Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 2.
Frank Moore, Ed.

General: I closed my report as to the fight at Bull Run at the time we left for Centreville; and it is due to me and my division that our subsequent movements be noted to the time the different brigades reached a stopping place. On reaching Centreville, I found Richardson's brigade in line, ready to support us, or cover the retreat. The brigade retired in good order on Arlington, covering the retreat. After the order was given to retreat, and each brigade was ordered “to proceed to the position from which it started, and by the route by which it advanced,” I communicated the order to the commanders of each brigade, and with Keyes' brigade proceeded at once to Falls Church, determined to save the camp equipage of the four regiments left standing there, which I knew, if we fell back on the fortifications in front of Washington, the enemy would at once seize. Col. Keyes, with the three Connecticut regiments, arrived at Falls Church about 5 o'clock A. M. of the 22d inst., and proceeded at once to strike their tents, and those of the Maine [367] regiment and send them to Fort Corcoran. This work, without rations, was continued the entire day, and during a severe rain storm, and by night the entire camp equipage was saved by removal. Col. Keyes then fell back to the camp of Schenck's brigade, which had been entirely deserted; and after using their tents for the night, struck them the next morning, and sent the other Government property to Fort Corcoran and Alexandria; and at 7 o'clock Tuesday morning I saw the three Connecticut regiments, with two thousand (2,000) bayonets, march under the guns of Fort Corcoran in good order after having saved us not only a large amount of public property, but the mortification of having our standing camps fall into the hands of the enemy. I hope, General, that you will appreciate this service on the part of a portion of my division, and give credit to whom credit is due.

All the brigades, except Schenck's, obeyed the order to return to their original positions. By some misunderstanding, which is not satisfactorily explained, this brigade proceeded direct to Washington, one regiment, as understood, passing directly through the camp they left on the 16th inst.

With great respect, your obedient servant,

sir: In accordance with paragraph 723 of General Regulations for the United States Army, I have the honor to report the operations of my regiment during the engagement of yesterday.

In obedience to your order, the regiment was ready to march from camp, near Centreville, at 2.30 A. M. While proceeding to the field, I was detached from my regiment and ordered to take command of the Sixteenth and Thirty-second regiments New York Volunteers, to support Lieut. Pratt's battery. I turned over the command of the Thirty-first regiment to Lieut.-Col. Wm. H. Browne, and took command as directed, made a reconnoissance in company with Col. Mathewson of the Thirty-second, Lieut.-Col. Marsh of the Sixteenth, and Lieut. Pratt of the artillery, and placed said regiments in proper positions. I afterwards threw out as skirmishers of the Thirty-second a company under Captain Chalmers and a platoon under Lieut.--of the Sixteenth, and sent them about a mile to the front and left of our position, to guard a road leading from the enemy's right to our left and rear. In about an hour I was ordered by Col. Dixon S. Miles, the division commander, to proceed with the two regiments and the battery to the front, where I was relieved from command of them, and resumed charge of my own regiment. Soon afterward, by directions of Col. Miles, I proceeded to the extreme left of our division, and supported Maj. Hunt's battery. Having thrown out Capt. Heiss, with his company, as skirmishers in the defiles, about a quarter of a mile on our left, I rested the remainder of my regiment on the skirt of a wood, in rear of the artillery. Perceiving that the enemy was wary and shy, I sent Lieut.-Col. Browne, with two companies detailed by him, to reconnoitre a ravine and wood where it was suspected the enemy was concealed. After deploying and penetrating the ravine to a considerable distance, all at once a smart fire of rifles was opened upon him from a force concealed in the thick timber. He returned the fire, and continued skirmishing, assisted by a detachment of Massachusetts Volunteers, until his men were safely covered. The desired effect of compelling our adversaries to discover themselves having thus been attained, Richardson's battery opened upon them a destructive fire of case shot and shell. The skirmishers were recalled, and Lieut.-Col. Browne reported having discovered a masked battery and a force of about a thousand men.

Soon afterwards it was discovered that a force of infantry and cavalry, variously estimated at from 2,500 to 4,000 men, were marching on our left through the woods and defile to turn our flank. Pursuant to your order, the line of battle was changed to our left flank, and four companies were detailed from my regiment and thrown into the left and rear as skirmishers, under command of Frank Jones, Acting-Major, who held the enemy in check. We received a fire of 5 volleys of rifles, and retired from the woods, but they did not succeed in drawing our fire, which was reserved for the advance to take our batteries. At 6 1/2, o'clock P. M. the order was received to retire upon Centreville. My regiment remained to allow the battery to precede us, being the last, except the Sixteenth, to quit the field that had successfully been held against such tremendous odds.

I deem it my duty to give the names of the officers of my regiment who were engaged in the battle, and to whose coolness and judgment I am indebted for the success that attended my regiment.

Lieutenant-Colonel, William H. Browne; Acting-Major, Frank Jones; Volunteer Aids, A. L. Washburn, and Frank Hamilton, jr.; Acting-Adjutant, Edward Frossards; Major, Frank H. Hamilton, M. D., Surgeon; Lucier Damamville, M. D., Assistant-Surgeon; George Hanni, M. D., Acting Assistant-Surgeon; Edward A. Brown, M. D., Acting Assistant-Surgeon.

Co. A--Captain, J. J. S. Hassler; First Lieutenant, Robert R. Daniels; Acting Second Lieutenant. Wm. Smith. Co. B--Captain, L. C. Newman; First Lieutenant, D. E. Smith; Second Lieutenant, Eugene Frossard. Co. C--Capt., Alexander Raszevski; First Lieutenant, Louis Domanski. Co. D--Captain, M. O. McGarry; First Lieutenant, J. H. Bradley; Second [368]