The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1861-09-11
THE BATTLE OF MANASSAS.
OFFICIAL REPORTef COL. KE,RsH-4 u
Headquarters I'd Palmetto Regt, S. c. v. !
Vienna w. July g6 1861 {

Headquarters I'd Palmetto Reg't, S. c. v.
Vienna, Va, July 26, 1861.
GENERAL have the honor to submit q
report of the operations of the troops un
der nv command in the engagement nea
Stone Bridge, on the 2lst inst
About noon on that day, received ar
order TO move to Lewis house, some three
miles distant, TO the support Of Col. Jack
sons brigade, then engaged with the enemy
with nv own regiment, that of Col. Cash
and Capt. Kempel's battery. These troops
with the exception of Capt Perrymah'
company, Of my regiment, were at once
put on the march. AS we neared the road
it was perceived that the passage Of troops
indicated to the enemy on the north side o
Bull Run by the clouds Of dust, had attrac
ted dangerous fire of rifle cannon, and
directed the march across the fields. Capt
Kemper was directed to precede the column
to Lewis, aud await my arrival.
Arrived in The vicinity of Lewis, large
number of our troops were met, returning
In disorganized condition, and giving the
most unfavorable accounts Of the aspect
of affairs on tho field Col Miles, of G en-.
Beaurcgard's staff met me, and to hasten
onr march, and informed me that Hnmpton's
Legion had just engaged, and that the enc
my had acquired decided advantage.
Soon after. orders were received from
Jnht,atnn tn apfo fha E.li b., l,rt
Of Lewis Turning to the left, we passed
over hill through u thicket Of woods, un-
der a fire Of shot and shell from n battery
directly in the line Of our march. which
wounded several, and killed one Of Our men,
Emerging from tho wood into an old field,
near ravine with rising ground in front,
formed limo Of battle, preparatory to enter
ing the field at point which seemed to in.
dicate the left Of the line Of fire, which was
very heavy in front, and con stantly increas-
ing, and which | supposed to be directed
upon Hamptons Legion. Before Col. Cash
had got into position upon my left, it was
perceived that the firing had passed still
further to our left, and covered the whole
front OF my regiment, rendering i. necessa-
ry 10 move the whole command in that d.
rection by flank. This movement had
just been made when tho line of fire made
corresponding change, rendering a still
further movement necessary to avoid what
supposed to be the line of our troops in
front of US. ! therefore broke 10 the
right into column, marched to the left, and
formed on right into line. When my regi
ment had formed. the men wcSe made 10
lie down to avoid the shower of balls which
was passing over US, while Col Cash wns
conforming to the movement.
At this moment the head Of regiment,
marching by flank, passed 10 the right of
my regiment and partly over my right
wing, led by an officer who was said to be
Gen. Smith. Immediately rode up to the
officer, and desired him to form on the left
of Col. Cash. Before he could respond, he
received n ball in his left breast or shoulder
and his men commenced firing to their front
and right into the wood from which the
shot came, and formed burriedly ih front OF
my right wing.
Col. Cash having to form in thick
wood, had not yet got into line, hen 1
staff officer gave me the valuable informa
ton that road on my lsf', leading perpen
diculary to tho trout from my line, wouls
bring me into fanking position upon tn.
enemy. Desiring to avail myself of th,
position, immediately ordered my regi
ment to the front in line obliquing to tn,
left, to avoid the regiment which hat
formed partly in front Of my right, and di
rccted Col Cash TO follow as coon as pos
sible. The left of my regiment rested OIL
the road to which | have referred.
Reaching fence which skirted the ron,
in front Of US, which then found o be il
full possession Of the Zouaves Of the .nem
l oiderd charge, which was responde,
TO by shout from the whole regiment =
They swept through tho wood, broke IN,
dispersed the Zouaves, and opened deadl,
fire upon them as they Aed across the field
leaving behind them q battery Of six siee
rifled cannon, which was Immediately il
front OF my right wing In the open ground
The fngitives rallied in a field On our lef
across the roed by which we had directes
our march, where formidable force sp
peared strongly posted 90 a commapdin1
eminence.
immedlxialy changed frons forward oi
.I..| y.
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