The smoke and confusion on the field hid the fact that the men of the 14th Brooklyn were in trouble as they drove toward the blazing Confederate artillery. According to the commander of the 14th Brooklyn, “We continued our advance to within forty yards of the enemy’s infantry, we were then advancing up the ravine in column of division. The fire of the battalion was directed on their leading division with terrible effect, the entire division being cut down.”
Maneuvering into position against the New Yorkers were portions of six Confederate regiments: 2nd, 4th, 27th, and 49th Virginia, 2nd Mississippi, and 6th North Carolina, as well as the 11th Mississippi (two companies) and the 4th South Carolina (one company). These regiments were strong in both numbers and leadership, and their members were confident of Jackson’s ability, as one soldier in the 4th Virginia recalled it: “the bearing of Jackson on the field inspired the confidence of his men…. He rode about in that shower of death as calmly as a farmer about his farm when the seasons are good.” Gen. Beauregard also rode along the line, absorbing the cheers and screams of adrenaline pumped out by his men.
The first concentrated fire to rip into the ranks of the 14th Brooklyn was a departing salvo from the Southern artillery (turned by Jackson) and small arms fire from Jackson’s 2nd, 4th, and 27th Virginia regiments (No. 1 on map). The deadly fire stunned the left and center of the Brooklyn line, which staggered to a halt while officers quickly worked to redress the disorganized and thinned ranks and get them moving. After a short time the men were ordered forward once again, and once again the New Yorkers were brought to a suden halt by the withering enemy fire. The men from Brooklyn received some help when, recalled one soldier, “some of the Zouaves [11th New York] join[ed] us when the brave [James] Wadsworth came dashing up with hat in hand, and seizing the end of our colors, led the charge to the cannon’s mouth.”1
The cycle repeated itself a third time when the Red-Legged Devils made it even closer to the Confederate line. “But there were just too few New Yorkers still standing, and they were forced to finally give way and made their way to the rear,” reported Lt. Col. Edward Fowler. “They then deployed and delivered their fire on us, which, together with a cross fire from the bushes and the shot and shell from their battery, were so severe that we were compelled to retire.”
With the enemy retreating, Jackson ordered his men to stand up and attack. “We’ll charge them now and drive them to Washington!” Jackson shouted. Moving to the left of their artillery, the 4th and 27th Virginia regiments dashed ahead toward the Federals (No. 2 on map). “[W]e were called to attention and ordered forward on the double-quick, and on an oblique move to the left over a stake and brush fence, through a skirt of pines and subject to a heavy fire of musketry. In a very few minutes we were in close contact with the enemy,” a private in the 4th Virginia recalled. Hand-to-hand combat briefly ensued, for there were too many Southern soldiers to repel. Within a short time the persistent band of New Yorkers was rushing back toward the Manassas-Sudley Road (No. 3 on map).2
On the far left side of the Confederate line, meanwhile, the 49th Virginia, 2nd Mississippi, and 6th North Carolina were preparing to engage these same Brooklyn soldiers. “Being on my extreme left, one of the North Carolinians, recognizing me, called to me from his ranks: ‘That is the enemy; shall we fire?’” recalled “Extra Billy” Smith of the 49th Virginia. “Don’t be in a hurry; don’t fire upon friends,” replied Smith. “At that instant a puff of wind spread out the Federal flag, and I added, ‘There is no mistake; give them h—l, boys!’, thus giving orders most strangely to a regiment which was not under my command to begin the fight. The enemy was soon scattered and disappeared from the field.”
One North Carolinian estimated that his regiment was a mere eighty yards from Ricketts’ closest field piece. As a result, the subsequent small arms fire, poured into the battery from point blank range, was devastating.3