Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-01-16

AN ACCOUNT OF LIEUT.. w. H. RAY.
NOR,S CAPTURE. IMPRISONMENT
AND ESCAPE-FROM BULL RUN To
RICHMOND, AND PRISON LIFE.
AT the engagement at Bull Run. Ju.
ly eIst. 1861, the First Ohio Regiment
being in front, arrived at the battle
field about six OF seven o'clock, A. NJ,
deployed 10 the left Of the road, and
there waited for the attack to be COM
menced, by our other divisions, on the
enemy's flank.
About ten O'Clock it was advanced
and formed in line of battle in an open
field, where il was Immediately fred
upon by battery Of six guns in posi-
ton on the opposite side of the creek,
about 500 yards distant. 1t was then
ordered to fall back into the woods,
where /. was exposed to the fire OF the
battery for some time. The whole
brigade was then ordered back to its
old position, near the large Parrot gun,
which had been at work all the morning.
doing deadly execution, as was after
wards learned. The regiment remained
here on the Warrenton road, which
crosses Bull Run at the Stone Bridge
which bridge was reported to have
been mined by the rebels-until three
O'Clock, P. NJ, when the brigade
(Schenck's) was ordered to cross the
Run, at point one half mile below,
and a corps of pioneers, three hun
dred strong, were ordered to the
brigade, with a bridge already formed
to throw across. the Run being unlord-
able. While waiting on the pioneers,
they were exposed 10 severe fire from
battery Of the enemy, stationed on a
commanding eminence some distance to
the left.
In order to shield the men as much
as possible from this FIRE, Col. McCook
ordered the 1st Ohio to shield them
selves under the bank and in the raw
inc along the road. The Colonel re-
marked that the men "would have to
lay here two hours, exposed to this fire
until the pioneers got the bridge up
This precautionary movement Of the
Colonel, in sbeltering his men, saved
them from heavy loss; for the ed N.
Y, in the rear of the 1st Ohio, lost
great number from being exposed uu-
necessarily. The men were exhausted
from the heat and excitement Of the
day, and their march in the morning,
and we're suffering greatly from want
of water. Lieut.. Raynor, being unwell,
(having been carried from the ranks
during the review. tie Saturday pre-
vious, from the effect Of sun-stroke,
and still suffering therefrom, asked
permission to go for water to pond, at
the left of the regiment, which he had
observed during the day. The Colonel
told him to go by all means, and re-
marked that he was foolish for coming
to the field in his sick condition.
When on his way to this pond, (some
two hundred yards distant, he met the
Brigade Quartermaster, Lowery, and
Assistant Adjutaut General Dom Piatt,
who directed him to house, a short
distance further, where they said, was
well of good pure water. On the way,
he was overtaken by Sergeants Cox
and Jones, of the Portsmouth company,
who, seeing his condition, assisted him
along, Cox taking his sword and belt.
As he was much exhausted, he stopped
to rest under tree, not far from the
house then being used by the surgeons
as a hospital. While sitting under the
tree, the cry was raised: 1.-THE rebels!
the rebelsp On looking up, he saw
long line of their cavalry coming at full
charge, making for the hospital. at
which were probably two hundred SOL
diers. getting water at the pump
Lieut.. Raynor asked Cox for bis sword,
took it and buckled it on, Cox said,
"Come on, come on; you can do moth
ing" Raynor answered, 81 will do
the best l cam" This was the lsst
time be spoke to any Of his company.
Sergeant Cox was taken prisoner in
this charge, but escaped and Joined his
regiment as 1t marched back past the
hospital. Lieut.. Raynor then turned to
face the enemy, who were coming at
full gallop. He drew bis revolver,
gained new strength, and felt ready for
The encounter. When the rebels arrived
within twenty yards, several horsemen,
Immediately in front. discharged their
shot-guns at him. He singled one out,
fred, and the horse fell suddenly,
throwing his rider, with his gun still to
his shoulder, over his head. The other
barrel went off as the rider struck the
ground. It was loaded with buck-shot,
one Of which passed through his cloth
ing, and another struck him on the foot,
inficting severe wound. This wound
numbed and deadened his foot, and
caused him to drop on his knees. In
an instant the cavalry dashed by, like a
whirlwind: and as they rassed, Lieut..
Raynor discharged his revolver again,
but with what effect he does not know.
About the same time. he was struck
over the head with a gun, as he sup
posed, they having no swords, which
blow rendered him insensible. The
next thing heremembers is, his raising
himself on his elbow, when be found
himself lying near dead horse, and a
rebel pulling his csnteen of. AS he
raised up, the man, who was holding a
horse by the bride. and had bis revol.
yer, sword, scabbard, cap, &C., under
his arm, Immediately mounted and rode