowd All
further efforts turtle. The words gestures and
threats Of our officers thrown away upon who
had lost all presence Of mind, and only opged for
absence OF body. Some Of nobest aud best officers
lost their lives in the trial to rally them upon first
position The Twenty seventh the first to rally under
the command OF Major Bartlett, and around it tho other
regiments engaged and collected their scattered frag
The battalion regulars in the meantime moved
nm n no
ston where it held the entire forces Of the rebels in
check until our forces were somewhat rallied The com
handing General then ordered retreat upon Centreve
At the same time directing me to cover with the batta
lion Of regulars, the cavalry and section Of artillery
The rear guard thus organized followed our panic
stricken people Cenrevie resisting the attacks Of the
rebel cavalry and artillery, and saving them from the
inevitable destruction which awaited them had not this
body been nterposed. Among those who deserve spe
cial mention ! beg leave to place the following
names, viz Captain Griffin, for his GOODNESS and
prompttude in action, and for the handsome manner
which he handled his battery; Lieut.. Ames. Of the
same battery, who after being wounded CALAMITY served
vas helped on and or caisson in changes Of position;
Capt Tillinghas Assistant Quartcrmaser who
present where his services needed carrying ORDERS
| and finally, have to state with the
deepest sorrow, was MORALLY wounded Major
Sykes and the officers of his command, three OF whom
Leuehants Latmer, Dickerson and Kcntwere wounded
who by their discipline steadiness and heroic forttude
gave ecdt TO our attacks upon the enemy and averted
the dangers of final overthrow; Major Palmer and the
cavalry officers under him who by their daring inrepidy
made the effectiveness of that corps all that it choud be
upon such field in supporting batteries feeling the enc.
mys position and covering our retreat Major Reynolds
Marines, whose jealous efforts well sustained by
subordnaes, two Of whom-Leuenant Major Zeilin and
Lieutenant Ealewere wounded and lost his life
Colonel II. W Slocum, who wounded while leading
his gallant Twenty seventh New York the charge and
MAJOR j. j. Bartlett, who subsequently commanded it
and by his enthusiasm and vaor kept in action and out
Of the panic His conduct initiated by his subordi
mates Of whom two-Captain IL G. Rodgers and Lieu
tenant H. c. Jaeksonwere wounded, and EnsgnAsa
Fark-was killed In the last attack Colonel NJ Wood,
Of the Fourteenth New York State Militia, wns
and c.. f. Baldwin, and Leutenants ]. A.
Jones, R. Salter R. A. 9oodenougn c. scholes and
Adutant LadIew The officers OF the Fourteenth espe-
cially Major James Jourdan were distinguished by their
display Of spirit and efficiency throughout the action
Surgeon Charles Kenny of the Medical department who
by his professional skill proPtitude aad cheerulness
made the eondn OF the wounded OF the Second division
comparatively comfortable. he assisted 70 great
b. Howard fourteenth New York State Militia acting
higadier QuarterInaser by his jealous attention duty
brought the wagons Of my brigade safely Arlington
barng the entire engagement received extremely valu
able aid and assistance from my adesd camp, Lieuts
nant =. rrowbrage aud Lieutenant r. NJ Bache bosh
OF the Sixteenth infantry The STAT ofcsrs Of the Sec
ond division, viz.:-Captain w. d. Whppe, IicueRants
Cross and Faer served after the fan Of Colonel Hun
ter, and am indebted them gallant aud faithful ser
vice during tina day Captain Whiyele had his herse killed
under ha by Cannon ball Acting Assistant Adutsnt
General Lieutenant w. W. Avoreli SUSTAINED fhe high re.
puatisn he had before won for himself brave and
sklsu aicor, and to him very greatly indebted for
ad and ASSISTANCE NOT Gully in performing with the
uutrrS VI Position, but by
exposing himself most feariessiy in raiSing and
Leading forward the troops. He contributed largely
TO their general effectiveness against tho enemy de-
desire to call the attention OF the commanding general
particularly TO him. In conclusion beg leave to submit
the endorsed return Of killed. wounded missing in my
brigade. Since tho enclosed reports were handed
IN many Of the missing have returned, perhaps
onethird OF those reported. fhe enclosed report
Of Colonel Burnside, Commanding Second Brigade, was
seat to me after the a1pve written. While ree4ec
hvg calling the attention Of the General Commanding
II, would also esk leave to notice misconceptions
under which the Coiene Commanding the Second Brigade
seesss 10 have iabored at the time Of writing his reor
first Of his agency in the management formation Of
the second division the field second time that
his brigade was entirely out Of the ASTON with tho ex
ception Of the New Hampshire regiment third, Of the
Positions Of his brigade in the rctrca. and partcu
larry of the position Of the Seventy first New York
regiment, as nc may have mistaken the rear guard
orga'azod under my direction by your orders for the
cnomy Captain Arnold battery and tho cavalry were
directed and placed their positions by my senior staff
officer up to the time when Colonel Henizeman ordered
the cavalry to the front Of the column
Very respectfully your obedient servant.
A. PORTER,
Colonel Sixteenth infantry, Commander.