Report
of Eighteenth [18] Virginia Infantry at Battle of First Manassas, Virginia. 21
July, 1861.
Report
of Col. R. B. Withers, Eighteenth Virginia Infantry.
COLONEL:
I have the honor to transmit a report of the share taken by the Eighteenth
Regiment in the battle of the 21st of July. The position occupied by my command
was, as you are aware, on the north side of Bull Run, at Balls Ford, which we
were ordered to defend. This position they had occupied for three days,
sleeping on their arms, as their position was very much exposed. Colonel
Preston's regiment (Twenty-eighth) was on my right.
Early
on the morning of the 21st I heard firing in the direction of my advance
picket. Supposing it caused by an advance of the enemy on my position I
hastened to the point, and found that the firing was caused by an advance of
the enemy along the Warrenton turnpike, driving in the pickets of Major Evans
on that road. I could distinctly hear the moving of a very large number of men
and many ammunition wagons, indicating that a formidable attack was designed
upon our lines. Causing two companies to be deployed as skirmishers on my left
and in front I awaited further developments. No attack having been made on us
we remained in position until 2 o'clock p. m. At this time, being enabled to
see from my position the progress of the fight, and that the extreme left of
the position of our army had been turned by the enemy crossing Bull Run at
Sudleys Mill, some distance above stone bridge, and were outflanking and
forcing back by immensely superior numbers our forces on the left and center, I
crossed the run and formed my regiment in readiness for immediate action. Soon
after Colonel Cocke sent down by one of his aides an order to bring my regiment
into action as speedily as possible. We moved forward in double-quick time, and
soon came under fire of the enemys battery about Lewis' house. Continuing to
advance beyond the house, I was ordered by General Beauregard to conduct my
regiment obliquely to the left and attack the center of the enemy. On
approaching their position I found a pretty strong force posted in a thicket of
pines, in some places almost impenetrable. With a cheer we dashed into the
thicket and pushed forward, the enemy retiring as we advanced.
They
were composed principally of the Fourteenth New York Chasseurs, and several of
their number were killed and captured by the left wing of my regiment. Emerging
from the pines I halted and reformed the regiment, which had been thrown into
some disorder whilst advancing through the pines. I now found myself exposed to
a hot fire of musketry, and could not clearly distinguish friends from foes.
Ordering my men to lie down in a slight depression of the field, so as to
protect them as far as possible, I rode to the left of the line, and after some
trouble was enabled to discover the U. S. flag with about two regiments on a
hill opposite our position and across the Sudley road. A pretty sharp tire at
long range was kept up between these troops and my command for some time. Just
at this time a number of troops to my right, who had been stationed around an
old house (Mrs. Henry's), fell back in a good deal of confusion, but rallied as
soon as they passed my line. One of the captains came up, and, announcing that
they constituted a part of the Hampton Legion, and had no field officers left
to take charge of them, as their colonel was wounded and lieutenant-colonel
killed, desired to know what they should do. I directed them to form on the
right of my regiment, which they did with promptness. I was then told that they
had been forced back from a battery which they had taken from the enemy, but
which they seemed determined to regain, as their skirmishers had advanced very
nearly to the guns, supported by a heavy force of infantry. I ordered the whole
regiment to charge, which they did in beautiful style, driving back the enemy
(not only the skirmishers, but the supporting infantry) beyond the hill.
This
battery consisted of eight rifled cannon, and I was told constituted a part of
the celebrated Sherman battery. They were posted between Mrs. Henry's house and
the Sudley road, in a little triangular plat of grass land. It was immediately
proposed to turn their guns on them. I ordered the two rear companies of my
command, Company I and Company K, to drag the guns into proper position. They immediately
brought up two of the guns and ammunition. Captain [Thomas D.] Claiborne, of
Company B, Adjutant Withers, and Lieutenant [Thomas P.] Shields, of Company E,
assisted by a gallant South Carolina officer, afterwards understood to be
Green, and several others, soon loaded one of the pieces, and brought it to
bear upon a large number of men who were congregated near a two-story house
beyond the turnpike. Just as we were about to fire I discovered among them the
Confederate flag, and ordered them not to fire. I know in this I am not
mistaken, as it was first recognized by the naked eye, and an examination with
a good field-glass confirmed my first opinion. Whilst debating the question
amongst ourselves I saw two other bodies of troops passing up the hill towards
the house, amongst whom the U. S. flag was clearly visible. They joined the
party first seen, and proving thus that they were enemies and had raised our
flag with the intention of deceiving us, we no longer hesitated to open fire
upon them from their own cannon.
The
South Carolinian alluded to above fired the first gun, and a most effective one
it seemed to be. A few shots sufficed to drive all the enemy out of sight My
regiment was then ordered by General Beauregard to push for the turnpike at stone
bridge and cut off, if possible, the retreating enemy at that point. We reached
the run and crossed it just below the cut timber east of the stone bridge, and
entered the turnpike road just beyond that point The enemy, however, had
retreated by the Sudley's Mill and other points above.
Soon
after we crossed the run we were joined by two South Carolina regiments,
commanded respectively by Colonel's Kershaw and Cash, and together we pursued
the enemy along the turnpike road in the direction of Centreville, until I was
recalled by an order to fall back to stone bridge. Before reaching the point we
designed to occupy we were met by another order to march immediately to
Manassas Junction, as an attack was apprehended that night Although it was now
after sunset, and my men had had no food all day, when the command to march to
Manassas was given they cheerfully took the route to that place. On arriving in
the immediate neighborhood of that place I was directed to carry my command to
Camp Walker, a mile or two below. This place we reached late at night, and our
wearied men threw themselves on the ground and slept till morning. On the 22d
we were ordeted back to our former position on Bull Bun, and the next day to
the position we now occupy, near suspension bridge, on Cub Bun.
Too
much praise cannot be awarded to the Eighteenth Regiment for their conduct
during the memorable action of the 21st. Officers and men, with one or two
individual exceptions, exhibited the utmost coolness and determined bravery.
The last charge made by them was most brilliant and successful, and enabled us
to retain possession of their cannon. I believe these pieces had been captured
once or twice before during the action, but I claim for the Eighteenth the
honor of holding the guns and turning them upon the enemy. During the action
Lieutenant-Colonel [Henry A.] Carrington and Major [George C.] Cabell rendered
efficient and valuable service, as did Adjutant Withers and all the staff
efficers. Indeed, the officers generally displayed so much valor and
determination that it would be invidious to draw distinctions The whole
command, indeed, exhibited a steadiness nder ire remarkable for raw troops.
Considering
the length of time we were under fire our loss was very small. I append the
report.*
Captain
[T.P.] Matthews, Company H, was among the wounded, but fortunately not very
seriously. No other commissioned office was hurt.
I would
respectfully mention the necessity that exists for supplying many of the men
with knapsacks, blankets, & o. As they advanced into battle, by my orders
they threw away everything except their guns and ammunition, and, having
subsequently marched to Camp Walker the same night, they had no opportunity of
getting their elothing and blankets again.
I would
also request that those of my companies who are now armed with the smooth-bore
altered musket may be permitted to exchange them for the more efficient Enfield
or minie gun.
With
much respect, I am, your most obedient servant,
R. E.
WITHERS,
Colonel
Eighteenth Regiment Virginia Volunteers.
COL
PHILIP ST. GEORGE COCKE,
Commanding
Fifth Brigade, Virginia Volunteers.
*
Which shows 5 killed, 16 wounded, and 1 missing.
