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Captain Hugh Miller's Account of First Manassas

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  • Captain Hugh Miller's Account of First Manassas

    I probably should have done this initially, I am reposting Miller's account in its own folder.

    Though, I am not entirely finished transcribing it, I thought I would post what I have so far.

    The following is Capt. Hugh Miller's account of the battle. Captain Miller founded the Pontotoc Minute Men, what would become Company G. He submitted this account to The Examiner and it was published Friday, September, 13 after Lt. Fontaine had submitted his version of events in August. Apparently, Miller took some umbrage with Fontaine and most certainly did not agree with his account. I wanted to post both accounts but have not found time to transcribe both. You will notice on occasion he alludes to what Fontaine has recollected and will say something like, "I want to set the record straight" etc. He is referrring to the differences in how he and Fontaine apparently viewed the battle.

    This mentiions the O'connor Rifles and the Cherry Creek Rifles heavily.
    The account also serves as a great example of just how disorganized and chaotic this battle was.

    Please enjoy and I will post the last part soon. Both accounts can been obtained via the Mississippi Dept. of Archives and History.


    IT was due to the friends of the "Pontotoc minute men" that I should give them some account of the part performed by us on the 21st of July in the battle of Manassas; but this duty is now rendered doubly incumbent, by certain grossly erroneous statements recently published in the Examiner, purporting to give an account of our conduct on that memorable day. Justice to the men, as well as to the officers, demands that those statements shall be corrected.
    We were led into battle by General Bee early in the morning. We went upon the field with 68 men, rank and file, with all the commissioned and noncommissioned officers at their posts--a larger number than any other company in the regiment turned out that day.
    As we approached the enemy's front, and neared the point where we were formed into line-of-battle Col. Faulkner was detached with three companies, (not seven) to wit; the Tishomingo Rifles, Iuka Rifles and Town Creek Rifles, about two hundred yards from the other seven companies of the regiment. The object was to endeavor to silence, or force back a battery of the enemy with these three companies, and succeeding or failing in this, that they should unite with the body of the regiment.
    The other seven companies, including our own, were led up by Gen. Bee and formed on the side of a fence inclosing a corn field in our front, through which the enemy were advancing. We were ordered by Gen. Bee, who posted us, to lie down behind the fence and to await the approach of the enemy-throwing down the fence so as not to obstruct our fire or advance, if it became advisable. The seven companies were thus posted-the 4th Alabama regiment being on our right, and about 300 yards in advance of our position, on the hill side, and in the open cornfield. After we had formed thus behind the fence, the O'Connor Rifles, Captain Buchanan, who were on our left, were ordered forward by General Bee as skirmishers. They deployed in the open field in our front, abreast with the line of the 4th Alabama regiment, and became immediately engaged in a brisk fire with the enemy, which they kept up, until compelled by overwhelming numbers, to rally upon the companies remaining at the fence, bringing one of their men badly wounded. They came down and formed on our right.
    In the meantime an incessant fire had been kept up between the 4th Alabama and the enemy. From the time we had been posted at the fence, the enemy had be throwing shot and shell about 30 feet over our heads cutting trees and limbs that fell amongst us. Having discovered the error in their aim, they gradually lowered the range of their guns until their shot and shell passed immediately over our heads and about us. At last a shell fell about 20 paces in front of the left of our company, scattering fragments and dust in every direction. At this moment all the companies of our regiment, posted at the fence except the Pontotoc Minute Men and the Cherry Creek Rifles, (the O'Conner Rifles being still engaged in the skirmishing in our front) sprang to their feet and retreated across the woods in our rear. Three men on the left of my company rose to their feet, supposing from the movement of the other companies that there was an order to retreat. None of them "fled" or moved a pace. Seeing the movement of the others I instantly sprang to my feet and said, "Down men, stand to your posts, there is no order to retreat". I was instantly obeyed and those who had risen to their feet, every men remaining at his post; although, by this time the minnie balls as well as shot and shell from the artillery, rained thick around us. No other officer of my company gave any command whatever-none was necessary. What Lieut. Fontaine may have done by "calls" and "signals" to those of other companies who "fled", I know not -I heard nothing of it then, or since until I saw the publication in the Examiner. It is due to the Cherry Creek Rifles to say that they did not partake of the panic, and did not leave their post, but the few of them who had arisen to their feet promptly assumed their original position, Capt Herring expressing his concurrences with me that there had been given no order to retreat.
    It is proper to remark that this was the first occasion on which my men had been subjected to the fire of the enemy, and nothing occurred during that terrible day, that inspired me with such a high degree of confidence in their firmness and bravery, and in their readiness to obey my commands in the midst of peril, as the promptness with which they obeyed my orders and remained at their posts. They did not fly, or need to be rallied; but remained at their post with unblanched cheeks, and until they were ordered to change position by the officer in command of them.
    The 4th Alabama regiment, after withstanding a heavy fire for about half an hour was compelled to file to the right to avoid being outflanked by vastly superior numbers, and retreated in good order far to our right, leaving only our three companies to face an advancing column of from three to five thousand men supported by artillery. As they advanced over the hill we fired a few rounds and retired though the woods in our rear. Here, as at all times during the day it was the constant aim and effort to Lieut. Palmer and myself, as previously agreed upon I conference, to keep our company together- compact. And in retiring across the wood, they did preserve good order the O'Connor and Cherry Creek Rifles leaving us far in their rear. As we approached an open field in the rear of the wood, and after we were without the range of the enemy's shot, I commanded "halt-about face-right dress," all of which was promptly done; and to compose and reassure the men, as much as to secure good order when we advanced into the open field, I caused the company to tell off by twos. All this was done by my command, and not by the command of Lieut. Fontaine or anyone else. It was not necessary for me to "come up", I was all the time up, and immediately with the company, and so was my second in command, Lieut. Palmer.
    We then filed by the right flank into the open field, passing down a hillside to a small creek or "run" as they are called here, until we came up with the O'Connor and Cherry Creek Rifles- We now discovered a large body of the enemy coming over the ridge in our rear and to the right of the line over which we had just passed. Our three companies immediately crossed the run and formed fronting the enemy. We could not retreat up the opposite hillside without being under the fire of the enemy for several hundred yards. The enemy had fired a few shots at us, and wounded one of Capt. Herring's men. After a moments conference with Capts. Buchanan and Herring, we determined to form our men in the channel of the creek, and if forced to do so to retreat down the channel. The command was immediately given, and the men sprang into the water-the banks affording a fine breastwork and protection.
    We opened fire upon the enemy within good musket range, and the dead bodies found upon the hillside afterwards attest the effect of our shots. The enemy were advancing in column of division, and immediately in the rear of the regiment nearest to us, and other loomed up over the ridge with a flaunting flag of stars and stripes. They were in full United States uniform, and there was no reason whatever, from their appearance and position, no doubt that they were the enemy; ye a silly clamor was raised by some as to whether they were friends or enemies. This was silenced by the command to form in this creek and to fire upon them.
    To our surprise and gratification on the regiment in advance, fell back under our fire up the hill out of the range of our guns, uniting with the regiment in their rear. This afforded us an opportunity to avoid being swallowed up by over whelming numbers, and we retired across the ridge in our rear. Here we became separated from the O'Connor and the Cherry Creek rifles and did not see the latter company again during the day.
    We retired across the ridge and through a skirt of woods to the side of the Warrenton road, where we met with Gen. Bee, who inquired of me for the Col. Falkner, I replied that I had not seen , or been able to find him, or the regiment, since we were posted in the morning, and that I desired orders Gen. Bee immediately led us toward a house, known as the Robinson's—a free negro--and posted us on the hillside on the right of a Virginia regiment, and passed on to the house on the top of the hill. In a few moments he returned and appealed to us and the regiment on our left to move up to the house and aid in holding an important position that a few men had held for some time. We immediately sprang up and so did the men of the regiment on our left, but their colonel springing to their front ordered them to remain where they were, that he (Gen. Bee) was not their commander. Gen Bee expressed his indignation at this, and turning to us said "come on Mississippians," and led us up to the right of the house and formed us in the lane directly in front of the line of the enemy who were not yet within musket range.--The Cherry Creek rifles were not with us at this time at all, as stated in the publication in the Examiner. Archibald Clark, II. McPherson and Mr. Guillard of the Coonwah Rifles had come and joined us when the enemy left the fence where we were posted in the morning, and were the only persons with us, not of our own company.
    The infantry of the Hampton's Legion were formed in the yard and about the house on our left. Gen. Bee succeeded in bringing up a few companies of a Virginia regiment who formed on our left in the lane. We had been posted here but a few minutes when we discovered a regiment of the enemy emerging from the woods upon an open ridge directly upon our right and within three hundred yards of us-- my company being on our right flank and nearest to them. Their appearance and position at once demonstrated that they were of the enemy. Capt. Herring was not there to make any suggestions nor did I think for a minute they were friends. The entire statement in the publication by Lieut. Fontaine on this part of the subject is a mass of error and confusion. If any signals were exchanged with the enemy here, I heard nothing and saw nothing of it. It was evident that they had come up to take us on the flank by a quick and unexpected attack. Col. Harper of the Va. regiment passed along the lane in our rear a short distance, and returning quickly remarked to me as he passed, "they are certainly the enemy and will be upon us immediately." His companies and I discovered immediately withdrew along the lane to the left of the house and I saw no more of them.

    I pause here for a moment to correct a few immaterial errors. I did not order the men here or elsewhere during the day to cease firing. I was at no time bothered with doubts, which seemed to afflict others, as to the character of the troops around us. I did not fire my rifle here as stated. I did not have it with me at this time. I fired at the fence where we were first posted in the morning, and when the enemy were at least five hundred yards from us. Before doing so, I cautioned the men not to fire because I did, as the enemy were entirely beyond the range of their guns. I then elevated the sight and took aim at a man on horseback whose head and body I could just see over the ridge--the enemy's line being entirely out of view. I reloaded it and again, when we formed in the channel of the creek, as before stated, I then fired at the enemy again, when on the reloading and attempting to cock it I found it out of the order so that I couldn’t do so, and as we were led up to our position by Gen. Bee, in passing through the woods, I met a Georgia soldier, leading off another whom I took to be wounded and asking him merely what troops and regiment he belonged to, I requested him to take my gun to his camp as it was an useless encumbrance to me, which he readily agreed to do.--I delivered it to him and that is the last of it.
    To return to the narrative of events, we were left alone in the lane, our men had fired a few ineffectual shots at the column of the enemy in our front, just before we discovered the regiment flanking us on our right. In a very few moments after this regiment first made its appearance, it advance upon us at the double-quick, firing. I immediately ordered a retreat, without hearing any suggestions from any one--it was a necessity obvious to everyone. The greater portion of the company jumped over the fence in our rear, and forming the enclosure on that side of the lane, retiring diagonally from the front of the approaching regiment. Some few passed directly from the enemy down the lane into the yard. Of this last number was John M. Ward, who was last seen standing in a broken panel of the yard paling loading and firing.--Here he received his mortal wound.--My men continued to halt and fire as they retreated through the orchard down the hill. William E. Wiley received his mortal wound about thirty paces from the fence we had just crossed, and where he must have halted and have been firing at the enemy, as the shot entered his face and came out at the back part of his head. Both he and Ward were killed instantly. As we retreated down the hill, in the orchard, and about fifty yards from where Ward stood, Spotswood Dandridge had his thigh broken, and appealing to me as I passed him with the rear of the company, not the leave him, I turned and called to two or three men to assist John G Wray who had already got to him and they carried him from the field. In the mean time Archibald Clark of Capt. Taylors company, and Berry M. Ellzy of my company, were wounded--Clark mortally. The advance of the enemy was retarded and our escape secured by the firing of a portion of my men, which was kept up longer perhaps then was prudent or consistent with their safety. When my attention was called by Dandridge to himself, I saw Ward and hallooed to him to come on, but the distance and noise were so great that he could not have heard me. He was then alone, and no one of our company was near him when he fell.--Nearly the entire company passed through the orchard, and down the bill having left the lane at the start, and did not form again until we had retreated about three hundred yards and without the range of the enemy's guns. Here I halted the company and reformed it the wounded being carried to the rear, except Ellzy who was wounded when none of his comrades were near him, and who was taken prisoner by the enemy, but afterwards abandoned by them from alarm, thereby affording him the means to escape.
    Last edited by Cameron; 04-12-2011, 03:41 PM.
    Cameron Stinnett

    A E K D B

  • #2
    Re: Captain Hugh Miller's Account of First Manassas

    Here is the remainder this picks up where the preceding post leaves off.

    We were again without orders and without a field officer to lead us, and moved across the field toward the left of our line of battle until we came upon a South Carolina regiment, with which, at the suggestion of Lieut. Palmer, I had determined to remain during the day. We had formed on their right but a short time when we discovered the O’Conner Rifles on another part of the same field, Lieut. Palmer and myself, after consultation, concluded that it was our duty to unite with them, and if possible find our own regiment. We accordingly drew off and joined the O’Conner's, and with them moved up to a point near our left wing, and above and to the left of the portion of the 4th Alabama regiment which we found there without a field officer and in great confusion. Our men had just sat down for the first time during the day to rest, and some had started to a ravine nearby to get water, when Gen. Bee came dashing down the hill, exhibiting intense anxiety and addressing himself to us and the Alabamians on our right and below us, he said "men, there is a position here important to be held, move up quickly and support it." Instantly our men were on their feet, and my company being on the left, and our route being to the left, I faced the company to the left and marched off by the left flank, the O'Conner's who were on our right did the same and followed us, Gen. Bee leading us at a canter, whilst we moved at "double-quick" It is proper to state here that Lieut. Leland had remained with us during the day until his strength was completely exhausted. He was so feeble from protracted illness that he scarcely ought to have gone upon the field at all. When we had halted to rest, as above stated, others said to me that they were broken down and unable to go further. Of this number was Wm. Barr who was quite feeble from a recent illness. As we moved up the hill having near a half a mile to pass over, Mr. Barr gave out, not knowing where or how far we were called on to march, and turned to the left down a road leading towards Manassas, whilst our course was nearly in the opposite direction. Here, as he informs me, he was soon joined by Lieut. Fontaine and another, a private, of my company.
    There was no other regiment, or considerable body of troops on our side anywhere to be seen on or near the field over which we passed. I had occasion to look back after we had advanced several hundred yards up the hill, and discovered that the Alabamians, although they appeared to be moving, were yet in confusion, and several hundred yards in our rear. The O'Conner's were close up with us, and continued so until we approached the brow of the hill and formed into line--they forming on our right.
    There was no regiment then on the field upon which we were formed, nor were we formed upon the flank of any regiment, as stated by Lieut. Fontaine. He did not reach that part of the field, and therefore knew nothing about it.
    As we advanced toward the hillside and before we were nearer than four hundred yards of the enemy's line, which was not yet visible from where we were, I discovered the last stragglers of a Virginia regiment, which had just been repulsed from this position, retreating across our front toward Manassas. It was the repulse of this regiment that caused Gen. Bee's anxiety when he came for us.
    Hitherto we had been led up to positions to await the approach of the enemy, now we had to advance upon the enemy, with the balls whistling around us like a hail storm. The Minute Men and the O'Conner's moved steadily forward, loading and firing rapidly as they advanced, until we were within seventy-five yards of the enemy's line. No other troops came up on the field, the Alabamians having fallen back, or turned towards Manassas. Just after we had formed into line and came within range of the enemy's guns, Gen. Bee wheeled around our left flank, and to our rear, and in a few seconds received his death wound from a point of woods to our left, where some of the enemy had concealed themselves. A few minutes afterwards Lieut. Palmer received his death wound by a shot from the same quarter, and from the nature of the wounds of many of my men, they must have been shot from the same direction.--Our attention was directed exclusively to the front, and we apprehended no danger from this quarter. This party had pursued our retreating forces across the ridge, and had ensconsed themselves there after Gen. Bee had come down the ridge for us. The artillery on both sides had ceased to fire sometime before we were led up, and it was now a contest solely of the infantry in and about the silenced guns of Sherman's and Rickett's battery. We were led up immediately in front of the left gun of this battery The enemy's shot did not reach within three hundred yards of the road taken by Mr. Barr and others towards Manassas. Men never exhibited greater firmness and fearlessness, than did the Minute Men whilst under fire of the enemy. I had, I suppose, about fifty men at this time some had been wounded, some had gone to carry the wounded to places of safety and to attend to them, and a very few had become faint by the wayside. As it was, we had Lieut. Palmer killed here, and fourteen men wounded, including Mr. Gaillard, of Capt. Taylor's company, who had fought with us all day. Andrew J. Clements here received a wound that has since proved mortal. In a little while the enemy began to retreat and the firing ceased, We had no numbers to justify pursuit-- the O'Conner's had suffered severely and I called back my men who were most advanced, and as I turned back myself, I heard the voice of Charlie Earle calling me to the aid of Lieut. Palmer. I turned to him and discovered that he was badly wounded. Calling upon Manahan, Barksdale, E.L. Earle, Cooper and some others to assist me, we bore him slowly from the field. Our other wounded men were borne from the field by their comrades. The enemy had fled; not another gun was fired, and we were last upon the field.
    I have no space for eulogy; but a better man, a more skilled and faithful officer, or a braver soldier then Lieut. Palmer never drew a blade. Andrew J Clements, William E Wiley, and Jno. M. Ward, had, by their uniform good conduct in camp and upon the battlefield, commanded my highest approbation.
    Josephus J. Pickens was temporarily separated from the company as formed into line in front of the enemy, by a gun of our artillery in retreat, running immediately across our rear. He diverged a little to our right, and took a position near an old apple or cherry tree where he had a fine chance at, and did good service upon the enemy, but unfortunately was too much exposed to another body of the enemy, and received a severe wound through both thighs. He fell where he was shot, and was unable to move--one thigh being badly broken-- There I found him, and had him carried on a door-shutter to the place of rendezvous for the wounded. He is reported to be doing will, as all our wounded are--though several of them, Pickens, Ellzy, Alexander, and McMicken, are badly wounded
    Archibald Clark, who received his mortal wound whilst fighting with my company, was a brave and gallant soldier.
    This much I have felt that justice of the company demanded of me. It is not intended as a full report of all that we did on that day. We were near the enemy's front all day, and were repeatedly complimented by Gen Bee for our firmness and bravery. He was the only field officer who witnessed our conduct and unfortunately for us, and for the truth of the history, this gallant officer did not live to make a report. We achieved a great victory, and are content. IF the part preformed by the Minute Men is not misrepresented, they are willing to wait and let their food deeds herald themselves.

    HUGH R. MILLER
    Capt. Pontotoc Minute Men.
    Cameron Stinnett

    A E K D B

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    • #3
      Re: Captain Hugh Miller's Account of First Manassas

      Great report of The Pontotoc Minutemen's worth!
      Dean Burchfield
      [B][FONT="Century Gothic"]WIG [I]The Old Guard[/I][/FONT][/B]
      Cleburnes
      Hard Case Boys
      Green Bottle Mess

      [I][U]PM Joseph Warren #71 F & AM [/U][/I]

      Un soldat sera long et dur combat pour un peu de ruban de couleur.
      Napoléon Bonaparte
      A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Captain Hugh Miller's Account of First Manassas

        "I did not fire my rifle here as stated. I did not have it with me at this time. I fired at the fence where we were first posted in the morning, and when the enemy were at least five hundred yards from us. Before doing so, I cautioned the men not to fire because I did, as the enemy were entirely beyond the range of their guns. I then elevated the sight and took aim at a man on horseback whose head and body I could just see over the ridge--the enemy's line being entirely out of view. I reloaded it and again, when we formed in the channel of the creek, as before stated, I then fired at the enemy again, when on the reloading and attempting to cock it I found it out of the order so that I couldn’t do so, and as we were led up to our position by Gen. Bee, in passing through the woods, I met a Georgia soldier, leading off another whom I took to be wounded and asking him merely what troops and regiment he belonged to, I requested him to take my gun to his camp as it was an useless encumbrance to me, which he readily agreed to do.--I delivered it to him and that is the last of it."
        So Capt. Miller carried a rifle with him into the battle!? Very interesting!
        Rich Taddeo
        Shocker Mess
        "Don't do it, you're going to get hurt." Jerry Stiles @ Sky Meadows moments before I fell and broke my leg.

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        • #5
          Re: Captain Hugh Miller's Account of First Manassas

          There is a blog out there by a fellow researching 1st Bull Run who has written a number of articles. He's compiled an extensive list of primary source accounts and I'm sure he'd be interested in this one.
          http://bullrunnings.wordpress.com/
          Will Hickox

          "When there is no officer with us, we take no prisoners." Private John Brobst, 25th Wisconsin Infantry, May 20, 1864.

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          • #6
            Re: Captain Hugh Miller's Account of First Manassas

            So a "door-shutter" was used to carry one of the wounded men to the "place of rendezvous for the wounded." Our surgeons should try to scare one of those up for our wounded/hospital scenerio.
            Matt Woodburn
            Retired Big Bug
            WIG/GHTI
            Hiram Lodge #7, F&AM, Franklin, TN
            "There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."

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            • #7
              Re: Captain Hugh Miller's Account of First Manassas

              I will try to post the section from Lt. Fontaine's account of the battle that pertains to the Captain's rifle. According to Fontaine, if I remember correctly, it was a Maynard, carried in a case, and brought forward upon Miller's request. So, it wasn't like he was actually toting it himself, like a good leader he delegated that task, probably to a 3rd or 4th sgt.
              Cameron Stinnett

              A E K D B

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              • #8
                Re: Captain Hugh Miller's Account of First Manassas

                I apologize Rich, it may very well have been the case that the good Capt. Miller was toting his rifle.

                Here is what Lt. Fontaine recorded about the matter of Capt. Miller firing his rifle.

                "After standing some time, our men fired upon the regiment of red Zouaves, who were double-quicking it down the opposite hill, on our left, and to the left of the house. They were far off, and our fire only provoked a harmless discharge from them at us. Capt Miller ordered the men to cease firing; but said he would try his Maynard rifle at an officer at long range. He fired once, and the second time his gun got out of fix and would not shoot - a good illustration of the unfitness of that weapon for effective service."

                Fontaine's report also is from the Mississippi Dept of Archives and History; Hugh R Miller Collection
                Cameron Stinnett

                A E K D B

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                • #9
                  Re: Captain Hugh Miller's Account of First Manassas

                  Thanks Cameron. Makes me wonder if Capt. Miller and his Maynard where the exception or if other officers in the 2nd Miss. carried “rifles” with them as well.
                  Rich Taddeo
                  Shocker Mess
                  "Don't do it, you're going to get hurt." Jerry Stiles @ Sky Meadows moments before I fell and broke my leg.

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                  • #10
                    Re: Captain Hugh Miller's Account of First Manassas

                    First of all, "hats off" to Dean Burchfield who found this excellent image. Captain Hugh R Miller, Company G 2nd Mississippi Infantry.

                    Great find Dean, thank you so much for your work
                    Attached Files
                    Cameron Stinnett

                    A E K D B

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                    • #11
                      Re: Captain Hugh Miller's Account of First Manassas

                      Thanks Cam, as you could tell from my call while in the museum, I was just a wee bit excited. This was given to the Pontotoc Historical Society Museum this year. If I were a betting man, this was made when Captain Miller returned after Manassas. He is very gaunt and now has a full beard. Also, gave an ole research friend in Ripley a call for any pictures of Co. B. He has never seen any.
                      See you on the field in Va. Can't wait, now just to get conditioned for that July heat. Enjoyed myself this past weekend.
                      Dean Burchfield
                      [B][FONT="Century Gothic"]WIG [I]The Old Guard[/I][/FONT][/B]
                      Cleburnes
                      Hard Case Boys
                      Green Bottle Mess

                      [I][U]PM Joseph Warren #71 F & AM [/U][/I]

                      Un soldat sera long et dur combat pour un peu de ruban de couleur.
                      Napoléon Bonaparte
                      A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon.

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