1861 July 25 Washingtn D. C.

Dear parents,

I suppose you are anxious to hear from
me by this time In a few days after I wrote to you
last we were ordered to get ready to march Sunday July
21st at 3 O clock in the morning we started at the
time appointed, with a large force I do not know how
many there were. About 8 O clock we began to hear the
cannons roar and our leader ordered us into double quick
march and kept it up more or less all the way to the scene
of action we arrived there about noon but about one third
of our brigade were tired out and fell out of the ranks
before we reached the field of battle the battle was
fought at a place called bulls run well protected by
masked batteries our troop carried 3 or 4 of their batterries
and was making good progress in the fight and the rebels
had begun to retreet towards Mannassas junction when
our brigade found themselves in the front alone and our
men runing in all directions our brigade still stood fireing
loading and fireing as fast as they could, before we hardly new
it we were between two batteries and their musket and
cannon balls were flying as thick as hail stones all arround
us but fortunately for us the most of them passed over
our heads but some of our men have fallen through some
mismanagement of the leading officers we were defeted,
we were ordered to retreet after we had fairly won the
battle for men that know say that we fairely won the
battle and I know that the rebels had begun to retreat
but we had to obey orders but it was mighty harde to
comply with the order but we did retreet in great
disorder that is a part of our did while some got off in
good order officers would come along full speed and
order the men to throw away their guns and run for life
and some of them obeyed the command thinking all was

[page 2]
wright that they were ordered to do I have not time
to write the full particulars of the battle but the scene was
terrible almost beyond description a kind providence has saved
the most of our regiment but some of them are still missing
and we now give them up for dead or prisoners we have lost
6 out of Co. K H. D. Wood, L. W. Farrow, S. F. Haskell,
H. Bryant, F. Brown and one more we feel as bad for them as
brothers but cannot help them the rebels have met with
a heavyer loss then we have by far our loss will be less than
1000 I think while that of the enemy will exceed 3000
without doubt according to the statement of some deserters
that came over to our side. We are now in Alexanderia
city we reached here monday night and still remain
here we are all well with the exception of a few sore
toes and lame hips occasioned by our long march from
the field of battle. When I get time I will give you
a better account of the battle and our proceedings
write as soon as convenient

Yours in haste

Hiram N. Cash

Tell Walter to be a good boy
till get home and take care of the
steers.

Private, Co. K 5th Maine.

MSS 12916

1861 July 24

[From the diary of Wesley Hammond, 42nd Virginia Infantry]
Took up our line of march>
for Huntersville – Marched 14
miles and encamped a
new camp by a small stream
among the Alleghany
Mountains. The news was
announced to us here by
Adjutant C. K. Logan,
that a great battle had been
fought at Manassas Junction
and a glorious victory gained
by our men! Loss 1,800 killed
and wounded on our side
and fifteen thousands
of the enemy and twenty
thousands taken prisoners,
forty pieces of canon and
any quantity of small arms.
Also that Gen. Wise had come
in contact with the enemy killing
300 and took 3 cols and several
Capts.

MSS 5526

1861 July 24 Fairfax Station [Virginia]

My darling Jennie

Yesterday evening our Regiment & Col
Hills moved forward to this place the
Balt[imore] & Tennessee having gone before as
far as Fairfax Ct House–I am well
& hearty & expect to Remain here a day
or two collecting arms ammunition &
prisoners left by the Enimy[sic]–The rout
of the dogs is worse than I thought
they ran back in great disorder &
confusion leaving everything on the
Road at Fairfax Ct House they were
met by reinforcements who tried to
get them to return but they swore
they would not again fight the Rebels
that they could not be whiped[sic] & it was
no use to try it–they cursed Lincoln
Scott & the entire administration–And
they in turn cursed the men for run-
ing Great confusion we learn prevails
in Washington–A large number of their
field & Brigade officers were killed & wound-
ed & those that surrendered ran disgracefully
We learn that they estimate their loss at

[page 2]
over 2000 killed & wounded. It is I believe
the greatest victory on record and
the beauty of it is that our brigade
won it–and Davis & Beauregard both
acknowledged it by promoting Col
Elzy[sic] our Brigade commander The
Yankeys say when we charged them
with our peculiar yell they thought
us over 120 000 men & ran
but not until they gave us a heavy
fire of 15 minutes which at intervals
was repeated I have not seen any
of the boys since the fight

Yours
E. T. H. Warren

Maryland born Arnold Elzey Jones, 1816-1871, a West Point graduate and veteran of the Seminole and Mexican wars, was in command of the arsenal at Augusta, Ga., and promptly turned it over to the Confederate government before traveling north to join the southern forces at Manassas where he commanded the 1st Maryland Infantry.

“Our peculiar yell,” i.e. the famous rebel yell

In July 1861, General Elzey’s Brigade consisted of the 1st Maryland Infantry, 3rd Tennessee Infantry, and the 10th and 13th Virginia Infantry regiments. The 1st Maryland was often referred to as “Baltimore” and one of the slogans used at the time, both in a serious and derogatory tone, was “Go it, Baltimore.”

Col. Hills would be the 13th Virginia Infantry [John P. Mann IV]

MSS 7786-g

1861 July 24 Manasas

                      Manassas  July 24th Wed

Dear Mama
                       As I am at leasure I
will write by Dr Daniel or Mr Nelson
who are here,  We were ordered here to
head quarters yesterday evening to receive
orders to march we got none yesterday
but expecting every hour to get them we
have brought in all of our men who
were detached Wills Wm A &c  we will
go to Acquia creek or Alexandria one
  We took 17 cannons 120 horses & about 20
baggage waggons, I send by Wrights
Ben a saddle & blankets & by Mr. Carroll
a very good pistol presume Pa would
like to have oone I shall be able to get
more I think Pa can have molds made
for it by Harriss Chiswill.  the things
spoken of is what our Co took there
were about 50 of us took the things
but only 15 of us charged upon a co of
Yankees took 11 prisnors in that charge but
9 or 10 vollies were fired upon us from
a Regiment 75 yards off & we had to
retreat leaving prisnors but our Co in
all took 44 prisnors

[page 2]
Major Scott led us he spoke very
roughly to Davis on the battle field
Beginning of charge we wrode too
fast did not give straglers time to
get enough distance in behind, rode
upon a Regiment before seeing them
instead of right about retreat Davis
drew us in line to wiat[sic] for them
to get [up further?] in perfect range with
their cannon  Scott came up & cursed
Davis. Davis is fery[sic] anxious to get
clear of Scott in fact he is nothing
but our captain, he wont allow his
men to be fatigued by extra duty
Well I am in hopes to get back
soon to tell you all the news
a few more rounds will deside
it & in our favor every piece
of cannon they had in the battle
has been taken 43 prisnors A L H
took nearly halfe  Love to Papa
Letty Jim & every body, tell Sis [or Liz]
to write to cousin   Amanda & tell
her the news I have not time your
devoted son Wm H Burnley

William Henry Burnley, 1840-1919, Co. K, 2nd Regiment Viginia. Cavalry

MSS  7871

1861 July 24 Richmond [Virginia]


My dearest Genl
I almost wept
for joy at the glorious victory
achieved by our brave troops ^ ‘on the 21st &
the feelings of my heart Could
hardly be expressed on learning
the brilliant share you had
in its achievement.

I expected nothing else
& am truly grateful for your
safety. Make my warm
Congratulations to all the
Officers, for the proud feelings
they must experience in having
So nobly done their duty.

I Sorrowd not for the brave
dead, they are at rest, but deeply
lament their loss & grieve for
ourselves
Truly yours
RELee

Genl J.E. Johnston

1861 July 24 Centerville P[rince] W[illiam] C[ounty]

Dear Ma

The sun is just sinking behind the hills and I
will have only a few moments to write as the wagon leaves
for the Junction early tomorrow morning. the box you sent
me some days since full of nice clothes and provisions has
just been received and I tell you they were acceptable for
we have been having only two and sometimes only one meal a
day since we left the Junction and nothing but (pilot) bread
and coffee without sugar though it could not be avoided as
we had to stand with our guns ready all the time for the
approach of the enemy. We are in a very inconvenient place
at present. I wish we were back at the Junction. I will
return the box to the Junction by the first opportunity. I
suppose you have had a full account of both the terrible
battles which have taken place down here within the last
few days. I was in both battles although I was not in the
heat of the battle on Sunday. I have made some very narrow
escapes indeed. I have had the bullets, grape, canister
and shell to fall around me like hail and not the least
injured yet. I suppose Mr. Petty has told you all of what
a narrow escape our company made. It seems as if a kind
Providence has hovered around our little band and protected
it from the many dangers which have surrounded us and indeed
I feel as if I had been particularly blessed since I left
home. Yes, I fully appreciate the kindness of Him who has
the power to do all things.

If God ever spares me to return home I can interest
you all for sometime with thrilling scenes through which we
have passed. I wish I had time to give a full account of the
battles but I will not as it is so dark now it is almost im-
possible to see and we have no candles. I am sitting out on
the ground writing as we have no tent.

I was within a quarter of a mile of Walter today
and could not see him. I was very sorry for it. I suppose
he stopped at home on his way down. The day I left the
Junction I packed nearly all of my clothes with Charlie’s
and Scotts and directed them to Mr. Roy. Please have them
attended to. Tell Pa he must come down to see me at
Centerville. I must close as I can not see to write another
word. Love to all, write soon.

Your affec. son,
R[ichard] B[ayly B[uck]

Richard Bayly Buck, 1844-1888, of Co. B, 17th Virginia, ended the war as a second lieutenant. He was severely wounded at Dinwiddie Court House, March 31st, 1865, only days before the war ended.

Pilot bread, first developed for use at sea, was more commonly called hardtack.

MSS 3046

1861 July 23 Manassas Junction

                     Manassas Junction
                       23 July 1861
My dear Mother,
               I send you a line to
allay your apprehensions.  I
cannot find that the Alb L.H.
were in the fight at all on yest-
-terday; and as bro E. was in Holmes’
Brigade, wh was on the right &
unengaged, I am quite confident
he was not hurt.  Neither was
Robt. Saunders hurt–He was in
the action, but had no severe
work.  We have won a vic-
tory but the cost is awful.
Oh! what a horrid thing is war!
Let any one go to a military
hospital after a battle to be
convinced of it.  With love
to all, in haste,
     Yr affectionate Son
      Richard T[?]. Davis

Richard Terrell Davis, 1830-1892, chaplain of the 6th Virginia Cavalry, after the war rector of St. James P.E. Church, Leesburg, Va.

Davis refers to his brother Captain Eugene Davis of the Albemarle Light Horse

MSS 9852-i, -j, -k

1861 July 23 Manassas Junction

My dear Anna,

I write this merely to let
you know that I have passed safely through
the Battle & am well. all my company are unin-
jured with the single exception of one who was slightly
wounded with a bayonet. You will hear & see accounts
of the fight of Sunday–suffice it to say that it was
the greatest battle fought for the last century beginning
at light & ending by moon light–Danny{?]
Jack were not in the fight. We charged the New
York Zouaves–in gallant style & broke them through–
pursuing them for 5 miles–I cannot tell you
the number of [?] & killed no estimate has
been made yet. It is a glorious victory–the enemy
were 95000 strong, our force about 45000–the battle
was about 10 miles in extent–This was Scotts grand
effort–& he was completely routed–many were killed
& many were wounded–among the killed was Wm Lee
Sally Robbins husband= none of our Shepherdstown company
were killed or wounded. They were not immediately engaged
Report says that Colo Allen hacked & lost 3 horses from
my company–you must excuse this style of writing as I
am in a great hurry. I leave this to be sent to you by Geo M [?]
my love to all–Kiss my darlings–God bless + protect you–goodbye–ever your
husbd W A Morgan

[in top margin]
I am anxious to hear from home but I cant tell you where to send
a letter as we are moving constantly our next move is to Fairfax court House today
I think the fighting has just begun our army is about to move on washington Wm

Captain William A. Morgan, 1st Virginia Cavalry

MSS 1275

1861 July 23 Yorktown [Virginia]

My dear Mary

I have been for some time
reproaching myself for neglecting you so
long and endeavouring to find a decent
excuse for it. At first I was overwhelmed
with the work and had hardly strength
enough to drag one foot after another.
During this time I felt that what I
could do in the shape of letter writing
was due to my wife, and accordingly
I have written to her every other day, if
not oftener, except when so situated
as to be unable to write. But for some
time past I have had more leisure
and strength and must confess that
there was no sufficient reason for
my omission to write except the inherent
depravity of the Randolph nature

[page 2]
which renders it averse to letter writing.

Your letter came just as ^’we’ had
received the tidings of our victory at
Manassas and were making the welkin
ring with shouts and the roar of our
big guns Today we are somewhat
sobered down and begin to fear that
it may not after all be so complete
as it is reported ^’to be’ and we ^’are now’ trembling
for our friends. Garlick, I hear, Tom
and possibly Bennet were in the action &
the regiment of the first is said to be
badly cut up. Any thoughts are on
them perpetually and I shall not be
easy until I see the list of the killed
and wounded. I endeavour to comfort
myself be [sic] recollecting how small the
chance ^’is’ of any particular individual
being hurt, and that of the small
proportion hit five in ten are
wounded only.

Should it unfortunately be otherwise
they have gone in the fulfillment

[page 3]
of one of the highest and noblest duties
that man can discharge, the protection
of his home against fire, sword and
rapine. Oh Mary, if you could see as I
have seen, a district of country desolated
by war you would not wonder that
men are willing to die in defence of their
country.

The region around Hampton is one of the
sweetest you ever saw. Thick, well
peopled, well cultivated, every
where showing comfort and even taste.
There are great numbers of snug little
houses, with pretty yards and
gardens about them. These are now
abandoned, many of them plundered,
and some burnt. Some are left as if
the families have merely gone on a visit
to a neighbour and expected to return
in a few hours. But wo be unto them
if either army takes up their quarters
near. the enemy plunder the houses

[page 4]
break up the furniture and have even been
known to tear up childrens clothing. Our
side if the Zouaves be present especially,
swoop down upon the ducks & chickens.

Many of our corps, ^’however’ behave admirably towards
the country people and none better than
my own Howitzer Batalion. At Bethel, for
several days before the fight, the First North
Carolina Regiment and my batallion
bivouacked in the woods around the
Church, numbers of pigs were running
about and even annoying us, but not
one was touched altho provisions were
scarce. When two Zouaves went down
the pigs disappeared not in a mysterious
manner.

Two snug little homesteads in front of our
batteries were demolished during the fight.
One belonged to a widow woman named
Mitchell who had been very kind to our men
and only left her house a day or so before the
fight. The enemy occupied with sharpshooters
and I had to burn it with shells. Even the fence
near it was burnt. The other house served to
secure the enemy from our view and it was
riddled with cannon shot. I went into it after
the battle and found the [?] piece of furniture of the establishment
a large mahogany side board with its portly

[in side margin]
[?] smashed to atoms by a shot from a [?] cannon which killed

[left side margin page 1]
a man behind the house. He was lying in the little yard almost touching the house
and near him at the door of the smoke house lay a Zouave resplendent in red
trousers and fancy work killed by a cannon shot which struck him full in

[top margin page 1]
the breast. These are
the scenes that render
invasions so terrible.
God grant that our
state may be spared
from their long
continuance and
especially that you
in Albemarle may never
[word missing] the smoke of an
enemys camp. Give
my best love to all
my dear Mary. I am
cheered beyond
measure by our
proposed visit to my
wife. She ought not
be alone in these
fearful time. god
bless you I will write
again very soon.
G[eorge] W[ythe] Randolph.

George Wythe Randolph, 1818-1867, youngest grandson of Thomas Jefferson, University of Virginia alumnus and lawyer traveled to Washington in April of 1861 on a failed mission to persuade Abraham Lincoln to turn over Federal forts in the South to the Confederacy. When Virginia seceded he became a major in the Confederate Army and in the above letter describes the battle of Big Bethel. The following spring he became Confederate Secretary of War.

He refers to the presumed safety of three other members of the extended Monticello family, including Robert Garlick Hill Kean, 1828-1898, and Bennett Taylor, 1836-1898.

MSS 1397

1861 July 23 Alexandria Va

this battle was on the 21st July 61. [Note by John Leavitt]

Dear Father–I thought I would write to you & let you know that
I was in the great Fight last Sunday & that we lost the Captain it
is the first bit of powder that I ever smelt in battle I can say I am will
ing
if it is the first battle, I can say that I am willing to go again I felt
perfectly cool, since the fight we have traveled over 40 miles from Bull run
to this place we dont know whether the Captain was taken prisoner or was
shot any way whether he was shot or killed, he proved himself true to
his Flag, I have had no time to write before. I feel so fatigued with the
march that I want to get some sleep I remain your son truely Jos Leavitt
I want you to write as soon as you get this

Joseph Leavitt was in the 5th Maine.

Letters from Joseph Leavitt and his brother George Leavitt were copied into a ledger by their father John Leavitt in October 1865: “because they are of value to me and I was fearful that they might get mislaid.” Both boys were mortally wounded in the war, George at Second Bull Run, August 30, 1862, and Joseph at Spotsylvania, May 18, 1864.

MSS 66