Musket and sword, or The camp, march, and firing line in the Army of the Potomac

Preface

The literature of the Civil War has been voluminous in its descriptions of campaigns and of the services of our great commanders. It has, however, been deficient in graphic portrayal of the characteristics of the enlisted men and their immediate leaders. The details of practical warfare constituting the every day life of officers and soldiers are worthy of full presentation and careful study.

I have endeavored to faithfully depict types of the representative elements of our devoted army, and to record the opinions current at the front during the different stages of our prolonged contest.

Subjects that are now topics of interest are discussed incidentally in the light of the

IV.

past. Among these are included the Canteen question, the duties and services of Chaplains, the care of the wounded, the merits of volunteers, and the various details connected with the management of troops in active campaigns.

Edwin C. Bennett.

35 Putnam Street,

Somerville, Mass.

CHAPTER I. Pack i

Historical data always available.— Participants passing away. — Reminiscences valuable. — Camp, Firing-line and Hospital to be delineated.— On duty, April i8, 1861. — Rule and gauge cannot be applied to the soul. — Arsenal in New York. — Fortress Monroe. — Gen. Scott. — Annapolis. — Washington. — Reviewed by President. — Death of Ellsworth. — Scene at White House. — Alexandria. — Newspaper slogan, "On to Richmond." — Lincoln at camp.— Fifer's revenge. — March to Centreville. — Watch-fires of a thousand circling camps. — Senator Wilson's sandwiches. — Blunder of nth Mass.— Ricketts's battery. — Prescott of Concord. — Gen. Heintzelman wounded. — "Boys, I can do no more." — Halt at Centreville. — Retreat to Washington.— Confederate loss.— Gen. W. T. Sherman. — Staff organization. — Gen McDowell. — Boston.

CHAPTER II. Page 29

Patriotism a passion. — Senator Wilson as an organizer. — Robert C. Winthrop's speech.— One flag enough under fix-e. — New York and Philadelphia as hosts. — Hall's Hill, Va.— "Its according to Cass. "—Col. Gove.— Winter quarters. — Lincoln as a rider. — Blanket Rolls described. — Young men as soldiers. — Forward and return. — Hampton Roads. — Cheese box on a raft. — Shelter tents. — Yorktown. — Evacuation. — Torpedo explosion. — O. H. P. Sargent. — Hanover Court House. — Don't fall out in the smoke of the battle. — Muzzleloaded muskets. — Hooker. — Sumner. — Mechanicsville. — Gen. Lee and Jefferson Davis. — Battle Gaines Mills. — Heavy loss. — Col. Gove killed. — Gen. Griffin's opinion. — Corporal Gaffney's comment.

CHAPTER III. Page 64

Malvern Hill. — Immense trains. — Union Artillery fire. — Thrilling experience. — Wentworth's death. — Gen. Charles Griffin.—" Fetch on your infantry."— Confed-

VI.

erate charge. — G. H. lyadd killed. — Gallant 626. Pennsylvania Volunteers. — "Will get even right now." — Dan Harrington. — Harrison's Landing. — Night bombardment. — Down the Peninsula. — Aquia Creek. — March at night. — Warrenton Junction. — Porter on August 29th. — Armed Neutrality. — Scenes August 30th. — Kearney. — Pope. — Washington. — Company E. — Wright. — Wenzel. — McClellan in command. — The ii8th Pennsylvania. — Heavy knapsacks. — Rations described. — Coffee boilers. — Frederick, Md. — South Mountain. — Antietam. — Burnside's bridge. — Reconnoissance across the Potomac. — Daddy Mulhern. — "Show me the man I shall shoot." — Heroism of Capt. Field.

CHAPTER IV. Page 103

Burnside. — Longstreet. — "Might have fallen in place of a better man." — President L/incoln seemed to be looking for those who were gone. — Confederate prisoners. — Pontoons described. — McClellan relieved. — Safe man for both sides. — Porter's farewell review. — Eloquent address. — Burnside in command. — Fredericksburg battle. — Writer wounded. — Capt. Wilson's care of wounded men. — " O, Captain, I do care!" — Senator Wilson. — Government without funds. — Hospital in Boston. — Ball extracted by army surgeon. — Experience as a patient instructive. — Other methods advised. — Hooker in command. — Gen. Meade described. — Cabins, how built. — Glorious to suffer for your country. — Woodward or "Fiddle." — ■ Chancellorsville. — Where is Jackson ? — Aldie. — Frederick, Md. — Gen. Meade in command.

CHAPTER V. Pack 137

Doubly volunteers. — Gettysburg. — Stretcher bearers on line of battle. — Surgeons. — He chased a wounded man. — Sergeant Wright. — First doctor that has understood my case. — Tact required with wounded. — i8th Massachusetts wouldn't cheer. — Waiting for the army to come again. — Horses out-marched. — Kearney's sabre. — Bristow. — Private Russell. — Would have lain down and died if given time. — Fight of the Provost Guard. — Fletcher Webster's grave. — Gen. Sykes halted by picket. — Battle at Rappahannock Station.

VII.

CHAPTER VI. Pack i68

Mine Run Campaign. — Raid on train. — Lee's defences. — Trembling for fear we would not attack. — ^James Richardson, his pride and courage. — General Lee's remark. — Lieut. Robert Davis. — Picket. — Chaplains. — Baxter's remarks. — Importance and abuses of religious branch of service. — Freeman. — Black Sam. — Tragedy atFants's. — Officers of 2nd Regulars. — The Cavalry vidette ambushed. — Assailant killed. — Sentence of death revoked by General Griffin. — What did the President say ? — Confederates merciless to deserters.

CHAPTER VII. Page 194

Outlook for 1864. — General Grant in command. — Defensive Campaign of Confederates, — Possibilities of its success. — Exhaustion and division in the North. — Gettysburg not decisive.— European sentiment. — Ulysses or Useless. — Condition of Union Army. — Cavalry. — Artillery. — Infantry. — Confederate Army. — Infantry superb. — Simplicity of Tactics. — Wilderness. — May 5th and 6th. — Lamos and Gilligan. — Grant and Meade when informed of break in 6th Corps. — Grant's decision to persist the turning point. — Fight of Picket detail. — Flag of Alabama regiment captured. — "Never mind, I suppose you had to do it." — Death of Captain Davis.

CHAPTER VIII. Page 226

Laurel Hill May loth. — The attack. — Sergeant Wilson mortally wounded. — Hugh Gilligan loses a leg. — Casualties very great. — Congratulations on being alive not clearly in order. — First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. — General Hancock. — North Anna. — "Mr. Lee is not here." — Alger's shot for luck. — Captain Plunkett. — Ninth and Thirty-second Massachusetts. — Colonel Tilton's adventure. — "Shoot this Yank!" — "Boys, I had him !" — General Warren. — Skirmishes May 30th. — The Johnny would not borrow a percussion cap. — Lieut. Fleming. — Staff appointment as Acting Assistant Adjutant General of Brigade.

VIII.

CHAPTER IX. Page 256

Colonel Sweitzer. — Character sketched. — Lieut. John Seitz, Aide-de-camp. — His distinguished merit. — "When the swallows." — Thomas Warren. — The 21st Pennsylvania dismounted cavalry. — Battle June 3, 1864. — A lively ride. — Captain J. H. Baxter mortally wounded. — Last interview. — Phillips's 5th Massachusetts Battery. — Gallant 9th Massachusetts. — Truce on the Picket Line. — Petersburg. — Assault June i8th. — 4th Michigan. — Thomas Warren killed. — Colonel Prescott mortally wounded. — The 155th Pennsylvania. — Hard bread condemned and issued.

CHAPTER X. Page 282

Line of 2nd Corps restored. — 32nd Massachusetts suffers. — Colonel Blaisdell of nth Massachusetts. — General Meade present. — Morning reports of cumulative losses. — Lieut. Seitz's farwellto General Griffin. — Sufficiently amused. — Colonel Gregory. — Lieut. Bourne. — The covering trenches. — Locomotive engineers and firemen on military roads. — The mine fiasco. — Drafted men faithful.— Battle of Weldon R. R.— Gallant 155th Pennsylvania. — Lieut. Bourne mortally wounded. — Reams Station. — Music cut off as if by a knife. — Battles at Peeble's farm. — Return to the regiment. — Meade's narrow escape. — Arrival in Boston.

CHAPTER XI. Page 312

Muster out. — Views of Senator Wilson October 17th, 1864. — Visit to Washington. — Casey's board. — Lincoln's remark. — Arrival at the front. — Colored troops. — Observations of Lieut. Ackerman. — The 54th Massachusetts. — Brevet commissions. — Interview with General Griffin. — President Lincoln's levee. — His appearance physically. — Outworn by toil and care. — The veterans and the people. — Liquor in the army. — Present system opposed. — Recognition of merit a potent factor. — Volunteers keep army in touch with the people. — Thomas Scott's services. — Compensations for prolonged war. — Effusive demonstrations deprecated. — Change in the methods caused by telegraph and press. - Glorious to live for the country. — Valedictory.

Chapter I

Historical data always available. — Participants passing away. — Reminiscences valuable. — Camp, Firing-line and Hospital to be delineated. — On duty, April i8, 1861. — Rule and gauge cannot be applied to the soul. — Arsenal in New York. — Fortress Monroe. — Gen. Scott. — Annapolis. — Washington. — Reviewed by President. — Death of Ellsworth. — Scene at White House. — Alexandria. — Newspaper slogan, "On to Richmond." — Lincoln at camp. — Fifer's revenge. — March to Centreville. — Watch-fires of a thousand circling camps. — Senator Wilson's sandwiches. — Blunder of nth Mass. — Ricketts's battery. — Prescott of Concord. — Gen. Heintzelman wounded. — "Boys, I can do no more." — Halt at Centreville.-- Retreat to Washington. — Confederate loss. — Gen. Vv . T. Sherman. — Staff organization. — Gen McDowell. — Boston.

JHE great civil war of this country will ever be regarded as an epoch in our history, and will long be the theme of writers and historians, and eventually the immense mass of data available, in official archives, will be exhaustively treated.

The participants in the struggle are fast passing away, and with them are perishing reminiscences, that should be preserved to vivify and supplement the descriptions and deductions of authors and historical students.

Results are readily known, but causes of success are not easily discernible, and it is my purpose in these pages to delineate faithfully the characteristics of the Union soldiers, from the standpoint of the camp, march, firing-line, and hospital. Their devotion was the principal factor in the success of the cause, and every source of information concerning them should be critically studied.

Personal reminiscences have a graphic power that compensates fully for the appearance of egotism that is inseparable from them, but if the narrator adheres strictly to the truth, he is within the limitations of his rights. It is my aim to write a book that will enable its readers to realize what the war was, as seen by those at the front, and that will make the services of my comrades better understood, and promote the love and appreciation of the blessings of peace.

I joined the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia in the summer of i860. I was then twenty years old. My enlistment was in the company of my native town, Somerville, Mass. The organization was designated as the Somerville Light Infantry, and as Company I, in the 5th Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. When the regiment was summoned to arms by Governor John A. Andrew, in response to the call for troops by President Lincoln, after the attack upon Fort Sumter, I reported for duty at the armory of my company, April 18, 1861.

On Saturday, the 20th of April, the regiment assembled at Fanueil Hall, Boston, to receive further equipment, but was not furnished with serviceable uniforms, retaining our gray dress suits with tight fitting padded coats. Many of our number were recruits, wlio enlisted for tlie campaign. Some of tliem liad formerly served in the militia, and all showed remarkable aptitude in learning their duty. The physical examinations were informal, and not by a physician. Zeal and patriotism were recognized as potent factors, and their outward manifestations were given full credence. The rule and gauge cannot be applied to the soul of a man.

Our company was commanded by Captain George O. Brastow, who had long been a leader in public affairs in our community. He was then fifty years of age, his discipline was somewhat paternal, but he never failed to command the affection and respect of his subordinates. My point of observation was that of a private soldier.

Upon the morning of Sunday, April 21, 1861, headed by resounding music, the regiment marched to the Boston and Albany Depot and was soon en route for the city of New York. Crowds greeted us at frequent intervals, and the patriotic songs of our

MUSKET AND SWORD.

impromptu quartette excited the wildest enthusiasm.

The ovation was indeed inspiring and had lasting effect upon the morale of the regiment.

The attack upon the 6th Mass. Volunteer Militia, in Baltimore, upon the 19th of April, inflamed us, and the general desire with us was to avenge it summarily, and the expectation was that we would have a chance to do so.

We arrived in New York about dusk, and were welcomed by immense crowds, and entertained by generous hosts, at one of the principal hotels.

Early upon the 22nd, we embarked upon a steamer for the South, and were quartered mainly in the hold of the vessel, upon loose hay, and among artillery caissons ; and for rations, were dependent for several days upon the contents of our haversacks that were filled in Boston. Water was the only beverage furnished gratuitously. Fortress Monroe presented a charming view. Its garrison of seventy men had just been reinforced by the 3d and 4th Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. Gen. Winfield Scott, whose services at this period were of inestimable value and do not now receive just recognition, insisted that, from a military or strategic point of view. Fortress Monroe was more important than Washington, as it was the key to Virginia and the right base of operations for the control of the southern coast, and contained immense supplies of ordnance that we needed. We were exceedingly gratified to know that our state had been instrumental in preserving for our cause this position so essential foroursuccess. We landed at Annapolis, Maryland, on either April 24th or 25th, and rested in the beautiful grounds of the Naval Academy, and at sunset we began our march to Annapolis Junction, — supposed to be only nine miles distant. As our column halted, for some reason unknown to us, on a street lined with comfortable homes, cries of alarm came from women and children, who had been taught to regard us as ruthless invaders. This was a surprise to us, as we were animated by kindly sentiments towards all non-combatants in the South, and that fact soon became well known.

We halted at the Junction, after a fatiguing tramp along the railroad, as we were worn by the excitement of the week and not hardened by experience in marching ; and after a delay of twenty-four hours, took a train for Washington and were quartered in the Treasury Building, near the White House, — we occupied the front facing the Potomac. The windows of the lower floor were partly filled with bags of sand, to screen troops in firing upon assailants. The 6th Mass. Vol. Militia was located in the Capitol, occupying the sumptuous rooms of the Speaker and Committees. The situation was regarded as precarious ; the state of Virginia was endeavoring to arbitrate, Robert E. Lee was upon the staff of General Scott until April 20th, and while the Old Dominion hesitated, dreading to be made the theatre of war, the North was putting forth its energies and massing an army in Washington, which was however commanded by Arlington Heights, across the Potomac. The majority of the inhabitants of the District of Columbia were undoubtedly secessionists and were in accord with the general sentiment in Maryland and eastern Virginia, and they had counted upon the support of the city of New York, under the lead of Fernando Wood, and expected to seize the seat of the national government with but little trouble, if war ensued. The uprising in the North thwarted their schemes, and their chagrin was evident, despite efforts to disguise it.

On May ist, our regiment paraded for muster in Lrafayette Park, opposite the White House. General Irwin McDowell was the mustering officer. The ceremony was quite impressive. At its conclusion, we entered the grounds of the Executive Mansion and passed in review before President

Lincoln. He was dressed in black and was very erect ; his hair was untouched by the frosts of time and care ; his whole bearing was sympathetic, yet dignified. He was then 52 years old, but looked younger.

The regiment was kept under strict discipline, and was drilled almost daily in the streets of Washington, which, with but few exceptions, were in a primitive condition. Our quarters were crowded and unhealthy, and the physical condition of the battalion was unsatisfactory, and we were all eager for a change.

Upon May 24th, Alexandria, on the Virginia side of the Potomac and six miles below Washington, was occupied by the Union forces, and we were under arms and marched to the river, — but soon returned to our quarters.

Col. Ellsworth, commanding the New York Fire Zouave regiment, was killed in the Marshall House, Alexandria, by the proprietor, while he was returning from the roof with a rebel flag. His body lay in

State in the east room of the White House. I gained admission, and was deeply impressed by the grief manifested by those who thronged to gaze upon the remains of a gallant soldier, whose ability and zeal had presaged a useful and brilliant career. His action was rash. His place was with his regiment, and he should not have left it to do a corporal's duty.

Within two or three days following the seizure of Alexandria, we crossed the Potomac and camped in a field skirted by the canal, and near Alexandria. We had, at this time, been furnished with the plain and serviceable uniforms of the regular army. What became of our showy militia garments, I cannot recall. We soon changed our location to a large common nearly a mile west of Alexandria, and were busy with patrol duty in the city and with labor upon the ditches and embankments of Fort Ellsworth. The boys toiled patiently, but were grateful when laborers from the North relieved them.

The New York papers were received regularly. The Tribune was very bitterly opposed to the policy pursued by Gen. Scott in stopping on the Virginia bank of the Potomac, and fortifying elaborately Arlington Heights. Its denunciations were almost frantic, but unavailing. The General recognized the fact that we were at war, and he was determined not to deviate from sound military principles, which dictated that he should secure his base of operations, and at the same time ensure the safety of the Capital, — a very important consideration politically.

We were assigned to the ist Brigade, commanded by Gen. Franklin. The nth Massachusetts Volunteers and ist Minnesota were also in the Brigade, which belonged to Heintzelman's Division. The ist Minnesota became famous, and had in its ranks a great many Maine men, who had emigrated from the pineries of that state to the lumber camps of Minnesota.

Dr. Luther V. Bell was Surgeon of the

1 1 til Mass. He was a gentleman of large means and of very liigli rank in his profession, and entered the service from patriotic motives. He had been a resident of Somerville for several years, and, visiting our company, proffered his professional skill and purse to us, when needed. The health of the regiment improved, although the heat was intense.

Our duties were arduous, but were occasionally enlivened by events worthy of note. The President visited the camp with W. H. Seward, Secretary of State, and without a military escort, and stopped fully a half hour. He wore a long close-fitting linen duster, which magnified his stature of six feet four inches. No review was ordered ; he simply passed through the company streets and greeted pleasantly all whom he met. President Lincoln, upon his merits as a man, was always first in the hearts of the great majority of the Army of the Potomac. In him they knew they had a friend sincere and steadfast > who recognized manhood, irrespective of rank.

There occurred, while in this camp, an incident, trifling in itself, but illustrative of the lights and shades of military life. A fifer, for some petty offence, was sentenced by the regimental court-martial to play upon his instrument for two hours in front of headquarters. The sentence failed to prescribe the programme, it having been supposed that it would be varied, as the performer was skilled in his profession. He however saw his opportunity, and selected a doleful air entitled, " On the Road to Boston," and inflicted it upon his hearers until his time had expired. The boys appreciated the joke, and the Field and Staff endeavored to conceal their discomfiture, but did not succeed.

We were present, in heavy marching order, at a parade of the division through the streets of Alexandria, early in July. It was apparent a blow would be struck before the expiration of the time of the three-months men. The people were goaded by the visionary element to demand immediate and aggressive action. The regiment had become very proficient in skirmish drill ; and in all field exercises its appearance was worthy of a battalion that had been trained for years. The men were chiefly from cities and large towns, and accustomed to system and obedience in their home avocations, and were resolved to master the details of military life in as brief time as possible.

We commenced our movement to Bull Run July i6, reaching Centerville, twenty miles distant, upon the i8th. We had no cover, not even the little shelter-tents, — afterwards so familiar, — but gathered boughs and cut poles to sustain them, and managed to screen ourselves from the sun.

The spectacle at night was inspiring, — thousands of fires illumined the hills and valleys. " The watch-fires of a thousand circling camps '* were grand beyond description. Our rations were limited upon the 19th, and some stray sheep were caught and killed by the regiment and were a welcome addition to our rations.

A regiment camped near us claimed its discharge, and was probably in equity entitled to it, although technically held, as its muster by the government did not date back to the time when it was actually on duty, and after considerable controversy its contention was allowed. Our regiment could have made the same plea, as it assembled in Faneuil Hall, April 20, but was mustered for three months to date from May i ; but there was no protest entered, — we were willing to fight whether our term was out or not.

Ricketts's Battery bivouacked near us. It belonged to the regular army, and the fine bearing of its men and the thoroughness with which duty was done had an excellent effect. Nearly all of its enlisted men had been long in the service ; not one had deserted, or asked for discharge on account of sympathy for secession. I believe Magruder had been their captain, and was popular, but could not influence any of his men by his example in leaving our army and joining the Confederates.

A skirmish at Blackburn's Ford, on the i8th, in which Richardson's Brigade was engaged and behaved admirably, excited much interest. The ist Mass. Volunteer Infantry was in the brigade and was handled with skill and great intrepidity by Col. Robert Cowdin. The Union loss was 83 killed and wounded.

On the morning of the 21st of July, 1861, our columns were in motion for the Bull Run field, on the plains of Manassas.

We soon met Senator Henry Wilson in an open barouche. He had a large hamper of sandwiches, which were freely given by an attendant to the soldiers. We met with many delays, but at 11:30 were near the enemy. We halted and loaded, and then advanced in column by company.

We passed over a field abounding in ripe blackberries. Our precision and steadiness were so marked as to cause us to be taken for Regulars. A poor fellow bleeding profusely was borne in a blanket past us to the rear. The sight seemed to infuriate our men who were confident and determined.

We halted upon an undulation and below its crest, on our left was the nth Massachusetts Volunteers. It was not well in hand. We were soon ordered to fire by company, and every company advancing in turn to the summit fired deliberately and then filed to the rear. When the nth Massachusetts was ordered to fire it was not under control and arose and fired en masse^ and as they had only the front of one company and the ground ascended towards the enemy they killed and wounded many of their own numbers. We called out to them to stop, and our adjutant, John G. Chambers, rushed among them and aided very much in getting them comparatively calm. The nth Massachusetts was a new regiment of excellent material, and soon became very efficient, in fact, fought afterwards in line in this battle, with great steadiness.

Ricketts's battery was well placed, to our right and rear, and was delivering an effective fire. It was soon advanced across a farm road, into an open field in our front. We filed to the right and then to the left, up the road behind the battery, to support it, or attack the enemy as might be advisable.

It was a blunder to put the artillery in the lead, and could only have been made upon the supposition that the rebels were demoralized. If it had taken position on the other side of the road, and where there were many commanding points, it would have had a screen of infantry to protect it, and which would have been encouraged by its fire, which would have passed over our men. The short distance to the enemy in the woods placed them in easy range. Solid shot and shells are more effective against troops sheltered by timber than grape or canister. The battery ventured so near the Confederate line of battle that the men were stricken down like grass before a scythe. They did not have a chance to unlimber before one half their number were killed and wounded. One caisson or amunition wagon passed over or through us. It was drawn by six horses in three spans or pairs, with a rider or driver for each span. Three men were on the seat ; all of them were wounded. One only, a sergeant, could sit erect. Their course would have taken them over a wounded man lying helpless in the ditch beside the road. The sergeant called out sharply to the drivers ordering them to swing to the left, saving the poor fellow from further injury. As they swerved from their course a horse in the middle span was shot, and fell, but the harness was strong and he was drawn rapidly along out of the close range of the merciless fire.

Captain J. B. Ricketts commanded his battery with dauntless bravery and was wounded, losing a leg, and was taken prisoner. He was soon exchanged and made Brigadier General, and commanded a division of the 6tli Corps, and was distinguislied for his bravery and unselfish devotion.

When General Sedgwick was killed, the corps chief of staff, notified General Ricketts, that as senior division general, the command of the corps devolved upon him. He replied, saying : ' ' General Sedgwick thought that General Wright should succeed him," and when General Wright assumed command by order of General Meade, he was zealously supported by General Ricketts, who remained at the head of his division.

The 5th Massachusetts was at this time somewhat broken ; the Lieutenant Colonel and Major had been commissioned in the regular army, and the vacancies had not been filled. Col. S. C. Lawrence was wounded early in the contest, and Lt. John Chambers was the only officer of the field and staff remaining. He was very brave and efficient but could not be everywhere.

A portion of our company, in which I was included, attached themselves to the company from Concord belonging to the regiment. It was led by Captain Geo. L. Prescott, afterwards Colonel of the 32d Massachusetts Volunteers, and killed at Petersburg June i8, 1864. He displayed great gallantry. I well recall his exhortations and example. We were in line with the ist Minnesota and were as steadfast, which is claiming very much. Many organizations fought desperately and kept their formations intact. This applies to battalions only ; there was a lack of unity as brigades and divisions.

General S. P. Heintzelman in command of the division was mounted on a coal black horse. He exposed himself fearlessly and was severely wounded in an arm, and when faint from pain and loss of blood, said apologetically to the men around him : " Boys, I can do no more." He was warmly praised by those who heard him and urged to retire. He was a Pennsylvanian, and an officer of the regular army, and very simple and frank in manners. His intrepidity and unselfish loyalty to the cause combined with his other noble qualities made him very popular in tlie army. He was then quite gray and was not physically vigorous.

On our portion of the field the battle was hotly contested for more than two hours. We retained the open ground and the enemy held the woods. Finally they were reinforced heavily and our troops gave way, seemingly by common consent, and began to retreat by the route traveled in our advance. There was no concerted effort to guard our rear neither did the enemy push us vigorously. They were apparently glad to be rid of us, and suffered very severely prior to our withdrawal. The panic was among the non-combatants and stragglers. Those who fled wildly and magnified our defeat, were truthful so far as they portrayed their own cowardice.