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

[384] with that of Colonel McLean. In executing this order, however, Gen. Milroy directed his brigade more to the rear than was intended by me. By this disposition an interval of several hundred paces was left between these two brigades, by which the enemy penetrated, attacking Colonel McLean's troops in the rear, and compelling them to change their front to the left. They thereby partially evacuated the position they had occupied on the hill.

It was this moment that Gen. Schenck was severely wounded at the head of his troops, whom he had repeatedly led against the overwhelming masses of the enemy, when Gen. Reynolds, who at the beginning of the battle had deployed his troops in front and to the left of Col. McLean's brigade, changed his position and withdrew his battery from a hill to the left of Gainesville turnpike, near Groveton. The enemy immediately took possession of the hill, posted a battery there, and immediately spread his infantry out over the high and wooded ground before Colonel McLean's brigade, and on the flank and almost in the rear of our centre.

To dislodge the enemy from his new-gained position, I ordered forward three regiments of infantry under Col. Koltes, who, under a terrible artillery fire, boldly advanced against the hills, but could not regain the lost ground. In this attack I have to regret the loss of the intrepid Col. Koltes, who was killed while executing the movement ordered. His brigade, though nearly decimated, succeeding in protecting our centre and preventing the turning of our flank. To avoid the destruction of our troops from the sweeps of the enemy's battery, as the main attack was now on our left, I ordered General Schurz to withdraw his division from the low ground under cover of our artillery, and take position on the hills near the stone house, one brigade to face toward the left.

The brigade of Gen. Stahl followed this movement, and formed in line of battle on our right. Immediately in front of his position, on a hill to the right (north) of the store-house, I placed a battery of the Fourth regulars, which I had met on the turnpike. This battery behaved nobly, and maintained its position until the last hour. Capt. Dilyer's battery occupied a more advanced position, near Groveton. Capt. Dickman's was on our left, and Captain Shermer's on our right, with Gen. Stahl's brigade. Gen. Milroy, with his brigade, with the assistance of several additional regiments which he had brought forward, succeeded in repulsing the enemy on the left. In this gallant exploit his horse was shot under him.

We maintained our position until night had closed in upon us, when General Pope ordered a general retreat. Following the troops of General Porter and McDowell, my corps crossed Young's Branch, where it remained for two hours, until the commands of Generals McDowell, Reno, and Kearny, had crossed Bull Run, by the ford near the stone bridge, and the whole train had passed over the bridge. It was now between nine and ten P. M. I then marched to the turnpike, crossed the bridge over Bull Run, and took position on the left and right of the bridge, throwing my pickets out on the other (south) side of the creek, toward the battle-field. Soon after, an officer of General McDowell's staff directed me to fall back, as the enemy was threatening the line of retreat.

It was now after midnight, when I ordered my command to continue its march toward Centreville, first destroying the bridge across Bull Run. Our rear-guard was composed of part of General Schurz's division, two pieces of Captain Dilyer's battery, and a detachment of (Colonel Kane's) Bucktail Rifles, which had come up with several guns collected on their march of retreat. I reached Centreville at daylight on the thirty-first of August, my command encamping in front of and occupying the intrenchments of that place, attached to me with our arrival at Freeman's Ford. Our losses during the two days battle, in killed, wounded, and missing, according to the official lists sent in, are ninety-two officers and one thousand eight hundred and ninety-one non-commissioned officers and privates.

To be just to the officers and soldiers under my command, I must say that they performed their duties during the different movements and engagements of the whole campaign with the greatest promptness, energy, and fortitude. Commanders of divisions and brigades, of regiments and batteries, and the commanders of our small cavalry force have assisted me under all circumstances cheerfully and to the utmost of their ability, and so have the two batteries of Major-Gen. Banks's corps, and Captain Hampton's batteries, under Major Rufos. It also affords me pleasure to mention the faithful services of the members of my staff, and of such officers as were detailed to me for special duty. To them as well as to the officers and members of my escort, and of the pioneer companies, attached to me since our arrival at Freeman's Ford, I hereby express my high regard and warmest gratitude.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully,

sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the movements of my command since the date of our departure from Woodville, Va., August eighth, 1862.

At nine P. M. my brigade, taking the advance of the corps, moved in the direction of Culpeper, arriving at that place about five next morning. At five P. M. same day, received orders to march immediately in the direction of Cedar Mountains, from which direction heavy firing had been heard all the afternoon. I again took the advance. Having marched three miles, and finding the road blocked up by ambulances and stragglers from the battle-field, I started ahead with my