August, Friday 29, 1862

Battle by Bullrun.

About eight o'clock: After drinking coffee and helping one another in comradery with rations and crackers, the battle again is resumed. We have to change our positions repeatedly and for the time being combat is confined to artillery fire, from the enemy only a weak return.

It appears we will have a hot day.

Already during the course of the morning we had to withstand a few heavy cannonades.

First we had to cross a summit under heavy battery fire, some double quick. Korh, Company C, who was only two paces ahead of me was hit on the butt of his gun by a bomb fragment whereat weakened it glided off and only tore a hole in his jacket on the shoulder. After this we reached a hollow in front of a farmhouse where we had to lie down in a complete hail of bombs and case shots for fifteen minutes. One man from the De Kalb regiment was killed, also others and about forty-five wounded.

General Milroy on horseback observes that part of the brigade retreat from the fire, eighth and (H.J.?) He rides up and down amid a rain of fire and scolds them "cowards to leave their posts," and he challenges us to point our guns onto the enemy. At that instant a bomb explodes close by him which forces him to lie down with his horse.

After that orders arrive from General Stahl to retreat through a hollow road into the forest. Upon arrival we find several from our regiment missing. (Wirth from Company C) some are being brought in wounded. In the afternoon from two to three o'clock our brigade was under a total hail of bombs. In front of our regiment the Blenkers as Tiralleurs (skirmishers) on a hill. From time to time also lively musketfire.

Several enemy cannonballs also hit our regiment and wound quite a number of men. We lie down on the ground.

Wonderful is the music which the different weapons, bombs, cannonballs, bullets etc. create, musical tones in all keys, singing, howling, whistling, growling, hissing etc. etc, Some howl like humming-tops. The impression upon ones nerves for any length of time is sleep inducing.

Company A also was assigned to the (Tiralleur) skirmisher-chain of the Blenkers.

Sergeant Erhard killed, also a private. Three-thirty o'clock: The brigade now is marching out into the open field where from all sides colossal masses of our troops are moving up. We are told by eyewitnesses (Captain Dessauer* and others) that an enemy brigade from the fourth regiment broke out of the forest and forced a brigade of our to fall back.

At that precise moment our battery directs its murdering fire upon one of these enemy regiments which carries a proud flag. Tremendous shooting. Three-quarters of the regiment is destroyed, also one flag. Yet few of them flee. Rising from the ground, one man runs into the close by forest where upon the rest of the regiment retreats within a short time.

Our rations are now consumed.

(I cannot decipher the next sentence. I believe it pertains to rations and what happened to them. The only words I can make out are missed. Company C. prepared.)*

However instead Lieutenant Lutz with platoon from Company F was assigned.

Right after that about six o'clock our brigade is returned to the same hill where we camped and slept last night. Wagons with crackers arrive at the very moment we are led closer to the main battlefield, where heavy guns and musket-fire continue their bloody work. Here on a hill we rest. We receive twenty-two crackers, coffee and sugar as well are distributed. Meat and soup are to be cooked.

Suddenly orders to break up camp for march. "Jackson wants to make his get away" it is said. We take a hill more towards west. On our way we meet General Sigel with a regiment of U.S. Artillery which it is said was fetched by him personally from Front Royal. "Great Rejoicing" - We finally remain over night, while about one and one-half miles from here, by the wagons, rice and meat are being cooked for us.

Company F and K for pickets.

Several times during the night musket volleys by the Blenker pickets. 

The enemy cavalry supposedly is moving up. Ours, the forty-fifth pickets, are called in. The regiments proceed under arms. Later we lie down - ready at moments notice - and sleep undisturbed until morning.

**********************************************************************************

*Comment of the translator.
  
Between 3 A.M. and 10 A.M., Siegel's Corp Headquarters had moved across Warrenton Turnpike to the vicinity of Dogan Ridge. The not all the individual regiments are marked on the map.

Troop Movement Map 3
SECOND BATTLE OF MANASSAS
 August 29, 1862 3:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M.

MANASSAS NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD PARK, VIRGINIA
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR : NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

379  |25,001
DSC|Oct. '85

Between 10 A.M. and 12:00 Noon, Siegel's Headquarters  had moved closer to the Unfinished Railroad line, and more or less directly across the line facing Jackson's Headquarters.

Troop Movement Battle Map 4
SECOND BATTLE OF MANASSAS
August 29, 1862  10:00 A.M. to 12:00 NOON

Between 12:00 Noon and 2:00 P.M. the NY 45th had moved south and west to the corner of Warrenton Turnpike and Lewis Lane, west of Chinn Ridge.


Troop Movement Battle Map 5
August 29, 1862  12:00 NOON to 2:00 P.M.