aver after receiving the volleys of the disguised columns. The setting
sun found the fragments of our army not only in full retreat but in a
complete rout, leaving most of the artillery in the hands of the enemy.
Our battery happened to be the only six gun volunteer battery, carrying
all the guns off the battle-field, two pieces in a disabled condition. A
battery-wagon and forge were lost on the field. Retreating the same road
we advanced on in the morning. All of a sudden the cry arose, "The Black
Horse Cavalry is coming." The alarm proved to be false; yet it had the
effect upon many soldiers to throw away their arms. But the fears of many
soldiers that the enemy would try to cut off our retreat, were partly
realized. Our column having reached Cub Run bridge, was at once furiously
attacked on our right by artillery and cavalry. Unfortunately, the bridge
being blocked up, the confusion increased. All discipline was gone. Here
our battery was lost, all but one gun, that of the second detachment,
which was carried through the creek. It is kept at the armory of the
Marine Artillery, in Providence. At the present time, guns, under such
circumstances, would not be left to the enemy without the most strenuous
efforts being made to save them. We assembled at the very same camp we
left in the morning. Credit is due to Capt. Reynolds, for doing everything
possible for the comfort of his men. At midnight the defeated army took
up its retreat towards Washington. Our battery consisting of one gun, and
the six-horse team, drove by Samuel Warden.

_Monday, July 22._--Arrived at, and effected our passage across the Long
Bridge, by ten o'clock, and found ourselves once more at Camp Clark, where
we had a day of rest after our _debut_ on the battle-field yesterday,
under the scorching sun of Virginia.

_Wednesday, July 24._--Lieut. Albert Munroe addressed the battery in
regard to the battle, and attributed our defeat to the want of discipline.
The men felt very indignant at his remarks. "We had to come down to
regulations, the same as in the regular army, and should consider
ourselves almost as State prison convicts." We have since seen that he
meant no insult towards the battery; but have found out to our
satisfaction that he spoke the truth, for we have seen the time that put
us almost on the same level with convicts.

_Thursday, July 25._--Received the first government pay in gold. The First
Regiment left Camp Sprague for home, march