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

[446] in flanking us on the left, and we were obliged to fall back, first to the guns and afterward down the mountain.

Our large guns on the Heights commenced shelling the woods in their rear at ten o'clock, and kept it up until half-past 3 o'clock P. M., (one hour and twenty minutes after the order to spike them had been given.) They were then dismounted, spiked, and otherwise rendered ineffective. Too much praise cannot be awarded to Capt. McGrath, when commanding the guns, for the skilful manner in which he manned them. A detachment of Fremont's, more familiarly known as “jackass” guns, were taken to the Heights during the day, and rendered valuable assistance. They were manned by company I, Twelfth regiment New-York State militia. Col. Ford, though seriously indisposed, left his couch repeatedly to go upon the field.

Capt. Russell, of the Maryland home brigade, who exchanged the pastorate of the Presbyterian church at Williamsport for his captaincy, displayed much fearlessness and courage, at one time mounting the breastworks in full view of the rebels, who were close upon it. Lieut. St. Clair, company B, Thirty-second Ohio, also exhibited much heroism. First Lieut. Samuel A. Barnes, of the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth New-York, showed so much coolness while endeavoring to rally his wavering companions, as to attract the attention of Col. Miles. Lieut.-Col. Downy, of the Third Maryland home brigade, was also complimented by the Colonel for his courage and skill in handling his troops. Corporal Chapman, of the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth New-York, brought down a rebel colonel. During the engagement, the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth unfortunately fired upon one another, killing three. By a premature explosion, two members of Capt. McGrath's battery were blown to pieces. I was standing close by at the time watching the splendid firing of the piece. God deliver me from ever again witnessing such a painful sight as those mangled and disfigured bodies presented. One lived for several moments, but died as we were lifting him into an ambulance. The men who were manning the gun at the time of the accident were as follows: Gough, first sponger and loader, killed; Flanagan, first sponger, killed; M. Kennedy, first shotman; Haney, first assistant sponger; Gorman, first train tackle man; Cunningham, first train tackle-man; Acaney, second train tackle-man; Thomas Gallaway, first handspike man; John Farrell, second handspike man; McKenny, powder-man; Cook, First Captain; Griffin, Second Captain; Captain McGrath, who stood by directing the fire, was thrown to the ground, and at first supposed to be killed. He soon recovered.

While several members of company K, First Maryland, were taking breakfast, after the first repulse of the enemy, five different balls struck the table. W. Henior, of the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth New-York, had his hat shot off; Gordon Williams, of the Thirty-second Ohio, had his right lock of hair shot away. A rebel ball carried away a portion of the gun-stock belonging to M. H. Bingham, of company C, Third Ohio, and glancing, struck W. Koff's gun, of the same company.

At four o'clock the regiments retreated down the mountain in good order, and the Maryland Heights were thenceforward lost to us.

Who gave the order for their evacuation, I am unable to say. Certain it is, that every soldier was ready to stigmatize its author, whoever he may have been, as a coward or traitor. And yet it may have been best under the circumstances. Had more troops been drawn from Bolivar Heights for the defence of the large guns, our position then might have been so weakened as to invite an easy and successful attack from the enemy, who had made their appearance in that direction in large numbers.

No sooner had our troops retired to the valley before the rebels occupied the heights above the guns and deliberately commenced a musketry-fire upon the village below, which was returned by our soldiers. A shell from one of our batteries posted near the bridge, however, caused them to skedaddle in quick time. Every body retired that night, feeling that all was lost unless reenforcements arrived, and expected to be awoke on the morrow with the booming of artillery from the evacuated heights.

The battle of Sunday, September 14.

Morning came, but with it no signs of the enemy, (except in front.) Our guns and camps on the mountains remained just as we had left them, and yet the silence was ominous of no good. One rifled six-pounder and one twelve-pounder Napoleon remained posted at the bridge to guard it and prevent an approach from Sandy Hook below. The First Maryland home brigade took position near the pontoon-bridge, to destroy it should the enemy attempt to make a crossing, while a portion of the Eighty-seventh Ohio were so posted as to guard the approach from Winchester. Four twenty-pound Parrotts, three twenty-four howitzers, and several twelve and six-pounders were planted in the graveyard, half-way up the hill, and behind the first line of intrenchments, to open on Loudon and Maryland Heights. They continued shelling them for several hours. The line of battle was formed on the breastworks behind the Bolivar Heights, nearly as it had been the day before, namely, Col. D'Utassy occupied the extreme right with his brigade, consisting of the Sixty-fifth Illinois, One Hundred and Eleventh, One Hundred and Fifteenth, and Thirty-ninth New-York, Garibaldi Guard, Capt. Phelps's New-York and Fifteenth Indiana batteries, and two sections of the Fifth New-York artillery. Col. Trimble's brigade, consisting of the Thirty-second and Sixtieth Ohio, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth and One Hundred and Twenty-fifth New-York, detachments of the Third Maryland home brigade, Ninth Vermont, (deployed as skirmishers,) and Rigby's battery, occupied the extreme left. The Twelfth New-York militia remained posted behind the first intrenchments,