REMOVING THE WOUNDED FROM THE FIELD. 171

The

beyond Centreville, large numbers of wounded men, stragglers and wagons were met going to the rear. While the Thirty-third was fording Cub Run, "we were ordered," writes the Lieutenant-Colonel, “to counter-march. Our army had given way and the hellish intentions of some Generals had been accomplished. Pope had been defeated." The Brigade returned to Centreville, reaching there about ten o'clock at night. Lieutenant-Colonel Corning was immediately ordered to proceed with the Thirtythird and Seventh Maine, to a point two miles to the rear, to stop the stragglers, who were now hurrying towards the capital by whole Brigades. Regiments were posted across the road, where they remained until the following morning, halting and turning back, at the point of the bayonet, a large number of the panic-stricken fugitives. Being relieved, they returned again to Centreville, and took up position in one of the lines of battle formed by the Corps to cover the retreat. Under protection of a flag of truce, some sixty ambulances proceeded to the battle-field and brought off about half of our wounded, who had lain since Saturday in the open air, exposed to the broiling sun, and fierce storm which prevailed Sunday evening. The poor fellows were in a terrible condition, having been deserted by the surgeons, who, like the rest of the army, were panic-stricken and had fled. Nearly two hundred of them were left, the flag of truce expiring before they could be brought away. Just at nightfall (Monday) a portion of the enemy succeed

172 GENERALS KEARNEY AND STEVENS KILLED.

ed in getting in our rear, between Centreville and Fairfax, and fell upon the supply trains, which were withdrawing to Alexandria. General Stevens was immediately sent back from the former place, and

succeeded in driving the enemy away, though losing his own life. He fell at the head of his Brigade, pierced through the breast by a minie-ball. Later in the evening the lion-hearted Kearney was also killed. It was his habit, like that of Stonewall Jackson's, to ride round his lines after the troops were asleep, and inspect them closely, satisfying himself that the pickets were doing their duty. Not unfrequently he would start off in this manner alone, and be absent for hours, making himself fully acquainted with everything that was transpiring along the lines. It was while out on such a tour of in

spection, Monday night, that he was shot dead by a rebel picket, who observed him riding along, from a distance. His death, as well as that of General Stevens, was universally lamented.

The entire army now fell back to the fortifications around Alexandria. The Thirty-third left the front about seven o'clock Monday evening, halting at two o'clock on the following morning, one mile west of Fairfax Court House. The roads were full of troops and wagon trains, and the night was intensely dark, which added to the confusion. After sleeping two hours, the Division again moved back to the front, and constituted the rear guard of the retreating forces. About ten o'clock it was withdrawn and proceeded towards Alexandria, reaching the old camping ground at ten o'clock in the evening.

So ended the second series of Bull Run engagements. Owing to the timidity and lack of confidence in the people, which have led the military authorities at Washington, from the commencement of the war, to withhold unfavorable intelligence, the country has never comprehended the extent of the disaster which resulted from this week of battles. Our arms unquestionably suffered the severest reverse which has yet befallen them. In addition to the loss of seventy-five cannon and large quantities of small arms, equipments, supplies, etc., there must have been fully twenty thousand Federal troops killed, wounded and taken prisoners.

Neither has the country comprehended the rightful causes of this disaster. We believe that it was

174

JEALOUSY AMONG OFFICERS.

occasioned solely by the jealousy of military officers, and not through incapacity on the part of Gen. Pope. No sooner was he appointed to the command of the Army of Virginia, and large forces placed under him, than an emulous spirit manifested itself among the Generals of the Army of the Peninsula. When he issued the injudicious address to his troops, announcing that his headquarters were to be in the saddle, and that they were not to be employed in seeking out lines of retreat, this spirit was still further developed. Finally, when the Peninsular forces were recalled to the capital and placed under Pope, and Gen. McClellan left in command of the fortifications simply, several of his Generals deliberately, we believe, plotted the new leader's ruin. Gen. Porter was unquestionably the most guilty one of the number, and merited a severer punishment than has been meted out to him. This was the general opinion entertained in the army, outside of his own Corps. However much they loved and admired Gen. McClellan, the troops came to regard his pet, Gen. Fitz-John Porter, with distrust and suspicion. Had he obeyed orders, Gen. Pope informs us that the enemy would have been completely routed.

No satisfactory reasons have ever been given for the late advance and slow march of Gen. Franklin's Corps from Alexandria to the scene of operations, when it was so much needed. The fact of his never having been called to account for it, is, however, sufficient reason for asserting that Gen. Franklin was not responsible for the delay. He was too much of

INJUSTICE DONE TO GEN. FRANKLIN.

175

a patriot, too much of a soldier, to be guilty of any machinations against a brother officer and his country. Great injustice has been done him by associating his name with Gen. Porter's.

The conduct and correspondence of Gen. McClellan all go to prove that he neither shared in nor countenanced that spirit of rivalry which cost the country so much blood and treasure. Gen. Pope's plans were well conceived, and if they had been carried out, would doubtless have resulted in a substantial victory. However questionable his veracity, we cannot withhold from him the meed of having displayed good generalship in the East as well as in the West.