The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-08-15
THE ACTION OF THE RESERVE.

tai, carried the Federal Army Into and
through all the perils of the wood, it will
be necessary to get them entirely out
This brings US to the action of the re.
serve, and to the four regiments Of Rich.
ardson. az Bull Run. OF the latter bow.
ever. | have only to say. that he preven-
ted, by bis presence, the enemy from tur-
ming our flank in that direction, while the
New-Jersey Regiments we're safeguard
against our being outcircled on our right,
either at CentreviIle. or by the way of
Falls Church.
The regiments constituting the reserve
under Acting Major Gen. (Col) Miles. l
have already enumerated at the outset,
and the battle, viewed from their position
would consist merely of record of sen.
satiops. At 5 o'slock p. IN, however,
the n Y 10th and 3lst being we'll in ad :
vance toward Blackburn's Ford, were
called upon to stem the tide Of the Vir-
giuia cavalry, who were swooDing at our
retreating forces. An order from Miles,
consequently sent the Let California Re-
giment, under Col. MathesoD On. Y. 32i)
forward to their support; but though the
cavalry was thus turned to the right a.
bout, it was found to be impossible to
stem the mad career of the extraordinary
mass that came pouring back upon Gen.
trevile.
The best that could be done, therefore,
was for the California Regiment to stay
just where it was, and in absence of fur
ther orders, lend what aid it could to the
protection Of Green's Battery, which was
busily plying its fire upon the barrassing
approaches of the Virginia horse. While
the 32d was in this position, the 10th and
3lst having passed within it's range, a
youthful orderly rode up to Col. Mathe-
son to inform him that the Black Cavalry,
sheltered from his observation BY piece
Of woods, were coming upon the right,
and if he would take a out with his regi-
ment across the fields, they would be tur-
ned back upon their erraud.
The evolution was performed. gave the
protection that was desired, shd the Black
Horse gave up its purpose in that qaArter.
While the regiment however, was adhe-
ring to this position, the same youth who
had impaired the previous suggestion rode
up to the regimen again, and told Math-
esou he had better fall back on Centre
vile, as his duty at that spot bad been
thoroughly performed. As this was a.
tout the FIRST sign. OF orders with one
single exception) be bad received during
the entire day, Matheson felt some curi-
osity to learn who this young Lieutenant
was, and whence these orders came; he
therefore turned sharply on the youth,
who, he now perceived, could not be more
than % or %, and said, "Y oung man,
would like to know your naUel" The
youth replied that be was son of Quar-.
termaster General Meigs. "By whose
authority then do you deliver me these
orders - was the Califoruisns next in.
quiry. The young man smiled, and re-
marked, "Well, Sir, the truth is, that for
the last few hours l have been giving all
the orders for this division, and acting as
General too, for there is no General on
the field" This incident is worthy of
our notice among the lessons of the day.
The Californian here took a pew posi-.
ton, nearer CeOtreville, and watched the
crowd as it passed by, re-
pelling, with the aid of Green's battery,
several charges of the hostile cavalry
While thus posted, at 81 P. M, the cne-
my's cavalry sgain showed itself in supe-
rior force. and were making threaten
ing demonstration on the 32d's left. when
seeing the let Massachusetts coming up
from the direction of Bull Run, Matbeson
went to its Colonel (Cowdiu), pointed out
the enemy, and asked him if be would
stand BY him and hold him. if possible in
check. CoRdin quickly seized the Cali
fornans, hand and, as he grasped it hard,
replied, with much notion, tba "his reg
iuent could be depended ou-for they
had no home but mother earth ~
The De Kslb of New York, which had
just come in fresh from Alexandria. also
yielded to Mathcsons command, and thus
the danger, being well provided against,
passed off The three regiments remain
ed in this firm position till the disheart-
ened trail of fugitives from the battle
field had all passed, and thea. acoompa-
MED By Cowdin's and the De Kalb, it
fell back with the rest. Leaving bis re-
giment near Centrevile in the hands OF
bis Lieutenant Colonel, Matheson, who
was still without orders. now went
in search of General, not caring any
longer to perform General himself.
He found Miles and Richardson dispu-
ting for command. but learning that the
former had. been superseded by the latter
through McDowell's order during the
progress of the battle, he took his orders
from Richardson during the rem aiuder OF
the day. That duty, however, was sim
ply to follow the broken and disheartened
columns which poured SO grsndly forth
that morning, back to Fairfax, and thence
also to their camps near Washington
Thus ends the story of the most disa'-
trous expedition which ever followed toe
fortunes of our flag. The only consider.
alton which | 60d in the result lies In the
fact tha, the enemy have proved them