Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-07-29
A Statement from Col. WuIra,h.

HEADoUARTRRs TWELFTH NY. Volunteers
CAMP OF THE ONoNDAGAs, ARLINGTON, July "a
loOi.-EdHoT Washington Star: Sir-After INV
arrival from Bull Run with my regiment, I
perused the daily papers published In Washington
giving accounts Of the recent battle and was
astonished to find such an account OF the affair
published In your paper from especial correspon.
dent" rejecting in severe terms upon the courape
OF my regiment, both officers and men. on that
occasion. The whole matter as reported IN vopr
paper Is untrue, and it would be doing Justice TO
all concerned that you give publicity to tue fol-
lowing statement OF facts they transpired
More could be said of the affair that ought to he
made known to the public, but il would implicate
certain omcers OF high positi in the service
ana would be contrary to rules governing the
inferior towards his superior. However, a court
OF inquiry will bring the facts before YOU. AT
about noon OF the 18th instant, our brigade was
posted in rear Of Sears battery on hill overlook
ing mick WOOD, In which the enemy Were
hidden from view and waiting our attack.
After considerable cannonading from our bat
terry, which was replied to by the rebels driving
the skirmishers from the woods in double-quick
time, two companies Of the LIST Massachusetts
regiment were ordered to attack them In the
woods on their left. They marched gallantlv to
loss Two Held pieces, under command of Cant
Bracket, Were then sent in, and met with Zach
deadly reception that the pieces were in DANCE,
OF being lost One Of their men being shot ono
OF the men OF my regiment Immediately advanced
anu look MS place at the gun. NV command was
tnen ordered TO form near the woods in line of
pattle, on the left OF body Of cavalry which WAS
drawn up under cover Of another piece of woods
near the scene OF action. A person In citizen,s
dress, with shoulder straps then rode I'D from the
woods In great haste, and urged us forward To
sustain his battery and prevent It's loss had M
Lieutenant Colonel present and was near the rich,
OF my regiment. The Adjutant, who was near
the centre, asked him who he was and he ,.pl;.a
that he was Capt. Bracket commanding the hat
terry. At that moment saw Colonel Richardson
commanding the brigade, approaching, and 70,
piled to Capt. Bracket that IL II was Col Rich
ardson's orders to advance 1 would do "a Col
Richardson addressed US, saying. 6. Move fo,.
ward, New Workers, and sweep the woods
Immediately gave the order to " Forward - who,
the battery came rushing out of the woods and
broke through our line followed by grape and can.
lister from the enemy
My command moved steadily forward into the
woods and low thick pines and brush. which
vailed everything In front beyond few mace. and
had proceeded some twenty or thirty rods when 3
murderous fire Of musketry, grape and canister
was opened on US. We returned the FIRE. and
ordered my command TO fall, and load and q 70
lying. They did SO, returning. several vollIes
The enemy continued to pour In their fire from
force which must have been quadruple our mum.
Der, to say nothing Of their battery Yet nv men
returned the fire, till one Of the line officers CAV.
the command to retreat, when the center and left
rapidly fell back. As soon as I discovered tn,
mistake, tried to rally the men on the colurs but
the murderous fire being kept up, they would no,