The Rise of the Confederate Government by Jefferson Davis

Author:Jefferson Davis [Davis, Jefferson]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781411438361
Publisher: Barnes and Noble, Inc.

I will now make the promised extracts from reminiscences of Colonel (then Captain) Lay, which were sent to a friend, and handed to me for my use. The paper bears date February 13, 1878. After some preliminary matter, and stating that his force consisted of three cavalry companies, the narrative proceeds:

I was under orders to be in the saddle at 6.30 AM, July 21, 1861, and to report immediately to General Beauregard at his headquarters. About 7.30 AM. I accompanied him and General Johnston to a position near to Mitchell's Ford, where for some hours we remained under an active fire of the long-range guns of the enemy upon the opposite hills. When the unexpected flank movement of the enemy was developed, with the generals named, we rode at rapid speed to the left, when General Beauregard immediately rode to the front, General Johnston taking position near and to the left of the Lewis house. . . . About 3.15 PM, Captain R. Lindsey Walker, with his battery, took position to the left and in front of the Lewis house and commenced firing. I was near him when the shot from his battery was fired, and watched its effect as it swept through the columns of the enemy, producing perfect confusion and demoralization. . . . I rode to join my brother, Colonel Lay, whom I saw going toward my command from General Johnston. He reported to me that General Johnston said: "Now is your time; push the pursuit." I started at once on a trot, was passing General Johnston, who gave some orders, and I understood him to say, "Salute the President in passing. . . ." I saluted, and passed on at a gallop.

I halted at Bull Run to water my horses—then suffering—and to confer a movement or two with my gallant old commander, General Philip St. George Cocke.

I passed on . . . when to my astonishment I saw the President near me in the orchard. I immediately rode up to him, and said that he was much farther forward than he should be; that the forces of the enemy were not entirely broken, and very few of our troops in front of the Run, and advised him to retire; that I was then about to charge. . . .

We made the charge; a small body of the enemy broke before we reached them, and scattered, and the larger body of troops beyond proved to be of our own troops rapidly advancing upon our left. . . . After parting from the President, I pushed on to Sudley Church, and far beyond. Sent my surgeon, Dr. Randolph Barksdale, to Captains Tillinghast, Ricketts, and other badly wounded United States officers, and was going on until a superior force should stop me, but was recalled by an order and returned over the field to my quarters at Manassas a little before daylight—I and my little gallant squadron—having been actively in the saddle, I think, more than twenty hours. . .

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