Unknown, Lynchburg Artillery/Latham’s Battery, On the Battle

The War.
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Facts and Incidents of the late Battles, &c., &c.
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A correspondent, who was attached to Latham’s Battery in the battle of July 21st, desires to correct a statement that has been published, to the effect that the battle was commenced at Stone Bridge by Gen. Evans, with certain regiments supported by two guns of the Washington Artillery. The writer says:

“In the first place there was no battle at the Stone Bridge, and in the second place none of the guns of the Washington Artillery were within miles of the bridge, nor in any manner connected with Gen. Evans’ command. With two six pounders of Latham’s Battery, I was within one hundred yards of the bridge, with a full compliment of men for both guns, under command of Gen. Evans, awaiting the approach of the enemy. In this position we had been for a week, scarcely leaving our guns, night or day, for a single moment. We were exposed to a raking fire from the enemy for most of the eleven hours’ battle, and it is no more than justice to Gen. Evans to say that [?] coolness, courage, and ability in battle, he has few equals.

“The two guns at the Stone Bridge were the left half of Captain Latham’s Battery, commanded by Lieuts. Davidson and Leftwich. The Captain of the Washington Artillery is too gallant a man to claim honors belonging to others, when an eleven hours’ in the open fields leaves no room for doubt, in the minds of any who were engaged, as to the respective positions of each.”

The writer goes on to give a detailed and minute account of the fight, closely written on both sides of the paper, which is a sufficient reason for its omission. His compliments to Gen. Evans, and to Captain Latham and his men, are fully justified by their action on that memorable day. On other paragraph [?]:

“Having ascertained that Lieut. Dempsey, of Company G., New York Second Regiment, [?] in the Baltimore Sun as killed, was in one of the hundred hospitals convenient to Manassas, Stone Bridge and Centreville, I went to see him, and found he had a dangerous wound in the head, caused by a bursting bomb. He told me he had a wife living in New York City, and I insert this for her benefit, trusting it may meet her eye and will venture a piece of advice. In time to come it would be well for Mrs. Dempsey to keel the Lieutenant at home, and leave us to manage our niggers as suits us best.”

Richmond (VA) Dispatch, 8/3/1861

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