[7] The attack at sunset described by Mr. Berwick was made by Grover’s brigade, of Hooker’s division, and succeeded in driving back Gregg’s worn-out men, who were at once relieved by Early’s brigade of Ewell’s division. [ED.]

Confusion is everywhere.  Ones, twos, groups, are beginning to flee from either side.  Here and there a small body of men yet hold fast and fight.  The shouting is more than the firing.  At my right I see our flag, and near it a flag of the Federals.

In a moment comes a new line of the enemy; our ranks—­what is left of them—­must yield.  We begin to run.  I hear Dominic Spellman—­colour-bearer of the First—­cry out, “Jones, for God’s sake, stop!” I turn.  A few have rallied and are bringing out the flag.  Our line is gone—­broken—­and Jackson’s left is crumbling away.  Defeat is here—­in a handbreadth of us—­and Pope’s star will shine the brightest over America; but now from our rear a Confederate yell rises high and shrill through the bullet-scarred forest, and a fresh brigade advances at the charge, relieves the vanquished troops of Gregg, and rolls far back the Federal tide of war.  It was none too soon.

On the morning of the 29th of August thirty-one men had answered roll-call in Company H. On the morning of the 30th but thirteen responded; we had lost none as prisoners.

The 30th was Saturday.  The division was to have remained in reserve.  We were yet lying in the woods, some hundreds of yards in the rear of our position of the 29th, and details were burying our dead, when we were ordered to form.  We marched some distance to the left.  A low grass-covered meadow was in our front, with a rail fence at the woods about three hundred yards from us.  Bullets came amongst us from the fence at the woods, toward which we were marching in column of fours, right in front.  I heard the order from Major McCrady—­“Battalion—­by companies!” and Haskell repeated—­“Company H!”—­then McCrady—­“On the right—­by file—­into line—­MARCH!” This manoeuvre brought the regiment into column of companies still marching in its former direction, Company H being the rear of all.

Again I heard McCrady—­“Battalion—­by companies!” and Haskell again—­“Company H!”—­then McCrady—­“Left—­half wheel!” and Haskell—­“Left wheel!”—­then McCrady—­“Forward into line,” and both voices—­“Double-quick—­MARCH!”

It was a beautiful manoeuvre, performed as it was under a close fire and by men battle-sick and void of vanity.  The respective companies executed simultaneously their work, and as their graduated distances demanded, rushed forward, with a speed constantly increasing toward the left company, Company H, which wheeled and ran to place, forming at the fence from which the enemy fled.  We lost Major McCrady, who fell severely wounded.

For the remainder of that bloody day the First was not engaged.  We heard the great battle between Lee and Pope, but took no further part.