The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-09-19
SEPTEMBER l9. 1862.
sieel iu the Battle of FRIDAY.

bodying some important facts not before
published
The situation on Friday morning was
this Sigels corps (divisionsof Shurlz.
Milroy, Steinwehr and Schenck) on the
Bull Run field fronting to the west, was
close against the enemy. McDowell's
corps nearly connected with Sigel on the
latter's left, but not one within fighting
distance Of the enemy. Heintzlem an S
corps divisions of Hooker and Xearney,
and Reno's corps) were at CeuJrevile,
moving down the turnpike which would
lead them on Sigers right. Porter was
far back--seven or eight miles-in Sigel's
rear. These corps-Sigel's Reno's IIeiu- =
tzleman's, McDowell's and Porier's-
were all that were engaged at ary time
during the two days, Friday and Saturday.
They came into action in the order have
named them.
Fortunately, had been with Sigel du.
ring his two days march to find the en-.
emy, and was with him now that it fell
to him to open the main struggle
His corps had held the advance under
heavy artillery fire on the Rsppahannock
the four previous days, had now marched
two days, part of the time in line Of bat.
tle, and taking but four hours rest moved
into battle-not a skirmish not an affair,
not an action, not an engagement, but a
great battle, for such are the names given
TO fights in the order OF their magnitude.
Long before daylight, Sigel had visited
every position Of his line, had seen to the
placing Of every battery and with the dav.
light his artillery sounded. The "Jesse
Scouts transferred by Fremont to Sigel)
reported the enemy as in and beyond a
stretch OF woods mile long, west of and
running nearly parallel with the road
Their line. however, extended on their
right to the road, where they had guns on
commanding heights or their left to Bull
Run stream, with battery or two across
upon the north side, Sigel's line was op-
posite, on the south side of the road.
The first hour it was all artillery. 81.
gel was advancing battery after battery
to this and that emInence, supporting each
with a brigade, hearing the reports of
scouts, sending cavalry now far to the
right now far to the left, gradually ad-
vaucing his division in cover of hills, upon
which he had placed his guns--in a word,
feeling for the enemy, rapidly advancing,
but cautiously, every step. The enemy
disdained to make any sign-but not long.
His artillery was compelled to answer ours,
and, pressing on, we unearthed his in
fantry. There was a light rattle then
roar OF fmusketry. Milroy, in the advance,
had come square upon rebels in masses
Our line OF battle was formed, Schurtz
having the right, Schenck the left, Miroy
ihe advance centre, Steinwehr the reserve
centre.
Just at this opening OF the battle, saw
from the hill from which Schurz was going
into action, a column bearing down upon
our right, and at first supposed them to
be rebels. UnaccountabIy they carried
high over their heads suudry white flags,
and appeared to march stragglingly, and
it was seen they were unarmcd.
They proved to be 634 prisoners taken
by Jackson when he appeared at Manassas
three days before, now released on parole
The enemy could not feed them, and
would themselves starve unless reinforce
ments should push to them with supplies.
A little after, Milroy aud Scburlz be.
came engaged. They drove the enemy
mile or more. During this time Schenck
had been engaged on the left, but not
heavily. Tough old Heintz'eman arrived
at this juncture from Centrevile with his
whole corps. Schurz was Withdrawn for
Kearney and Hooker TO take his place.
Reno arrived soon after from the same
direction. Stevens division of his corps
marched to the lef; to support Schenck,
and the attack was once more along the |
whole line. l should have stated that
some time before the cessation, Milroy,
after two hours o! musketry in tornadoes,
was driven back, much cut to pieces, and
replaced by Steinwehir, who was assisted
by Schenck at his left.
1t was now o'clock. Sigel's corps
only had been engaged, and We had on
the whole gained ground-at the right
nearly mils. 1t was reasonable TO sup
pose that with the assistance OF Reno and
Heintzleman, and most Of the day before
us,we should utterly demolsh the enemy. |
1t has since appeared that simultaneously v |
with our reinforcements he received
larger ones. Longstreers whole COM
mand. whose passage through Thorough.
fare Gap, Ricketts, had disputed the day
before, had now joined Jackson and Ewell,
whom he had been fighting. Hitherto
Longstreet would naturally join Jackson
at his right; it was upon our left and oc.
casionally our centre that we were most
BevereIy pressed the remainder OF the day.
Up to this time Sigel had command OF
the field. He had made the dispositions
before the fight, and conducted 1t success.
fully six hours. Pope arrived from Cen
trevlle about noon and assumed com.
mand, but wisely and generously deferred
TO Sigel the rest of the day, as being best
acquainted with the position.
Ate O'Clock the fight was raging along
the whole line terri6cally, muskelry like
Gaines Hill, and artillery like Malvern
Hill. There was not ten minutes cessa.
tion at any one time for the next three
hours. We advanced not step; we re-
tired not step. The engnery of war
men, guns and "viIlainous saltpetre"-
seemed equal each side to he other: At
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