The Baron DeKalb [pp. 141-202]

200 T~e Bai~on DeKaib. LJuly,
volunteers, who would run forward of the brigade, and commence
the attack. They were led forward, within forty or fifty yards of
the enemy, and ordered lo take trees, and keep up as brisk a fire as
possible. The d~sired effect of this expedient, to extort the e~emy's
fire at some distance, in order to the rendering it less terrible to the
militia, was not gained. General Stevens, observing the enemy to
rush on, put his men in n~ind of their bayonets; but the impetuosity
with which they advanced, firin~ and huzzain~, threw the whole
body of the militia into such a panic, that they generally threw
down their toaJeJ arms, and fled ii' the utmost consternation. The
unworthy example of the Virginians was almost instantly followed
by the North-Carolinians; only a small part of the brigade, commanded by Brigadier-General Gregory, made a short pause. A
part of Dixon's regiment, of that brigade, next in line to the second
Maryland brigade, fired two or three rounds of cartridge. But a
great majonty of the militia, (at least two-thirds of the army,) fled
without firing a sl)ot. The writer avers it of his own knowledge,
having seen and observed every part of the army, from left to right,
during the action. lle who has never seen the effect of a panic
upon a multitude, can have but an imperfect idea of such a thing.
The best disciplined troops have been enervated and made cowards
by it. Armies have been routed by it, even where no enemy appeared, to furnish an excuse. Like electricity, it operates instantaneously-like sympathy, it is irresistible where it touches. But, in
the present instance, its action was not universal. The regular
troops, who had the keen edge of sensibility rubbed off by strict
discipline and hard service, saw the confusion with but little emotion. They engaged seriously in the affair; and, notwithstanding
some irregularity, which was created by the militia breaking, pell
mell, through the second line, order was restored there, time enough
to give the enemy a severe check, which abated the fury of their
assault, and obliged them to assume a more deliberate manner of
acting. The s~cond Maryland brigade, including the battalion of
Delawares, on the right, were engaged with the enemy's left, which
il~ey opposed with very great firmness. They even advanced upon
them, and had taken a number of prisoners, when their companions
of the first brigade, (which fortned the second line,) being greatly
outflanked, and charged by superior numbers, were obliged to give
ground. At this critical moment, the regimental officers of the
latter brigade, reluctant to leave the field without orders, inquired
for their commanding officer, (Bngadier-General Small wood,) who,
however, was not to be found; notwithstanding, Col. Gun by, Major
Anderson, and a number of other brave officers, assisted by the
deputy adjutant-general and Major Jones, one of Smallwood's aids,
rallied the brigade, and renewed the contest. Again they were