The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-05-17

obey orders out minutes were aSes
Finally we saw Gen. Mcdowell, will
some other officers, ride along the from
amid the storm of leaden bullets. Afte
making some motions with his hand h'
rapidly rode away again.
Who will come to the rescue? Now i
the time for our best-disciplined troops
no others can avail-or else the army il
lost; troops under such discipline thai
for man to drop out in going into
action means for him to be Drained with
the stock of Sergeant's rifle on the spot
or to be met with the muzzle of an Off
GERS revolver pointed at his head.
Soon a long line of men were seen in
distinctly through the smoke coming
from orr right, advancing rapidly along
the ridge in front. They went onward
at a doubIe-quick at right-shoulder shift,
fours front, and with cheer they passed
on and disappeared toward our left. At
the end Of the line was one of our Zou-
aves going with them. 1t was never
ascertained who he was, and he may
have left his body on the field and his
name on the rolls as missing in action
or, perhaps, among the deserters as many
another man who lost his life in the
service of his country stands to-day.
We think we recognize them; yes, it
is the Regulars! Sykes's Regulars,
of Fitz John Porter's Corps, and a
whole brigade of them. Hurrah! Hur-
rah Now the Johnnies will catch h.
The
FATE OF OUR ARMY
and for all we then knew perhaps that
Of the Union depended upon their sue
cess in staying the onward sweep of the
enemy.
Swinton saws: az ;; = and it then be-
came doubtful whether even the Henry
House Hill could be maintained so as
to cover the retreat of the army over
Bull Run. * x x The Regulars saved
it until relieved by the brigades of
Meade and Seymour and other troops,
that maintained the position and per-
niitted the withdrawal of the army across
Bull Run by the Stone Bridge"
As they passed in front of us a COM
mander's voice rang out clear and loud
above the din: Let there be no falter-
ing in this line" A moment later a
fearful, rolling crash, as the whole bri-
gade poured in their volIey, succeeded
by a fierce yell, told that they had COM
menced the work Of death at the same
time several batteries stationed on the
hills opened with grape and canister on
the Confederate hordes.
But darkness ere long spread her man.
Tie over the scene, and the army was
saved The regiment, now only COM
pany, with the rest of the army, under
cover Of night
COMMENCED RETREAT.
It was a dreary, dark, rainy night, and
the road was in a very bad condition on
account Of the mud and deep holes oc-
casioned by the continual travel Of wag-
ons and artillery Of both armies.
The 9TH numbered on the morning
after tie battle at Centerville less than
100; Cos. T and d, mastering II men,
were under the command Of First Serg't
Geo. A. Mitchell, Of F, who had a sore
wound, but remained with the regiment;
Serg't VIM II. Chambers took the com
mand Of II and B Serg't Forbes held
Go. G Serg't John C. Brogan. Co. l,
and the other companies were under the
command of three Lieutenants. who had
not, however, been in the action.
The following dispatch was sent by
Gen. Porter to Gen Mcclellan from
Centeryille at midnight Aug. 80: "War-
ren has only 167 men left-not one
missing and only three commissioned
officers"
Space viii not permit mention of the
many interesting personal experiences
and incidents Of this battle, some of he
toism, others narrowing; but the writer
cannot iorbear a slight tribute to the
memory Of the Orderly of Co. G.
Among those who lay dead on the bat
tlefield was VIM. Mcdowell, the Or
derly-Sergeant, to which position he was
appointed for merit from the ranks, thus
stepping over all the intermediate Cor
pOrals and Sergeants, and
10 MAN WAS MORE CAPABLE
of filling the position with credit to him.
self and the men under him than be
proved TO be. Mcdowell was a member
Of Washington Truck Company, No. 9,
Volunteer Fire Department, New York
City, when he enlisted in April, 1861,
Chee members Of which were killed in
this battle) He was one Of natures
noblemen; stood six feet two and one
half inches in hight, and was well pro-
portioned. He was brave as lion in
the hour Of need, and was kind, gentle,
and modest in his social relations among
his comrades and friends; always at the
front, and man Of great physical power
and endurance, which he never exerted
on others except TO restrain them from
doing harm 10 one another
Impartial to all alike, the most reck-
less IN his company learned TO respect
him. and there were some who seemingly
did not care for God, man, or the devil.
When the regiment stood in line Nc
nowell sraS xroundad IN fba boJ,, b,.