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trees, so that we could not see them; but our boys guessed from the direction their balls came where they were, so we commenced firing on them, and they again retreated.
They soon returned again, and an incessant fire was kept up until about one hundred rounds were fired, when the enemy retreated some three miles, leaving about one thousand killed and wounded on the field.
Our side lost five killed and about forty wounded. Out of this number there were six of our battalion wounded, though none of them seriously.
I am one of the number, which accounts for my being here.
A small ball passed through my upper lip, on the left side, knocking out one of my lower and one of my upper teeth — also giving two other front teeth such a jar that I am fearful they will have to be taken out.
I left the same evening of the fight, and came here, where I will remain about a week, when I will go back and join our battalion.
I was offered a discharge to go home, but I can't think of going home while there is a live Yankee to fight on our soil; besides I want to go back and get satisfaction for the shot I received.
If the shot had struck me two inches higher, I would have been a “gone chicken.”
Brother was within a mile of the fight, but was not in the engagement.
We were expecting another attack on the 19th, but I have not heard whether there was one or not.
My wound is getting on very well — pains me but little.
I hope you are all well — wish I could see you. My love to all. Good-bye.
Baltimore exchange narrative.
The following account comes through our occasional correspondent at
Washington, on whom we have great reliance:
The following account of the
battle at Bull Run is given by the Hons.
Wm. A. Richardson,
John A. McClernand, of
Ill., and
John W. Noel, of
Missouri, (all members of the
House,) who were eye-witnesses of the battle, and aided in several instances in bearing from the field members of the New York 12th, who were wounded.
The action commenced under the direction of
Gen. Tyler, of
Connecticut, at 1 1/2 o'clock on Thursday afternoon, at
Bull Run, three miles from
Centreville, between several companies of skirmishers attached to the Massachusetts 1st, and a masked battery situated on a slight eminence.
The skirmishers retreated rapidly, and were succeeded in the engagement by
Sherman's battery and two companies of regular cavalry, which, after continuing the contest for some time, were supported by the New York 12th, 1st Maine, 2d Michigan, 1st Massachusetts, and a Wisconsin regiment, when the battle was waged with great earnestness, continuing until 5 o'clock. The Federal troops were then drawn back in great confusion beyond the range of the Confederate batteries, where they bivouacked for the night.
During the conflict the
Michigan, Maine, and
Wisconsin regiments held their ground with a fortitude which, in view of the galling fire to which they were exposed, was most remarkable, but the New York 12th and the Massachusetts 1st regiments retired in great disorder from the field, a portion of them throwing away knapsacks and even their arms, in their flight.
A number of the members of the former regiments openly asserted that their confused retreat was the fault of their officers, who evinced a total lack of courage, and were the first to flee.
After the retreat had been commenced,
Corcoran's New York 69th (
Irish) and
Cameron's New York 79th (Scotch) regiments were ordered up to the support, but arrived too late to take part in the action.
There were three batteries in all. The first to open fire which was the smallest, was situated on the top of an eminence; the second, and most destructive, in a ravine.
The latter was totally concealed from view by brushwood, &c.; and it was in attempting to take the first by assault that the
Federal troops stumbled upon it. The battle occurred at a point in the declivity of the road, where it makes a turn, forming an obtuse angle, and the third battery was so placed as to enfilade with its fire the approaches towards the
Junction.
Much jealousy, it is stated by the same authority, existed between the regular officers and those of the volunteer corps, each appearing desirous of shifting to the other side the responsibility of any movement not advised by themselves, and the jealousy, it is feared, will seriously affect the efficiency of the “grand army.”
Thus,
Gen. McDowell expressly states that the battle was not his own, but that of
Gen. Tyler.
The former officer said he would not advance further until he had thoroughly and carefully reconnoitred the position of the batteries, their capabilities, &c.; and the inference derived by my informants from his remarks is, that he deems his present force entirely insufficient to carry the position before him.
One of the gentlemen mentioned at the commencement of this account gives it as his opinion that
Manassas Junction cannot be carried by 50,000 men in two months, and all agreed in saying that the force under
Beauregard has been entirely underrated numerically, and that their fighting qualities are superior.
The cheers with which they rushed to the fight frequently rang above the din of the battle.
Their numbers were not ascertained, but it is estimated at upwards of 5,000 South Carolinians, under command of
Gen. M. L. Bonham, of
South Carolina.
Their artillery was of the best kind.
A shot from one of their batteries severed a bough from a tree quite two miles distant, and but a few feet from where the vehicles of two Congressmen
