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

[326] Col. Creighton wounded, and the same ratio of line — officers of the Seventh Ohio killed or wounded, with not uninjured men enough left to bear off the wounded from the field, without the attempt to move the killed. Oh! it made my blood run cold to see these regiments, who have so recently been obliged to face the foe in several hard-fought engagements until they numbered but a handful of effective men, again necessitated to take the advance. And then such fighting! Not a murmur, not a flinch, but still onward until their last cartridge-box was emptied, and scarcely an officer left to command them.

And then to hear the pathetic appeals of the wounded, begging their still uninjured companions to help them off the field and not leave them to the mercies of the enemy, was too much to have to endure. Poor fellows! but I pitied them. Every thing was done that could be to assist them. Ambulances were forwarded to their relief, and all were brought off the battle-field before darkness covered the scene. Were all our regiments composed of the same kind of fighting material as the Fifth Ohio, this dreadful war would soon be closed, and this dire rebellion effectually crushed out. I have frequently seen and heard of leaden hail showering on the heads of the unfortunate; but I never expect, or never wish, to witness such a terrific fire as was poured in upon those poor fellows for the space of three fourths of an hour. To give you some idea of the volume of this fire, you have but to learn that in that short space of time our wounded numbered near five hundred.

Just at the time of the advance of the infantry, Knapp's New-York battery, on the extreme right of the knoll, was withdrawn for the want of ammunition. The remaining batteries continued their practice, replying to the enemy until nightfall, when the National batteries were withdrawn from the knoll. The enemy continued firing at intervals with shell, but without any injury.

Our wounded were taken one mile in the rear of our position, where the enemy, observing the lights which were being used for the occasion, commenced throwing shell in that direction, several of which struck and exploded quite near to where the wounded were lying. But I will do the enemy the justice to state that they could not have been aware of the use being made of the ground where they were endeavoring to drop their shells. All the ambulances were kept employed during the night, conveying the wounded back to Culpeper.

And I will now take this occasion to state, that should my account of the two hours fighting not reach your city as soon as some others, I base my apology on the fact of remaining with the surgeons during the night, and rendering the poor wounded soldiers all the assistance within my limited means. Thinking that this course on this occasion would be appreciated, and give greater satisfaction to the friends, and more comfort to those suffering from their wounds, (nearly all of whom of the Fifth Ohio are from Cincinnati,) than could be accomplished by my devoting that time to writing, and by that means furnish your readers with the news one day earlier.

The enemy were very severely punished, as we have learned from prisoners who were captured this morning. They state that our artillery mowed them down whenever they showed themselves to view; and that while they were in the open field they were dropped by scores. They state their loss at over one thousand. They have been very quiet to-day, showing themselves but little, and keeping out of the way as much as possible. What the next programme will be remains to be proven.

At eight o'clock last evening, Gen. McDowell came up with the troops composing his corps, and one hour later Gen. Sigel arrived with his command. Both were soon in position to pay their respects to the enemy, should they have determined to extend a more intimate acquaintance. Gen. Pope and staff arrived the same time with the latter, and soon began to make himself familiar with the ground and surroundings.

The General was loudly cheered by the boys as he passed along the different commands. Showing that the “boys” have the right pluck, and that nothing is wanting but proper leaders. Shortly after the arrival of the General, and while on a reconnoissance in the front, he all at once discovered that a force of the enemy's cavalry was around him. But he succeeded in eluding their notice and getting within his own lines again. Shortly after this occurrence the enemy becoming again frightened, began to throw shells within our lines, some of which exploded near where the General and staff were standing. But all the enemy's practice during the night did us no damage.

As early attention was paid to the wounded as the circumstances would admit. Dr. Ball, of the Fifth Ohio, was among them, administering to the wants of all without reference to class or condition. In fact he was the only surgeon whom I saw among about one hundred of the wounded, representing five or six different regiments. He was most actively employed, during the entire night, extracting balls and dressing the wounds of those poor, unfortunate sufferers.

As is natural on all such unfortunate occasions, each of the sufferers was desirous to have their own wounds attended to first. It was, “Doctor, here,” “Doctor, there.” But all were attended to as soon as the Doctor could answer to their numerous calls. All have been taken to Culpeper, and comfortably quartered in churches and dwellings, and are having all the care and attention bestowed upon them that surrounding circumstances will afford. Furloughs, no doubt, will be granted to all who will not be fit for service for some time, as nothing would be gained to the Government by keeping these wounded in hospitals and confinement.

Gen. Pope met Gen. Jackson yesterday. The interchange of compliments between these distinguished