Posted inUS Civil War

September 8, 1862 – From the 5th Maine Battery—Death of Lieut. Twitchell

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.

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August 12, 1862 – Escape of Gen. Buford

Culpeper, Monday, August 11.—The brigade of cavalry, under command of Gen. Buford, made a descent on Madison Court House on Tuesday, the 5th inst. He found the Confederates had been there, but had left. He made a reconnoissance In every direction, and met Confederate pickets on every road. On the 7th inst., the pickets on the road to Stannardsville had a skirmish, losing one killed and three wounded. On the 8th, the 1st Maryland had another skirmish on the Orange Court House road, in which they lost, and about a dozen taken prisoners. Being reinforced by the 1st Michigan, the Confederates were driven to the Rapidan. A strong reconnoissance was made the same evening to the Rapidan, on the Orange road, and a skirmish was going on without loss, when orders came from General Buford to return to Madison Court House.—The party got back at 9 a. m. on the 9th, and found everything ready for a retreat towards Sperryville. as the Confederates were approaching from every direction. The party reached Woodville in safety, and there encamped.—They reached Culpeper Monday next.

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August 10, 1862 – On General Pope

From the Richmond Enquirer, July 20.

An officer of Bragg’s army stated to us when he heard of Pope’s transfer to Virginia to command the Yankee forces in the Piedmont and Potomac regions, that he was a very bold and audacious commander, and would surprise us by unexpected enterprises, unless we were very vigilant. But he also said that his plans were not well conceived or judicious, and that he would expose himself to heavy chastisement and disaster if our opposing General should be on the alert.