The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-06-26
BLACKBURN'S FORD.
Who Supported Ayres' Battery THE Light Bat
talon of Skirmishers.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:

TALON of Skirmishers.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
In the Question Squad I" column of your
paper of June 5, "Comrade Grosvenor, of RAN
som, Mich, is informed that the I'd Michigan
infantry supported Ayres' battery, and opened
the fight, as skirmishers at Blackburns Ford,
July Is, 1861 Tie skirmishers who drew the
first FIRE Oh that day were a detail of forty men
each from the regiments of Richardson's bril-
gade This detail of 160 men was made before
the army left the vicinity of Washington, and
was commanded by Captain Brethsneider, of a
Michigan regiment, and was known as the
Light Battalion of Skirmishers." Lieuten-
ant Charles Randall, of company A, 18th New
York infantry, was second in command, and
had the honor to be second sergeant and left
guide of the battalion. Our auckland ball car
fridge muskets were exchanged for Harper's
Ferry rifles, and we went into separate camp,
near the Chain Bridge on the Potomac, and
there received thorough instructions III sklr-
mish tactics. We were in advance of our bri-
gade as skirmishers, all the way to Centre
vile, and were still in advance when our artil-
lery begun TO shell the country across the Bull
Run stream on the 18th day of July. When
we were ordered down to the timber on the
left of the road, the enemy's guns which had
until then been silent, commenced firing over
our heads. When we reached the pine scrubs
we deployed from the left and, passing over
the still burning fires of the enemy's camp,
drew their first infantry fire when on the bank
of the stream. Our bugler many times sounded
the call to advance" but we could not go fur
Their, as we were then confronting the enemy
in their rife-pits. After we had Withdrawn
which was done deliberately and in response
TO the recall" sounded by our bugler-and
had rallied on the right, we lay down for our
brigade TO pass over us to attack. They were
soon driven back in some confusion, and it was
then that General Richardson, seeing that the
two guns-not the battery-of Captain Ayres,
which had been brought down into the scrub,
were in danger, himself gave the order for
the skirmishers to go in again on double
quick; on double-ouiek, say" And we went
IN again, and there gathered around those two
guns, which Were in thick brush at the top of
the rise overlooking the stream, without any
attempt ar formation. taking advantage Of
every possible cover. Fighting in the real Skin
mish style taught by our drill-officer, we
poured our hottest IRE into the ranks of the
enemy, who were advancing up the slope. The
two pieces of artillery We're all this time doing
great execution with grape and canister, and
while our loss was slight, the enemy must have
suffered considerably.
To show how close was the fighting, will
relate how Joe Label, of company A, 18th New
York infantry, received a pistol ball in his
shoulder from rebel officer, and called out to
one of our men, known as Dutch Pete" to
Shoot the --, quick" Says Pete, Me
shoot him once" and he literally put hole
through the officer, who was not twenty feet
away.
1t was while here that an officer, whom
suppose TO have been Captain Ayres, rode
among US and shouted: Charge them, you
- towards; charge them, or / viii lose my
guns!" And Corporal Eugene Rawson of my
company, shouted back TO him, Charge them
yourself, ii you want them charged"
Though / believe the gallant manner in
which those guns were served with grape and
canister was sufficient TO have saved them from
being taken, this same officer, after they were
withdrawn, had the grace to ride up to US and
say: Boys, you did well; you saved my
guns"
And now, Mr.. Editor, while ii may be true
/ that the I'd Michigan regiment was at some
+ time that day ordered 10 support the battery of
Captain Ayres, it is well known to all of that
skirmish battalion that neither that or any
other regiment was at hand when he was
/ most hotly engaged, and thought it necessary
Z TO call upon 100 men 10 charge division, and
so enable him 10 withdraw his guns
/ Did he say TO the I'd Michigan that they
saved his guns? And if they were on the
ground and closely supporting his guns, why
did he not call upon them 10 save them by
charging? G. w. GREENE,
Company d, 18th New York Vol. Inf
SPRING VALLEY, MINI.