Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1884-09-18
BATTLE OF BULL RUN.

Gently asked.
well, yes-I was there. WASH I
exactly in the battle, but I helped
the run part oft all | could. Run was
no name for it. 1t was a race-the
biggest skedaddle there ever was on
earth. saw more ridiculous sights
that hot Sunday afternoon, and
laughed more than a man will ordi-
narily laugh in ten years. You see,
the time Of three months men was out,
but the army was ready to move for
ward on Manassas, and the regiments
took vote to decide whether they
should go forward or demand dis
charge. There was company of New
York artillery, well-to-do men--butch-
ers, | believe they were-who had
provided their own battery and outfit
and who voted to 60 home AS they
moved to the rear a perfect storm Of
boots and jeers assailed them, but
they didn't notice it. didn't know
OF any others who voted not to go
forward. At that time / was detail
ed to drive four horse team for
General Keys, who had command of
these Connecticut regiments and the
Second Maine. 1t was my business
to move his personal baggage, and |
had a splendid team OF horses. The
wagon had white canvas top which
opened at both ends, / sat outside
the top, the front curtains closed be-
hind me. | moved out to Falls Church,
nine miles into Virginia, then moved
to Centreville. At 2 o'clock on Sun
day morning, July q, the generals
mess-chest, ten gallons Of whiskey,
groceries, two officers tents and two
young colored girls were loaded into
my wagon and | was ordered to drive
ahead. Our troops we're close upon
the Johnniea, and battle that day
was considered dead moral certain
ty and an overwhelming victory was
believed to be quite as sure. The
two colored girls were going to the
front as officers cooks. A continual
stream Of army wagons was pouring
along the road, and many civilians on
horseback, d~carriages and buggies
containing Washingtonlans, whose
voices were still for war-Snd who
were ambitious to take part in it by
eyesight at a very safe distance. IL
was seven o'clock before | was al
lowed to swing into the long onrront
and move forward. 1t was a very
sluggish stream. As | reached the
top Of a hill Quartermaster Hodge of
our brigade ordered me to turn out
and halt under the shade Of tree
| did 80. The contents of the wagon
were removed, a fire was built and the
girls prepared breakfast. | took a
share then lying down beside my
wagon | fell asleep for | had slept lit
tie or none for two nights. 1t was
near noon whep | awoke, and firing
had been heard at the front for some
time. There was lull for an hour,
and then it resumed fercer than ever.
In another hour horsemen and car
riages came tearing down the road,
their riders and drivers shouting /:
Turn back turn back Drive for
your lives, the rebs are upon US +
"Along came a hack containing
four Congressman. Each man sat with
cooked revolver in his hand, and
was yelling to the driver to drive for
his life. | expected to be made pris-
oner in few minutes, and the pros
pect was not pleasant one; but
had TO stop the loading up my wagon
and laugh at those four heroic legisla-
tors brandishing their pistols, threat
ening their driver in one breath and
offering big wealth in the next if he
would get them back in Washing.
ton.
"The current in the narrow road
now turned and rushed backward.
Watching my chance | turned into it..
AS / did so big Dutch Sutler, with
a wagon load Of goods, in turning
around upset his wagon into ditch
beside the road. He jumped TO the
ground and took to his heels, leaving
his horses struggling 10 free them
selves from the harness. 1t seemed
az if the very horses had caught the
panic. and were as anxious to go
North as the men.
II saw Transfers draw the tail.
boards Of their wagons and let their
freight fall out into the road while
ascending hills. The fields on either
side Of the road swarmed with horses
and soldiers in full rout. Artillery
men had cut the traces from the guns
and had ridden away before a shot
had come anywhere near them.
"There were regular army men,
and in my four years at the front, the
poorest soldiers | saw were regular
army men. II ever men made good
time these soldiers did. The after
noon was terribly sultry and hot.
The men ran 10 all stages Of undress
uniform even to shirt and drawers.
Few knapsacks were to be seen.
Many had thrown away their guns,
but some trailed them on the ground
behind them.
II was troubled with but few APP
plications for ride, because my team .
pace was slow. Suddenly big drum
major, bare-footed, and his uniform
covered with dirt and dust, climbed
up beside me and pitched himself
headlong into the wagon, groaning +:
"Oh dear oh dear never was
so tired in all my life; don't believe
10 war anyhow.