Today in History:

272 Series I Volume II- Serial 2 - First Manassas

Page 272 Chapter IX. OPERATIONS IN MD., PA., VA., AND W. VA.

About 12 1\2 o'clock the firing of a gun at Hart's Hill, on Rich Mountain, commenced. After the fire of that gun had continued for some time forty of our breastworks. I commenced firing on them as they retired. The fire on the Rich Mountain continued for some time-between two and three hours. Shortly after its cessation the enemy commenced chopping and working with picks on the ascent of the hill called the Sugar Hill, on my left. While this was going on we heard the noise of guncarriages ascending the hill. The day had been cloudy and rainy. The day had been cloudy and rainy. The appearance of the sun about thirty minutes discovered to me a large body of the enemy's infantry marching along the side of Sugar Hill next to me. To sun was now about an hour high. I commenced firing upon them. The enemy were evidently thrown into confusion and retired.

The loss of the enemy, I have been informed, in killed and wounded, was twenty-seven. In my detachment there were none killed or wounded. The men under my command, non-commissioned officers and privates, all performed their duty promptly and efficiently.

Remaining at my position, between 2 and 3 o'clock a. m. July 12 I was ordered to spike my gun and retreat. The companies supporting my gun all retired from the hill. At length a man came up the hill and spiked the gun, being ordered to do so, as he said, by Colonel Pegram. I then returned to the camp, and found the companies in camp forming to retreat. Captain Anderson and Lieutenant Raine had gone with Colonel Pegram and a portion of his command to make a night attack upon the enemy, and had not returned. Lieutenant Statham had been wounded at Rich Mountain, and was a prisoner. The command of the company devolving upon me, I ordered the musketeers to get their guns. I marched them and the cannoneers down into the road, and finally effected our retreat with the loss of the prisoners taken at Rich Mountain and a few others, in all amounting to eighteen men.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN R. MASSEY,

Second Lieutenant, Lee Battery, P. A. C. S.

Captain P. B. ANDERSON,

Commanding Lee Battery, P. A. C. S.


Numbers 27. Report of Lieutenant Charles I. Raine, Lee Battery, C. S. Army, of the engagement at Rich Mountain.

CAMP ALLEGHANY, August 8, 1861.

SIR: On the night of the 10th of July, 1861, I was stationed with a gun and detachment of the Lee Battery on the extreme right, in front of Camp Garnett. In the forepart of the night of the 10th you brought to the support of my gun about thirty of your musketeers. Immediately after dusk chopping of axes commenced on the creek leading from the gorge near which I was stationed. At the same time chopping was distinctly heard on the mountain to the left of Camp Garnett. This chopping in both directions continued the whole night. On the night of the 10th, about 12 o'clock, you called my attention, awaking me, to the sound of the enemy's bugle. In about one half hour we heard the roll of their drum, and shortly thereafter another sound of their bugle. We then saw on the ridges lights as if in motion. You concluded that


Page 272 Chapter IX. OPERATIONS IN MD., PA., VA., AND W. VA.