Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 2.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[20] disaster should be more than compensated for by an enduring victory.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Colonel: You will observe that my report of the movements of my brigade at Bull Run, on the 21st ult., is dated July 24, but three days after the battle. It was made out in the rough on that day, and the next morning (25th) orders came to my camp, directing me to get my First Rhode Island regiment in readiness to leave for Providence on the 7 P. M. train. The work incident to moving a regiment, with its baggage, so occupied me that I had no time to revise my report, but sent it in as it was, intending, at my leisure, to make a supplementary one. It will not seem strange that many omissions and some inaccuracies should have occurred, which I now hope to correct. I stated that after Col. Hunter was wounded he directed me to “take charge of the formation of the division in the presence of the enemy,” when I should have said that part of the division in presence of the enemy. I of course knew that you commanded the division by virtue of your superior rank; but you were at that time, as you will remember, in command of your brigade in another part of the field.

In another part of my report I mention the arrival of Col. Heintzleman's division on our left. It was Sherman's brigade, with the Sixty-ninth New York Militia in advance, that arrived at about 12 1/2 o'clock, and by a most deadly fire assisted in breaking the enemy's lines, and soon after 1 o'clock the woods on our front, which had been so obstinately held, were cleared of the enemy. My brigade had now been engaged since about 10 1/2 o'clock.

In my first report I mentioned the opportune arrival of Major Sykes's battalion, and it is not necessary to repeat what I then said of their gallant support of my brigade. I beg to again mention the bravery and steadiness manifested by Colonel Martin and his entire regiment, (Seventy-first,) both on the field and during the retreat. Col. Marston, of the Second New Hampshire, was badly wounded in the shoulder, but notwithstanding that he remained in the saddle under fire after his wound was dressed, his horse being led by his orderly. The regiment under charge of Lieut.-Col. Fiske conducted itself most gallantly; both officers and men deserve great praise.

Of the two Rhode Island regiments I have already spoken more fully, but cannot close this without again attesting to the admirable conduct of Lieut.-Col. Wheaton of the Second regiment, and Majors Balch and Goddard of, the First, with the Staff and company officers and men, of both regiments. No troops could have behaved better under fire. By an omission in copying my first report the name of Capt. Wm. L. Bowers, Quartermaster First Rhode Island regiment, who is reported missing, was not mentioned. He was a brave and efficient officer, whom I could ill afford to lose. I have good reason to hope that he is alive in the hands of the enemy and well cared for. Since my original report I have learned that some others of our missing are in Richmond, among them Lieut. Knight and Dr. Harris, of the First Rhode Island regiment.

I beg to supply an important omission in my first report, by attesting to the courage and efficiency of my personal staff, Chaplain Woodbury, of the First Rhode Island regiment, aide-de-camp; Adjutant Merriman, First Rhode Island regiment, A. A. A. G.; and Lieut. Beaumont, United States Cavalry, aidede-camp, who were all active in their assistance on the field. Lieut. Beaumont being in the regular service, I beg to recommend him to the notice of the Commanding-General as a most gallant and deserving young officer.

Capt. Curson, Seventy-first New York, division-quartermaster, and Capt. Goodhue, Second New Hampshire, division-commissary, rendered most efficient service in their departments. Capt. Reynolds's battery did such good service in so many parts of the field, that it has a place in several reports, which renders it unnecessary for me to make further mention of it.

I have the honor to be, Colonel,

Very respectfully, your ob't servant,

Capt. J. B. Fry, A. A. J. :--I have the honor to submit the following account of the operations of the First Brigade, Second Division of the army, in the battle before Manassas on the 21st inst. The brigade was silently paraded in “light marching order” at 2 o'clock in the morning of that day, composed as follows, viz.: 1. Griffin's Battery. 2. Marines, Major Reynolds. 3. Twenty-seventh N. Y. V., Col. Slocum. 4. Fourteenth N. Y. S. M., Col. Wood. 5. Eighth N. Y. S. M., Col. Lyons. 6. Battalion of Regulars, Major Sykes. 7. First Co. 2d Dragoons; four companies Cavalry, Major Palmer. Total strength, 3,700.

The marines were recruits, but through constant exertions of their officers, had been brought to present a fine military appearance, without being able to render much active service; they were therefore attached to the battery, as its permanent support through the day. Owing to frequent delays in the march of troops in front, the brigade did not reach Centreville until 4:30 A. M., and it was an hour after sunrise when the head of it was turned to the right to commence the flank movement.

The slow and intermittent movements of the 2d Brigade (Burnside's) were then followed