Iremembergoingtothearsenalonthe9thofMay，takingmychildrenwithmeinthestreet—cars。Withinthearsenalwallweredrawnupinparallellinesfourregimentsofthe\"HomeGuards，\"andIsawmendistributingcartridgestotheboxes。IalsosawGeneralLyonrunningaboutwithhishairinthewind，hispocketsfullofpapers，wildandirregular，butIknewhimtobeamanofvehementpurposeandofdeterminedaction。Isawofcoursethatitmeantbusiness，butwhetherfordefenseoroffenseIdidnotknow。ThenextmorningIwentuptotherailroad—officeinBremen，asusual，andheardateverycornerofthestreetsthatthe\"Dutch\"weremovingonCampJackson。Peoplewerebarricadingtheirhouses，andmenwererunninginthatdirection。IhurriedthroughmybusinessasquicklyasIcould，andgotbacktomyhouseonLocustStreetbytwelveo’clock。CharlesEwingandHunterwerethere，andinsistedongoingouttothecamptosee\"thefun。\"Itriedtodissuadethem，sayingthatincaseofconflictthebystandersweremorelikelytobekilledthanthemenengaged，buttheywouldgo。I
feltasmuchinterestasanybodyelse，butstaidathome，tookmylittlesonWillie，whowasaboutsevenyearsold，andwalkedupanddownthepavementinfrontofourhouse，listeningforthesoundofmusketryorcannoninthedirectionofCampJackson。WhilesoengagedMissElizaDean，wholivedoppositeus，calledmeacrossthestreet，toldmethatherbrother—in—law，Dr。Scott，wasasurgeoninFrost’scamp，andshewasdreadfullyafraidhewouldbekilled。IreasonedwithherthatGeneralLyonwasaregularofficer;thatifhehadgoneout，asreported，toCampJackson，hewouldtakewithhimsuchaforceaswouldmakeresistanceimpossible;butshewouldnotbecomforted，sayingthatthecampwasmadeupoftheyoungmenfromthefirstandbestfamiliesofSt。Louis，andthattheywereproud，andwouldfight。Iexplainedthatyoungmenofthebestfamiliesdidnotliketobekilledbetterthanordinarypeople。Edginggraduallyupthestreet，IwasinOliveStreetjustaboutTwelfth，whenIsawamanrunningfromthedirectionofCampJacksonatfullspeed，calling，ashewent，\"They’vesurrendered，they’vesurrendered！\"SoIturnedbackandrangthebellatMrs。Dean’s。Elizacametothedoor，andI
explainedwhatIhadheard;butsheangrilyslammedthedoorinmyface！Evidentlyshewasdisappointedtofindshewasmistakeninherestimateoftherashcourageofthebestfamilies。
IagainturnedinthedirectionofCampJackson，myboyWilliewithmestill。AttheheadofOliveStreet，abreastofLindell’sGrove，IfoundFrankBlair’sregimentinthestreet，withranksopened，andtheCampJacksonprisonersinside。Acrowdofpeoplewasgatheredaround，callingtotheprisonersbyname，somehurrahingforJeffDavis，andothersencouragingthetroops。Men，women，andchildren，wereinthecrowd。IpassedalongtillIfoundmyselfinsidethegrove，whereImetCharlesEwingandJohnHunter，andwestoodlookingatthetroopsontheroad，headingtowardthecity。
Abandofmusicwasplayingatthehead，andthecolumnmadeoneortwoineffectualstarts，butforsomereasonwashalted。Thebattalionofregularswasabreastofme，ofwhichMajorRufusSaxtonwasincommand，andIgavehimaneveningpaper，whichIhadboughtofthenewsboyonmywayout。Hewasreadingfromitsomepieceofnews，sittingonhishorse，whenthecolumnagainbegantomoveforward，andheresumedhisplaceattheheadofhiscommand。
Atthatpartoftheroad，orstreet，wasanembankmentabouteightfeethigh，andadrunkenfellowtriedtopassoverittothepeopleopposite。
Oneoftheregularsergeantfile—closersorderedhimback，butheattemptedtopassthroughtheranks，whenthesergeantbarredhisprogresswithhismusket\"a—port。\"Thedrunkenmanseizedhismusket，whenthesergeantthrewhimoffwithviolence，andherolledoverandoverdownthebank。Bythetimethismanhadpickedhimselfupandgothishat，whichhadfallenoff，andhadagainmountedtheembankment，theregularshadpassed，andtheheadofOsterhaus’sregimentofHomeGuardshadcomeup。Themanhadinhishandasmallpistol，whichhefiredoff，andIheardthattheballhadstruckthelegofoneofOsterhaus’sstaff;theregimentstopped;therewasamomentofconfusion，whenthesoldiersofthatregimentbegantofireoverourheadsinthegrove。Iheardtheballscuttingtheleavesaboveourheads，andsawseveralmenandwomenrunninginalldirections，someofwhomwerewounded。Ofcoursetherewasageneralstampede。CharlesEwingthrewWillieonthegroundandcoveredhimwithhisbody。Hunterranbehindthehill，andIalsothrewmyselfontheground。Thefireranbackfromtheheadoftheregimenttowarditsrear，andasIsawthemenreloadingtheirpieces，IjerkedWillieup，ranbackwithhimintoagullywhichcoveredus，laythereuntilIsawthatthefirehadceased，andthatthecolumnwasagainmovingon，whenItookupWillieandstartedbackforhomeroundbywayofMarketStreet。A
womanandchildwerekilledoutright;twoorthreemenwerealsokilled，andseveralotherswerewounded。Thegreatmassofthepeopleonthatoccasionweresimplycuriousspectators，thoughmenweresprinkledthroughthecrowdcallingout，\"HurrahforJeffDavis！\"andotherswereparticularlyabusiveofthe\"damnedDutch\"
Lyonpostedaguardinchargeofthevacantcamp，andmarchedhisprisonersdowntothearsenal;somewereparoled，andothersheld，tillafterwardtheywereregularlyexchanged。
Averyfewdaysafterthisevent，May14th，IreceivedadispatchfrommybrotherCharlesinWashington，tellingmetocomeonatonce;thatIhadbeenappointedacoloneloftheThirteenthRegularInfantry，andthatIwaswantedatWashingtonimmediately。
OfcourseIcouldnolongerdeferaction。IsawMr。Lucas，MajorTurner，andotherfriendsandpartiesconnectedwiththeroad，whoagreedthatIshouldgoon。Ileftmyfamily，becauseIwasundertheimpressionthatIwouldbeallowedtoenlistmyownregiment，whichwouldtakesometime，andIexpectedtoraisetheregimentandorganizeitatJeffersonBarracks。IrepairedtoWashington，andtherefoundthattheGovernmentwastryingtorisetoalevelwiththeoccasion。Mr。Lincolnhad，withoutthesanctionoflaw，authorizedtheraisingoftennewregimentsofregulars，eachinfantryregimenttobecomposedofthreebattalionsofeightcompanieseach;andhadcalledforseventy—fivethousandStatevolunteers。Eventhiscallseemedtomeutterlyinadequate;stillitwasnoneofmybusiness。Itooktheoathofoffice，andwasfurnishedwithalistofofficers，appointedtomyregiment，whichwasstill，incomplete。IreportedinpersontoGeneralScott，athisofficeonSeventeenthStreet，oppositetheWarDepartment，andappliedforauthoritytoreturnWest，andraisemyregimentatJeffersonBarracks，butthegeneralsaidmylieutenant—colonel，Burbank，wasfullyqualifiedtosuperintendtheenlistment，andthathewantedmethere;andheatoncedictatedanorderformetoreporttohiminpersonforinspectionduty。
SatisfiedthatIwouldnotbepermittedtoreturntoSt。Louis，I
instructedMrs。Shermantopackup，returntoLancaster，andtrusttothefateofwar。
IalsoresignedmyplaceaspresidentoftheFifthStreetRailroad，totakeeffectattheendofMay，sothatinfactIreceivedpayfromthatroadforonlytwomonths’service，andthenbeganmynewarmycareer。
CHAPTERIX。
FROMTHEBATTLEOFBULLRUNTOPADUCAHKENTUCKYANDMISSOURI
1861—1862。
Andnowthat，inthesenotes，Ihavefairlyreachedtheperiodofthecivilwar，whichravagedourcountryfrom1861to1865——aneventinvolvingaconflictofpassion，ofprejudice，andofarms，thathasdevelopedresultswhich，forbetterorworse，havelefttheirmarkontheworld’shistory——IfeelthatItreadondelicateground。
Ihaveagainandagainbeeninvitedtowriteahistoryofthewar，ortorecordforpublicationmypersonalrecollectionsOfit，withlargeoffersofmoneytherefor;allofwhichIhaveheretoforedeclined，becausethetruthisnotalwayspalatable，andshouldnotalwaysbetold。Manyoftheactorsinthegranddramastilllive，andtheyandtheirfriendsarequicktocontroversy，whichshouldbeavoided。Thegreatendofpeacehasbeenattained，withlittleornochangeinourformofgovernment，andthedutyofallgoodmenistoallowthepassionsofthatperiodtosubside，thatwemaydirectourphysicalandmentallabortorepairthewasteofwar，andtoengageinthegreatertaskofcontinuingourhithertowonderfulnationaldevelopment。
WhatInowproposetodoismerelytogroupsomeofmypersonalrecollectionsaboutthehistoricpersonsandeventsoftheday，preparednotwithanyviewtotheirpublication，butratherforpreservationtillIamgone;andthentobeallowedtofollowintooblivionthecordsofsimilarpapers，ortobeusedbysomehistorianwhomayneedthembywayofillustration。
IhaveheretoforerecordedhowIagaincameintothemilitaryserviceoftheUnitedStatesasacoloneloftheThirteenthRegularInfantry，aregimentthathadnoexistenceatthetime，andthat，insteadofbeingallowedtoenlistthemenandinstructthem，asexpected，IwasassignedinWashingtonCity，byanorderofLieutenant—GeneralWinfieldScott，toinspectiondutynearhimonthe20thofJune，1861。
AtthattimeLieutenant—GeneralScottcommandedthearmyinchief，withColonelE。D。Townsendashisadjutant—general，MajorG。W。Cullum，UnitedStatesEngineers，andMajorSchuylerHamilton，asaides。—de—camp。ThegeneralhadanofficeupstairsonSeventeenthStreet，oppositetheWarDepartment，andresidedinahousecloseby，onPennsylvaniaAvenue。Allfearsfortheimmediatesafetyofthecapitalhadceased，andquitealargeforceofregularsandvolunteershadbeencollectedinandaboutWashington。Brigadier—GeneralJ。K。Mansfieldcommandedinthecity，andBrigadier—GeneralIrvinMcDowellontheothersideofthePotomac，withhisheadquartersatArlingtonHouse。HistroopsextendedinasemicirclefromAlexandriatoaboveGeorgetown。
Severalfortsandredoubtswereeitherbuiltorinprogress，andthepeoplewerealreadyclamorousforageneralforwardmovement。
AnotherconsiderablearmyhadalsobeencollectedinPennsylvaniaunderGeneralPatterson，and，atthetimeIspeakof，hadmovedforwardtoHagerstownandWilliamsport，onthePotomacRiver。Mybrother，JohnSherman，wasavolunteeraide—de—camptoGeneralPatterson，and，towardtheendofJune，IwentuptoHagerstowntoseehim。Ifoundthatarmyintheveryactofmoving，andwerodedowntoWilliamsportinabuggy，andwerepresentwhentheleadingdivisioncrossedthePotomacRiverbyfordingitwaist—deep。Myfriendandclassmate，GeorgeH。Thomas，wasthere，incommandofabrigadeintheleadingdivision。Italkedwithhimagooddeal，alsowithGeneralCadwalader，andwiththestaff—officersofGeneralPatterson，viz。，Fitz—JohnPorter，Belger，Beckwith，andothers，allofwhomseemedencouragedtothinkthatthewarwastobeshortanddecisive，andthat，assoonasitwasdemonstratedthattheGeneralGovernmentmeantinearnesttodefenditsrightsandproperty，somegeneralcompromisewouldresult。
Patterson’sarmycrossedthePotomacRiveronthe1stor2dofJuly，and，asJohnShermanwastotakehisseatasaSenatorinthecalledsessionofCongress，tomeetJuly4th，heresignedhisplaceasaide—de—camp，presentedmehistwohorsesandequipment，andwereturnedtoWashingtontogether。
TheCongressassembledpunctuallyonthe4thofJuly，andthemessageofMr。Lincolnwasstrongandgood:itrecognizedthefactthatcivilwarwasuponus，thatcompromiseofanykindwasatanend;andheaskedforfourhundredthousandmen，andfourhundredmilliondollars，wherewithtovindicatethenationalauthority，andtoregainpossessionofthecapturedfortsandotherpropertyoftheUnitedStates。
ItwasalsoimmediatelydemonstratedthatthetoneandtemperofCongresshadchangedsincetheSouthernSenatorsandmembershadwithdrawn，andthatwe，themilitary，couldnowgotoworkwithsomedefiniteplansandideas。
TheappearanceofthetroopsaboutWashingtonwasgood，butitwasmanifesttheywerefarfrombeingsoldiers。TheiruniformswereasvariousastheStatesandcitiesfromwhichtheycame;theirarmswerealsoofeverypatternandcalibre;andtheyweresoloadeddownwithovercoats，haversacks，knapsacks，tents，andbaggage，thatittookfromtwenty—fivetofiftywagonstomovethecampofaregimentfromoneplacetoanother，andsomeofthecampshadbakeriesandcookingestablishmentsthatwouldhavedonecredittoDelmonico。
WhileIwasondutywithGeneralScott，viz。，fromJune20thtoaboutJune30th，thegeneralfrequentlycommunicatedtothoseabouthimhisopinionsandproposedplans。Heseemedvexedwiththeclamorsofthepressforimmediateaction，andthecontinuedinterferenceindetailsbythePresident，SecretaryofWar，andCongress。Hespokeoforganizingagrandarmyofinvasion，ofwhichtheregularsweretoconstitutethe\"ironcolumn，\"andseemedtointimatethathehimselfwouldtakethefieldinperson，thoughhewasatthetimeveryold，veryheavy，andveryunwieldy。Hisagemusthavebeenaboutseventy—fiveyears。
Atthatdate，July4，1861，therebelshadtwoarmiesinfrontofWashington;theoneatManassasJunction，commandedbyGeneralBeauregard，withhisadvanceguardatFairfaxCourtHouse，andindeedalmostinsightofWashington。Theother，commandedbyGeneralJoeJohnston，wasatWinchester，withitsadvanceatMartinsburgandHarper’sFerry;buttheadvancehadfallenbackbeforePatterson，whothenoccupiedMartinsburgandthelineoftheBaltimore&OhioRailroad。
ThetemperofCongressandthepeoplewouldnotpermittheslowandmethodicalpreparationdesiredbyGeneralScott;andthecryof\"OntoRichmond！\"whichwassharedbythevolunteers，mostofwhomhadonlyengagedforninetydays，forcedGeneralScotttohastenhispreparations，andtoorderageneraladvanceaboutthemiddleofJuly。McDowellwastomovefromthedefensesofWashington，andPattersonfromMartinsburg。IntheorganizationofMcDowell’sarmyintodivisionsandbrigades，ColonelDavidHunterwasassignedtocommandtheSecondDivision，andIwasorderedtotakecommandofhisformerbrigade，whichwascomposedoffiveregimentsinpositioninandaboutFortCorcoran，andonthegroundoppositeGeorgetown。Iassumedcommandonthe30thofJune，andproceededatoncetoprepareitforthegeneraladvance。MycommandconstitutedtheThirdBrigadeoftheFirstDivision，whichdivisionwascommandedbyBrigadier—GeneralDanielTyler，agraduateofWestPoint，butwhohadseenlittleornoactualservice。IappliedtoGeneralMcDowellforhomestaff—officers，andhegaveme，asadjutant—general，LieutenantPiper，oftheThirdArtillery，and，asaide—de—camp，LieutenantMcQuesten，afineyoungcavalry—officer，freshfromWestPoint。
IselectedforthefieldtheThirteenthNewYork，ColonelQninby;
theSixty—ninthNewYork，ColonelCorcoran;theSeventy—ninthNewYork，ColonelCameron;andtheSecondWisconsin，Lieutenant——
ColonelPeck。Thesewereallgood，strong，volunteerregiments，prettywellcommanded;andIhadreasontobelievethatIhadoneofthebestbrigadesinthewholearmy。CaptainAyres’sbatteryoftheThirdRegularArtillerywasalsoattachedtomybrigade。Theotherregiment，theTwenty—ninthNewYork，ColonelBennett，wasdestinedtobeleftbehindinchargeofthefortsandcampsduringourabsence，whichwasexpectedtobeshort。SoonafterIhadassumedthecommand，adifficultyaroseintheSixty—ninth，anIrishregiment。ThisregimenthadvolunteeredinNewYork，earlyinApril，forninetydays;but，byreasonofthedifficultyofpassingthroughBaltimore，theyhadcomeviaAnnapolis，hadbeenheldfordutyontherailroadasaguardfornearlyamonthbeforetheyactuallyreachedWashington，andwerethenmusteredinaboutamonthafterenrollment。Someofthemenclaimedthattheywereentitledtotheirdischargeinninetydaysfromthetimeofenrollment，whereasthemuster—rollreadninetydaysfromthedateofmuster—in。Oneday，ColonelCorcoranexplainedthismattertome。Iadvisedhimtoreducethefactstowriting，andthatIwouldsubmitittotheWarDepartmentforanauthoritativedecision。Hedidso，andtheWarDepartmentdecidedthatthemuster—rollwastheonlycontractofservice，thatitwouldbeconstruedliterally;andthattheregimentwouldbeheldtilltheexpirationofthreemonthsfromthedateofmuster—in，viz。，toaboutAugust1，1861。GeneralScottatthesametimewroteoneofhischaracteristicletterstoCorcoran，tellinghimthatwewereabouttoengageinbattle，andheknewhisIrishfriendswouldnotleavehiminsuchacrisis。
Corcoranandtheofficersgenerallywantedtogototheexpectedbattle，butagoodmanyofthemenwerenotsoanxious。IntheSecondWisconsin，also，wasdevelopedapersonaldifficulty。TheactualcolonelwasS。P。Coon，agood—heartedgentleman，whoknewnomoreofthemilitaryartthanachild;whereashislieutenant—
colonel，Peck，hadbeentoWestPoint，andknewthedrill。
Preferringthatthelattershouldremainincommandoftheregiment，IputColonelCoononmypersonalstaff，whichreconciledthedifficulty。
Indueseason，aboutJuly15th，ourdivisionmovedforwardleavingourcampsstanding;Keyes’sbrigadeinthelead，thenSchenck’s，thenmine，andRichardson’slast。WemarchedviaVienna，Germantown，andCentreville，whereallthearmy，composedoffivedivisions，seemedtoconverge。Themarchdemonstratedlittlesavethegenerallaxityofdiscipline;forwithallmypersonaleffortsIcouldnotpreventthemenfromstragglingforwater，blackberries，oranythingonthewaytheyfancied。
AtCentreville，onthe18th，Richardson’sbrigadewassentbyGeneralTylertoreconnoitreBlackburn’sFordacrossBullRun，andhefounditstronglyguarded。Fromourcamp，atCentreville，weheardthecannonading，andthenasharpmusketry—fire。IreceivedordersfromGeneralTylertosendforwardAyres’sbattery，andverysoonafteranotherordercameformetoadvancewithmywholebrigade。Wemarchedthethreemilesatthedouble—quick，arrivedintimetorelieveRichardson’sbrigade，whichwasjustdrawingbackfromtheford，worsted，andstoodforhalfanhourorsounderafireofartillery，whichkilledfourorfiveofmymen。GeneralTylerwasthereinperson，givingdirections，andsoonafterheorderedusallbacktoourcampinCentreville。Thisreconnoissancehaddevelopedastrongforce，andhadbeenmadewithouttheordersofGeneralMcDowell;however，itsatisfiedusthattheenemywasinforceontheothersideofBullRun，andhadnointentiontoleavewithoutaseriousbattle。WelayincampatCentrevilleallofthe19thand20th，andduringthatnightbeganthemovementwhichresultedinthebattleofBullRun，onJuly21st。Ofthissomuchhasbeenwrittenthatmorewouldbesuperfluous;andthereportsoftheopposingcommanders，McDowellandJohnston，arefairandcorrect。Itisnowgenerallyadmittedthatitwasoneofthebest—plannedbattlesofthewar，butoneoftheworst—fought。Ourmenhadbeentoldsooftenathomethatalltheyhadtodowastomakeaboldappearance，andtherebelswouldrun;andnearlyallofusforthefirsttimethenheardthesoundofcannonandmusketsinanger，andsawthebloodyscenescommontoallbattles，withwhichweweresoontobefamiliar。Wehadgoodorganization，goodmen，butnocohesion，norealdiscipline，norespectforauthority，norealknowledgeofwar。Botharmieswerefairlydefeated，and，whicheverhadstoodfast，theotherwouldhaverun。ThoughtheNorthwasoverwhelmedwithmortificationandshame，theSouthreallyhadnotmuchtoboastof，forinthethreeorfourhoursoffightingtheirorganizationwassobrokenupthattheydidnotandcouldnotfollowourarmy，whenitwasknowntobeinastateofdisgracefulandcauselessflight。Itiseasytocriticiseabattleafteritisover，butallnowadmitthatnoneothers，equallyrawinwar，couldhavedonebetterthanwedidatBullRun;andthelessonofthatbattleshouldnotbelostonapeoplelikeours。
Iinsertmyofficialreport，asacondensedstatementofmyshareinthebattle:
HEADQUARTERSTHIRDBRIGADE，FIRSTDIVISION
FORTCORCORAN，July25，1861
ToCaptainA。BAIRD，AssistantAdjutant—General，FirstDivision（GeneralTyler’s）。
Sir:Ihavethehonortosubmitthismyreportoftheoperationsofmybrigadeduringtheactionofthe21stinstant。ThbrigadeiscomposedoftheThirteenthNewYorkVolunteers，ColonelQuinby’sSixty—ninthNewYork，ColonelCorcoran;Seventy—ninthNewYork，ColonelCameron;SecondWisconsin，Lieutenant—ColonelPeck;andCompanyE，ThirdArtillery，undercommandofCaptainR。B。Ayres，FifthArtillery。
WeleftourcampnearCentreville，pursuanttoorders，athalf—past2A。M。，takingplaceinyourcolumn，neattothebrigadeofGeneralSchenck，andproceededasfarasthehalt，beforetheenemy’sposition，nearthestonebridgeacrossBullRun。HerethebrigadewasdeployedinlinealongtheskirtoftimbertotherightoftheWarrentonroad，andremainedquietlyinpositiontillafter10a。m。Theenemyremainedveryquiet，butaboutthattimewesawarebelregimentleaveitscoverinourfront，andproceedindouble—quicktimeontheroadtowardSudleySprings，bywhichweknewthecolumnsofColonelsHunterandHeintzelmanwereapproaching。Aboutthesametimeweobservedinmotionalargemassoftheenemy，belowandontheothersideofthestonebridge。
IdirectedCaptainAyrestotakepositionwithhisbatterynearourright，andtoopenfireonthismass;butyouhadpreviouslydetachedthetworifle—gunsbelongingtothisbattery，and，findingthatthesmooth—boregunsdidnotreachtheenemy’sposition，weceasedfiring，andIsentarequestthatyouwouldsendtomethethirty—pounderrifle—gunattachedtoCaptainCarlisle’sbattery。
AtthesametimeIshiftedtheNewYorkSixty—ninthtotheextremerightofthebrigade。Thusweremainedtillweheardthemusketry—
fireacrossBallRun，showingthattheheadofColonelHunter’scolumnwasengaged。Thisfiringwasbrisk，andshowedthatHunterwasdrivingbeforehimtheenemy，tillaboutnoon，whenitbecamecertaintheenemyhadcometoastand，andthatourforcesontheothersideofBallRunwereallengaged，artilleryandinfantry。
Hereyousentmetheordertocrossoverwiththewholebrigade，totheassistanceofColonelHunter。Earlyintheday，whenreconnoitringtheground，Ihadseenahorsemandescendfromabluffinourfront，crossthestream，andshowhimselfintheopenfieldonthisaide;and，inferringthatwecouldcrossoveratthesamepoint，Isentforwardacompanyasskirmishers，andfollowedwiththewholebrigade，theNewYorkSixty—ninthleading。
Wefoundnodifficultyincrossingover，andmetwithnooppositioninascendingthesteepbluffoppositewithourinfantry，butitwasimpassabletotheartillery，andIsentwordbacktoCaptainAyrestofollowifpossible，otherwisetousehisdiscretion。CaptainAyresdidnotcrossBullRun，butremainedonthatside，withtherestofyourdivision。Hisreportherewithdescribeshisoperationsduringtheremainderoftheday。Advancingslowlyandcautiouslywiththeheadofthecolumn，togivetimefortheregimentsinsuccessiontocloseuptheirranks，wefirstencounteredapartyoftheenemyretreatingalongaclusterofpines;Lieutenant—ColonelHaggerty，oftheSixty—ninth，withoutorders，rodeoutalone，andendeavoredtointercepttheirretreat。
Oneoftheenemy，infullview，atshortrange，shotHaggerty，andhefelldeadfromhishorse。TheSixty—ninthopenedfireonthisparty，whichwasreturned;but，determinedtoeffectourjunctionwithHunter’sdivision，Iorderedthisfiretocease，andweproceededwithcautiontowardthefieldwherewethenplainlysawourforcesengaged。Displayingourcolorsconspicuouslyattheheadofourcolumn，wesucceededinattractingtheattentionofourfriends，andsoonformedthebrigadeinrearofColonelPorter’s。
HereIlearnedthatColonelHunterwasdisabledbyaseverewound，andthatGeneralMcDowellwasonthefield。Isoughthimout，andreceivedhisorderstojoininpursuitoftheenemy，whowasfallingbacktotheleftoftheroadbywhichthearmyhadapproachedfromSndleySprings。PlacingColonelQuinby’sregimentofriflesinfront，incolumn，bydivision，Idirectedtheotherregimentstofollowinlineofbattle，intheorderoftheWisconsinSecond，NewYorkSeventy—ninth，andNewYorkSixty—ninth。
Quinby’sregimentadvancedsteadilydownthehillanduptheridge，fromwhichheopenedfireupontheenemy，whohadmadeanotherstandongroundveryfavorabletohim，andtheregimentcontinuedadvancingastheenemygaveway，tilltheheadofthecolumnreachedthepointnearwhichRickett’sbatterywassoseverelycutup。Theotherregimentsdescendedthehillinlineofbattle，underaseverecannonade;and，thegroundaffordingcomparativeshelterfromtheenemy’sartillery，theychangeddirection，bytherightflank，andfollowedtheroadbeforementioned。Atthepointwherethisroadcrossestheridgetoourleftfront，thegroundwassweptbyamostseverefireofartillery，rifles，andmusketry，andwesaw，insuccession，severalregimentsdrivenfromit;amongthemtheZouavesandbattalionofmarines。Beforereachingthecrestofthishill，theroadwaywasworndeepenoughtoaffordshelter，andIkepttheseveralregimentsinitaslongaspossible;butwhentheWisconsinSecondwasabreastoftheenemy，byorderofMajorWadsworth，ofGeneralMcDowell’sstaff，Iorderedittoleavetheroadway，bytheleftflank，andtoattacktheenemy。
Thisregimentascendedtothebrowofthehillsteadily，receivedtheseverefireoftheenemy，returneditwithspirit，andadvanced，deliveringitsfire。Thisregimentisuniformedingraycloth，almostidenticalwiththatofthegreatbulkofthesecessionarmy;and，whentheregimentfellintoconfusionandretreatedtowardtheroad，therewasauniversalcrythattheywerebeingfiredonbyourownmen。Theregimentralliedagain，passedthebrowofthehillasecondtime，butwasagainrepulsedindisorder。BythistimetheNewYorkSeventy—ninthhadclosedup，andinlikemanneritwasorderedtocrossthebrowof，thehill，anddrivetheenemyfromcover。Itwasimpossibletogetagoodviewofthisground。Inittherewasonebatteryofartillery，whichpouredanincessantfireuponouradvancingcolumn，andthegroundwasveryirregularwithsmallclustersofpines，affordingshelter，ofwhichtheenemytookgoodadvantage。Thefireofriflesandmusketrywasverysevere。TheSeventy—ninth，headedbyitscolonel，Cameron，chargedacrossthehill，andforashorttimethecontestwassevere;theyralliedseveraltimesunderfire，butfinallybroke，andgainedthecoverofthehill。
ThisleftthefieldopentotheNewYorkSixty—ninth，ColonelCorcoran，who，inhisturn，ledhisregimentoverthecrest;andhadinfull，openviewthegroundsoseverelycontested;thefirewasverysevere，andtheroarofcannon，musketry，andrifles，incessant;itwasmanifesttheenemywashereingreatforce，farsuperiortousatthatpoint。TheSixty—ninthheldthegroundforsometime，butfinallyfellbackindisorder。
AllthistimeQuinby’sregimentoccupiedanotherridge，toourleft，overlookingthesamefieldofaction，andsimilarlyengaged。
Here，abouthalf—past3p。m。，beganthesceneofconfusionanddisorderthatcharacterizedtheremainderoftheday。Uptothattime，allhadkepttheirplaces，andseemedperfectlycool，andusedtotheshellandshotthatfell，comparativelyharmless，allaroundus;buttheshortexposuretoanintensefireofsmall—arms，atcloserange，hadkilledmany，woundedmore，andhadproduceddisorderinallofthebattalionsthathadattemptedtoencounterit。Menfellawayfromtheirranks，talking，andingreatconfusion。ColonelCameronhadbeenmortallywounded，wascarriedtoanambulance，andreporteddying。Manyotherofficerswerereporteddeadormissing，andmanyofthewoundedweremakingtheirway，withmoreorlessassistance，tothebuildingsusedashospitals，ontheridgetothewest。Wesucceededinpartiallyreformingtheregiments，butitwasmanifestthattheywouldnotstand，andIdirectedColonelCorcorantomovealongtheridgetotherear，nearthepositionwherewehadfirstformedthebrigade。
GeneralMcDowellwasthereinperson，andneedallpossibleeffortstoreassurethemen。BytheactiveexertionsofColonelCorcoran，weformedanirregularsquareagainstthecavalrywhichwerethenseentoissuefromthepositionfromwhichwehadbeendriven，andwebeganourretreattowardthesamefordofBullRunbywhichwehadapproachedthefieldofbattle。Therewasnopositiveordertoretreat，althoughforanhourithadbeengoingonbytheoperationofthementhemselves。Therankswerethinandirregular，andwefoundastreamofpeoplestrungfromthehospitalacrossBullRun，andfartowardCentreville。Afterputtinginmotiontheirregularsquareinperson，IpushedforwardtofindCaptainAyres’sbatteryatthecrossingofBullRun。Isoughtitatitslastposition，beforethebrigadehadcrossedover，butitwasnotthere;thenpassingthroughthewoods，where，inthemorning，wehadfirstformedline，weapproachedtheblacksmith’sshop，buttherefoundadetachmentofthesecessioncavalryandthencemadeacircuit，avoidingCubRunBridge，intoCentreville，whereIfoundGeneralMcDowell，andfromhimunderstoodthatitwashispurposetorallytheforces，andmakeastandatCentreville。
But，aboutnineo’clockatnight，IreceivedfromGeneralTyler，inperson，theordertocontinuetheretreattothePotomac。Thisretreatwasbynight，anddisorderlyintheextreme。Themenofdifferentregimentsmingledtogether，andsomereachedtheriveratArlington，someatLongBridge，andthegreaterpartreturnedtotheirformercamp，atornearFortCorcoran。Ireachedthispointatnoonthenextday，andfoundamiscellaneouscrowdcrossingovertheaqueductandferries……Conceivingthistobedemoralizing，I
atoncecommandedtheguardtobeincreased，andallpersonsattemptingtopassovertobestopped。Thissoonproduceditseffect;mensoughttheirpropercompaniesandregiments。
Comparativeorderwasrestored，andallwerepostedtothebestadvantage。
IherewithinclosetheofficialreportofCaptainBelly，commandingofficeroftheNewYorkSixty—ninth;also，falllistsofthekilled，wounded，andmissing。
Ourlosswasheavy，andoccurredchieflyatthepointnearwhereRickett’sbatterywasdestroyed。Lieutenant—ColonelHaggertywaskilledaboutnoon，beforewehadeffectedajunctionwithColonelHunter’sdivision。ColonelCameronwasmortallywoundedleadinghisregimentinthecharge，andColonelCorcoranhasbeenmissingsincethecavalry—chargenearthebuildingusedasahospital。
Fornames，rank，etc。，oftheabove，Irefertothelistsherewith。
LieutenantsPiperandMcQuesten，ofmypersonalstaff，wereunderfireallday，andcarriedorderstoandfrowithasmuchcoolnessasonparade。LieutenantBagley，oftheNewYorkSixty—ninth，avolunteeraide，askedleavetoservewithhiscompany，duringtheaction，andisamongthosereportedmissing。Ihaveintelligencethatheisaprisoner，andslightlywounded。
ColonelCoon，ofWisconsin，avolunteeraide，alsorenderedgoodserviceduringtheday。
W。T。SHERMAN，ColonelcommandingBrigade。
Thisreport，whichIhadnotreadprobablysinceitsdatetillnow，recallstomevividlythewholesceneoftheaffairatBlackburn’sFord，whenforthefirsttimeinmylifeIsawcannonballsstrikemenandcrashthroughthetreesandsaplingsaboveandaroundus，andrealizedthealwayssickeningconfusionasoneapproachesafightfromtherear;thenthenight—marchfromCentreville，ontheWarrentonroad，standingforhourswonderingwhatwasmeant;thedeploymentalongtheedgeofthefieldthatslopeddowntoBull—Run，andwaitingforHunter’sapproachontheotheraidefromthedirectionofSudleySprings，awayofftoourright;theterriblescareofapoornegrowhowascaughtbetweenourlines;
thecrossingofBullRun，andthefearlestweshouldbefiredonbyourownmen;thekillingofLieutenant—ColonelHaggerty，whichoccurredinplainsight;andthefirstscenesofafieldstrewedwithdeadmenandhorses。Yet，atthatperiodofthebattle，wewerethevictorsandfeltjubilant。Atthatmoment，also，mybrigadepassedHunter’sdivision;butHeintzelman’awasstillaheadofus，andwefolloweditsleadalongtheroadtowardManassasJunction，crossingasmallstreamandascendingalonghill，atthesummitofwhichthebattlewasgoingon。Heremyregimentscameintoactionwell，butsuccessively，andweredrivenback，eachinitsturn。Fortwohourswecontinuedtodashatthewoodsonourleftfront，whichwerefullofrebels;butIwasconvincedtheirorganizationwasbroken，andthattheyhadsimplyhaltedthereandtakenadvantageofthesewoodsasacover，toreachwhichwehadtopassovertheinterveningfieldsabouttheHenryHouse，whichwereclear，open，andgavethemadecidedadvantage。AfterIhadputineachofmyregiments，andhadthemdrivenbacktothecoveroftheroad，Ihadnoideathatwewerebeaten，butreformedtheregimentsinlineintheirproperorder，andonlywantedalittlerest，whenIfoundthatmybrigadewasalmostalone，exceptSyke’sregulars，whohadformedsquareagainstcavalryandwerecomingback。Ithenrealizedthatthewholearmywas\"inretreat，\"andthatmyownmenwereindividuallymakingbackforthestonebridge。CorcoranandI
formedthebrigadeintoanirregularsquare，butitfelltopieces;