Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1864-05-05
An Exciting and Extraordinary
scene.

A correspondent Of the Philadelphia
Press with Gen. BANKS Army gives he
following graphic description of the panic
among our troops and teamstcrs during the
first days fight, near Pleasant Hill, "a briei
statement of which we have heretofore pub
lished
! 'lt was one of those unaccountablc events
that no genuinus nor courage can CONTROL
| find it impossible to describe scene so
sudden and bewildcring, although | was
present partly an actor, partly n spectator,
and saw plainly everything that took place.
/ The battle was progressing vigorously. The
musketry firing was loud and continuous,
and having recovered by Ransom 5 division,
we felt secure of the position. | was slow
lly riding along the edge Of a wood, convers-
ing with friend, who had just ridden up
about the events and prospects OF the day.
! We had drawn into the side Of the wood
to allow an ammunition wagon TO pass, and
although many were observed going to the
rear, some on foot, and some on horseback,
we regarded it as an occurrence familiar
to every battle, and it occasioned nothing
but passing remark / noticed that most
OF those thus wildly riding to the rear were
Niggers hangers-on and serving-men, for
now that we have gone 50 deeply into this
slave holding country, every non-commis-
stoned officer has servant, and every SER
want mule. These people were the first to
show any panic, but their scamper along
the road gave only amusement to the sol.
diers, who pelted them with stones and
whipped their flying animals with sticks to
increase their speed. Suddenly there was
rush, shout, the crashing of trees, the
breaking down of rails, the rush and scam
per OF men. 1t was as sudden as though a
thunderbolt had falen>amongst us, and set
the pines on fire. What caused it, or where
it commenced, no one knew.
j turned to my companion to inquire the
reason Of this extraordinary proceeding, but
before he had the chance to reply, we found
ourselves swallowed up, as it were, in a his
sing, seething bubbling whirlpool of agita-
ted men. We could not avoid the current;
we could not stem it, and if we hoped to live
in that bad company, we must ride with the
rest of them. Our line of battle had given
way. Gen. Banks took off his hat and i'm
plorcd his men to remain; his staff officers
did the same, but it was of no avail. Then
the Gen. drew his saber and endeavored to
rally his men, but they would not listen.--
Behind him the rebels were shouting and
advancing Their musket balls filled the
air with that strange file-rasping sound that
war has made familiar to our fighting men.
The teams were abandoned by the drivers,
the traces cut, and the animals ridden off by
the frightened men. Bareheaded riders
rode with agony in their faces, and for at
least ten minues it seemed as if we were go
ing to destruction together 1t was my for
tune to see the first battle of Bull Run and
to be among those who made that ccebra-
ted midnight retreat toward Washington. -
! The retreat Of the 4th Division was as much
a route as that Of the first Federal army,
with the exception that fewer men were en-
gagged, and our men fought with n valor
that was not shown on that serious, sad,
mock heroic day in July. We rode nearly
two miles in this mcdcap way, until ON the
edge Of ravinc, which might have been
a bayou, We found Emroy's division drawn
up in line. Our rctrcating men fell beyond
this line, and Emroy prepared to meet the
rebels. They came with rush, and rs the
5 shades Of night crcpt over the tree-tops,
they encountered our men. Emory fired
three rounds and the rebels retreatcd This
ended the fight leaving the Federals mas
ters. Night and the paralyzing effect of the
stampede upon our army, made pursuit i'm
possible The enemy fell back taking with
them some Of the wagons that We're left
and u number of guns that were abon-
! dOncd