Viewing page 31 of 113

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

[[start page]]
[[??]]. A panic seized the troops about 4'o they fled precipitately. A number of Congressmen who had been exceedingly eager for the battle had [[xx gone down xx]] to witness what they were [[pleasured?] to [[??]] the Southern races, leading the retrograde movement. The Rhode Island Regiment was the only one that retreated in good order we saw them some into the city about 10 A.M. It was a pitiable sight. many of the men were without shoes in stocking [[??]] & [[unduly?]] dirty, some had [[??]] to exhaustion & men come upon the [[shoelessness?]] of others who seemed [[??[[ less weary than themselves they formed sad contrast. To the enthusiastic well dressed military looking men who left us [[on?]]. All day long bodies of [[struggling?]] troops have been coming into the city to the streets lined with men seated upon the side walks in the pelting rain their officers many of them killed, their company broken up they did not seem to know where to go. Our army had been completely routed could the Southern been [[??]] the city on Tuesday night it might [[??]] readily have been [[??]]. Neither [[??]] of the death of several of our friends but I am happy to learn Col. [[Hunter?]] & his young aid are safe. The former is gentle severely wounded but is in no danger [[??]]

[[note of side of page]] My [[??]] on the [[west?]] was at Bull Run he had [[??]] of his [[??]] by a fall from his horse but has been as [[entertained?]] & [[??]] [[???????????????????]]
[[end page]]
[[start page]]
It is terrible to think of the hearts bleeding to night of the thousands weeping for some husbands & brothers falling unknown & [[unnoted?]] except to swell the number [[??]] enforcement of the country's loss

23rd    This is a beautiful day after yesterday's rain. It is a relief to see sunshine again but it does not bring happiness with it. A member of the N.J. 71st Regiment has just been here. He fought well & bravely but says he hopes he may never again see a battlefield. He [[shuddered?]] & put his hand over his eyes when he told us the horror of that terrible Sunday [[xxxxxx]] be forgotten or described. He said the cowardice & inefficiency of the volunteer officers was almost to great to be believed. One of their captains was about to leave when his men told him if he should they would shoot him down. The street are still crowed with soldiers, every few steps almost we encounter crowds collected around some of the Bull's Run adventeres listening with warmth & eyes wide open. 

27th The excitement after the battle is intense. Gen. McDowell is very much blamed. Gen. Scott declares he washes his hands of the affair & before soon he may be allowed to carry out his plans without molestation. He is said to have declared to the President that he must
[[end page]]