31 ^^arraiive of the 
 
 BATTLES 
 
 BULL RUN 
 
 J 
 
 MANASSAS JUNCTION 
 
 July 18th and 21st, 1861. 
 
 Accounts of the Advance of both Armies, the Battles, and the 
 Defeat and Bout of the Enemy. 
 
 COMPILED CHIEFLY FROM THE BETMLEII REPORTS OF THE VIROIXI.V AND SOUTH CAROLINA PRESS. 
 
 CHARLESTON : 
 
 ! T E \ M - P O W E R PRESSES OF E V A S S * COGSWELL 
 
 Nns.3 Hioad anil Id?. Kast I5aj- Streets. 
 
 18G1. 
 
U33X 
 
 T K E 
 
 BATTLE OF BULL RUN, 
 
 Thursday, July 18, 1861. 
 
 PLAN OF THE COUNTRY. 
 
 As it adds very much to the interest and the true under- 
 standing of a description of a battle to have a correct compre- 
 hension of the battle-ground and surrounding localities, to aid 
 the reader in sketching an approximate map of the scene of 
 operations at Manassas Junction, we supply the following data : 
 
 A line drawn in a North and South direction, and to repre- 
 sent a distance of eight miles, will answer for the road from 
 Centreville to Manassas Junction. Centreville is to bo marked 
 doAvn at the Northei-n end, and Manassas Junction or Camp 
 Pickens at the Southern. The road itself has about the usual 
 meanders. 
 
 A line drawn East and West through Centreville, will repre- 
 sent the turnpike road leading from Alexandria on the East, to- 
 Warrenton on the AVest. On this road, and six miles East of 
 Centreville, is Fairfax Court House. On the "West of Centre- 
 ville, and about four miles distant, the turnpike road crosses 
 Bull Run, on what is known as the Stone Bridge. 
 
 If a line be drawn through ^lanassas Junction in a direction 
 nearly East, but North of it, it will represent the railroad as it 
 leads to Alexandria, which is distant twenty-seven miles. At 
 a point about four miles from Manassas Junction, the railroad 
 crosses Bull J{un on a high bridge. 
 
 The above points being marked down, if a meandering line 
 be now drawn from the Stone Bridge on the turnpike, to the 
 railroad bridge above described, it will show the position of 
 Bull IJun. It crosses obliquely to the line of the road leading 
 from ^Manassas Junction to Centreville, and at about four miles 
 
from each. Tlio wliole course of Bull TJun botwocMi tlie two 
 bridges is inclixled in the present line of battle. 
 
 Bull Kun is a pellucid mountain rivulet of small size in sum- 
 mer, but liable to heavy and wide-spreailing freshets. Its 
 course in the region we are noticing is ver}' much marked by 
 bluffs, particularly on the north-eastern side. The fringing of 
 bottom lands, which is chiefly on the south-west side, is covered 
 with magnificent oaks and other forest trees. The bluffs ren- 
 der the crossing to Bull Run difficult, except at occasional 
 points. The most favorable of these is the point where the 
 road from Centreville to Manassas Junction crosses. The tall 
 oaks had been felled on the bottom ground, on the south-west 
 side of the Run, leaving the road but as an avenue through the 
 fallen timber. This road proved, indeed, to be the centre line 
 of the enemy's movement, but the fighting was confined to the 
 flanks. They did not make their effort at the central foi'd, but 
 sought points of crossing, chiefly beloio the road, or on the side 
 toward the railroad. 
 
 DISPOSITION OF THE CONFEDERATE FORCES. 
 
 For more than a week the commanding general of the Con- 
 federate forces at Manassas had been antici])ating an advance 
 of the enemy, and had so arranged his troops as to be prepared 
 at all points. At Fairfax Court House, Gen. Bonham was sta- 
 tioned, with six regiments of infantry, composed of four from 
 South Carolina (Kershaw, Cash, Williams and Bacon) and two 
 from Virginia (Preston and Withers), with two batteries of 
 light artillery (Shield's howitzers and Kemper's company), and 
 about five hundred cavalry, under command of Col. Radford, of 
 Virginia. 
 
 At Fairfax Station, about four miles distant from the Court 
 House, and on a line with it. Gen. Ewell, of Virginia, was posted 
 with three regiments of infantry, two Alabama (Siebles' and 
 Rhodes'), and one from Jjouisiana (Seymour's). These regi- 
 ments were stationed at intervals of a mile from each other, 
 Rhodes' 5th Alabama Regiment guarding the l^radtlock roa(i 
 approach from Alexandria, which intersects the country road 
 between the Court House and the Station. At both places, 
 infantry works had been thrown uj) for the protection of the 
 troops, and at the Court House partieuiai-iv, extended lines of 
 defence, including two or three masked batteries, had been con- 
 structed. 
 
 At Centreville, a commanding eminence on the turnpike 
 road, between Fairfiix Coui-t House and Bull Run, Col. Cocke 
 was stationed with his regiment and Latham's Light Battery. 
 The object of these preparations was to resist the incursion of 
 anything short of a large army into the interior, and in the 
 event of the approach of a force under twenty thousand men, 
 to give battle and drive them back. At the same time, orders 
 
had boon issued, in case of an ovorwhclmin<^ demonstration ot' 
 the enemy, to fall back un Hnll Run, the selected battle groujid. 
 To provide for this contingeno}', the troops for inorc than a 
 week past had been trimmed of all superfluous baggage, and 
 been under orders to keep on hand constantly three days' pro- 
 visions in advance. (Quartermaster and Commissary supplies 
 have been kept in limited amounts, and the wagons held in 
 constant readiness to move off with camp cquijiage, etc. 
 
 We are particular in stating those minute details to give the 
 reader an idea of what M'as anticipated by the commanding 
 general, and of his arrangements to meet the contemplated 
 contingency. 
 
 THE ATTACK COMMKNCED. 
 
 The expectation of an attack, which had almost died out, 
 was revived by well-grounded reports and suspicious ;*^ppear- 
 ances on Monday and Tuesday; and on Wednesday morning 
 expectation was changed into certainty b}' the booming of can- 
 non, followed by the rattling of small arms and the rapid head 
 of hastening couriers. The enemy was advancing in- three 
 separate columns, of probably' fifteen thousand each — one down 
 the railroad, another the Braddock road, and the third from 
 the direction of Falls Church, on Fairfax Court House, where 
 Bonham's Brigade of South Carolinians held the advance post 
 of the Confederate Armj-. They were firing upon one of our 
 pickets. General Beauregard was hurriedly sent for and quickly 
 came to the scene of action, when he ordered the retreat, 
 which has proved to be a brilliant strategic movement. At 
 first our troops were much displeased, believing the retreat 
 had been ordered by some junior officer; but when the}- learned 
 that tlie order emanated from their (Jeneral-in-('liief, they were 
 perfectly satisfied, having in him unbounded confidence. Capt. 
 Haile, with the whole of his compan}- and half of the Brooks 
 Guards, was on picket from two to four miles from camp, and 
 the enemy was advancing across their line of retreat at about 
 one mile. From Col. Kershaw's camp (the most advanced), 
 the glitter of the enemy's guns in the morning sun illumined 
 hill after hill. But there was no time for observation. The 
 "long roll" beat, and each company fell promptly into line. 
 Col. Kershaw gallops in, and to the interrogatory " How is the 
 picket V replies, " All right." Capt. Rhett was ordered to 
 take the other half of his company and hold a house, at the 
 intersection of the two roads, untif the picket reached that 
 point. "The Brooks," elated at the prospect of a fight, and 
 anxious for the fate of their exposed comrades, set off at a 
 brisk rate, and soon reaching their ])lace of destination, Averc 
 preparing to kc6p the Yankees at bay until the safe passage of 
 their friends, when the picket arrived at a double quick. The 
 Brooks Guards greeted their captain with three hearty cheers, 
 
who recalled tliose that liad been deploj-cd, and the wliole 
 cohimn (two companies) set off" to join the re«;iinent. The 
 Yankees were then about a quartei' of a mile on the right. 
 They reached the camp just in time to join the re;:;inuMit with- 
 out having a moment to i)ause, and. therefore, lost most of 
 their baggage. 
 
 TIIK BATTLE. 
 
 The battle ground was u])on both sides of Bull Run. and upon 
 both sides of the road leading to Centreville. Here the enemy 
 appeared after having paid their ix'spects to Fairfax ami the 
 other positions from which our li)rces had fallen ItacU, and here 
 the}- encountered a Virginia brigade, under the command of 
 Gen. Longstreet, consisting of the 1st, 11th and 17th Virginia 
 regiments, two or three comjianies of the 7th Louisiana liegi- 
 ment, Tol. Hays, and the AVashinglon Ai-tillery of ^'ew Oi"- 
 leans. The South Cai'oJina and other regiments which formed 
 the advance division, under Gen. Bonham, were located within 
 a shoit distance of the scene, ready, if necessary, at a moment's 
 warning, to co-operate with the Confederate troops engaged. 
 
 The object of the enemy was undoubtedly to break our lines 
 and tight the flanks. To this end Sherman's battery was 
 brought forward, and at a distance of a mile and a half opened 
 a heavy but ineffectual fire, expecting, doubtless, to make a 
 breach in our ranks, through which their infantry might enter, 
 and open a general battle. They were gallantly encountered, 
 however, by the Washington Artillery, with six pieces, and in 
 the course of the action, notwithstanding the enemy had thir- 
 teen guns, served by United States regulars, the far famed 
 Sherman's battery was completely silenced, and obliged to re- 
 tire. It is said, however, that we had the advantage of tiring 
 up hill, where neaily every shot took effect, whereas the shells 
 and balls of the enemy passed entirely over the heads of our 
 own artillei'ists, and buried themselves in a ni(Mind beyond. 
 
 Under the cover of this tire McDowell threw forward his 
 skirmishei'S, Avho were soon after followed by the entire attack- 
 ing column. These took up thOir position on the bunks of Bull 
 Run, and in the adjoining fields. Our own forces were station- 
 ed immediately opposite; the first Virginia Regiment, Col. 
 Moore, which, a ])0]'tion of the day, sustained the brunt of the 
 attack, lying flat ujion their faces, and firing from the ground. 
 It is said that at one time they Avere so close that the smoke 
 from their muskets envelo|)ed each other almost from sight, j'et 
 strange to say, the wounds caused resulted mostly from the 
 falling fraginoits of shells and not from musket balls. The 
 fight did not become general until about eleven o'clock. 
 
 At this hour their whole front, infantry and ai'tillerj' contin- 
 uing still to advance, our inlantry also pushed forward and the 
 fight became general. 
 
The buttle continued with unabated fury for throe hours, 
 when, about two o'ch)ck, p. ^r., the enemy's centre ,i!;ivin<>; Avay 
 before the combined fire of our artillery and the charge of our 
 infantrv, their whole force fell back ]n'eci])itately and in disor- 
 der. But, after an interval of an hour, during which there was 
 some unimportant skirmishing, at three o'clock, p. M., the 
 enemj- again returned to the charge with redoubled impetu- 
 osit}'', and again, after severe fighting, were the}' driven back 
 at the point of the bayonet. 
 
 Their third charge was made, apparently, with great fury, 
 and as if determined to sweep away the rebels as with a flood. 
 It was then that our artillery, having gained an a<lvantageou8 
 position, poured upon then\ its most fatal fire, committing a 
 havoc tlnit was almost sickening to look upon. The enemy 
 was mowed down, and fled before the terrible discomfiture under 
 the greatest consternation. 
 
 After a pause they 0|)ened apparently, from all their guns, a 
 furious fire, directed at the forest and hills and vales in their 
 front. They seemed to think that surely the rebels were some- 
 where, and b}' shooting everywhere they must hit some of 
 them. It was probably, however, but the explosion of their 
 rage and mortification. It was harmless to our side, and our 
 soldiers allowed them to waste their ammunition unrcspondcd 
 to. 
 
 THE RETREAT. 
 
 It was now five o'clock, p. >r., and the enemy made no attempt 
 to renew the fight, but retreated hastily, leaving the field 
 strewn with the bodies of their dead and woiu|<led in possession 
 of the Confederates. They were thus re])u7sed twice during 
 the fight, but each time rallied to the work, and fought with a 
 bravery at which many of our soldiers were surprised. 
 
 Once a small party endeavored to cross the stream, but these 
 were completely riddled, with the exception of one individual 
 who was M'ounded and taken prisoner. From him it has since' 
 been learned that a Pennsylvania regiment was almost com- 
 pletely annihilated, the artillery mowing great lanes through 
 the ranks at every shot, while the infantr}' dropped them with 
 their small arms by scores at every discharge. 
 
 The battle had extended along the creek, "Bull Run," a 
 distance of over a mile, and within this space the enemy had 
 left nine hundred and eighty-six of their men dead or mortally 
 wounded. Our loss, as counted that night, was one hundred 
 and thirty-seven killed, wounded and missing, but by the next 
 morning this number was reduced to less than sixty by the 
 return of stragglers, who had been scattered and lost in the 
 woods during the night. The enemy threw chain-shot and 
 fired upon our hospital while the 3'cllow flag, which secures 
 immunity in civilized nations, was flying, tleneral Beauregard 
 
had a narrow escape, u l)all haviiiij; passed through tlie kitchen 
 of a house where he was pai'takini-; of diuner. The General 
 lias displayed qualities of tlie highest order as a military ooiu- 
 mandor, with, ])c'i-haps, the exception of indifference to his own 
 life, now so valuahlc to the Confederacy, lie exhibited great 
 coolness during tiic engagement, and was in all ])arts of the 
 tield. 
 
 The famous Shci-nian liattery, u]»on which the (.'ncmy evi- 
 dently based so much hoj)e of success, was almost utterly anni- 
 hilated. Some say there is scarcely a corporal's guard of them 
 left. The First Kegiment of Virginia Volunteers, under Col. 
 P. T. Moore, is said to have fought desperately. Three sepa- 
 rate charges were made by it with the bayonet, and in each 
 instance the enemy fled like sheep. Among the enemy's dead 
 were many officers, whose uniforms indicatetl high rank, thougli 
 their names were unknown. The next morning the enemy 
 sent in a flag of truce to General Beauregiird, asking permis- 
 sion to bury their dead, which was, of course, granted. 
 
 The number of the eneni}^ actually cngagecl in this battle is 
 variously estimated at between five and ten thousand, whilst 
 our force little exceeded three thousand five hundred. 
 
 THE CONDUCT OF OUR TROOPS. 
 
 The conduct of our men was truly heroic. With the rest of 
 the army as admiring spectators, thcj' performed the work 
 which had fallen to them with a delightful intrepidity, which 
 has won the aftectionate applause of all their generous com- 
 rades in arms. ^ 
 
 The artillery practice on our side fell to the AVashington 
 Artillery, of New Orleans. It is sufficient to say that they 
 eclipsed, if possible, their high re])utation. We expected a vast 
 deal of them — they have given us more! Henceforth, for in- 
 trepidity and accuracy, and rajjidity of fire, they stand as a 
 ^proverb throughout our land. 
 
 The credit of this fight is due chiefl}^ to the AVashington Ar- 
 tillery, of New Orleans, the Ist and 17th Virginia llegiments, 
 and the Louisiana 7th, assisted by Kemper's Light Battery, 
 which was ])i-otected by the 2d South Carolina Regiment (Ker- 
 shaw'sj. The 17th Virginia Eegimont highly distinguished 
 itself. At one time one of its battalions drove a whole regiment 
 of the enemy before it at the point of the bayonet to the top 
 of a hill, where it was obliged to fall back to the Run, the 
 enemj-'s discomfited regiment having been reinforced b}' four 
 others. Being joined at the "llun " by the other battalion, this 
 gallant I'cgiment waited the near a]iproach of the five opposing, 
 delivered a telling fire, and charged on them with the bayonet, 
 chasing the whole, five to one, acj'oss the field at full speed. 
 General Beauregard checked the pursuit. Kemper, covered by 
 
one battalion of the Second P:ibnetto Regiment, under Ker- 
 i;sli:iw, sallied out from the entrenchments Just at this juncture, 
 thi-e\v two shells into the flyin<;- infantry of the enem}" as they 
 attempted to rally, and scattered them anew. Capt. Kemper 
 is a gnllant and accomplished young officer, and has been at- 
 tached to Kershaw's regiment. 
 
 All of our men behaved with the utmost coolness and fought 
 like the disci])lined soldiers of a Napoleon. It would be invid- 
 ious to single out the troops from any particular State as having 
 exhibited qualities not found in all. The conduct of our gallant 
 little armj^ (never before under fire), on this occasion surpasses 
 all praise. For steadiness under a most galling fire, indittcrence 
 to their peril, good order and precision of aim, history may be 
 ransacked in vain for a ])arallel. The enemy outnumbered 
 them in the pro])ortion of throe to one. 
 
 THE KILLED AND WOUNDED. 
 
 The number of the enemy killed is variously estimated from 
 five hundred to one thousand. One gentleman counted more 
 than two hundred bodies within the space of two acres. Cer- 
 tain it is, that the enemy, under a flag of truce, were engaged 
 the greater part of Fi'iday in digging pits and burying them 
 ten and twenty in a bunch. A small cart load of caps and felt 
 hats was picked up on the field since the battle, some of them 
 riddled with balls and saturated with blood. Such was the 
 stench of the decaying bodies twenty-four hours after the bat- 
 tle, that our men in the neighborhood w^ere obliged to go out 
 and cover them with earth. The number of arms taken is said 
 to have been five hundred and four, including one piece of ar- 
 tillery; but another authority puts the figure as low" as three 
 hundred. This is exclusive of revolvers and side arms. 
 
 INCIDENTS OF TUE BATTLE. 
 
 One of the enemy's Colonels was killed by a squad of Col. 
 Kershaw's Second South Carolina Kegiment, his horse shot, and 
 §700 in gold found upon his person. 
 
 Among the many incidents related of the affiiir, is one of 
 this character, and it fairly illustrates the military spirit of the 
 wliole army. Connected'with the Seventeenth Virginia Ecgi- 
 ment is a little fifteen year old, named Clarence Carey, of 
 Alexandria. His position in the regiment is that of " marker," 
 and he was supposed to be of no more use upon a battle field 
 than a brass band in a nu'Cting house. The Colonel accord- 
 ingly ordered him to go to the hospital, and remain there until 
 the fight was over. The little fellow had no such insignificant 
 idea of himself, however, and as soon as the Colonel's back 
 was turned, off he went for his musket, and was soon in the 
 
8 
 
 fight. The result of his marksmanship is said to have been 
 one dead Yankee and one " winijed." 
 
 Another little chap — a drummer boy from Lynchburg — not 
 much more than a yard high, hurried to the field as soon after 
 the battle as he could, to get a gun and revolver, but unfortu- 
 nately was too late, and his only trophy was an odd looking 
 kuife, with a buckhorn handle. lie says he examined the 
 clothing of a dozen or fifteen, to see if he could'nt make a 
 "raise," but an emptier set of pockets he don't believe it possi- 
 ble to exist. The only ]iroducti()n out of the whole numlior, 
 Avas a due bill for seven dollars from one Dutchman to another. 
 
 The incident is related also, that during the fight a negro 
 from Lynchburg, named Dick Langhorn, l»elonging to one of 
 the officers of a Virginia Regiment, shot one of the Yankees in 
 the shoulder, and knocked down another who was accompany- 
 ing him with his revolver. As they rose from the ground, the 
 ebony jiatriot brought his pistol to bear upon them a second 
 time,' accompanied with the very philosophical remark: " Beny 
 sorry to hurt you, massa, but de fac am, dis chile wants to 
 show 3^ou to some ob de gemmon in ole Wirginny. Come along 
 or dis nigger hurt you shuah." 
 
 " Come along" tiiey did, and the boy had the proud pleasure 
 of delivering his prisoners into the hands of the Colonel of his 
 regiment. 
 
 From these circumstances 3'on can readily deduce that our 
 "boys," big and little, black and white, are full of fight. 
 
 For us this was a most brilliant battle and a most cheering 
 success. For the enemy, it was a severe and galling defeat. 
 We thank God for his favor on our arms; and all honor, and 
 the thanks of our great country, to the heroes whose skill and 
 valor have been the agency of winning us the victor3^ 
 
BATTLE OF MANASSAS 
 
 Sunday, July 21. 
 
 KVENTS rRKCEDIXG TTIE BATTLE. 
 
 The Fcdorul vVrmy exceeded in the magnitude of its scale 
 and the eonipleteness of its equipment, any force ever marshal- 
 ed upon this continent. All the elements of strength and suc- 
 cess which the ingenious malice of an ambitious traitor to his 
 native State and section, could command, were combined to 
 insure its signal triumjih. The whole of the regulars in the 
 United States service on the eastern side of the Ivocky Moun- 
 tains, with but a trifling exception, Avere mustered into this 
 grand column, intended to sweep before it the insignificant 
 opposition of Beauregard, and march victoriously into Eich- 
 mond. The choicest batteries were served by the most skillful 
 of their artillerists, and the flower of their infantry were com- 
 manded by the most courageous and accomplished of their 
 leaders. 
 
 With all their ])lans perfected, buoyant in spirit, elated with 
 hope and cupidity, the invading army moved out of Alexan- 
 dria on Wednesday', the 17th inst. On Thursda}'. they ap- 
 proached Fairfax, and found, as they supposed, our whole force 
 in position there. The attack was made in three columns. 
 Our troops, with aftccled consternation, retreated hastily, but 
 in perfect order, to Bull Run, and the}' eagerly followed. When 
 within point blank range of several masked battei-ies, into 
 which they had been most adroitly ensnared, we opened npon 
 them and tore tlieir ranks terribly. The figlit was brief, but 
 gave great encouragement to our boys, Avbo had been rusting 
 for want of exercise. On Friday-, Gen. McDowell sent a flag 
 of truce asking a cessation of hostilities to bury the dead. 
 
 General Beauregard now commenced his preparations for 
 a forward movement, and had well nigh completed tiiem, when, 
 through his scouts, he learned that the enemy were making 
 arrangements for tlie same purpose. He immediately changed 
 bis plans and put his command in position of defence. Every 
 
10 • 
 
 thing was J[pne "dccentl}' and in order," but the work pro- 
 gressed with marvelous rapidity. Thus passed Saturday-. On 
 Saturda}' niglit Gen. Johnston assumed command, and nearly 
 the entire night was consumed by the statf of both Generals 
 in writing orders to the diilei-ent brigades to prepare for a for- 
 ward movement in the morning. General Beauregard's plans 
 were to be cai'ried out in a great measure, and the rout of the 
 enemy would have been more signal, and, doubtless, Washington 
 would now be in our possession, if our attack IkuI not been 
 convei-ted into a defence b}- the movements of the enemy. 
 
 THE MORNING OF THE BATTLE. 
 
 " We are in the midst of a terrible scene. The sacred stillness 
 of the Sabbath is being interrujjted by the heavy booming of 
 artilleiy. the shrill Avhistle of flying balls, the roll of musketry, 
 the clatter of cavalry, and the shouts of our enthusiastic sol- 
 diers. Far in the distance ri.ses the thick curtain of smoke 
 that has been belched forth from the mouths of a score or more 
 of cannon, and envelopes the combatants, while dense white 
 balls of cloud, no bigger than a man's head, standing out in 
 bold relief against the blue sky, tell of bursting bombs and 
 descending missiles of destruction." 
 
 There were not many spectators of the battle, the general 
 commanding having, on Thui-sday, issued a general order re- 
 quiring all civilians, Avitli the exception of residents before 
 military operations commenced, and tliose engaged necessarilj' 
 in business at Manassas Junction, to leave the camp and retire 
 beyond a distance of four miles. 
 
 The writer, however, and his confreres of the press, were 
 privileged to remain to witness a scene not often enacted, and 
 which forms an era in their lives for all time to come, a scene 
 of terrific grandeur and sublimity which is imprinted on their 
 memories, with a recollection never to be effaced. 
 
 The day was bright and beautiful — on the left was the Blue 
 Ridge, and in front were the slopes on the North side of Bull 
 Run crowned with woods, on which the enemy had early plant- 
 ed his batteries, and all around us were eminences on which 
 were posted small but anxious knots of s])ectators. 
 
 Bull Run is North of Manassas Junction (the shortest dis- 
 tance to it being three and a half miles), and runs due east. 
 Some seven miles to the left, and in a north-westerly direction, 
 is Stone Bridge, while directly in front, or due north, is Mitch- 
 ell's Ford, on the road to Centroville. To the right, on the 
 same stream, is Union Mills. The entire country from the 
 Stone Bridge to the latter place, on the opposite side, was occu- 
 pied by the Federal foi-ces, at least eighty thousand strong. 
 They were there located upon the top of the hill, evidently in 
 strong fo!-ce, with several heavy pieces of artilleiy, including 
 also a battery of six-pounders and rifle cannon. We could 
 
11 
 
 SCO them witli tlic naked ej'e. skirling along the edge of tlie 
 woods, and that the}' saw us we had ample evidence eveiy 
 few minuteH hy the arrival in our neighborhood, frequentU' 
 inconvenientl}' dose, of whistling cannon balls, which burj- 
 themselves in the earth around us. 
 
 Our own forces held corresponding positions on this side of 
 the river, and, though quiescent, were drawn up ready for battle, 
 well sup2)orted by artillery, waiting the order for action. 
 
 THE ADVANCE. 
 
 The enemy advanced in three columns — the centre com- 
 manded by Gen. McDowell, the right wing by Dixon S. Miles, 
 of the Second United States Infantry, and the left wing by 
 Fitz John Porter, formerl}' of the Adjutant General's Depart- 
 ment. 
 
 Our forces were disposed in corresponding order. Gen. Beau- 
 regard conimanding the centre, Gen. Joseph E. Johnston the 
 left, and Gen. Jjongstreet the right wing. 
 
 The enemy selected their own position, and on the ap])roach 
 of our troops were drawn up in a line of battle, which 1 heard 
 an officer of the Mexican war describe as one of the most 
 beautiful sights he ever beheld. 
 
 The ground upon which the battle was fought was one admi- 
 rably adapted to the purposes of defence or attack, being, with 
 one exception, a succession of gentle hills, covered with trees 
 an<l brushwood, occasionally intefi'upted by broad meadow land. 
 Its extent was about two miles square, but the principal Ijattle 
 ground was an open valley with a hill upon each side, rising 
 some one hundred feet above the low ground, and distant from 
 each other about six hundred yards. Our artillerj- consisted of 
 some five battei'ies, among which Avas the Washington Artil- 
 lery-, Pendleton's and Kem])er's. Against these were arrayed 
 not less than fifty pieces, including the famous Sherman's Fly- 
 ing Artiller}-, Shumpert's Batterj', and the Ehodc Island Fly- 
 ing Artillery. 
 
 At about 8 o'clock we reached a hill above Mitchell's Ford, 
 almost entirely bare of trees, and sufficiently high to afford an 
 unol>structed view of the opposite heights. After taking a 
 leisui-ely view of the beautiful landscape, spread out before us 
 in all the loveliness and grandeur of nature, and listening with 
 watchful intent to the booming of the heav}' cannon on our 
 right and anxiously examining the locations where the guns of 
 the enemj' on the opposite hills were plainly to be seen with the 
 naked eye, and the heavy clouds of dust, rising above the 
 Avoods in front and on either side, indicating the direction in 
 which the heavy columns of the enemy were marching, we each 
 sought the shade of a tree, where we drew forth our memoran- 
 dum l)ooks and j)encils, to note down the various shif\ings of 
 the scene which henceforth forms an era in the history of our 
 
12 
 
 younjr ConfedcM-acy, and i^raiully inaugurates the niarcli of 
 glory on wliich she has ontereil. 
 
 KKMIM) RLFFIN. 
 
 An intercstini; niot'tintc lioro took place between our juirty 
 and the venerable Kdinund Huftin, who had, against the walls 
 of Fort Sumter, fired the first defiant gun at our insoh-nt and 
 braggart foe. lie had eon\e to this eonfiiet, with his eighty-odd 
 3'ears weighing upon him. and his flowing white locks, to take 
 part in the fight, encouraging our young men by his jiresenco 
 and examjile. Agile as a youth of sixtecTi. with rifle on his 
 shoulder, Ins eyes glistened with excitement as he burned to 
 engage the Yankee invader. 
 
 OUR GENERALS REC0NN0ITERI.\(i. 
 
 Shortly afterwards Generals Beauregard, Johnston and Bon- 
 ham, accompanied by their aids, came galloping up the hill and 
 dismounted on the summit. The Generals held an earnest con- 
 sultation for a few minutes, while taking a survey of the field, 
 and watching the successive challenges from the enemy's bat- 
 teries, directed against our right and among the woods near 
 Mitchell's Ford, wdiere a hospital was stationed and a yellow 
 flag flying. This was also the point where their fire of Thurs- 
 day was directed, and where the mark of a cannon ball is to be 
 seen in the kitchen and staf)Ie of a house in which General 
 Beauregard dined on that day at the time the ball struck the 
 building. Whether the enemy thought it was again his head- 
 quarters, or whether the fire was now playing toward that 
 ])oint to draw out a response from us^ is not known. It is more 
 likely, however, it was a mere feint — an impotent attempt to 
 deceive our skillful and able commander as to the point where 
 the enemy was most in lorce, for so our wise General consider- 
 ed it, as he was seen to direct General Johnston's attention 
 particularl}^ with his hand tow^ards our extreme left, as if he 
 knew the struggle was to be made there. 
 
 As I have said, General Beauregard was not deceived, for the 
 immense clouds of dust appearing aljove the woods indicated, 
 beyond a doubt, the Federal columns were moving in solid 
 masses in another direction, and one which was unmistakeal>le. 
 
 Just at this time, by the aid of our glass, we could see their 
 guns brought to bear on the hill where we stood, for in a few 
 minutes the smoke was discovered issuing from their batteries 
 of rifled cannon ; and before scarcely a word could be said, the 
 peculiar whiz and hissing of the balls notified us that their aim 
 had been well taken. Several balls fell in a field immediately 
 behind us, and not a hundred yards from the spot where the 
 General stood. An oflScer of Gen. Beauregard's statf requested 
 us to leave the hill, and as we moved away a shell burst not 
 
13 
 
 twenty feet off. Col. Bonner calculated with his watch the 
 time taken l\y the balls to pass us, and made the distance one 
 and three-quarter miles from the enemy's battery. The enemy 
 no doubt discovered the horses of the Generals, and thought it 
 a good opportunity to display their marksmanship, and credit is 
 due to them for the accuracy of their aim. Providence, how- 
 ever, who governs all things, covered the heads of our Generals 
 as with a shield, and ]>reserved them for the hazardous service 
 in which they were in a short hour or two to be engaged. 
 
 ATTACK UPON OUR LEFT. 
 
 It was now ab|)ut eleven o'clock, and the enemy having 
 opened with rifle cannon and shell on the right, which they had 
 continued for more than three hours, without response, we 
 heard away to the left, about three miles distant, the heavy 
 booming of cannon, followed immediately by the rattling crack 
 of musketry — the discharges being repeated and continuous — 
 Avhich notified us the engagement had commenced in earnest 
 at the point where the battle was to be fought and Avon. 
 
 Eeaching the road leading from Manassas, ni}' first experi- 
 ence was in encountering a I'egiment of A'^irginians, who had 
 run the whole distance from the Junction, and were panting 
 and cheering from fatigue and excitement. Their gallant Cole- 
 nel — I did not learn his name — stood by the roadside, making 
 appeals to the men that were enough to nerve an arm of steel. 
 " On boys, on, for God's sake! Ten minutes more and you will 
 have a chancer Xever let it be said that Virginia was last in 
 the field. One hour more and the enemy is whipped!" Ima- 
 gine men who have been longing to fight for months, in the 
 presence of an enemy, the musketry rattling distinctly only a 
 mile or two distant, ami dashing leader and such stirring out- 
 Inirst.s of passionate eloquance, and you can imagine something 
 of the impulses which sent these men flying into the field. 
 
 Here and there, lying along the road, were squads of soldiers 
 who had been in the battle, and had come out exhausted. 
 AVounded men, with heads blood^', hands shot awa}*, legs man- 
 gled, and otherwise hurt, were slowlj' wending their way with 
 their comrades towards the Junction. Ambulances filled with 
 those more seriously injured, also moved in the same direction. 
 Nearer the scene, in a shaded hollow, on the banks of a nar- 
 row creek, large numbers of the wounded were gathered and 
 undergoing various operations at the hands of the surgeons, 
 who, covered with blood and dust, ])lied the knife, saw and 
 needle, as if human flesh Avas not instinct Avith life or sensible 
 to pain. 
 
 At this point. Generals Beauregard and Johnston, accompa- 
 nied b}'^ a staff of some ten or tweh'e officers, passed at full 
 gallop, riding tOAvards their headquarters for the day, Avhich 
 were on a hill immediately overlooking the ground where our 
 
14 
 
 brave soldiers were manfully and persi^^tcntlv strngiiling for 
 the vietor}'. 
 
 A large force of cavalry were here stationed, an<l as the 
 Generals passed they called for three cheers for Beaurenard, 
 which were immediately given with right good will, and which 
 the General gracefully acknowloilged b}- lifting his hat Irom 
 his head and bowing his thanks. 
 
 Both of onr Generals were plainly dressed. 2no large ei)au- 
 letts, no gilt, nor any fuss and feathers; you could only distin- 
 guish thein at a distance to be officers b}' their swords, but on 
 a closer inspection, the marks of genius and military skill were 
 unmistakeable. Their uniform was what 1, took to be j>lain 
 undress. Not the least sign of excitement was to be seen on 
 the countenances of either as thej'^ coolly rode fofward into the 
 storm of iron hail. Beauregard's qjc glistened with expecta- 
 tion, no doubt, when he afterwards threw himself into the very 
 heart of the action, appearing then, as was afterwards most 
 expressively said of him, to be the very impersonation of the 
 " god of war." Gen. Johnston, too, looked every inch a com- 
 jnander, and proved himself to be the worthy inheritor of the 
 ])i-owess and virtues of his ancestors. 
 
 On reaching the top of the hill, where was a white house, 
 owned, I believe, by a Mr. Lewis, they Avere again discovered 
 by the enem}', as the rifled shot and shell whizzed through the 
 air and lodged in the hollow behind. The aim was not so good 
 at this time, the accurate artillerists three miles l)el()w not hav- 
 ing 3'^et come up with the enemy's main body. 
 
 THE FIGHT AT STONE BRIDGE. 
 
 Gen. Evans, of South Carolina, was the first to lead his Bri- 
 gade into action at Stone Bridge. It consisted of the Fourth 
 South Carolina Regiment and Wheat's liouisiana Battalion. 
 Sustaining them was Gen. Cocke's Brigade, consisting of the 
 Seventeenth, Nineteenth and Twenty-eighth Virginia Regi- 
 ments, commanded respectively by Colonels Cocke, Withers 
 and r^obert T. Preston. These Brigades were the first to bear 
 the brunt of the action, as they were exposed to a concentric 
 fire, the object of the enemy being to turn our left flank, while 
 we were endeavoring to turn his right. These regiments of 
 Infantry were sustaining the famous Washington Artillery, of 
 New Ui'leans, who had two of their guns at this point, which 
 made teri'ilile havoc in the ranks of the enemy. The Federal 
 troops leading the action consisted of ten thousand Regulars, 
 sustaining the celebrated Sherman's Battery, these Regulars 
 being in their turn sustained by immense masses of volunteers, 
 the New York Zouaves among the number. Gen. Beauregard 
 estimated the enemy's numbers in the action to be not less than 
 thirty-five thousand men. 
 
 The brigades of Jackson, Bartow, Bee and Cocke, also a part 
 
15 
 
 of the division of (Jen. Evans, rallied to their assistance, and 
 contested every inch of ground with a desperate determination 
 never surpassed. 
 
 The carnage at this point was terrible. The Fourth Alaba- 
 ma, of Bee's, and the Eighth Georgia, of Bartow's Brigade, 
 Avere most exposed, and contributed largely toward the results 
 achieved, by holding their position for hours under a most mur- 
 derous fire of musketry on both flanks, and a heav}- battery in 
 front, until they were relieved by reinforcements, under Col. 
 Jackson, who, was the first to reach them. The battle rapidly 
 converged to this point. 
 
 The enemy, however, had the advantage of numerical 
 strength and localit^y. Fort}' or fifty cannon Avere playing 
 Avith fearful efiect upon our troops. Their column numbered 
 Iwciity-five thousand, Avbilst Ave could onh^ op]>ose them at the 
 beginning Avith al)out eight thousand. Slowly but surely the 
 heavj' column kept on in its march, pressing our line back by 
 the Aveight of numbers, and moving on in the settled purpose 
 of turning our flank and attacking us in the rear. Gallantly, 
 however, did our army struggle for the right, and despite of 
 odds, regiment after regiment thrcAv itself in the Avay, disputing 
 the ground, inch by inch, regardless of the fact that its prede- 
 cessors had been cut to pieces or dispersed. 
 
 Many of our regiments in the rapitl changes Avhich had taken 
 place, had become decimated and disorganized; small detach- 
 ments Avere Avithout officers to lead them ; several field officers 
 had fallen, killed or wounded; and the men, Avear}- with their 
 long marches and hard fighting, Avere leaA'ing the field by 
 dozens. 
 
 Gen. Bee's Brigade could not Avithstand the fierce tornado of 
 shot and shell swee])ing through its ranks, and slowly retired, 
 fighting bravely all the time. The 4th Alabama Ivcginient 
 surtered terriblj', all of its field officers being shot doAvn, and 
 two (Col. Jones and Major Scott) left U2)ou the field. Col. 
 Jones Avas captured, but afterwards re-taken during the rout. 
 Falling back upon the position taken by Hampton's Legion. 
 Avhose pi'owess can clearly be shown by the heaps of dead iu 
 front of their line, a momentary check Avas throAvn in the 
 enem3''s approach. 
 
 GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 The}- bad now retreated to the broAv of the hill, where the 
 brigade of Gen. Jackson Avas lying j-K^rt/w, and this Avas the most 
 critical point of the day. This Brigade had been Ij'ing for 
 hours sustaining Avith unflinching courage a most terrific fire. 
 The General had his horse shot under him, and a finger of the 
 left hand shot off, but cool as a' cucumber he still urged his 
 " bo^-s " to be "stead}'," and steady they Avere, Avhen they 
 charged and butchered the Fire Zouaves and other reiiiments 
 
IG 
 
 rij:;ht and loft. Tlic General has a waj' of holdinij; his head u]i 
 very straij^iit. and his almost invarialde response to any remark 
 is " very well," whilst his ehin seems trying to get up towards 
 the top of his head. The writer remembers, in the midst of 
 the tight, to have seen the (General rallying his men, whilst his 
 chin seemed to stick out fui'ther. and his " very wells " seemed 
 to sound more euphoniously than ever, and when the writer 
 wished to pour a little whisky upon the shattered tinger. he 
 was told that it was "of no consequence." and away went the 
 General, Avith a hatter}' following him to take ])osition in some 
 advantageous spot. If any one was ever entitled to a soubri- 
 quet, the General certainl}^ deserves that of cool. 
 
 HA.MPTON LEGION. 
 
 Fighting for hours under a hot sun, without a drop of water 
 near, the conduct of our men could not be excelled; but human 
 endurance has its bounds, and all seemed about to be lost. Our 
 reserves were yet miles distant from the scene of action, whilst 
 the Hampton Legion had been stationed some distance off. but 
 the hurried order of an Aid-de-Camp to advance to the Stone 
 Bridge, set tlicm in motion, and at a double quick time they 
 passed over the four miles, at a rate which knocked up many 
 and nearly killed some wdiose pride and resolution kept them 
 up in spite of physical exhaustion. Not knowing exactly 
 where the Stone Bridge la}', the gallant Hampton following a 
 brave man's instincts, dashed for the point at which the firing 
 was heaviest, and soon found his line swept by a cross lire from 
 the batteries opposite. His men, reeling and wavering under 
 the awful shower, rocked like drunken men, but as an eye wit- 
 ness, described it, "always brought up on a balance a Icetle bit 
 nearer the enemy every time." J^ut at last their commander, 
 fearing destruction if unsupported, sent for aid. " Tell \\'\\\\ to 
 retreat," said Beauregard. "Boys," said the Colonel Avhen he 
 received the order, " we did not come here to retreat ! Shall we 
 go ahead /" A shout Avas the response, ^ind on they staggered. 
 Hampton, Avho is a capital shot, here dismounted and took a 
 rifle, calling on his boys to do as he did, aimed coolly, and 
 knocked over every one he fired at. Lieut. Col. Johnson at- 
 tempted the same and proved himself a cool soldier, but refus- 
 ing to dismount, his portly form afforded too good a mark and 
 a bullet passed through his temples. He fell, and one of his 
 young friends in the Legion, s})riuging forward, shook him and 
 halloed in his ear, but in A'ain — not a quiver of tlTc eye lid nor 
 a heave of the chest indicated that life had outlasted the pas- 
 sage of the missile. Scarce a minute before he fell he had been 
 urged to dismount, but replied, it is said, "The Yankee bullet 
 that is to kill me has not been yet cast." Alas I it Avas already 
 rammed home, and Avords uttered only to giA'c confidence to 
 his men, must pass among the vain. 
 
17 
 
 For thi-ee hours they stood the brunt of the battle in that 
 part of the field in which they were engaged, never giving an 
 inch, and never moving from their place, unless it was to ad- 
 vance. That they were in the thickest of the fight you inay 
 Judge from the fact that they liave suffered greuter'loss in pro- 
 portion to their numbers than any other regiment upon the 
 field, unless exception be made in favor of the Eighth Cxeorgia 
 Jieginient. Col. Bartow, and the Fourth Alabama, Col. Jones. 
 Col. .lIam|.)ton was wounded during a charge upon Shum])ert's 
 batterv, which was taken, ani.i he was obliged to retire from the 
 field. ' 
 
 After tl)eca])ture of Shnmpert's battery, the command of the 
 Legfon devolved u'">on Captains Conner and Gary, as senior offi- 
 cers, but they were led into action at a critical ]ieriod of the 
 day, by Cxcneral Beauregard in person, and in conjunction with 
 the other ((^ash's and Kershaw's) lleginients, turned the tide 
 of battle ; this rare compliment coming from the lips of the 
 commander in-chief in person 
 
 (5ENERAL BEE. 
 
 General Barnard E. Bee displayed a gallantry that scarcely 
 has a ])arallel in history. The brunt of the morning's battle 
 Avas sustained by his command until past two o'clock. Over- 
 whelmed by superior numbers, and compelled to ^'ield before a 
 fire that swept everything before it, General Bee rode up and 
 down his lines, encouraging his troojjs, by everything that was 
 dear to them, to stand up and repel the tide which threatened 
 them with destruction. At last his own brigade dwindled to a 
 mere handful, with every field officer killed or disabled. He 
 rode up to General Jackson and said: " General, they are beat- 
 ing us back." 
 
 The reply was: " Sir, we'll give them the bayonet." 
 
 General Bee immediately rallied the remnant of his brigade, 
 and his last words to them were: " There is Jackson, standing 
 like a stone wall. Let us determine to die here, and we will 
 conquer. Follow me ! " 
 
 His men obeyed the call, and at the head of his shattered 
 column, the veiy moment when the battle was turning in our 
 favor, he fell, mortally wounded. Gen. Beauregard was heard 
 to say he had never seen such gallantry. He never murmured 
 at his suffering, but seemed to be consoled b}' the reflection 
 that he was doing his duty. 
 
 TERRIBLE CIIAROK OF THE EIGHTH GEORGIA REGIMENT. 
 
 The Georgians went into the field with only five hundred and 
 fifty men — many of them being upon the sick list — and were 
 posted on the )-ight (jf Rev. Captain Pendleton's Virginia bat- 
 ter3^ After being shelled by the enemy for a considerable 
 time, a hail of tire which they stood like statues, the}' were 
 
18 
 
 ordered to charii^e on Sherman's batter}-. In order to do this it 
 was necessar}' to cross an intervening hoHow and establish 
 themselves in a pine thicket, where they could more cttoctually 
 flank the enemy's ])Ositi()n. 
 
 (iaining'the thicket, they opened upon the enemy. The his- 
 tory of warfare ]>r()l)altl3' affords no instance of more desperate 
 fighting than took place now. From three sides a fierce, con- 
 centrated, murderous, unceasing voile}- poured in upon this 
 devoted and heroic "six hundred" Georgians. The enemy 
 appeared upon the hill by the thousand. Between six and ten 
 regiments were visible. It was a hail of bullet-rain in that 
 fatal grove. The ranks were cut down as grain by a scvthe. 
 Whole platoons melted away as if by magic. C09I, unflinoliing 
 and stul»horn, each man fought with gallantry, and a stern 
 determination to win or die. JSoi one faltered. Col. Bartow's 
 horse was shot under him. Adjutant Bi'anch fell, mortally 
 wounded. Lieut. Col. Gardner dropped with a shattered leg. 
 The officers moved from rank to rank, from man to man, 
 cheering and encouraging the brave fellows. Some of them 
 took the muskets of the dead and began coolly firing at the 
 enemy. 
 
 It was an appalling hour. The shot whistled and tore 
 through trees and bones. The ground became literally paved 
 with the fallen. Yet the remnant stood composed and unquail- 
 ing, carefully loading, steadily aiming, uuei-ringly firing, ami 
 then quietly looking to see the effect of their shots. Mere boys 
 fought like veterans — unexcited, save with that stern " Avhite 
 heat," flameless exhileration, that battle gives to brave spirits. 
 
 Alter eight or ten rounds the regiment a])peai"cd annihilated. 
 The order was reluctantly given to cease firing and retire. 
 The stubborn fellows gave no heed. It was repeated. Still 
 no obedience. The battle spirit was up. Again it was given. 
 Three volleys had been fired after the fii-st command. At 
 length they retired, walking and fighting. Owing to the den- 
 sity of the growth, a part of tlie regiment were separated from 
 the colors. The other part formed in an open field behind the 
 thicket. The retreat continued over ground alternately Avood 
 and field. At every open spot they Avould reform, pour a volley 
 into the pursuing enemy and again retire. 
 
 From the accounts of the enemy Avho stoppetl to give Avater 
 to the wounded and rifle the dead, it seems that the Eighth cut 
 to pieces the Sixth Massachusetts, half demolished the Rhode 
 Islanders, and made deadly havoc among the Regulars. 
 
 But a horriljle mistake occurred at this point. Their own 
 friends taking them for the enemy, poured a fatal fire upon 
 their mutilated ranks. 
 
 At length they withdrew from the fight. Their final rally 
 was with some sixty men of the six hundred they took in. 
 lialaklava tells no more heroic tale than this : " Into the valley 
 of death marched the six hundred." 
 
19 
 
 As the}' retired, tliey passed Gen. Beauregard. He drew 
 aside, fronted, raised his hat, and said, " I sahite the Eio-htli 
 CTeor<j:ia with my hat off." 
 
 Of all the companies of the regiment, the Oglethorpe Light 
 Intantry suffered most. They were on the extreme rigiit near- 
 est the enem}', and thus were more exposed. Comj^osed of the 
 first young gentlemen of Savannah, their terrihle loss will 
 throw a gloom over their wiiole cit3^ 
 
 An organization of five or six 3'ears' standing they were the 
 fixvorito corps of Savannah. Colonel Bartow had long been 
 Captain and was idolized by them, while he had a band of sons 
 in thefli. It is supposed that his deep grief at the mutilation 
 of his boys, caused him to expose his lite more recklessly than 
 was necessary. He wished to die with them, if he could not 
 take them back home. 
 
 They fought Avith heroic desjieration. All young, all unmar- 
 ried, all gentlemen, there was not one of the killed who was 
 not an ornament to his community, and freighted with brilliant 
 promise. In sending them to Virginia, Savannah sent her best 
 to represent her, and their loss jn-oves how well the}' stood up, 
 how well that cit}' was represented upon a field where all were 
 brave. 
 
 DEATH OF COLONEL BARTOW. 
 
 After the gallant 8th had retired with but a fragment, Col. 
 Bartow, by General Beauregard's order, brought up the 7th 
 Georgia, exclaiming, in reply to Col. Gartrell, of the 7th, who 
 asked him where the}' should go — "Give me your flag, and I 
 will tell you." 
 
 Leading them to their stand amid a terrific fire, he posted 
 the regiment fronting the enemy, and exclaimed in those elo- 
 quent tones so full of high feeling that his friends ever expected 
 from him — ''Gen. Beauregard says you must hold this position, 
 and, Georgians, I appeal to you to hold it." 
 
 Here again they were exposed to a galling fire, tei*rible in its 
 effect, and here fell the heroic Bartow. His horse having been 
 previously killed, and the color-bearer of the Seventh being 
 likewise killed or wounded, he was on foot at the head of his 
 command, banner in hand, leading them forward in the thickest 
 of the fight, when a bullet struck him in the chest just above 
 the heart. He was immediately carried to the rear, laid upon 
 the ground with a knapsack for a pillow, and the best of medi- 
 cal attention rendered; but he was beyond the reach of human 
 aid. 
 
 AVith both hands clasped over his breast, he raised his head 
 and with a God-like effort, his eye glittering in its last gleam 
 with a blazing light, he said, witli a last heroic flash of his lofty 
 spirit, "They have killed me, but, boys, never give up the 
 
20 
 
 lield," — einpliasizin<r llic "never" in liis pecjijiav and stirring 
 manner, that all who know liim will so I'eelingly recall. 
 
 Thus perishetl as noble a soul as ever i)reathed. lie will long 
 live in rcnienibranee. He mot the fate he most wished — the 
 niart3-red patriot's grave. He was a pure patriot, an able 
 statesman, a brilliant lawyer, a chivalrie soldier, a spotless gen- 
 tleman. His imperious seorn of littleness was one of his lead- 
 ingV-haracteristics. His lotty patriotism will consign his name 
 to an immortal jjage in this country's history. He died a sol- 
 dier's death, with the bullets ot the enemy whistling around 
 him, and has left behind a memory which will long remain 
 green in the hearts of those in whose cause befell. On liearing 
 of the sad event, (ieneral .lohiiston sent a detachment to remove 
 the body to headquarters, and, by order of the I'residciit, who 
 had just arrived, it was there ])laced in a cottin and sent to the 
 bereaved wite who had parted with him in liiehmond, full of 
 hope and ha]titiness but a few days before. 
 
 A CRITICAL HOUR. 
 
 Between two and three o'clock large numbers of men were 
 leaving the field, some of them wounded, others exhausted by 
 the long struggle who gave gloomy reports; but as the fire on 
 both sides continued steadily, \vc felt sure that our brave South- 
 erners had not been conquered by the overwhelming hordes of 
 the North. It is, however, due to truth to say that the result 
 at this hour hung trembling in the balance. We had lost num- 
 bers of our most distinguished officers. Generals Bartow and 
 Bee had been stricken down; Lieut. Colonel Johnson, of the 
 Hampton Legion, had been killed; Colonel Hampton had been 
 wounded. 
 
 Fi'om the knoll near the Lewis House, the two Generals, 
 Beauregard and Johnston, had remained anxious spectators of 
 the conflict; but the time had come for action, and ]>lunging 
 their spurs into the quick-footed steeds, awa}' went the Gen- 
 erals and their staff right into the thickest of the fight. C'oming 
 up first to the Alaljamians, who were without a field officer. 
 Gen. Johnston placed the color-bearer l)y his horse's side and 
 moved on — each and all of the staff, with the Generals, vieing 
 with each other in woi'ds of encouragement to the men to come 
 on. And Avell timed Avas this movement. Already our line 
 upon the hill top was giving way, but incited to fresh deeds of 
 heroism b}' the appearance in their midst of our Generals, ap- 
 parently bringing up reinforcements, they pitched into the fray 
 witli redoubled ardor, and from that time yielded not an 
 int'li of ground. Gen. Beauregard riding over to the left took 
 charge of operations there, displaA'ing his reckless bravery by 
 riding up and down our lines between the enemy and his own 
 men, regardless of the heavy fire, cheering and encoui-aging our 
 troops. About this time a shell struck his horse, taking its 
 
21 
 
 head off, and killing the horses of his Aids, Messrs. Ferguson and 
 Hey ward. 
 
 General Beauregard's Aids deserve lionoi'able mention, par- 
 ticularly those just named, and Colonels W. Porcher Miles, 
 James Chesiiut, JohnL. Manning and A. R. Chisolm. 
 
 UNEXPECTEH REINFORCEMENTS. 
 
 Gen. Johnston •xclaimed to (Jen. Cocke Just at the critical 
 moment, "Oh, for four regiments I" His wish \vas answered, 
 .for in the distance our reinforcements api)eared. 
 
 Just at thi-N juncture, two o'clock, Gen. E. K. Smith, of Flor- 
 ida, Avith Elsey's Brigade, composed of a Tennessee and Missis- 
 sippi Eegiment, the ]3altiniore Battalion and a battery of eiglit 
 jiieces of artillery, arrived u]>on the fielil, and reported himself 
 and command to Gen. Johnston. No event could have been 
 more opportune. He heard the firing, and dismissing his guide 
 pressed on to the heavy discharges. Luckily, he came out on 
 the right of the enemy just at a moment when a large body of 
 Louisianians (as I am informed by one of the party), mingled 
 with stragglers from all the regiments, the exhausted, the sick 
 and slightly Avounded, who lay in their way, dispersed along 
 an extensive stretch of woods, were dashing forwai'd to take 
 one more blow at the enemy. The}' were at first supposed to 
 be the enemy, their arrival at that point of the field being en- 
 tirely unexpected. 
 
 THE BATTLE WON. 
 
 The enemy fell back, and a panic seized them. Cheer after 
 cheer from our men went up, and we knew the battle had been 
 won. New impulse was imparted to exhausted bodies, fresh 
 hopes were inspired, and, in a word, the tide of battle changed. 
 Instead of falling back, we now advanced. Our soldiers charged 
 to the very mouths of the cannon, and fought as if they felt 
 that the destinies of the day were suspended in the balance. 
 
 The enem}' were mowed down by hundreds. Ellsworth's 
 Zouaves, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Maine. Massa- 
 chusetts, Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin men lay in every 
 field and patch of woods. The horses of the artillery were dead 
 and dying in piles around their batteries, and the Yankees were 
 receiving a succession .of shocks which it was not possible to 
 long withstand. Still they fought obstinately and well, yield- 
 ing not so much to numbers as to the irresistible onsets which 
 followed on inl'antry and artillery alike, 
 
 THE VICTORY (iAI.NED BY SOUTH CAROLINA TROOPS. 
 
 To insure the victory, now so nearly won, but still hanging in 
 the balance, an order was sent for the Second and Eiglith Pal- 
 metto Regiments to hasten to the assistance of the left wing. 
 Couriers were dispatched to Capt. Ferryman, out scouting, and 
 
Capt. Ehett. on picket guard, to marcli across tlie fields to the 
 left, and join their regiment, the Seconil, -which was on the 
 inarch, to aid the left wing. Tiiis regiment, to which was 
 attached Kemper's Battery, followed by the Eighth. Col. Cash, 
 hurried to the scene of action. 
 
 The fast flying cannon shot now cut down several of our 
 iiumlter before they got sight of the foe. Presently tlu'v became 
 visilije, with banners insolently flaunting. aAid driving before 
 them the remains of our shattered forces. But the Second, 
 undaunted b}- the sight, ployed column, and. with a shout. _ 
 charged up the hill at the double quick. The Yankees could' 
 not stand the shock, and fell back into a wood on the west of 
 the hill, jjouring into us a galling tire. Driven through tlrts 
 wood, they again formed on a brigade of their men in a field 
 beyond, and for half an hour a severe struggle took place 
 between this regiment, with Kemper's Battery attached, un- 
 supported, and an immense force of United States troops. We 
 ])oured in a steady and deadly fire upon liieir ranks. While 
 the battle raged the Eighth South Carolina Kegiment came up, 
 and Col. Cash, ])ointing to the enemy, says: " Col. Kershaw are 
 
 those the d d scoundrels that you wish driven off the field? 
 
 I'll do it in five minutes, by God !" " Yes, Colonel," says Ker- 
 shaw, "form on our left and do it if you can." In a few 
 moments the Eighth got close up on the left, and poured in a 
 murderous fire, under which the euemj' reeled and broke. 
 
 Again they formed on a hill, and new legions covering the 
 hills around i-ushed to their suppoi"t, but the terrific fire of 
 Kemper's Battery was too much for them. The}' reeled again 
 and broke. " Forward, Second Palmetto Pegiment !" says Ker- 
 shaw. "Now is the time!" The Second and Eighth now 
 dashed foi'ward, fast but steadily, and the victory was Avon. 
 
 From eleven until four o'clock the battle lasted undiminish- 
 ed in the fierceness with which it had been commenced. 
 
 THE ENGAGEMENT ON OUR RIGHT. 
 
 The line <;f battle extended some seven miles up and down 
 the creek, and during the day there were some minor enga^-e- 
 ments at other fords. 
 
 At lilackburn's Ford, Gen. Jones' Bi'igade made an attack 
 upon the left flank of the enemy, wlio had two strong batteries 
 in a commanding position, which it was important to capture. 
 
 This brigade embraced the Seventeenth tuid Eighteenth Mis- 
 sissij)])i Regiments and the Fifth South Carolina Regiment un- 
 der command of Col. Jenkins. These Avere stationed at ]\Iac- 
 J.iane's Ford on Bull Pun. Gen. Jjongstreet was on the right 
 at Biackman's Ford, while Hen. Ewell occupied a ])osition at 
 Mitciiell's Ford. Just in front of Jones' ])osition, on a hill op- 
 })osite, was a batteiy of eight guns, which all the morning had 
 been pouring upon our forces an incessant though harmless fire. 
 
23 
 
 This Jones was to attack in front, Longstrcct in the i-ear, and 
 Ewcll on the riH;ht. 
 
 The first brigade accordingly advanced by a circuitous route, 
 the South Carolinians in fi'ont, the Seventeenth on their left and 
 the Eighteenth on their right, and took up a position on the hill 
 about half a mile from the batter}', llei'c, before the Eigh- 
 teenth were completelj' formed, the battery opened upon the 
 brigade a heav}' fire of grape, canister and musketry. The 
 South Carolinians were ordered to advance, and the}* made an 
 impetuous charge across a field about three hundred yards in 
 length. This brougiit them to the edge of an exceedingly 
 dense thicket, which covered the declivity of the hill, but our 
 boys gallantly continued theii' way under a galling storm of 
 musketry, shell and grajie, which the enemy directed into their 
 midst from the brow of a neighboring hill, until the latter were 
 forced to retreat, first under cover of their batter}-, and finally 
 to a neighboring ravine. 
 
 Now comes the most unfoi'tunate ])art of the whole atfair. 
 Col. Jeidvins and his command had charged so rapidly over the 
 hill that when the Mississippians on the left and right came 
 around the ravine, and saw the Carolinians rushing on, they 
 mistook them for retreating Yankees, and at the distance of 
 only one hundred yards opened a tremendous fire. Here most 
 of our men fell. The musketry continued until we got out of 
 their reach. It is due to them, however to say tliat their 
 officers, recognizing the South Carolinians, from their uniforms 
 and flags, threw themselves • in front of their men, and at the 
 risk of their lives endeavored to stop their firing. The Eigh- 
 teenth Regiment also fired upon the Seventeenth, and notwith- 
 standing that both Carolinians and Mississippians threw up 
 their hands and gave the signal of the day, it was impossible to 
 restrain the terrible discharge of musketr}- which continued. 
 
 By the time the Carolinians got out of the range of this un- 
 expected fire they were within four hundred yards of the 
 enem^-'s artillery, which sent grape and canister flying over 
 their heads. Meanwhile the Mississippians discovering their 
 mistake, and being in some confusion, withdrew from the 
 ground. Finding that he was thus totally unsupported, the 
 other regiments composing the brigade having left him, and 
 after having sent several couriers to General Jones, Avithout 
 response. Colonel Jenkins determined to retire. He according- 
 ly threw two companies upon tbe brow of the hill to protect 
 his retreat, and then slowly and in good order withdrew his 
 command. 
 
 Colonel Jenkins exhibited the greatest gallantry throughout 
 the action, and considering that the Mississippians made him 
 their especial mark, it is a miracle that he escaped. His stirrup 
 was struck by a bullet, and the balls whistled around him in a 
 shower. 
 
24 
 
 Within a few moments after his retreat the enemy deserted 
 their guns and likewise retired, prohably undep the ajiprehen- 
 sion that we had fallen hack to renew the charge, and it is sup- 
 })()sed did not return, as they left upon the ground a large 
 amount of luggage. There is no doubt that had the attack 
 been continued we should have completely routed the enemy, 
 captured the batter}' at that time, and have produced a totally 
 different result from that which took place. 
 
 The advance of the Carolinians was one of the bravest and 
 boldest moven'ients made during the day. The discipline was 
 admirable. Ever}" man apjieared as cool and determined as if 
 upon an evening review, and not a foot was stirred in i-etreat 
 until the order was given b}' Col. Jenkins, when it was reluc- 
 tantly obeyed. AYlien the new^s was imparted to President 
 Davis, he ])aid them the high compliment of saying that "none 
 but Carolinians would have made such a char<re." 
 
 THE EN(JA(iEMENT ON OUR CENTRE. 
 
 Col. Williams' Third Kegiinent, Col. Bacon's Seventh, to- 
 gether with Col. Kirkland's North Carolina and Col. Kelley's 
 Louisiana Regiments, constituted the centre of the general line, 
 and held Mitchell's Ford, on the direct line from Fairfax Court 
 House to Manassas. These regiments were under a cannonade 
 from sunrise until near sunset, but being entrenched they suf- 
 fered but little. Just before sundown, antl when the right of 
 the enemy gave way, they were ordered to charge the batteries 
 in their front, which they executed in a gallant style, led by 
 Gen. Bonham in person. AVhen the charge was nuule, the ene- 
 my prom])tly retired, and the loss of those I'cgiments was small. 
 Tliey pursued the enemy to Centreville, and took near one mil- 
 lion dollars' worth of Federal property. It is believed that 
 none in those regiments were killed, and but few wounded. 
 
 ARRIVAL OF THE PRESIDENT. 
 
 At about five o'clock, we heard cheer upon cheer, and the 
 word "Davis" ran along the ranks, and we saw in the distance 
 the tall, slender form of our gallant President, who had arrived 
 upon the field in time to see the total rout of the army which 
 thi"eatencd his capture, and the subjugation of the .South. 
 
 The President left Jliclnuond at six o'clock in the morning, 
 and reached Manasstis Junction at four, where, mounting a horse, 
 accompanied by Colonel Joseph ll. Davis, and numerous atten- 
 dants, he galloped to the battle field. The sight, of itself, was 
 worth the fatigue of the day's journey. Wo saw the poor 
 wounded soldiers on the roadside and in the fields, when they 
 observed the President's manly form pass by, raise their heads, 
 and heard them give shout upon shout and cheer upon cheer. 
 
^o 
 
 THE PURSUIT. 
 
 After the enemy's right began the retreat, caused mainly by 
 (he timely and impetuous charge of the Second and Eiglith Pal- 
 metto Ilegiments, an order was received from Gen. Beauregard, 
 not to engage the enem^-, should he form again, without rein- 
 forcements. Such as could be had were now hurried up. He 
 inspected the divi.sion thus increased, consisting of .the Second 
 and iMghth South Carolina Eegiments. the shattered remnants 
 of Hampton's Legion, about one hundred and tifty strong, 
 whom we had rescued (what with the killed, wounded, and 
 those attending them, few were left in the field), and one com- 
 pany- — parti}- of Marylanders. and partly of Crescent Blues of 
 New Orleans. Kemper's Battery had not been able to keep up 
 with us in the flight of the enen:iy and our rapid pursuit, for 
 Avant of horses. Ten minutes we halted, until joined by ano- 
 ther small . regiment — Preston's Virginians, I believe — then 
 moved on in the chase. Tavo miles further on, the cavalry 
 joined us; but finding the enemy posted on a hill, with artillery 
 covering the road, we threw out skirmishers, and formed in line 
 of baitie. But the Yankees after firing a fcAv cannon shot and 
 Minnie balls, again fell back. On we went, and Kemper having 
 now overtaken us, wc deployed, and allowed him to unliinber 
 and give them two or thi-ee good rounds, which completely 
 routed the Yankee column again. 
 
 THE ROUT. 
 
 The rout Avas complete. A panic seized upon the flying 
 troops, and CA-erything that could impede progress Avas throAvn 
 by the wayside, to be picked up as tro|>hies b}- our victorious 
 troops. For miles the road to Centreville Avas sti-CAvn Avith 
 caps, shoes, equipments, guns, knapsacks, blankets by the 
 thousands, ammunition, and ever}- other conceiA-able article in- 
 cident to army operations. Gen. McGoAvan says no one Avho 
 had not Avitnessed it could form any idea of the scene. There 
 were no regiments, no companies; it Avas one confused and com- 
 pact mass of flying men. As our cavalry overtook them they 
 surrendered in bodies of twenty, thirty, fifty, and so on, and 
 Avhile these Avere secured and sent to the rear, the others scat- 
 tered right and left in the Avoods, to return again in the roads 
 as opjiort unity olfered. 
 
 On arriving at Centreville, an eff'ort Avas made by some of the 
 officers to rall\' the troops and give fight to our approaching 
 forces ; but one of the latter suddenly' shouted '' the Virginia 
 caA-ahy is coming," and the Avhole detachment that had halted 
 again took to their heels. 
 
 At Henderson they had a reserve of ten thousand men, and 
 an attempt Avas made there to rally, but a cry Avas raised that 
 the dragoons were coming, and, seized b}' a neAv panic, another 
 
26 
 
 stampede commenced, to avIucIi tlie reserve added a new mo- 
 mentum and additional terrors. In a word, to paint the scene 
 is said to 1»e imjiossilile. At Henderson, many of our men, 
 nearly all in fact, laid down exhausted. ^Fany had eaten noth- 
 in</; since the day before, and all of them had been in ac^tion 
 since day dawn. The cavalry jiursued the retreatiui;- rabble 
 and hewed them down and tramjded them under foot like nox- 
 ious weed.s, 'by hundreds and hundreds. The entire road from 
 Fairfax to Alexandria was strewn with the waifs of a routed 
 army. We captured five hundred wagons, a very large number 
 of tiie finest ambulances, ])rivate carriages brought down by 
 curious friends, who came to witness a Federal victory, im- 
 mense quantities of ammunition, thirty thousand of the best 
 small arms in boxes, wliicii had never been oj^ened, man}' cases 
 of surgical instruments and valuable medical chests, together 
 with an almost incalculable amount of Commissary stores. 
 
 At Centreville, where they had a s])lendid dinner pi-epared, 
 they were obliged to leave before eating it One of the ladies, 
 in her haste to get into the carriage, fell and broke her leg, and 
 was lifted into it with her leg hanging. An nnfinished letter 
 Avas left lying on a table there from some gentleman to his 
 wife, in which he told her to direct her next letter to him in 
 Richmond, Va. The feeling with all seemed to have been that 
 they had nothing to do but come forwai'd in triumphal proces- 
 eession to our capital, and take possession of it. 
 
 INCIDENTS OF THE BATTLE. 
 
 Tlie Washington Artillery, wlio had drawn their guns up the 
 hill and in front of the house known as Mr. Lewis' — Genei-al 
 Cocke's and General Johnston's, headquarters, and which was 
 riddled with shot — commanded by Major J. B. AValton in ])er- 
 son, gave the retreating enemy a parting salute. Observ- 
 ing the carriage of a gun some two miles off, he gave the order 
 for another fire, and Lieutenant Bearing pointed tbe piece 
 Before the ball had well reached the point aimed at, a whole 
 regiment of the enemy appeared in sight, going at ''double 
 quick" down the Centreville road. Major Walton immediately 
 ordered another shot "to help them along," as he said, and two 
 were sent without delay right at them. There was no obstruc- 
 tion and the whole front of the regiment was exposed. One 
 halfwei-e seen to fall, and if (Jen. Johnston had not at that mo- 
 ment sent an aid to Major Walton, with the order to cease fir- 
 ing, nearly the whole I'egiment would have been killed. 
 
 There was a constant struggle during the da}' over the ene- 
 mj^'s batteries. Time and again were they captured by our 
 men, and very often retaken by the enemy. The most excited 
 creature on the battle field was the Kev. Mr. Repetto, Captain 
 of the Page County (Va.) Grays, who claimed the honor of tak- 
 ing Rickett's (Sherman's) Battery. Of his whole compau}', 
 
27 
 
 nearly one hundred strong-, he had onl}" eighteen uninjured 
 Another of our Eeverends, Col. Pendleton, a graduate of West 
 Point, a resident of Lexington, Virginia, and an Episcopalian 
 Minister, was quite bus}' during the day, and doubtless did more 
 than any one else to check the advancing enemy. The inquiry 
 among the prisoners was very general, " who the dkvil com- 
 manded that battery on the left, that killed so many of our 
 men?" Our repl}' was, that it was a Saint, named Pendleton. 
 
 REFLECTIONS UPON THE BATTLE. 
 
 Thus did fifteen thousand men, with eighteen pieces of artil- 
 lery, drive back ingloriousl}- a force exceeding thirty-five thou- 
 sand, sujiported by nearly a hundred pieces of cannon. I 
 believe the official reports will sustain me in the assertion that 
 Gen. Beauregard did not bi-ing more than fifteen thousand men 
 into the action. The total force under Oi en. I\[cDowell was over 
 fifty thousand, but thirty-five thousand will probal)ly cover the 
 force in action at the Stone Bridge. 
 
 The credit is accorded them that the}^ fought well and long, 
 but their cause was bad — they were on soil not their own, 
 and they met their equals who Avere fighting in defence of their 
 homes, their liberty and their honor. 
 
 The scene of carnage was beyond description. Here a pile 
 of dead and dying men; there struggling, crippled horses; and 
 over the surface of the hitherto peaceful fields the surging, 
 angry Avaves of battle still adding its victims to the long list. 
 Our light artillery batteries seem to have been more tlian a 
 match for the rifled cannon at the short distance, for our guns 
 would be fired three or four times to their once. 
 
 The despatch of President Davis to Mrs. Davis sums up the 
 results of the battle of this most eventful day in a few words: 
 ''We have won a glorious but dear bought victory. The night 
 closed with the enemy in full flight, pursued by our troops." 
 
 Upon each side the picture presents an entire contrast. Calm 
 and confident our soldiers have consigned to the grave their 
 fallen comrades, and buried also the enemj-'s dead, left without 
 sepulture on the field. They have sent in no flag of truce, be- 
 cause they fouiul it Avould not be respected for two reasons : 
 first, the}- basely prostituted its privilege on Friday before, by 
 throAving up breastworks while ostensibly burying their dead, 
 and second, because in the battle on Sunday, a New York regi- 
 ment displayed our flag and answered our friendly signal until 
 within a very short distance of the Fourth Alabama regiment, 
 and then poured a deadly volley into its ranks. For a moment 
 the Alabamians were confused by the execution in their ranks, 
 but they quickly rallied, and charged upon the renegades, re- 
 turned the fire and put them to flight among the bushes. A 
 similar deception was practiced upon the Hampton Legion with 
 a similar result — the enemy in this case being Ellsworth's Fire 
 
28 
 
 Zouaves — otherwise known as tlic " Pet r.:nnlis."' but a field 
 yet covered witli dead and luanifled forms tells the tale of the 
 terrible retribution which followi'd. 
 
 The enemy, by some means, had also possessed themselves of 
 our countersi<i;n, password, and a peculiar motion of the hand 
 which was intended as a mark of recognition among our troops, 
 and many a brave fellow was made to bite the dust by contiding 
 in those who approached thus protected in the ciruractcr of 
 friends. Various styles of badges had been adopted to distin- 
 guish our soldiers from those of the enemy, but in evei-y in- 
 stance the peculiar desire was communicated to the Federalists, 
 and being imitated, resulted in more harm than good. 
 
 Another plan of deception was adopted by the Yankees. 
 Squads of them M'ould get into the edge of the dense wood and 
 undergrowth, and from that concealed position shoot our men, 
 and then fall back motionless as if dead. The trick was ilis- 
 covered by a couple of South Carolinians, however, just as one 
 of the scamjis was in the act of tiring, and he met the fate he 
 deserved. A number of other apparently dead bodies lying in 
 the vicinity attracted the attention of our boys and making an 
 examination they discovered no less than a half dozen of the 
 cowardly dogs picking off our men at every shot. They begged 
 for meixy, but the incensed Carolinians sent ilioir souls into 
 eternity without compunction ori-emorse. 
 
 The meanness and barbarity of our foes becomes more a))- 
 parent the more we investigate their conduct. Thirty thousand 
 pair of hand-cutts avci'c found in the baggage wagons, which 
 were on their waj^ to Richmond. If they expect to overcome 
 us, they must set their smiths at work at once, for tliej^ will 
 need millions of pairs, not thousands. The_y will be obliged to 
 use them even on our children, for there is scarcely a two years' 
 old boy among us who does not know how to tire a gun, and 
 would be found willing to do it in defence of our rights. 
 
 HONORABLE MENTION. 
 
 It would be idle to attempt to a])[)or(ion the credit of the 
 day among our able and consummate (xenerals. The first 
 jiraise is due to Gen. Beauregard, who planned the defence, and 
 prepared so admirably and com])Ietely the fortune that was 
 won. Each division of our gallant army did its duty, its whole 
 duty, without faulter or default. The ))lan of battle chosen by 
 the enemy forced the heavy fighting upon Johnston's commantl, 
 who met the danger and fought the good fight, as their country 
 expected them to do. To say "well done, brave and fiiithful 
 soldiers," is to give ex])ression to the language of every heart 
 and tongue. Ever}?- soldier and every officer did his dut}', and 
 henceforward, through all time, it will be the highest pride of 
 ever}' man in that gallant arm}' to say that he was at Manassas 
 on the 21st of July. 
 
 In token of the \uis\\ esteem in which our President held the 
 
29 
 
 gallantry and services of Gen. Beauregard, he addressed him 
 the following hotter, written the evening after the battle : 
 
 3IANASSAS, Ya., July 21, 18G1. 
 
 Sir : — A])])reciating your services in the battle of Manassas, 
 and on several other occasions during the existing war, as 
 affording the highest evidence of your skill as a commander, 
 3'our gallantly as a soldier, and your zeal as a patriot, you are 
 promoted to be General in the Arm}- of the Confederate States 
 of America, and with the consent of the Congress will be duly 
 commissioned accordinglv. Yours, etc., 
 
 JEFF. DAYIS. 
 
 Gen. G. T. Beauregard. 
 
 THE NEWS OF THE BATTLE IN CONGRESS. 
 
 At Bichmond. on ]\ronday, the following dispatch, dated at 
 Manassas. .Sunday night, was read by the Clerk of Congress: 
 
 To S. Cooper, A<ijutant General C. S. A.: 
 
 Kight has closed upon a hard fought field. Our foix-es have 
 won a glorious victory. The enemy was routed and fied pre- 
 cipitatelv, abandoning a large amount of arms, ammunition, 
 knapsacks and baggage. The ground Avas strewn for miles 
 with those killed, and the farm houses and the grounds around 
 were filled with his wounded. The pursuit was continued along 
 several routes towards Leesburg and Centrcn-ille, until dark- 
 ness covered the fugitives. We have captured several field bat- 
 teries, a regimental stand of colors, and one United States flag. 
 Many prisoners have been taken. 
 
 Too high praise cannot be bestowed, whether for the skill of 
 the princi])al officers or for the gallantr}- of all the troops. 
 The battle was mainly fought on our left, several miles from 
 our field fortifications. Our force was fifteen thousand; that 
 of the enemy is estimated at thirtv-five thousand. 
 
 Signed, ^ JEFF. DAYIS. 
 
 The following resolutions were ofiercd by Mr. Memminger: 
 Fe.'iolrefl. That we recognize the hand of Most High God, 
 the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, in the glorious vic- 
 toiy with which He hath crowned our army at Manassas, and 
 that the people of these Confederate States are invitecl, by 
 appro])riate services on the ensuing Sabbath, to ofter up their 
 united thanksgiving and praise for this might}' deliverance. 
 
 Eesolvcd, That deepl}' deploring the necessity which has 
 marked the soil of our countr}- with the blood of so many of 
 her noblest sons, we offer to their respective families and friends 
 our warmest and most cordial SA^mpathy, assuring them that 
 the sacrifice made will be consecrated in the hearts of our peo- 
 ple, and will there enshrine the names of the gallant dead as 
 the champions of free and constitutional liberty. 
 
30 
 
 NORTHERN ACCOUNT OF THE GREAT ROUT. 
 
 The correspondent of the New York World (a Eopublican 
 paper), gives the following aecount of the retreat of the " Cirand 
 Army." lie says: Is ear four o'cloc^ 1 rode forward througli 
 the open plain to the creek where the abattis was being assailed 
 b}' our engineers. The Ohio, Connecticut and Minnesota Eegi- 
 ments were variouslj' posted thereabout; others were in dis- 
 tant portions of the field ; all were completely exhausted and 
 partly dissevered ; no General of division, except IVlcr, could 
 be found. Where were our officers? Where was the foe? 
 Who knew whether we had won or lost ? 
 
 The question was quickly to be decided for us. A sudden 
 swoop and a body of cavalry rushed down ui)<)n our columns 
 near the bridge. They came from the woods on the left, and 
 in+antry poured out behind them. Tyler and his staff", with the 
 reserve, were apparently cut off by the quick maiianivre. 1 
 succeeded in gainiug the position 1 had just left, there wit- 
 nessed the capture of C'arlisle's batteiy in the plain, and saw 
 another force of cavalry and infantry pouring into the road at 
 the ver}' spot where the battle had commenced, and near which 
 the South Carolinians, who manned the battery silenced in the 
 morning, had, doubtless, all day been lying concealed. 
 
 The ambulances and wagons gi'aduall}' advanced to this spot, 
 and, of course, an instantaneous confusion and dismay resulted. 
 Our own infantry broke ranks in the field, plunged into the 
 woods to avoid the road, and got up the hill as best they could, 
 without leaders, every man saving himself in his own way. 
 
 By the time 1 reached the toj) of the hill, the retreat, the 
 l^anic, the heedless, headlong confusion Avas now beyond a 
 hope. I was near the rear of the movement, with the brave 
 Capt. Alexander, who endeavored, by the most gallant, but 
 unavailable exertions, to check the onward tumult. It was 
 difficult to believe in the reality of our sudden reverse. " What 
 does it all mean ?" 1 asked of Alexander. " It nieaiis defeat," 
 was his reply. " We are beaten ; it is a shameful, a cowardly 
 reti-eat ! Hold up, men !" he shouted, " don't be such infernal 
 cowards I" and he rode backwards and forwards, placing his 
 horse across the road, and vainly trying to rally the running- 
 troops. The teams and wagons confused and dismembered 
 every corps. 
 
 We were now cut off from the advance body b}' the enemy's 
 infanti-y, who had rushed on the slope just left b}- us, surround- 
 ed the guns and sutler's wagons, and were apparently pressing 
 up against us. " It's no use, Alexander," 1 said, "you must 
 leave with the rest." "I'll be d — d if I will," was his sullen 
 reply, and the splendid fellow rode back to make his way as 
 best he could. Meantime 1 saw officers with leaves and eagles 
 
31 
 
 on their shoulder straps, Majors and Colonels, who had deserted 
 their comi'ades, pass me i^alloping as if for dear life. No enemy 
 pursued just then ; but I su])])ose all wei-e afraid that his guns 
 would he trained down the long, narrow avenue, and mow the 
 retreating thousands, and batter to pieces arm}' wagons and 
 everything else which crowded it. 
 
 But what a scene! and how terrific the onset of that tumult- 
 uous retreat I For three miles hosts of Federal troops — all 
 detached from their regiments, all mingled in one disorderly- 
 rout — were fleeing along the i-oad, but mostl}' through the loss 
 on either side. Army wagons, sutler's teams and private car- 
 riages choaked the passage, tumbling against each other, amid 
 clouds of dust, and sickening sights and sounds. Hacks, con- 
 taining unlucky spectatoi-s of the late atfray, Avere smashed like 
 glass, and the occupants were lost sight of in the debris. Horses, 
 fiA'ing wildly from the battle-field, many of them in death 
 agony, galloped at random forward, joining in the stampede. 
 Those on foot who could catch them rode them bareback, as 
 much to save themselves from being run over as to make q^iick- 
 er time. 
 
 Wounded men lying along the banks — the few either left on 
 the field nor taken to the captured hospitals, appealed, with 
 raised hands, to those who rode horses, begging to be lifted be- 
 hind ; but few regarded such petitions. Then the artillery, 
 such as was saved, eame thundering along, smashing and over- 
 powering everAthiug. The regular cavalry,! record it to their 
 shame, joined in the melee, atlding to its terrors, for the}' rode 
 down footmen without mercy. One of the great guns was 
 overturned, and lay amid the ruins of a caisson, as I passed it. 
 I saw an artilleryman running between the ponderous fore and 
 after wheels, of his gun-carriage, hanging on with both hands 
 and vainl}' striving to jump upon the ordnance. The drivers 
 were spurring the horses; he could not cling much longer, and 
 a more agonizing expression never fixed the features of a drown- 
 ing man. The carriage bounded from the roughness of a steep 
 hill leading to a creek; he lost his hold, fell, and in an instant 
 the great wheels had crushed the life out of h'un. 
 
 AVIio ever saw such a flight. Could the retreat at Borodino 
 haA'c exceeded it in confusion and tumult? I think not. It 
 did not slack in the least until Centreville was reached. There 
 the sight of the reserve — Miles' Brigade — formed in order on 
 the hill, seemed somewhat to reassure the van. But still the 
 teams and foot soldiers pushed on, passing their own camp and 
 heading swiftly for the distant Potomac, until for ten miles the 
 road over Avhich the Grand Army had so lately passed south- 
 ward, gay with unstained banners, and flushed with surety of 
 strength, was covei-ed with the fragments of its retreating 
 forces, shattered and panic-stricken in a single day. From the 
 branch rout the trains attached to Hunter's Division had cauirht 
 
32 
 
 "lie contagion of the flight, and poui*ed into its alroa<ly swollen 
 turrcnt another turbid freshet of confusion and dismay. 
 
 Who ever saw a more shameful aliaiidonment of munitions 
 gathered at such vast expense? The teamsters, many of them, 
 cut the traces of their hoi-scs. and gallo]>ed from tlie wagons. 
 Others threw out their loads to accelerate their llight. and 
 grain, ])iclcs and shovels, and provisions of every kind, lay 
 tram]»led in the dust for leagues. Thousands of muskets strewed 
 the route. When some of us succeeded in rallying a ixxly of 
 fugitives, and forming them in a line across the road, hardly one 
 hut had thrown away his arms. If the enemy had brought up 
 his artillerists, and served upon the retreating train, or had 
 interce]>ted our progress with tive hundred of his cavalry, he 
 might have captured enough suj)plies for a week's feast of, 
 thanksgiving. As it was, enough was left behind to tell the 
 story of the panic. The rout of the Federal army was 
 complete. 
 
 The siglit of ]\riles' reserve di-awii wj» on llir hills at ("I'utre- 
 villc. sup])orting a full l>attery of tield ])ieces, and the etioi'ts of 
 the few oHicers still faithful to their trust, encouraged many of 
 the fugitive infantry to seek their old camps and go no further. 
 But the nuijority jnished on to a })oint near the late site of 
 (rcrinantown, where Lieutenant Brisbane had formed a line of 
 Hunt's Artilkny across the road, and rejiulsed all who attempted 
 to break through. 
 
 While he was thus engaged, a courier arrived with the news 
 that Colonel Montgomeiy was advancing with a New Jersey 
 Brigade from Falls Cluirch, and that the retreat must be 
 stopped, only the wagons being aliowcil to pass through. Some 
 thousands of the soldiery had already got far on their wa}' to 
 Washington. These were those from whom the details of the 
 re])ulse were gathered this moi'iiing. Poor fellows I who could 
 Ijlaine them ''. Their own Colonels had deserted them, only 
 leaving orders for them to reach Ai'lington Heights as soon as 
 they could. 
 
 A few miles further, I met Montgomery swiitly jn-essing to 
 the rescue, and reported the success of Lieut. Brisbane's efforts. 
 And so 1 i-ode along, as well as my wearied horse could carry 
 me, past groups of straggling fugitives, to Fairfax, where Col. 
 Woodbury was expecting and guarding against a flank move- 
 ment of the enemy, and on again to Long Bridge and the Poto- 
 mac. But the van of the runaway soldiers luul made such time 
 that I found a host of them at the Jersey entrenchments begging 
 the sentinels to allow them to cross the bridge. To-day we learn 
 of the safe i-ctreat of the main body of the army; that they 
 were feebl>' followed by the rebels as far as Fairfax; but 
 are now within the Ai-lington lines, and that 3IcJ)owell, a 
 stunned and van(piished (ieneral, is overlooking the wreck of 
 his columns from his old quarters at the Custis mansion.