The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-01-04

army than Gen. Scott had when he took
| the City Of Mexico? Besides, was he
not our General? To be sure he was
not with us. but we had every conf
dence in Mcdowell. / believe every pri-
vate soldier understood that Patterson
was expected to hold Johnstons forces
at Winchester, yet among the private
soldiers there were expressions of doubt
OF the loyalty Of Patterson and that he
might fail to keep Johnston busy, and
well as Beauregard's army. Yet there
were no doubts concerning the outcome.
Maj. Williams. in command Of our regi-
ment, ordered us to leave our blankets,
rolled In light marching order at his
headquarters under q large oak tree, SO
we would be unencumbered when or
dered into the fight. But all day long
we lay listening to the battle on our
right, expecting every minute to be
CO led into action. Occasionally we
would go out on q hill overlooking the
battlefield, and while watching the bat
tie, discuss the wisdom Of the plan Of
battle. or, rather, lack Of plan, for there
| really seemed to be no plan Of action
but the sending in of a regiment or bril-
gade and a helter-skelter fight until It
became necessary to relieve them by
others.
About 2 o'clock in the afternoon we
heard continual whistling and thunder
ing Of railroad trains, and we knew
that Beauregard was being reinforced
by Johnston's forces. Patterson had
failed to entertain Johnston.
Retreat From Bull Run.
About o'clock orders came for us
to move, and we expected to be ordered
into battle. We marched past the Ma
tor's headquarters, and could easily
have taken our blankets, but still ex-
pecting to go into battle, we marched
aYrn q nod n
ford. when Col. Richardson came rid
ing up and cried, MAI. Williams, where
are you taking that regiment? About
facet! Only for this we should soon
have been game for the masked bat
teries. The Colonel was hatless, coat
less and without his sword, for Col
Miles, whose commission was two hours
older than Richardson's, had ordered
Richardson under arrest. But Miles
| was drunk. and Richardson would not
sec his regiment led to destruction. We
were ordered to about face, and by the
| left flank we dOuble-quicked back to
Centerville. 1t was intensely hot and
| the dust was so thick one could almost
cut 1t with q knife.
Arriving at the heights Of Centerville,
we could look back and see the whole
army In disorderly retreat and being
| seemed to be In command OF the rear
guard, for as far as we could see all
| seemed to be disorder except our bril-
gade, and We under the command of an
| officer not in possession Of his sword,
| but under arrest.
| Richardson ordered battery of ar
| t1llery to take position on a hill and
send few shots into the pursuing cav
| airy, which sent them back in q hurry.
Our brigade now marched over the hill,
/ regimental front, down into a ravine;
then by the left flank around the hill,
where We again faced the enemy.
marched over the hill with colors f1y-
ing, again by the flank and SO on re-
peatfng the maneuver at least dozen
times. This no doubt was the reason
Johnston did not pursue us farther, as
his report, published in Appleton's En-
cycopedia, says that because Of his men
being worn out and the Federals mass
ing large forces at Centerville he did
not think it expedient to follow the
forces to Washington, which was well
| fortified and manned.
We now marched into q cornfield and
lay on our arms until about O'Clock
next morning. We then arose and In
All orderly manner slowly marched out
into the road and stood until daylight
my regiment being the very last to leave
the field; there was no running, no ex-
element, we never saw another reb in
pursuit. nor was there any whirlwind
retreat to Washington. There came uI
q light rain, and we marched very slow.
ly back to Washington by the way OF
the Fairfax road, arriving at Arlington
Heights at 4 o'clock in the afternoon
July %. Col. Richardson was court.
martialed for disobeying superior Off.
Ger, and was promptly promoted tc
r-General.-Lyman T.. Stowe
III Catherine ST., Detroit, Mich.