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battle-field to Centreville.
During the whole engagement the officers and men of my command behaved with great coolness and courage.
The killed, wounded, and missing of the Nine-teenth Indiana volunteers on the thirtieth of August, 1862, are as follows: One killed, eighteen wounded, and eleven missing. Total, thirty.
Very respectfully,
S. Meredith, Colonel Nineteenth Indiana Volunteers.
Captain Wilkins's report.
headquarters Third regiment infantry, camp near Hall's Hill, Va., September 5, 1862.
sir: I have the honor to report that on the thirtieth of August this regiment arrived on the old battle-field of Bull Run, at about seven o'clock A. M. A short time after, the brigade was formed in line of battle, (in front of the Dogan house,) and the regiment ordered forward as skirmishers, with orders to occupy the crest of the hill in our front; our left resting on the Alexandria and Warrenton turnpike.
We remained in this position about three hours, when I received orders to advance the line, which was promptly done.
To effect this, it was necessary to drive the enemy from some houses in front of our left.
This was gallantly done by three companies, under the command of Lieut. Sheridan, with the loss of two men killed and three wounded. Our line of skirmishers were then marched with those of the Pennsylvania reserves, the Bucktails on our left, and Gen. Butterfield's on the right.
At about half-past 4 P. M. the attack was made by our troops on the right, and a short time after a movement was observed on our left, among the skirmishers of the Pennsylvania reserve, which ended in their retiring entirely from their position.
This was immediately reported to Gen. Sykes, who directed me to occupy the same ground with my skirmishers, which was accordingly done.
The skirmishers of the Third infantry then occupied all the open ground in front, extending from wood to wood.
The left of our line of skirmishers was hotly pressed at this time, but the line was held until the movement on our right commenced.
I then assembled the skirmishers on the right of the turnpike and retired by it, having directed the skirmishers on the left to rejoin me. This they were unable to do, but under Lieut. Sheridan they assembled on Col. Warren's brigade, and were with him in the fierce engagement which they had on the left.
With all the men of my regiment I could get together I joined the brigade, which I found formed in front of the Henry and Robertson House.
Shortly after we were ordered forward to engage the enemy, who were pressing our left.
We had a short and close conflict at this point, and were finally forced to retire, which we did in good order.
Subsequently we moved to Centreville, arriving at one o'clock in the night.
Capt. Walker, acting field-officer, had charge of the left wing, and rendered me much assistance by his coolness and the prompt carrying out of orders.
Lieut. Sheridan's conduct came under my own observation, and was all that could be desired.
He mentions with praise the conduct of Lieutenants Whitney and Eckert, the former wounded and the latter contused.
Lieut. Penrose was active and energetic.
Sergeant James Torpy, of company H, with ten men of that company, held one of the houses occupied by us against a vastly superior force, and only retired when half his men were wounded and the house surrounded.
He was subsequently wounded and left on the field.
Seargeant-Major August Kaiser, First Sergeant Stanley Moniton, of company H; Hopkins, of company I; and Litzinger, of company K; Smith, of company B; Hessian, of company G; Coady, of company F; Shaeffer, of company E; Morris, of company C; Hanlef, of company D; and Sergeants Flynn, Ackland, and Scully, of the regiment, are mentioned as having been distinguished for coolness and bravery during the entire contest.
Lieut. Devoe, Adjutant of the regiment, rendered me important services during the action, and behaved with the same indifference to danger which has distinguished him on former occasions.
Our entire loss was five killed, fifteen wounded, and twenty-five missing, many of whom were no doubt killed. John D. Wilkins, Captain Third Infantry, Commanding Regiment. To Lieut. H. H. Powell, Asst. Adjt.-General First Brigade Regulars.
Jeff. Davis's message, communicated September 2, 1862.
To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Confederate States:
I have the gratification of presenting to Congress two despatches from Gen. Robert E. Lee, commanding the army of Northern Virginia, communicating the result of the operations north of the Rappahannock.
From these despatches it will be seen that God has again extended his shield over our patriotic army, and has blessed the cause of the Confederacy with a second signal victory on the field already memorable by the gallant achievement of our troops.
Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon the skill and daring of the Commanding General who conceived, or the valor and hardihood of the troops who executed, the brilliant movement whose result is now communicated.
After having driven from their intrenchments an enemy superior in number, and relieved from siege the city of Richmond, as heretofore communicated, our toil-worn troops advanced to meet another invading army, reenforced not only by the defeated army of Gen. McClellan, but by the fresh corps of Gens. Burnside and Hunter.
After forced marches, with inadequate transportation, and across streams swollen to unusual height, by repeated combats they turned the position of the enemy, formed a junction of their columns in the face of greatly superior forces, and fought the decisive batttle of the thirtieth, the crowning triumph of their toil and valor. 