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

[33] thereafter met the commanding general, and complained of the change. The general's views were completed, and left me, without further control of the division. At the time the attack was made on Davies' flank, the regiments of the brigade engaged performed their duty gallantly. The batteries of Hunt's and Edwards's opening fire did great damage to the advancing troops of the enemy, soon repulsing them. I am grieved that in this engagement a brave and accomplished young officer, Lieut. Presby O'Craig, of the Second regiment artillery, and who was attached to Hunt's battery, was almost instantly killed. Several of the New York Volunteers were wounded; I have not the reports relative thereto.

Blenker's brigade, whilst on the Warrenton road, was charged by cavalry; but by a prompt and skilful fire, emptied several saddles, and relieved themselves from further annoyance. This summary embraces the operations of my division up to the evening of the 21st.

Before closing permit me to name and do justice to my staff, whose assiduity in the performance of their duties, and untiring exertions throughout the day, deserve all the commendation I am able to bestow, viz.:

Capt. Th. Vincent, Assistant Adjutant-General; Lieutenant Prime, Engineers; Lieutenant McMullan, Adjutant Second Infantry, and Acting Infantry General; Assistant Surgeon Woodward, medical direction, and Major Ritchie, New York Volunteers. My aide-de-camp, Lieutenant Wendell, Topographical Engineer, was quite ill during the day, and thereby prevented from being with me. Lieutenant Hawkins' Second infantry, my aids, were absent on detached service for supplies, &c., and had performed their duty, and were within two miles of Centreville when they met our army crowding the road. My brigade commanders, Blenker, Davies and Richardson, admirably performed their respective duties. My remarks apply also to their officers and men. The batteries of Major Green handsomely executed all required of them.

In closing this report, I would make a personal allusion to my condition during the day. I had lost my rest the two nights previous; was sick, had eaten nothing during the day, and had it not been for the great responsibility resting on me, should have been in bed.

I am, dear sir,

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

sir: I have the honor to submit to you the following report of the operations of the First Brigade, Fifth Division, during and after the action near Bull Run, on the 21st ult. Pursuant to the orders of Col. Miles, the brigade advanced from the camp and took their assigned position on the heights east of Centreville, about daybreak. The 8th regiment, N. Y. S V., commanded by Lieut.-Col. Stahel, on the left of the road leading from Centreville to Fairfax Court House; the 29th regiment, N. Y. S. V., commanded by Col. Steinwehr, on the right of the same road — both fronting toward the east; the Garibaldi Guard, commanded by Col. Utassy, formed a right angle with the 29th regiment, fronting to the south. The artillery attached to the brigade occupied the following position: The battery of Capt. Tidball stood in front of the left wing of the Garibaldi Guard; three pieces left in Centreville were placed near the right wing of the 29th regiment; three others on the left wing of the 8th regiment, where intrenchments were thrown up by the pioneers attached to the brigade. The last-named six pieces were served by experienced artillerists, detached from the 29th and 8th regiments. The 27th regiment Pa. V., Col. Einstein, was detached to the village of Centreville, for the protection of Headquarters and hospital. Four companies of the 29th regiment were detached in front of our position toward the road from Union Mills, to prevent the enemy from outflanking, unobserved, the left wing of the army. During this time I received the order to disarm one company of the 12th regiment, which was promptly executed by two companies of the 8th regiment N. Y. S. V. In this position the brigade remained until about 4 o'clock, P. M., when I received orders to advance upon the road from Centreville to Warrenton. This order was executed with great difficulty, as the road was nearly choked up by retreating baggage wagons of several divisions, and by the vast number of flying soldiers belonging to various regiments, Nevertheless, owing to the coolness of the commanding officers and the good discipline of the men, the passage through the village was successfully executed, and the further advance made with the utmost precision; and I was thus enabled to take a position which would prevent the advance of the enemy and protect the retreat of the army. The 8th regiment took position 1 1/2 miles south of Centreville, on both sides of the road leading to Bull Run. The 29th regiment stood half a mile behind the 8th, enchiquier by companies. The Garibaldi Guard stood in reserve in line behind the 29th regiment. The retreat of great numbers of flying soldiers continued until 9 o'clock in the evening, the great majority in wild confusion, and but few in collected bodies. Soon afterward, several squadrons of the enemy's cavalry advanced along the road, and appeared before the outposts. They were challenged, “Who comes here?” and, remaining without any answer, I, being just present at the outpost, called “Union forever!” whereupon the officer of the enemy's cavalry commanded, “En avant! en avant! knock him down!” Now the skirmishers fired, when the enemy turned