Though unsigned, the following appears to be Col. Gilman Marston’s after action report chronicling the movements of the 2nd New Hampshire Regiment in the days leading up to and including the Battle of Second Manassas. The report also includes an appendix listing all of the known casualties of the regiment broken down by company and notes individual acts of courage.

For a good synopsis of the role played by the 2nd New Hampshire in the 2nd Battle of Manassas, readers are referred to the excellent article by William E. Welsh entitled “Grover’s Savage Attack at the Battle of Second Manassas” published on the Warfare History Network.

The image in the banner of this post is displayed on the Historical Marker placed at the location of Grover’s Bayonet Charge on 29 August 1862 which states: “Grover’s troops waited for the Rebels to fire, then charged up the ten-foot embankment. With no time to reload, Confederates were caught hugging the rear slope. The charging Federals stabbed with bayonets, crushed skulls with musket butts, and broke through the next line of defenders. Their success was almost suicidal; no one reinforced Grover’s advance. As Georgians and South Carolinians rushed to close the gap, the isolated Federals had to fall back over the ground they had won, back through a lethal crossfire. In twenty minutes General Grover’s Brigade lost 487 men—a third of his command.”

Transcription

On the morning of the 24th of August, ’62, I arrived at Alexandria with my regiment on the Steamer Commodore from Yorktown, disembarked, and went into camp two miles beyond the city. At dark on the evening of the 25th, took the cars for Warrenton Junction, arriving there at 3 o’clock the next morning and in the evening went into camp. The next morning at eight o’clock, leaving our camp equipage, we proceeded with the Division in light marching order towards Manassas Junction to engage the enemy who were reported in force in that direction.

About two o’clock P.M. the enemy were observed near Kettle Run, and were immediately attacked. For a while I occupied the right of the line of reserves and late in the afternoon moved to the right of the line in support of a battery. Soon after the enemy retired across Kettle Run, and agreeably to orders from Maj. General Hooker, Commanding the Division, I proceeded with my Regiment to examine the fords and the ground across the run and, finding the enemy in full retreat, notified the Commanding General who with the Division immediately crossed the stream and bivouacked at dark.

About midnight a large fire was observed in the direction of Manassas Junction.

At 2 o’clock p.m. the column was put in motion towards Manassas Junction. We passed at that point the remains of an immense freight train which the rebels had burned the night before and arriving at Bull Run, bivouacked there at sundown. About 4 o’clock the next morning (the 29th), we crossed Bull Run and at Centerville halted for a couple of hours at Centreville, and then marched in the direction of Groveton where the forces under Gen. Pope were engaging the enemy whose exploding shells were plainly visible above the intervening timber. Crossing Cub Run and Bull Run, we arrived on the battlefield about 10 o’clock a.m. and I was immediately ordered by Gen. Sigel to support with my regiment some batteries then sharply engaged on the left. The remaining regiments of the Brigade soon joined me in that position which we occupied until two o’clock p.m. when the brigade was ordered to charge on the enemy along the line of railroad in the woods to the front and right of our position. The line of battle was formed at the edge of the wood, the regiments in the following order from the right—1st Mass, 2nd N.H., 11th Mass, 16th Mass, and 26 Penn in reserve, but subsequently ordered into line on the left.

The Brigade advanced in this order through the wood and when within fifty yards of the railroad where the enemy lay concealed we received their fire. The order was immediately given to charge bayonets which was done and the rebel line quickly broke and those that remained alive scattered [&] fled to the rear. A second line of the enemy soon reached the field which, at not more than 70 yards distant, killed and wounded a large number, but the men were soon rallied and drove the enemy until the fire of a third line was received which compelled the brigade to retire. At this time the enemy opened fire with canister from a battery on our left. Falling back to the open ground, we reformed our line of battle, and, after holding our position for about one hour, retired under cover of our batteries occupying the high ground in rear of the wood through which we had charged.

The loss in killed wounded and missing was very severe. In my regiment 311 enlisted men and 21 commissioned officers went into the fight of whom 122 did not return. In this engagement the bayonet was freely used and with excellent effect pursuing without attempting to use the bayonet in defense.

I append to this report a detailed statement of the killed, wounded and missing. Most of the latter it is believed are either dead or severely wounded and in the hands of the enemy. I have also mentioned those men who distinguished themselves in the fight.

2nd Regiment N.H. Vol.

Co. A—1 officer, 4 sergeants, 1 corporal, 18 privates; [total] 24

Wm A. Haywood—killed
Gardner W. Turner—killed or is supposed wounded & left on the field
Wm. Dunton—wounded in face, severely
Elwin Young—wounded, shot through the body
Albert G. Stone—wounded, thigh fractured
Wm H. Preckle—wounded in leg
Allen B. Heyward—wounded in thigh
Geo. Stevens—wounded in shoulder
Geo Ruffin—wounded in hand

Lieut. Converse fired 8 rounds. A.R. Walker took a prisoner. Geo. Ruffle took two prisoners & got wounded bringing them out. Prisoners got away. John H. Bronill brought out a prisoner. O. S. Adams and Gardner Turner each killed a man with the bayonet. Many of the 1st & 2nd line threw away their guns and ran.

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Co. B.—3 officers, 2 sergeants, 4 corporals, 46 privates; [total] 55

Capt. Joshua F. Littlefield—wounded right thigh & arm. Died Sept.
DeWitt C. Sanborn—killed
Johnson N. Danforth—wounded; since died
Geo. W. Ladd—wounded; since died
James E. Edgerley—missing; supposed dead
John C. Rand—missing; supposed dead
Lieut. W. W. Ballard—wounded in head
Lieut. John D. Cooper—wounded, shot through the body
Sergt. Geo F Carter—wounded, thigh fractured
Corp. Isaac W. Walton—wounded, in ankle severely
Pvt. Hiram Cutter—wounded, in foot; brought out a prisoner
Pvt. John Danforth—wounded in leg
Pvt John H. Nichols—wounded in thigh
Pvt. Charles H. Worth—wounded in arm, severely; bayonetted the rebel
Pvt. Joseph E. Chapman—wounded through head
Pvt. Asa Folsom—wounded in arm
Pvt. John Hanson—wounded in neck

Wm Carlton brought out two prisoners; on Wednesday previous Algeron Chan had sun stroke and died.

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Co. C.—two officers, 2 sergeants, & 30 corporals and privates; [total] 34

1st Sergt F. O. Robinson—killed
Pvt. Charles L. Tabor—wounded both legs
Pvt. John B. Stevens—wounded hand severely
Pvt. Wm. Sidney—wounded, shot through body
Pvt. Charles McGauflin—wounded, shot through body
Pvt. Geo W. McKennon—wounded, foot
Pvt. Cornelius Hastings—wounded, leg
Pvt. Charles R. Farnham—wounded, leg
Pvt. Wm. Fitzgerald—wounded, head
Pvt. John Fift—wounded, head
Pvt. George Clement—wounded, arm
Pvt. J. W. Bignold—wounded, leg
Pvt. John Cushing—wounded, abdomen

Enemy fired canister down R.R. from left. All of this company went over the R R but those who got hit before reaching it. Hagen Davis, Jr. took & brought off a prisoner. J. W. Bignold killed a rebel with his bayonet. John Chase being attacked by two rebels, shot one & knocked the other down with his musket. Capt. Carr fired 5 rounds

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Co. D—2 officers, 1 sergeant, 3 corporals & 17 privates; [Total] 22

Pvt. John Osborn—killed
Pvt. Charles C. Saunders—killed without doubt, fell & left on the field
Pvt. Mark D. Merrill—wounded, since died
Pvt. Charles P. Roberts—wounded, wrist
Lieut. Geo. W. Roberts—wounded, wrist
Pvt. Eben LeGrow—wounded, neck and leg
Pvt. Ezra C. Goodwin—wounded, hand
Pvt. Geo H. Scranton—wounded, arm
Pvt. Orwell J. Davis—wounded, side
Pvt. Thos. J. Mahoney—wounded, wrist and thigh

This company took two prisoners—one of 35th Ga (he was in front line on R.R.); the other of 45th Va. in 2nd line. He complained that the 1st line boke & run through & broke the 2nd line. The Va. prisoners admitted there were 3 brigades of Ewell’s Div. Supported by Hill’s Div.

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Co. E.—1 officer, 12 muskets

Sergt. Hirsen F. Durgin—killed
Pvt. John B. Mussey—missing, supposed killed
Pvt. Daniel G. Smith—wounded, on sick list on field, supposed dead
Pvt. Henry M. Gordon—wounded, leg
Pvt. William C. Bean—wounded, throat
Pvt. Paul C. Morgan—wounded, elbow
Pvt. George W. Phelps—wounded, hand
Corp. Alcott Stover—wounded, in leg severely

Daniel F. Smith was running for a rebel when he was shot. John F. Dudley killed a rebel with his bayonet.

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Co. F—2 officers, 2 sergeants, 32 corporals and privates; [Total] 37

Lt. Norton R. Moore—killed
Pvt. Charles E. Jewett—killed
Pvt. Sylvester F. Bassett—missing, supposed dead
Pvt. Wm. A. LeBosinty—wounded
Corp. Henry A. Flint—wounded, leg
Corp. Osco H. French—wounded, ankle
Corp. Lorenzo S. Adley—wounded, leg
Corp. John G. Ames—wounded, thigh and ankle
Corp. Wm. H. Goldsmith—wounded, shoulder
Pvt. Wm. E. Bancroft—wounded, shoulder
Pvt. Brackett L. Carr—wounded, shoulder
Pvt. Jos. G. Cerliss—wounded, leg
Pvt. Veriate Colboten—wounded, foot
Pvt. A. Follet—wounded, hip
Pvt. J Semmes—wounded, head
Pvt. Ira M. Wallace—wounded, lost right arm
Pvt. Geo W. Morgan—wounded severely

Sergt. Hugh R. Richardson distinguished himself by brave conduct two bullet holes through his clothes, musket broke in his hand by shot from enemy. Pvt. James A Hagen was attacked by two rebels, ordered to surrender. He shot one dead & killed the other with his bayonet. Corp. Henry A. Flint knocked over a rebel with the butt of his musket.

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Co. G—2 officers, 1 sergeant, 46 corporals & private; [Total] 49

Lieut. Sylvester Rogers—killed, shot through stomach
Pvt. Charles P. Phillips—killed. shot through head
Pvt. Harvey H. Winn—killed, shot through head
Pvt. Charles O. Collister—killed, shot through head
Pvt. A.S. Hutchinson—killed, shot twice, head and body, also in leg
Pvt. Marcus J. Hall—wounded, since dead
Pvt. Wm D. Coffin—supposed shot and killed
Lieut. David Steel—wounded, right arm
Corp. E. G. Sturkey—wounded, thigh fractured
Pvt. Timothy N. Hutchinson—wounded, right arm
Pvt. George D. Felt—wounded, in groin
Pvt. Michael A. Dillon—wounded, through lungs
Pvt. Thomas O’Brien—wounded, right arm
Pvt. Charles Holt—wounded, face severely

Alex McRobie brought out a prisoner. John Hagen was attacked by two, shot one bayoneted the other. Asum attacked by one whom he bayoneted. Corp. Dascomb was the last to leave the woods. John B. Roule bayoneted one man & brought out a prisoner.

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Co. H.—3 officers, 4 sergeants, 26 corps & privates; [Total] 33

Pvt. John S. Rolf—missing, supposed killed
Pvt. John B. Buntin—missing, supposed killed
Lieut. John F. Holman—wounded, thigh fractured
Lieut. H. D. F. Young—wounded, arm slightly
Sergt. Andrew G. Bracy—wounded
Corp. John B. Reed—wounded, knee
Pvt. Lyman F. Parish, wounded, thigh
Pvt. Charles H. Smith—wounded, neck
Corp. John L. Davis—wounded, leg
Pvt. Sam’l Poor—wounded, head
Pvt. George Beny—wounded, ankle
Pvt. Henry Bowman—wounded, head

Sergt. Silver had his gun shattered in his hand. Corp. Hanson had two guns shattered in his hands. Corp. Reed had his gun stock shattered. P. Sexton same. Pr. James H. Andrews shot a rebel who opposed him.

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Co. I—1 officer, 2 sergeants, 28 corporals & privates; [Total] 31

Pvt. Wm. O. Mortgage—killed
Pvt. Wm. F. Wright—wounded, since dead
Corp. Charles H. Smiley—missing, supposed dead
Lieut. Geo. W. Gordon—wounded, in head
Corp. James M. House—wounded, thigh
Pvt. Eugene G. Haswell—wounded, neck
Pvt. Lyman A. Dickey—wounded, hand severely
Pvt. Allain R. Simmons—wounded, leg fractured
Pvt. Rand—wounded, thigh fractured
Pvt. Jos. H. Gleason—wounded, ear
Pvt. Martin A. Haynes—wounded, face

Cor. John E. Ogden killed one with bayonet. All went over R.R. most of them twice. Enemy first seen by this co. at R.R. 1st line broken by our fire, 2nd by bayonet. Jas. Lanoy brought out two prisoners & Charles F. Pariot one. Corp. James M. House took two prisoners—one was shot at the same time with the corporal. Levi H. Sleeper Jr. was attacked by three rebels. He bayoneted one, knocked another down with his musket & was then forced to retire.

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Co. K—two officers, 4 sergeants, 29 corporals & privates; [Total] 35

Pvt. Henry Walker—killed
Pvt. Henry Wilson—killed
Pvt. Jere Mahony—supposed killed
Pvt. John Moore—wounded, in groin
Pvt. James T. Gamman—wounded, both thighs fractured
Pvt. Wm. H. Goodson—wounded, foot
Pvt. Warren L Stebbins—wounded, in hand
Pvt. Alex Steward—wounded, in head
Pvt. Geo Johnston—wounded, in leg
Pvt. Charles Robinson—wounded, in face

The whole company went over the Railroad. Mahoney and Al ab Manson were seen by Lt. Sides to use the bayonet. Lt. Sides thinks there were two lines of the enemy beyond the R.R. besides the skirmishers on the western side who were pretty thick. The 1st line broke and the fire of the 2nd line somewhat broke us. Our men were engaged with the 2nd line. Whitney Dunbar shot down the color bearer. Co. K took 4 or 5 prisoners. Thinks 25 prisoners were taken between the right & the colors. The enemy’s colors were 20 ft. in front of R.R.—a large splendid flag—and line of rebels on the R.R. & 3rd line on opposite side. The 1st line was a strong line of skirmishers. It was the 2nd line we broke with the bayonet.

DOCKET Casualties of 2nd Reg N.H. Vol. at Bull Run 29th & 30th Aug. 1862

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