Major Charles H. Tompkins, in
company with Col. Wheaton, of the Second Rhode Island Regiment, tried a few
shots, without reply.
SOURCE: Theodore
Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light
Artillery, p. 20
Major Charles H. Tompkins, in
company with Col. Wheaton, of the Second Rhode Island Regiment, tried a few
shots, without reply.
SOURCE: Theodore
Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light
Artillery, p. 20
Battle of Manassas
Plains. This battle will always occupy a prominent place in the memory of every
man of the battery. They all expected to find a disorganized mob, that would
disperse at our mere appearance; while, to the general surprise, they not only
were better disciplined, but also better officered than our troops. We started
by two o'clock in the morning, but proceeded very slowly. Passed Centreville
before break-of-day. When the sun rose in all its glory, illuminating the
splendid scenery of the Blue Ridge mountains, though no sun of Austerlitz to
us, we crossed the bridge over the Cub Run. By this time, the report of the
30-pounder Parrott gun belonging to Schenck's command, who had met the enemy,
was heard. Our division turned off to the right, and marched some miles through
dense woodland, to the Warrenton road. Towards ten o'clock, nothing could be
seen of the enemy yet, and the belief found circulation that the enemy had
fallen back. Experience proved that, had we remained at Centreville, the rebel
army would undoubtedly have attacked us; but hearing of our advance they only
had to lay in ambush, ready to receive us. At the aforesaid time, the Second
Rhode Island infantry deployed as skirmishers. We advanced steadily, till
arriving at the Bull Run and Sudley's church, a halt was ordered to rest the
men and the horses. But it should not be; the brave Second R. I. Regiment,
coming up to the enemy, who was concealed in the woods, their situation was
getting critical. The report of cannon and musketry followed in rapid
succession. Our battery, after passing Sudley's church, commenced to trot in
great haste to the place of combat. At this moment Gen. McDowell rode up in
great excitement, shouting to Capt. Reynolds: "Forward with your light
battery." This was entirely needless, as we were going at high speed, for
all were anxious to come to the rescue of our Second regiment. In quick time we
arrived in the open space where the conflict was raging already in its greatest
fury. The guns were unlimbered, with or without command; no matter, it was
done, and never did better music sound to the ears of the Second Regiment, than
the quick reports of our guns, driving back the advancing foe. For nearly forty
minutes our battery and the Second Regiment, defended that ground before any
other troops were brought into action. Then the First Rhode Island, Seventy-first
New York, and Second New Hampshire, with two Dahlgren howitzers, appeared,
forming on the right and left. The enemy was driven successfully in our immediate
front. Our battery opened on one of the enemy's light batteries to our right,
which left after a short but spirited engagement, in a rather demoralized
state. Griffith's, Ayer's and Rickett's batteries coming up, prospects really
looked promising, and victory seemed certain. The rebel line gradually giving
way. Gen. McDowell, seeing the explosion of perhaps a magazine or a caisson,
raised his cap, shouting, "Soldiers, this is the great explosion of
Manassas," and seemed to be highly pleased with the work done by our
battery. Owing to different orders, the battery, towards afternoon, was split
into sections. Capt. Reynolds, with Lieuts. Tompkins and Weeden, off to the
right, while the two pieces of the left section, to the left; Lieuts. Vaughan
and Munroe remaining with the last mentioned. Firing was kept up incessantly,
until the arrival of confederate reinforcements, coming down from Manassas
Junction, unfurling the stars and stripes, whereby our officers were deceived
to such a degree as to give the order, "Cease firing." This cessation
of our artillery fire proved, no doubt, disastrous. It was the turning point of
the battle. Our lines began to waver after receiving the volleys of the
disguised columns. The setting sun found the fragments of our army not only in
full retreat but in a complete rout, leaving most of the artillery in the hands
of the enemy. Our battery happened to be the only six gun volunteer battery,
carrying all the guns off the battle-field, two pieces in a disabled condition.
A battery wagon and forge were lost on the field. Retreating the same road we
advanced on in the morning. All of a sudden the cry arose, “The Black Horse Cavalry
is coming." The alarm proved to be false; yet it had the effect upon many
soldiers to throw away their arms. But the fears of many soldiers that the
enemy would try to cut off our retreat, were partly realized. Our column having
reached Cub Run bridge, was at once furiously attacked on our right by
artillery and cavalry. Unfortunately, the bridge being blocked up, the
confusion increased. All discipline was gone. Here our battery was lost, all
but one gun, that of the second detachment, which was carried through the
creek. It is kept at the armory of the Marine Artillery, in Providence. At the
present time, guns, under such circumstances, would not be left to the enemy
without the most strenuous efforts being made to save them. We assembled at the
very same camp we left in the morning. Credit is due to Capt. Reynolds, for
doing everything possible for the comfort of his men. At midnight the defeated
army took up its retreat towards Washington. Our battery consisting of one gun,
and the six-horse team, drove by Samuel Warden.
Embarkation of the
Second Battery on the steamer Kill Von Kull, and of the Second Rhode Island
Infantry, on the State of Maine.
Early in the morning
the tents were struck, everything packed up, order was given to mount, and by
nine o'clock we commenced our march through Westminster street; from thence,
through South Main street, to India Point, where the steamers lay, and started
by about four o'clock in the afternoon. The docks were crowded immensely during
the day; the fair sex, especially, was strongly represented. Amid the pealing
of cannon and the farewell cheers of the multitude, we gradually distanced the
shore. Those present will well remember that memorable day. Gov. Sprague and
the patriotic Bishop Clark accompanied the Second Regiment, infantry, on the
State of Maine. On our approaching Fort Adams, we were saluted by the artillery
there. By nightfall, we were made acquainted with the first government ration—pilot
bread, the so-called salt-junk, and a cup of coffee. The meat was of a rather
poor quality, although it was served out with good grace by our respected
captain, W. H. Reynolds.
SOURCE: Theodore
Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First
Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 6