Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1861-08-08
CAMP TURxHILt, Va,
JnlH 9Rth 1851.


July 28th, 1861.
DEAR FATHER: I am again back to
our old camp. opposite to Washington.
on the Potomac. The grand army, as
you have doubtless heard ere this, was
beaten by the enemy before Manassas,
and completely routed. I cannot de-
scribe TO you the scenes and events Of
our march to and from the battle field.
| was with a battalion Of Regulars,
numbering about 500 fighting men. un.
der command of Maj. SYKES. a Mary
lander BY birth, but true and loyal
soldier. Four of my classmates were
with me. and four Of the class which
graduated just before us--also two
captains who were my instructors at
West Point for three years. Our lit
tie battalion was on the field seven
hours. and is the only one that never
left the field after entering it, until the
final retreat.
We won the victory at first, but
while the rebels were falling back we
saw in the distance immense volumes
of dust raising, and knew they we're re-
Inducements. Johnson's column came
upon US just in time to turn the waver-
ing scale. Our volunteers fought well
at first, and wherever they met the.en-
emy on equal grounds, they repulsed
them. BY some means panic was
created among our troops-whole reg
iments threw down their arms, and run
for their lives. When defeat became
inevitable, Gen. Mcdowell said the
safety Of the army depended on the
Regulars. and ordered Maj. Sykes, our
commander, to cover the retreat Of the
volunteers. Our little band was sur
rounded at one time by their cavalry,
artillery and infantry. but we fought
our way out, and while interposed be-
tween the retreating volunteers and the
pursuing enemy, we were subjected to
the most terrific fire. Maj. Sykes was
all through the Mexican war, and says
he never saw anything like it. Two Of
our officers were taken prisoners; they
fell wounded, and our retreat was so
rapid we had to leave them. / will not
attempt to picture to you the battlefield,
your imagination will suggest 10 you
what horrible sight it is to see over
one hundred thousand men, on a single
plain, engaged in deadly encounter. i
never expected to get off the field. i
expected to fall every moment-men
were falling all about me-legs and
arms, flying in every direction-the
groans Of the dying. and screams Of the
wounded are still in my ears.
You can form no conception OF the
rout of large army. We marched
forty-seven miles that day, without food
and without water and rest. We were
so sure of success. that all our cooked
rations, blankets, DC, were left in the
enemy's rear. the point from which our
column attacked. Twenty-Five or thir-
ty pieces Of artillery. large number Of
muskets, blankets, knapsacks, DC, fell
into the hands of the enemy, besides
many army wagons filed with muni-
lions. The rebels are now lowering
over Washington, and an attack IS hour
| ly expected. They had better not be
too emboldened by their success. l
think they lost two TO one in killed and
wounded.
Gen. Mcclellan is here to supersede
Mcdowell.
would like to come home and see
you all before we make another advance.
because being with the Regulars, who
never run, do not expect to ever re-
turn from another campaign.
hope you will get the trunk sent
you. Ny diploma and other valuables
are in it; should fall, my army trunk,
containing many valusbles, is stored at
- in Washington. Ny effects would
be taken charge of by the War Depart
ment, but in case of difficulty. you will
know where to apply. l win do my
duty, and if the fortunes of war result
adversely to me, 1 will leave a good
record.
Your affectionate Son,