Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 5.
Frank Moore, Ed.

When we arrived upon the summit we could see the enemy in hasty retreat on the east side of Bull Pasture Mountain, about five miles in advance. It being late in the day, our command thought it prudent to halt and go into camp for the night.

At sunrise the next morning we were again on the line of march in pursuit of the enemy. When we arrived at Bull Pasture Mountain we ascended to its summit, when Ashby's scouts reported that the Yankees had placed four pieces of artillery on the road leading into McDowell, on the west side of the mountain, where the road passes through a narrow gorge. The heights commanding Monterey were also in possession of the enemy, with artillery planted.

After the generals had reconnoitred for several hours, it becoming late, they concluded to postpone an attack until the following morning; but the enemy, receiving reinforcements, made an attack upon us about five o'clock. After a desperate fight, which lasted five hours, we drove the enemy from the field.

During the engagement Gen. Johnson came near being captured. Gen. Jackson, not knowing his position, gave orders for the Forty-fourth Virginia regiment to fall back, but the Richmond Zouaves, Capt. Alfriend, seeing the perilous position of their brave commander, Gen. J., disobeyed orders and charged upon the enemy, thereby saving him from the Yankees' clutches.

Our loss is estimated at about 300 killed, wounded and missing. About one hundred of the number were killed and mortally wounded.

During the battle Gen. Johnson's horse was killed under him, and the General received a wound in the ankle from a shell passing through the small bone of the leg.

The Twelfth Georgia regiment did most of the fighting, and suffered very severely. They lost 132 killed, wounded and missing; among them were many brave and gallant officers. One company of the Twelfth Georgia lost all of its officers save the fourth corporal.

There were only two brigades of three regiments each, both of Johnson's army, engaged in the fight. The first was commanded by Col. Z. T. Connor, of Georgia, and the second by Col. Wm. C. Scott, of Virginia, of both of whom Gen. Johnson speaks in the highest terms for their gallantry and bravery on this occasion.

We expected to renew the fight the next morning; but the bird had flown, leaving behind, at McDowell, where three thousand encamped, all his camp equipage, a large quantity of ammunition, a number of cases of Enfield rifles, together with about one hundred head of cattle, which they had stolen, being mostly milch cows.

At McDowell, Milroy's headquarters, great destruction was done to private property.

North-western Virginia is now nearly free from the scoundrels. I do not know our destination, as Gen. Jackson never tells any one his plans, not even his brigadiers.