Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-07-29

~ tA~Ae ~ a eNAAeAl VI NAAAA NAhI ~ hAH
father. Young Patrick is member Of N.
7. Regiment,
F0RT EuETON, ARLISarOH HEIeHFs,
Near Washington, July 20. !
DEAR PARENrs'--ln now take the frst oppor-
tunity Of writing you that have had since
the battle Of Sunday Last. Saturday night
| dropped you hasty note, stating our rogi-
ment was ordered 10 march forthwith. We
started ct o'olOSk A. NJ, and arrived with.
in few miles Of Bulls Run at few min
utes after o'clock, when we heard loud
and plain csnnOnading fOw miles further
on. Our Colonel gave US the word, ''FOr-
ward, quick time" and away we went, all
excitement, TO meet the enOmy 70 our liber-
ties and Conatitntion. We soon arrived at
the scene of action, but were ordered 10 the
rear 50 as TO form q reserve corps, much 10
our disappointment. l happened 70 leave
leave the ranks to obtain better view Of the
conflict, and upon trying 10 find my regi-
ment was unable 10 do so, on account Of the
constant changes the different regiments
were subjected to. After searching for some
time in vain, al the request Of some Of the
boys in the Union regiment, N. Wv, pro-
ceeded 10 the centre Of McDowell's division,
and was soon into the thickest Of the fight.
Ny sensations at hrst were of 1eathly
faintness and slight feeling of fear, but af-
ter few rounds fear and iaintness alike
were entirely dispeIled. We could see but
few of the rebels at first, but were slowly
though surely thinned by terrible FIRE from
two batteries, and we could only tell where
they were by the fash of their cannon, Let
the papers at the North say no moro about
''southern chivalry" and "pOOr discipline"
for the rebels kept up steady hre until the
69th and 79th New York boys, assisted BY
the Ellsworth ZOuAves, charged upon these
batteries and calamity carried them. The
rebels then opened two more batteries upon
our columns, and the regiments who had
taken the other two were obliged to leave
their dearly won prizeo on account of General
Mcdowell neglecting TO reinforce them, as
be should have done. The rebels, after q
severe fight, pretended 10 retreat, and here
was the fatal moUe made. Gen. Mcdowell,
with more than usual sagaeity (2), ordered
the column forward, and the men, like true
soldiers, rushed after them, but were soon
brought to a check by the heavieat fire yet
seen from the front and both Aanks, and
also partly from the rear. This sudden
move staggered our brave fellows almost in
,t.-f1. ,,d - tb;s o-it;oal iupcfura 4ha
teamsters, who had wisely been mixed up
among the soldiers, took alarm at the havoc
Of the rebel cannon and made for the rear,
where they should have been during the
action. At this moment 'sherman's and
Hunts batteries" were ordered TO change
positions SO as to get out of the fire. Some
of our brave COlOnels, at this order, found it
convenient TO give the order to retire; enc
which casts everlasting disgrace upon the
Generals who have assumed the responsible
| ity of attacking the rebels, and upon the
United States. Then ensued a scene which
beggars description. Our troops were scat
tered like flock of sheep, and in their anx-
iety for safety threw down arms, belts, cart
ridge boxes, and in fact everything that
would cucumber their flight. In this, Off
GERS were not slow to follow the example Of
their interiors, and took the opportunity Of
getting their precious carcases out of harms
way. I do not mean TO say that all acted
thus, for many brave officer tried his best
to check the panic.
Col. slocum, Union Reg. N. Y. v, fell
wounded, but bravely rallied and led his
men out from the storm of bullets, &c.
which caused such loss of life TO his and
other regiments. While things were pro
crossing in this manner the cavalry of th,
rebels were seen 10 emerge from the wood
on the left, and they charged and rechargeC
upon our poor soldiers, and of all sights
! God deliver me from ever again witnessing
such one as was that. Tuey were perfec
demons; able and disabled alike, fell unde
their murderous charge. l saw many
wounded man raise his hand in supplicstiOl
to them, but the fiends regarded not thei
! helplessness, but Glove the poor fellow il
twain and passed on to repeat their hellisl
acts of cruelty upon those who were unabl
10 hardly raise their manned bodies from
their bloody couch.
When the retreat commenced, a youn
man named sair, private in our company
met me and begged for a drop of water.
gave him some, and while drinking bull'
whizzed by me and struck him just belO'
the left breast. He fell, exclaiming' "Goo
:, bye, Corporal-revenge," and then deaf
!, sealed his lips. Revenge him did, for b
had proved himself brother to M eve
since the company had been organized. q
had been my most intimate friend and CON
! : panion. left the poor fellow and plunge
. into the woods, and as was retreating
a saw a body of cavalry coming down upc
= our retreating columns, and as they passG
me, ! dropped down among some unde
y brush and took sim at what supposed to
Of lieutenant and fred, The fellow drOppe
70 and the troop passed on except two 9th
a officers, who Immediately disnounted.
- loaded as quick as possible and fred agai
" and down went snoiher officer. The r
of maining one mounted and rushed towa
the spot where lay concealed. He 70,
' 70, and instead Of lying still, as I ought
BE rushed at me, and parried
H.. = $th my ridei he struSk the Sc
OnJ orUI time sGa psrrisd it again.
L s-;od a. eat l,I revolver to FIRE, b
ie i missed twice. thsa threw i away.
= - - .be third time, and
y !. believe would have Glove me If EOsn "
: ed ZOuave, who had just esaWleo = =
the woods for protection, had not fred. :
!. rebel tumbIed from his horse and then VI
to draw revolver, when I stabbed him wi
my bayOnet. He cried quarter but ne 1
none from me. ! stabbed him twice, Wh