Summary:
Col. Thomas F. McCoy commanded the First Brigade of the One hundred and seventh
Pennsylvania Infantry which is in the Army of Virginia. McCoy writes about an
intense firefight that forced his forces to withdraw.
Brig.-Gen. DURYEA, Commanding Brigade.
Camp near Mercerville, Md.
October 8, 1862
GENERAL:
For your information I would respectfully present the following report of the operations of the One hundred and seventh Regt. Pennsylvania Volunteers while under my command in the Army of Virginia, terminating on the 31st day of August, 1862:
At the dawn of the next morning (the 29th) we were again upon the road to Manassas, where we arrived before noon, and unexpectedly found it in the possession of our army. After two or three hour's rest the line of march was taken for another battle-field, the battle then raging with great fury near the old Bull Run battle ground. At the close of the day we arrived upon the ground, the battle still in progress, the rebels being strongly pressed and yielding ground. The regiment, in connection with those composing the brigade, bivouacked on the field while the balls and shells of the enemy were still flying over and around them.
Soon after daylight the next morning (30th) the regiment was in line on the right of the brigade, and moved forward under your orders to the conflict, forming in linen of battle on the extreme right of the front line, and advancing over a ridge obliquely to the left, and relieving the sharpshooters on our front, and forward to a position in the little valley beyond the ridge-a point considerably nearer the enemy than any previously occupied by our troops in this part of the field. Being in close proximity to the enemy, whose sharpshooters were endeavoring to pick off officers and men, a number of skirmishers were sent forward to guard against this, and subsequently at your suggestion others were sent forward, under direction of Sergt. J.H. Beamenderfer, of Company I, to ascertain the locality of the enemy's batteries. I would also mention Sergt. S.R. Hough, of Company A, as rendering good service in scouting at different times. The regiments of this brigade upon our left about this time began to fire frequent volleys, which soon brought within grape-shot range in a corn field, in front a rebel battery that opened fire with great effect, you yourself receiving a slight wound and contusion from the explosion of a shell. An order was then given to retire some distance, as to have maintained this forward position, with no battery of our own available at the time to reply to that of the enemy, would have been a useless sacrifice of our brave men. The regiments on our left in the brigade retired, at once, but not receiving the order, I continued to hold the ground occupied by the One hundred and seventh, and soon after fell back in good order under a heavy fire, and, considering the exposed position with comparatively little loss. A new line was soon formed more in prolongation of the general line of battle in the same wood of the former line, but believed to be better protected from the enemy's batteries. Other movements were made at different times during the day, under your orders, which would occupy too much space to give in detail.
On occupying the new position the battle appeared to have slackened by a partial cessation of fire on both sides. Before the regiment, with the others belonging to the brigade, advanced to the position referred to, we received the encouraging word that the enemy was falling back. As we occupied the old ground the firing began to increase, both artillery and musketry, principally to the left of our position, but gradually approaching. It was now evident that instead of falling back and leaving us the victory, as supposed, they had received heavy re-enforcements and were in the act of making a most desperate attempt to drive our forces from the field. For hours the battle grew in volume and intensity. At about 5 o'clock in the afternoon the firing was terrific in the extreme. Gradually the regiments on the left of your brigade retired, and the enemy, immediately in front in large force with batteries, advanced with columns of infantry. The regiments on our immediate left and in our brigade retired, leaving the One hundred and seventh Regiment (the order to fall back not having been received by me) the only in position along the whole front of this part of the field. The firing was very heavy, and was now more so than at any previous time during the day, being rapidly concentrated upon us, and in the face of what I think was an effective fire from our side. Being flanked on both sides, our supports all gone, and in a very brief period sure to be surrounded and the regiment lost, we moved back under a destructive fire in the direction of our supporting regiments and others that had preceded us. As soon as we had reached proper ground (having been in a thick wood nearly all the day) we rallied as many of the men as practicable in the growing darkness. Meeting with you, general on the same ground, rallying the brigade and soon after, with you at our head, we took up the line of march to Centreville, at which point the army was to concentrate for further action, and where we arrived at the dawn of the next morning, being he 31st of August, 1862.
In reviewing the conduct of the regiment I had the honor to command during the memorable operations of which the foregoing is a very brief account, it affords me great satisfaction to have it in my power to say that it was uniformly such as was worthy the patriotic and the brave volunteer soldier fighting in defense of his beloved country and its constituted authorities. Although victory did not crown their brave efforts they bravely performed every duty, and no failure to accomplish any object can be chargeable to them.
The company, officers who were present in all or part of the foregoing fifteen days' and nights' operations in Virginia were: Company A, Capt. Jacob Dorsheimer, Lieuts. Theodore K. Scheffer and Oliver P. Stair; Company B, Capt. J. MacThomson, Lieuts. T.H. N. McPherson and J. V. Gish; Company C, First Lieut. James Corcoran, commanding company ; Company D, First Lieut. A. Wilson Norris, commanding company; Company E, Capt. E.D. Roath, Lieuts. James A. Carman (commanding Company C at Bull Run), and J.F. Williams; Company F, Capt. E.W.H. Eisenbise, sick on the 30th (Lieut. Templeton , of same company, was in command during that day); Company G, Second Lieut. E.E. Zeigler, commanding; Company H, Capt. J.T. Dick, and Second Lieut. G.W. Z. Black, Company I, Capt. Henry J. Sheaffer, Lieuts. W.N. Black, and D.S. Matthews, the latter rendering good and faithful service as acting adjutant until August 28, when from severe illness he was compelled to cease the performance of duty; Company K, Capt. A. J. Brand and Lieut. Benjamin Rodes. My thanks are due to Sergt. Maj. James B. Thomas for aid rendered in the battle of the 30th, during which time he was acting adjutant.
The field officers present and who rendered me much assistance were Lieut. Col. R. W. McAllen and Maj. J. Forney, and although laboring under disease that would have justified them in being relieved, they remained with the regiment for duty on the march and in the engagements. The former, in making a dangerous reconnaissance in the wood on our right in the battle of Bull Run, narrowly escaped capture by the rebels. Quartermaster Lyon, although absent with the train, was in the line of duty, and its preservation is evidence that his duties were well performed. I am pleased to be assured that Commissary Sergt. J. MacMontgomery performed well his difficult duties. Surgeon Hutchinson and Assistant Surgeon Westcott were with the regiment in the discharge of their arduous and responsible duties. Rev. W.T. Campbell, chaplain, was with the regiment, and ever willing and prompt in the discharge of duty. The wounded at Thoroughfare Gap were placed in ambulances, to be conveyed under his care, by direction of Dr. Heard, brigade surgeon, to hospitals at Alexandria, and, falling within the lines of the enemy near Manassas Junction, were detained until September 7. Chaplains being exempt from capture as prisoners of war he was released, and remained with our surgeons within the enemy's lines in assisting to convey the wounded at Bull Run battle ground to places of comfort and safety.
The losses, although not being extremely great-only 125 in killed, wounded, and missing-have been severely felt by the regiment. The list of casualties has been forwarded to your headquarters. We have to mourn the loss of a brave and worthy officer in Capt. John T. Dick, of Company H, who was killed on the field, in the battle of Bull Run, August 30, 1862. First Lieut. A. Wilson Norris, Company D, and Second Lieut. John F. Williams Company E (the latter slightly wounded) both good and esteemed officers, were taken prisoners in the same battle and forwarded by the enemy to Richmond. They are now on parole, awaiting exchange to enable them to rejoin the regiment. First Sergt. E.H. Green, Company E, highly commended for good conduct, was also wounded and taken prisoner. The persons of many brave and efficient non-commissioned officers and men are no longer to be seen in the ranks. They are either dead, wounded, or prisoners. It gives me pleasure to record that Sergt. Richard Hough, Company A; Sergt. J.H. Beamenderfer, Company I; Corpl. H.W. Smyser; Company E, Corpl. Samuel Lehman, Company G; Corpl. H. Sixrever, Company B, and Private Thomas Wheeler, Company C, have been named to me as worthy to be mentioned as having shown more then usual zeal and courage, and I am happy to learn that the subsequent battles have increased the list of such worthy and gallant soldiers.
T.F. McCOY
Col., Comdg. One hundred and seventh Regt. Pa. Vols.
Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I. Vol. 12. Part II, Reports. Serial No. 16, Page 386, Broadfoot Publishing Company, , .
