The National tribune., 1909-08-12

Pope's army from Culpeper my regf-
ment marched to Rappahannock Sta
tion at noon. While eating rations our
Colonel formed us in line, and asked
eight men to step forward to go with
Capt McGiivery's Battery that after
noon, as there was every indication of
a severe contest, and leave our KNAPP
sacks in the company wagon, as We
would return to our regiment at night.
stepped to the front, and was soon
Joined ts seven others. Now. the rea-
son why we were called was because
there had been so many killed and
wounded in that battery at Cedar, or as
called by some, Slaughter Mountain,
the battery could not be successfully
used without others taking the places
Of the fallen ones. Instead of return
ing to my regiment I was with the bat
terry for three weeks, which was not
play spell by any means. Thursday
afternoon, the day Before the last Bull
Run fight, we arrived at Manassas
Junction, had just eaten our hardtack,
and were thinking We would have
nights rest at last, when the bugle
sounded and our thought OF rest was
delusion. We marched thru the fields
out towards Bull Run, where there had
been a good deal of skirmishing before
night. We lay down in marsh for
awhile, and at the first gleam of light
we were up and had just cooked our
coffee and commenced our breakfast
when that bugle sounded again TO get
On a move. We were soon going in
frot. then a run toward that noted Bull
Run battlefield I think On the main
road as we We're hurrying along we
passed Gen. Fitz John Porter's Corps
by the side of the road, leisurely getting
up and preparing for breakfast On We
VENT don't know the distance-when
we turned to the left, went down the
fields, halted and were trying to finish
breakfast, when the rebel shells came
So fast we were again forced to proceed
down the hill to nearly level ground,
and crossed a small stream, where some
dead and many wounded comrades
were scattered about Soon after pro-
ceeding a little distance we were doing
what we could to kill as many of the
rebels or more than they could of US
until night, then fell back a little ways.
The next morning we advanced beyond
where we were the night before. and
again became engaged. After awhile
we advanced and formed part of a
long, slightly curved line of batteries,
facing, I think. nearly south. where
there was business in earnest along the
whole line. There was one battery on
our right close TO a piece of woods,
with the underbrush cleared. The
woods extended some distance, as near
as could be, 10 a right angle with the
line OF batteries Immediately back of US
and in front for a distance. i don't
know what the other batteries were or
the other troops engaged. L had all
could do to do my part and do it wen.
as / tried to do. About p m, to our
surprise, as we had no support, bril-
gade of rebels came thru the woods a
little in our rear, fired, raking our whole
line, then, charging. captured five OF
the six guns of the battery on our right
vi nd a hracS of
our Capt. McGilvery's Battery. We
hastily retreated. What else could we
do? Two of the four cannon left got
separated from the other two. After
some time Capt. MeGilyery came from
the rear and took the two guns l was
with, and went up hill thru fields un-
til we came to a road, on which was
the stone house which was used as a
hospital Then going to the rear of
the house we soon became engaged
There was a cannon there with num-
ber of shells, but no one TO use them.
The Captain took some OF ms men ano
halted some stragglers. enough to man
tbe gun. and we had three guns al
work. Soon an officer came from gen.
eraI headquarters, forbidding Capt. Nc
Gilyery from firing, as he was hrlng on
our men. They had quite battle oi
words. but the Captain came on pest
yelling. Fire away, boys!" (The Cap
tain had just come from the rear, and
knew what he was talking about) By
this time ii was dusk-rather moon
light. Soon the officer was back. and
the same battle of words resumed, the
Captain coming off best again we
fred the last shell. The Captain would
not move until after awhile the rebs
came on again. and we had to leave or
be taken prisoners. / believe those
We're the last artillery shots fired in that
, memorable battle. i am writing this
tofyou as friend, 10 tell you what /
know about that battery.
Can you tell me who had command