On the morning of the 29th of August thirty-one men had answered roll-call in Company H. On the morning of the 30th but thirteen responded; we had lost none as prisoners.
The 30th was Saturday. The division was to have remained in reserve. We were yet lying in the woods, some hundreds of yards in the rear of our position of the 29th, and details were burying our dead, when we were ordered to form. We marched some distance to the left. A low grass-covered meadow was in our front, with a rail fence at the woods about three hundred yards from us. Bullets came amongst us from the fence at the woods, toward which we were marching in column of fours, right in front. I heard the order from Major McCrady--"Battalion--by companies!" and Haskell repeated--"Company H!"--then McCrady--"On the right--by file--into line--MARCH!" This manoeuvre brought the regiment into column of companies still marching in its former direction, Company H being the rear of all.
Again I heard McCrady--"Battalion--by companies!" and Haskell again--"Company H!"--then McCrady--"Left--half wheel!" and Haskell--"Left wheel!"--then McCrady--"Forward into line," and both voices--"Double-quick--MARCH!"
It was a beautiful manoeuvre, performed as it was under a close fire and by men battle-sick and void of vanity. The respective companies executed simultaneously their work, and as their graduated distances demanded, rushed forward, with a speed constantly increasing toward the left company, Company H, which wheeled and ran to place, forming at the fence from which the enemy fled. We lost Major McCrady, who fell severely wounded.
For the remainder of that bloody day the First was not engaged. We heard the great battle between Lee and Pope, but took no further part.
On the first of September, as night was falling, we were lying under fire, in a storm of rain, in the battle of Ox Hill, or Chantilly as the Yankees call it. The regiment did not become engaged.
The campaign of eight days was over.