Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 9.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[719] sent his horse some distance to water. My pickets were so placed, it seems to me, without carelessness, could not have been captured.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

Major: I have the honor to report that on the twenty-fifth August, my regiment, stationed near Waterloo Bridge, was ordered to report to Major-General Jackson for active service. One squadron sharpshooters, under Captain Ridgeley Brown, was left at the bridge, at Hinson's Mill. I was ordered in advance with instructions to picket every road leading toward the enemy, which roads were to be held until the whole army passed. The first night we halted at Salem, and occupied Thoroughfare Gap as soon after dawn as the advance could get there.

On the evening of the twenty-sixth, the advance guard captured some twelve or fifteen Yankees at Haymarket and Gainesville. They seemed entirely ignorant of any movement of our army, and we passed on toward Bristoe Station. Ascertaining that the depot was guarded by a company of cavalry and one of infantry, I was ordered to capture them (the pickets detailed en route had reduced my regiment to about one hundred men) and surprise their whole command; but most of their cavalry scampered away with their horses, and many of the infantry fled to the hotel and other houses, and opened fire upon us. Just at this crisis a train of cars approached, which we attempted to throw from the track by placing sills on it; but in this did not succeed, as the time and materials at hand were not sufficient. In this skirmish we killed two of the enemy, wounded seven, and captured forty-three, including the Lieutenant-Colonel of the Fourth New York regiment, a Major, three Captains, and four Lieutenants. We also captured fourteen cavalry horses with some few sabres, carbines, and pistols. Lieutenant Wilson and privates Saunders and Everett, of company A, were badly wounded by guns fired from the windows of the houses.

The Louisiana brigade came up to our support, and succeeded in capturing several trains of cars. The next day I was engaged in protecting the flank of General Ewell's division, and followed in his rear from Manassas, picking up stragglers and destroying stores abandoned the day previous by the enemy. At Groveton I was ordered to join the brigade under General Robertson. About four o'clock P. M., on the thirtieth, my regiment was ordered to the front, when we arrived nearly upon the spot where my command had stood for hours during the battle of July twenty-first, 1861. We found a company of the enemy's cavalry, and Lieutenant-Colonel Watts was ordered to charge them with one squadron, which he did with his usual good spirit, and put them to flight; but soon discovered that they were the advance guards of General Buford's cavalry brigade, stationed under the hill, near Lewis's Ford, which caused him to halt, when the rest of my regiment was ordered up to his support. As soon as I had formed my command, I determined to move to the rear for a better position; but as soon as I commenced this move, the enemy advanced upon me. We were then near enough to hear each other's commands. Hearing the command, “Forward, trot,” I wheeled my command to the right — about by fours, and went at them with drawn sabres. The enemy were in columns by regiments, composed of the First Michigan, Fourth New York, and First Virginia. My regiment, in line of battle, going at a gallop, went through the advanced line of the enemy, engaged this and the second line in a hand-to-hand fight. We were soon overpowered by numbers, and a running fight ensued, the two commands being thoroughly intermingled. As soon as the Seventh and Twelfth reinforced me, the whole of the enemy's command commenced a retreat. Had my regiment been promptly reenforced, my command would not have suffered so severely. My regiment behaved as gallantly as any body of men could do. Lieutenant-Colonel Watts, Major Breckinridge, Lieutenant Kelso, of company A, and Lieutenant Walton, of company C, were severely wounded. Privates William Watson, Caleb Dooley, of company A; B. Peck, S. W. McCluer, C. Frazier, J. M. Denton, and W. Bishop, of company C; S. Martin, company D; J. Shelton, G. T. Rucker, company E; F. P. Harris, J. M. Garrett, G. Leftwitch, L. Roberts, company F; Jenkins, company G; R. A. Cheatham and James Walker, company H; Joseph Perkins and Moss, company K, and John Lonely and R. W. Nelson, of Captain Brown's Maryland company, were severely wounded and disabled. Some twelve others were slightly wounded, but continued with the command. Privates F. Noel and B. Watson, of company A, and Mann, company H, were killed. It is proper to state that my own horse was killed, and that I was dismounted by a blow. I did not pursue the enemy farther than Bull Run. General Robertson came up and assumed command.

The Seventh and Twelfth were much complimented by those who witnessed their pursuit of the enemy. I herewith enclose reports of the commanding officers. The brigade captured about three hundred prisoners, with a large number of horses, arms, and accoutrements.

I am, Major, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

* * * *

I arrived at Groveton, where I learned that the enemy was moving his wagons on a private road to Manassas Junction. I procured a section of artillery from Colonel Bradley Johnson and attacked