Page 209:
August
29
Anandale
We reached here yesterday
and went into position on the
left of Gen. Smith.
30
Received the march today.
Just as we passed Fairfax C.H.
the General sent me forward to obtain
all information possible relative to
the fighting of yesterday the events
of today and our present line of battle.
Could learn nothing of Gen. Butterfield
who with other portions of Gen. Porter’s
corps arrived at Centerville about the
same time as myself. Went to
Pope’s head quarters. No one there.
Afterward saw Gen. Griffin, who could
Page 210:
tell me nothing. Then road [sic] up to Warrenton
Pike to see for myself. Met Gen. Sturges
and talked with one of his aids but
learned nothing.
After passing Cub Run met a
gentleman who was serving as an
engineer on Gen. McDowell’s staff,
and who told me much that was
interesting.
Rode back to Centerville and
there saw 350 Rebel prisoners near Pope’s
head quarters, good looking men but
poorly clothed. Shortly after met
the division coming up. The orders
were for us to push on up the
Warrenton Pike. The march was
accordingly continued until we
arrived a mile beyond Cub Run.
There our division halted for a
rest.
Gen. Slocum and a few others,
Page 211:
among them myself, went into a
door yard near by and sat down.
We had not been there five minutes
before our attention was drawn to a
large open space of country on the
left of our position across which
troops seemed to be moving, not in
order but confused and straggling like.
The more carefully we observed the
move it looked like a general
falling back of our troops. And soon
enough it was. Our left had been
turned. In half an hour our army
was pouring down the Warrenton Pike.
Batt’y D went into position on the left
of the Pike supported by our infantry.
The stream poured by for over an hour
and then we fell back in order to
Centerville.
Wolcotts battery and the 2nd Brig.
remained on the further side of Cub
Page 212:
Run all night. Gen. S. + staff returned to
Centerville with the remainder of the division.
Tried to sleep but couldn’t. Too wet, too
hungry, too tired.
31st
This morning woke early and
enjoyed a fine cup of coffee made
by our orderlies, fine fellows from the
2nd. Regular Cavalry. It began to
rain and because Gen. Newton lost
my poncho I got wet through. No
matter. Soon mounted and rode to
the front with Gen. Slocum. Passed
beyond Cub Run to the battery that
had been in position all night, and
made arrangements to retire to
Centerville. After the battery and
support had crossed the Run, I
Page 213:
superintended the destruction of the
bridge.
We went into position on the
crest of the hill just this side. While
there I observed the skirmishing of our
Cavalry pickets as they advanced and
it was a beautiful sight. The enemy
retired and I could distinctly see them
as they passed across the road on the
top of the opposite hill. Soon they posted
a gun on the pike and sent a
few shell at us. A battery was got
into position and replied.
Meanwhile we retired to Cen-
terville and the 2nd. Brigade took up
position on the left of the work
occupied by the troops of Gen. Newton.
Visited Gen. Pope’s head quarters. Saw, beside him, Heintzelman and Sumner.
Joe got us some bread, ham,
and coffee.
Page 214:
Opinion is general that the enemy
have gone round our right flank, and
that it is utter folly for us to remain
here.
Rodgers is sick and has gone to
Washington. I am trying to serve for him.
Gwindon [?] and I are the only ones left with
the General.
September close at hand,
A year of strife finds us further than
we ever were before from the settlement
of this question. |
