Hurled Against Us Like a Thunderbolt: 25th Ohio at Second Bull Run

Crippled by a lame foot, Lieutenant Benjamin Blandy of the 25th Ohio missed out of his regiment's fight on Chinn Ridge at Second Bull Run but watched the events unfold from the regimental hospital wagons.

    "Our regiment was on the left flank and our brigade was ordered out to support a battery. Nearly all our forces were stationed away on its right. The enemy concentrated his entire force on the left (the weakest point) and hurled them against us like a thunderbolt. They marched up like mad men, not at a charge, but marched up in solid column without firing a shot. As fast as one regiment was mowed down like grass by the scythe, another stepped up in his place. I know that our brigade killed and wounded more than their own number, but the Rebels still advanced with their heads down and took the flag from the color sergeant of the 73rd Ohio. At such conduct, our boys became panic-stricken and fled," he wrote. 

          Lieutenant Blandy’s account of Second Bull Run first appeared in the September 5, 1862, edition of the Zanesville Daily Courier.

 


Centreville, Virginia

September 1, 1862

          This is the first opportunity I have had for writing you since I left home to rejoin my regiment. Ever since I have been back, we have heard the roar of hostile cannon. There was continued skirmishing until Thursday evening last. To commence, I joined the regiment at Waterloo and witnessed quite a battle between Milroy’s brigade and some forces under Jackson on the Rapidan River. The 2nd Virginia and 82nd Ohio suffered severely. In the night, we retreated to Warrenton and remained there one day. On the next day, we marched to Bull Run.

          All day our advance skirmished with Jackson’s rear guard. About 5 o’clock we halted and took position. King’s division advanced when the cannonading became very heavy. Some of the infantry became engaged. The firing was incessant until long after dark when the fight closed for the evening. About 8:30 next morning our entire corps advanced about one and a half miles right on the very ground we were defeated upon a year ago. The ball opened at 9 o’clock and the cannonading and musketry were terrible. The enemy used 32-lb shells that fell thick and fast. I watched the battle all day until dark when I went to roost. The infantry were engaged long after night. The next day (Saturday) all was quiet with the exception of a little range cannon duel and firing among the sharpshooters until 2:30 when on the left flank, the roar of cannon and infantry became more terrific.

Sergeant Howard Hallet (also spelled as Hallette) of Co. I, 25th Ohio had been wounded at the Battle of McDowell, Va. on May 8, 1862 but remained with the regiment until mustered out July 16, 1864. 

          As my foot is not well enough to march or go double quick, the captain ordered me to remain with the hospital wagons. Our regiment was on the left flank and our brigade was ordered out to support a battery. Nearly all our forces were stationed away on its right. The enemy concentrated his entire force on the left (the weakest point) and hurled them against us like a thunderbolt. They marched up like mad men, not at a charge, but marched up in solid column without firing a shot. As fast as one regiment was mowed down like grass by the scythe, another stepped up in his place. I know that our brigade killed and wounded more than their own number, but the Rebels still advanced with their heads down and took the flag from the color sergeant of the 73rd Ohio. At such conduct, our boys became panic-stricken and fled.

          The enemy opened all the batteries in their rear; canister, grape, and large 32-lb shells fell like hail all over our army, even in the rear, among the teamsters and ambulance drivers causing a stampede among them. I looked on until I saw the entire left wing give way and the enemy’s cavalry charge and cut our stragglers down; then I left. It was now near dark. I wandered off the field two miles and picketed my horse and slept until daylight. I found on getting up that all our army had fallen back. I fell in with the rear guards and came on to the above heading. Here we now made a stand. Yesterday, the enemy came up and shelled us for an hour or so but to no effect. Last night our artillery had a little skirmish. What this day will bring forth God only knows. I expect a big battle.

          Our brigade suffered heavily in the last three day’s fight. Our regiment lost 77 men. I could tell you many things about the fight if I could see you. We lost many a man. Oh, the sights on that field I never shall forget! Men shot every way and manner conceivable.

Source:

Letter from First Lieutenant Benjamin W. Blandy, Co. G, 25th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Zanesville Daily Courier (Ohio), September 5, 1862, pg. 2

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