Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-08-16
Fourth Alabama Hsrimons-orrloral Re-

Shendnd0dtl--
SIR: In obedience to your order of the 10th inst
/ submit the following report o. the operations Of
this regiment, Immediately preceding and during the
battle Of the 2lst inst.
On the evening of Thursday, the 18th Of July, we
left our camp near Winchester, and started upon
forced march, across the Blue Ridge, en- roUte for
| Manassas. We marched all that night and the next
day. arriving at Piedmont after nghtfall the 18th
At that point we took the cars ard arrived at
Manassas Junction about nine o'clock on Saturday.
the 10th. Our tents were left st Winchester, and
the supply of food was scant and insufficient. The
men arrived at Camp Walker about 10 O'Clock, A.
NJ, on Saturday, hungry and much jsded BY the ex-
| p0sure and fatigue.
We bivouacked that day and nj g'lt, bsaini1g some
/ food, which. with some rest much refreshed and
strengthened the men.
] OnSunday, the 2lst, Immediately after breakfast
we received the order to "fsl in'' with knapsacks
/ and arms and take up the line Of march towards
where the fire of the enemy first opened. After
marching in that direction some three four miles,
most of the distance in dOuble>quick time. our di
rection was suddenly changed towards the left Of
our line of battle, to which marched, distance
of some two miles, in quick and double quick time.
The day was exceedingly hot, and the supply of
water being small, the men arrived on the battle
field much exhausted.
l suppose 1t was about o'clock A. NJ, when we
reached a skirt of woods about two hundred and
fifty or three hundred yards from the enemy's
line when we halted and formed in line Of battle.
Inc enemy were rlelL IN front OF Us IN OYefpOW-
ering numbers-ShermRn's battery fully command
ing our position, supported by immense bodies Of
infantry.
Hardly had we halted and formed before the or
der came to advance, which we did ih double
quick through the open field. to within hundred
yards of the .enemY's line, where we were COM
manded to shalt and lie down"
The left of our regiment was in the corn field,
and the right in the open field. The fire at once be-
came general-our men rising to fire and lying down
to load.
Our advance was covered by one piece Of srtil-
lery. the FIRE Of whiek dId much to divert the at
tention of the enemy from cur advance movements.
Even in that hour Of peril we could not fail 10 sd
mire the accuracy and effect Of its aim. UnfGrtu-
naely, after three ROUNDS, the horses attached to
the caissOn became frightened and ran of, leaving
the piece without ammunition, and leaving
protected by artillery, except in so far that the
gallant ImbodeD permitted, by the heavy fire in
his 'front.' to yield US occasional shots. Although
they could come but seldom, yet when they did
come we recognized in them the booming 'God
cheer" of Virginia to Alabama.
For an hour and half the 4th Alabama Regi-
ment sustained the most CALLING and destructive fire
Our brave men fell in great number, but they died
as the brave love to die-with faces to the foe fight
ing in the 5holy csu3e Of liberty. Of course, it
is impossible for me to say how many were opposed
to us. only judge from the incessant and tremen-
d0us fire that was kept up, that we were greatly
outnumbered.
The forces intended for our support on the right
and left having been withdrawn for three quarters
of an hour alone and unaided, except by lmbOden's
battery, we held position, driving back three
several occasions, the advancing columns Of the ell
emy and enabling reinforcements to come up At
last out fanked on the right and left and exposed
to fire froHa three sides, we were ordered to fall
back.
Our gallant Col. Jones who, during the hottest Of
the engagement sat conspicuously on his horse, as
calm a statde, giving orders as they came, fell
severely wounded in this movement.
We retired in good order through the woods on
our left and descending hill again formed in Ine
of battle, on a branch which runs through the
vine On our right as we descended the hill, we
observed two regiments drawn up in close column
in line of battle These being quarter of mile
behind the position which we had Just left and
where we expected to find reinforcements, were
confidently regarded by US as friends. They re-
turned our signal, and the point of form
ing behind them, when, as we unfurled our flag,
they opened murderous fire upon our ranks kill
ing some and WOunding many. Among the latter
Lieut.. Col Law and Major Scott, both Of whom had
displayed great gallantry and done much 70 Inspire
US by their.example
Left thus without field officers and almost sur
rounded by the enemy, we again fell back, after
returning in kind and with effect the compliment
of our supposed friends, through pine wood to
an open field where we halted and awaited or
ders. The thirst of the men intense, and al
most intolerable.
At this place, half mile beyond our original po-
ston, amid the bursting Of shells and the rattliDg
storm of musketry our heroic General Bee rode up
to the regiment and enquired what body of troops
were Being told that 'it was what remained Of the
4th Alabama" he replied with an expressive gest-
ure 'this is all Of my brigade that can dnd-will
you follow back to where the firing is going
on?n "To the death, was the response, whereupOn
he put himself on the left of line and marched
US BY the left flank TO where the fight was raging
around Shermans battery. As were nearing
the scene train of artillery that was falling back
cut our line thus separating the left company from
the rest of the regiment. This company, with our
General at its head, obiqued to the right upon the
open plain. and proceeded about 100 yards, when
our gallant and beloved commander fell, mOrtally
wounded. The rest Of the regiment, not seeing the
direction which the head of the column had taken, |
marched straight forward through the wood, ex-
posed at every step to CALLING fire. Deprived, as
we then were. of our BFigadler General, Of our
Colonel Lieut. Colonel and Major, and not knowing
our friends from our enemies, exposed to mur- |
derous fire, with no opportunity of returning it,
we marched back, reformed our line, ana awaited |
orders.
We remained on the field until the battle closed, !
with ranks thnned it is true, but yet always with
a perfect organization.
The regiment was exposed to heavy fire for seven |
or eight hours, and during the whole time, and par
tcularly during that portion of 1t when they were
actually engaged, the officers and men exhibited the
most admirable GOODNESS and gallantry.
l cannot refrain from mentioning the gallant con-
QuCL OF MdJ nOWdIu Tic VI 'NSAi. DSCs
He was ever where the fire was hottest, and though \
wounded remained on the field until the close of the
action.
Such sir, is a succinct account of the opera
tions of this regiment called for by your order.
The list of the killed and wounded, hereto ap-
pended will testify that the regiment did not shrink
from sealing with its best blood its devotion to the
cause.
We rejoice at the glorious victory which was won
on that ever memorable field, but over our exalta-
ton there is thrown the pail Of private sadness by
the death and wounding Of those we loved
1t would be iRvidious if it were possible, to emu
merate individual acts Of heroism, where every i
man did his duty. CAPT. GOLDsHY, 1
Commanding Regiment