The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-09-10

and Dieclmann's battery.
Gen. BayHfd's Brigade did not compose part
of this column, as the severe duty performed
by them the past few DAYS made it imperative
that il be left temporarily at Harrisonburg for
the main purpose Of shocing the horses that
were
RENDERED UNsERyICEABLE
by reason OF being unshod later in the day,
however, Gen. BayRrd came forward TO take
part I'D the battle The most OF his command,
however. was detailed as escort to the baggage
train aud 10 cover the line of communication
against parties that would likely attack from
the many by-roads and cross roads.
About a. m. heavy muskctTy firing was
heard IN our front, indicating that Col. Cluse.
ret was engaging the enemy. The effect of
this firing accelerated the step OF the whole
command aud we soon learned that the enemy
had placed n regiment-the 18th Ala, Col.
Gantrv-as outuost at Union Church, and il
was this force that Cluseret was engaging.
The enemy stubbomly ie back through the
Timber a distance OF mile or more, Cluserct
vigorously advancing. AT this point Jack
sons main force was found in line Of battle,
which was naturally strong one, and selected
Ht leisure on the preceding day, which gave TO
Jackson a great advantage over Gen. Fremonti
bnt lhis is one of the inevitable conditions in
wan, and gen Fremont had no choice but TO
go in and make the best OF H.
The placing of his command in line OF battle
was regarded hy all as especially skillul, and
was about in the following order: Col Cluse-
ret's Brigade, which had pushed the forces OPP
posed TO IL back upon the enemy's main line,
held their position which was well TO the front
and near the center Gen. StahePs Brigade
took position on the left of Cluseret and some
distance from his Cluseret's) position. Gen.
Milroys Brigade, leaving the main road, took
position on Clusorets right These three bri-
grades formed
THE FIRST LINE OF BATTLE,
with Miroy on the right and Stahcl on the left
Gen. Bohlcu's brigade coming up was con-
ductCd 10 a position 10 tho rear OF Stahel and
Cusaret covering the gap between these two
brigadgs
Gen. Schenck's Brigade took to the right in
the direction OF Mllroy, and occupied posi-
tion that secured our forces against flank
movement in that direction. This line was
formed RS promptly as if it had been going to
position for review OF dress parade, IN an
open field; aud in addition 10 this promptaCti0n
ol The infantry, it did not require over 30 min
utes 90 place u the most favorable position
eight batteries Of artillery.
Col DIcigrls 4th N, v, Cav occupied posi-
ti0n on The extreme left. On our right aud rear
was the detachmouts Of cavalry OF Schcnck's
Brigade Capt Congors company was on duty
at Gen. Fremout's Headquarters.
Id must not be understood that the forming
OF this line of battle was done In a quiet way,
for the tghtlUg was going on al the time.
From the formation IN line of Cluserets Bri-
gade, each brigade in turn as il came into line
became engaged, and by the time al were
posted the battle was raging from right to left.
Stcinwchrs Brigade arriving from the rear at
this time was depoyed in rear of the batteries
rs q reserve Gen. BlenkoT having arrived at
this moment took charge Of his division.
The scycrest fighting Of the day was on our
left, done by The brigades Of Stahol and Bohlen,
and especially y the 6th and i5th N. Y, Of
Stahels Brigade. These two regiments were
mostly in open ground, and were engaged at
one time with four regiments Of the enemy.
TBEIR Loss WAS HEAVY,
but when both brigades fought so calamity il
would De unjust TO single out special deeds.
The entire command was and is entitled to the
Warmesi CommendstiOn.
i may he psraoned, however at al times for
referring especially % hiroy's Brigade and 10
my own reg meut 80 w. Na.) Tor il is with
these brave men that my Teminiscence is most
closely associated.
Til, a.,le ragged during the day with little
change u ro ti0n on either side, aud when we
consider Che unequal numbers engaged-Fre-
monis entire i0rce not exceeding 10000 men,
and were on the offensive, while Jackson's
force WAS known 20 number $4,000 men, and
strongly plaCed-it Is marvel that our army
was not forced TO the defensive and utterly an
nihilated.
Tho following extract from Gen. Fremonts
report OF The battle. made after a careful in
6pection OF the situation will show how
strongly the enemy were located:
The enemy occupied position Of uncom-
mon strength, commanding the junction OF the
roads 90 Port Republic. He had chosen his
ground with great skill and with a previous
fol- knowledge Of the location. His main line
was advantaEeously posted upon a ridge, pro-
tected ln front by a steep deciyity and almost
entirely masked by thick woods and covered
BY fences. Near las center and on the summit
81 an abrupt ascent bordered at the base by
the LiEb, prrpendculAF bank Of a marshy
creek, hc bad mAssed la addition to bis guns
elsewhere, three Of his best batteries. From
superiority OF numbers his flank, both at the
right and ieit considerably oyerlapped my
own"
MILRoY's BRIGADE
was opposed % the brieadcs Of Gems. Steuart
and Elzey, of Ewel's Division, and the casual
ties on both sides will attest the severity of
the battle on that part Of the field.
A. JHE NkuONAL TRBCNE Is extensively
read by COnicderates, Ii may interest those
who read % contemplate my recOllectons OF
that event, 20 years ago.
The forces directly opposing Gen. Milroy
were, the second Brigade commanded by Brig
3tht hAbl&t ~. HleuArl com posed OF the lst
BID. IsH called. the s4th SD aud 5sth Va. with
0ckeDbi0ugL's aud Lusks batteries The
casualties were, Brig.Gen. Steuart severely
wounded in the lst Nd, Lieut. Hezckiah III
y an aud y Others wounded. Col. later Gem /
Bradley T. johnson was Ia command Of this !
regiment The casualties in the oath Va. were
Capt. J0un T. Martin wounded, with one en-.
listed man Killed aud two wounded The
casualties in the 52d Va. were Lieut.. C. NJ
King killed and hsj. John d. IT, Ross. Lisuts.
= Paul and 4. d. Ransom, and Asst Surg John
Lewis. wounded, with one enlisted man killed
aud ~ wounded The 5eth Va bad five en-.
listed men wounded Br0ckenbrUugh's bat
tcrF, two enlisted men killed Lusk 5 battery.
tWo enl ed men killed and three wounded
Biia -deH. Geo H. Stcuart. commanding this
brigade is q Aarylsnder aud is now resident
oi Baltimore City. He is prominent business
man, taxes an active interest in the citys
HfaiTs aud is one Oi the
LEADING OFFICERS
in tie Confederate societies of the city. At
ths lime he look no more than so wears OF
age. and has . courteous salute aud friendly.
Ecnlai face Tor al. aCquaintanccs
The Fourth Brigade WAS IN command Of
Brig..6cu. Arnold Ezey, aud was composed Of
f.H following rrpirrnfrs Tho T8tlt o. HotL