Pvt. John Stacom, Co. E, 69th New York State Militia, On the Battle (2)

STATEMENT OF A RETURNED SOLDIER OF THE SIXTY-NINTH

John Stacom, residing at No. 72 Elm-street, says he was in the late engagement. He returned Tuesday morning, leaving Washington at 4 o’clock. He left the scene of action at 6 o’clock, P. M., Sunday. The Sixty-ninth left Fort Corcoran on Tuesday, at 3 o’clock P. M., and encamped that night at Fairfax Court-house. Wednesday night reached Germantown. On Thursday morning, the Division under Col. Sherman took up the line of march, led by the Twelfth New-York Volunteers. After marching a short distance, a masked battery opened on them. Our regiment were ordered by Gen. Tyler to advance. After a short time we received orders through Gen. McDowell to fall back, when we halted for the night. About 2 o’clock in the morning we passed to the right of the battery without any danger. Marche about three miles and formed into line of battle, with our battery firing a gun at intervals to get the enemy out, which at length we did, they having returned a few shots. Shortly after the action became general. We succeeded in forcing our way down into the Run, (like a ravine,) between two mountains, in doing which we had to march through mud and water knee-deep. We marched double-quick about a mile to a hill, where there was a small house, uninhabited, where we afterwards left our wounded. Here we engaged a large number of the enemy’s infantry, which we succeeded in driving back, the masked batteries plying on us. The other divisions of our Army engaged the enemy. The fight continued without intermission till 4 o’clock P. M., when we succeeded in silencing three or four batteries. The firing then ceased. We felt quite elated, seeing Gen. McDowell complimenting Col. Corcoran on the success of our victory. Suddenly a large reinforcement came up, and opened on us with terrific effect. We suffered terribly, but firmly kept our ground. Once our regimental flag was captured; but Capt. Thomas Francis Meagher, clutching the green flag, and shouting to the men, rushed after to capture it, which we eventually did. Capt. Wilder, of the Fire Zouaves, shot the rebel who held the flag. We ran up to the edge of the woods and fired at them. They were behind natural rocks with earthen works, with four guns or more in each battery. We captured four. We found them nearly all spiked. Each battery was at a distance averaging about two hundred yards; they looked like bee hives. The country round was full of brushwood and trees, which gave them an advantage. The width of the road was only about 12 feet, a slight descent to the fields on each side. The ravine on an average was about one-half mile wide, and masked batteries at each side. It was utterly impossible we could head out. We lost several of our officers, including Capt. Haggerty, Co. A, Acting Lieut.-Col. Dalton, Capt. Catahan, and a few others. It was melancholy to see the poor fellows lying all around dead. I contrasted it with the jo they felt only a few minutes before, and felt sad. However, one has no thought in battle; the noise and confusion is really awful. It completely crushes out all feeling. Among those who distinguished themselves, (that I saw,) was the Colonel, who was very cool and collected. Capt. Thomas Francis Meagher, who acted as aid to Col. Corcoran. He rode a splendid white horse. He lost his cap, and was remarkable in his bare head, urging the men forward. Lieutenant Coonan, of Company J, and private Maxwell Sullivan Company C, were remarkable in their attempt to rescue the regimental colors. We got orders to retreat, which we did in good order, forming a hollow square. We marched off the field on the road.

He thinks the stampede first occurred amongst the Western regiments. He got slightly wounded in the hand. He congratulates himself on being so fortunate as to find a rebel horse on the road, which he seized and rode to Alexandria. The roads presented a curious appearance. Numbers of sick and wounded, artists sketching, newspaper writers taking notes, wagons, &c. He was terribly fatigued, and says it was with great difficulty he reached his destination. He bring with him a very costly coat, belonging to a rebel Major – a present from Lieut. Wilsey, of the Ellsworth Zouaves, to Sergeant Jourdan, of the Sixth Ward police. Private Stacom intends returning to Washington to-morrow, and would be happy to give all information and assistance in his power to the friends of the Sixty-ninth.

The New York Times, 7/26/1861

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John Stacom at Ancestry.com

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Unit History – 8th New York State Militia

Col., George Lyons; Lieut.-Col., Charles G. Waterbury; Maj., O. F. Wentworth. This well known militia regiment, the ” Washington Grays,” dates its origin back to April 4, 1786. It was one of the eleven uniformed and well disciplined militia regiments called out during the first days of the war to hurry to the defense of the endangered capital. It was a New York city organization, chiefly composed of hard working mechanics, with families to provide for and with no money to spare, yet the regiment left for Washington, 950 strong, on April 23, and was there mustered into the U. S. service for three months on the 25th. For some time before the battle of Bull Run it was encamped at Arlington House, where it served as guard to the headquarters of Gen. McDowell until the army moved to Bull Run, where the regiment took an honorable part in the battle. being assigned to the 1st brigade (Col. Porter), 2nd division (Col. Hunter), Army of Northeastern Virginia. Its loss in this battle was 8 enlisted men killed, 17 enlisted men wounded, 4 officers and 9 enlisted men missing, a total of 38. Two days after the battle its term of service expired, and it returned to New York, where it was mustered out on Aug. 2. Many members of the 8th volunteered for service in other regiments, notably in the 47th infantry, and in the 1st and 2nd Ira Harris cavalry. On May 29, 1862, the regiment, 895 strong, again left the state for Washington, under command of Col. Joshua M. Varian. It was mustered in the U. S. service for three months and was on duty at Yorktown. It was mustered out at New York city, Sept. 9, 1862, having suffered a loss of 6 men who died of disease during this term of service. On June 17, 1863, the regiment again left the state, proceeding to Harrisburg, Pa., where it was mustered into the U. S. service for 30 days. Its field officers were Col. Varian, Lieut.-Col. Wentworth and Maj. Leander Buck. During its term of service in Pennsylvania it marched 170 miles over rough roads in inclement weather; was in line of battle five times, and did excellent service in holding the enemy in check. It was attached to the 1st brigade, 1st division, Department of the Susquehanna, and was mustered out at New York city on July 23.

From The Union Army, p. 238