The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-06-21
SECOND BULL RUN.
The caraIrr In that Memorable Fight.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Soon after
Hatch's Brigade of Cavalry returned from
Orange Courthouse to CulPeper, and had taken
up their old line of picketing, Gen. Hatch was
assigned to other duties, and that gallant OIL
Ger, John Buford, was given the command Of
tho brigade The soldierly bearing OF Gen.
Buford, his GOODNESS under fire, and close watch
for the welfare of his men, gained for him the
esteem and admiration of every officer and
man in his command.
During the battle of Cedar Mountain the
cavalry was watching the flank, but as soon as
Jackson fell back they were sent out to find his
whereabouts. On our advance we crossed the
battlefield of the previous day, both of our own
men and of Jackson's. / never want to wit
ness such a sight again. The dead men and
animals lay where they fell. The weather was
extremely hot, and the stencil was sickening
in the extreme A small building used by the
Confederates as an amputating room, presented
CHASTITY sight. At the rear of the building,
under window, lay pile of arms, legs, feet,
and hands, just as they were amputated, and
thrown out There was fully wagon-load,
and the stencil was intoerable
We pressed on as fast as we could urge our
faded animals to go away from the horrible
sight and smell, also to find the enemy. We
found them strongly posted on the opposite
bank of the Rapidan River. The main army
of Lee was moving in the direction of Madison
Courthouse We proceeded in that direction
by way of WaTrenton, New Baltimore, anu
Manassas, picketing the various gaps in the
Bull Run Mountains. We now found out that
Gen. Pope had been given the command OF all
the troops in that Department and called them
the Army of Virginia.
The advent of Pope was not very pleasing to
the men who were to be under his command,
notso much as to his abilities as General as
the spread he seemed to make and the boosted
successes vet to be obtained. Printed orders
fhn
mand reading something like the following:
Headquarters will be in the saddle. Forage
on the country. Do not look for q line OF re-
treat There will he no retreat"
Shortly after this, when we were out of "a
tions and forage, it became standing joke IN
camp to say, " Feed yourselves and horses on
Popes orders!"
see Gen. Pope denies issuing any such orders.
It is fact, however, that such orders were in
circulation, and of course. at the time were sup
posed to come from Gen. POpe's headquarters.
But from the fact that the orders were printed
/ am now inclined to think they were issued
by some dissatisfied officers or men of tie COM
mand.
At this time was Post Sergeant and min
Cling daily with the men of my own and other
regiments. ! was quite well informed that
great distTust and opposition existed through
out the Army of Virginia against Gems. Pope
and Mcdowell. After the battle of second Bull
Run this distrust was near white heat. But
as far as the cavalry under Buford were con-
cerned they were ever ready to follow and
support him. During the battle of Aug. 30
Buford's Brigade was near the left flank of
Pope's army as reconnoiterers, not taking any
particular part in the engagement. The morn
ing OF Aug. 80 we were in about the same po-
stiOn. Some time in the afternoon report
reached US that the enemy was massing on our
left flank. Shortly after this report Gen. Bn
I'D !. I,s1 ID dc
to the left of our army, going quite a distance.
We discovered nothing and were returning,
when nearing piece of woods, like a thunder
clap, came volley after volley OF musketry and
then charge of the enemy on our infantry.
OUR LINES GAVE WAY,
and soon were in full retreat. Wagons, ambu-
lances and men were making q mad rush for
the rear. Gen. Buford had kept his cavalry
brigade well in hand. Nearing the creek he
made stand and tried to stay the route. Here
Stuarts cavalry tried to cut US of, and some
grand cavalry charges were made on both sides,
and here the gallant Col. Brodhead, of the 1st
Mich. Cav, fell We now crossed the creek
and made stand, to give the wagons chance
to escape At this an Aid came dashing up,
saying the Army of the Potomac was near at
hand, and would support US. A battery came
into position near US and began Smelling the
enemy. Darkness now closed the fight, and
the enemy did not cross the creek. From here
the 1st Vt. Cav. were sent TO the stone bridge
TO prevent the stampede Of the train and artil-
lery, which were crossing. Co. F. was placed at
the bridge TO act as patrol in crossing the
wagon trains, etc. The troops were turned each
side Of the bridge and fOrded the stream, the
water not being deep. When we arrived at the
bridge we found three lines of wagons, ambu-
| lances and artillery quarreiing aud cursing
as to who should be first TO cross the bridge
me he al a
| few wagons from oar line to cross the bridge
| then a few from another, aud so on, we soon
/ had them crossing quickly and in good order
/ Now and then some officer commanding bat
| terry would reach the bridge and demand to
cross regardless of everything else, but they
were informed they must take their time.
By daylight everything was across, with the
| loss of one wagon of ammunition that was
i dumped in the creek by careless driving. This
was a very hard nights work for US at the
| bridge. When the enemy's cavalry came in
sight we mounted up and slowly crossed the
! creek.
We found our infantry and artillery in posi-
| ton, and passed on to open field and rested
the balance of the day. A few artillery shots
were exchanged during the day, otherwise it
| was quiet in front. 1t seemed, however, that
! Gen. Lee was rushing his troops to our flank and
rear in the direction Of CeuterVlle, and we
| again began our retreat on that place. Our
horses were in bad shape, and we could do
| nothing as cavalry Even the infantry kept
up with as on the march. From Centerville
| we continued our retreat TO Fairfax Courthouse.
Here we received supplies and forage, and were
engaged in picketing for a number of days.
| From here the cavalry went into Winter quar-
| tiers near Fort Scott not far from the bridge
S. A. CLARK, Co. T, LIST Vt. Cav, Holabird,
| OAK
"A 81 Washing Machine Free."-To Introduce