1861 July 26 McLane's Farm near Manassas [Virginia]

Dear Cousin Mattie

Very unwillingly I have allowed
several days after the battle to elapse without writing to you;
but I have really not have had a moment that I could call my own;
we have been in constant motion, the business of the company
the care of the wounded have kept my hands full. I cannot
write you any account of the battle; in fact it caused
me some surprise to learn next day that a great battle
had been fought. We arrived at Manassas (the Infantry
of the Legion) at daylight on Sunday, worn out with hunger
& our protracted journey of 36 hours. We were hardly dis
embarked when the heavy discharge of artillery at
some distance made us aware that the battle had begun.
Our breakfast was cooked & hastily eaten; our ammunition
shared out by Col Johnson; the regiment was formed
& we commenced out march in the direction of the
left wing which was threatened. After tramping
four miles a few shot that fell amongst us showed us
that the enemy was very near but unfortunately there
was no one to direct us & we wandered about some
time without knowing where to take position. Before
we were in action Col. Hampton was almost killed
by a shot which fell under his horse. At last we got
into a road on the brow of a hill & here for the
first time we saw in the ravine below us; on the
opposite hill, within the range of our rifles the numerous
battalions of Federalists who reached from right
to left two or three miles. We had hardly
occupied the road in full view of them when
a terrible volley poured in upon us & men commen
ced falling on every side. Col. Johnson fell among
the first. Col Hampton was dreadfully exposed but
escaped at this time. though we suffer much, our
fire checked the enemy who commenced retreating.

[page 2]
The men were cool & shot well; Col Hampton himself took a
gun & shot down a man at 500 yds. On our right was/INK BLOT
regiment in full few[sic] upon whom we did mo/INK BLOT
on account of a Palmetto flag which they/INK BLOT
we soon learned our mistake by a terif/INK BLOT
from them which compelled us to retreat. We/INK BLOT
now in some degree of confusion & redirected on/INK BLOT
by having to remove the wounded; we retrea/INK BLOT
one hundred yards behind a block house, which/INK BLOT
a while was a little Hougemont, with the difference
that we were driven away a few hundred yards
into a wood where we rallied returned to
our block house. I cannot understand how
in such a fire any one escaped, the bullets rattled
around like hail, col. H's horse was killed under
him; we were reduced in numbers & worn out by
fatigue & thirst, & it became necessary to retire
about 500 yds through a wood into an old field
where we reformed & stopped in a most [?]
state, without a general & without the slightest notion
of what was expected of us & here we were shortly
joined by Barbours Brigade. It was a dreadful
moment for our country; we had been beaten
at all points & were almost surrounded
& nothing was required of the enemy but a vigorous
use of the bayonet to decide the day. In my mind
loomed up all the vast issues that were trembling
in the balance & shuddered at the contemplation
of a defeat. Just then Gen Beauregard rode with his
staff in to the field & I cannot describe to you
the effect of his appearance produced, All was
changed in a moment; the men brightened up,
dressed their ranks & gave le chevalresque Msgr

[page 3]
Beauregard a rousing cheer. In a moment that battle field away in
Virginia looked like Broad St. John Ferguson rode up by me (if you
wish to see a warm greeting, you must see it on a battlefield)
We had a good shaking of hands; then came in quiet succession
Vanderhorst, Heyward, Chisolm, Rice & at least 15
men that you meet at Club during the season. Beauregard
showed us a house on the left of that which we had already
defended, where we were to make a stand & we marched
gaily towards it; as we were moving up I heard
Sam dashing along the Georgia Regiments & begging
them to follow their General; I heard that afterwards
that he pointed to our Palmetto which was moving
up & asked them if they would not follow it; so that
it was by our flag that Bartow's Brigade was rallied.
When we reached the point where our stand was
to be made the enemy's artillery (Ricketts gifted battery)
was not 200 yds away & shell, ball, & bullets were
flying, whizzing & whistling about in a way to make
a person quite uneasy. Our men however did splendidly,
taking advantage of the cover they fired with ready
effect. Here Col Hampton wished to make a charge
but luckily the men were too much scattered, & were
doing excellent work in another way. At this time col
Hampton received his wound; Henry M[?] fell after
having fought like a hero. The flag staff was nearly severed
Capt Conner had now charge of the Legion & seeing that
the enemy were retreating, he made us move down the
field where we captured Ricketts rifled guns which
the General has presented to us. The enemy could now
be seen in full retreat & we were halted. On our
left we soon emerged from a wood on the summit
of a hill a regiment with the Confederate Flag
followed by another, & we soon had the

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pleasure of seeing Cash and Kershaws finish in splendid
style what we had begun: this must have happened
at 4 o'clock & the battle was won. The enemy retreated
precipitately towards Centreville & the pursuit
commenced. Tired as we were we followed in the pursuit
[?] the scene along the road beggars description.
Everything indicates a panic. On all sides were the dead & wounded
lying & accoutrements were scattered in numbers sufficient
to equip a regiment. [word lined through] blankets, canteens, haver
sacks coats [boots?] strewed the ground. I saw them
rifle Genl McDowells provision carts & some of our men
got a taste of his champagne and men who had been in
rags were the next day in broadcloath. Late in the
evening we retreated 2 miles so as to be quite safe
& [?] [?] for the night. With a captured soda biscuit
and a captured blanket I made quite a night of it. I have met Burnet
Rhett & Willie Elliott who are in Kershaws & both well & in high
spirits. At daylight we returned to Manassas to recruit,
& forward the Cavalry and Artillery which arrived today. I
can tell you nothing about the state of affairs in front as knowing
more than we &c the Colonel is struck by a buckshot probably
from a percussion shell over the left eye; it has not been extracted
and the doctors think it may have rebounded from a bone. He is again on
horseback & looks as if a fist has been planted in his eye. Middleton
was struck by a ball which entered on the left side & came
out of the back; it was thought mortal at first, but the Doctors
are very hopeful; everything will be done that can be; as soon
as it is possible he will be removed to Charlottesville by
R. [name?] His courage in battle & the fortitude with which
he has borne his sufferings, are beyond all praise. In fact
the conduct of all the men has been glorious. There were
boys, not 18 years of age fought the whole battle through.
& fired almost every round of ammunition they had

[written cross hatched on page 5]
and followed us in the pursuit. Young Thompson after [?] left the
hospital to go into the fight when shot through the leg refused to
retire until the day was [?] Com is well. He got separated from
us early in the day & fainted from fatigue; was nearly captured; was rescued
by some Georgians & fought for the rest of the day in Bartow's Brigade.
[?] behaved well & [?] is sure now of the Captaincy.
Col. Hampton exposed himself recklessly; so did Captain Conner; Logan & [?]
were [?] cool as veterans.

God has mercifully preserved me; there were moments when
I listlessly waited for the bullet that was to take me off & wonder now
that it did not come. I hope that I am spared to be of some service;
the experience of war gained so early in the campaign will enable me
to manage the company better on the next occasion.

Give my love to Mr. Hinlack & Helen. I hope that Helen
is better in health than when you wrote. I am

Very truly yours
James

P.S. the Colonel & Gov. Manning have just ridden up [?] [?] as I write
I can see Gov. Manning pulling out two bottles from his holster: precious bottles
they are. We are all delighted with Brown. Manning is [?] Manning
does his work like a man & got several bullets through his coat.

MSS 451

Hougemont farm was the site of the battle of Waterloo in 1815

John Lawrence Manning, 1816-1889, Governor of South Carolina , 1852-1854.