1861 July 26 McLane’s Farm near Manassas [Virginia]

Dear Cousin Mattie

Very unwillingly I have allowed

several days after the battle to elapse without writing to you;

but I have really not have had a moment that I could call my own;

we have been in constant motion, the business of the company

the care of the wounded have kept my hands full. I cannot

write you any account of the battle; in fact it caused

me some surprise to learn next day that a great battle

had been fought. We arrived at Manassas (the Infantry

of the Legion) at daylight on Sunday, worn out with hunger

& our protracted journey of 36 hours. We were hardly dis

embarked when the heavy discharge of artillery at

some distance made us aware that the battle had begun.

Our breakfast was cooked & hastily eaten; our ammunition

shared out by Col Johnson; the regiment was formed

& we commenced out march in the direction of the

left wing which was threatened. After tramping

four miles a few shot that fell amongst us showed us

that the enemy was very near but unfortunately there

was no one to direct us & we wandered about some

time without knowing where to take position. Before

we were in action Col. Hampton was almost killed

by a shot which fell under his horse. At last we got

into a road on the brow of a hill & here for the

first time we saw in the ravine below us; on the

opposite hill, within the range of our rifles the numerous

battalions of Federalists who reached from right

to left two or three miles. We had hardly

occupied the road in full view of them when

a terrible volley poured in upon us & men commen

ced falling on every side. Col. Johnson fell among

the first. Col Hampton was dreadfully exposed but

escaped at this time. though we suffer much, our

fire checked the enemy who commenced retreating.

[page 2]

The men were cool & shot well; Col Hampton himself took a

gun & shot down a man at 500 yds. On our right was/INK BLOT

regiment in full few[sic] upon whom we did mo/INK BLOT

on account of a Palmetto flag which they/INK BLOT

we soon learned our mistake by a terif/INK BLOT

from them which compelled us to retreat. We/INK BLOT

now in some degree of confusion & redirected on/INK BLOT

by having to remove the wounded; we retrea/INK BLOT

one hundred yards behind a block house, which/INK BLOT

a while was a little Hougemont, with the difference

that we were driven away a few hundred yards

into a wood where we rallied returned to

our block house. I cannot understand how

in such a fire any one escaped, the bullets rattled

around like hail, col. H’s horse was killed under

him; we were reduced in numbers & worn out by

fatigue & thirst, & it became necessary to retire

about 500 yds through a wood into an old field

where we reformed & stopped in a most [?]

state, without a general & without the slightest notion

of what was expected of us & here we were shortly

joined by Barbours Brigade. It was a dreadful

moment for our country; we had been beaten

at all points & were almost surrounded

& nothing was required of the enemy but a vigorous

use of the bayonet to decide the day. In my mind

loomed up all the vast issues that were trembling

in the balance & shuddered at the contemplation

of a defeat. Just then Gen Beauregard rode with his

staff in to the field & I cannot describe to you

the effect of his appearance produced, All was

changed in a moment; the men brightened up,

dressed their ranks & gave le chevalresque Msgr

[page 3]

Beauregard a rousing cheer. In a moment that battle field away in

Virginia looked like Broad St. John Ferguson rode up by me (if you

wish to see a warm greeting, you must see it on a battlefield)

We had a good shaking of hands; then came in quiet succession

Vanderhorst, Heyward, Chisolm, Rice & at least 15

men that you meet at Club during the season. Beauregard

showed us a house on the left of that which we had already

defended, where we were to make a stand & we marched

gaily towards it; as we were moving up I heard

Sam dashing along the Georgia Regiments & begging

them to follow their General; I heard that afterwards

that he pointed to our Palmetto which was moving

up & asked them if they would not follow it; so that

it was by our flag that Bartow’s Brigade was rallied.

When we reached the point where our stand was

to be made the enemy’s artillery (Ricketts gifted battery)

was not 200 yds away & shell, ball, & bullets were

flying, whizzing & whistling about in a way to make

a person quite uneasy. Our men however did splendidly,

taking advantage of the cover they fired with ready

effect. Here Col Hampton wished to make a charge

but luckily the men were too much scattered, & were

doing excellent work in another way. At this time col

Hampton received his wound; Henry M[?] fell after

having fought like a hero. The flag staff was nearly severed

Capt Conner had now charge of the Legion & seeing that

the enemy were retreating, he made us move down the

field where we captured Ricketts rifled guns which

the General has presented to us. The enemy could now

be seen in full retreat & we were halted. On our

left we soon emerged from a wood on the summit

of a hill a regiment with the Confederate Flag

followed by another, & we soon had the

[page 4]

pleasure of seeing Cash and Kershaws finish in splendid

style what we had begun: this must have happened

at 4 o’clock & the battle was won. The enemy retreated

precipitately towards Centreville & the pursuit

commenced. Tired as we were we followed in the pursuit

[?] the scene along the road beggars description.

Everything indicates a panic. On all sides were the dead & wounded

lying & accoutrements were scattered in numbers sufficient

to equip a regiment. [word lined through] blankets, canteens, haver

sacks coats [boots?] strewed the ground. I saw them

rifle Genl McDowells provision carts & some of our men

got a taste of his champagne and men who had been in

rags were the next day in broadcloath. Late in the

evening we retreated 2 miles so as to be quite safe

& [?] [?] for the night. With a captured soda biscuit

and a captured blanket I made quite a night of it. I have met Burnet

Rhett & Willie Elliott who are in Kershaws & both well & in high

spirits. At daylight we returned to Manassas to recruit,

& forward the Cavalry and Artillery which arrived today. I

can tell you nothing about the state of affairs in front as knowing

more than we &c the Colonel is struck by a buckshot probably

from a percussion shell over the left eye; it has not been extracted

and the doctors think it may have rebounded from a bone. He is again on

horseback & looks as if a fist has been planted in his eye. Middleton

was struck by a ball which entered on the left side & came

out of the back; it was thought mortal at first, but the Doctors

are very hopeful; everything will be done that can be; as soon

as it is possible he will be removed to Charlottesville by

R. [name?] His courage in battle & the fortitude with which

he has borne his sufferings, are beyond all praise. In fact

the conduct of all the men has been glorious. There were

boys, not 18 years of age fought the whole battle through.

& fired almost every round of ammunition they had

[written cross hatched on page 5]

and followed us in the pursuit. Young Thompson after [?] left the

hospital to go into the fight when shot through the leg refused to

retire until the day was [?] Com is well. He got separated from

us early in the day & fainted from fatigue; was nearly captured; was rescued

by some Georgians & fought for the rest of the day in Bartow’s Brigade.

[?] behaved well & [?] is sure now of the Captaincy.

Col. Hampton exposed himself recklessly; so did Captain Conner; Logan & [?]

were [?] cool as veterans.

God has mercifully preserved me; there were moments when

I listlessly waited for the bullet that was to take me off & wonder now

that it did not come. I hope that I am spared to be of some service;

the experience of war gained so early in the campaign will enable me

to manage the company better on the next occasion.

Give my love to Mr. Hinlack & Helen. I hope that Helen

is better in health than when you wrote. I am

Very truly yours

James

P.S. the Colonel & Gov. Manning have just ridden up [?] [?] as I write

I can see Gov. Manning pulling out two bottles from his holster: precious bottles

they are. We are all delighted with Brown. Manning is [?] Manning

does his work like a man & got several bullets through his coat.

MSS 451



Hougemont farm was the site of the battle of Waterloo in 1815



John Lawrence Manning, 1816-1889, Governor of South Carolina , 1852-1854.

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