Accompanying text:
Attack on the batteries at Bull Run by three companies of the First Massachusetts Regiment, Lieutenant-Coloner Welles, Commanding
The daring charge of these three companies of the First Massachusetts Regiment, upon one of the enemy’s batteries at Bull Run, is deserving of commemoration. This regiment was attached to Gen. Tyler’s Division, and a battery of four guns having, after long cannonading on our part, suddenly opened fire upon our troops, was sent, with three or four others, to endeavor to dislodge it. The three companies named led the attack, the Massachusetts Regiment being in the van. The Rebels reserved their fire till our men were within a few yards of them, and then poured in volley after volley, with terrible effect. Capt. Brackett, of the regular Cavalry, an officer in the fiercest battles of the Mexican War, said he had never witnessed such a tempest of balls. Many of the members of these companies were killed or wounded, but, though subjected to a fire from three different points, they showed no signs of flinching. They were at one time exposed also to the cross-fire of the Michigan Regiment. Company IH lost eleven men in the fight, and Company G twelve. Lieut.-Colonel Welles, of this regiment, noticing that private Grover, of Company H, was retiring from the ranks in the fiercest of conflict, approached him to learn the reason; and finding that he had been wounded in the left arm, so that he could not steady his musket, took the weapon, and taking the most exposed position, fired steadily and with great execution upon the enemy. Col. Cowdin, the commander of the regiment, also took a musket, and marched at the head of his men, loading and firing with them. One of the members of Company G had a hand-to-hand fight with one of the rebels, and was getting worsted, when one of Ellsworth’s Fire Zouaves came up, and killed the rebel.
Battle Scenes, no. 1
published at H.H. Lloyd & Co., c1861
handcolored lithograph
Library of Congress image .