The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-02-28
ZEN. 0. 0. HOWARD'S "REMINISCENCES.
IOoatinaed from LIST page.l

10 find my command "The Adjutant- General
win tell Won that, sir" quickly bowed, said
good day, SIR as fundamentally as ! could,
and instantly left the house.
Afterwards / learned that this treatment
which worried me at the time, was not meant
as a punishment or discipline for me, but was
probably but the reflex of his inner man after
extraordinary perplexity and trial. Any visi-
tor at this time was liable to receive such a
rebuff.
GENERAL HOWARD RETURNS TO DUTY.
On the 9th reported to General Sumner at
Falmouth Va He stern warrior as we know
him to have been, received me with marked
cordiality. He gave me a seat at his mess
table and his adiutant- general, Colonel lay
Tor. that night surrendered his bed for my COM
fort ] shall never forget the demonstrations
OF affection of the men of my brigade. General
Caldwell commanded it then, so that was as
signed TO another-that of General w. w.
Burns-Who had been severely wounded at
Savage's Station, and vas Still absent. Il was
Bakers old command of Pennsylvania men,
called The California Brigade" He had so
named it. 1T formed part Of Sedgwick's divis-
ion.
The 18th, cur troops Summers entire corps
passed by rail aud transports TO Alexandria,
and went into camp couple OF miles beyond
that city, near the Ccntrevllle pike, where we
heard the news Of Jackson's raid and at least
participated in the Washington excitement
which filled the air of that region.
The 18th, near night. our corps was ordered
Nv General Halleck 10 place five miles above
Chain Bridge to anticipate an expected raid
from Stuart or Fitzhugh Lee We were hardly
there when peremptory orders sent us back TO
Alexandria, and thence to Centreville, where
our corps arrived, by night marching follow
ing Franklins at noon of the 3lst We met
Pope's overworkea army there, and went into
position facing northward.
The morning Of September 1st my brigade,
with some cavalry, led reconnaissance still
farther northward few miles beyond our po-
sitioD. We marched rapidly, covered with
skirnishers till we met Lees picl1ets, which
quickly retired: then his skirmish-lines OF
fanl1ers. who opened fire. Soon by pressing
tham. we succeeded in drawing the fire Of bat
ferries Our purpose was accomplished, and
We then immed lately fell back, Slowly and
steadily, 10 our place in the general line. Lees
army. or part Of it, was evidently on the
Little River turnpike, which runs from Aldie
10 Fairfax Courthouse. On that pike, TO the
northeast Of Ccntreville, is the little hamlet OF
Chantilly. Aearear TO Fairfax, but not fan
from Clantilly. country road runs in south
erly direction, connecting the Little River and
the Alexandria or Centreville pixies.
cHANTILLY.
jackson, slowly moving to gain Pope's
flank and cut his communications with Wash
ington at or near Fairfax Courthouse. sent
part OF his command down this Chantilly read
But this time Pope, having troops enough. was
ready. Near the cross roads was an abrupt
rise or knoll, usually called OK Hill. This
hill with considerable ravine in front of it
was already occupied by our troops. Reno:
! aud Stevens divisions, with Kearneys near al
hand and Rockers somewhat further ON to
ward Fairfax. The battle opened with a cannon
ade. Seeing that this did little good to get rid
Of the Yankee force, jackson, as usual
promptly put his troops into action, beginning
with one division, under Starke; then Law
tons. At last came D. II. Hill. He pushed
forward brigade after brigade-Field, Branch
Thomas. Ponder and Gregg Ononr side. Reno
on the left held his own and repulsed every
assault Stevens division, on Rero's right
did likewise for awhile, but were finally worn
out and gave way. Their commander, Genera
Stevens, who was before the war distinguished
in military and civil life, was killed. o
course, Renos flank was now uncovered and
his men broke back. At this unfortunat,
jrncture kearney sprang TO the rescue. Biz
neys brigade filed the ugly gap between Rene
and Rocker, and the battle was renewed witt
fierce energy. while the heavy rain poure6
down upon the excited combatants In orde
70 make sure OF his connection with Hooker
Kearney, as WAS his wont, instead of sendin,
r-,an officer, pushed his horse out toward hi
riTSrt ana front incautiously beyond our line
Hclenc9EEtere1 the enemy. They fred upoi
him at onc& and he was slain. The Count d
Paris says Of kearney IN this connection
Phillip kearney stands In the first rank
among the most illastrious victims Of fhi
fratricidal war, by the side Of Mcpherson, Sedg
wick, Bayard, Reno, Richardson, and thei
gallant adVersks a. s. Johnston, jackson
Stuart and - Hill In him ! lost a CON
Eade OF battle and friend.
General Birney quickly took command G
Kearncy's division. and the contest this tim
soon ended in our favor. Jackson was beatel
back, and our line Of communication. whic
that stormy night became our line of with
draEal from Gentreville, was saved to u.s.
General Pope organized his retreat into dit
fereHt columns, and brought ii through mul
and rain. sundry panics with loss of life an
much struggling and more iault-fnding an
SEEDING. back TO the Potomac and within til
ample Notifications Of our capital.
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