We are permitted to make the following extracts from a letter written by a private in the 5th Maine Battery. The letter is dated, Fort Ellsworth, Alexandria, Va., Sept. 2.
“After fighting daily and nightly, changing our position, followed up by Jackson’s immense force—our Division always bringing up the rear, under Gen. Ricktt of McDowell’s corps, we arrived near Manassas, where, last Saturday, a terrible battle took place, mostly fought upon the left where our Division was placed, and where the enemy had concentrated his strongest force. The battle raged furiously. Our Battery was ordered into a very dangerous position by McDowell in person, and the boys fought like tigers. We got between two fires, and our horses were all shot at the guns, and our men fell fast, Lieut. W. F. Twitchell was killed, also two sergeants and from 16 to 20 privates. The infantry fell back and did not sustain us. Gen. Towers was wounded severely while trying to rally them to assist us. Lieut Twitchell behaved nobly during the engagement, and A. B. Twitchell fought like a hero, cool and self possessed all the time.—Our Captain (Leppien) was sick and not in action, but he has proved himself “true blue” during the last fortnight and full of courage.
I was taken prisoner with some others. We were paroled and released, and sent here. What they will do with us I do not know at present, as we have just come in. Our Battery got off only one gun, and is entirely used up. What there is left is ordered in here. Gen. Towers remarked that if he had had two Brigades of Maine boys he could have whipped the enemy all alone.”
J. A. P.
Portland Daily Press, Portland, ME