The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-07-30

"Col. Davies brought up with him the
rifled 24-pounder battery of Lieut.. BenJa-
min and ordered it to open fire Immediately
He directed, also, Hunts battery to his as
sistance, and / ordered Green's battery to
open its fire at the same time.
1.-The enemy appeared TO have Withdrawn
his guns from that position, as he returned
no fire, or he might have been reservlng his
fire for the last attack. An hours cannon
aiding however, brought in view column
of the enemy's infantry, which l observed
with my glass, of at least 1900 men. and
soon after two other bodies of men of at
least regiment each, who now occupied the
lines on the other side of the run, which
lines now appeared full to OVERLOOKING.
Surprising now that they intended to
make push across our front in column, OF
would endeavor to turn our lett, about IL
a. M. I began to fortify my position by
throwing up an earthen parapet for three
guns, with embrasures, across the road, and
commenced an abatis of timber, by telling
trees pointing outwards, between this bat
terry and the log house to the left.
About this time the enemy on the oppo-
site side appeared to be falling back ia con-
fusion from our right attack, which con-
tinued for some time end then the tide
changed, and they seemed to be returning
in large masses
AT the interval between these two ex-
tremes | was ordered by Col. ID. S. Miles to
throw forward my skirmishers and feel the
enemy, and accordingly two companies of
the Sd Mich. were sent forward and down
the ravine to cover our front and advance.
These were supported by Capt. Broth Schnel-
der's light infantry battalion, which also
advanced down the ragine, accompanied by
Lieut.. Prime, Corps of United States Engi-
neers, who went for the purpose of ascertain
ing the enemy's position, he volunteering
his services for that particular purpose.
Sol. Davies also threw forward a COM
pany Of skirmishers on his right. The
enemY's skirmishers were in force in the
woods in front, and covered themselves
with trees and rife-pits, which had been
thrown up before.
"Our two advance companies were driven
back. The enemy pursued and were In turn
driven back by the spherical caseshot of
Green's battery, and / ordered back the
light infantry and also the two companies
to the former position. The company in
front of Col. Daviess command retired about
the same time.
"By D. NJ had the battery and abatis
nearly completed, making my defenses as
]
used would allow. No enemy appeared in
force in my front with disposition to as
sault, but about this time heavy column
of infantry appeared TO the left of Col.
| Davies in ravine moving up to the attack.
! This brigade opened heavy fire upon them
] and CALAMITY drove them back, as he in
formed me afterward.
During this firing, which was shortly
after 5 o'clock, / received orders from Col.
| Miles, through one Of his staff, to retreat
upon Centerville and endeayor to hold that
position.
Il Immediately collected my brigade and
put it in motion on the road toward Center
| willie. and was at the head Of the I'd Mich,
| in rear OF the brigade, when staff officer
| proposed to me to throw my regiment in
line, face toward the enemy, between the
| house occupied the night before by Hunts
battery and the Union and Centerville road,
upon which road the enemy was supposed
TO be advancing.
" had gained position near the desired
point, when / was met by Col. Davies, who
Informed me that he had beaten the enemy
handsomely in front. i told him / had been
ordered back 10 CenterviIle by Col. Miles
that the rest of my brigade had gone on,
and that had been directed to 20 10 that
facing the enemy there which ] had done,
and Col. Davies went, as / supposed, to his
brigade.
Soon after this was nat by a staff Officer
of Gen Mcdowell, who told me TO put my
brigade in position on the left of the road
from Centeryille 10 Black burns Ford, and
stretching toward the Union and Centervillt
roads, facing the enemy. Other troops haG
also fallen back to this point distant abou
a mile from Centerviilel, and about 6 p. N
Capt. Alexander, of the Corps of Engineers
directed me- by order of Gen. Mcdowell, Il
take the general arrangement of the troops
at that point in my own hands, he suggest
ing as good line of defense between 4 piec,
OF woods on the right and one on the left
the line facing equally towards the enemy
who were supposed to be coming either OF
the Union or the Black burn road.
&" Immediately formed that line as bes
] could of the regiments nearest the posi-
ton, placing the men in the rayines, an,
the artillery, az far as possible, on the hill
in the rear of the infantry. Before Capt
Alexander gave me his last direction learn
ed that Col. Miles had altered the position O
some regiments which j had placed before
especially the Sd Mich, which had ordere'
to form close column by division, ts remain
| as ~ ICStIht, iiol
. | me.
e 1.-The officer in command of the regimen
!, at that time, Lieut.Col. Stevens (CoI. Nc
/ Cornell being unwell but on the ground
0 | Immediately executed that order and pu
= his regiment In close column. i went
some other part of the field, and on return
e ing found this regiment deployed in line-oi
battle and in another position. l inquire
: OF Col. Stevens the reason of their positio
t, being altered. lie told me that Col. Mile
y had directed the movement. / asked hiI
II why? Col. Stevens replied:
a 81 do not know; but have no eonfidenc
S in Col. Miles, / inquired the reason. Co
If Stevens answered, Because Col Miles
II drunk That closed the conversation.
sent Col Stevens back with his regiment t
O form close column by division, AS at first.
It then reported to Capt. Alexander that i ha
e been interfered with in my dispersion OF til
e troops during the day, and could not carr