The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1862-09-12
Bravery of the Wisconsin Regiments
The I'd, 9th, and 7th Lost 40 Per Cent
of their Men in One Action

The following account of the gallant
conduct and severe loss OF three of our
Wisconsin regiments is given by CORES
pendent of the New York Herald in
letter written on the battlefield of Bull
Run on the LIST. The I'd was commanded
by Col. O'CoNNoR, Lieut.. Col Luclus
FAIRcIILp, and Major ALIEN, and is the
same regiment which fought at Bull Run
a year ago. The 9th was commanded by
Col CUTLER and Maj. BRAGG, aud the 7th
by Col. robinson and Lieut.. Col HAM
ILroE. They were attached to KING's di
vision and GIBBONS brigade:
Among the troops that have been en-
gagged in the recent contests near the field
of The struggle of July, 1861, is one
brigade, the bravery Of whose movements
l shall endeavor to depict in the follow
ing few remarks:
Gibbons brigade, of Kings division, on
Thursday afternoon lef. their temporary
camp and marched from Centrevile along
the main road leading to Manassas juno
ton. 1t had not marched more than 8
miles from the former place when the ad
vance guard of the brigade were suddenly
attacked by superior force Of rebels
The advance guard Immediately retired
until the brigade came up, the enemy silt
advancing upon them. Brisk skirmishing
ensued, which was continued some time.
A sharp engagement commenced at half
past p. M, between the brigade Of Glib
bons and the enemy, who were in greatly
superior force. The rebels advanced from
the woods,.with terrific yells upon Gibbons
Wisconsin boys, who were stationed at
the edge of field, which was skirted by
another wood opposite that from which
the rebels came. The rebels poured
fearful fire into our men as thsy came on,
yelling and threatening to overwhelm us.
The brigade received the fire coolly,
though it was most destructive, and Gid
not respond until they had advanced some
distance into the clearing, and at point
blank range of musketry and artillery
Then, and then only, was the word of COM
mand to commence firing given.
Hatch's and Doubleday's batteries were
with the brigade. The rebels had also a
battery.
AS soon as the Union troops had receiv-
; ed the first fire from the rebel infantry
and allowed them to come in proper range
for an effective and destroying fire, the
,, command was given to fire. Nobly did
the Wisconsin brigade sustain their repu>
tatiou.
A perfect sheet of flame issued from the
batteries and the line of infantry, carrying
death and destruction into the rebel ranks,
, and causing them to recol.
The discharge was not too much. how
, ever, to prevent their being speedily raj
lied and brought into condition to give the
brigade of Gibbons another CALLING dis
charge from their artillery and infantry
which literally seemed to NOW down our
ranks.
Not a sign of panic was visible in the
actions of our men, but they closed up
the places occupied by the killed and
wounded speedily, and advanced with q
will on the enemy, who were approaching
from the open field, apparently conscious
6 of victory.
Our infantry fired as they went on will;
Hatch's and Doubleday's batteries poured
the decmating grape, canister, and sphe
rical case shot into the rebel ranks, caus
ing them 20 break and take to the woods
in double quick time, there to seek cover
from the combined fire which our infantry
continued to pour into them.
: For considerable time after their un
cereim onious skedaddle into the woods. the
D batteries OF Hatch and Doubleday con
{ tinued to shell the woods in which they
found shelter. Gibbons did not deem i,
, advisable to follow them with his small
force into an unknown position, and con-
: tented himself with holding the fielo
unmolested by the rebels.
The Wisconsin brigade consisted Of .b'
Second, Sixth and SevAn.h ana tne Nina
teenth Indiana regiment, and numbered
wheE first it went into action two thous
and men. Their loss is seven hundred
: and eighty killed, wounded and missing
O or nearly forty per cent.
The wounded were sent forward anG
the dead inferred before the brigade
: retired from the position they had so nobly
held before a superior force of the enemy.
2 The Sixth Wisconsin regiment, which
!. suffered less than any other of the brigade
b lost fourteen killed and sixty four wounded
, Gen. Mcclellan again in Command O