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Letter from Root , Augustus I.
| Soldier: Root , Augustus I. |
| Allegiance: Union |
| Unit/Service Branch: 12th Infantry |
| Home State: New York |
| Date Written: Tuesday, July 23rd, 1861 |
| Location: Arlington, VA |
| Correspondence Type: Letter |
| Subjects: Battlefield, Combat Description, Commanders, Comrades, Enemy, Family, Warfare |
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"The Daily Republican Advocate"
Batavia NY - July 27-1861
We have been permitted to publish the following letter written by Capt. A.I. root, of the 12th Regt. N.Y.V. on the Tuesday following the battle of Bull's Run. This Regiment it will be remembered was not engaged in the action of Sunday, it being then in the reserve at or near Centerville, but took a prominent part in the engagement of Thursday previous. From the facts stated by the Capt. it will be seen that the retreat of this regiment was under what was supposed to be the order of their Colonel, and not from cowardice as has been charged. Our confidence in the bravery and "pluck" of the offices and men composing Capt. Root's company remains firm.
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Mr. James M. Willett - My Dear Sir: -
As we have been on the battle field since I wrote you last, and have been branded as cowards by the newspaper correspondents, I propose to give you a slight detail of the battle we had on the 18th, and leave it for you to judge whether the newspapers are right or not. The brigade the 12th is connected with left the Chain Bridge on the 16th, at 3 o'clock P.M., and marched to Vienna, a place about 7 miles from the bridge, and encamped for the night. We started again early on the morning of the 17th for Fairfax Court House, which was about 7 miles further on, expecting to have a brush with the rebels there; but when we arrived we found the "birds had flown," so all we had to do was to follow them, not expecting to find them till we got to Manassas Gap Junction. We marched a few miles further and encamped for the night. Early on the 18th we were up and off; marched about 10 miles and came up to Bulls Run, and found the enemy ready to meet us. We found them in a piece of woods containing about 20 acres, and had no idea, of course, as to how many we were to meet, but were ready to take our chances, let there be more or less. Carlisle's Battery, of Pennsylvania, being with us, took a position and commenced throwing shot and shell at them, which they returned quite vigorously at first, but in about half an hour the firing ceased. Gen. Richardson ordered the infantry to clear the woods.
The 1st regiment of Massachusetts and the 2d of Michigan, to go in on the right, and the 12th N.Y. to engage them in the front. We marched in about 15 rods, and before we knew where we were, we were fired upon by the enemy from a masked battery and musketry, which were so close that the power burnt the men's faces. The men dropped on their faces and returned the fire, and then retreated a few paces, loading as they went, and received the second volley, not only in front, but from the right and left. At this time a Captain in the left wing of the regiment gave the order to retreat, unbeknown to the Colonel, and left with six companies and about two thirds of mine. As I did not hear the order, I was surprised in a few minutes after to find that my men had gone. I ran back and rallied a few of them that I found, and returned, but finding it useless, retreated.
The first volley the rebels fired went over the men's heads, or the most of it. After that the men were lying flat on the ground, and but few were killed or wounded. It has been ascertained that there were from 10,000 to 20,000 men concealed there. I had three men wounded, one, Wm. Lathrop, mortally. He was struck by a ball in the shoulder, it coming out at the spine. He lived until Friday afternoon. His family are at East Pembroke, I believe. Will you be kind enough to see that they are informed of his death in a proper manner. You can say to them that everything was done that possibly could be under the circumstances. I detailed three men to take care of him, who were with him most of the time. He arranged his matters with one of his attendants, but as both of my Lieutenants were so overcome with the heat on the day of the battle that they were obliged to be carried off the field, and have not been able to do anything since, I have not had tome to attend to anything else than the company, but will see that his matters are attended to immediately. Wm. Graham was wounded in the abdomen by a bayonet. He is doing well and will live. Alanson Vercillus was slightly wounded by a buck shot in the shoulder. None were killed - I have much more I wish to write, but am too tired to do it now.
Most Respectfully Yours,
Capt. A.I. Root
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