The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-08-09
Our War Correspondence
MARCH TO THE BATTLE FYELD-THE BATTLE
DREADFUL SCENES-BEHA VIOR OF COL.
G0RAAN AND LIEUT. COZ. MILLER-DE-
FENCE OF THE REGIMENT, &c. &c. m
From our Regular Correspondent.

From our Regular Correspondent.
.s CAMP GoRMAN, ALEXANDRIA,
.-.. July %, 1861.
returned here last night with sore feet,
lame limbs, wet through, indescribably ex.
hausted, and heart beating with rapid pull.
sations for our losses and reverses in the
battle at Bulls Run. Partaking of refresh
ments at the hands of our colored cook, we
retired to rect, and this is the first opportu,
nifty have had to address you faint descrip-
ton of the scenes of terror through which
we have passed.
l will begin with the beginning. On
Saturday last we were all encamped at Cen.
terville, and at noon we had orders to pre-,
pare for march at P. M. At this hour
we had our three days rations in our hav.
ersacks, our muskets discharged and reload
ed. and standing in our ranks, when the or
ders were countermanded so far as to ex-
tend the TINA till 2 o'clock next morning,
when after good rest we rose and acoutera
ed and equipped as usual for march.
The morning was bright and the moon cast
its silvery rays over beautiful landscape;
the atmosphere cool and pleasant, and every
thing around US calculated to make US buoy
ant and hopeful. The column formed in
line and passing through Centerville, and
We were at once upon our march for the
battle field. The sun rose on Sunday in
all its glory, and all nature, as we progress.
ed through woodland and fields, seemed
aglow with fragrance and beauty.
On arriving into an open field, the occaS
siOnal reports of artillery which we had
heard at intervals grew louder and more
frequent ard in the distance we deserted
the smoke that arose from the battle field
Here we halted little to fill our canteens
with water-a highly commendable move
as the day grew warm and sultry. Here
we shook hands with some of Company &c"
Second Infantry Regulars, which We reliev-
ed at Fort Ripley just as they were about
to proceed in advance to the battle field,
then three miles distant Instantly we
were again ordered to fall in, and in quick
and double quick time, under the burning
rays of July sun, over rough rocky road,
over hills and through valleys, we approach
ed the battle field, the roar of artillery and
musketry growing louder and louder every
moment. We were first brought into field
in the rear of the battle and afterwards under
the lead of Col. Heintzleman brought right
up into the battle, passing regiment after
regiment, or rather remnants Of them, after
they were cut up under the destructive fire
of the enemy and as we passed along the
edge of the hill where the battle had tor
hours before been raging with fury, and
cannon balls and shells still scattered about,
we saw the field covered with dead horses,
and men carrying away the dead, dying
and wounded. 1t was terrible sight to
see, but at that time it made little or no
impression on US. Our brigade was march.
ed over little ravine and up hill, where
we were formed into line of battle, our
regiment on the extreme right, and the Fire
Zouaves on our left, with Ricketts, battery
in the centre. Here the bate ragged with
fury for upwards of two hours, in the course
of which two other regiments were brought
to our aid but the once retreating enemy
was reinforced with fifteen thousand of re-
serve force, and they became too formida~
BILE for our shattered ranks. Yet our brave
men did not yield before an aid of General
Heintzleman came up to order US to retreat
into the woods, with the words, "Why do
you stand there to be slaughtered by the
enemy?" Simu ltaneously with our retreat
the whole column began to move to the
rear, and precipitous retreat of an unor-
gained army was the result, the enemy pur-
suing to harrass US in the rear. Rickett' s
battery was left On the battle field. The
sight that met every eye for moment,
when retreatipg down the bill, miraculously
escaping from the stream of musketry, ar
tllleTy duu SuciiS) WhiCu lOTHtu Tue parting
salute from the enemy, was horrible beyond
description. There lay the dead, rddled
with musket balls, in every conceivable
condition, some with the skull pierced and
brains scattered on the ground others sew
cred in pieces with cannon balls, and the
wounded and dying suffering intense ago.
MES, who called in vain for succor from
those who could but save themselves by
fight. 1t was sad picture, and will carry
sadness and sorrow to the hearts and homes
of thousands throughout the North, who
have lost father, SOD, a husband. a
brother or friend, at the battle of Bulls
Run.
In the rear of the battle field the woods
and fields were strewed with knapsacks,
haversacks, blankets and other garments,
thrown aside in the hurried march into the