Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-02-13

gade. the nearest at hand fastening to his position
desired him to lead his troops INTO action He informed
however, that large body of the enemys troops hayond
the stream and below the bridge threatened from that
quarter. He was, therefore, len in his position
My headquarters now established the Lewis
House From this commanding elevation my view embraced
the position of the enemy beyond the the ap
proaches the Stone Bridge point of especial import
ance could also the advances of roopsfar down
progress the mapeuvres the enemy,
We had now sixteen guns and two hundred and sixty
cavalry little above nine regiments of the army of the
shenandoah and six guns and less than the strength of
three regiments of that of the Potomac engaged with about
hrtyfge thousand United States troops amongst whom
full three thousand of the old regular army Yet
this admiral bic artillery and brave infantry and cavalry lost
their position repeng FIVE successive assaults by the
heavy OF the enemy, whose numbers enabled him
continually to bring up fresh troops as their preceding col
cf these rePuies by well timed and vigorous charge on
The efficiency of infantry and cavalry might have been
expected from patriotic people accss omed like to
ery little less than wonderful They opposed
far superior in the number and equipment
ted soldiers We had but educated arlerst Col Pen
dleon that model of CHI san soldier, yet they exhibit
ed as much superiority to the enemy in skill as in courage
Their fire supeio both sapdity and precision.
About two O'Clock, officer of General Beaureeard's
Adutant Generals Office gaioped from Manassas report
that United army had reached the line of the
Manassas Gap Railroad marching towards and then
but three or four miles from our left flank
he expected reinforc ared AFTER Col
Cooke then desired to lead his brigade into action to
tie right of the troops ngaged which he did with
of General Bonhas brigade (Cashs and kershaw)
and directed enemys right which he
ment was after sent in the direction About
three O'Clock, while the enemy be striving
flank and drive back our left and thus from Ma
era f. h Smith arrived with three regiments
OF Ezeys brigade. He instruc ed attack the right
ment was completed he fell severely wounded Colonel
Elzey at once tatipg commano, executed with great
puae AID vigor General Beauregard rapidly seized
the opportunity thus afforded him. and threw forward his
whole line The enemy driven back from the long
tested hill and victory was no longer doubtful He made
yet anoher attempt retrieve the day, He again extend
ed his right with still wider sweep left Just
as he reformed to the battle Colonel fars three
! It gmens upon the field The anemys forma-
tipn expo ed his ght flank than tn previous
self dir cy upon it, supported by Colonel Stuarss cavalry
and Backha0s battery he executed tis attack bravey
raj BaaUEr gard ia ont The enemy BROKEN by this
como$d attack He lost all the artillery heh he had a1
! troop tn raj on, and general rout ensued.
Instructions instantly to General gonham to
march by the quickest route to tue turnpike to intercept
The faglVes and 10 General Longstleet to follow closely
the cmy''s rese ve and by night at entrevile.
nch's 8&4e made slight demonstration 0wards
lewis tord hich vas quickly checsed BY Holmes bri
gade which had Just arrive from the right is artillery,
under Captain aiker, used with great skill
Colonel tuar pressed the pursuit OF th enemys princi-
pal line Of retreat The nqdIey Road Four companies of
Muntod which had held in orde ed to
tie B&Ns Ford to reach the turnpike the line of
of the enemy left cavalry found the roads
nennbered with dead and wounded (many OF whom
ed to have been thrown from wagons arms accoutrements
and clothing.
report from he light, that strong bo1y
of United STATES trooFs advanoiDg upon Manassas
General Holmes who lad u-t reached the field and Gene
raj wel his say it, ordered to mest this
pectsd attach h=y foend 30 foe. however.
and 9riery can be- An adequate force OF cavalry would
have made t decisive.
1t ia due under mighty (od to the skill and resolution
of Ge er auregad, the amrable condnct of Generals
g m igades) Evans Cooke Farlv ard Ezev and the conr
The admirable character of troops is
proved by the result of this battle especily when is
remembered little more six thousard men of the
army Of the Shenandoah with sixteen guns, less than
thousand Of that OF the Poomac with SIX fo, fail
FIVE hours successfully resisted thrty thousand United
States troops with powerful artillery and superior for
of regular cavalry Our forces engaged uay ncreas
ing during the contest, united to but
men at the close he battle. The brunJ OF this
ground long with such heroic resolution The unfad ng
honor which they won d ar tonght with the blood of
our best and bravest Their loss was far heavier in Dro
tlon than that OF the trcOs coming later into action
Every regiment and battery engaged performed its part
we'll The commanders of bgades have been already
toned refer you to General Beauregard report for the
OF the officers OF the of the Potomac who dis
tnguished themselves most cannot sill OF the
army of the Shenandoah who de Distinction will
conne myself to those of high rank. Coores Barlow and
t6 ed} SoDts m"ray a. rTe wGpnded alS hafpnr
B. Stuart, OF the cavalry and Pendeon OF the artillery,
Lieutenant Colonel Echols, Lightoot Lackland G. H.
Stew art and Gardner. The lssnsmed gallant officer
severely wounded
The loss Of the army Of the Potomac los killed $40
|
was 270 killed. 979 wounded, Is missing.
THtal killed., ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 378
wounded ......................... 1,490
missing, JO
That of the enemy could not be ascertaned. 1t must
have been between four and five thousand Twenty
pieces OF artillery abeut five thousand muskets and
five hundred thousand cartridges; garrs flag
coors captured the field in the pursuit Besides
these we caoured sxtgfour artillery horses with their
harness. twentysx wagons and much camp equpage cloth
ing and other property abandoned in their flight.
he officers OF staff deserve high commend ion for
eff
campaign, and beg leave call the attention OF the Gov
ernrnent to their merits Major W. H. c. Whiting Chief
Engineer Invaluable to me- for his signal ability in his
and for his ndefatigable activity before and in
the battle raj Mclean, Chef Quarternaster and
spectve departments with skill and energy Major Rhett,
r. A General, who joined only the day before, OF
aud energy entrusted the Of ordering my troops to
the field battle they should arrive and forwarding
M. Faunteroy c. s Navy. T. Preston. A, A, Gene
rail- ard Lieutenant ]. B. Washington A. D. c. convey
several gallant gentlemen who volunteered their services
tole OF Florida haior Deas of Alabama, Colonel
Duncan, OF KentuckF. lieutenant Beverly Randolph c.
s. ~ aided Colonel F. J. Thmas in the command Of the
body of troops he led into action and fought with gaany
who moraIly wounded have already entioned The
brave death of ordnance efcer Colonel f. j. Tnomas
ming Miles and Ch holm ard Captain ztevens of the In
2neer Corps, members of General Beauregards staff who
kindly proeree their services and rendered efficient and
valuable aid at different times during the day. Colonel
w. La, OF General Bonbams staff delivered my instruc
my, with much Intelligence aud courage
1t will be remarked that tie three Brigadier Generals
the army OF the shenandoah were all wounded have al
ready mentioned the wound of General Smith Genera
Jackson though painfully wounded early in the day,
manded his hrade to The close of the action General Bee
after gPea at the commencement of tie engage
ment mortaly wounded just as our reinforcement
were coming up.
The apparent mness of the United States troops at Cen
reve who had not been ged which checked our
suit, the strong forces occupying the works George
town. Arlington ard Alexandria, the certainty too fha
General Patterson needed, would reach Washington witt