The following letter was written by 18 year-old George W. Ball (1843-1923) of Ottawa county, Michigan, while serving in Co. B, 3rd Michigan Infantry. George enlisted on 13 May 1861 at Grand Rapids and was discharged from the regiment in June 1863.

George’s letter offers a detailed first-hand account of the First Battle of Bull Run, during which the 3rd Michigan was engaged when the conflict erupted at Blackburn’s Ford on July 18, 1861. This event unfolded near the center of the Confederate line, held by General James Longstreet’s Virginians, along the brush-lined banks of Bull Run. The approach down the wooded slope to the Ford, executed by Richardson’s Brigade, was initiated by the gray-clad 1st Massachusetts, which valiantly contested the Confederates for the first hour. Eventually, the other three regiments—the 2nd and 3rd Michigan and the 12th New York—were called into action, with the 3rd Michigan positioned on the extreme right of the line, while Ayres’ artillery from the ridge adjacent to the farm path that led to the ford engaged the enemy. Remarkably, the 3rd Michigan found themselves relatively secure during the engagement, to the point where some members were reported to be picking berries until they became aware that their brigade was in full retreat. Understandably, George’s letter to his mother portrays the role of the 3rd Michigan in a slightly different light.

The 3rd Michigan Infantry were initially issued gray uniforms but by the Battle of Bull Run, the consensus of opinion is that they wore a mix of uniforms colors, including blue or black trousers, and both blue and gray coats.

A great reference book by my friend, John Hennessy—“The First Battle of Manassas, An End to Innocence, July 18-21, 1861,” 1989.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Washington
August 2, 1861

Dear Mother,

I now sit down to write you a few lines to let you know how I was getting along. I am well off at present and I hope these few lines will find you the same.

I received a letter from you dated July the 29th and was very glad to hear from you and hear that you were well but was sorry to hear that you had not received my letter. I wrote one letter to you about one month ago in which I stated that we were about to march into Virginia. We left our camp and went into Virginia about 25 or 30 miles where we had a battle with the Rebels. And I wrote you another letter as soon as I returned from the battle but it seems that you did not get it so I will write again. You will please excuse my writing with a lead pencil at present for it is impossible for me to carry such things as pen and ink with me.

I suppose you have heard of our fight long before this time and heard that we were whipped but not so with us. We were obliged to retreat on account of our not having men enough but we will not give up whipped as long as there is one of us left.

The place where we had our battle was between Manassas Junction and a place called Bull Run. We arrived at Bull Run July the 18th on Thursday afternoon where the 2nd Michigan, 3rd Michigan, 1st Massachusetts, and 12th New York commenced the battle. The four regiments comprise Colonel [Israel B.] Richardson’s Brigade. This brigade was in the center so we had to commence the battle.

The battle commenced a short time after noon and lasted till about seven when we commenced our retreat and went back as far as Centerville where we camped for the night and the next morning before daylight, our 3 o’clock, our picket guard was fired upon and drove in to the camp and we were waked up and got ready for a march and as soon as we could, we were divided into three divisions and went back within half a mile of the rebels and waited for our right and left divisions to come up but they did not get their position till Sunday morning when we commenced at them again.

We commenced fire upon them at 7 o’clock and fought till four in the afternoon. But they had too many men for us and we were obliged to retreat back within two miles of Washington where we shall stay till we get a large force. There was a great many of the Rebels killed as near us. We can’t ascertain how many but the report that they lost about three times the number killed that we had. One of their Generals was shot through the head with a cannon ball and Gen. Beauregard’s horse was shot from under him. We took twelve Secesh prisoners back with us to Washington…

Our men had a small brush to the west of us day before yesterday. There were three thousand of our men whipped cavalry of the Scamps. The number of men lost on our side was six hundred and the Rebels fifteen hundred…Our colonel is Daniel McConnell and my captain’s name is Blakely B. Borden. I have got a very fine position. If I can get to Washington, I will get a paper with an account of the battle and I will send it to you.

I will now bring my letter to a close. As soon as you get this, don’t fail to write me for I may not have time… Direct the same as before, — George Ball