New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-09-08
The Battle Of ChantiIly-Why ~ wa'
Fought-Incidents OF Stevens Dcath-
His Last Words.

From Our Special CORRESPONDENT. fMR
WAsHIsGTos, Sept. 5, 1862
The same hour that Gen. Stevens was killed in
battle number Of prominent gentlemen filling IN
huenta positions were in consultation in this city
and in other parts Of the country, with a view OF
having him assigned 10 the command Of the Army
Of Virginia. Successive manifestations of incapa-
city during year of war have caused thinking men
to cast about for leader. These gentlemen had
fixed upon Gen. Isaac I. Stevens as the msn. His
splendid conduct in the battles of Friday and Satur-
day had Just directed attention to hint was re-
membered that in pure capacity he had always been
tint, having taken the honors at West Point with
scarcely all effort, and though old political enemies,
these men resolved to ask that he be given leading
command-while they were consulting he led on his
men and fell.
The importance Of the engagement OF Monday
night which lost to the country kearney aud Ste
yensi has not been generally understood. The truth
is it was not mere episode made noteworthy by
the death Of two such leaders, but Il crisis where
nothing but decision and sacrifice the part OF those
leaders aysiled to prevent disaster.
The army Was retreating from Centreville. The
battle was fought against Rebel force that had
PENETRATED five miles nearer Washington than our
rear aud was moving to strike upon the flank. Gen.
Steyens's division, the advance of Reno's corps,
was on the left of the road taken by the trains, and
interce pied the enemy. lie saw that the Rebels
must be beaten back at once, or during the night
they would stampede the wagons, and probably so
di.ooncert our retreat that the last divisions would
fall prey TO their main force. He decided to attack
Immediately, at the same time sending back for sup
port. Having made his dispositions, he led the
attack on foot at the head of the 18th Hghanders).
Soon meeting whitening fire, AMI the Color Ser
geant, Sandy Campbell, grizzled old Scotchman,
being wounded they faltered. One OF the color
guard took up the flag, when the General snaiched
il from him. The wounded Highlander at bis feet
cried. "For Gods rake, General, don't yoH take
tie oolors; they'll shoot you if you do" The
answer was "Giye me the colors II they don't
follow now, they never will; and he spr"ng for
ward crying, I'VE are all Highlanders; follow
Highlander; forward my Highlanders" The
Highanders did follow their Scottish chief, but
while sweeping forward ball struck him on his
righ, temple He died instantly. An hour after
ward when taken up, his hands were still clenched
around the flagstaff.
A moment after Selling the colors, his son, Capt.
Hazard Stevens, fell wounded, and cried TO his
father thu, he WIS hurt. With but glance back,
thu, Roman father said. 81 can't attend TO you now,
IIszzard. Corporal Thompson, see TO my boy"
TIE language have given AS Gen. Stevens's was
taken down upon the heh by member OF his staff.
lie had often remarked that If j, his fate to
fall in battle he hoped he should be shot through the
temple and die instantly. c. A. p.