Battle of Second Bull Run: 14th United States Regular Infantry.

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/21/2018

A descriptive war-date account of the Union debacle at 2nd Bull Run by Quartermaster Sergeant Samuel D. Hays, Co. B, 14th United States Regular Infantry on, 6pp. 8vo., patriotic stationery, "Camp near Washington, Sept. 4, 1862", reading, in small part: "…we have been on a constant move for a month…since we left Harrison's Landing I have…not time to write…the road over which we traveled was in fine condition…we got along finely without any accident although the train was large. The country from the Landing to Newport News is very thinly settled…the buildings are of the most miserable description…barn…are out of the question. All along the road we could see the horrors of war…all the houses…were occupied by the negroes and some had been burned by the Rebs…what had been with good orchards of apples and peaches…now laid [to] waist, fences all burned and ground all grown over with weeds and almost all the dwellings either burned or vacated…the deteriorating results of slavery is stamped on all you see…the country about Yorktown, Big Bethel, Manassas Junction…is the most miserable looking lace you ever saw…with a couple of Irish shanties. It was just near this place the Rebels made a raid a night…previous…and burnt the trains loaded with provisions and other good[s]…the ruins were still smoking when we came along and there was large beds of coal…laying just between the track where they had burned the bottom out of the cars and fallen through and was still so hot we could not go near it. The track were in many places sprung and twisted…the sight was horrible in the extreme…at this point…our troops…met us on their way back to the Battle-field…our men had been driving the Rebs before them and had had several sharp engagements…there was a good many killed and wounded on both sides. They were laying all along the road and in the woods, the dead still unburied…most of the wounded had been taken to the nearest houses …there was one incident took place which shows the bitterness and determination with which they go into the contest. There was two wounded Rebels laying under a shade [tree]…Capt. [Joseph Morris] Locke [brevet major for 2nd Bull Run and lieutenant colonel for Gettysburg]…went up and gave them a drink out of his canteen…after they had drunk one of them said (dam you) I will fight you as soon as I get well again…that night we heard heavy firing of cannon…we, as soon as the troops cleared the road, hurried on towards Centreville as fast as possible…our road lay over a high ridge over looking the battle field. We could see the smoke rising from the guns, but could not see the combatants as the woods was thick…in the field where we encamped…there was some six or seven dead Rebs laying who had been shot that day…there was tow laying side by side. They appeared to be brothers and did not look to be more than 15 or 16 years old. They were most miserably dressed…you can scarily see two dressed alike…there was 3 or 4 hundred prisoners brought in…I never saw a more uncouth and wretched sett of men…lank, long and villainous…filthy and ragged…the next day…I went out towards the field to supply the men in rations and met Union forces leaving…the field. I left the wagon behind and went on on foot and crossed Bull Run. I went…to an officer to know what we should do…he told me to get the team off the field as quick as possible as there was danger. I had some trouble in crossing the run as the bridge…was completely blocked up…at this Run…I met the wounded men of my Regt who called to me to come to their assistance. The rush from the field at this time was at its height and the road…on the other side was crowded with baggage, wagons, artillery, cavalry…and everything that goes to make up an army…as soon as we came in [to Centreville] we got orders to reload our wagons for another move…we were sent for to draw rations for our men. We had not got through issuing when we were ordered to start as the firing had commenced and the men were called to the field…teams started off in a full run. Our destination was Alexandria…our battalion came in yesterday. There was one of the captains badly wounded and a Lieut. There is one Capt. missing also the doctor and stewart. We lost nearly fifty men in killed, wounded and missing. We heard heavy this day…near the Chain Bridge…I am pleased to hear that you were satisfied with my exception of being [appointed] Qr. Master Sergeant…I am glad to hear that the young fellows about old Holidgby[?] are getting so patriotic and hope they ever stand by the colors…S. D. Hais." Minor soiling, else VG

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