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[29]

Having myself been in command of the Thirty-eighth regiment (Scott Life Guard, New York State Volunteers) during the action, I am unable to speak as particularly as could be desired of other regiments of the brigade from personal observation, and respectfully refer you to their respective reports. The reports of killed and wounded furnish sufficient evidence of their fidelity and courage.

But of the field-officers of the Fire Zouaves I can speak in terms of unqualified praise. Col. Farnham, Lieut.-Col. Gregier, and Major Loeser were incessant in their exertions in rallying and encouraging their men.

The officers and men of the First Michigan nobly discharged their duty to their country, and well may their State feel proud of her defenders.

The officers and men of the Thirty-eighth being under my own supervision, I can only corroborate the report rendered by Lieut.-Col. Farnsworth.

Where all acted so well, it would appear invidious to make comparisons; but in the case of Lieut.-Col. Farnsworth, Thirty-eighth regiment, I cannot find words to express my admiration of his conduct. He was confined to a sick bed for several days previous to the engagement, and arrived on the scene of action in an ambulance; and the fact of his rising from a sick bed and entering the field with his regiment, and his courage and coolness during the day, entitle him to the highest commendation.

In conclusion, I most respectfully submit that the duty of making this report, devolving upon me at so late a day — intelligence of the absence of Col. Wilcox not having reached me until the day after the battle — renders it impossible to give a more detailed statement.

My duty as commander of the brigade being ended with this report,

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

J. H. Hobart Ward, Colonel Thirty-eighth Regiment, Second Brigade, Third Division.


Official report of Lieut.-Col. Farnsworth.

Headquarters Thirty-Eighth regiment, (Second Scott Life Guard,) N. Y. V., camp Scott, near Alexandria, Va., July 29, 1861.
Col. J. H. H. Ward, Commanding Second Brigade, Third Division:
sir: In compliance with my duty, I respectfully submit the following report of the operation of my regiment during the recent battle at or near Bull Run on the 21st of July, 1861.

On the morning of the 21st, in obedience to brigade orders, the regiment was formed, the men equipped in light marching order, and prepared to leave its bivouac at or near Centreville. The march, however, was not commenced until 6 o'clock A. M., when the regiment, with others constituting the brigade, advanced towards the scene of future operations.

After a fatiguing march, over dusty roads, and at times through dense woods — the men suffering greatly from the intense heat, and a great lack of water, and submitting to the same with a true soldierly spirit — the regiment, with others of the brigade, was halted in a field in full view of the enemy, on the right of his line of intrenchments, and within range of his artillery. After a very brief rest the regiment was formed in line of battle, and ordered by Col. Wilcox, the commandant of the brigade, to advance to a slight eminence fronting the enemy's batteries, and about half a mile distant, to the support of Griffin's battery, which was then preparing to take up a position at that point.

This order was promptly executed — the men, led by yourself, and encouraged by the gallantry of their officers, moving forward in a gallant style, in double-quick time, subjected, a greater portion of the way, to a terrible and deadly fire of grape and canister, and round shot, from the enemy's works on our front and right flank.

Arriving at the brow of the eminence, in advance of the battery which it was intended to support, the regiment was halted, and commenced, in fact, the attack of Col. Heintzelman's division on the right flank of the enemy, engaging a large force of his infantry, and by a well-directed fire, completely routing an entire regiment that was advancing in good order, and driving it into a dense wood in the distance. After remaining in this position for some time, finding that the enemy's artillery was telling with fearful effect upon our ranks — subjected as we were to a direct and flank fire from his batteries — the regiment was ordered to retire down a slight, declivity, which was done in good order, affording it for a time, partial protection from the enemy's fire. At this time, Griffin's battery was moving to a position on our right, and the regiment was ordered by Col. Heintzelman in person to advance to its protection. Advancing by the flank under a galling fire, the regiment was halted within supporting distance of Griffin's battery, which had now opened upon the enemy, and properly formed to resist a threatened attack from the enemy's cavalry and infantry, which had shown themselves in large numbers on the borders of a grove to the right and front. In this position my regiment, under a spiteful and destructive fire from the enemy's batteries, remained until forced to retire, its presence not being deemed requisite because of the fact that Griffin's battery had been compelled to leave the field.

Retiring to a road about one hundred yards distant, my regiment was again formed in line of battle, and under the eye of the commander-in-chief, Gen. McDowell, the men, inspired by his presence upon the field, and led by yourself, dashed gallantly up the hill towards a point where Rickett's battery had been abandoned, in consequence of its support, the First Fire Zouaves and one Michigan regiment, having


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