The Thirteenth Mississippi Regiment.
We have at all times complied with requests our correspondents, to publish notices of a gallantry of individual commands in the at battle of Manassas; because, in the absence of the official report of the Generals ch is explained by Beauregard in his report of the Bull Run combat) there is a seeming neglect in some cases to render honor to whom honor is due. In pursuance of this practice we now insert the following:
Petersburg, Aug. 20, 1861.
The Thirteenth Mississippi Regiment, under Barksdale, went into battle upon the examine left wing a little after noon, it having been held in reserve until that hour, in doubt to where it would be needed.
As we approached the battle field tidings of a "lost by" greeted us at every step — at every step, so, we met the wounded and dying, who were being borne off upon litters — fragments of Regiments that were cut and scattered to the land passed, us, and were passed by us as they rested themselves in the shade and ved their scorched lips in the muddy stream near — and these, too, gave confirmation of a sad reverse to our fortunes.-- you can well imagine the exciting effect of these scenes upon the soldiers.
Colonel Barksdale rode up and down his lines and exhorted his men "to be cool and collected, remember the cause we had at stake, " &c. mean no tickling compliment, but to repeat that all know, who knows him at all, when ay that no braver spirit fought or fell on that day than Colonel Barksdale.
With a l and a scream his regiment rushed to battle under an order "to charge"--and it was a continuous order to charge, charge! --(the men sometimes firing without orders;) until the enemy was running pell-mell.
My own judgement is that the enemy was running before o'clock, and I do maintain that they never advanced an inch from the time our brigade Colonel Early's) went in.
I have said nothing of Col. Early's Regiment, because, from accidental causes, we filed to get orders from him, and fought "on our own hook." But this point I desire to make prominent for the brigade, for I sincerely believe in its truth, (and in so doing I would not detract from the gallant Smith, to whom so many have given the honor,) that it turned the tide of battle The 13th Mississippi Regiment, I have been informed, since an actuate investigation of its losses, suffered to the extent of 15 or 16 killed and wounded. From comparisons made since the battle, am justified in saying that few regiments sustained the same well organized, close and consistent order throughout the entire action and pursuit, as the 13th. It slept four miles beyond the battle- field that night.
Mississippi has received but little of what is due her for her part in the struggle of Manassas. But I shall abide patiently the time when justice will be done all hands. The bleeding little band of Liddell, whose steps, from beginning to end of that conflict, were marked in blood, and who, through living meets of fire and smoke, broke their way to use of the enemy's batteries and took it, yet unnoticed. will in that time have justice done it.
P.
