The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-10

opposing icrcn dispersed This point being
an the enemy retiring in confusion before the
SUCCESSFUL charge OF Colonel Hcntzelman's division
Whdr ew my brigade into the woods in the Of the
line Tor the pr0se Of supplying the troops with ammu
niton, which had become well nigh exhausted. The
Second regiment New Hampshire Volunteers sentfor
ward TO assist Of Colonel HentZemans brigades at
that time three quarters Of mile distant and driving the
enemy before them. The battery Of the Second Rhode
aed unou hs 1rn asS G
upon the force which Colonel Porter was engaging
The encmys infantry having fallen back two sections Of
Captain Reynolds battery advanced and succeeded IN
breaking the charge Of the cnemys cavalry which had
now been brought into the engagement.
u nearly -four O'Clock y. N. and the battle had
continued for almost six hours since the time when the
Second brigade had been engaged with everything IA
vor Of our troops and promising decisive victory when
some OF the regiments engaging the enemy upon the ex
treme right OF our ne broke and large numbers passed
disordery by my brigade then drawn up in the position
which they last held. The ammunition had been issued
IN part, when was ordered TO protect the retreat The
Saventyhrst regiment, New York State Militia
formed between the retreang columns and the enemy,
by Colonel Martin and the second regiment Rhode Island
Volunteers, by Lieutenant Colonel Wheaton. The First
regiment Rhode Island Volunteers moved out into The
hed at the bottom Of the GORGE near the ford and re-
NAMED for fifteen minutes, until general retreat was
ordered The regiment then passed TO the top Of the
HILL where Joined by the remainder Of the brigade,
and formed into column Large bodies Of straggeIs
passing along the road, and 1t was found impossible
TO retain the order, which otherwise would have
been preserved. Yet the brigade succeeded retiring
In comparatively good condition, with Arnold q battery
Of artillery and Capt Armstrong; company dragons
bringing up the The retreat continued thus until
the column was about emerging from the woods and
erng upon the Warrenton turnpike, when the artillery
and cavalry went to the 'front.' and the enemy opened Are
upon the retreaing mass OF men, Upon tue bridge crossing
Cub run shot took effect upon the horses Of that
was crossing The wagon overturned directly in the
centre Of the bridge and the passage completely oh
structed. The enemy continued TO play his artillery
upon the train carriages ambuances and artery wagons
that filled the road and these reduced to The
artillery could not possibly pass and five pieces Of the
Rhode Island battery, which had been safely brought, OF
the field here lost Captain Reynolds is deserving
Of praise for the skill with which he the lives Of
his men, The infantry as the files reached the bridge
furiousy pelted with shower OF grape and other
shot, and several were here killed dangerously
wounded AS was to be expected, the whole column
thrown into confUsion and could not be rallied again
for n distance Of Two or three miles.
The brigade reached Ccnlreve at nine O'Clock 7. NJ.
and entered into the several camps that had been
pied the night before, where the brigade rested until ten
O'Clock when in pursuance OF orders from the General
commanding, the retreat was continued. The column
reached Washington about nlne O'Clock A. NJ Monday
morning when the several regiments composing the bri
gade repaired to their respective encampments.
In the movements Of my brigade upon this unfortunate
expedition, was greatly assisted and advised by his Ex-
ceeucy Governor Sprague who took active part the
conflict and who especially effective in the direction
and Of the battery Of Light artillery attach
ed TO the Second regiment Rhode Island Volunteers It
would be uvidious mention officers OF the different
corps who distinguished themselves upon the field for
cooncss and bravery where all performed their duty
well. cannot feel usthed in specifying particular IN.
stances Of hdeity The officers and were prompt
steady and brave and performed the several parts as
signed TO them n the NEST gallant manner.
Our lCss has been very The Second regiment
particularly sCrercd greatly. The death Of Colonel So-
cum Is css uot only 10 his State, which mourns
the death q most gallant and merorous officer, who
vold ksvs dcn- credit 10 the service while his promi
neat Abilities 4 soldier would have raised him high in
TIE r-5iv estimation He had served with me as Major
q TIE FRS. regiment OF Rhode Island Volunteers and
-a<1 BE- wAs transferred TO responsible position.
ri that his had been thus secured, the
ecsri y his c-nLry HIS associate, Major Balou, of the
sls regiment. wss deserving Of the highest sommenda-
il4- A. ersV- soldier and a true man.
tlgGA ErHe-. Q: the Second regiment, Rhode Island
TeiCSeers received his death wound at the very
-z-reprrenl q. the battle He was young brave and
A.. f-z1s. Captain smith, OF the Second Rhode island
Volunteers MSS known among for his many good qua
lEss q bead and heart. Lieutenant Prescott, of the
FRS. Rhode Island regiment, also killed in the earyl
rSl-t Of The action, while CALAMITY encouraging his
pany. He was a noble heerM Christian man, whose
memory will be fresh in the hearts OF his friends
Among those who arc missing have 10 mention the
names OF Lieutenant Knight, Of the First regiment Rhode
Island Volunteers, and Dr. James Harris Of the
regiment Both arc men whom VIC Can hardly afford to
lose, and trust that some may be taken by
which their fate may bo known. Or. Harris esre
cially active upon the Hcld Of battle dressing fhc
wounds OF disabled soldiers, and knowing DISTINCTION
between friend and foe, treated the cneny's wounded
own troope. He is probably prisoner. Other officers
might be mentioned, had the data al hand 70 specify;
but have not yet received reports osa the Seventy first
New York and Second New Hampshire Volunteers.
append list Of casualties SO far reports have been
received is a sad duty TO record defeat, acconpa
MED with The loss OF many valuable lives Bi detea,
should only make more faithful still 10 the great
OF humanity and civilization in order that every Disaster
victory.
have the honor to be- very respectfully your obe
dent servant,
A. R. BURNSIDE Colonel Commanding