The National tribune., 1886-06-03
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have 10 Say About
Their Old Campaigns
ist MINN. AT BULL RUN.
q OOmrade Thinks This Regiment Neglected b
Gen. Logan.


oOmrade Thinks This Regiment Neglected by
Gen. Logan.
To TIE EDIToR: j have been very much
interested IN Gen. L0gan'E viviG description OF
the first battle of Bull Run, having been myself
an active participant In that memorable hight,
but feel little sighted (speaking for my regl-
ment that he seemed-unintentional no
aoubt-io entirely ignore us, when We were
not only in line of battle at the supreme mo-
ment, over 200 men, rank and file, but directly
in the line of his narrative; and he could not
possibly have omitted mentioning US had we
moi evidently been confounded in his mind
with Ellsworths red-shirted Fire Zouaves, our
uniform at that time being similar tred shirts,
dark blue pants, etc, and the Zouayes adJoin-
ing MS on the left, the l4th (Brooklyn) n. y. ON
onr right rear.
Gen. Logan's description of the scenes and
incidents connected with that oft-described-
and 0ftener misrepresented battle exactly
corresponds with my recOllections Of them and
il being our FIRST engagements baptsmai hre,
soto speak--all the minor details or minuti@ are
firmly impressed upon my memory as seen ana
participated in by Corporal, young soldier
bovw had lust passed his " teens, whose ideas
and impressions OF the engagement perhaps
differed materially from those OF general
officer who plans and executes battles. Thus
prelacing my remarks, ] will enGeavor 10 give
you my experience in that battle.
Saturday night July 20, 1861 we biyouscked
among the hills few miles from what proved
20 Ice subsequently, the battle-ground, and the
following morning marched 10 within close
proximity OF the open field, the extreme lett OF
the line, where we were held IN reserve Tor
short time, the battle ION our right mean
while raging quite hercey. Suddenly we
were ordered 10 change positions at quick and
dOuble-Quick time as we reached the Held,
marching by the flank across the open space
which was sort of grain stubble-past some
etraw-st8cks 10 the extreme right OF the line
in the transit dOdging the shells from the enc
mys batteries, 70 which ours were replying
Reaching the vicinity Of the Henry House, we
descended the ravine toward the run and
asoended the opposite slope passing a small
body OF Regular cavalry which had halted an
Che ragine Tor protection from flying missiles,
and who gave us a word Of warning en- pGssdfst,
something to this effect +" Lookout boys, you re
going into a hot place nOw!" 1t was on this
slope that / saw the first dead soldier, lying on
his back, head down hill, with ghastiy wound,
apparently from piece Of shell, which had torn
away q portion of has upturned features. We
formed ia line OF battle among or near some
pine bushes at the summit, with thick grove
OF trees near our right flank, supporting Rick
etts's battery. One of bis or Gritln's guns sub
acquenty broke into our line and fired with
stunning effect TO me personally, as the charge
seemed 10 pass uncOmfortably close TO my right
ear.
AZ ] have previously stated, the Fire Zouaves
9th NY. were on our left and the l4th Brook
lyn) n. y. Oh our right rear. We had but just
formed this line when, as il by magic an OPP
posing force confronted us within seemingly
pistol range. Gen. Heintzeimans command,
given with his peculiar nasal twang, Fire
once, boys, then charge, and you've got EN-"
shall never forget. j plainly saw This body
OF men facing us and distinctly recoliect their
white cEoss-belis and gray uniforms. AT that
moment some officer shouted Don't fire men,
those are our friends" OF words to tnat effect !;
bat in an instsntall was confusion. The whole
rebel line opened FIRE upon Us, aud we-neary
every man Of my regiment, j beiieye-went
down lat upon the gE0nnd 10 avoid the deadly
shower Of lead they sent among us. As their
fire slackened we arose and opened upon them
most destructive IRE at close rgnge-nearly a
thousand mimic rifles aimed by as many sturdy
young Western pioneers. The rebels in the
meantime had advanced, thinking they had
snuihiabed our eutire regiment, as we suisse
Quenty learned from the prisoners we captured.
Thus we fought for some time, John hnstOn re-
iniOrcelnents meanwhile arriving on the rebel
aide. The bullets began 10 come in from the
piece OF WOODS on our right rear, when we
quickly changed front 10 face the new danger.
Then Gen. heintzelmane voice was heard again
ss We fell back, Don't stop 10 retreat boys
run, d-n yOn, rum" We obcyeG bis orders To
the extent Vi failing back IN q somewhat lively
manner down the slope 70 the vicinity Of the
Run or TaYine. The regiment did good service
skiTmishlng in the woods subsequently,; bat
the rebs being too numerous for us we were
compelled 10 retire, which we did in good order,
marching OF tho field by the flank our Colonel
at the head.
Meanwhile Ell was confusion around us. Rem
nauis 81 different commands wearing as nany
Il nm II
few past Us 70 the rear ali evidently making for
One Ioinl-tlie road leading back 10 Centeryille
DnT regiment marched By the same road back Il
Washington s. regiment, not being al any ne
cisoidered 0r broken up. ! fel out Just after
leaving the field, being slightly wounded, and
became separated from il, stopping that Night
on the outskirts OF Lentcryilie in company with
wounded Vermont soldier. III be is still alive
and this should meet hiE eye he will remember
how careful j was In covering our tracks and
selecting the bea OF dry brook with over
hanging willows as camping place that night
snc how We stole out the next morning and
took the road for Alexandria via Fairfax Court
hoase. There was not sign Of a rcb any.
where IN sight The rain was pouring down
upon the wrecks Of the previous night's STAN.
pedo We arrived safely at our camp and were
welcomed by our comrades, who, having m isscd
~ supposed We we've among The slain OF cap.
tgred.
The following is tie Official list os losses sus
tanned by our regiment IN this battle: Killed
one officer, - enlisted men w0unded-seveu
oliceTs, iO2 enlisted men missing--two officers
= enlisted mcn-tOtal, Is5. This lght wAs
no irifing affair to us, our losses being heavier
than 81 any subsequent battle, with the excep-
ton q Gettysburg, where we iOst over two.
thinde 0f cur number
Tie following is gid extract from the report
OF Gen. w. y. Franklin, commander Of onr bri.
Eadc, Rebellion Records Series J. Vol 2, b. zOg
The lst MINI. moved from its position on the lea
a. tne helo " tIe support 81 Eccetie battery and
Gsiiniiiiy engaged the enemy that point ID VA,
- near ie enemy lines that friends ac foes gr.
tof . time couiouudcd Tie regiment behaved q y
teeanGs well aud finally refined from iiie eld IN
Eooc order. The other two regiments OF he hi
EEae retired ln confusion, and ef srts Of Tygel
a. stat werc sucoessful Ia rallyinR them.
On page 1Q3 Gen. s. T. Heintzelman. com
Hnanding the division, saye:
I nfen Jed W tle Minnesota regiment which wa
tlsO rcpulsed, bot retired in tuerRbiy good order
"a Old good service in tic woods On ouT rgt ar,lr
eno Vaf among ihe iast ~ retire coming of tl.
belc with tic ID II =. Iuf
%. ID. THATCHER, Co. r, Iat MINI.