Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, August 7, 1861
We make the following extracts from a private letter received from our correspondent "E.P.P." written at Alexandria, Va., July 30.
"On Sunday, the 21st, while we were assembled in the grove listening to our chaplain, we first heard the cannonadin from the direction of Bull's Run and Manassa. For hours we heard an almost incessant discharge of artillery, and could but think that the heavy firing was from the enemy's batteries, and were fearful that we had underrated their artillery force. These fears were soon confirmed. Lieut. Col. Morris, and Capt. Bartram, of our Regiment, went up to see the fight, and returned late on Sunday night, reporting that our men had been led into the very face of masked batteries, which at the signal, opened a most destructive and gaining fire on our ranks, and that the rout of our troops was perfect, and they were retreating towards Alexandria. Following close on this report, a messenger rode into camp with orders for us to immediately march to the Fort and be ready to come. The retreat and as report said, the victor was fiercely pursuing our fleeing men, We must repulse the rebel army and at all hazards cut off their advance towards Washington. As Lieut. Martin was Officer of the Guard, the command devolved on myself. At midnight I called together the company and gave them the order to pack their knapsacks and await further orders. Soon they were drawn into proper line and the entire Regiment marched into the Fort. It was a beautiful moonlight night and the bright muskets and bayonets glistened in the pale light, as I saw cast silvery rays around. Never did the company appear to better advantage. Hardly a question was asked, and the strict attention and firm steps of the men told plainly that they were intently bent on doing their duty, whatever it might be.
"At an early hour on Monday, the results of the previous day's fight became apparent. Soldiers came struggling into Alexandria in the most pitiable plight imaginable. Fatigued, sick and hungry, the poor fellows came in, bleeding, fainting and dying. I saw men with their feet shot off, hands torn off, faces disfigured and ghastly body wounds. They told a fearful tale, and "twas sickening to listen to their reports regarding the condition of our forces. The Fire Zouaves presented the worst appearance and the few who returned reported their regiment entirely cut to pieces. It rained all that day and to this many of the retreating troops owe their safety, as they never could have stood the march in a scalding sun.
"This stampede kept up until Tuesday, and [.?.] in broken ranks, had assembled in the city which was literally covered, pavement, street and all with the poor fellows who were sleeping on the hard ground, and stone walks. Even this was a luxury to them after such excessive fatigue as they had experienced. From five miles above here to Manassas, the road was perfectly blocked up with wagons, ambulances, haversacks, knapsacks, guns, pistols, &c. I was informed by those who passed over this road, that revolvers by the bushel were strewn along the road. Hundreds of them, including cavalry pistols, swords and rifles, have been brought to this city and sold. Many a Zouave has made a little money by selling the arms thrown away by timid officers and men, and well the poor boys might, as they had not been paid one cent by the government. Since, they have commenced paying them. But this loss to our army was not nearly as large as first reported and now the regiments see collecting their scattered men."
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