USA > Minnesota > Concise history of the state of Minnesota > Part 14
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"At about eleven o'clock we halted in a ravine, to give the men an op; ortu- nity to till their canteens with water. At this time the firing had become pretty general, and the roar of artillery and the rattle of musketry was heard only about a mile distant. You have, no doubt, read of the agitation and fear which come over individuals on the approach of battle, but I must say, and I say it not in the spirit of braggadocio either, that I experienced no such fears or agi-
199
HEINTZELMAN'S REPORT.
Colonel S. P. Heintzelman, of 17th United States In- fantry, was the commander of the division to which the Minnesota regiment was attached.
He says in his report of the battle: "At Sudley's Springs, while waiting the passage of the troops of the division in our front, I ordered forward the 1st brigade to fill their canteens. Before this was accomplished the leading regiments of Colonel Hunter's division became engaged. General McDowell, who, accompanied by his staff, had passed us a short time before, sent back Cap- tain Wright of the engineers, and Major McDowell, one of his aids, to send forward two regiments. * Captain Wright led forward the Minnesota Regiment to
tation during the conflict. I was surprised at this myself, for I certainly thought that I should feel as writers have so often described.
"While halting here, I, together with others of the boys, coolly went to pick- ing blackberries, with which the whole country abounds. We soon took up our line of inarch. and drew near to the battle-field (at double-quick time), and were stationed in a field, sheltered by a strip of woods, about one-half mile from where our forces were fighting. Here we divested ourselves of our blank- ets and haversaeks of provision, and whatever might impede us in fighting, re- taining, however, of course, our arms and ammunition.
"You have no idea how desperate men will act while approaching or retiring from a battle-field. They appeared to have no care or anxiety for anything ex- cept their arms; all else was thrown off and strewn along the road.
"We did not remain long in the field where we were stationed before the or- der came to advance, which we did through the woods at double-quiek, and soon came up to the field where the conflict was raging. Here we halted in the edge of the woods in the presence of the dead and wounded, who were lying all aronud us, until about 5000 troops filed past us to take their position.
"As they passed the general officers and staff they cheered in the wildest and most enthusiastic inanner. After they had passed we took our position in the open field in sight of the enemy's batteries. We were soon ordered to advance from this position and file around to the left, for the purpose of outhanking and taking them. While doing this the cannon-balls and bomb-shells flew around us thick and fast. Fortunately they were most of them aimed too high and we passed nnharmed, but not without frequent dodging by some of the boys as the balls and shells whistled by. Our battery had engaged them by this time in front while we were passing to the left. We ran down a hill and crossed a sinall stream. I being a little in advance stopped to pick a few blackberries to quench my thirst while the regiment came up. We soon came to a road where we were met by an aid of the commanding officer, who desired us to follow him and take up a position where he could get no other troops to stand. We told him we would follow him, and he gave us a position to the left of the battery and directly opposite to it. Here we formed in line of battle with a strip of woods between us and about four thousand secessionists. We had just formed when we were ordered to kneel and fire upon the rebels, who were advancing under cover of the woods. We fired two volleys through the woods, when we were ordered to rally in the woods in our rear, which all did except the first platoon of our own company, who did not hear the order and stood their ground. The rebels soon came out from their shelter between us and their battery. Col- onel Gorman mistook them for friends and told the men to cease firing upon
200
HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.
the left of the road which crosed the run at this point.
* * * I accompanied this regiment. At a lit- tle more than a mile from the ford we came upon the battle-field. Ricketts' Battery was posted on a hill to the right of Hunter's Division, and to the right of the road. After firing some twenty minutes at a battery of the enemy placed just beyond the crest of a hill, the distance being too great, it was moved forward to within about one thousand feet of the enemy's battery. Here the battery was exposed to a heavy fire of musketry, which soon disabled it. Franklin's Brigade was placed on the right of the woods near the center of our line, and on ground rising toward the enemy's position."
them, although they had three secession flags flying directly in front of their advancing columns. This threw our men into confusion, some declaring they were friends, others that they were enemies. I called to our boys to give it to them, and fired away myself as rapidly as possible. The rebels themselves inis- took us for Georgia troops, and waved their hands to us to cease firing. I had just loaded to give thein another charge when a lieutenant-colonel of a Mis -- issippi regiment rode out between us, waving his hand for us to stop hring. I rushed up to him and asked if he was a secessionist. He said he was a Miss- issippian'. I presented my bayonet to his breast and commanded him to sur- render, which he did after some hesitation. I ordered him to dismount and led him and his horse from the field, in the meantime disarmning him of his sword and pistols. I led him off about two miles and placed him in charge of a lieu- tenant, with an escort of cavalry, to be taken to General MeDowell. He re- quested the officer to allow me to accompany him. as he desired my protection. The officers assured him that he would be safe in their hands, and he rode off. I retained his pistol, but sent his sword with nim."
In another letter, on July twenty-fifth, Mr. Irvine writes:
"I have just returned from a visit to Lieutenant-Colonel Brooks, who is con- fined in the old capitol. I found him in a pleasant room on the third story, sur rounded by several southern gentlemen, among whom was Senator Breeken - ridge. He wasglad to see me, and appeared quite well after the fatigue of the battle of Sunday.
"There were with me Chaplain Neill, Captains Wilkin and Colville, and Lieu- tenant Coats, who were introduced to the colonel. We had a very pleasant in- terview, and invited the colonel to call on us at our camp when he obtained his parole. He is a fine appearing and pleasant man. I also saw the two other prisoners. They are tine looking fellows, and one, Mr. Lewis, of the Palmetto Rifles of South Carolina, very much of a gentleman. The other man's name is Walker, of Mississippi. * As to the fighting qualities of the Ist Minnesota, Company A took its position as you will see on the plan, and the 1st platoon never moved from it until ordered to retreat. Captain Wilkin fought like a hero. He seized a rifle and shot down four or five of the rebels, and took one prisoner. The drummer boy Hines [Company A ] took an officer's horse, with sword, pistol, and trappings.
"Mnch praise is awarded to Lieutenant Welch of Red Wing, for the gallantry and intrepidity he displayed in rallying and cheering his men. Lieutenant Har- ris, of the same company, also behaved nobly.
"Captain MeKune, of the Faribault Company, while leading his men, was ยท hot dead.
201
FRANKLIN'S REPORT.
Colonel W. B. Franklin, of the regular army, brigade commander, in his report, after stating that Ricketts' Battery in its second position was soon disabled, says he ordered the 5th and 11th Massachusetts Regiments to save the battery, but that it was impossible to get the men to draw off the guns." He then continues: "The Minnesota Regiment moved from its position on the right of the field to the support of Ricketts' Battery, and gal- lantly engaged the enemy at that point. It was so near the enemy's lines that friends and foes were for a long time confounded. The regiment behaved exceedingly well."
Colonel Gorman, in his report to General Franklin,
"The regimental flag presented by the ladies of Winona was pierced by thir- teen balls, one a cannon-ball through the blue field, making a hole about a foot long. *
* * *
* * *
"I have not been mustered in yet, and think I shall not be. I shall fight on my own hook, always, however, going into the field with Company A, and stick- ing to them,"
EXTRACTS FROM CHAPLAIN'S JOURNAL.
"Saturday, July tirentieth. - In company with Chaplain Da Costa and Assis- tant-Surgeon Keen of the Massachusetts 5th, walked to the scene of Thursday's engagement. When we came in sight of the enemy's hospital, our advance pickets stopped us, as it was dangerous to proceed nearer.
"Captain Adams, of Company H. afterwards obtained permission to pass the picket, and was fired upon by the enemy.
"This afternoon a flag taken at Fairfax was paraded under an escort of Fire Zonaves and Michigan Ist. It is of silk, and bears the inscription, 'Tensas Rifles,'-a Louisiana corps. On the central stripes is a representation of a cot- ton-bale.
"General Mc Dowell has issued orders directing us to be ready to march at six o'clock P. M. After all things were ready, an aid came with an order postpon- ing the march until two o'clock to-morrow.
"Sunday, July twenty-first .- Sergeant Young came and told me that it was time to rise. The night was cold, and after I rose { hastened to oneof the few camp-fires that had been lighted, to warm myself. The moon shone brightly, and men moved about without much speaking, feeling that this might be their last Sunday on earth.
"About three o'clock A. M. we left camp and wound up the hill to Centreville. At the end of the village we halted until daylight, being delayed by the passage of Colonel Hunter's column, which had preceeded us by another road to this point.
"Following the column of Hunter, we pa-sed a bridge near C'entreville, I be- lieve on the Warrenton road. While Tyler's division kept on this road, those of llunter and HeintzeIman soon turned. For seve al miles we passed through woodlands of oak and hickory, where no springs could be found that were serviceable, and the men suffered mnuch for water and were quite fatigued. as it was warm; many of them had neither had breakfast nor supper the night be- fore.
"Emerging into an open country and looking to our left, we could see the
202
HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.
remarks: "Immediately upon Ricketts' Battery coming into position and we in line of battle, Colonel Heintzel- man rode up between our lines and that of the enemy, within pistol-shot of each, which circumstance stagger- ed my judgment whether those in front were friends or enemies, it being equally manifest that the enemy were in the same dilemma as to our identity; but a few sec- onds, however, undeceived both, they displayed the rebel and we the Union flag. Instantly a blaze of fire was poured into the forces of the combatants, each produc- ing terrible destruction, owing to the close proximity of the forces, which was followed by volley after volley, in regular and irregular order as to time, until Ricketts'
smoke of artillery rising from the woods about a mile or two distant, indicating that the action with the enemy had fairly commenced. About eleven o'clock we crossed a small branch which I suppose was Bull Run. As Company A was crossing, Colonel Gorman, who was on the other side, in a loud voice urged the regiment to close up and hurry on. With alacrity the men obeyed. and with double-quick step they ran up the hill-side, which was through woodland. Just before we reached the summit, we met ambulances and soldiers carrying down wounded and dying men to a church called Sudley Church, which was on the roadside between the scene of action and the ford. As we turned into the wood near the battle-field an officer in uniform, and wounded badly in the neck. passed in a vehicle. With a smile of enthusiasm he threw up his arms and urged us on; he was said to be General Hunter. After passing through the woods several rods, we came to a clearing, and onr regiment formed in column and stood alone, the other regiment of the brigade having passed at a later pe- riod directly up the road from the ford. As the regiment waited for a few mo- ments, Colonel Heintzelman, the commander of our division, and another offi- cer, went to an eminence near by, and with a telescope took a view, As the wounded men of the regiments began to appear on the edge of the woods, Surgeon Le Boutilher requested me to go and ask Dr. Stewart to come up with the hospital attendants and the litters. I went back as requested and saw the doctor; he told me that the medical director had requested him to stay at and near Sudley Church. With privates Dengle and Williams. attached to the assis- tant surgeon, I hurried back with the litters, and found the regiment had left the clearing. Passing through a narrow strip of woods, I came to open and cultivated land, and found the regiment. They occupied ground lately occu- pied by the enemy, who had been driven back by the Rhode Island Brigade. The enemy's batteries were planted on the heights on the opposite side of the open valley. Captain Rickett's U. S. Battery, belonging to our brigade. was ordered to engage the enemy, and the Minnesota Regiment to support it. As they hurried through the gate-way to take position opposite the enemy's rifled cannon, it was difficult for the soldiers to push through, and I busied myself in pulling down fence rails, so they could move faster and not break column.
"After Rickett's U. S. Artillery began to fire I did not follow our regiment, but remained on the field at the point where the artillery unlimbered.
"As I stood, General Burnside, of Rhode Island. whose acquaintance I had made in the winter of '59- 60, at the house of General MeClellan. in Chicago. rode up on horseback, and I learned from him the history of the engagement of the Rhode Island Artillery with the enemy. He supposed that the enemy's
203
FIRST REGIMENT AT BULL RUN.
Battery was disabled and cut to pieces, and a large por- tion of its officers and men had fallen, and until Compa- nies H, J, K, C, G, and those immediately surrounding my regimental flag, were so desperately cut to pieces as to make it more of a slaughter-house than an equal com- bat. * * * I feel it due to my regiment to say that, before leaving the extreme right of our line, the enemy attempted to make a charge with a body of cavalry, who were met by my command and a part of the Fire Zouaves and repulsed with considerable loss to the enemy, but without any to us. * * I * regard it as an event of rare occurrence in the annals of history that a regiment of volunteers, not over three
battery was on the opposite side of the road from where he found it, and when he came in sight, he was obliged to reply, and at half-wheel engage them. After a hot contest he dislodged them from their position.
"While talking with (ieneral Burnside, General Mle Dowell rode on to the ele- vated field on the left hand side of the road. and with several members of the staff sat in their saddles and viewed the action. Rickett's Battery now ceased firing, aud attaching their caissons came out of the field where they first posted and wheeling into the road, descended to a position nearer the regiment and the enemy, where they suffered severely. One of his lieutenants, Douglas Ram- sey, & nephew of one with whom I was acquainted, had his head shot off.
"As Istood I could see the locality where the Minnesota Ist and the Fire Zonaves were fighting. With a piece of wood on their right. they had reached the ascent of the slope, on the crest of which was the principal battery of the Confederates: but the woods, as the clouds of dust indicated, were fast being filled with fresh troops of the enemy. As the cannon-balls flew past me I changed my position from time to time, and once came to a small one-story honse on our left filled with wounded of other regiments. Even here the shots from the ritled cannon came. Just before the retreat from the field. I went in- to the woods that skirted over near where stood the ambulances. One of these attached to our brigade was foremost. and a horse with a saddle on that was next the ambulance . was shot while I was talking to the driver. I had been here but a few minutes, when a young man named Workman, a member of the Regimental Band came up and told me that there were several of our regiment wounded and on the field not far distant, and that he feared unless we could reach them soon they would be captured. In the absence of the surgeons. I told the driver of the ambulance to take Workman and myself to the spot indi- cated. Drove up to a fence of a small farm-house, and into the yard where lay numbers of wounded men: all were eager to be placed in the ambu- lance, but I was obliged to tell them it was reserved for the wounded of the Minnesota Regiment. Receiving four of our men, I drove off the field to Sud- ley Church, which was used as a hospital.
"Here was scene baffling description. The benches from this rude country church had all been removed, and its floor was strewn with wounded and dying. The gallery also was full. Ascend- ing, I found Dr. Stewart. Stretched on his back was an elderly man of Com- pany B. begging for water: his look was irresistible. and picking up a cup be- smeared with blood. I went to a brook some distance off and brought him what was mud and water: but this impure potion was eagerly quaffed. Finding John T. Halsted, of St. Paul, I led him up stairs to the doctor, as the fingers of
201
HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.
months in the service, marched up without flinching to the mouth of batteries supported by thousands of infan- try, and opened and maintained a fire until one-fifth of the whole regiment was killed, wounded, or made pris- oners, before retiring, except for purposes of advantage of position.
"My heart is full of gratitude to my officers and men for their gallant bearing throughout the whole of this desperate engagement, and to distinguish the merits of one from another would be invidious, and injustice might be done. A portion of the right wing, owing to the configuration of the ground, became detached, under Lieut. Col. Miller whose gallantry was conspicuous and who contested every inch of the ground.
his left hand were shattered by a ball. While his right arm was round my neck, he showed some feeling, and when I told him his wound was not serious he said, 'Oh, I am not thinking of that, but of how many of our brave men have been cut down by the enemy!
"Captain Acker. of St. Panl, slightly wounded in the eye, was lying on the church floor near the pulpit. As the groans of those mortally wounded were dreadful he walked ont to the open air leaning on my arm. As I sat with him near a tree, I noticed my trunk containing my entire wardrobe not far distant. also those of Doctors Stewart and Le Boutillier, all of which became spoil of the enemy. While under the tree a private of Company K called my attention to a prisoner he had taken, a soldier of a Mississippi regiment. The prisoner first addressing me as captain, I told him I was a chaplain: he grasped my hand and said he hoped 'he was a Christian, and had enlisted from conscientious mo- tives, as he thought Southern rights had been infrinded upon.' He then begged me to protect him from ill-usage. and not force him to fight against his brethren. I assured him there was neither danger of ill-treatment from our troops, nor compulsion by the United States government to make him bear arms on our side.
"('aptain Acker. fearing capture, told me he would like to find our regiment. Taking my arm we walked down to the ford. not far from the church. and there learned that Colonel Gorman, with such officers and soldiers as he could find, had returned toward Centreville. Meeting fiates Gibbs, a son of Justice Gibbs of St. Paul, and one of my Sunday-school scholars when I preached in the First Presbyterian Church, driving an empty ambulance I placed therein C'aptain Acker. Had not proceeded very far before I found soldiers carrying Lieutenant Harley, of Captain Pell's company, on a litter. He was taken up, and in a few minutes had our ambulance full of our wounded. and among others. Robert Stephens, who. in 1849, when a lad, assisted in plastering my house, the first brick edifice built in Minnesota.
"While on the Warrenton Turnpike, in the woods, about two miles south of the bridge over Cub Run, the soldiers in foot of the ambulance appeared to be in great confusion: we were told that the enemy had flanked us. Fearing that a charge might be made. I asked the driver for something red to hang out of the anibalance, as a hospital flag. A youth of the Faribault Company. by the name of Kerrof, hearing my question, although lying in the bottom of the ambulance. wounded in the leg, and very weak, sat up and tore off his rod flannel shirt and gave it to me. Placing it on a sabre bayonet, I held it for a time over the ambu-
205
COL. W. A. GORMAN'S REPORT.
"Major Dike and my adjutant bore themselves with coolness throughout. My chaplain, Rev. E. D. Neill, was on the field the whole time, and, in the midst of danger, giving aid and comfort to the wounded. Dr. Stewart while on the field was ordered to the hospital by a medical officer of the army. Dr. Le Boutillier contin- ued with the regiment."
After the battle, the regiment returned to Washington to recruit. On the second of August they marched to the Upper .Potomac, and on the seventh went into camp near Seneca Mills, where they remained until the fif- teenth, and then moved to a point between Poolesville and Edward's Ferry, which proved to be their winter quarters. They were attached to Gormans' Brigade,
lanee. As we neared Cub Run bridge, there was evidence of a panic. Baggage wagons were overturned, muskets and blankets strewn on the road. and cavalry and infantry mingled together without any officers to restore confidence. Just at the bridge were broken artillery wagons, and a horse lying on the road with a wound in the breast. When we crossed at dusk by the ford adjoining the bridge, which was done with difficulty, we saw in an open field a regiment drawn up in line, and the stars and stripes indicated they were a reserve of friends.
"Just after dark reached old camping-ground at Centreville. Met Adjutant Leach, and was told that the field-officers and a portion of the regiment was in the field near the old quarters of General MeDowell. Prepared to go to sleep on some blankets l had borrowed, when an order was given us to retire to Wash- ington. By the kindness of the wagon-master the well-known old settler, Anson Northrop, I obtained a tin enp of coffee, with some pilot bread, and I think it was the most refreshing meal I ever had. About half-past nine o'clock the regiment formed and began its march to Washington, beyond Fairfax Court House; a portion by mistake, took the Vienna Road. This was the front with the field officers. Reached Vienna about half-past three Monday morning.
Monday morning, July tirenty-second .- As the mien had been on their feet twenty-four hours, halted at Vienna until five o'clock. Major Dike and I lay on the grass, with his saddle for a pillow, but as it rained I did not sleep half an hour. Began to march to Georgetown. fifteen miles distant: when ten or eleven miles off hired a blacksmith, with a rickety one-horse wagon, for six dollars, to take Captain Putnam, Lieutenant Coates, and Zeinrenberg to Georgetown. He drove so slow it was some time before we reached Captain Putnam: by the time the wagon reached Falls Church a wounded Zouave and a soldier of the New York Highland Regiment begged a place, and it was impossible to refuse them. Finding Captain Putnam, I relinquished my seat to the driver, and was glad to be on my feet again.
"About eleven o'clock, in the rain, called at Fort Corcoran, with Colonel Giorman and Major Dike. The commanding officer, W. T. Sherman was not very obliging. With some dithienlty the guard allowed me to pass, under an order from General Gorman, to Georgetown Ferry. Taking an omnibus at Georgetown went to Washington. called and informed Mrs. Dike and Mrs. Leach that their husbands were safe, and in the afternoon went to Philadelphia to replenish my own wardrobe, and procure supplies for our wounded."
206
HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.
in Stone's Division, and commanded by Colonel N. J. T. Dana, who, on October second, was mustered in as colonel.
No event of importance occurred during the remain- der of the year except in connection with the movement on October twenty-first, toward Leesburg, which result- ed in the death of Colonel E. B. Baker, late U. S. Sena- tor from Oregon.
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