The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-20
THE BATTLE OF BULL RUN,
OFFICIAL REPORT OF MAJOR WALTON, OF THE WASH
INGToN ARTILLERY, ON THE ACTION OF HIS COM
HEAporARrERs WAsu1xcroN ARr11 ERy !

HEADQuA RTERs WASHINGTON ARTILLERY
NEAR STONE BRIDGE, BULL Run, July %, 1861 !
GENERAL-I have the honor to report On the morn
ing of the 2lst instant Sunday the battalion of WASH
ngton artillery consisting of four companies number
ing 2s4 officers and men, and thirteen guns-sx 6pound-
ers, smooth bore four IL pound howtzers and three
rined 6-poundcrs, all bronze-under my command was
assigned to duty as follows:--
Four l2pound howtzers, under Lieutenant J. 7. Ros-
ser, commanding Lieut. c. c. Lewis, Lieut.. C. II. So-
cumb, and Lieut.. H. A. Battles with Gen. Ewells second
brigade at Union Mill Ford.
Two 6pounders smooth bore, under command of Can't
b. Miller Lieut.. Joseph Norcom with General jones'
third brigade at McLains Ford.
One ried six FOUNDER and smooth six FOUNDER I'M
der command Of Lieutenant j. J. Garrett, Lieutenant L.
Adams reported sick after being engaged in the battle
of the 18TH inst with General Longstreets Fourth bri
gade, at Blackburn's Ford
Five guns-three mooth sixpounders and two rifled
pounders-under command Of Lieutenant c. W.
Squires, Lieutenant J. B. Richardson Lieutenant j. b.
Wilmington, with Colonel Earlys Fifth brigade then
bivouackng near McLeans farmhouse--thrteen guns.
At about seven O'Clock on the morning Of the 21st
order communicated to me to follow with the bate
ry under Lieutenant Squires the brigade of General Jack
son. then on the march towards Stone Bridge Every pre-
paration having been previously made, the order to
mountsvas Immediately given, and the battery moved
forward, arriving at Lewis farm house, just
in time to receive the first fire from the enemy's guns
then in position near Stone Bridge here l was
ordered to halt and await orders from General Bee.
Shortly after halfpast eight O'Clock A. NJ, detached
two rifle guns, under Lieut. Richardson and took posi-
ton about half mile to the left Of Lewis farm house.
where the enemy found in large numbers Fire was
at once opened by the section under Lieut. Richardson
came perous that he obliged to withdraw, firing
whilst retiring until his guns out of range when
ho limbered up and reported to In this engagement
one Of the enemys pieces was dsnounted by shot from
the rifle gun directed by First Sergeant Owen, first com.
pany, and other serious work accomplished. Now,
under directions OF Gen. Cooke took position in battery
on the hill in front Of Lewis farmhouse my guns direct
cd towards Stone Bridge, where reported the
my about attack Shortly before ten O'Clock or.
ders communicated TO me to advance with my battery
to point which Indicated near the position lately
occupied by the section under Lieut. Richardson Here We
nj pnr nnpd Ara a,;n
guns against artillery and the six FOUNDERS with round
shot SPHERICAL and canister against infantry scat
tering by our well directed fire. death, destruction and
CONFUSION In the ranks of both the enemys artillery
would frequently get range, advanced by hand 10
the 'front.' until finally the battery upon the Of
the hill entirely exposed TO the view of their artillery and
infantry At this moment their fire fell like hail around
us, the artillery in front Of position evidently suffer
ing greatly from the concentration Of fire from my guns
and those of the battery right and notwithstand
ing we were ut this time subjected terrific fire Of in.
fantry on our left my guns were rapidly and beauti
fully served by the cannoneers and with much compo
sure and silence US they are when upon the ordinary daily
drill.
The batteries of the enemy on our front hav-
ing become silenccd and the fire Of the infantry up
on our left increasing, considered il prudent to
remove my battery from its then exposed condition,
being nearly out OF ammunition (somc OF the guns hav.
ing only few rounds left in the boxes) the order to
Timber TO the rear consequently given and my bat
teries, followed by the batteries on my right
moved to s first position upon the elevated ground
Lewis farm house. AT about one O'clock nearly
can now calculate, Lieutenant squres detached with
ec SIX pounues ana TOOK position near the ROAD leading
to Stone Bridge from Lewis house. and directing against
the enemys artillery, which had opened fire upon
our position from the vicinity of Stone Bridge This Are
having been seneed by some guns of Colonel Pendle-
ton and the section Of my guns under Lieutenant Squres
we discovered from the position the hill the enemy in
full retreat across the fields range Of my rcd guns
when opened fire upon their retreang columns which
was continued with admirable effect scattering and
ing them to spread over the fields in the greatest
confusion, until was ordered to desst by General
jackson, and save my ammunition for whatever oc-
cason might now ARISE subsequently, was permitted
by General Johnston to open fire again, which now
after having obtained the range like target practice
exactly did each shot do its work The enemy, by thou
sands, in the greatest disorder double quick, received
our fire and the fire Of the Parrot gun of the battery along
side dealing terrible destruction every discharge Thus
ended the battle of the 21t the last gun having been fired
from one of the rifles of my battery.
The guns of this battery, under command of Captain Nil
Ter with general Jones' brgades and Lieutenant Garrett