P' 
 
 • '"/*■ 
 
 
 
COL. GEORGE WASHINGTON FLOWERS 
 MEMORIAL COLLECTION 
 
 DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 DURHAM. N. C. 
 
 PRESENTED BY 
 
 W. W. FLOWERS 
 
 JOSEPH KJZICKA, 
 
 BOOKBINDERS- 
 BALTIMORE, MO ! 
 
Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive 
 in 2010 witii funding from 
 Duke University Libraries 
 
 littp://www.arcliive.org/details/battleofyoungsbrOOward 
 
BATTLE OF YOUNG'S BRANCH : 
 
 OK, 
 
 MANASSAS PLAIN, 
 
 FOUGHT JULY 21, 1861. 
 
 WITH MA Pi* OK VHK BATTLK KIEI.U MADE BV ACTUAL riUKVKV, AND TUK TARIOCS 
 
 POSITIONS OP THE RKGIMENTS AND ARTILLKKY COMPANIES PLACBD THRREON, 
 
 •WITH AK ACCOUNT OF THE MOVEMENTS OF EACH, PROCLRBD FROM THE 
 
 COMMANDING OFFICER, OR AN OFFICER OF THE REGIMENT. ALSO, 
 
 AN ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE 
 
 ALSO, THK JJATTLK GROUND OF THE 18tH JCLV, ISOl, WITH GENERAL 
 BEAURHGARD's REPORT OF SAID BATTLE. 
 
 By T. B. Warder & Jas. M. Catlett. 
 
 RICHMOND: 
 
 ENQUIRER BOOK AND JOB PRESS 
 
 T Y L K R , WISE, A L L E G R E AND SMITH. 
 
 1862. 
 
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 #-^.....,„„,,j| 1^ - : 
 
 
BATTLE OF YOUIG'S BRANCH : 
 
 OR, 
 
 MANASSAS PLAIN, 
 
 FOUGHT JULY 21. 1861. 
 
 WITH MAPS OF THE BATTLK FIELD MADE BY ACTUAL STTRVET, AND THE VARIOUB 
 
 POSITIONS or TOB REGIMENTS AND ARTILLKRY COMPANIES PLACED THEREON, 
 
 WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE MOVEMENTS OF EACH, PROCURED FROM THE 
 
 COMMANDING OFFICER, OR AN OFFICER OF THE REGIMENT. ALSO, 
 
 AN ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE. 
 
 ALSO, THE BATTLE GROUND OF THE IStH JULY, 1S61, WITH GENERAL 
 BEATJRKGARD'S REPORT OF SAID BATTLE. 
 
 By T. B. Warder & Jas. M. Catlett. 
 
 rich:mond^ 
 
 ENQUIRER BOOK AND JOB PRESS. 
 
 TYLER, WISK, 4LLE0RE AND SMITH. 
 
 18G2. 
 
^(ci'l. 
 
THE FLOWERS COlUClJL.i '^'^-^ 
 
 a^'''- PREFACE, '^^^'"^'i'- tri, 
 
 The object of this work is three-fold. In the first place 
 it is designed to give the movements of the two armies in 
 this great battle with such accuracy as to enable the pro- 
 fessional reader to derive the instruction concerning the 
 management of troops when engaged in battle that could 
 not be gained otherwise except upon- the battle field; and 
 to become acquainted with the manocuvrings necessary 
 to ensure success. 
 
 Secondly, to excite a spirit of patriotism throughout 
 the country by attracting particular attention to the gal- 
 lant bearing of our soldiers and their glorious achieve- 
 ments in the great battle. And, third, by enabling each 
 soldier engaged in the battle, by recording his name on 
 the page reserved for the purpose, and stating the number 
 of his regiment, to have his movements in the fight fully 
 explained; and the friend of any soldier, whether he sur- 
 vived the battle or fell in the deadly conflict, to obtain 
 and preserve a record of his movements -on that eventful 
 and memorable day. 
 
 276169 
 
THE BATTLE OF YOUXG'S BRANCH, 
 OR MAXASSAS PLAIN, 
 
 Fought July 21, 1861. 
 
 After the entire exhaustion of all the means in the 
 power of the slaveholding States to preserve to 
 themselves an honorable peace, they find themselves 
 involved in war. The only condition upon which 
 war could have been evaded by them involved the 
 unconditional surrender of their sovereignty and the 
 sacrifice of all the rights and privileges guaranteed 
 to them by the Constitution of their fathers. Could 
 they have preserved peace and evaded Avar by the 
 sacrifice of these, (humiliating, indeed, the thought) 
 it would have been but transient ; and the short 
 and delusive interval would have been employed to 
 strengthen the arm of oppression and increase its 
 exactions — whilst tame acquiesence, on our part, 
 would have sunk us in our own estimation, stifled 
 the inborn spirit of our fathers, and rendered re- 
 sistance more difficult, success more hopeless, and 
 made peace to us but another term for vassalage. 
 
 It is because we are determined to be free, the al- 
 ternative of war has been forced upon us. The issue 
 has been joined. The God of Battles has been ap- 
 pealed to ; and the struggle for freedom is begun. 
 
 9 7 ^ i 1^ a 
 
8 
 
 The great battle, that unerringly tests the relative 
 capacities of the t^YO powers to sustain themselves 
 the unnatural coniiict has been foudit, and we 
 
 m 
 
 derive therefrom the comfortable assurance that the 
 result of this battle clearly indicates the result of 
 the war. 
 
 It is not contended that there will be no more bat- 
 tles — many have since been fought with like results 
 — or, that there will be no more so extensive and so 
 bloody ; but, it is contended, that the Battle of 
 Young's Branch, or Manassas Plain, has produced 
 such feeling throughout the two sections as must 
 almost inevitably result in the final triumph of 
 the Cenfederate States — a feeling of misgiving that 
 greatly intimidates the North, while an increased 
 confidence stimulates the South to a more invincible 
 determination to prosecute the defence. It has 
 proven that the Federals do not think they are con- 
 tending for anything worth dying for ; and, that 
 the Confederates know they are fighting for every- 
 thing dear to a free people, and would prefer death 
 to defeat. And, what is best of all, it has proven to 
 both North and South that the Lord is on our side. 
 In the war with Mexico, the battle of Buena Yista 
 produced like results to those claimed for this battle. 
 In every subsequent conflict betAveen the two armies 
 the Mexicans seem to have been overwhelmed with 
 the conviction of their inferiority — a conviction 
 that seldom fails to defeat an army before the fight 
 bec'ins. Since the battle of the 21st of July, no 
 
Federal army can be brought into the field which is 
 not already defeated by a roisgiving that results from 
 a consciousness of the superior valor and bravery of 
 the Confederate troops, and the vastly superior skill 
 of our Generals. For this reason, we must not expect 
 to bring them into another battle with us, unless 
 this consciousness is overcome by assurance of very 
 superior advantage in some way or other — either in 
 position or numbers. This battle has not only accom- 
 plished these important considerations, but it is very 
 properly considered the greatest and most scientific 
 battle ever fought on the American Continent. It 
 is a matter of general interest, therefore, to know, 
 as accurately as possible, the manner in which it was 
 conducted. 
 
 In order to understand fully the movements of the 
 troops of both armies, a survey has been made and 
 the topography of the ground on which the fighting 
 was done, accurately shown, and a general map show- 
 ing the routes by which the two armies marched to 
 the battle ground, that the reader may have no diffi- 
 culty in understanding their movements and fully 
 appreciating the skill by which they were conducted. 
 
 The FederpJs resorted to war to enforce their 
 authority over the Confederate States, relying upon 
 superior advantages and superior numbers to coerce 
 us into ignoble submission to them. They boasted a 
 population greater than that of the entire South, in 
 the ratio of at least three to two, and the possession 
 of all the means for military operations, both by land 
 
10 
 
 and sea, that previousl}^ belonged to both sections. 
 Having boldly proclaimed their purpose, the first 
 object to be attained was the triumphal march of a 
 grand army through Virginia to Richmond, and 
 thereby to obtain possession of the Confederate 
 Capital. The point from which this grand army was 
 to march was Washington city ; and the route by 
 which it was to march, the Orange and Alexandria 
 and Central Railroads. After this vaunting and 
 audacious declaration of their purpose, their failure 
 to move onward, under circumstances of so much 
 advantage, could be attributed to nothing but sheer 
 cowardice. They could not now be otherwise than 
 fully conscious that the e^^es of the world were 
 upon them, and that upon their first battle depended, 
 to V. great extent, the success of all their efforts to 
 accomplish their Avicked designs upon the South, 
 and they accordingly made the most ample prepara- 
 tions for the grand movement. An army sufficient 
 in numbers, an abundance of the very best artillery, 
 together with everything to render the movement 
 effectual tliat science and ingenuity could suggest 
 and supply, were all procured and placed at the com- 
 mand of one of the greatest and most scientific 
 Generals of the age — General McDowell. This is 
 stated in reference to General McDowell without the 
 fear of contradiction ; and his plans of operation in 
 this one battle are relied upon to sustain the assump- 
 tion, in the estimation of men of judgment, without 
 
11 
 
 reference to preceding circumstances which secured 
 to him the high and responsible post. 
 
 While this movement was engaging the utmost 
 exertion and skill of the Federals, the unpretending 
 genius of the Confederate officers was employed to 
 baffle and thwart it. 
 
 While the Federals were glorying in their exten- 
 sive means, having all the army and naval prepara- 
 tions of the former United States, carefully provided 
 in their palmiest days, the Confederates Avere re- 
 duced to circumstances which rendered their situa- 
 tion critical and embarrassing beyond conception — 
 being cut oif from all foreign ports and confined to 
 means only within their own limits, with all the im- 
 portant forts and arsenals therein in the hands of 
 the enem^^ It is much doubted whether a nation 
 ever w^as driven to the alternative of war Avith so 
 great a disparity of munitions. 
 
 Gen. G. T. Beauregard was appointed to conduct 
 this defensive movement along the Potomac. His 
 sagacity soon led him to select Manassas Junction 
 as the centre of his operations. Perceiving clearly 
 the grand army from Washington could not proceed 
 well towards Richmond, without securing the use of 
 the Railroad, by which to forward its supplies, he 
 at once addressed himself to the ample fortifica- 
 tion of this place, so as to be able to hold it with the 
 small force at his command as^ainst threat odds. His 
 force, at first very small, was also undisciplined. 
 And to work them upon the fortifications, conflicted 
 
12 
 
 very much with their preparation for service in the 
 field. To obviate this, he called upon the citizens of 
 the surrounding country, for hands to work on the 
 fortifications, and thereby was enabled to relieve the 
 soldiers to considerable extent, and afford them 
 opportunity for drilling. Companies, regiments and 
 brigades arrived at this point with encouraging 
 rapidity; some with arms and many without them. 
 Where' arms and ammunition were obtained for 
 many of the men, the writer has not yet learned ; 
 for having been at Manassas, four days before the 
 battle, he saw within the camp, companies of men for 
 whom arms had not yet been procured. 
 
 About this time it was understood that Colonel 
 Patterson, who was in command of a strong division 
 of the Federal army, in the vicinity of Martinsburg, 
 high up on the Potomac, had suddenly withdrawn 
 from that point, in the direction of Washington, as if 
 to join McDowell. (This was afterwards understood 
 to be the fact, in relation to his movement, and Pat- 
 terson was severely censured by the Federal press, 
 for not being present with his command in this 
 battle). 
 
 Gen. Johnston, who was in command of the Con- 
 federate army at Winchester, and who was watching 
 the movements of Patterson, and trying to bring him 
 to a fight, was too sagacious not to perceive at once 
 the object of his secret withdrawal, and immediately 
 took steps to counteract any effect produced by a 
 junction of his forces with McDowell's, by ordering 
 
13 
 
 his command at once to Manassas, in aid of Gen. 
 Beauregard. 
 
 Gen. Johnston, therefore, and a portion of his 
 command, had arrived at Manassas before this bat- 
 tle, but a portion were detained on the route, by a 
 collision of trains on the road. 
 
 Thus stood affairs as the grand army of the Fed- 
 erals was niaking demonstrations in the direction of 
 Manassas. 
 
 Attention is now directed to the general map 
 which exhibits Manassas — the road from this place 
 to Centrcville, by MitchelPs Ford — and Bull Run, 
 from Sudley to McLean's Ford. This much of the 
 country is considered enough for the object in view. 
 All else, for prudential reasons, being designedly 
 omitted. 
 
 Gen. McDowell's first plan Avas, to march on 
 Manassas, either by Mitchell's and Blackburn's Fords, 
 or the crossings below them. 
 
 Gen. Beauregard, with peculiar astuteness, had 
 ascertained this, and prepared to make his passage 
 of this stream, at any of these points, as difficult as 
 possible, and to contest his progress over every inch 
 of ground, from any point or points, at which he 
 might effect a crossing, to Manassas. 
 
 Slight reconnoissances and small demonstrations 
 satisfied McDowell he v/as anticipated, and caused 
 him to change his plan. His demonstration on 
 Mitchell's and Blackburn's Fords on the 18th, three 
 days before this battle, was subsequent to the purpose 
 
14 
 
 to change his plan, and must, therefore, have been a 
 deception, to induce Gen. Beauregard to believe his 
 design was to make his strong effort to effect a 
 crossing at these fords, and thereby induce him to 
 concentrate the main body of his troops at these 
 points, whilst he (McDowell) would effect a crossing 
 higher up the stream. 
 
 The abandonment of his first purpose, and the 
 adoption of his second, evinces, in Gen. McDowell,, 
 much that constitutes the great General, and entitles 
 him to all that is claimed for him in this sketch. 
 
 His second plan was as follows : 
 
 The fifth division of his grand army, composed of 
 at least four brigades, under command of Gen. Miles, 
 was to remain at Centreville, in reserve, and to 
 make a false attack on Blackburn's and Mitchell's 
 Fords, and thereby deceive Gen. Beauregard as to 
 his intention. The first division, composed of at 
 least three brigades, commanded by Gen. Tyler, was 
 to take position at the Stone Bridge, and feign an 
 attack upon that point. The third division, com- 
 posed of at least three brigades, commanded by 
 Heintzelman, was to proceed as quietly as possible 
 to the lied House Ford, and there remain, until the 
 troops guarding that ford should be cleared away. 
 The second division, composed of three or four 
 brigades, commanded by Hunter, was to march, 
 unobserved by the Confederate troops, to Sudley, 
 and there cross over the Run and move down the 
 stream to the Red House Ford, and clear away any 
 
15 
 
 troops that might be guarding that point, when he 
 was to be joined by the third or H^intzehnan's di- 
 vision. Together, these two divisions were to charn-e 
 upon, and drive away, any troops that miglit be 
 stationed at the Stone Bridge, when Tyler's division 
 was to cross over and join them, and thus produce 
 a junction of three formidable divisions of the grand 
 army across the Run, for offensive operations against 
 the forces of Gen. Beauregard, which he expected 
 to find scattered along the Run for seven or eiHit 
 ]iiiles — the bulk of them being at and beJow 
 Mitchell's Ford, and so situated as to render a con- 
 certed movement by them utterly impracticable. 
 
 The merest glance at this plan of McDowell, 
 wholly unknown to Gen. Beauregard, makes one 
 almost tremble for the fate of his little army, and 
 makes it difficult to realize that he could, and did, per- 
 ceive it in time to thwart it. 
 
 All the information in relation to McDowell's 
 plan and movements, is derived from the official 
 reports of himself and officers. By these we also 
 learn that each division of the grand army was well 
 supplied witli fine cavalry companies and an abun- 
 dance of the finest artillery ever taken upon the field; 
 that his gr;ind array was to be in motion at 2 
 o'clock, A. M., of the 21st, and en route for their 
 different positions in time to reach them and be in 
 position by the break of day. Also, that they had 
 four days rations cooked and stored away in their 
 haversacks— evidently for the purpose of gaining 
 
IG 
 
 Manassas, and liolding it, until their supplies should 
 reach them by the railroad from Alexandria. Thus 
 stood the arrangements and plans of the grand army 
 on the evening preceding the battle of the 21st. 
 
 As before stated, General Beauregard had been 
 anticipating his march on Manassas by the lower 
 routes fi'om Washington and Alexandria in that di- 
 rection, and had previously learned from his move- 
 ments that such was certainly his purpose. But that 
 he had abandoned this plan and resolved upon turn- 
 ing his left flank by the plan above stated, he must 
 have been wholly ignorant, as it was but a few hours 
 before the battle that General McDowell communi- 
 cated this to his most trusty officers. This appears 
 from Barnard's official report. General Beauregard 
 was, therefore, compelled to await the development 
 of his plans by his movements on the morning of the 
 battle. And had he not known the unholy designs 
 of the Federals upon the South, which clearly indi- 
 cated a defiance of God and contempt for His holy 
 commandments, there would have been religious ser- 
 vice in nearly all his camps, and his men allowed to 
 rest, both from the duties of the camps and the tur- 
 moils of the battle on that holy Sabbath, selected by 
 an infidel foe, for an attack upon a CJiristian people. 
 
 In his entire ignorance of the enemy's plan of 
 attack. General Beauregard was compelled to keep 
 his army posted ^along the stream for some eight or 
 ten miles, while his wily adversary intended to de- 
 velope his purpose to him by concentrating those 
 
formidable divisions of liis army in rear of his left 
 flank before the morning sun should unveil a single 
 movement. And still under the impression that 
 McDowell intended to march by the lower fords, he 
 kept the principal body of his troops below and near 
 Manassas. But in order to prevent a surprise, by a 
 change of the enemy's plans, he took the precaution 
 to deploy a portion of his troops in the direction of 
 Sudley. "^ 
 
 Colonel Robert T. Preston, in command of the 28th 
 Virginia Regiment, was sent on picket duty in the 
 direction of Cub Run Bridge. Colonel J. B. Strange, 
 in command of the 19th Virginia Regiment, was sta- 
 tioned at Levr^is's Ford. Colonel Eppa Hunton, in com- 
 mand of the 8th, and Colonel William Smith, in com- 
 mand of the 49th Virginia Regiments, were on the 
 Lewis Hill, in proximity to the two fords — Lewis's and 
 Ball's. Colonel J. B. E. Sloan, in command of the 4th 
 South Carolina Regiment, and Major Vf heat, in com- 
 mand of a Battalion of Louisiana Volunteers, with 
 Latham's Battery, all commanded by Colonel Evans, 
 were stationed on the Vanpelt Hill, commanding the 
 Stone Bridge, and two companies of the 2d Mississippi 
 Regiment were deployed as pickets in the direction of 
 Sudley. These were the relative positions of the 
 two armies on the morning of the 21st July, 1861. 
 
 Attention is now directed to the map of the battle 
 field. 
 
 Before 2 o'clock, A. M., the grand army was 
 aroused and ordered to be ready to march at that 
 
18 
 
 hour. It was, however, much regretted hy General 
 jMcDowell and some of his officers that the road at 
 Centrcville was so blocked up by the vast columns of 
 his troops as to delay their forward movement until 
 the Sunday morning sun developed to the Confede- 
 rate Generals the direction of their march. Hun- 
 ter's Division, which was to have been at S'udley by 
 the break of day, did not get there until half-past 
 nine. Tyler's, which was to have been at the Stone 
 Bridge before day and quietly av.aiting day break to 
 make a feint upon the troops at that point, so as to 
 hold their attention until Hunter should attack them 
 in their rear, did not reach that point until half-past 
 six. Heintzelman's Division, which was to reach 
 the Red House Ford by day break, found no road 
 leading in that direction, and followed Hunter on to 
 Sudlcy and reached that point at eleven. 
 
 On ascertaining that the enemy was marching to 
 his left, General Beauregard despatched Generals 
 Bee and Bartow, v>dth their respective commands, in 
 the direction of Sudley quite early in the morning. 
 
 Colonel Robert T. Preston withdrew his regiment 
 from the vicinity of Cub Run, where he had been 
 stationed the preceding niglit, to Ball's Ford, to 
 guard that crossing. Cannonading and skirmishing 
 commenced quite early in the morning. Two of the 
 enemy's batteries opened on Mitchell's and Black- 
 burn's Fords, and two upon the Stone Bridge and 
 Lewis's Ford, sending all kinds of deadly missiles at 
 the men on guard at those places. For the purpose 
 
19 
 
 of ascertaining the point on which the enemy de- 
 signed marching his main force, General Beauregard 
 had given orders to his men to keep concealed at the 
 several points, and not to return his fire until he 
 arrived within a certain distance, except at Lewis's 
 Ford, where two guns of Latham's Battery and two 
 of Rogers's took position and returned his fire quite 
 early in the morning. 
 
 From the top of the Vanpelt Hill, Colonel Evans 
 observed Hunter's Division marching in the direc- 
 tion of Sudley, between eight and nine o'clock, with 
 evident intention of flanking him, whereupon lie with- 
 drew his force from the Yanpelt Hill, after deploying 
 three companies to protect the bridge, and took posi- 
 tion at the Pittsylvania House ; from which position 
 he could protect both the Red House Ford and the 
 Stone Bridge. By this time the commands of Gene- 
 rals Bee and Bartow had arrived at the Lewis Farm, 
 and slight skirmishing announced the arrival of 
 Hunter in the direction of Sudley. 
 
 General Bemiregard was now compelled to resort 
 to means to check him until he could ascertain his 
 force and still further development of his purpose, 
 it not being yet certain upon what point the enemy 
 would direct the bulk of his army. 
 
 Of the commands of Bee and Bartow, the 4th 
 Alabama, commanded by Colonel Jones, the 8th 
 Georgia, by Colonel Gardner, the 2d Mississippi, 
 commanded by Colonel Falkner, were ordered to 
 march toward the Matthews House, and the balance 
 
21) 
 
 of these brigades ordered to the Sudley Road in the 
 direction of the Henry and Stone Houses. The 
 two guns of Latham's hattery were ordered, one to 
 a position North of the Turnpike Road, opposite the 
 Robinson House, and the other to a point on a hill 
 Nortli of the Stone House, near the point of the 
 nearest woods, to said house. Imboden's Battery 
 took position to the right and North of the Henry 
 House, and two pieces of the Washington batter}^ to 
 the right of Imboden's. Colonel Evans threw the 
 4th South Carolina and Major Wheat's Battalion 
 near the Sudley Road and Southw^est of the Mat- 
 thews House. The Regiments of Bee and Bartow's 
 commands, with the 4th Alabama in front, had not 
 quite reached the Matthews House wdien Hunter, 
 with at least two Brigades of his Division, made his 
 appearance in line of battle on the hill just above the 
 Matthews House. A fierce engagement immediately 
 ensued ; the 4th Alabama, 8th Georgia, 4th South 
 Carolina, and 2d Mississippi Regiments, and Wheat's 
 Battalion, beinc; the whole of the Confederate Infan- 
 try in the engagement, against at least two of Hun- 
 ter's Brigades at first, soon joined by the balance of 
 his Division, making the disparity of forces in favor 
 of the enemy at least four or five to one, the dis- 
 parity of artillery in his favor being still greater. 
 Yet this little band of men stood their ground without 
 yielding an inch for more than an hour against such 
 tremendous odds. And though volley after volley of 
 leaden hail Avas poured upon them, they wavered not, 
 
21 
 
 but stood as a wall of adamant, until Heintzelman 
 appeared upon tlieir left, and two Brigades of Tyler's 
 Division, who had found the Red House Ford un- 
 guarded, and crossed over and taken possession of 
 the Pittsylvania Hill, on their right, made it neces- 
 sary, in order to avoid being entirely cut off, to fall 
 back, which they did, leaving many of their gallant 
 comrades killed and wounded behind them. Anion": 
 these were Colonel Gardner, Colonel Jones and Major 
 Wheat, all supposed to be mortally wounded. Their 
 retreat was exceedingly awful. They fell back in 
 the direction of the Robinson House under the fires 
 of Hcintzelman's Division on one side, Keyes' and 
 Sherman's Brigades of Tyler's Division on the other, 
 and Hunter's Division in their rear, and were com- 
 pelled to engage the enemy at several points on their 
 retreat, losing both officers and men, in order to 
 keep them, from closing in around them. Had they 
 not been equal to the best regulars the world ever 
 savr, no man of them could have been rallied after- 
 wards. But Avith few exceptions they preserved good 
 order, and by hard skirmishing stayed the flanking 
 columns of the enenn;, made good their retreat and 
 formed again into line of battle immediately in the 
 rear of the Robinson Hill, and did valuable service 
 on other parts of the field. 
 
 This retreat on the part of our troops, under cir- 
 cumstances that would have driven the enemy in 
 consternation from the field, as the sequel will abun- 
 dantly prove, seems to have inspired him with the 
 
22 
 
 idea that he liad obtained a glorious victory, and of 
 course his troops were greatly encouraged by the 
 anticipation of an easy march on Manassas. Ilis 
 purpose was now fully comprehended by General 
 Beauregard, who at once despatched couriers below 
 for as many troops as could be spared with impunity 
 from those points. General Jackson's Brigade had 
 been ordered to the battle field hours before from 
 near Manassas, and was now hard by, but Earley's 
 and Elzey's Brigades and Withers's, Kershaw's and 
 Cash's Regiments, now just ordered, were not ex- 
 pected for some hours, and the now exulttint enemy 
 must be again checked if possible until their arrival. 
 It was now about noon. Sherman marched his Bri- 
 gade to the right and formed a junction with Hun- 
 ter's Division, which, together witli Ileintzelman's 
 Division, was proceeding to our left, pushing their 
 artillery forward to more advanced positions, while 
 Tyler, with Keyes' Brigade, remained upon our right 
 on Young's Branch. In the meantime General 
 Beauregard had ordered Captain Stanard's Battery 
 of four guns to take position nearly East of the Henry 
 House, Captain Imboden to fall back to the same 
 position, five guns of the Washington Battery, two 
 of Bogers's Battery and three guns of Pendleton's 
 Battery to the same position, and Alburtis's Battery 
 of four guns, with one gun of Pendleton's Battery, 
 to the right of these, just in rear of an opening in the 
 woods commanding the Robinson Hill. All except 
 these last five guns commanded the various hills 
 
23 
 
 "West and Kortlnvcst of their position. Colonel 
 Hampton's Legion, the 7tli Georgia Regiment, com- 
 manded bj Colonel Gartrcll, and the 5th Virginia of, .. 
 Jackson's Brigade, commanded by Colonel Harper,^ '^ 
 and the 4th South Carolina, Colonel Sloan, were 
 placed in position on the Robinson Hill. The other 
 four Regiments of Jackson's Brigade were placed in 
 position to support the batteries before named as fol- 
 lows : The 4th Virginia, Colonel James F. Preston, 
 just in rear of the batteries ; the 27th Virginia, 
 Colonel Echols, to Preston's rear right; the 2d 
 Virginia, Colonel Allen, to Preston's left ; the 
 33d Virginia, Colonel Cummings, to Allen's left; 
 the 49th Virginia, Colonel Smith, to Cumminjis' 
 
 o 
 
 left • the Sth Virginia, Colonel Hunton, in rear 
 of these; Colonels Strange and Robert T. Pres- 
 ton, with Latham's Battery, still protecting Lewis's 
 and Bull's Fords. These were the several positions 
 of the Regiments and artillery companies then on 
 the field; and when the deadly conflict Avas a second 
 time renewed, the fight on the left of the troops thus 
 stationed was confined to the artillery principally for 
 some hours, the enemy's infantry being much re- 
 tarded in their advance movement by the incessant 
 shower of iron hail and bombs that was poured upon 
 them by our cannon. This compelled him to make 
 his way to our left under cover of hills and ravines, 
 uand the washed places in the road. His artillery, 
 however, was all the time returning a most destruc- 
 tive fire upon our lines and batteries, and the regi- 
 
24 
 
 mcnts on the Robinson Hill being in full view of it, 
 suifcred severely. These men remained firmly in 
 position waiting the approach of the enemy's infan- 
 try to within reach of their guns. Tyler at length 
 ordered Keyes' Brigade to ascend the Robinson Hill 
 for the purpose of driving these men away and cap- 
 turing the batteries in their rear. This was a grand 
 idea if it could only have been accomplished ; but no 
 sooner did his columns advance within reach of the 
 guns of those upon the hill, than they received afire 
 that caused them to hide in the ravines and shelter 
 themselves in every conceivable way from the deadly 
 missiles profusely dealt upon them. These brave 
 men unflinchingly stood their ground, firing at 
 every Yankee that dared to show his head, until 
 they were ordered out of the v>'ay of the enemy's 
 artillery that had been for some time pouring a de- 
 structive fire upon them. When they were observed 
 to fall bach, Keyes ordered h's men to rush to their 
 abandoned position on the hill, and, according to his 
 own account, he held it but for a moment, for scarcely 
 had he reached the Robinson House before the artil- 
 lery of Alburtis and Pendleton were let loose upon 
 him, and, without tardiness or seeming reluctance, 
 he scampered back to Young's Branch. 
 
 It is hardly necessar}^ to pursue the moA-ements 
 of this large portion of the enemy further, as they 
 do not claim to have attempted another charge upon 
 any part of our lines during the day. According 
 to their own statement, they marched in very good 
 
Zo 
 
 order and in very gallant style, to the cover of the 
 hills on Bull llun, claiming only to have cleared 
 away the companies left in the morning at the Stone 
 Bridge. 
 
 This, however, is but a pretext for their cowardly 
 inactivity ; for the company belonging to Wheat's 
 battalion, (the Tigers), had left the Stone Bridge in 
 the morning, time enough to be in the engagement 
 with Hunter, at the Matthevvs House; Kilpatrick's 
 company, of the 4th South Carolina Regiment, had left 
 some time before,and joined the Hampton Legion prior 
 to the fight at the Robinson House, and vy as among the 
 foremost in driving them from that charge. And 
 Captain Anderson's company, of the 4th South 
 Carolina, the only remaining infantry company sta- 
 tioned at the Bridge, had left that post, and, joining 
 the 49th Virginia Regiment, was led by Col. Smith to 
 the extreme left of our line ; whilst the two guns of 
 Rogers's artillery, which had taken position early in 
 the morning, on the Yanpelt Hill, commanding the 
 Stone Bridge, had exhausted their ammunition some- 
 time before, upon the batteries of Carlisle and Ayres, 
 and retired to another position. It will be perceived, 
 therefore, that this gallant brigade of Federals found 
 no troops of any description about the Stone Bridge 
 to clear away. 
 
 This gallant brigade, formidable alone for its 
 imposing appearance as to numbers, was seen by 
 some of the Confederate officers, w^ho mistook their 
 innocent design to shelter themselves by seeking 
 
26 
 
 a position under cover of the bluifs of Bull Run, 
 for a purpose to menace our right, and gave them 
 needless annoyance by sending a few cannon balls 
 among them, "svhich they acknowledge kept them as 
 quiet as mice, and in constant look out for the best 
 chances of escape in the dire ction of Washington. 
 GThe fear and alarm that characterized them may be 
 readily inferred from their imagination, that they 
 Avere compelled to retreat from the Robinson Hill, 
 to avoid being cut to pieces by a galling fire from 
 behind breastworks / Keyes states hie loss in killed, 
 wounded and 'missing, at 242, much the larger 
 portion of which were the missing. And vrhen it is 
 considered there was no real occasion for the slightest 
 disorder among the men, we can easily form a proper 
 estimate of their character as soldiers. 
 
 During this time, the divisions of Heintzelman and 
 Hunter, with Sherman's Brigade, had been working 
 themselves along the routes best protected from the 
 fire of our artillery, to the left. They had managed 
 to get forward several of their batteries ; that 
 commanded l)y Ricketts having taken position South 
 of the Henry House, while their columns of infiintry 
 were in formidalile array along the road from the 
 StoneHouse to the woods South of the Henry House 
 — alons: a branch that lies a little West of the road, 
 diverging from it slightly to the West of South — along 
 Young's Branch, South of the Dogan House — and 
 under cover of all the hills on Hogan's farm, and 
 others in that direction ; all being kept in tempo- 
 
^27 
 
 l*ary check by the volley; s of shot and shell poured 
 upon them by the artillery East of the Henry House. 
 lleinforcements from the direction of Manassas 
 were now being expected, when the enemy could 
 be engaged at all points, though with unequal 
 force. 
 
 The enemy having attempted to silence our bat- 
 teries, by a charge made by Keyes' Brigade, as before 
 stated, and failing most signally, now attempted to 
 accomplish this by a charge upon the left. For this 
 purpose a regiment was ordered to charge from the 
 right ot Ricketts's Battery, through the small pines 
 lying to the left of the Confederate batteries. In 
 this charge, tJie regiment or regiments making it, 
 came in contact with the 49th Virginia Regiment, 
 occupying the extreme left of our line ; whereupon, 
 without waiting for orders, the 49th returned the 
 cliarge, causing them to beat an instantaneous retreat 
 in the direction of the Sudley Road, and pursuing 
 them, drove them from the battery of Ricketts and 
 captured the guns. On getting possession of the 
 battery, they remained and fired from the \Yheels 
 of the cannon, resting their muskets upon them, for 
 a short time, but finding the enemy very strong 
 beyond this point, and the nearest of them occupying 
 the Sudley Road, which was worn into a ravine or 
 gully, affording them an almost impregnable position, 
 they fell back to the pines beyond the hill. Seeing 
 them fall back, the enemy again advanced forward, 
 and again attempted, under cover of the pines, to 
 
28 
 
 the left of our battery, to charge upon and silence 
 it. 
 
 They hardly gained the pines, before they came in 
 contact with Col. Cumuiings's and four companies of 
 Col. Allen's regiments, which resolutely repelled the 
 charge, and drove them bnck to their position in the 
 road. They reached also, llicketts's Battery, re-cap- 
 turing it. But, finding the enemy completely pro- 
 tected by the road, and themselves exposed to a most 
 destructive nre, they also fell back to the pines. The 
 enemy now made a more general forward movement. 
 He pushed columns of his men to the top of the Henry 
 Hill, literally covering it from the woods South of 
 the house to its base near the Stone House, while the 
 woods and pines were swarming with the red and 
 blue jacket Zouave and Chasseur. It had now be- 
 come a matter of considerable importance to him 
 to hold the Henry Hill. Much of his artillery in 
 position on the hill, had had the teams killed by 
 which it was drawn, and, consequently, could not 
 be taken away. It was necessary, therefore, to hold 
 the hill in order to hold the batteries which had 
 been already twice captured. It was evident that 
 overwhelming numbers were to be repelled or the 
 position abandoned, which Gen. Beauregard was so 
 anxious to hold until the arrival of his reinforce- 
 ments. 
 
 Gens. Bee and Bartow again threw their com- 
 mands in front of his hcav}^ coluinns — the 7th and 
 8th Georgia regiments, the 2d Mississippi and 4th 
 
29 
 
 Alabama Regiments, Avitli the 4th South Carolina and 
 the Hampton Legion ; Col. Fisher leading up the 6th 
 North Carolina Regiment on the extreme left of 
 these — all except the 6th North Carolina having been 
 engaged once or twice before during the day. Upon 
 these devolved the herculean task of holding many 
 times their numbers back until the earnestly looked- 
 for reinforcements came. The conflict soon became 
 awfully terrific. The roar of musketry was inces- 
 sant. The enemy now believing that to fall back 
 again would turn the battle against him, became 
 more obstinate. The Confederates, w^ith unyielding 
 and unwavering determination, pressed upon him. 
 Bartow falls — Bee falls — still they press on — Fisher 
 falls, but his men charge the more furiously. Gar- 
 trell and Falkner are wounded, but falter not; all 
 evidently trying to bring it to a hand to hand fight — 
 to a charge of bayonets. This is too close for the 
 Yankees ; they begin to fall back to the hill-side 
 toward the road. 
 
 At this moment the desired reinforcements arrive. 
 Colonels Jas. Preston, Echols, Harper, Hunton, 
 Withers and Strange join the charge across the Hen- 
 ry Hill, while Gen. Smith, Avho arrives from the cars, 
 Colonels Kershaw and Cash charge directly from 
 the South and along the Sudloy Road, a part of Ker- 
 shaw's regiment occupying the road and charging 
 the enemy that are protecting themselves by its 
 banks. The charge is now pushed with increased 
 spirit and with indomitable perseverance. They foil 
 
30 
 
 back to the road, which is almost impregnable, but 
 now becomes too hot for them. Our soldiers press 
 steadily upon them ; they fire spiritedly ; but seem- 
 ingly unconscious of danger, our lines advance. 
 They abandon the road and take to the ravine be- 
 yond ; a hot fire pursues them and they gain the top 
 of the hill in their rear, where they are met by the 
 reserve from Young's Branch, who had been under 
 the shelter of the hill for some hours, and here they 
 resolve to make another stand. Kemper now places 
 his artillery on the West side of the Henry Hill. 
 The Newtown Artillery commanded by Capt. Beck- 
 ham, which had been for some time in position East 
 of the Chinn House, firing upon the advancing ene- 
 my wherever he could be seen in the direction of 
 Sudley, and contributing much to his annoyance, now 
 changed position to the top of the hill, com- 
 manding a good view of the hill to which he had 
 retreated. All the regiments in the last charge at 
 the Henry House were continuing a galling fire upon 
 him from the road. Col. Bobt. T. Preston, com- 
 manding the 28th Virginia Begiment, took position 
 to the left of Cash's position in the wood ; Gen. EI- 
 zey's brigade, composed of the Baltimore, (Colonel 
 
 Elzey), 10th Virginia, Col. Gibbon, and 
 
 regiments took position to Preston's left and near 
 the foot of the hill. Gen. Early's Brigade, composed 
 of the 24th Virginia, 7th Virginia, (Col. Kemper,) 
 and 7th Louisiana, (Col. Hays) Begiment, took posi- 
 tion near Cbinn's Spring, on the extreme left, and 
 
31 
 
 perhaps some other Confederate troops were on the 
 ground. Of this, however, the writer is unadvised. 
 
 Thus were the two armies posted when the hist 
 conflict took place between them, and upon which 
 depended the enemy's last hope of victory. His 
 whole columns were now engaged and soon began to 
 give way in confusion. They fell back from the top 
 of the hill to the thickets in their rear, and to 
 Young's Branch, and finding themselves hotly pur- 
 sued, they broke ranks and fled in all directions, 
 each one seeming mindful of his own safctv and 
 perfectly regardless of the safety of the rest, whiht 
 all seemed actuated by the old saying, of " Devil 
 lake the hindmost." 
 
 So soon as their columns began to give way, Capt. 
 Beckham instantly changed his position to a hill on 
 Young's Branch in the direction of Groveton, and 
 contributed much to facilitate their flight, while 
 Capt. Kemper turned two, and others four more, of 
 their own long-ranged guns, captured on the Henry 
 Hill upon them, increasing much their fright and the 
 velocity of their speed. Elzey's and Earley's Bri- 
 gades and a number of regiments started in the pur- 
 suit, also, Beckham's and Kemper's Batteries. All 
 pursuit by the infantry was soon found to be vnin, 
 except to prove the Federals are far better at run- 
 ning than they are at fighting. 
 
 A few of the shots from Beckham's artillery over- 
 took them as they passed the Pittsylvania House, but 
 they were soon protected by tha hill which they de- 
 
.32 
 
 scendcd towards Bull Run at much more than " double 
 quick." 
 
 Capt. Kemper was more successful. Taking the 
 Turnpike Road he was able to get in sight of a large 
 number of them as they Avere passing the Spindle 
 House, and by a single shot, which he sent ahead to 
 invigorate them by the assurance of his immediate 
 presence in their rear, he smashed one of their can- 
 non, killed three men and two horses. 
 
 The scampering among them at this point became 
 at once so great as to make another shot unnecessa- 
 ry. He again pursued them to within range of 
 Cub Run Bridge and sent ahead numerous missiles 
 upon most deadly errands, of the effects of which, 
 an eye witness thus speaks : 
 
 [Extract from Burnside's Official Report.] 
 
 ** Upon the bridge crossing Cub Run, a shot took 
 effect upon the horses of a team that was crossing. 
 Tlie w^agon was overturned directly in the centre of 
 the bridge and the passage was completely obstruct- 
 ed. The enemy continued to play his artillery upon 
 the train carriages, ambulances and artillery wagons 
 that filled the road, and these were reduced to ruins. 
 The artillery could not possibly pass, and five pieces 
 of the Rhode IsUnd battery, which had been safely 
 brought off the field, were lost ." 
 
 The scenes that here ensued beggar all descrip- 
 tion. The wildest confusion prevailed. Cannons 
 
33 
 
 and caissons, ambulances and train wagons, with the 
 horses attached, and hundreds of soldiers, all fleeing 
 with the utmost speed, alarmed and terrified, rushed 
 helter skelter down the hill into a common heap. 
 Those upon horses dismounted ; those who had taken 
 to the wagons and ambulances for conveyance, 
 jumped out, while those on foot, joined in the com- 
 mon scramble to cross the stream and get away from 
 their pursuers. Here much of the valuable fruits 
 of this unprecedented victory was gathered. 
 
 There were many of the Confederate forces of 
 whom no mention is made in the foregoing part of 
 this narrative, who are entitled to as much credit as 
 if they had been in the hottest of the battle. Under 
 the circumstances controlling the disposition of the 
 Confederate troops. Gen. Beauregard was compelled 
 to station them at all the crossings of Bull Run, 
 not knowing at which the enemy was determined to 
 pass. And though he was enabled, on the morning 
 of the 21st to ascertain his purpose to turn his left 
 flank, yet he could not be certain but that his design 
 was to cross a large force at any point from which 
 the troops might be withdrawn. Hence the neces- 
 sity of keeping his troops posted at all the fords 
 throughout the whole day. McDowell kept the 
 troops stationed at each ford, continually mindful of 
 his presence, by the thundering of his cannon, the 
 whistling of balls and explosion of shells immedi- 
 ately among and around them, for nearly the whole 
 day. Our true hearted boys not being allowed to 
 
34 
 
 return his fire, were thereby placed in a far more 
 unpleasant situation than the battlefield, and no 
 ■wonder that we hear so many complaining of not 
 being allowed to participate in the conflict of the 
 field, for they were being constantly killed and 
 wounded without the satisfaction which retaliation 
 alTords. 
 
 These men were as much participants in the glo- 
 rious events of the 21st, as if they had been in the 
 struggles of the Matthews, the Robinson or the 
 Henry House, and they ought to content themselves 
 with the assurance, that, stationed as our troops 
 were, it depended on Gen. McDowell as to which of 
 them should be in the hottest of the fight. 
 
 Had he adhered to his first purpose, nnd sought to 
 cross Bull Run at MitchelFs and Blackburn's Ford, 
 or still lower down, then the hardest of the fighting 
 would have been by the troops stationed at those 
 places ; whilst those stationed at the upper fords 
 would have been comparatively inactive. Nor were 
 the troops below, inactive on the 21st. They had 
 the enemy in their sight pouring destructive and 
 death-dealing missiles upon them in ceaseless show- 
 ers until late in the day, when they showed them- 
 selves by a determined charge upon them. But the 
 invading hosts, true to their instincts, and Avith 
 characteristic cowardice, fled precipitately, leaving 
 their pursuers far in the rear. 
 
 It is much to be regretted that none of the gallant 
 movements of the Confederate Cavalry on this 
 
35 
 
 memorable day can be given. Their ceaseless ac- 
 tivity on all parts of the field, and constant presence 
 at all points suited to their operations, has rendered 
 it impossible to do them even partial justice, and has 
 caused the effort to do so to be Avholly abandoned. 
 It is but just, however, to say that in perusing the 
 enemy's reports, we find them at all points terribly 
 annoyed by our cavalry, and constantly engaged in 
 repelling their desperate charges ; and, when the 
 rout began, the impetuosity with which they dashed 
 into the enemy's retreating columns, is already a 
 matter of history. 
 
 It has been stated that General McDowell, the 
 leader of the Federal army, displayed a very high 
 order of generalship in this battle. This has been 
 done to show that truth and justice to all are the 
 aim of the author, and that ample justice can be 
 done to the veriest enemy who is lending his skill 
 and abilities, which eminently qualify for high dis- 
 tinction if exerted in a just and righteous cause, to 
 the destruction of everything sacred to freemen, but 
 who, by wanton misdirection of both, is doomed to 
 reap ignomy and die disgraced and unlamented. 
 But to estimate properly the military skill and abili- 
 ty of the brave and sagacious, yet unpretending 
 Beauregard, who, with so much apparent ease, com- 
 pletely baffled all his well and adroitly laid plans, is 
 no easy task. 
 
 The plans of McDowell and the movements by 
 which they were most signally thwarted, are now 
 
3G 
 
 before the reader. The result is almost incredible. 
 And, when we consider the advantages of the one 
 side and the disadvantages of the other, and that 
 superior numbers were on the side of the superior 
 advantages, the result of the conflict is rendered 
 marvelous beyond conception, and places General 
 Beauregard far above his competitor, and at once 
 ranks him among the greatest warriors of the world. 
 HoAV thankful the people of the Confederate States 
 should be to an Allwise and Beneficent Providence 
 that such a man has been given us to direct our de- 
 fence against the' wicked designs toward us of so 
 tyrannical, fanatical and unprincipled, and, at the 
 same time, so formidable a foe as that with which we 
 have to contend. How much it should add to our 
 gratitude to reflect, that while we have one leader 
 Avho has, at the very commencement of the struggle, 
 attained high pre-eminence over the leaders of the 
 enemy, we may have in our midst many who may 
 not only be his equals, but who, when similar 
 circumstances shall develope their abilities, shall 
 prove to be superior to him. We will be thankful 
 that we have one such as General Beauregard, and, 
 believing, as we do, that he is sent of God to enable 
 us to meet successfully our present unprecedented 
 emergency, we can trust our cause into his hands 
 and ask God's blessings upon it and him. Ypt, who 
 can doubt, that when the war shall be ended, it will 
 be impossible to decide which of our officers has dis- 
 
37 
 
 played most ability, or which of our soldiers most 
 bravery. 
 
 Let it not be forgotten too that Gen. Johnston was 
 upon the battlefield, whose mere presence is sure 
 guaranty of victory, and who only awaits the op- 
 portunity^ to develope sagacity, skill and power, that 
 shall call forth and command the admiration of the 
 world. But, above all things, let us never be un- 
 mindful that '' salvation is of the Lord;" that it is 
 He who gives wisdom to the officer and courage to 
 the soldier ; who makes great men for great emerg- 
 encies, and with Avhom alone are the issues of the 
 battle. Let us praise Him that he has recognized 
 our cause ; that He has manifested His favor and 
 His protection thus far in the struggle, and, with 
 grateful hearts, implore a continuance of His favor 
 upon us and upon our arms until we obtain a glorious 
 and permanent peace. 
 
 FOURTH ALABAMA REGIMENT COLOxNEL JONES. 
 
 The Fourth Alabama Regiment, Colonel Jones, 
 passed up Bull Run to the right of the Lewis House, 
 crossed the Turnpike and advanced to within one hun- 
 dred and fifty yards of the Matthews House, where 
 they met the advancing forces of the enemy. They 
 were discovered emerging from the woods and on 
 the hill in^e direction of Sudley. A severe en- 
 gagement took place at this point, and, after the re- 
 pulse of four regiments of the enemy (as stated in 
 their official report) this regiment, being overpower- 
 
ed by superior numbers, retreated through a small 
 body of woods, crossed Young's Branch about two 
 hundred yards below the Stone House, passed the 
 the Robinson House, and formed in a ravine in the 
 rear thereof. The enemy's shells, fired at the 
 Hampton Legion and the Seventh Georgia Regi- 
 ment, who were posted on the lane between the Ro- 
 binson House and the Turnpike, falling and explod- 
 ing among them, caused a further retreat through 
 the woods to the open land in the direction of the 
 Lewis House, where they halted until Brigadier 
 General Bee led them by a left flank movement to 
 the spot where he fell. Finding themselves a second 
 time without a commander, and the men suftering 
 for water, they retired to a branch near Lewis's 
 House to quench their thirst; after resting a short 
 time, drew up in a line and remained there, sup- 
 posing the enemy to be advancing. President Davis 
 arriving and proposing to lead them, they started back 
 for the scene of action. A messenger arriving, in- 
 formed them that the enemy were in full retreat. A 
 further advance was deemed unnecessary, and they 
 returned to Manassas at 1 1 o'clock P. M. The Re- 
 giment suffered severely, both in the engagement 
 and retreat. Their gallant Colonel [Jones) fell 
 mortally wounded, and w^as captured by the enemy. 
 Lieutenant Colonel Law was disabllil by a ball 
 which shattered his left, arm at the elbow. Also, 
 Major Scott was Avounded and many other officers 
 and men. The loss of this regiment was very great. 
 
39 
 
 SECOND MISSISSIPPI REGIMENT COL. W. C. FALKNER. 
 
 This Regiment left their place of bivouac on Bull 
 Run in the vicinity of Mitchell's Ford, on the 
 morning of the 21st July, and marched in the direc- 
 tion of Stone Bridge, heavy firing being heard 
 from that quarter. Arriving near the Turnpike, 
 they ascertr.ined the position of the enemy's flank- 
 ing columns, and took position near the corner of 
 the woods, in the rear or North of the Stone House. 
 Immediately after forming into line, a heavy fire 
 was opened upon them from one of the enemy's bat- 
 teries, posted upon the rising ground in Dogan's 
 field and to the West of Sudley Road. They replied 
 with telling effect, judging from the confusion pro- 
 duced in the enemy's ranks, and a great number of 
 them must have been killed and wounded. The re- 
 giment held its position for more than an hour, ex- 
 posed to the fire of artillery and infantry. By or- 
 der of General Bee, two companies of this regiment, 
 one under Capt. Buchanan and the other under 
 Capt. Miller, w^ere sent forward as skirmishers in 
 the direction of Sudley. They did their work well, 
 pouring a galling fire into the enemy as he ad- 
 vanced. Their own loss was considerable ; many 
 being killed and wounded. Seeing heavy columns 
 of the eneray advancing by a flanking movement to 
 the left, and towards the position occupied by Capt. 
 Imboden's battery near the Henry House, and sup- 
 posing that corps in danger of being surrounded 
 
40 
 
 and c<apturcd, the regiment moved by the left flank, 
 and took position in rear of and for the support of 
 Captain Imboden, who, appreciating the danger of 
 his position, marched his battery to one of greater 
 security. The enemy making demonstration in 
 overwhelming numbers, both of- artillery and in- 
 fantry, upon the road leading to Manassas and to 
 the South of the Henry House, the position of the 
 regiment was again changed to a point near that 
 road, and near a piece of woods, distant from the 
 Henry House about three hundred yards. Here 
 the enemy had posted his battery, the different sec- 
 tions of which extended along the ridge nearly 
 parallel with the woods. This regiment, in conjunc- 
 tion with others, novf opened fire, killing the men 
 and horses and capturing w*hat proved to be the bat- 
 tery commanded by Ricketts. The struggle at this 
 point was of the most sanguinary character, and de- 
 cided the fate of the day. The men were engaged 
 in combat at the very mouths of the cannon, and 
 gallantly and successfully contested every inch of 
 ground. Col. Falkner received a severe, though 
 not mortal wound, after having had his horse twice 
 shot under him. Of the officers. Lieutenants Bros- 
 sellman. Smith, Butler, and Palmer, and seventy- 
 nine privates, were killed, and many mortally 
 wounded. 
 
 ELEVENTH MISSISSIPPI REGIMENT COLONEL 
 
 Owing to some delay in their transportation by 
 
41 
 
 railroad from Winchester, only two companies of 
 this regiment took part in the engagement of this 
 memorable day, and these formed part of the Se- 
 cond Mississippi Regiment, whose brilliant achieve- 
 ments are stated above. 
 
 EIGHTH GEORGIA VOLUNTEERS COLONEL WILLIAM M. 
 
 GARDNER. 
 
 This Regiment marched early in the morning from 
 a point below on Bull Run, in the direction of the 
 Lewis House, to the road to Ball's Ford, thence to 
 the Ford and formed in line of battle, where they re- 
 mained a short time ; then marched to a point near 
 the Henry House and drew up in line of battle 
 again. The enemy having exhibited his front near 
 the Matthews House, they again marched by the 
 Henry House, crossed the turnpike road East of the 
 ford of Young's Branch, below the Stone House, 
 down the East side of said branch a short distance, 
 crossed and marched oyer a hill West of a drain and 
 some pine thickets to a point at the extreme North 
 margin of a piece of pine near the Matthews House, 
 and here formed in line of battle to support the 4th 
 Alabama Regiment, fighting to the left of this posi- 
 tion on their arrival. Here they immediately en- 
 gaged the enemy, who had advanced to the Matthews 
 House, and ice house, and East and West of this 
 house. The engagement was fierce and terrific, and 
 lasted near an hour. General Bartow's horse was 
 killed here, and Colonel Gardner was badly wounded. 
 
42 
 
 From this point they fell back nearly on the line by 
 ^vhicli they advanced, skirmishing with the enemy, 
 who were seeking to cut them off at several points, 
 and, recrossing Young's Branch, marched up the 
 hill in direction of the Robinson House and formed 
 a junction with the 7th Georgia Regiment, at the 
 turnpike, just east of the Robinson Gate. Here 
 they fired at the advancing columns of the enemy, 
 which had now reached the branch. They then 
 marched to the lower side of a small clump of pines 
 near the road, and nearly up the drain to near the 
 point at which General Bartow fell, where they made 
 a resolute charge on the enemy about the Henry 
 House and succeeded in driving them again from 
 their batteries. From this point they retired to the 
 branch East of the Lewis House and remained there 
 ail night. It is very easy for one, at whatever dis- 
 tance he may have been from the scene of strife, to 
 see the hardships endured and privations suffered by 
 this regiment, when we consider the impossibility of 
 procuring food or water during the whole of the day, 
 to say nothing of the exposure to wounds and death 
 at every step on their march. 
 
 FOURTH SOUTH CAROLINA REGIMENT COLONEL J. B. T. 
 
 SLOAN. 
 
 This regiment formed in line of battle Sunday 
 morning at 4 or 5 o'clock on a hill near Vanpelt's 
 House, and remained until half-past 8 o'clock, A. M. 
 They left two companies to guard the Stone Bridge 
 
43 
 
 and changed position to a point near the Pitts3^1vania 
 House, with Wheat's Battalion on their right and 
 two guns of Latham's Battery in front. They had 
 not more than formed before they discovered the 
 enemy were still flanking them, and moved imme- 
 diately, throwing themselves in front of the enemy 
 (marching from the direction of Sudiey) taking po- 
 sition with their left on the Sudiey Road, and their 
 right resting in the woods to the rear of the Stone 
 House ; one of Latham's guns and Captain Terry's 
 Cavalry on their right. They here opened fire on the 
 advancing enemy. The enemy gaining a position 
 which gave them considerable advantage, they found 
 it necessary to advance through the woods, and took 
 position on the North side of the woods and much 
 in a line with the North margin, with General Bee's 
 command on their right. Here they stood a severe 
 fire from the enemy in their front and along the road, 
 wdiich damaged them very much, killing and wound- 
 ing some fifty of their men. They were ordered to 
 fall back to a point of wood North of the turnpike 
 road and a short distance to the East of the gate 
 leading into the Robinson House, and there drew 
 up again in line of battle and fought the enemy, who 
 had now advanced to near Young's Branch. From 
 this position they fell back again, to avoid being 
 flanked by the enemy, to the drain below the Robin- 
 son House, formed and returned in line of battle to 
 the house. Here they were ordered to lie down 
 and await the nearer approach of the enemy, now 
 
44 
 
 advancing from the direction of the Stone House, 
 and just below on Young's Branch. Being soon 
 rallied by Colonel Evans, they here fought under a 
 terrific fire of the enemy near in their front for some 
 time, and -were ordered back to the opening East of 
 the wood that skirts the drain to their rear. From 
 this point they marched to and took position nearly 
 East of the Henry House, and with Hampton's Le- 
 gion on their left, charged upon the enemy around 
 the Henry House, driving them back, and thence to 
 Ricketts' Battery, pulling out three of their guns ; 
 Lieutenant T. J. Sloan acting as captain to one, 
 Ferguson loading, and fired on the retreating enemy 
 near the Sudley Road beyond the Stone House. 
 Then they moved the guns two hundred yards to a 
 point commanding the approach to Vanpolt's House, 
 and were ready to fire when General Beauregard and 
 Governor Manning commanded them to take the guns 
 off to the Lewis House. They carried them some 
 distance in that direction and left them until morn- 
 ing. Captain Anderson, with his company, belonging 
 to this regiment, who was left in the morning near 
 the Stone Bridge to guard this point, in the after- 
 noon marched across the mouth of Young's Branch 
 and joined a battalion commanded by Colonel Smith, 
 of Virginia, and was placed with this battalion on 
 the extreme left of our line, and made the first in- 
 fantry charge upon the Ricketts' Battery, which 
 they captured. 
 
45 
 
 The other company of this regiment, which was 
 left in defence of the Stone Bridge, was commanded 
 by Captain Kilpatrick, and joined the Hampton Le- 
 gion just before the engagement with the enemy at 
 the Robinson House, and fought with the Legion 
 both at the Robinson and the Henry House. These 
 two companies left the bridge on seeing the Federal 
 Army move up the Run with evident intention to 
 cross some where above and flank them — the regiment 
 having gone from their support and engaged the 
 enemy at the Matthews House. They, thereupon, 
 connected themselves with the nearest regiments 
 and moved promptly into action, doing good service 
 and manifesting the patriotic spirit and determined 
 fortitude which characterized the great body of the 
 Confederate troops engaged in this great battle. 
 
 MAJOR wheat's battalion LOUISIANA VOLUNTEERS. 
 
 This battalion camped the night of the 2nth July 
 in an orchard back of Vanpelt's House, marched in 
 the morning about 8 o'clock to the Pittsylvania 
 House, and then drew up in line of battle with the 
 4th South Carolina Regiment and two of the guns of 
 Latham's Battery ; but finding the enemy were 
 marching around by the ford at Sudley, they left 
 their position at the Pittsylvania House and marched 
 in direction of Dogan's to the Sudley Road and 
 formed in line of battle near the road and North of 
 the woods back of the Stone House, and here, in 
 conjunction with several other regiments before 
 
46 
 
 named, stood the enemy's first charge, keeping him 
 in check for some time. These men sufi'ered very 
 much, many of them being killed and wounded, and 
 Major Wheat himself receiving what was supposed 
 at the time a mortal wound, but as if spared by a 
 kind Providence for a good and noble purpose, he 
 speedily recovered. After Major Wheat had fallen, 
 Captain Harris took command, and on receiving or- 
 ders to that effect, fell back to the bridge across 
 Young's Branch. The Rifle Tigers, which belong 
 to this battalion, were deployed in the morning early 
 to a point on Bull Run, above the Stone Bridge, 
 where it was thought the enemy's infantry and cavalry 
 might be able to cross, from which point they opened 
 the fight of the 21st with the enemy's pickets at 7 
 o'clock, A. M. But hearing a brisk fire in the di* 
 rection of Sudley, and observing the enemy move in 
 that direction, they marched directly to the Mat- 
 thews House, and v/hile passing between the enemy 
 and this house, with a view to take a sheltered posi- 
 tion, Adrian received a shot from the enemy, wound- 
 ing him slightly. They, however, gained the desired 
 position, and gave the enemy much trouble, killing 
 an officer and many of his men before they were 
 compelled to abandon their position to him. They 
 then fell back, having sustained much loss, and 
 charged him again in conjunction with the 4th Ala- 
 bama Regiment. In this second charge they ad- 
 vanced from the foot of the hill near the woods back 
 of the Stone House to a point near the top of the hill, 
 
47 
 
 and not far from Matthews' House, from behind 
 which the enemy was sending deadly missiles at the 
 Alabamians. From this point their fire upon the 
 enemy was sharp and destructive. 
 
 SEVENTH GEORGIA VOLUNTEERS COLONEL L. J. 
 
 GARTRELL. 
 
 This Regiment left Manassas between 6 and 7, A. 
 M., and took their first position between the Henry 
 House and the Sudley Road about 10, A. M. The 
 enemy not having reached this point, but now march- 
 ing in heavy column toAvards the Robinson House, 
 they marclied to that house and took their second 
 position between it and the Turnpike Road about an 
 hour after. On attaining this position, they found 
 the enemy now not in reach of their guns, and lay 
 down to shelter themselves as much as possible from 
 the showers of ball and shell from the enemy's can- 
 non, during which time a number of the men were 
 killed, and Col. Gartrell's horse knocked from under 
 him by the explosion of a shell. This position being 
 too much exposed, and the enemy not coming in 
 reach of their guns, they changed their position to 
 the Turnpike Road, East of Robinson's Gate,, which 
 is the nearest point of the road to the house ; from 
 this point they fired on the enemy while crossing 
 Young's Branch, and charging up the hill towards 
 them ; then they changed their position to the rear 
 of a clump of pines and upon or near a small branch 
 lying nearest to and East of the Robinson House ; 
 
48 
 
 then fell back througli an opening in the wood lying 
 East of said branch and took a position just East of 
 the wood. From this position they marched to a 
 point East of the Henry House and East of Gene- 
 ral Bartow's column, and charged on the enemy, now 
 occupying the ridge on which the house stands, and 
 with other regiments drove the enemy from this ridge 
 and captured a portion of their battery, planting our 
 colours upon it by E. W. Hoyle, Sergeant Newman, 
 and others ; maintaining the position about an hour 
 until the enemy fled. These men were under the 
 fire of the enemy's artillery or infantry all day, and 
 of 580 men, lost in killed and wounded 170. In 
 this last engagement, Colonel Gartrell was wounded 
 and Henry C, Gartrell, his son, killed, and General 
 Bartow killed also. They returned to their camp at 
 Manassas, arriving there about 9 o'clock at night, 
 having endured for fourteen or fifteen hours the toil 
 and fatigue of the march and of the battle field, amid 
 clouds of dust and smoke, without water or food. 
 
 Hampton's legion. 
 
 The first position of Colonel Hampton's men 
 known to the writer was between the llobinson House 
 and the Turnpike Boad, where they took a prominent 
 part in checking the advance of the enemy, charging 
 in that direction. In this position they stood a long 
 time exposed to the deadly fire of the enemy's artil- 
 lery while waiting the arrival of his infantry to a 
 point within reach of their guns; during which 
 
49 
 
 time many of tliem were killed and wounded. Keyes' 
 Brigade of Tyler's Division made a charge upon 
 them with a view to drive them back and capture the 
 battery in their rear, which was holding in check 
 nearly all the rest of the enemy's forces. A spirited 
 contest ensued, the enemy keeping as much as pos- 
 sible under cover of the hills, while the artillery 
 continued to play upon them. They were finally 
 ordered to fall back, which they did in good order, 
 taking position in rear of the nearest woods to the 
 East of the Robinson House. From this point they 
 marched several hundred yards and took position to 
 the East of the Henry House, and charged upon the 
 enemy now occupying the Henry House. They 
 were here engaged in an almost hand to hand fio-ht 
 with the heavy columns of the enemy, who were 
 struggling to maintain the possession of this hill 
 and their batteries, which had been placed upon it. 
 They succeeded, however, in conjunction with other 
 regiments, in driving them back and holding the hill 
 and the captured battery until- the general rout of 
 the enemy. They then marched in pursuit of them 
 to Cub Run Bridge, aiding in the capture of a large 
 number of cannon, wagons, muskets, prisoners and 
 ambulances, and many other articles too tedious to 
 mention, until a very late hour at night. 
 
 FIFTH VIRGINIA VOLUNTEERS COLONEL KENTON 
 
 HARPER. 
 
 This regiment took position in an opening in a 
 
50 
 
 wood to tlie rear of the Robinson House, East of a drain 
 running to the bridge across Young's Branch, East 
 of said house and in front of Alburtis's battery, 
 about 1 2 M. ; then marched to the house and enframed 
 the enemy advancing in that direction from the Stone 
 House : then fell back to the rear of wood to risrht 
 of their first position, and also to the right of the posi- 
 tion now occupied by the 7th Georgia. From this 
 position they advanced and took position Northeast 
 of the Henry House, charged upon the enemy in the 
 direction of the Stone House, passing down a ravine 
 running in that direction nearly to the Turnpike Road 
 under a heavy fire from the enemy, causing him (the 
 enemy) to fall back ; then returned to last position and 
 charged wdth 4th and 27th Regiments to the road. 
 Lieutenant Paxton here placed the flag of the 7th 
 Georgia Regiment on the guns here taken. 
 
 FOURTH VIRGINIA REGIMENT COLONEL JAMES F. 
 
 PRESTON. 
 
 This regiment marched from near Manassas by 
 Lewis's House and took position just at the West 
 margin of pines in sight of the Henry House, about 
 12, M. Artillery companies just in front of them. 
 They lay here under fire of the enemy's guns di- 
 rected at the artillery in their front, their balls 
 whistling and their bombs exploding in their midst 
 for two-and-a-half hours ; many of the men being 
 killed and wounded, (Gen. Beauregard's horse being 
 killed by enemy's cannon, just in front of this regi- 
 
51 
 
 ment, and just in rear of fifth gun from the left of 
 artillery) during the occupation of this position, 
 yet not a man moved. The enemy having been re- 
 peatedly driven back from the hill about the Henry 
 House, were now struggling in an almost hand to 
 hand fight to regain and hold it, and the artillery 
 upon it, when the artillery in their front was 
 ordered back, and they wheeled to the left and 
 charged just to the left of the Henry House, 
 driving the enemy from the road by a reckless . 
 and furious charge, to some distance from the 
 house, and captured six of their guns at the road 
 below the house, which they held and turned upon 
 their retreating columns. 
 
 TWENTY-SEVENTH VIRGINIA COLONEL ECHOLS. 
 
 This regiment took their first position Justin the 
 rear right of Col. Jas. F. Preston's, above describ- 
 ed, and left their position at the same time, march- 
 ing and charging to his right, leaving the Henry 
 House to their left, charging the enemy alono- the 
 road and beyond, capturing, at the road, the flag 
 of the first Michigan regiment. 
 
 SECOND VIRGINIA COL. J. W. ALLEN. 
 
 The position of this regiment, at first, was a lit- 
 tle to the left of Col. Preston's in the pines, from 
 which position they charged with the 33d Virginia 
 regiment in the direction of that section of Ricketts' 
 battery farthest South. On reaching the guns, beino- 
 in a very exposed position, they fell back. 
 
52 
 
 THIRTY-THIRD VIRGINIA VOLUNTEERS COL. A. C. GUM- 
 MING. 
 
 This regiment took its first position in the pines, 
 immediatel}^ to the left of the 2d Virginia regiment, 
 Col. Allen, and charged the enemy, who Avere seek- 
 ing to avail themselves of the pines to the left of 
 our artillery, in order to silence and capture it. 
 They drove them back in the direction of the two sec- 
 tions of Ricketts' battery farthest to the left, driv- 
 ing them from the guns, when they found from their 
 exposure to a terrific fire from the enemy occupying 
 the road, it was best to fall back, which they did, 
 over many of their own men, wdio had fallen in the 
 desperate and unequal conflict, and a far greater 
 number of the enemy whom they had slain. 
 
 FORTY-NINTH VIRGINIA REGIMENT COLONEL WILLIAM 
 
 SMITH. 
 
 This regiment bivouacked on the Lewis Farm, on 
 the night of the 20th. Early on the morning of the 
 21st it took position a little above the Lewis Ford, 
 just at the mouth of Young's Branch. This posi- 
 tion it maintained, without firing a gun, until early 
 in the afternoon, when it was ordered to march to- 
 wards the Henry House, and take position on the 
 extreme left of our line which was directly in front 
 of the Rickett's battery. Scarcely had they taken 
 position, before they were charged upon by the 
 enemy's flanking column. They immediately re- 
 turned the charge by a shout, a rush forward, and a 
 
53 
 
 well directed fire, driving their assailants before 
 them. They moved forward for two hundred yards, 
 when the smoke and dust excluded the sight of all 
 surrounding objects. They were halted until this 
 should clear away, throwing themselves in the 
 meantime upon the ground, and loading and firing 
 at will. When the dust and smoke cleared away 
 a little, they found themselves within fifty steps of 
 the Ricketts' Battery, which they charged upon im- 
 mediately and captured. They stood awhile among 
 the artillery, many of the men resting their guns 
 upon the cannon wheels, as they fired, for some 
 minutes, when it was ascertained the enemy were 
 ensconced in the road, which was much washed out, 
 the banks of which afforded them perfect protection 
 against their foe : and they fell back, with a loss in 
 killed and wounded of one-fourth of their men. 
 This was the first charge made by any of our infantry 
 upon this battery ; but from a description of its con- 
 dition given by these men, when they reached it, 
 there was evident proof of a previous charge upon it 
 by the cavalry, which had killed enough of their 
 horses and cannoniers to prevent its removal or 
 operation with much success. 
 
 TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT VIRGINIA VOLUNTEERS 
 
 COLONEL ROBERT F. PRESTON. 
 
 This regiment was thrown out as skirmishers on 
 the night of the 20th towards Cub Run Bridge, and 
 early on the morning of the 21st returned, and 
 
54 
 
 crossing Bull Run a few hundred yards below Ball's 
 Ford, marched up to and took possession of said 
 Ford at six o'clock, A. M. They remained there 
 until two or two-and-a-half, P. M. They then ad- 
 vanced, passing North of the Lewis House and along 
 the road that leads up a drain from the Lewis to the 
 Henry House, to a point in the rear of the nearest oak 
 wood South of the latter house, then crossed the 
 drain to left and took position in the edge of the 
 woods about half-past three o'clock. Here they met 
 and repulsed the first Michigan regiment, and cap- 
 tured Col. Wilcox, Capt. Withrington and two pri- 
 vates, and relieved Capt. Kemper, who had been 
 captured by some Chasseurs or Zouaves, (see Kem- 
 per's incident) ; then passed along, leaving the wood 
 to the right and some scattering cedars to the left, to 
 the Sudley Road, filed out into the wood left of the 
 road and marched to the top of the hill, where the ene- 
 my had taken position on the opposite side of Young's 
 Branch from the Dogan House, thence to the Henry 
 House; and marched in pursuit of the enemy, passing 
 by the Stone House to the woods and cornfield beyond, 
 on the Sudley Road. The enemy being far in advance 
 of them, they returned to the Turnpike Road, by 
 the Robinson Gate, along the road to the Stone 
 Bridge; thence to Lewis's House and to camp back 
 of AVeir's House near Manassas. The mysterious 
 appearance of this regiment at Ball's 'Ford, very 
 much embarrassed the movement of Schenck's bri- 
 gade in that direction. Li passing near the Lewis 
 
55 
 
 House, Col. Preston met many carrying off the 
 wounded, very much discouraged, and who gave 
 him a most deplorable account of the state of affairs 
 on the battle ground, informing him that we were 
 whipped, and only one of them all, gave him reason 
 to hope for victory. 
 
 He hurried on his men, and to his astonishment 
 found the enemy's lines breaking up and going away 
 in all directions, wdien he arrived in sight of them. 
 At the request of Col. Preston, the folloAving note 
 is made : 
 
 Wm. P. Douthat, of the County of Botetourt, 
 with Frederick Noel, Ferdinand Painter, Charles 
 
 Kemper, Owen Watson and Watson, came 
 
 to this regiment on the morning of the 2 1st and 
 fought through the whole engagement. 
 
 NINETEENTH VIRGINIA VOLUNTEERS COLONEL J. B. 
 
 STRANGE. 
 
 V 
 
 This regiment, on the morning of the 21st, was 
 stationed at Lewis's Ford, where the company offi- 
 cers had thrown up breastw^orks during the two pre- 
 ceding days and nights, under orders to lie in the 
 trenches and keep concealed, and not to fire unless 
 the enemy came within one hundred yards. Soon 
 after sunrise, the enemy's skirmishers came in sight, 
 in the bottom on the other side ; and from the pines 
 and oakwood beyond they fired at them from" their 
 Parrott guns every missile that could be fired for 
 the space of three hours, both from their cannon 
 
56 
 
 and skirmishers, but none of them coming within 
 the distance above named, they did not return their 
 fire until the enemy -svithdrew, and then they were 
 ordered about three o'clock, P. M., (all except Capt. 
 Duke's Company from Albemarle, who was left to 
 hold the Ford,) to advance upon the field. Passing 
 near the Lewis House they marched under a heavy 
 fire from the enemy (not aimed at them, as they 
 w^ere not in sight) to the branch, in the direction of 
 the Henry House, The balls were now falling so thick 
 around them, they were ordered to lie down awhile. 
 They then advanced into the fight just about the 
 turn of the battle, and pursued the enemy across by 
 the Pittsylvanipc House ; across Bull Run, by the 
 the Ford beyond said House, and then up the Run to 
 Sudley ; recrossing the run at Sudley, they march- 
 ed along the road to the Stone House, thence through 
 the battle ground to their post in the morning, bring- 
 ing with them many prisoners. These men deserve 
 as much credit for maintaining their position at 
 Lewis's Ford, under the fire of the enemy, according 
 to orders given them, as though they had been in 
 the hottest of the battle. It was of exceeding im- 
 portance to the success of our forces, that the di- 
 vision of the enemy stationed near that Ford, should 
 be prevented from crossing, which they were essay- 
 ing all the morning to do, and which w^ould have 
 thrown them on the rear of our line of battle. 
 
 EIGHTH VIRGINIA COLONEL EPPA HUNTON. 
 
 This regiment bivouacked on the Lewis farm the 
 
57 
 
 preceding night, and took position on the morning 
 of the 21st, by a strip of Avood skirting a small 
 branch running along the West side of the Lewis 
 Hill and emptying into Bull Run above the Lewis 
 Ford and within a few yards of the mouth of Young's 
 Branch. From this position it was held in readiness 
 to march at a moment's notice, to the support of the 
 regiments stationed at Ball's or Lewis's Fords, should 
 the enemy attempt to cross at either of those places. 
 The enemy having withdrawn from those fords, 
 Col. Hunton marched his regiment directly into the 
 fight, drew them up into line immediately in front 
 of the enem}^ occupying the Henry Hill, and charged 
 with other regiments engaged, directly towards the 
 Henry House, driving the enemy from his position 
 on the hill, back into the road ; continuing the 
 charge, passing on either side of the Henry House, 
 until the enemy were completely routed and fled in 
 all directions. The coolness, courage and bravery 
 evinced by these men, is worthy of all praise, and 
 is a sure guaranty that in all future conflicts with 
 the enemy, they will secure fresh laurels and an in- 
 creased portion of their country's gratitude. 
 
 SECOND SOUTH CAROLINA REGIMENT. 
 
 This regiment received orders to march from a 
 point, three miles distant from Lewis's House, on 
 Bull Run, about 12 M., to the support of General 
 Jackson's brigade, which was then engaged in the 
 battle. They left the Lewis House to their right 
 
58 
 
 in their line of march, and formed in line of battle 
 in rear of the woods to the East of the Henry House; 
 then marched to the Sudley Road, and formed on 
 the road, the left occupying the road, and charged 
 along the road, which had been a safe harbor for the 
 enemy for some time. This charge was so destruc- 
 tive that he quickly fled to the hill West of the 
 road, when he again rallied his forces in great num- 
 bers. This regiment immediately wheeled into the 
 road, which afforded the men much protection from 
 the leaden shower now poured upon them, and held 
 their position against fearful odds, until all the avail- 
 able forces on the field, and expected to arrive, got 
 into position, engaging the whole of the enemy's 
 line, and produced the universal rout of his vast 
 columns. This regiment then pressed forward in 
 the pursuit along the Turnpike Road, to the bridge 
 over Cub Run, from which point they were ordered 
 back to the Stone Bridge, where they bivouacked all 
 night. 
 
 Colonel Cash's regiment marched and fought 
 in conjunction with Colonel Kershaw's throughout 
 the da}^ and it is deemed unnecessary to make a 
 note of his movements, except to say that he march- 
 ed into battle on his left, and that on reaching Cub 
 Run he remained with his regiment, aiding in secur- 
 ing the valuable capture of men, artillery, arms, 
 wagons, ambulances, provisions, &c., &c., until one 
 o'clock on the morninsr of the 22d. 
 
59 
 
 EIGHTEENTH VIRGINIA REGIMENT COLONEL ROBERT E. 
 
 WITHERS. 
 
 This regiment marched from Camp Walker near 
 Manassas, arriving at Lewis's House at about one 
 o'clock, P. M., and drew up in line of bat- 
 tle and marched in line directly to the Henry House; 
 was ordered 'to halt awhile about half way, in rear 
 of the pines East, then marched forward again just 
 through the pines ; found themselves immediately in 
 rear of other regiments and halted fifteen to twenty- 
 five minutes, and from three to four o'clock charged 
 the enemy, who occupied both sides of the road 
 leading from Sudley to Manassas. They maintained 
 their ground until the enemy retreated beyond the 
 hill towards Dogan's, took a battery of six rifled 
 pieces, from which the enemy had been driven several 
 times before, and some strange officer turned two of 
 them upon the retreating enemy. They continued 
 a short distance in pursuit, then marched through 
 the battle ground South of the Turnpike Road, 
 crossing Bull Run a short distance below the Stone 
 Bridge, and took position on the road East of the 
 bridge, for the purpose of cutting ofl' the enemy's 
 retreat, but finding the enemy had already passed 
 that point, and were some distance ahead of them, 
 they returned to Camp Walker. 
 
 THE SIXTH NORTH CAROLINA STATE TROOPS COLONEL 
 
 FISHER, 
 
 Arrived at Manassas on the morning of the 21st, 
 
GO 
 
 hurried by forced march to the battle field ; passed 
 the Lewis House, and, by a direct route, reached a 
 position near the head of a small drain, just to the 
 left of this drain in the woods, the most Southern 
 section of Ricketts' battery in their front. Here 
 they met the advancing columns of the enemy's 
 right flank, consisting of infintry and artillery, 
 which soon engaged their special attention, and, in 
 co-operation with other regiments, they eventually 
 succeeded in capturing the battery. The gallantry 
 and courage displayed by these troops on that occa- 
 sion are worthy of all praise ; none showed signs of 
 fear, but each vied with the other to assist in secur- 
 ing the prize. At each volley of their musketry 
 the enemy bit the dust, and, at last, no longer able 
 to withstand the onslaught, fled precipitately from 
 the field. The heroic Colonel Fisher fell, shot 
 through the head, and died immediately. Lieutenant 
 Mangum was also mortally wounded, near the spot 
 wdiere his Colonel fell. The regiment suffered 
 severely, both in officers and men. 
 
 GENERAL ELZEy's BRIGADE, COMPOSED OF THE TENTH 
 VIRGINIA REGIMENT, COL. S. B. GIBBONS, THE BALTI- 
 MORE REGIMENT AND REGIMENT. 
 
 The regiments of this brigade having marched 
 together and acted in conjunction throughout the 
 21st, it is thought best not detach them in this no- 
 tice of their movements. They marched from Ma- 
 nassas early in the afternoon of the 21st, and took 
 
61 
 
 their first position, sometime in the afternoon, in 
 rear of the woods. South of the Henry House, in- 
 tending to charge through the woods towards the 
 house, but finding other regiments charging in that 
 direction and the enemy falling back to the hill be- 
 tween the Chinn and Dogan House, they marched 
 through the woods lying West of the Sudley Road, 
 and charged them, advancing in the charge over the 
 hill, and through the brush on the opposite side of 
 the hill to Young's Branch. On reaching this 
 branch the enemy were fleeing rapidly across by 
 Dogan's House and over the surrounding hills. 
 They reached Young's Branch about four o'clock, 
 and returned to the Henry House, where they met 
 President Davis. They pursued the enemy to the 
 Stone Bridge, expecting them to seek the Turnpike 
 about that place, but seeing nothing of them they 
 returned to Manassas the same night. 
 
 GEN. (then col.) J. A. EARLy's BRIGADE, COMPOSED OF 
 THE TWENTY-FOURTH VIRGINIA, COL. EARLY ; SEVENTH 
 VIRGINIA, COL. KEMPER, AND SEVENTH LOUISIANA, 
 COL. HAYES. 
 
 The regiments of this brigade marched and acted in 
 conjunction all day. They were stationed, on the 
 morning of the 21st, near McLean's Ford, which is 
 about one and-a-half miles belovf Blackburn's Ford, 
 on Bull Run. From this point the}^ marched to the 
 battle ground, by no road, but through the fields, 
 which contributed no little to the fatigue of the 
 
62 
 
 march, passing South of the Lewis house, and North 
 of Conrad's house, leaving the wood West of the 
 Sudley Readjust to their right, and took a position 
 at Chinn's Spring not far from Chinn's House. 
 They here engaged the enemy who occupied the hill 
 between them and the Dogan House. The enemy 
 quickly retreated to the wood and pines that stood 
 on the Northwest side of said hill, skirtino; Younor's 
 Branch. Advancing upon them here, they quickly 
 retreated in great confusion, and in all practical di- 
 rections. They pursued them, passing a little West 
 of the Dogan House, by the Matthews' house and 
 Pittsylvania House, to the ford below, and there 
 bivouacked all night. Having performed this mar- 
 vellous day's work, these men reposed, necessarily, 
 upon empty stomachs all night, not knowing but that 
 before the morning, they would be compelled to re- 
 sist the passage of heavy columns of the enemy. 
 But knowing certainly that they would have to march 
 some 7 or S miles next morning, at least, before they 
 could relieve their hunger. 
 
 CAPT. PHILIP li. STANNARd'S BATTERY FOUR GUNS. 
 
 This battery arrived at the Junction, from Win- 
 chester, late in the evening of the 20th July, and re- 
 mained near jMitchell's Ford that night, and was 
 ordered early on the morning of the 21st to Lewis's 
 House and there divided into two sections — two guns 
 taking a position not ascertained, for a short time, 
 and then joined the other two, which had marched 
 
to a point indicated on the map, and commenced 
 firing on the enemy in the direction of the Dogan, 
 the Henry and the Robinson Houses, who were 
 marching in heavy columns towards and to the West 
 of the Henry House, and here continued firing in 
 conjunction w^ith other batteries for many hours, 
 keeping the enemy in check, and greatly impairing 
 the elfectiveness of his batteries until their design 
 was fully understood, and arrangements made for 
 their defeat. They were then ordered to retire to the 
 Lewis House, and fire upon the enemy as they re- 
 treated. Their ammunition being well nigh ex- 
 hausted (one of their caissons having exploded 
 during the engagement) but two of the guns were 
 used for this purpose, from the hill near the Lewis 
 House, in direction of Yanpclt's, to w^hich the ene- 
 my responded from a high point in the Turnpike Road 
 near Vanpelt's, killing Lieut. Edgar Macon. The 
 service rendered by this battery is incalculable. 
 
 CAPT. A. L. Rogers' battery — four guns. 
 
 Two of the guns took position, commanded by 
 Lieut. Henry Heaton on a hill near the mouth of 
 Young's Branch and commenced firing on the enemy 
 early in the morning, who had taken position in the 
 woods over the Run and at the distance of five or 
 six hundred yards from Lewis's Ford, and opened a 
 most destructive fire on the infantry placed here for 
 the protection of the Ford. These two guns main- 
 tained this position until carl}^ in the afternoon, when 
 
64 
 
 the enemy ceased firing and withdrew. They then 
 took position with the batteries East of the Henry 
 House, and continued until all were ordered off the 
 field. The other two guns, commanded by Capt. 
 Rogers, took position near the road and on the point 
 of the hill where the road passes Vanpelt's, com- 
 manding the Stone Bridge, and commenced firing 
 about 10 o'clock, A. M. at the enemy, across the 
 Stone Bridge, until their ammunition w^as exhausted, 
 and then retired to the top of the hill, on the oppo- 
 site side of Young's Branch. 
 
 CAPT. Pendleton's battery — four guns. 
 
 This battery took position East of the Henry 
 House, along with the Washington Artillery, Stan- 
 nard's and others, about half-past 12 M, and remain- 
 ed two-and-a-half hours there, then changed posi- 
 tion to a hill Northwest of the Lewis House and 
 fired at the enemy, who was retreating through the 
 large body of woods, through which the Turnpike 
 runs, and which lies about half-a-mile East of the 
 Stono Bridge. 
 
 capt. al::urtis's battery. 
 
 This battery took its position East of an opening 
 in the woods skirting a small branch running below 
 the Robinson Hill, commanding the said hill, with 
 one of Capt. Pendleton's guns, immediately on the 
 right, and the other three of Pendleton's and several 
 other batteries off a little to the left. On the ap- 
 
65 
 
 pearance of the enemy on the Robinson Hill, this 
 battery and the gun of Pendleton's battery on the 
 right, opened a deudly fire upon them, and drove 
 them, in much confusion and with considerable loss, 
 to Young's Branch on the opposite side of the hill. 
 They continued to operate with decided effect upon 
 the enemy wherever visible from their position, for 
 many hours — causing the entire brigade commanded 
 by Keyes to retire from the fight altogether, and 
 seek the shelter of the hills on Bull Run, and con- 
 tributing with the batteries on their left, to hold in 
 check, th^ overwhelming flanking columns of Heint- 
 zelman. Hunter and Sherman, until the Confederate 
 infantry were in position to repel them, when they 
 were ordered to other positions, in the rear, fron^ 
 which they did much destruction to the masses of re- 
 treating Federals, as they fled from the battlefield. 
 
 kemper'? battery^four guns. 
 
 Capt. D. Kemper received orders to march from 
 Mitchell's Ford at one o'clock ; passed Lewis's House, 
 to the road leading from Sudley to Manassas, strikino^ 
 ihe road just back of the wood South of the Henry 
 House — there left one gun commanding the road to 
 Sudley, and took position w^ith the other three on 
 the right of the road about half-way between the 
 road and Ricketts' battery, now finally captured at 
 about half-past three, P. M, and fired 142 rounds on 
 the enemy, who had retreated to the high hill West 
 of the road — from Tvhich position the enemy was 
 
66 
 
 soon compelled to retreat. Capt. Kemper then laid 
 hold of two of the guns of Ricketts' battery, Avliich 
 Tvere of longer range than his own, and placed them 
 in position, and used them upon the retreating ene- 
 my with dreadful efiect. He then marched with his 
 battery by the Robinson House and Turnpike Road, 
 repeatedly placing his guns in position and sending 
 deadly missiles ahead at columns of the enemy re- 
 treating before him, and when in reach of Cub Run 
 Bridge, over Avhich the enemy were passing in great 
 numbers, he fired upon them ; the first ball strik- 
 ing a team about half-way the bridge, upsetting the 
 wagon in such a manner as perfectly to block up the 
 bridge, and by a few well directed shots, made the 
 whole scene about the bridge, in the language of 
 the official report of one of the Federal officers — "a 
 mass of ruins." 
 
 THE STAUNTON ARTILLERY, CAPT. J. D. IMBODEN. 
 
 This battery passed the Lewis House on the morn- 
 ing of the 2 1st July; hearing heavy firing in the 
 direction of the Stone House, on the Turnpike Road, 
 and supposing the enemy to have advanced beyond 
 that point, took position on the ascent of the hill, 
 after crossing the branch near the Lewis House. 
 After ascertaining that the enemy had not advanced 
 as far as he supposed, the battery was again put in 
 mption, passing through a small corn field, and 
 throiagh an opening in the pines to a position to the 
 North find right of the Henry House. Her§ th§ 
 
 ^ \ 
 
67 
 
 enemy's columns first came in view, and for nearly 
 three hours a brisk engagement was kept up with 
 batteries and upon open columns of the enemy in 
 position and advancing upon the hill North of the 
 Turnpike Road, and between the Dogan and the 
 Matthews Houses ; being unsupported by either ar- 
 tillery or infantry (save for a brief period by two 
 pieces of the Washington Artillery), and the enemy 
 advancing in heavy force, the battery was limbered 
 up and fell back to a hill about four hundred yards 
 distant and formed in line with the Washington, 
 Leesburg, Stannard's and Pendleton's batteries ; (one 
 of the guns was disabled and lost during the last 
 change of position). Firing was kept up about three 
 quarters of an hour, when the ammunition becoming 
 exhausted, the battery was compelled to retire from 
 the fight. 
 
 CAPT. H. G. Latham's battery — four guns. 
 
 Two of these guns, under command of Capt. La- 
 tham and Lieutenant Folks, were placed in position 
 at Lewis's Ford, and opened fire on the enemy at 7 
 o'clock, (Schenck's brigade,) who had commenced 
 firing upon the infantry at the Ford from the wood 
 beyond. These are represented as the first guns 
 that fired on the enemy — and maintained this posi- 
 tion until about 2 o'clock, P. M., and then changjed 
 position to a hill in the rear of the ford, where they 
 were joined by the other two guns which had taken 
 position under command of Lieuts. Davison and 
 
Leftwich, on a hill near the Turnpike road, com- 
 manding the Stone Bridge, on TNhich point the enemy 
 opened fire at 6 A. M., from the head of the field 
 below the bridge and beyond the run ; but having 
 orders to remain concealed until the enemy came 
 within canister range, they did not return their fire. 
 The enemy not coming within canister range, they 
 were ordered to change position to the point near the 
 Pittsylvania House, about half-a-mile North of the 
 Stone Bridge. After arriving at this position, they 
 discovered the main body of the enemy had passed 
 for the purpose of flanking our troops, and they were 
 ordered to the Turnpike and marched up the road to 
 Robinson's Gate, one gun taking position in the 
 field and on a hill North of and not far from this 
 gate, and fired upon the enemy approaching by the 
 Sudiey Road, the head of whose column appeared 
 back of the Matthews House; the other passed on 
 and took position on the hill in rear of the Stone 
 House and near the road from Sudiey, and fired on 
 the enemy approaching across the hills to the right 
 and left of the Sudiey Road, and along that road; 
 and, supported by several regiments of infantry, held 
 them in check for more than an hour, and until they 
 were reinforced by artillery, infantry and cavalry^ 
 which took position about five hundred yards in their 
 rear. They then withdrew under the fire often of the 
 enemy's guns and took position South of the Turn- 
 pike, on a hill side. From this position they opened 
 again on the enemy's advancing column, until they 
 
69 
 
 obtained their last position with two guns. Then 
 changed position to the right of batteries on 
 the right, and maintained this last position until 
 their ammunition was exhausted ; they then with- 
 drew and joined Latham ; all four of the guns bein^r 
 now together at the position last taken by Latham, 
 fired on the enemy to the left of Ball's Ford ; then 
 changed position to a point on the next hill West, 
 and opened fire on 8chenck, who was approaching 
 the Stone Bridge, until he withdrew ; then fired to 
 left oblique upon a portion of the enemy who were 
 moving from above towards the Bridge, under cover 
 of the hill, end drove them back ; continued firing 
 from this point until the close of the fight, and upon 
 the retreatino- enemy. 
 
 THE WASHINGTON ARTILLERY. 
 
 Two rifled pieces of this artillery took position on 
 the morning of the 21st, to the right of North from 
 the Henry House near Imboden's first position, about 
 half-past nine o'clock, and fired for some time at the 
 enemy as he first came in sight along the Sudley 
 Road, until, discovering the enemy had got the 
 range of their position, they changed it to a point a 
 short distance oft' to their right and renewed the fire 
 a short time in the same direction, and then fell back 
 and joined three other guns of the battery which 
 were all that had marched to the battlefield, and took 
 position with other batteries nearly East of the 
 Henry House, and fired at the enemy whenever he 
 
70 
 
 could be seen until half-past two to three P. M. and 
 until all the batteries were ordered off the ground. 
 Gen. Jackson then ordered one rifled piece to take 
 position in the orchard North of the Lewis House 
 and fire on the enemy as he retreated along the 
 Turnpike East of the Stone Bridge. This battery 
 being at the left of the batteries in position East of 
 the Henry House received a heavy fire from the 
 Brooklyn Chasseurs, from a point in the pines to 
 their left. 
 
 FIFTH SOUTH CAROLINA REGIMENT— COL. M. JENKINS. 
 
 This regiment was one of three that composed 
 the brigade of Gen. Jones, and was stationed on the 
 morning of the 21st at McLean's Ford, and about 
 three o'clock, P. M., Gen. Jones ordered his brigade 
 over the Run to charge upon the enemy's position, 
 Avhich consisted of two brigades and some eight or 
 ten pieces of artillery stationed near the woods on the 
 road leading from Mitchell's and Blackburn's Fords 
 to Centreville. The enemy stood the charge but a 
 few minutes and fell back under the fire of Jones' 
 brigade, and retreated hurriedly towards Centreville. 
 Col. Jenkins's regiment occupying a very exposed 
 position in the charge, suffered very severely for the 
 short time they were engaged, losing about seventy- 
 five men in killed and wounded within the space of 
 five minutes. 
 
71 
 
 IItII north CAROLINA REGIMENT COL. KIRKLAND. 
 
 This re<]riment was stationed with the other re^i- 
 ments of Gen. Bonham's brigade at Mitchell's Ford. 
 They laid under the fire of the enemy until late in 
 the day, when they left their trenches and pursued 
 the enemy to within three quarters of a mile of 
 Centreville, and were then thrown out in the direc- 
 tion of Cub Run Bridge, remaining in that vicinity 
 all night, capturing many prisoners and other val- 
 uables of the enemy. 
 
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INCIDENTS. 
 
 There are many incidents of this battle that 
 should be mentioned in connection with this account 
 of it. but which are omitted because of the difficulty 
 of doing exact justice in every case. There were 
 three noble boys, of whose daring the writer has 
 heard from sources reliable in his estimation, of 
 which he will make a record, simply because they 
 are mere boys. 
 
 A boy belonging to the Fourth Alabama Regi- 
 ment, by the name of Oakley, whose parents reside 
 near Huntsville, after the retreat was ordered from 
 the Matthews House, remained a moment behind to 
 do a kindness to a wounded comrade, who was shot 
 in that desperate conflict, and was captured, and, 
 after taking his musket from him, the enemy con- 
 ducted him to the rear. The enemy soon became 
 engaged again in a skirmish with our troops, during 
 which Oakley picked his opportunity as he passed 
 near some bushes, and seizing the musket of a fallen 
 Yankee, ran into the bushes and got away. While 
 seeking to join his regiment, he came in contact 
 with a wounded Federal officer, and captured and 
 conducted him safely to our lines. 
 
 Another boy, the son of William T. Early, 
 Esq., near Charlottesville, Virginia, having received 
 a military education, was employed to go to Ma- 
 
74 
 
 nassas to drill the militia that had been ordered to 
 that place. While there the battle of the 21st came 
 off. That gallant young fellow shouldered his mus- 
 ket, walked to the battle ground, some six miles 
 distant, there fell in with Colonel Smith's regiment 
 and fought with them through a most desperate 
 charge upon the enemy, and at one time went some 
 distance in advance of the regiment, and concealing 
 himself until a Federal officer rode forward and 
 came near him, he fired upon him and made him 
 bite the dust. The smoke of his gun drew the fire 
 of a whole regiment, one ball striking his cap and 
 another his wrist, inflicting a slight wound. 
 
 A third boy, named Elliot, of humble parents, of 
 Fauquier county, Virginia, joined the Fauquier 
 Guards against the earnest entreaties of his parents 
 and friends, and after a gallant charge upon the 
 enemy on the Henry Hill, and capturing the Bat- 
 tery of Ricketts, in retreating through the dense 
 pines got separated from his company and came in 
 contact with a Chasseur or Zouave, who had also 
 got separated from his company, and the two with 
 one accord engaged each other. Young Elliot 
 proved the better man and left his antagonist welter- 
 ing in his blood. 
 
 CAPTURE AND RELIEF OF CAPTAIN KEMPER. 
 
 Captain Delaware Kemper's artillery was attached 
 on the 21st, to the command of Colonel Kershaw of 
 
75 
 
 South Carolina, and marched with Col. Kershaw's 
 command to the battle ground, when the battle was 
 raging on the Henry Hill. Colonel Kershaw took 
 position on the Sudley Road, just in rear of the 
 skirt of woods South of the Henry House. Seeing 
 no position for artillery, Kemper was ordered to 
 remain South of the woods until Kershaw should 
 drive the enemy out of the woods and secure a posi- 
 tion for his artillery on the other side, from which 
 he could play his artillery successfully upon the 
 enemy. Kershaw found the woods full of Zouaves 
 and Chasseurs, and made a furious charge upon 
 them; whereupon, many of them fell killed and 
 wounded and many unhurt. Kershaw's men passed 
 over them, supposing them to be dead, but after 
 passing them they arose and secreted themselves in 
 some small cedars that stand just in the rear of the 
 woods. Kemper now rode briskly to the front, and 
 inquired of Kershaw if he could give him a position. 
 Kershaw pointed him to a position, when he hurried 
 back for his battery. In returning he passed 
 through the small cedars which concealed the Chas- 
 seurs, and they suddenly arose all around him, and, 
 pointing their guns at him, demanded his surrender. 
 He saAV no chance of escape and at once dismounted 
 and called for an officer to take his sword. No 
 officer being present, Kemper demanded that he 
 should be taken to one, insisting on his right to sur- 
 render his sword into the hands of none but an 
 officer. They replied, ''we do not know where to 
 
76 
 
 find an officer." *•' Take me," said Kemper, ** any- 
 where, I Avill go with you." In looking around they 
 saw a regiment not far off, and one of them exclaimed, 
 "there is a regiment of our men, let us take^him to 
 them." To this Kemper consented ; and, on nearing 
 this regiment they found it to be the Twenty-eighth 
 "Virginia. Ascertaining their mistake, they left 
 their prisoner and ran for dear life. This timely 
 rescue, as the reader has doubtless learned, resulted 
 most fortunately to us, and most disastrously to the 
 enemy. 
 
AN INCIDENT 
 
 BY M. L. WIIITTEN, 
 
 Chaplain of the Ninth Alabama Regiment. 
 
 Upon Virff'niiii'a sacred soil 
 
 Two hostile armies met, 
 The one was struggling to be free 
 
 From tyranny's foul net ; 
 
 The other, to make his meshes strong, 
 
 And bondage to complete, 
 To trample dovn the freeman's rights 
 
 Beneath the tyrant's feet. 
 
 The battle hot and hotter grew, 
 
 The leaden hail flew fast, 
 While many a foeman bit the ground 
 
 And quickly breathed his last. 
 
 The tyrant's hosts in wild alarm 
 
 Their footsteps backward trod 
 While freedom's sons with stalwart arm 
 
 Pursued in strength of God. 
 
 By chance one spied a fallen foa 
 
 The death shot in his frame, 
 The purple tide, now oozing out. 
 
 Was quenching life's bright flame. 
 
 A kindly hand his wants supplied 
 
 And cooled his heated brow. 
 " Will you," the dying foeman cried, 
 
 " Before my God now bow. 
 
 And pray for nie whose spirit soon 
 
 Shall leave this earthly clod, 
 And, from this gory battlefield^ 
 
 Shall go to ujeet its God i " 
 
 With cheeks all red with burning shame. 
 
 The kind one then dkl say, 
 " Although I blush to own the truth, 
 
 I know not how to pray. " 
 
78 
 
 *Twa8 then upon his pantiog steed, 
 
 In liot pursuit up rode, 
 A son of Old Dotninion's soi], 
 
 Who loved and served the Lord ; 
 
 And, at the dying foe's request, 
 
 He bent the suppliant knee. 
 And raised his voice and heart to God, 
 
 While Jesus was the plea. 
 
 And while his strains, in eloquence, 
 
 Eang out upon the air. 
 And soared aloft, like incense sweet, 
 
 To Him who heareth prayer, — 
 
 The dying foenian's face grew calm. 
 His eye with love grew bright 
 
 For one, who but an hour ago 
 He met in deadly tight. 
 
 He strove to clasp his feeble arms 
 Around the suppliant's neck, 
 
 The eilbrt fur too feeble proved, 
 Alas, they were too weak. 
 
 And when the warm and ferrent prayer 
 
 In simple faith had ceased 
 A smile remained upon the lip. 
 
 The spirit was released. 
 
 The outstretched arms, too feebly raised. 
 
 Were folded on his breast. 
 The stiffening limbs in order placed. 
 
 The spirit was released. 
 
 With heart now warm with love divine, 
 
 The hero onward sped, 
 Eeflecting on that sun bright clime, 
 
 Where no more blood is shed. 
 
 Longing to see the day arrive 
 
 When war's sad notes shall cense. 
 
 And freemen's efforts shall be crowned 
 By long continued peace. 
 
GENERAL BE\UREGARD'S OFFICnL REPORT OF 
 THE BATTLE OF BULL RUN, ON THE 18th OF 
 JULY, 186L 
 
 Headquarters 1st Corps Ar>3y of the ) 
 Potomac, Manassas, August, 1861. ) 
 
 General : With the general results of the en- 
 gagement between several brigades of my command 
 and a considerable force of the enemy, in the vicinity 
 of Mitchell's and Blackburn's Fords of Bull Run, 
 on the 18th ultimo, you were made duly acquainted 
 at the time by telegraph, but it is my place now to 
 submit in detail the operations of that day. 
 
 Opportunely informed of the determination of the 
 enemy to advance on Manassas, my advanced bri- 
 gades, on the night of the 16th of July, were made 
 aware from these headquarters of the impending 
 movement, and in exact accordance with my instruc- 
 tions, a copy of which is appended, marked " A," 
 their withdrawal within the lines of Bull Run was 
 effected with complete success during the day and 
 night of the ITth ultimo, in the face of, and in im- 
 mediate proximity to, a largely superior force, despite 
 a well planned, avcU executed effort to cut off the 
 retreat of Bonham's Brigade — first at Germantown 
 and subsequently at Centreville, whence he withdrew 
 
80 
 
 by my direction, after midnight, "without collision, 
 although enveloped on three sides by their lines. 
 This movement had the intended effect of deceiving 
 the enemy, as to my ulterior purposes, and led him 
 to anticipate an unresisted passage of Bull Run. 
 
 As prescribed, in the first and second sections of 
 the paper herewith, marked ** A," on the morning 
 of the 17th of July, my troops resting on Bull Run, 
 from Union Mills Ford to the Stone Bridge, a dis- 
 tance of about eight miles, were posted as follows : 
 
 Ewell's Brigade occupied a position in vicinity of 
 Union Mills Ford. It consisted of Rhodes's 5th and 
 SeibePs 6th Regiments, of Alabama, and Seymour's 
 6th Regiment of Louisiana Yolunteers, with four 
 12-pounder howitzers, of Walton's Battery, and 
 Harrison's, Green's and Cabell's Companies of Vir- 
 ginia Cavalry. 
 
 D. R. Jones' Brigade was in position in rear of 
 McLean's Ford, and consisted of Jenkins' 5th South 
 Carolina, and Burt's 17th and Fetherstone's 18th 
 Regiments of Mississippi Volunters, with two brass 
 6 -pounder guns of Walton's Battery, and one com- 
 pany of Cavalry. 
 
 Longstreet's Brigade covered Blackburn's Ford, 
 and consisted of Moore's First, Garland's Eleventh 
 and Corse's Seventeenth Regiments Virginia Vol- 
 unteers, Avith two 6-poundcr brass guns of Walton's 
 Battery. 
 
 Bonham's Brigade held the approaches to Mit- 
 chell's Ford ; it was composed of Kershaw's 2d, Wil- 
 
81 
 
 liams's 3d, Bacon's 7tli and Cash's 8th Regiments 
 Bouth Carolina Volunteers ; Shield's and Del. Kem- 
 per's Batteries, and Flood's, Radford's, Payne's, 
 Ball's, Wickham's and Powell's Companies of Vir- 
 ginia Cavalry, under Colonel Radford. 
 
 Cocke's Brigade held the fords below and in 
 vicinity of the Stone Bridge, and consisted of With- 
 ers's iSth, Lieutenant-Colonel Strange's 19th, and 
 R. T. Preston's 28th Regiments, with Latham's Bat- 
 tery and one company of Cavalry, Virginia Volun- 
 teers. 
 
 Evans held my left flank and protected the Stone 
 Bridge crossing, with Sloan's 4tli Regiment South 
 Carolina Volunteers, Wheat's Special Battalion, 
 Louisiana Volunteers, four 6 -pounder guns, and two 
 companies of Virginia Cavalry. 
 
 Early's Brigade, consisting of Kemper's 7th, Ear- 
 ly's 24th Regiment of Virginia Volunteers, Hays's 
 7th Regiment Louisiana Volunteers and three rifle 
 pieces of Walton's Battery, Lieutenant Squires, at 
 first were held in position in the rear of, and as a 
 support to, Ewell's Brigade, until after the develop- 
 ment of the enemy, in heavy offensive force, in front 
 of Mitchell's and Blackburn's Fords, when it was 
 placed in rear of, and nearly equi-distant between 
 McLean's, Blackburn's and Mitchell's Fords. 
 
 Pending the development of the enemy's purpose, 
 about ten (10) o'clock, A. M., I established my head- 
 quarters at a central point, McLean's farm house, 
 near to McLean's and Blackburn's Fords, where two 
 
6-poundersof Walton's Battery were in reserve ; but 
 subsequently, during the engagement, I took post to 
 the left of my reserve. 
 
 Of the topographical features of the country thus 
 occupied, it must suffice to say that Bull Run is a 
 small stream, running, in this locality, nearly from 
 West to East, to its confluence with the Occoquan 
 River, about twelve miles from the Potomac, and 
 draining a considerable scope of country, from its 
 source in Bull Run Mountain, to within a short dis- 
 tance of the Potomac at Occoquan. At this season, 
 habitually low and sluggish, it is, however, rapidly 
 and frequently swollen by the summer rains until 
 unfordable. The banks for the most part are rocky 
 and steep, but abound in long used fords. The 
 country on either side much broken and thickly - 
 Avooded, becomes gently rolling and open as it re- 
 cedes from the stream. On the Northern side the 
 ground is much the highest, and commands the other 
 bank completely. Roads traverse and intersect the 
 surrounding country in almost every direction. Fi- 
 nally, at Mitchell's Ford the stream is about equi- 
 distant between Centreville and Manassas, some six 
 miles apart. 
 
 On the morning of the 18th, finding that the 
 enemy Avas assuming a threatening attitude, in addi- 
 tion to the regiments whose positions have already 
 been stated, I ordered up from Camp Pickens, as a 
 reserve, in rear of Bonham's Brigade, the effective 
 men of six companies of Kelly's Eighth Regiment 
 
83 
 
 Louisiana Volunteers, and Kirkland's Eleventh Re- 
 giment North Carolina Volunteers, which having 
 arrived the night before, en route for Winchester, I 
 had halted, in view of the existing necessities of the 
 service. Subsequently, the latter was placed in 
 position to the left of Bonham's Brigade. 
 
 Appearing in heavy force in front of Bon- 
 ham's position, the enem}^ about meridian, opened 
 fire with several 20-pounder rifle guns from a hill, 
 over one and a-half miles from Bull Run. At the 
 same time Kemper, supported by two companies of 
 light infantry, occupied a ridge on the left of the 
 Centreville Road, about six hundred yards in advance 
 of the ford, with two 6-pounder (smooth) guns. At 
 first the firing of the enemy was at random, but by 
 half-past 12, P. M., he had obtained the range of 
 our position, and poured into the brigade a shower 
 of shot, but without injury to us in men, horses or 
 guns. From the distance, however, our guns could 
 not reply with effect, and we did not attempt it, 
 patiently awaiting a more opportune moment. 
 
 Meanwhile, a light battery was pushed forward by 
 the enemy, whereupon Kemper threw only six solid 
 shot, with the effect of driving back both the battery 
 and its supporting force. This is understood to have 
 been Ayres's Battery, and the damage must have 
 been considerable to have obliged such a retrograde 
 movement on the part of that officer. 
 
 The purposes of Kemper's position having now 
 been fully served, his pieces and support were with- 
 
84 
 
 drawn across Mitchell's Ford, to a point previously 
 designated, and which commanded the direct ap- 
 proaches to the ford. 
 
 About half-past 1 1 o'clock, A. M., the enemy was 
 discovered by the pickets of Longstreet's Brigade 
 advancing in strong columns of infantry, with artil- 
 lery and cavalry, on Blackburn's Ford. 
 
 At meridian the pickets fell back, silently, before 
 the advancing fire across the ford, which — as well as 
 the entire southern bank of the stream, for the whole 
 front of Longstreet's Brigade — was covered at the 
 water's edge by an extended line of skirmishers, 
 while two 6-pounders of Walton's Battery, under 
 Lieutenant Garnett, were advantageously placed to 
 command the direct approach to the ford, but with 
 orders to retire to the rear a* soon as commanded by 
 the enemy. 
 
 The northern bank of the stream, in front of 
 Longstreet's position, rises with a steep slope at 
 least fifty feet above the level of the water, leaving 
 a narrow berme in front of the ford of some twenty 
 yards. This ridge formed for them an admirable 
 natural parapet, behind which they could, and did 
 approach, under shelter, in heavy force, within less 
 than one hundred yards of our skirmishers. The 
 southern shore was almost a plain, raised but a few 
 feet above the water for several hundred yards ; then 
 rising with a very gradual, gentle slope, and undu- 
 lations, back to Manassas. On the immediate bank 
 there was a fringe of trees, but with little, if any. 
 
85 
 
 undergrowth or slieltor, while on the other shore 
 there were timber and much thick brush and cover- 
 ing. The ground in rear of our skirmishers and 
 occupied by our artillery, was an old field extending 
 along the stream about one mile, and immediately 
 back for about half a mile to a border or skirting of 
 dense, second growth pines. The wdiole of this 
 ground was commanded at all points by the ridge 
 occupied by the enemy's musketry, as w^as also the 
 country to the rear, for a distance much beyond the 
 range of twenty pounder rilled guns, by the range 
 of hills on which their batteries were planted, and 
 which, it may be further noted, commanded also all 
 our approaches from this direction to the three 
 threatened fords. 
 
 Before advancing his infantry the enemy main- 
 tained a fire of ritle artillery from the batteries just 
 mentioned for half an hour, then he pushed forward 
 a column of over 3,000 infantry to the assault, with 
 such a weight of numbers as to be repelled with dif- 
 ficulty by the comparative small force of not more 
 than twelve hundred bayonets, with which Brigadier 
 General Longstreet mot him with characteristic vigor 
 and intrepidity. Our troops engaged at this time 
 were the First and Seventeenth, and four companies 
 of the Eleventh Regiment Virginia Volunteers ; their 
 resistance was resolute, and maintained with a stea- 
 diness worthy of all praise ; it was successful, and 
 the enemy was repulsed. In a short time, however, 
 he returned to the contest with increased force and 
 
86 
 
 determination, but was again foiled and driven back 
 by our skinnishers and Longstreet's reserve compa- 
 nies, which were brought up and employed at the 
 most vigorously assailed points at the critical mo- 
 ment. 
 
 It was now that Brigadier General Longstreet 
 sent for reinforcements from Early's Brigade, which 
 I had anticipated by directing the advance of Gen. 
 Early, with two regiments of infantry and two pieces 
 of artillery. As these came upon the field the ene- 
 my had advanced a third time with heavy numbers 
 to force Longstreet's position. Hays's Regiment, 7th 
 Louisiana volunteers, which was in advance, was 
 placed on the bank of the stream, under some cover, 
 to the immediate right and left of the ford, relieving 
 Corse's Regiment, 17th Virginia Volunteers; this 
 was done under a heavy fire of musketry, with pro- 
 mising steadiness. The 7th Virginia, under Lieu- 
 tenant Colonel Williams, was then formed to the 
 right, also under heavy fire, and pushed forward to 
 the stream, relieving the First Regiment Virginia 
 volunteers. At the same time, two rifle guns, 
 brought up with Early's Brigade, were moved down 
 in the field to the right of the road, so as to be con- 
 cealed from the enemy's artillery by the girth of 
 timber on the immediate bank of the stream, and 
 there opened fire, directed only by the sound of the 
 enemy's musketry. Unable to effect a passage, the 
 enemy kept up a scattering fire for some time. Some 
 of our troops had pushed across the stream, and 
 
87 
 
 several small parties of Corse's Regiment, under 
 command of Captain Marje, met and drove the 
 enemy -with the bayonet ; but as the road-way from 
 the ford was too narrow for a combined movement in 
 force, Gen. Longstreet recalled them to the South 
 bank. Meanwhile, the remainder of Early's infan- 
 try and artillery had been called up — that is, six 
 companies of the 24th Regiment Virginia volunteers, 
 under Lieutenant Colonel Hairston, and five pieces 
 of artillery, one rifle gun and four six pounder brass 
 guns, including two six-pounder guns, under Lieu- 
 tenant Garnett, which had been previously sent to 
 the rear by General Longstreet. This infantry was 
 at once placed in position to the left of the ford, in 
 a space unoccupied by Hays, and the artillery was 
 unlimbered in battery to the right of the road in a 
 line with the two guns already in action. A scat- 
 tering firo of musketry was still kept up by the 
 enemy for a short time, but that w^as soon silenced. 
 It was at this stage of the affair that a remarka- 
 ble artillery duel was commenced and maintained on 
 our side with a long trained professional opponent, 
 superior in the character as well as in the number of 
 his weapons, provided with improved munitions' and 
 cver}^ artillery appliance, and at the same time oc- 
 cup3ang the commanding position. The results were 
 marvellous and fitting precursors to the artillery 
 achievements of the twenty-first of July. In the 
 outset, our fire was directed against the enemy's in- 
 fantry, whose bayonets, gleaming above the tree 
 
m 
 
 tops, alone indicated their presence and force. This 
 drew the attention of a battery placed on a high, 
 commanding ridge, and the duel began in earnest. 
 For a time, the aim of the adversary was inaccurate, 
 but this was quickly corrected and shot fell and 
 shells burst thick and fast in the very midst of our 
 battery, wounding, in the course of the combat, 
 Capt. Eschelman, five privates and the horse of 
 Lieut. Richardson. From the position of our pieces 
 and the nature of the ground, their aim could only 
 be directed at the smoke of the enemy's artillery ; 
 how skilfully and with what execution this was done 
 can only be realized by an eye witness. For a few 
 moments, their guns were silenced, but were soon 
 ri opened. By direction of Gen. Longstreet, his 
 battery was then advanced, by hand, out of the 
 range now ascertained by the enemy, and a shower 
 of spherical case shell and round shot flew over the 
 head of our gunners and one of our pieces had be- 
 come hors de combat from an enlarged spent. From 
 this new position our guns fired as before, with no 
 other aim than the smoke and flash of their adversa- 
 ries' pieces — renev,^ed and urged the conflict with 
 such signal vigor and eff*cct, that gradually the fire 
 of the enemy slackened, the intervals between their 
 discharges grew longer and longer; finally, to cease, 
 and we fired a last gun at a baffled, flying foe, whose 
 heavy masses in the distance were plainly seen to 
 break and scatter in wild confusion and utter rout, 
 strewing the ground with cast-away guns, hats, 
 
89 
 
 blankets and knapsacks, as our parting shell was 
 thrown among them. In their retreat, one of their 
 pieces was abandoned, but, from the nature of the 
 ground, it was not sent for that night, and under 
 cover of darkness, the enemy recovered it. 
 
 The guns engaged in this singular conflict on our 
 side were three six-pounder rifle pieces and four or- 
 dinary six-pounders, all of Walton's Battery — the 
 Washington Artillery of New Orleans. The officers 
 immediately attached, were : Captain Eschelman, 
 Lieutenants C. W. Squires, Richardson, Garnett 
 and Whittington. At the same time, our infantry 
 held the bank of the stream in advance of our ffuns, 
 and the missiles of the combatants flew to and fro 
 above them, as cool and veteran-like, for more than 
 an hour, they steadily awaited the moment and sig- 
 nal for the advance. 
 
 While the conflict was at its height before Black- 
 burn's Ford, about four o'clock, P. ^I., the enemy 
 again displayed himself in force before Bonham's 
 position. At this. Col. Kershaw, with four compa- 
 nies of his regiment, Second South Carolina, and 
 one piece of Kemper's Battery, were thrown across- 
 Mitchell's Ford, to the ridge which Kemper had oc- 
 cupied that morning. Two solid shot and three 
 spherical case, thrown among them — rwith a< precis- 
 ion inaugurated by that artillerist at Vienna — 
 eflfected their discomfiture and disappearance, and 
 our troops in that quarter w^ere again withdrawn 
 within our lines, having discharged the duty assigned. 
 
90 
 
 At the close of the engagement before Blackburn's 
 Ford, I directed General Longstreet to withdraw the 
 First and Seventeenth Regiments, which had borne 
 the brunt of the action, to a position in reserve, 
 leaving Col. Early tX) occupy the field with his Bri- 
 gade and Garland's Regiment. 
 
 As a part of the history of this engagement, I 
 desire to place on record, that on the 18th of July 
 not one yard of entrenchment nor one rifle-pit shel- 
 tered the men at Blackburn's Ford — who, officers 
 and men, with rare exceptions — were on that day, 
 for the first time, under fire, and who, taking imd 
 maintaining every position ordered, cannot be too 
 much commended for their soldierly behavior. 
 
 Our artillery was manned and officered by those 
 who, but yesterday, were called from the civil asso- 
 ciations of a busy city. They were matched with 
 the picked light artillery of the Federal regular 
 army — Company " E," Third Artillery, under Cap- 
 tain Ayres, with an armament, as their own Chief 
 of Artillery admits, of two ten-pounder Parrott rifle 
 guns, two twelve-pounder Howitzers, and two six- 
 pounder pieces, aided by two twenty-pounder Par- 
 rott rifle guns of Company " G," Fifth Artillery, 
 under Lieutenant Benjamin ; thus matched, they 
 drove their veteran adversaries from the field, giving 
 confidence in, and promise of the coming efficiency 
 of that brilliant arm of our service. 
 
 Having thus related the main or general results 
 and events of the action of Bull Run, in conclusion 
 
91 
 
 it is proper to signalize some of those -svlio contri-. 
 bated most to the satisfactory results of that day* 
 
 Thanks are due to Brigadier Generals Bonham 
 and Ewell, and Col. Cocke and the officers under 
 them, for the ability shown in conducting and exe- 
 cuting the retrogadc movements on Bull Run, di- 
 rected in my orders of the 8th July — movements on 
 which hung the fortunes of tliis army. 
 
 Brigadier General Longstrect, who commanded 
 immediately the troops engaged at Blackburn's Ford 
 on the 18th, equalled my confident expectations, and 
 I may fitly say that by his presence at the right 
 place, at the right moment, among his men, by the 
 exhibition of characteristic coolness, and by his 
 words of encouragement to the men of his command, 
 he infused a confidence and spirit that contributed 
 largely to the success of our arms on that day. 
 
 Col. Early brought his brigade into position, and 
 subsequently into action, with judgment; and, at 
 the proper moment, he displayed capacity for com- 
 mand and personal gallantry. 
 
 Colonel Moore, commanding the First Virginia 
 Volunteers, was severely wounded at the head of his 
 regiment, the command of which subsequently de- 
 volved upon Major Skinner, Lieutenant Colonel Fry 
 having been obliged to leave the field in consequence 
 of a sun stroke. 
 
 An accomplished, promising officer, Major Carter 
 H. Harrison, Eleventh Virginia Volunteers, was lost 
 to the service while leading two companies of his 
 
92 
 
 regiment against the enemy ; he fell, twice shot, 
 mortally ■\voundeci. 
 
 Brigadier General Longstreet, while finding on 
 all sides alacrity, ardor and intelligence, mentions 
 his special obligations to Colonels Moore, Garland 
 and Corse, commanding, severally, regiments of his 
 brigade, and to the field officers. Lieutenant Colonels 
 Fry, Funsten and Munford, and Majors Brent and 
 Skinner, of whom he sa}- s : "They displaj^ed more 
 coolness than is usual among veterans of the old 
 service. General Longstreet also mentions the con- 
 duct of Captain Marye, of the Seventeenth Virginia 
 Volunteers, as especialy gallant on one occasion, in 
 advance of the Ford. 
 
 The regiments of Early's Brigade were commanded 
 by Colonel Harry Hays and Lieutenant Colonels 
 Williams and Hairston, who handled their commands 
 in action with satisfactory coolness and skill, sup- 
 ported by their field officers. Lieutenant Colonel De 
 Choiseul and Major Penn, of the Seventh Louisiana, 
 and Major Patton of the Seventh Virginia Volun- 
 teers. 
 
 The skill, the conduct and the soldierly qualities 
 of the Washington Artillery engaged were all that 
 could be desired. The officers and men attached to 
 the seven pieces already specified, won for their bat- 
 talion a distinction which, I feel assured, will never 
 be tarnished, and which will ever serve to urge 
 them and their corps to high endeavor. Lieutenant 
 Squires worthily commanded the pieces in action. 
 
93 
 
 The commander of the Battalion was necessarily 
 a,bsent from the immediate field, under orders in the 
 sphere of his duties, but the fruits of his discipline, 
 zeal, instruction and capacity as an Artillery Com- 
 mander was present, and must redound to his repu- 
 tation. 
 
 On the left of Mitchell's Ford, while no serious 
 engagement occurred, the conduct of all was emi- 
 nently satisfactory to the general officer in command. 
 
 It is due, however, to Colonel J. L. Kemper, Vir- 
 ginia forces, to express my sense of the value of 
 his services in the preparation for, and the execu- 
 tion of, the retreat from Fairfax Court House on 
 Bull Run. Called from the head of his regiment, 
 by what appeared to me an imperative need of the 
 service, to take charge of the superior duties of the 
 Quartermaster's Department, with the advance of 
 that critical juncture, he accepted the responsibili- 
 ties involved, and was eminently efficient. 
 
 For further information, touching officers and in- 
 dividuals of the First Brigade, and the details of 
 the retrogade movement, I have to refer particularly 
 to the report of Brigadier General Bonham here- 
 with. 
 
 It is proper here to state, that while from the out- 
 set it had been determined, on the approach of the 
 enemy in force, to fall back and fight him on the 
 line of Bull Run, yet the position occupied by Gen. 
 Ewell's Brigade, if necessary, could have been 
 maintained against a largely superior force. This 
 
94 
 
 was especially the case with the position of the Fifth 
 Alabama Volunteers, Colonel Rhodes, which that 
 excellent officer had made capable of a resolute pro- 
 tracted defence against heavy odds. Accordingly, 
 on the morning of the 17th ultimo, when the enemy 
 appeared before that position, they were checked and 
 held at bay, with some confessed loss, in a skirmish 
 in advance of the works in which Major Morgan and 
 Captain Shelley, Fifth Regiment Alabama Volun- 
 teers, acted with intelligent gallantry, and the post 
 was only abandoned under general but specific, im- 
 perative orders, in conformity with a long conceived, 
 established plan of action and battle. 
 
 Captain E. P. Alexander, Confederate States En- 
 gineer, fortunately joined my headquarters in time 
 to introduce the system of new field signals, which, 
 under his skillful management, rendered me the 
 most important service preceding and during the en- 
 gagement. 
 
 The medical officers serving with the regiments 
 engaged were at their proper posts, and discharged 
 their duties with satisfactory skill and zeal, and, on 
 one occasion at least, under an annoying fire ; when 
 Surgeon Cullen, First Regiment AHrginia Volun- 
 teers, was obliged to remove our wounded from the 
 hospital, which had become the special target of the 
 enemy's rifle guns, notwithstanding it was sur- 
 mounted by the usual yellow flag, but Avhich, how- 
 ever, I hope, for the sake of past relations was igno- 
 rantly mistaken for the Confederate flag. The 
 
95 
 
 name of each individual medical officer I cannot 
 mention. 
 
 On the day of the engagement, I was attended by 
 my personal staff, Lieutenant S. W. Ferguson, A. 
 D. C, and my volunteer Aids de Camp, Colonels 
 Preston, Chesnut, Manning, Miles, Chisholm and 
 Heyward, of South Carolina, to all of whom I am 
 greatly indebted for manifold essential services in 
 the transmission of orders on the field, and in the 
 preliminary arrangements for the occupation and 
 maintenance of the line of Bull Run. 
 
 Colonel Thomas Jordan, Assistant Adjutant Gen- 
 eral ; Captain C. N. Smith, Assistant Adjutant 
 General ; Colonel S. Jones, Chief of Artillery and 
 Ordnance ; Major Cabell, Chief Quartermaster ; 
 Captain W. H. Fowle, Chief of Subsistence Depart- 
 ment ; Surgeon Thomas H. Williams, Medical Di- 
 ! rector, and Assistant Surgeon Brodie, Medical Pur- 
 I veyor of the General Staff, attached to the Army of 
 i the Potomac, were necessarily engaged, severally, 
 ; with their responsible duties at my headquarters at 
 i Camp Pickens, which they discharged with an energy 
 [) and intelligence for which I have to tender my sin- 
 cere thanks. 
 
 Messrs. McLean, Wilcoxen, Kincheloe and Braw- 
 ncr, citizens of this immediate vicinity, it is their 
 due to say, have placed me and the country under 
 great obligation for the information relative to this 
 region, which has enabled me to avail myself of its 
 defensive features and resources. They were found 
 
D6 
 
 ever ready to give me their time, without stint or 
 reward. 
 
 Our casualties, in all, sixty-eight killed and 
 wounded, were fifteen* killed and fifty-three wounded, 
 several of whom have since died. The loss of the 
 enemy can only be conjectured; it was unquestiona- 
 bly heavy. In the cursory examination which was 
 made by details from Longstreet's and Early's Bri- 
 gades, on the 18th July, of that of the field imme- 
 diately contested and near Blackburn's Ford, some 
 sixty-four corpses w^ere found and buried, and at least 
 twenty prisoners were also picked up, besides, 175 
 stands of arms, a large quantity of accoutrements 
 and blankets, and quite one hundred and fifty hats. 
 
 The eifect of this day's conflict was to satisfy the 
 enemy that he could not force a passage across Bull 
 Bun in the face of our troops, and led him into the 
 flank movement of the 21st July and the battle of 
 Manassas, the details of which will be related in 
 another paper. 
 
 Herewith I have tlie honor to transmit the reports 
 of the several Brigade Commanders engaged, and of 
 Artillery. Also, a map of the field of battle. 
 
 The rendition of this report, it is proper to say 
 in conclusion, has been unavoidably delayed by the 
 constantly engrossing administrative duties of the 
 commander of an army corps composed wholly of 
 volunteers — duties vitally essential to its well being 
 and future efiieicncy, and which I could not set aside, 
 or postpone on any account. 
 
 I have the honor to be. Gen., your ob'dt. serv't,.^ 
 G. T. BEAUREGABD, 
 Gen'l S. Cooper, Adj't and Insp'r Gen'l, C. S.' A, 
 
 ♦Including two reported "missing," 
 
OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE BATTLE OF 
 MANASSAS, JULY 21st, 186 I~J. E. JOHN. 
 STON, GENERAL COMMANDING. 
 
 Headquarters Army of the Potomac, > 
 Fairfax C. IL, October 14tli, 1861. \ 
 
 To the. Adjutant and Inspector General 
 
 Confederate States Army : 
 
 Sir : I have the honor to submit to the honorable 
 Secretary of War a report of the operations of the 
 troops under ni}'- command wliicli terminated in the 
 battle of Manassas. 
 
 I assumed command at Harper's Ferry on tlio 
 23d of May. The force at that point then, con- 
 sisted of nine regiments and two battalions of in-f 
 fantry, four companies of artillery with sixteen 
 pieces, without caissons, harness or horses, ancl 
 about three hundred cavalry. They were of course 
 undisciplined ; several regiments without accoutre- 
 ments, and with an entirely inadequate supply of 
 ammunition. 
 
 I lost no time in making a complete reconnoisanco 
 of the place and its environs, in which the Chief 
 Engineer, Major (now Brigadier General) Whiting 
 ably assisted. The results confirmed my precon- 
 ceived ideas. 
 
 The position is untenable by any force not strong 
 1 
 
98 
 
 enough to take the fiehl against an invading army 
 and to hokl both sides of the Potomac. It is a 
 triangle, two sides being formed hj the Potomac 
 and the Shenandoah, and the third by Furnace Ridge. 
 The plateau thus enclosed, and the end of Furnace 
 llidge itself, the only defensible position, which, 
 however, required for its adequate occupation double 
 our numbers, was exposed to enfilade and reverse 
 tires of artillery from heights on the Maryland side 
 of the river. Within that line, the ground was more 
 favorable to an attacking than to a defending force. 
 The Potomac can be easily crossed at many points 
 above and below, so that it is easily turned. It is 
 twenty miles from the great route into the Valley 
 of Virginia from Pennsylvania and Maryland, by 
 which General Patterson's approach was expected. 
 Its garrison was thus out of position to defend that 
 yalley, or to prevent General McClellan's junction 
 with General Patterson. These were tlie obvious 
 ;ind important o])jects to be kept in view. Besides 
 being in position for them, it was necessary to be 
 able, on emergency, to join General Beauregard. 
 
 The occupation of Harper's Ferry by our army 
 perfectly suited the enemy's views. We w^ere bound 
 to a fixed point. His move]nents were unrestricted. 
 These views were submitted to the niilitary authori- 
 ties. The continued occupation of the place was,* 
 however, deemed by them indispensable. I determ- 
 ined to hold it until the great objects of the Gov- 
 ernment required its ab:;ndonment. 
 
 The practicable roads from the West nnd North- 
 west, as well as from Manassas, meet the route from 
 Pennsylvania and Maryland at Winchester, That 
 point was, therefore, in my opinion, our best posi- 
 tion. 
 
99 
 
 The distinguished commander of the army of the 
 Potomac was convinced, like myself, of our depen- 
 dence upon each other, and promised to co-operate 
 with me in case of need. To guard against sur- 
 prise, and to impose upon the enemy. Major Whiting 
 was directed to mount a few heavy guns upon Fur- 
 nace Ridge, and otherwise strengthen the position. 
 
 I was employed, until the 13th of June, in contin- 
 uing what had been begun by my predecessor. Col. 
 (now Major General) Jackson, the organization, in- 
 struction and equipment of the troops, and providing 
 means of transportation and artillery horses. The 
 river was observed from the Point of Rocks to the 
 Western part of the county of Berkeley — the most 
 distant portions by the indefatigable Stuart with his 
 cavalry. General Patterson's troops were within a 
 few hours of Williamsport, and General McClellan's 
 in Western Virginia were supposed to be approach- 
 ing to effect a junction with Patterson, whose force 
 was reported, by well informed persons, to be eigh- 
 teen thousand men. 
 
 On the morning of the 13th of June, information 
 was received from Winchester, that Romney was oc- 
 cupied by two thousand Federal troops, supposed to 
 be the van-guard of McClellan's army. 
 
 Colonel A. P. Hill, with his own (13th) and Col- 
 onel Gibbon's (10th) Virginia Regiments, was de- 
 spatched by railway to Winchester. He was di- 
 rected to move thence towards Romney, to take the 
 best position and best measures to check the advance 
 of the enemy. He was to add to his command the 
 3d Tennessee Regiment, which had just arrived at 
 Winchester. 
 
 During that day and the next, the heavy baggage 
 and remaining public property were sent to Win- 
 
lUU 
 
 Chester by the railway, and the bridges on the Poto- 
 mac destroyed. On the morning of the loth, the 
 army left Harper's Ferry for Winchester, (the force 
 had been increased by tlirce regiments since the 1st 
 of Juno) and bivouacked four miles beyond Charles- 
 town. On the morning of the 16tli, intelligence was 
 received that General Patterson's army had crossed 
 the Potomac at Williamsport, also that the United 
 States force at Romney had fallen back. A courier 
 from Richmond l)rought a despatch authorizing me 
 to evacuate Harper's Ferry at my discretion. 
 
 The army was ordered to gain the Martinsburg 
 Turnpike, by a flank movement to Bunker's Hill, 
 in order to place itself between Winchester and the 
 expected advance of Patterson. On hearing of this, 
 the enemy re-crossed the river precipitatel}'. Re- 
 suming my first direction and plan, I proceeded to 
 Winchester. There the army w^as in position to 
 oppose either McClellan from the West, or Patterson 
 from the Northeast, and to form a junction with 
 General Beauregard wdien necessary. 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel George Stewart, with his 
 Maryland Battalion, was sent to Harper's Ferry to 
 bring oif some public property said to have been 
 left. As McClellan was moving Southwestward from 
 Grafton, Colonel HilFs command was withdrawn 
 froni Romney. The defence of that region of coun- 
 try was entrusted to Colonel McDonaJ.d's Regiment 
 of Cavalry. Intelligence from Maryland indicating 
 another movement by Patterson, Colonel Jackson, 
 with his brigade, was sent to the neighborhood of 
 Martinsburg, to support Col. Stuart. The latter 
 officer had been placed in observation on the line of 
 the Potomac with his cavalry. His increasing vigi- 
 lance and activity was relied on to repress small in- 
 
101 
 
 cursions of the enemy, to give intelligence of inva- 
 sion by them, and to watch, harrass and circum- 
 scribe their every movement. Colonel Jackson was 
 instructed to destroy such of the rolling stock of the 
 Baltimore and Ohio Railroad as could not be brought 
 off, and to have so much of it as could be made avail- 
 able to our service brought to Winchester. 
 
 Major Whiting was ordered to plan defensive works 
 and to have some heavy guns on navy carriages 
 mounted. About tAventy-five hundred militia, under 
 Brigadier General Carson, were called out from Fred- 
 erick and the neighboring counties to man them. 
 
 On the 2d of July, General Patterson again crossed 
 the Potomac. Colonel Jackson, pursuant to in- 
 structions, fell back before him. In retiring, he gave 
 him a severe lesson, in the affair at Falling Waters. 
 With a battalion of the oth Virginia Regiment (Har- 
 per's), and Pendleton's Battery of Field Artillery, 
 he engaged the enemy's advance. Skillfully taking 
 a position where the smallness of his force was con- 
 cealed, he engaged them for a considerable time, 
 inflicted a heavy loss, and retired when about to be 
 outflanked, scarcely losing a man, but bringing off 
 forty-five prisoners. 
 
 Upon this intelligence the arm}^ strengthened by 
 the arrival of General Bee and Colonel Elzey, and 
 the Oth Georgia Regiment, was ordered forward to 
 the support of Jackson. It met him at Darksville, 
 six miles from Martinsburg, where it took up a posi- 
 tion for action, as General Patterson, it was sup- 
 posed, was closely following Colonel Jackson. We 
 waited for hnn in this position four days, hoping 
 to be attacked by an adversary at least double our 
 number, but unwilling to attack him in a town so 
 defensible as Martinsburg, with its solid buildings 
 
102 
 
 and enclosures of masonry. Convinced at length 
 that he Avould not approach us, I returned to Win- 
 chester, much to the disappointment of our troops, 
 who were eager for battle with the invaders. Colo- 
 nel Stuart, with his cavalry, as usual, remained 
 near the enemy. 
 
 Before the loth of July, the enemy's force, ac- 
 cording to the best intelligence to be obtained, 
 amounted to about thirty-two thousand. Ours had 
 been increased b}^ eight Southern regiments. On 
 the 15th of July, Colonel Stuart reported the ad- 
 vance of General Patterson from Martinsburg. He 
 halted, however, at Bunker's Hill, nine miles from 
 Winchester, where he remained on the 16th. On 
 the 17th, he moved his left to Smithfield. This 
 created the impression that he intended to attack us 
 on the south, or was merely holding us in check, while 
 General Beauregard should be attacked at Manassas 
 by General Scott. 
 
 About one o'clock on tlie morning of July 18th, I 
 received from the Government a telegraphic dispatch, 
 informing me that the Northern army was advancing 
 upon Manassas, then held by General Beauregard, 
 and directing me, if practicable, to go to that offi- 
 cer's assistance, sending my sick to Culpepcr Court- 
 house. 
 
 In the exercise of the discretion conferred by the 
 terms of the order, I at once determined to march to 
 join General Beauregard. The best service which 
 the army of the Shenandoah could render, was to 
 prevent the defeat of that of the Potomac. To be 
 able to do this, it was necessary, in the first instance, 
 to defeat General Patterson, or to elude him. The 
 latter course was the most speedy and certain, and 
 was therefore adopted. Our sick, nearly seventeen 
 
103 
 
 hundred in number, -were provided for in "VVincliester. 
 For the defence of that phice, the militia of Gene- 
 rals Carson and Meem seemed ample ; for I thought 
 it certain that General Patterson would follow my 
 movement, as soon as he discovered it. Evading 
 him, by the disposition made of the advance guard 
 under Colonel Stuart, the army moved through Ash- 
 by's Gap to Piedmont, a station of the Manassas 
 Gap Railroad. Hence, the infantry were to be trans- 
 ported by the railway, while the cavalry and artillery 
 were ordered to continue their march. I reached 
 Manassas about noon on the 20th, preceded by the 
 7th and 8th Georgia regiments, and by Jackson's 
 brigade, consisting of the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 27th and 
 33rd Virginia regiments. I was accompanied by 
 General Bee, with the 4th Alabama, the 2nd and two 
 companies of the 1 1th Mississippi. The president of 
 the railroad company had assured me that the remain- 
 ing troops should arrive during the day. 
 
 I found General Beauregard's position too exten- 
 sive, and the ground too densely wooded and intricate, 
 to be learned in the brief time at my disposal, and 
 therefore determined to rel}^ upon his knowledge of 
 it, and of the enemy's positions. This I did readily, 
 from full confidence in his capacity. 
 
 His troops were divided into eight brigades, oc- 
 cupying the defensive line of Bull Run. Brigadier- 
 General Ewell's was posted at the Union Mills Ford; 
 Brigadier-General D. R. Jones's at McLean's Ford ; 
 Brigadier- General Longstreet's at Blackburn's Ford ; 
 Brigadier-General Bonham's at Mitchell's Ford; 
 Colonel Cocke's at Ball's Ford, some three miles 
 above, and Colonel Evans, with a regiment and 
 battalion, formed the extreme left at the Stone Bridge. 
 The brigades of Brigadier-General Holmes, and 
 
104 
 
 Colonel Early, were in reserve, in rear of the right. 
 I regarded the arrival of the remainder of the army 
 of the Shenandoah, during the night, as certain, and 
 Patterson's junction Avith the Grand Army, on the 
 22nd, as probable. During the evening it was deter- 
 mined, instead of remaining in the defensive posi- 
 tions then occupied, to assume the offensive, and 
 attack the enemy before such a junction. 
 
 General Beauregard proposed a plan of battle, 
 which I approved without hesitation. He drew up 
 the necessary order during the night, which was 
 approved formally by me at half-past four o'clock on 
 the morning of the 21st. The early movements of 
 the enemy on that morning, and the non-arrival of 
 the expected troops, prevented its execution. Gen- 
 eral Beauregard afterwards proposed a modification 
 of the abandoned plan — to attack with our right, 
 while the left stood on the defensive. This, too, 
 became impracticable, and a battle ensued, different 
 in place and circumstance from any previous plan on 
 our side. 
 
 Soon after sunrise, on the morning of the 21st, 
 a light cannonade was opened upon Colonel Evans's 
 position ; a similar demonstration was made against 
 the centre soon after, and strong forces were ob- 
 served in front of it and of the right. About eight 
 o'clock. General Beauregard and I placed ourselves 
 on a commanding hill in rear of General Bonham's 
 left. Near nine o'clock the signal officer. Captain 
 Alexander, reported that a large body of troops was 
 crossing the valley of Bull Run, some two miles above 
 the bridge. General Bee, who had been placed near 
 Colonel Cocke's position. Colonel Hampton, with his 
 legion, and Colonel Jackson, from a point near Gen. 
 Bonham's left, were ordered to hasten to the left flank. 
 
105 
 
 The signal officer soon called our attention to a 
 heavy cloud of dust to the north-west, and about ten 
 miles off, such as the march of an army would raise. 
 This excited apprehensions of General Patterson's 
 approach. 
 
 The enemy, under cover of a strong demonstra- 
 tion on our right, made a long detour through the 
 woods on his right, crossed Bull Run two miles 
 above our left, and threw himself upon the flank and 
 rear of our position. This movement was fortunately 
 discovered in time for us to check its progress, and 
 ultimately to form a now line of battle nearly at 
 right angles with the defensive line of Bull Bun. 
 
 On discovering that the enemy had crossed the 
 stream above him. Colonel Evans moved to his left 
 with eleven companies and two field pieces, to oppose 
 his advance, and disposed his little force under cover 
 of the wood, near the intersection of the .Warrenton 
 Turnpike and the Sudley Road. Here he was attack- 
 ed by the enemy in immensely superior numbers, 
 against wliiiii he maintained himself vrith skill and 
 unshrinking courage. General Bee, moving towards 
 the enemy, guided b^^ the firing, had, with a sol- 
 dier's eye, selected the position near the Henry 
 House, and formed his troops upon it. They were 
 the 7th and Sth Georgia, 4th Alabama, 2nd Missis- 
 sissippi, and two companies of the 11th Mississippi 
 Regiments, with Imboden's battery. Being com- 
 pelled, however, to sustain Colonel Evans, he crossed 
 the valley and formed on the right and somewhat in 
 advance of his position. Here the joint force, little 
 exceeding five regiments, with six field pieces, held 
 the ground against about fifteen thousand United 
 States troops for an hour, until, finding themselves 
 outflanked by the continually arriving troops of the 
 
106 
 
 enemy, they fell back to General Bee's first position, 
 upon the line of which, Jackson, just arriving, 
 formed his brigade and Stanard's battery. Colonel 
 Hampton, who had by this time advanced with his 
 Legion as far as the Turnpike, rendered efficient 
 service in maintaining the orderly character of the 
 retreat from that point ; and here fell the gallant 
 Lieutenant ColonelJohnson, his second in command. 
 Li the meantime, I awaited with General Beaure- 
 gard, near the centre, the full development of the 
 enemy's designs. About 11 o'clock, the violence of 
 the firing on the left indicated a battle, and the march 
 of a large body of troops from the enemy's centre 
 towards the conflict, was shown by clouds of dust. 
 I was thus convinced, that his great effort Avas to be 
 made with his right. I stated that conviction to 
 General Beauregard, and the absolute necessity of 
 immediately strengthening our left as much as possi- 
 ble. Orders were, accordingly, at once sent General 
 Holmes and Colonel Early, to move with all speed to 
 the sound of the firing, and to GeneriTl* Eonham to 
 send up two of his regiments and a battery. Gen. 
 Beauregard and I then hurried at a rapid gallop to 
 the scene of action, about four miles off. On the way, 
 I directed my chief of artillery. Colonel Pendleton, 
 to follow with his own and Alburtis's batteries. We 
 came not a moment too soon*. The long contest, 
 against five-fold odds and heavy losses, especially of 
 field officers, had greatly discouraged the troops of 
 General Bee and Colonel Evans. Our presence with 
 them under fire, and some example, had the happiest 
 effect on the spirit of the troops. Order was soon 
 restored, and the battle re-established, to which the 
 firmness of Jackson's brigade greatly contributed. 
 Then, in a brief and rapid conference, General Beau- 
 
107 
 
 regard was assigned to the command of the left, 
 which, as the younger officer, he claimed, while I 
 returned to that of the whole field. The aspect of 
 affairs was critical, but I had full confidence m the 
 skill and indomitable coura<]:e of General Beaureo:ard, 
 the high soldierly qualities of Generals Bee and Jack- 
 son, and Colonel Evans, and the devoted patriotism 
 of their troops. Orders were first dispatched to hasten 
 the march of General Holmes's, Colonel Early's and 
 General Bonham's Regiments. General Ewell was 
 also directed to follow with all speed. Many of the 
 broken troops, fragments of companies, and individual 
 stragglers, were reformed and brought into action, 
 with the aid of my staif, and a portion of General 
 Beauregard's. Colonel (Governor) Smith, with his 
 battalion, and Colonel Hunton, with his regiment, 
 were ordered up to reinforce the right. I have since 
 learned that General Beauregard had previously or- 
 dered them into the battle. They belonged to his 
 corps. Colonel Smith's cheerful courage had a fine 
 influence, not only upon the spirit of his own men, but 
 upon the stragglers from the troops engaged. The 
 largest body of these, equal to about four compa- 
 nies, having no competent field officer, I placed under 
 command of one of my staff, Colonel F. J. Thomas, 
 who fell, while gallantly leading it against the 
 enemy. These reinforcements were all sent to the 
 right, to re-establish, more perfectly, that part of 
 our line, illaving attended to these pressing duties, 
 at the immediate scene of conflict, my eye was next 
 directed to Colonel Cocke's brigade, the nearest at 
 hand. Hastening to his position, I desired him to 
 lead his troops into action. He informed me, how- 
 ever, that a large body of the enemy's troops, beyond 
 the stream and below the bridge, threatened us from 
 
108 
 
 that quarter. He was, therefore, left in his po- 
 sition. 
 
 My headquarters were now established near the 
 Lewis House. From this commanding elevation, my 
 view embraced the position of the enemy beyond the 
 stream, and the approaches to the Stone Bridge, a 
 jioint of especial importance. I could also see the 
 advances of our troops, far down the valley, in the 
 direction of Manassas, and observe the progress of 
 the action and the manoeuvres of the enemy. 
 
 We had now sixteen guns, and two hundred and 
 sixty cavalry, and a little above nine regiments of 
 the army of the Shenandoah, and six guns, and less 
 than the strength of three regiments, of that of the 
 Potomac, engaged with about thirty-five thousand 
 United States troops, amongst whom, were full three 
 thousand men of the old regular tirmy. Yet, this 
 admirable artillery, and brave infantry and cavalry, 
 lost no foot of ground. For nearly three hours they 
 maintained their position, repelling five successive 
 assaults, by the heavy masses of the- enemy, whose 
 numbers enabled him continually to bring up fresh 
 troops, as their preceding columns were driven back. 
 Colonel Stuart contributed to one of these repulses, 
 by a well timed and vigorous charge on the enemy's 
 right flank, with two companies of his cavalry. The 
 efficiency of our infantry and cavalry, might have 
 been expected from a patriotic people, accustomed, 
 like ours, to the management of arms and horses, but 
 that of the artillery, was little less than wonderful. 
 They were opposed to batteries far superior, in the 
 number, range and equipment of their guns, with 
 educated ollicers, and thoroughly instructed soldiers. 
 We had but one educated artillerist, Colonel Pen- 
 dleton — that model of a Christian soldier — yet they 
 
1(10 
 
 exhibited as much superiority to the enemy in skill 
 as in courage. Their fire was superior, both in 
 rapidity and precision. 
 
 About two o'clock, an officer of General Beaure- 
 gard's Adjutant General's office, galloped from Ma- 
 nassas, to report to me that a United States army 
 had reached the line of the Manassas Gap Railroad, 
 was marching towards us, and then but three or four 
 miles from our left flank. 
 
 The expected reinforcements appeared soon after. 
 Col. Cocke was then desired to lead his brigade into 
 action, to support the right of the troops engaged, 
 which he did, with alacrity and effect. Within a 
 half hour, the two regiments of General Bonham's 
 brigade, (Cash's and Kershaw's,) came up, and were 
 directed against the enemy's right, which he seemed 
 to be strengthening. Fisher's North Carolina regi- 
 ment was, soon after, sent in the same direction. 
 About three o'clock, while the enemy seemed to be 
 striving to outflank and drive back our left, and thus 
 separate us from Manassas, General E. K. Smith 
 arrived, with three regiments of Elzey's brigade. 
 He was instructed to attack the right flank of the 
 enemy, now exposed to us. Before the movement 
 was completed, he fell, severely wounded. Colonel 
 Elzey at once taking command, executed it with 
 great promptitude and vigor. General Bcaureo-ard 
 rapidly seized the opportunity thus afforded him, 
 and threw forward his whole line. The enemy was 
 driven back from the long contested hill, and victory 
 was no longer doubtful. He made yet another attempt 
 to retrieve the day. He again extended his rio-ht, 
 with a still wider sweep, to turn our left. Just as he 
 re-formed, to renew the battle, Colonel Early's 
 three regiments came upon the field. The enemy's 
 
no 
 
 new formation exposed his right flank more even 
 than the jn-evious one. Colonel Early was, there- 
 fore, ordered to throw himself directly upon it, sup- 
 ported by Colonel Stuart's cavalry, and Beckham's 
 battery. He executed this attack bravely and well, 
 while a simultaneous charge was made by General 
 Beauregard in front. The enemy was broken by this 
 combined attack. He lost all the artillery which 
 he had advanced to the scene of the conflict. He 
 had no more fresh troops to rally on, and a general 
 rout ensued. 
 
 Instructions were instantly sent to General Bon- 
 ham, to march by the quickest route to the turnpike, 
 to intercept the fugitives ; and to General Long- 
 street, to follow as closely as possible upon the right. 
 Their progress was checked by the enemy's reserve, 
 and by night, at Centreville. 
 
 Schenck's brigade made a slight demonstration 
 towards Lewis's ford, which was quickly checked by 
 Holmes's brigade, which had just arrived from the 
 right. His artillery, under Captain Walker, was 
 used with great skill. 
 
 Colonel Stuart pressed the pursuit on the enemy's 
 principal line of retreat, the Sudley Road. Four 
 companies of cavalry, under Colonel Badford and 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Munford, which I had held in 
 reserve, were ordered to cross the stream at Ball's 
 Ford, to reach the turnpike, the line of retreat of 
 the enemy's left. Our cavalry found the roads 
 encumbered with dead and wounded, (many of whom 
 seemed to have been thrown from wagons,) arms, 
 accoutrements and clothing. 
 
 A report came to me from the right, that a strong 
 body of United States troops was advancing upon 
 Manassas. General Holmes, who had just reached 
 
Ill 
 
 the field, and General Ewell on liis way to it, \Yere 
 ordered to meet this unexpected attack. They found 
 no foe, however. 
 
 Our victory was as complete as one gained by 
 infantry and artillery can be. An adequate force 
 of cavalry would have made it decisive. 
 
 It is due, under Ahnighty God, to the skill and 
 resolution of General Beauregard, the admirable 
 conduct of Generals Bee, E. K. Smith and Jackson, 
 and of Colonels (commanding brigades) Evans, 
 Cocke, Early an*! Elzcy, and the courage and un- 
 yielding firmness of our patriotic volunteers. The 
 aduiirable character of our troops is incontestibly 
 proved by the result of this battle ; especially when 
 it is remembered that little more than six thousand 
 men of the army of the Shenandoah, with sixteen 
 guns, and less than two thousand of that of the Po- 
 tomac, with six guns, for full five hours successfully 
 resisted thirty-five thousand United States troops, 
 with a powerful artillery, and a superior force of re- 
 gular cavalry. Our forces engaged, gradually in- 
 creasing during tlie remainder of the contest, 
 
 amounted to but men at the close of the 
 
 battle. The brunt of this hard-fought engagement 
 fell upon the troops who held their ground so long, 
 Avith such heroic resolution. The unfading honor 
 which the}^ won, was dearly bought with the blood 
 of many of our best and bravest. Their loss was far 
 heavier, in proportion, than that of the troops coming 
 later into' action. 
 
 Every regiment and battery engaged performed 
 its part well. The commanders of brigades have 
 been already mentioned. I refer you to General 
 Beauregard's report, for the names of the officers of 
 the army of the Potomac, who distinguished them- 
 
112 
 
 solves most. I cannot cnumerato <all of tlio army of 
 the Shenandoah, who deserve distinction, and will 
 confine myself to those of high rank. Colonels Bar- 
 tow and Fisher, (killed,) Jones, (mortally wounded,) 
 Harper, J. F. Preston, Cummings, Falkner, Gartrell 
 and Vaughan; J. E. B. Stuart, of the cavalry, and 
 Pendleton of the artillery, Lieutenant-Colonel Ech- 
 ols, Lightfoot, Lackland, G. 11. Stewart and Gard- 
 ner. The last-named gallant officer was severely 
 wounded. 
 
 The loss of the army of the Potomac was, 108 
 killed, 510 wounded, 12 missing That of the army 
 of the Shenandoah was, 270 killed, 979 wounded, 18 
 missing. 
 
 Total killed, .... 378 
 '' wounded,- - - - 1,489 
 " missing, - - - - 30 
 
 That of the enemy could not be ascertained. It 
 must have been between four and five thousand. 
 Twenty-eight pieces of artillery, about five thou- 
 sand muskets, and nearly five hundred thousand cart- 
 ridges ; a garrison flag and ten colors were cap- 
 tured on the field or in the pursuit. Besides these, 
 we captured sixty-four artillery horses, with their 
 harness, tAventy-six wagons, and much camp equip- 
 age, clothing, and other property, abandoned in their 
 flight. 
 
 The officers of my stafi* deserve high commenda- 
 tion for their efficient and gallant services during 
 the day and the campaign, and I beg leave to call the 
 attention of the Government to their merits. Major 
 W. H. C. Whiting, Chief Engineer, was invaluable 
 to me, for his signal ability in his profession, and for 
 his indefatigable activity before and in the battle. 
 Major McClcan, Chief Quartermastcl-, and Major 
 
 1 
 
113 
 
 Kearsley, Chief Commissary, conducted their re- 
 spective departments 'svith skill and energy. Major 
 Ehett, A. A. General, who joined me only the day 
 before, was of great service. I left him at Manassas, 
 and to his experience and energy I entrusted the 
 care of ordering my troops to the field of bottle as 
 they should arrive, and forwarding ammunition for 
 the artillery during the action. Captains C. M, 
 Fauntleroy, C. S. Navy, T. L. Preston, A. A. A. 
 General, and Lieutenant J. B. Washington, A. D. 
 C, conveyed my orders bravely and well, on this 
 their first field, as did several gallant gentlemen 
 who volunteered their services — Colonel Cole of 
 Florida, Major Deas of Alabama, Colonel Duncan, 
 of Kentucky. Lieutenant Beverly Randolph, C. 
 S. N., aided Colonel F. J. Thomas in the command 
 of the body of troops he led into action, and fought 
 with gallantry. With these was my gallant friend, 
 Captain BarloAV Mason, who was mortally wounded. 
 I have already mentioned the brave death of ord- 
 nance officer Colonel F. J. Thomas. I was much 
 indebted, also, to Colonels J. J. Preston, Manning, 
 i\riles and Chisholm, and Captain Stevens, of the En- 
 gineer Corps, members of General Beauregard's 
 staff, who kindly proffered their services, and ren- 
 dered efficient and valuable aid, at different times 
 during the day. Colonel G. W. Lay, of General 
 Bonham's staff, delivered my instructions to the 
 troops sent in pursuit and to intercept the enemy, 
 with much intelligence and courage. 
 
 It wall be remarked that the three Brigadier- 
 Generals of the army of the Shenandoah were all 
 wounded. I have already mentioned the wound of 
 General Smith. General Jackson, though painfully 
 wounded Carly in the day, commanded hi^ brigade 
 
114 
 
 to the close of the action. General Bee, after great 
 exposure at the commencement of the engagement, 
 was mortally wounded, just as our reinforcements 
 were coming up. 
 
 The apparent firmness of the United States troops 
 at Centreville, who had not been engaged, which 
 checked our pursuit; the strong forces occupying 
 the works near Georgetown, Arlington and Alex- 
 andria ; the certainty, too, that General Patterson, 
 if needed, would reach Washington, with his army 
 of thirty thousand men, sooner than we could ; and 
 the condition and inadequate means of the army in 
 ammunition, provisions and transportation, pre- 
 vented any serious thoughts of advancing against 
 the Capital. It is certain that the fresh troops 
 within the works were, in number, quite sufficient 
 for their defence ; if not, General Patterson's army 
 would certainly reinforce them soon enough. 
 
 This report will be presented to you by my Aid-de- 
 Camp, Lieutenant J. B. Washington, by whom, and 
 by General Beauregard's Aid, Lieutenant Ferguson, 
 the captured colors are transmitted to the War De- 
 partment. 
 
 Most respectfully. 
 
 Your ob't serv't, 
 (Signed,) J. E. JOHNSTON, 
 
 (Official.) R. II. Cjiilton, 
 
 A. A. GeJieral. 
 
REPORT OF GEN. BEAUREGARD, OF THE 
 BATTLE OF MANASSAS. 
 
 Headquarters 1st Corps Army of the Potomac, 
 Manassas, August 26tli, 18G1. 
 
 Gen 
 
 eral: 
 
 The War Department having been informed by 
 me, by telegraph on the 17th of July, of the move- 
 ment of Gen. McDowell — Gen. Johnston was imme- 
 diately ordered to form a junction of his Army Corps 
 with mine, should the movement, in his judgment, be 
 deemed advisable. Gen. Holmes was also directed to 
 push forward with two regiments, a battery, and one 
 company of cavalry. 
 
 In view of these propositions, approaching rein- 
 forcements, modifying my plan of operations, so far 
 as to determine on attacking the enemy at Centreville, 
 as soon as I should hear of the near approach of the 
 two reinforcing columns, I sent one of my Aids, Col. 
 Chisholm, of South Carolina, to meet and communi- 
 cate my plans to Gen. Johnston, and ray wish that 
 one portion of his forces should march by the way of 
 Aldie, and take the enemy on his right flank and in 
 
1 1 () 
 
 reverse at Centreville. Difficulties, however, of an 
 insuperable cliaractcr, in connection with means of 
 transportation, and the marching condition of his 
 troops, made this impracticable, and it was deter- 
 mined our forces should be united within the lines 
 of Bull Run, and thence advance to the attack of the 
 enemy. 
 
 Gen. Johnston arrived here about noon on the 
 2()th July, and being my senior in rank, he necessa- 
 rily assumed command of all the forces of the Confed- 
 erate States, then concentrating at this point. Made 
 acquainted with my plan of operations and disposi- 
 tions to meet the enemy, he gave them his entire 
 approval, and generously directed their execution 
 under my command. 
 
 In consequence of the untoward detention, how- 
 ever, of some (5,000) five thousand of General John- 
 ston's Army Corps, resulting from the inadequate 
 and imperfect means of transportation for so many 
 troops, at the disposition of the iNIanassas Gap Rail- 
 road, it became necessary, on the morning of the 21 st, 
 before daylight, to modify the plan accepted, to suit 
 the contingency of an immediate attack on our lines, 
 b}^ the main force of the enemy, then plainly at hand. 
 
 The enemy's forces, reported by their best inform- 
 ed journals to be 55,000 strong, I had learned from 
 reliable sources, on the night of the 2()th, were being 
 concentrated in and around Centreville, and along 
 the Warrenton Turnpike road, to Bull Run, near 
 which, our respective pickets were in immediate 
 proximity. This fact, with the conviction that, after 
 his signal discomfiture on the ISth of July, before 
 Blackburn's Ford — the centre of my lines — he would 
 not renew the attack in that quarter, induced me at 
 once to look for an attempt on my left flank, resting 
 
117 
 
 on the Stone Bridge, wliicli was but weakly guarded 
 by men, as well as but slightly provided with artificial 
 defensive appliances and artillery. 
 
 In view^ of these palpable military conditions, by 
 half-past four, A. M., on the 21st July, I had prepared 
 and dispatched orders, directing the whole of the 
 Confederate forces within the lines of Bull Run, in- 
 cluding the brigades and regiments of Gen. Johnston, 
 which had arrived at that time, to be held in readi- 
 ness to march at a moment's notice. 
 
 At that hour, the following was the disposition 
 of our forces : 
 
 Ewell's Brigade, constituted as on the 18th July, 
 remained in position at Union Mills Ford, its left 
 extending along Bull Run in the direction of Mc- 
 Lean's Ford, and supported by Holmes's Brigade, 2nd 
 Tennessee and 1st Arkansas Regiments, a short dis- 
 tance to the rear — that is, at and near Camp Wigfall. 
 
 D. R. Jones's Brigade — from Ewell's left, in front 
 of McLean's Ford, and along the stream to Long- 
 street's position. It was unchanged in organization, 
 and was supported by Early's Brigade — also un- 
 changed — placed behind a thicket of young pines, a 
 short distance in the rear of McLean's Ford. 
 
 Longstreet's Brigade held its former ground at 
 Blackburn's Ford, from Jones's left to Bonham's 
 right, at Mitchell's Ford, and was supported by Jack- 
 son's Brigade, consist-ing of Colonels James L. Pres- 
 ton's 4th, Harper's 5th, Allen's 2nd, the 27th, (Lieut. 
 Col. Echol's,) and the 33rd, (Cumming's,) Virginia 
 Regiments, 2,G11 strong, which were posted behind 
 the skirting of pines, to the rear of Blackburn's and 
 Mitchell's Ford; and in rear of this support w^as, 
 also, Barksdale's 13th Regiment Mississippi Vol- 
 unteers, which had lately arrived from Lynchburg. 
 
118 
 
 Along the edge of a pine thicket, in rear of, and 
 equi-distant from McLean's and Blackburn's Fords, 
 ready to support cither position, I had also placed all 
 of Bee's and Bartow's Brigades that had arrived, 
 namely: two companies of the 11th Mississippi, 
 Lieut. Col. Liddell; the 2nd Mississippi, Col. Falk- 
 ner, and the 4th Alabama, with the 7th and 8th 
 Georgia Regiments, (Colonels Gartrell and Lieut. 
 Col. Gardner,) in all 2,732 bayonets. 
 
 Bonham's Brigade, as before, held Mitchell's Ford, 
 its right near Longstreet's left, its left extending in 
 the direction of Cocke's right. It was organized as 
 at the end of the 18th of July, Avith Jackson's Bri- 
 gade, as before said, as a support. 
 
 Cocke's Brigade, increased by seven companies of 
 the 8th, (ITunton's,) three companies of the 49th, 
 (Smith's,) Virginia Regiments, two companies of 
 cavalry, and a battery under Rogers, of four 6- 
 pounders, occupied the line in front and rear of Bull 
 Run, extending from the direction of Bonham's left, 
 and guarding Island, Ball's and Lewis's Fords, to 
 the rigjit of Evans's Demi-Brigade near the Stone 
 Bridge, also under General Cocke's command. 
 
 The latter held the Stone Bridge, and its left 
 covered a farm ford about one mile above the bridge. 
 
 Stuart's cavalry, some three hundred men of the 
 Army of the Shenandoah, guarded the level ground 
 extending in rear from Bonham's left to Cocke's 
 right. 
 
 Two companies of Radford's cavalry were held in 
 reserve, a short distance in rear of Mitchell's Ford, 
 his left extending in the direction of Stuart's right. 
 
 Colonel Pendleton's reserve battery, of eight 
 pieces, was temporarily placed in rear of Bonham's 
 extreme left. 
 
119 
 
 Major Walton's reserve battery, of five guns, was 
 in position on McLean's farm, in a piece of woods in 
 rear of Bee's right. 
 
 Hampton's Legion, of six companies of infantry, 
 six hundred strong, having arrived that morning, by 
 the cars, from Richmond, was subsequently, as soon 
 as it arrived, ordered forward to a position in im- 
 mediate vicinity of the Lewis House, as a support 
 for any troops engaged in that quarter. 
 
 The effective force of all arms, of the Army of the 
 Potomac, on that eventful morning, including the 
 garrison of Camp Pickens, did not exceed 21,833, 
 and 29 guns. 
 
 The Army of the Shenandoah, ready for action 
 on the field, may be set at 6,000 men, and 20 guns.* 
 
 The Brigade of Ger.eral Holmes mustered about 
 1,265 bayonets, six guns, and a company of cav- 
 alry, about 90 strong. 
 
 Informed at 5.30, A. M., by Colonel Evans, that 
 the enemy had deployed some twelve hundred men,t 
 with several pieces of artillery, in his immediate front, 
 I at once ordered him, as also General Cocke, if at- 
 tacked, to maintain their position to the last extremi- 
 
 * That is, when the battle began — Smith's Brigade and 
 Fisher's Nortli Carolina, came up later, and made total of 
 army of Shenandoah engaged, of all arms, 8,334. Hill's 
 Virginia Regiment, 550, also arrived, but Avas posted as 
 reserve to right liank. 
 
 t These were wliat Colonel Evans saw of General 
 Schenck's Brigade of General T3^1er's Division, and two 
 other heavy brigades, in all. over 9,000 men, and 13 pieces 
 of artillery— Carlisle's and Ayres's Batteries. That is, 
 000 men, and two 6-pounders, confronted by 9,000 men, 
 and thirteen pieces of artillcrj^, mostly rifled. 
 
120 
 
 In my opinion, the most effective method of reliev- 
 ing that flank was by a rapid, determined attack with 
 my right wing and centre on the enemy's flank and 
 rear at Centreville, w4th due precautions against 
 the advance of his reserves from the direction of 
 Washington. By such a movement, I confidently 
 expected to achieve a complete victory for my country 
 by 12, M. 
 
 These new dispositions were submitted to General 
 Johnston, who fully approved them, and the orders 
 for their immediate execution were at once issued. 
 
 Brigadier General Ewell w\as directed to begin the 
 movement, to be followed and supported successively 
 by Generals D. R. Jones, Longstreet and Bonham, 
 respectively, supported by their several appointed 
 reserves. 
 
 The cavalry under Stuart and Radford were to 
 be held in hand, subject to future orders and ready 
 for employment, as might be required by the exigen- 
 cies of the battle. 
 
 About 8.30, A. M., General Johnston and myself 
 transferred our headquarters to a central position 
 about half a mile in rear of Mitchell's Ford, whence 
 we might watch the course of events. 
 
 Previously, as early as 5.30, the Federalists in 
 front of Evans's position — Stone Bridge — had 
 opened with a large 30-pounder Parrot rifle gun, 
 and thirty minutes later, with a moderate, appar- 
 ently tentative fire, from a battery of rifle pieces, 
 directed first in front at Evans's, and then in the 
 direction of Cocke's position, but without drawing a 
 return fire and discovery of our positions, chiefly 
 because in that quarter we had nothing but eight 
 6 -pounder pieces, which could not reach the distant 
 enemy. 
 
121 
 
 As the Federalists had advanced with an extended 
 line of skirmishers in front of Evans, that officer 
 promptly threw forward the two flank companies of 
 the 4th South Carolina Regiment and one company 
 of Wheat's Louisiana Battalion, deployed as skir- 
 mishers, to cover his small front. An occasional 
 scattering fire resulted, and thus stood the two ar- 
 mies in that quarter for more than an hour, while the 
 main body of the enemy was marching his devious 
 way through the '' Big Forest" to take our forces in 
 flank and rear. 
 
 By 8.30, A. M., Colonel Evans, having become 
 satisfied of the counterfeit character of the move- 
 ment on his front, and persuaded of an attempt to 
 turn his left flank, decided to change his position to 
 meet the enemy, and for this purpose immediately 
 put in motion to his left and rear six companies of 
 Sloan's 4th South Carolina Bcgiment, Wheat's 
 Louisiana Battalion, five companies, and two 6- poun- 
 ders of Latham's Battery, leaving four companies of 
 Sloan's Regiment under cover as the sole, immediate 
 defence of the Stone Bridge, but giving information 
 to General Cocke of his change of position, and the 
 reasons that impelled it. 
 
 Following a road leading by the Old Pittsylvania 
 (Carter) Mansion, Colonel Evans formed in line of 
 battle some four hundred yards in rear — as he ad- 
 vanced — of that house, his guns to the front and in 
 position, properly supported, to its immediate right. 
 Finding, however, that the enemy did not appear on 
 that road, which was a branch of one leading by 
 Sudley's Springs Ford to Brentsville and Dum- 
 fries, he turned abruptly to the left, and, marching 
 across the fields for three-quarters of a mile — about 
 9.30, A. M. — took a position in line of battle ; his 
 
122 
 
 left, Sloan's companies, resting on the main Brents- 
 ville Road in a shallow ravine, the Louisiana Bat- 
 talion to the right, in advance some two hundred 
 yards, a rectangular copse of wood separating them. 
 One piece of his artillery, planted on an eminence 
 some seven hundred yards to the rear of Wheat's 
 Battalion, and the other on a ridge near, and in rear 
 of Sloan's position, commanding a reach of the road 
 just in front of the line of battle. In this order he 
 awaited the coming of the masses of the enemy, now 
 drawing near. 
 
 In the meantime, about 7 o'clock, A. M., Jackson's 
 Brigade, with Imboden's, and five pieces of Wal- 
 ton's Battery, had been sent to take up a position 
 along Bull Hun to guard the interval between Cocke's 
 right and Bonham's left, with orders to support either, 
 in case of need — the character and topographical 
 features of the ground having been shown to General 
 Jackson, by Captain D. B. Harris, of the Engineers 
 of this Army Corps. 
 
 So much of Bee's and Bartow's Brigades, now 
 united, as had arrived — some 2,800 muskets — had 
 also been sent forward to the support of the position 
 of the Stone Bridge. 
 
 The enemy, beginning his detour from the turn- 
 pike, at a point nearly half-way between Stone Bridge 
 and Centreville, had pursued a tortuous, narrow trace 
 of a rarely used road, through a dense wood, the 
 greater part of his Avay until near the Sudley Road. 
 A division, under Colonel Hunter, of the Federal 
 Regular Army, of two strong brigades, was in the 
 advance, followed immediately by another division, 
 under Colonel Heintzelman, of three brigades, and 
 seven companies of regular cavalry, and twenty-four 
 pieces of artillery — eighteen of which were rifle guns. 
 
123 
 
 This column, as it crossed Bull Run, numbered over 
 16,000 men, of all arms, by their own accounts. 
 
 Burnside's Bris:ade — which here, as at Fairfax C. 
 H., led the advance — at about 9.45, A. M., de- 
 bouched from a wood in sight of Evans's position, 
 some 500 yards distant from Wheat's Battalion, 
 
 He immediately threw forward his skirmishers in 
 force, and they became engaged with Wheat's com- 
 mand, and the G-pounder gun, under Lieutenant 
 Left witch. 
 
 The Federalists at once advanced, as they report 
 officially, the 2d Rhode Island Regiment Volunteers, 
 with its vaunted batter}^, of six 13-pounder rifle guns. 
 Sloan's companies were then brought into action, 
 having been pushed forward through the woods. 
 The enemy, soon galled and staggered by the jBre, 
 and pressed by the determined valor, with w^hich 
 Wheat handled his battalion, until he was desperately 
 wounded, hastened up three other regiments of the 
 brigade and two Dahlgreon howitzers, making in all 
 quite 3,500 bayonets, and eight pieces of artillery, 
 opposed to less than 8'JO men, and two 6-pounder 
 guns. 
 
 Despite this odds, this intrepid command, of but 
 eleven weak companies, maintained its front to the 
 enemy for quite an hour, and until General Bee came 
 to their aid with his command. The heroic Bee, w^th 
 a soldier's eye and recognition of the situation, had 
 previously disposed his command with skill — Imbo- 
 den's battery having been admirably placed between 
 the two brigades, under shelter, behind the undula- 
 tions of a hill about 150 yards north of the now 
 famous Henry House, and very near where he sub- 
 sequently fell, mortally wounded, to the great mis- 
 
124 
 
 fortune of his country, but after deeds of deliberate 
 and ever memorable courage. 
 
 Meanwhile, the enemy had pushed forward a bat- 
 talion of eight companies of regular infantry, and 
 one of their best batteries, of six pieces, (four rifled), 
 supported by four companies of marines, to increase 
 the desperate odds against which Evans and his men 
 had maintained their stand, with an almost matchless 
 tenacity. 
 
 General Bee, now finding Evans sorely pressed, 
 under the crushing weight of the masses of the 
 enemy, at the call of Colonel Evans, threw forward 
 his whole force to h^s aid across a small stream- 
 Young's Branch and Valley — and engaged the Fed- 
 eralists with impetuosity ; Imboden's Battery at the 
 time playing from his well chosen position with 
 brilliant effect with spherical case, the enemy having 
 first opened on him from a rifle battery, probably 
 Griffin's, with elongated cylindrical shells, which flew 
 a few feet over the heads of our men, and exploded 
 in the crest of the hill immediately in rear. 
 
 As Bee advanced under a severe lire, he placed 
 the 7th and 8th Georgia Regiments, under the 
 chivalrous Bartow, at about 11, A. M., in a wood of 
 second-growth pines to the right and front of, and 
 nearly perpendicular to Evans's line of battle ; the 
 4th Alabama to the left of them, along a fence con- 
 necting the position of the Georgia Regiments with 
 the rectangular copse in which Sloan's South Caro- 
 lina companies were engaged, and into wdiich, he also 
 threw the 2nd Mississippi. A fierce and destructive 
 conflict now ensued — the fire was withering on both 
 sides, w^hile the enemy swept our short, thin lines 
 with their numerous artillery, which, according to 
 their official reports, at this time consisted of at least 
 
126 
 
 ten rifle guns and four howitzers. For an hour, did 
 these stout-hearted men of the blended commands of 
 Bee, Evans and Bartow, breast an unintcrmitting 
 battle-storm, animated surely, by something more 
 than the ordinary courage of even the bravest men 
 under fire ; it must have been, indeed, the inspiration 
 of the cause, and consciousness? of the great stake at 
 issue, which thus nerved and animated one and all, 
 to stand unawed and unshrinking in such extremity. 
 
 Two Federal Brigades, of llcintzlcman's Division, 
 were now brought into action, led by Ricketts's su- 
 perb light Battery, of six 10-pounder rifle guns, 
 which, posted on an eminence to the right of the 
 Sudley Road, opened fire on Imboden's Battery — 
 about this time increased by two rifle pieces of the 
 Washington Artillery, under Lieut. Richardson, and 
 already the mark of two batteries, which divided 
 their fire with Imboden, and two guns, under Lieu- 
 tenants Davidson and Leftwitch, of Latham's Bat- 
 tery, posted as before mentioned. 
 
 At this time, confronting the enemy, we had still 
 but Evans's eleven companies and two guns — Bee's 
 and BartOAv's four regiments, the two companies 11 th 
 Mississippi, under Lieut. Col. Liddell, and the six 
 pieces, under Lnboden and Richardson. The enemy 
 had two divisions, of four strong brigades, including 
 seventeen companies of regular infantry, cavalry and 
 artillery, four companies of marines, and twenty 
 pieces of artillery,* Against this odds, scarcely 
 credible, our advance position was still for a while 
 maintained, and the enemy's ranks constantly broken 
 
 * See Offici-''! Reports of Colonels llcint/lonmi-i. Por- 
 ter, A:c. 
 
126 
 
 and shattered under the scorching fire of our men ; 
 but fresh regiments of the Federalists came upon 
 the fiekl, Sherman's and Keye's Brigades, of Tyler's 
 Division, as is stated in their reports, numbering 
 over 6,000 bayonets, which had found a passage 
 across the Run, about 800 3^ards above the Stone 
 Bridge, threatened our right. 
 
 Heavy losses had now been sustained on our side, 
 both in numbers and in the personal worth of the 
 slain. The 8th Georgia Regiment had suffered 
 heavily, being exposed as it took and maintained its 
 position, to a fire from the enemy, already posted 
 within a hundred yards of their front and right, 
 sheltered by fences and other cover. It was at 
 this time that Lieut. Col. Gardner was severely 
 wounded, as also several other valuable officers ; the 
 Adjutant of the Regiment, Lieut. Branch, was killed, 
 and the horse of the regretted Bartow was shot un- 
 der him. The 4th Alabama also suffered severely 
 from the deadly fire of the thousands of muskets 
 which they so dauntlessly affronted under the im- 
 mediate leadership of Bee himself. Its brave Col- 
 onel, E. J. Jones, was dangerously wounded, and 
 many gallant officers fell, olain, or hors de comhat. 
 
 Now, however, with the surging mass of over 
 fourteen thousand Federal infantry, pressing on their 
 front and under the incessant fire of at least tAventy 
 pieces of artillery, with the fresh Brigades of Sher- 
 man and Keye's approaching — the latter already in 
 musket range — our lines gave back, but under orders 
 from Gen. Bee. 
 
 The enemy, maintaining their fire, pressed their 
 swelling masses onward as our shattered battalions 
 retired ; the slaughter for the moment was deplorable, 
 
127 
 
 and has filled many a Southern home with lite-long 
 sorrow. 
 
 Under this inexorable stress, the retreat con- 
 tinued, until arrested by the energy and resolution of 
 Gen. Bee, supported by Bartow and Evans, just in 
 rear of the Robinson House, and Hampton's Legion 
 which had been already advanced, and Avas in posi- 
 tion near it. 
 
 Imbodcn's Battery, Avhich had been handled with 
 marked skill, but whose men were almost exhausted, 
 and the two pieces of Walton's Battery, under Lieut. 
 Richardson, being threatened b}^ the enemy's in- 
 ftmtry on the left and front, were also obliged to 
 fall back — Imboden leaving a disabled piece on the 
 ground retired until he met Jackson's Brigade, while 
 Richardson joined the main body of his battery near 
 the Lewis House. 
 
 As our infantry retired from the extreme front, 
 the two six-pounders of Latham's Battery, before 
 mentioned, fell back with excellent judgment to 
 suitable positions in the rear, whence an eifective 
 fire was maintained upon the still advancing lines of 
 the Federalists, with damaging effect, until their am- 
 munition was nearly exhausted, when they, too, were 
 withdrawn in the near presence of the enemy, and 
 rejoined their captain. 
 
 From the point, previously indicated, where 
 General Johnston and myself had established our 
 headquarters, we heard the continuous roll of mus- 
 ketry, and the sustained din of the artillery, which 
 announced the serious outburst of the battle on our 
 left flank, and we anxiously, but confidently, awaited 
 similar sounds of conflict from our front at Centre- 
 ville, resulting from the prescribed attack in that 
 quarter, by our right wing. 
 
128 
 
 At half past ten, A. M., however, this expectation 
 was dissipated by a dispatch from Brig. Gen. Ewcll, 
 informing me, to my profound disappointment, tliat 
 my orders for his advance had miscarried, but, that 
 in consequence of a communication from General 
 D. R. Jones, he had just thrown his brigade across 
 the stream at Union Mills. But, in my judgment, 
 it was now too la.te for the effective execution of 
 the contemplated movement, which must have re- 
 quired quite three hours for the troops to get into 
 position for the attack. Therefore, it became im- 
 mediately necessary to depend on new combinations, 
 and other dispositions suited to the now pressing 
 exigency. The movement of the right and centre, 
 already begun by Jones and Longstreet, was at once 
 countermanded, with the sanction of General John- 
 ston, and we arranged to meet the enemy on the field 
 upon which he had chosen to give us battle. Under 
 these circumstances, our reserves, not already in 
 movement, were immediately ordered up to support 
 our left flank, namely: Holmes's two regiments, 
 and battery of artillery, under Captain Lindsey 
 Walker, of six guns, and Barley's Brigade. Two 
 regiments from Bonham's brigade, with Kemper's 
 four six-pounders were also called for, and, with 
 the sanction of General Johnston, Generals Ewell, 
 Jones, (D. R.,) Longstreet and Bonham w^ere di- 
 rected to make a demonstration to their several 
 fronts to retain and engross the enemy's reserves 
 and any forces on their flank, and at and around Cen- 
 treville. Previously, our respective Chiefs of Staff, 
 Major Rhett and Colonel Jordan, had been left at 
 my headquarters to hasten up, and give directions 
 to any troops that might arrive at Manassas. 
 
 These orders having been duly dispatched by staff 
 
129 
 
 officers at 11.30, A. M., General Johnston and my- 
 self set out for the immediate field of action, which 
 we reached in rear of the Robinson and Widow 
 Henry's Houses, at about 12 meridian, and just as 
 the commands of Bee, Bartow and Evans, had taken 
 shelter in a wooded ravine behind the former, stoutly 
 held at the time by Hampton with his Legion, which 
 had made a stand there after having previously been 
 as far forward as the Turnpike, where Lieutenant Col- 
 onel Johnston, an officer of brilliant promise, was 
 killed, and other severe losses were sustained. 
 
 Before our arrival upon the scene. General Jack- 
 son had moved forward with his Brigade, of live Vir- 
 ginia regiments, from his position in reserve, and 
 had judiciously taken post below the brim of the 
 plateau, nearly east of the Henry House, and to the 
 1 left of the ravine and woods occupied by the mingled 
 remnants of Bee's, Bartow's and Evans's command, 
 with Imboden's Battery, and two of Stanard's pieces, 
 placed so as to play upon the on-coming enemy, sup- 
 : ported in the immediate rear by Colonel J. L. Pres- 
 ; ton's and Lieut. Colonel Echols's Regiments, on the 
 I right by Harper's, and on the left by Allen's and 
 I Cummiijgs's Regiment. 
 
 As soon as General Johnston and myself reached 
 the field, we were occupied with the reorganization 
 of the heroic troops, whose previous stand, with 
 scarce a parallel, has nothing more valiant in all the 
 pages of history, and whose losses fitly tell why, at 
 length, their ranks had lost their cohesion. It was 
 now that General Johnston, impressively and gallant- 
 ly charged to the front, with the colors of the Fourth 
 Alabama Regiment by his side, all the field officers 
 of the regiment having been previously disabled. 
 Shortly afterwards I placerl S. R. Gist, Adjutant 
 5 
 
mil 
 lair- 
 
 130 
 
 and Inspector General of South Carolina, a volun- 
 toor Aid of* General Bee, in command of this reiri- 
 ment, and Avho led it again to the front as became 
 its previous ])ehavior, and remained with it for tlie 
 rest of the day. 
 
 As soon as we had thus rallied and disposed our 
 forces, I urged General Johnston to leave the ir 
 mediate con-luct of the field to me, ^Yhile ho, repai 
 ing to Portici — the I.ewis House — should urge ]• 
 jnforcernents forwanl. At first he Avas unwillii^j. 
 but reminded tliat cue of us must do so, auil that, 
 properly, it ^vas his place, he vuluctantly, Init fortu* 
 natcly, com})lied ; fortunately, because from that 
 position, by his energy and sagacity, his keen per^ 
 ception and anticipation of my needs, he so directed 
 the reserves as to ensure the success of the day. . , 
 
 As General Jolmston dcp;irted for J*ortici, Colo- 
 nel Bartow reported to me -with the reuiains of the 
 Seventh Georgia volunteers — Gaitrelhs — which I 
 ordered him to post on the left of Jackson's line, in 
 the edge of the belt of pines bordering the south- 
 eastern rim of the plateau, on whicli the ])altle was 
 now to I'age so long and so licrcely. 
 
 Col. Wm. Smith s Battalion of the -^lOth Virginia 
 Volunteers, having also come up by my orders, I 
 placed it on the left of GartrelTs as my extreme left 
 at the time. Ke})airing then to the right, I placed 
 Hampton's Legion, which had sulfered greatly, on 
 that flank, somewliafc to the rear of Harper's llegi- i 
 nient, and also tlie seven companies, of the 8th' 
 (Hunton's) Virginia. Regiment, which, detached from 
 Cocke's Brigade, l)y my orders, and those of Gen. 
 Johnston, had opportunely reached the ground. 
 These, with Harper s Regiment, constituted a reserve, ' 
 to protect our right flank from an advance of the 
 
131 
 
 enemy from the quarter of tlic Stone Bridge, and 
 served as, a support for the line of battle, which was 
 formed on the right by Bee's and Evans's commands, 
 in the centre by four regiments of Jackson's Brigade, 
 with Imbodcn's four six-pounders, Walton's five guns 
 (two rilled,) two guns (one piece rifled) of Stanard's 
 and tAvo six-pounders, of Rogers's Batteries, the lat- 
 ter under Lt. Hcaton ; and on the left by Gartrell's 
 reduced ranks and Col. Smith's battalion, subsequent- 
 ly reinforced by Falkner's Second Mississippi Regi- 
 ment, and by another regiment of the Army of She- 
 nandoah, just arrived upon the field, the Sixth 
 (Fisher's) North Carolina. Confronting the enemy 
 at this time, my forces numbered, at most, not more 
 than G,500 infantry and artillerists, with but thirteen 
 pieces of artillery, and two companies (Carter's and 
 Hoo;e's) of Stuart's cavalry. 
 
 The enemy's force, now bearing hotly and confi- 
 dently down on our position — regiment after regi- 
 ment of the best equipped men that ever took the 
 field — according to their own official history of the 
 day, was formed of Colonels Hunter's and lieintzel- 
 man's Divisions, Colonels Sherman's and Keyes's 
 Brigades, of Tyler's Division, and of the formidable 
 batteries of Ricketts, Griffin and Arnold regulars, 
 and Second Rhode Island, and two Dahlgrecn howit- 
 zers — a force of over 20,()()() infantry, seven compa- 
 nies of regular cavalry, and twenty-four pieces of 
 improved artillery. At the same time, perilous, 
 heavy reserves of infantry and artillery hung in the 
 distance around the Stone Bridge, Mitchell's, Black- 
 burn's and Union Mills' Fords, visibly ready to fall 
 upon us at any moment; and I was also assured of 
 the existence of ntlior bonvy corps, at and around 
 
132 
 
 Centreville and elsewhere, within convenient support- 
 ing distances. 
 
 Fully conscious of this portentous disparity of 
 force, as I posted the lines for the encounter, I 
 sought to infuse into the hearts of my officers and 
 men, the confidence and determined spirit of resis- 
 tance to this wicked invasion of the homes of a 
 free people, which I felt. I informed them that re- 
 inforcements would rapidly come to their support, 
 and that we must, at all hazards, hold our posts until 
 reinforced. I reminded them that we fought for our 
 homes, our firesides, and for the independence of our 
 country. I urged them to the resolution of victory 
 or death on that field. These sentiments were loud- 
 ly, eagerly cheered, wheresoever proclaimed, and I 
 then felt reassured of the unconquerable spirit of 
 that army, which would enable us to wrench victory 
 from the host then threatening us with destruction. 
 
 Oh, my country ! I would readily have sacrificed 
 my life and those of all the brave men around me, 
 to save your honor, and to maintain your indepen- 
 dence from the degrading yoke which those ruthless 
 invaders had come to impose and render perpetual, 
 and the day's issue has assured me, that such emo- 
 tions must also have animated all under my com- 
 mand. 
 
 In the meantime, the enemy had seized upon the 
 plateau, on which Robinson's and the Henry Houses 
 are situated — the position first occupied in the morn- 
 ing by Gen. Bee, before advancing to the support of 
 Evans — Ricketts' Battery, of six rifle guns, the 
 pride of the Federalists, the object of their unstinted 
 expenditure in outfit, and the equally powerful Reg- 
 ular Light Battery, of Griffin, were brought forward 
 and placed in immediaic action, after having, con- 
 
133 
 
 jointly with the batteries already mentioned, played 
 from former positions with destructive effect upon 
 our forw^ard battalions. 
 
 The topographical features of the plateau, now be- 
 come the stage of the contending armies, must be 
 described in outline. 
 
 A glance at the map, Avill show that it is enclosed 
 on three sides by small water courses, which empty 
 into Bull Kun within a few yards of each other, a 
 half-a-mile to the south of the Stone Bridge. Rising 
 to an elevation of quite one hundred feet above the 
 level of Bull Run at the Bridge, it falls off on three 
 sides to the level of the enclosing streams in gentle 
 slopes, but wdiich are furrowed by ravines of 
 irregular direction and length, and studded with 
 clumps and i>atches of young pines and oaks. The 
 general direction of the crest of the plateau, is ob- 
 lique to the course of Bull Run in that quarter, 
 and |to the Brentsville and Turnpike Roads which 
 intersect each other at right angles. Immediately 
 surrounding the two houses, before mentioned, are 
 small open fields of irregular outline, not exceeding 
 loO acres in extent. The houses occupied at the 
 time, the one by the Widow Henry and the other by 
 the free negro Robinson, are small wooden buildings, 
 the latter densely embowered in trees, and environed 
 by a double row of fences on two sides. Around 
 the eastern and southern brow of the plateau, an 
 almost unbroken fringe of second-growth pines, gave 
 excellent shelter for our marksmen, who availed 
 themselves of it with the most satisfactory skill. 
 To the west, adjoining the fields, abroad belt of oaks 
 extends directly across the crest on both sides of the 
 Sudley Road, in which, during the battle, regiments 
 of both armies met and contended for the mastery. 
 
134 
 
 From the open ground of this plateau the view 
 embraces a Avicle expanse of woods, and gently 
 undulating, open country of broad grass and grain 
 fields in all directions, including the scene of Evans 
 and Bee's recent encounter with the enemy, some 
 1,200 yards to the northward. 
 
 In reply to the play of the enemy's batteries our 
 own artillery had not been cither idle or unskillful. 
 The ground occupied by our guns, on a level with 
 that lield by the batteries of the enemy, was an open 
 space, ol limited extent, leliind a low undulation, 
 just at the eastern verge of the plateau, some 500 
 or GOO yards from the Henry House. Here, as be- 
 fore said, 13 pieces, mostly six-pounders, were 
 maintained in action. The several batteries of Im- 
 boden, Stanard, Pendleton,. (Rockbridge Artillery), 
 jind Alburtis's, of the Army of the Shenandoah, and 
 five guns of Walton's, and lleaton's section of 
 Rogers's Battery, of the Anny of llio t'otoniac, al- 
 ternating, to some extent, witli each otlrr, and taking 
 part as needed : all from tlve outset displaying tliat 
 marvellous capacity of our peopb^, as artillerists, 
 which has made them, it would a])pear, at once the 
 terror and the admiration of the enemy. 
 
 As was soon apparent, the Federalists had suf- 
 fered severely froui our artillery, and from the fire of 
 our musketry on the right, and especially from the 
 left Hank, placed under cover, within Avhose galling 
 range they had been advanced. And we are told in 
 their oilicial reports, how regiment after regiment, 
 thrown forward to dislodge us, was broken, never to 
 recover its entire organization on that field. 
 
 In the meantime, also, two companies of Stuart's 
 cavahy (Carter's and Iloge's), made a dashing 
 charge down the Brcntsville iind Sudlcy road upon 
 
135 
 
 the Fire Zouaves — then the enemy's right on the 
 phiteau — ^vhich added to their disorder, Avrought by 
 our musketry, on that fhink. But still, the press of 
 the enemy Avas heavy in that quarter of the field, 
 as fresh troops ^vcre thrown forward there to out- 
 flank us ; and some three guns of a battery, in an 
 attempt to obtain a position, apparently to enfilade 
 our batteries, were thrown so close to the 33d Re- 
 giment, Jackson's Brigade, that that regiment, 
 springing forward, seized them, but with severe loss, 
 and was subsequently driven back by an overpow- 
 ering force of Federal musketry. 
 
 iSow, lull 2 o'clock, V, M., I gave the order for 
 the right of uiv line, except my reserves, to advance 
 to recover tlic })lateau. It was done with uncommon 
 resolution and vii?:or, and at the same time Jackson's 
 Brigade pierced the enemy's centre with the deter- 
 mination of veterans, and the spirit of men who 
 fight for a sacred cause ; but it suffered seriously. 
 With equal spirit the other parts of the lino made 
 the onset, and the Federal lines were broken and 
 swept back at all points from the open ground of the 
 plateau. Ballying soon, however, as they were 
 strongl}^ reinforced by fresh regiments, the Feder- 
 alists returned, and by v>'eight of numbers, pressed 
 uur lines back, recovered their ground and guns, 
 and renewed the offensive. 
 
 B}^ this time, between half-past 2 and 3 o'clock, 
 P. M., our reinforcements pushed forAvard, and di- 
 rected ])j General Johnston to the requircil qiiarlor, 
 were at Inind just as I Inid ordered forward, to a 
 second effort, for the recovery of the disputed pla- 
 teau, the whole line, including my reserve, which, 
 at this crisis of the battle, I felt called upon to lead 
 in person. This ;ittack was general, and Avas shared 
 
136 
 
 in by every regiment then in the field, including the 
 6th, Fisher's North Carolina regiment, which had 
 just come up and taken position on the immediate 
 left of the '19th Virginia Regiment. The whole open 
 ground was again swept clear of the enemy, and the 
 plateau around the Henry and Robinson Houses re- 
 mained finally in our possession, w^th the greater 
 part of the Ricketts and Griffin batteries, and a 
 flag of the 1st Michigan Regiment, captured by the 
 27th Virginia Regiment, (Lieut. Col. Echols,) of 
 Jackson's Brigade. This part of the day was rich 
 with deeds of individual coolness' and dauntless 
 conduct, as well as well-directed, embodied resolu- 
 tion and bravery, but fraught with the loss to the 
 service of the country, of lives of inestimable pre- 
 ciousness at this juncture. The brave Bee was 
 mortally wounded at the head of the 4th Alabama 
 and some Mississippians, in the open field near the 
 Henry House ; and a few yards distant, the promis- 
 ing life of Bartow, while leading the 7th Georgia 
 Regiment, was quenched in blood. Colonel F. J. 
 Thomas, Acting Chief of Ordnance, of Gen. John- 
 ston's Staff, after gallant conduct and most efficient 
 service, was also slain. Col. Fisher — 6th North 
 Carolina — likewise fell, after soldierly behavior at 
 the head of his regiment, with ranks greatly 
 thinned. 
 
 Withers's 18th Regiment, of Cocke's Brigade, had 
 come up in tinie to follow this charge, and in con- 
 junction with Hampton's Legion, captured several 
 rifle pieces, which may have fallen previously in 
 possession of some of our troops ; but, if so, had 
 been recovered by the enemy. These pieces were 
 immediately turned, and effectively served on distant 
 
137 
 
 masses of the enemy, by the hands of some of our 
 officers. 
 
 While the enemy had thus been driven back on 
 our right, entirely across the turnpike and beyond 
 Young's Branch, on our left, the woods yet swarmed 
 with them, when our reinforcements opportunely ar- 
 rived in quick succession, and took position in that 
 portion of the field. Kershaw's 2nd and Cash's 8th 
 South Carolina Kegiments, which had arrived soon 
 after Withers's, were led through the oaks just east 
 of the Sudley-Brentsville Road, brushing some of 
 the enemy before them, and taking an advantageous 
 position along and west of that road, opened with 
 much skill and effect on bodies of the enemy that 
 had been rallied under cover of a strong Federal 
 brigade, posted on a plateau in the southwest angle, 
 formed by intersection of the Turnpike with the 
 S.-B. Road. Among the troops thus engaged, were 
 the Federal regular infantry. 
 
 At the same time, Kemper's Battery, passing 
 northward by the S.-B. Road, took position on the 
 open space — under orders ol Colonel Kershaw — near 
 where an enemy's battery had been captured, and 
 was opened with effective results upon the Federal 
 right, then the mark also of Kershaw and Cash's 
 Regiments. 
 
 Preston's 28th Regiment, of Cocke's Brigade, had 
 by that time, entered the same body of oaks, and en- 
 countered some Michigan troops, capturing their 
 Brigade Commander, Col. Wilcox. 
 
 Another important accession to our forces had 
 also occurred about the same time, 3 o'clock, P. M. 
 Brigadier Gen. E. K. Smith, with some 1,700 
 infantry of Elzey's Brigade, of the Army of the 
 Shenandoah, and Beckham's Battery, came upon the 
 
138 
 
 field, from Camp Pickens, Manassas, -where tliey liad 
 arrived by railroad at noon. Directed in person 
 b}- Gen. Johnston, to the left, tlien so much endan- 
 gered, on reaching a position in rear of the oak 
 Avoods, south of the Henry House, and immediately 
 east of the Sudlcy Koad, Gen. Smith -was disabled 
 by a severe -wound, and his valuable services -were 
 lost at that critical juncture. But the command de- 
 volved upon a meritorious officer of experience — 
 Col. Elzc}^ — vrho led his infantry at once somevdnit 
 further to the left, in the direction of tlie Chinn 
 House, across the road, through the oaks skirting 
 tlie Avcst side of the road, and around Avhich lie ^ent 
 the battery under Lieut. l>eckham. This officer 
 took up a most favorable position near that liouse, 
 -whence, vrith a clear view of the Federal right and 
 centre, filling the open fields to the v/est of the 
 ]>rentsville-Sudley Road, and gently sl0|)ing south- 
 -ward, he opened lire vfith his battery upon them with 
 deadly and damaging effect. 
 
 Col. Early, -who, by some misc:i:inco, did not rc- 
 cei\e orders until 2 o'clock, whicli ikui been sent him 
 at noon, came on tlie ground iiiniiedjately after El- 
 zey, Avitli Kemper's 7tii A'irginia, Hays's 7th Louis- 
 inn;), and Larksdale's lotli 2\iissisr_qp])i regiments. 
 This Brigade, by t1ie personal dii'ect'on of Gen'eral 
 Johnstoii, -was marclied by the Holkhaiu House, 
 across the fields to the left, entirely around the 
 VN-oods through -which Elzey Imd passed, and under 
 a severe fire, into a position in line of ])attlc near 
 Chinn's House, outflanking tlie enemy's right. 
 
 At this tnue, about 3.3!), \\ M., tlie enemy driven 
 back on tlieir left and centre, and brushed from the 
 woods bordering the Sudley Road, south and west of 
 the Henry House, had formed a line of battle of 
 
139 
 
 truly formidable proportions, of crescent outline, 
 reaching on their left, from vicinity of Pittsylvania, 
 (the old Carter Mansion), by Matthew's and in rear 
 of Dogan's, across the Turnpike near to Chinn's 
 House. The woods and fields were filled with their 
 masses of infantry and their carefully preserved cav- 
 alry. It was a truly magnificent, though redoubt- 
 able spectacle, as they threw forward in fine style, 
 on ihe broad gentle slopes of the ridge occupied by 
 their main lines, a cloud of skirmishers, preparatory 
 for another attack. 
 
 But as Early formed his line, and Beckham's 
 pieces played upon the right of the enemy, Elzey's 
 Brigade, Gibbon's liith Virginia, Lieut. Colonel 
 Stuart's 1st ^Maryland, and Vaughnn's 3d Tennessee 
 Regiments, and Cash',; Sth and Kershaw's 2d South 
 Carolina, Withers's 18th and Preston's 2Sth Vir- 
 ginia, advanced in an irregular line^ almost simul- 
 taneously, with gi'cat spirit from their several po- 
 sitions, upon the front and fhmks of the enemy, in 
 tlieir quarter of the field. At the same time, too, 
 Early resolutely assailed their right flank and rear. 
 Under this combined attack, the enemy was soon 
 forced, first over the narrow jdateau in the southern 
 angle made by the two roads so often mentioned, 
 into a patcli of Avoods on its Avestern slope, thence 
 back over Young's Branch and the Turnpike, into 
 the fields of the Dogan Fai-m, and rearward in ex- 
 treme disorder, in all available directions, towards 
 ]]ull Ilun. The rout had now become general and 
 complete. 
 
 About the time that Elzey and Early Avere enter- 
 ing into action, a column of the enemy, Keyes's 
 Brigade of Tyler's Division, made its Avay across the 
 Turnpike botwoou Bull Ilun and the Robinson House, 
 
140 
 
 under cover of a wood and brow of the ridges, ap- 
 parently to turn my riglit, but was easily repulsed 
 by a few shots from Latham's Battery, now united 
 and placed in position by Captain D. JB. Harris, of 
 the Virginia Engineers, whose services during the 
 day became his character as an able, cool and skill- 
 ful officer ; and from Alburtis's Battery, opportune- 
 ly ordered, by General Jackson, to a position to the 
 right of Latham, on a hill commanding the line of 
 approach of the enemy, and supported by portions 
 of regiments collected together by the Staff Officers 
 of General Johnston and m^^self. 
 
 Early's Brigade, meanwhile, joined by the 19th 
 Viro^inia Res-iment, Lieutenant-Colonel Strano;e, of 
 Cocke's Brigade, pursued the now panic-stricken, 
 fugitive enemy. Stuart, with his cavalry, and Beck- 
 ham, had also taken up the pursuit along the road 
 by which the enemy had come upon the field that 
 morning; but soon, cumbered by prisoners who 
 thronged his way, the former was unable to attack 
 the mass of the fast-fleeing, frantic Federalists. 
 Withers's, R. T. Preston's, Cash's and Kershaw's 
 Regiments, Hampton's Legion and Kemper's Batte- 
 ry also pursued along the Warrenton road by the 
 Stone Bridge, the enemy having opportunely opened 
 a way for them through the heavy abatis which my 
 troops had made on the west side of the bridge seve- 
 ral days before. But this pursuit was soon recalled, 
 in consequence of a false report which unfortunate- 
 ly reached us, that the enemy's reserves, known to 
 be fresh and of considerable strength, were threat- 
 ening the position of Union Mills Ford. ^ 
 
 Colonel Radford, with six companies Virginia cav- 
 alry, was also ordered by General Johnston to cross 
 Bull Run and attack the enemy from the direction of 
 
141 
 
 Lewis's House ; conducted by one of my Aids, Colo- 
 ifcl Chisholm, by the Lewis Ford, to the immediate 
 vicinity of the Suspension Bridge, he charged a bat- 
 tery with great gallantry, took Colonel Corcoran, of 
 the 69th regiment New York Volunteers, a prisoner, 
 and captured the Federal colors of that regiment, 
 as well as a number of the enemy. He lost, how- 
 ever, a promising officer of his regiment. Captain 
 Winston Radford. 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Munford also led some com- 
 panies of cavalry in hot pursuit, and rendered ma- 
 terial service in the capture of prisoners and of 
 cannon, liorses, ammunition, &c., abandoned by the 
 enemy in their flight. 
 
 Captain Lay's company of the Powhatan troops, 
 and Utterback's Rangers, Virginia volunteers, at- 
 tached to my person, did material service, under Cap- 
 tain Lay, in rallying troops broken for the time 
 by the onset of the enemy's masses. 
 
 During the period of the momentous events fraught 
 with the weal of our country, which were passing 
 on the blood-stained plateau along the Sudley and 
 Warrenton Roads, other portions of the line of Bull 
 Run had not been void of action of moment and of 
 influence upon the general result. 
 
 While Colonel Evans and his sturd}" band were 
 holding at bay the Federal advance beyond the 
 Turnpike, the enemy made repeated demonstrations, 
 with artillery and infantry, upon the line of Cocke's 
 Brigade, with the serious intention of forcing the 
 position, as General Schenck admits in his report. 
 They were driven back with severe loss by Latham's 
 (a section) and Rjgers's four six-pounders, and were 
 so impressed with the strength of that line as to be 
 held in check and inactive, even after it had been 
 
142 
 
 stripped of all its troops but one company of the 
 19th Virginia Kegimcnt, under Captain Duke, sf 
 meritorious officer. And it is worthy of notice that, 
 in this encounter of our six-pounder guns, handled 
 Ly our volunteer artillerists, they had worsted such 
 a notorious adversary as the Ayres's — formerly Sher- 
 man's — Battery, which quit the contest under the 
 illusion that it had weightier metal than its own to 
 contend with. 
 
 The centre Brigades — Bonham's and Longstreet's — 
 of the line of Bull Bun, if not closely engaged, were 
 nevertheless exposed for mucli of the day to an an- 
 no^dng, almost incessant fire of artillery of long 
 range ; hut, by a steady, veteran-like maintenance 
 of their positions, they held, virtually paralyzed all 
 day, two strong brigades of the enemy, with their 
 batteries (four) of rifle guns. 
 
 As before said, two regiments of Bonham's Bri- 
 gade, 2nd and 8th South Carolina volunteers, and 
 Kemper's Battery, took a distinguished part in the 
 battle. The remainder, 3rd Williams's. 7th Bacon's 
 South Carolina volunteers ; 1 1 th (Kirkland's) North 
 Carolina Regiment; six companies 8th Louisiana 
 volunteers; Shield's Battery, and one section of 
 Walton's Battery under Lieutentant Garnett, wliether 
 in holding their post or taking up the pursuit, offi- 
 cers and men, discharged their duty with credit and 
 promise. 
 
 Longstreot's Brigade, })ursuant to orders prescrib- 
 ing his part of the operations of the centre and 
 right wing, was thrown across Bull Bun early in the 
 morning, and under a severe fire of artillery, was 
 skillfully disposed for the assault of the enemy's bat- 
 teries in that quarter, but were withdrawn subse- 
 quently, in consequence of the change of plan already 
 
113 
 
 irientloDOfl and explained. Tlio troops of this brigade 
 Averc, 1st, Major Skinner; llth, GarLnurs ; 24tli, 
 Lientcnant-Colonel Hairston ; 17th, Corse, Virginia 
 Kcgiments; otli North Carolina, Lieutenanc-Coloncl 
 Jones, and Whitehead's company A^irijinia cavalr}*. 
 Thronghout the day these troops evinced the most 
 soldierly spirit. 
 
 After the rout, having Leon ordered 1)V General 
 Johnston in the direction of Centreville in pursuit, 
 these brigades advanced near to that place, uhen 
 night and darkness intervening. General ]]onhani 
 thought it proper to direct his own brigade and tlint 
 of General Longstreet back to Bull Run. 
 
 General D. 11. Jones early in tlie day crossing 
 13ull Run -with his l-rigade, pursuant to orders, indi- 
 cating his part in the projected attack by our right 
 wing and centre on the enemy at Centreville, took 
 up a ])Osition on the Union Mills and Centreville 
 lioad, more than a mile in advance of tlie Run. 
 Ordered back, in conse([uence of the miscarriage of 
 ihe orders to General Ewell, the retrogade move- 
 ment was necessarily made under a sharp fire of ar- 
 tillery. 
 
 At noon tliis ])i-ig;i:]e. in o'jv^dience to new instruc- 
 tions, was again thrown across Bull Bun to make 
 demonstrations. Unsupported by other troops, the 
 advance was gallantly made until within musket 
 range of the enemy's force — Colonel Davies' Brigade, 
 in position near Rocky Run, and under the concen- 
 trated fire of their artiller}^ In this affair the 5th, 
 Jenkins's South Carolina, and Captain Fountaine's 
 compiuiy of the 18th Mississippi Regiment are 
 mentioned by General Jones as having shown con- 
 spicuous gallantry, coolness and discipline, under a 
 combined fire of infantry and artillery. Not only 
 
144 
 
 did the return fire of the brigade drive to cover the 
 enemy's infantry, but the movement unquestionably 
 spread through the enemy's ranks a sense of inse- 
 curity and danger from an attack by that route on 
 their rear at Centreville, which served to augment 
 the extraordinary panic which we kno'.v disbanded 
 the entire Federal Army for the time. This is evi- 
 dent from the fact that Colonel Davies, the immedi- 
 ate adversary's commander, in his official report was 
 induced to magnify one small company of our ca- 
 valry, which accompanied the brigade, into a force 
 of 2,(}()0 men ; and Colonel Miles, the commander 
 of the Federal Reserves at Centreville, says the 
 movement '* caused painful apprehensions jfor the 
 left flank" of their army. 
 
 General Ewell, occupying for the time the right 
 of the lines of Bull Run at Union Mills Ford, after 
 the miscarriage of my orders for his advance upon 
 Centreville, in the afternoon, was ordered by General 
 Johnston to bring up his brigade into battle then 
 raging on the left flank. Promptly executed as this 
 movement was, the brigade, after a severe march, 
 reached the field too late to share the glories, as they 
 had the labors, of the day. As the important po- 
 sition at the Union Mills had been left with but a 
 slender guard, General Ewell was at once ordered 
 to retrace his steps and resume his position to pre- 
 vent the possibility of its seizure by any force of 
 the enemy in that quarter. 
 
 Brigadier General Holmes — left with his brigade 
 as a support to the same position in the original plan 
 of battle — had also been called to the left, whither 
 he marched with the utmost speed, but not in time 
 to join actively in the battle. 
 
 Walker's rifle guns of the brigade, however, came 
 
145 
 
 tip in time to be fired with precision and decided 
 execution at the retreating enemy, and Scott's ca- 
 valry, joining in the pursuit, assisted in the capture 
 of prisoners and war munitions. 
 
 This victory, the details of which I have thus 
 sought to chronicle as fully as Avere fitting an official 
 report, it remains to record, w^as dearly won by the 
 death of many officers and men of inestimable value, 
 belonging to all grades of our society. 
 
 In the death of General Barnard E. Bee the Con- 
 federacy has sustained an irreparable loss, for with 
 great personal bravery and coolness, he possessed the 
 (jualities of an accomplished soldier, and an able, re- 
 liable commander. 
 
 Colonels Bartow and Fisher, and Lieutenant 
 Colonel Johnson of Hampton's Legion, in the fear- 
 less command of their men, gave earnest of great 
 usefulness to the service, had they been spared to 
 complete a career so brilliantly begun. Besides 
 the field officers, already mentioned as having been 
 wounded while in the gallant discharge of their 
 duties, many others also received severe wounds after 
 equally honorable and distinguished conduct, whe- 
 ther in leading their men forward, or in rallying 
 them, when overpowered or temporarily shattered by 
 the largely superior force, to which we were gener- 
 ally opposed. 
 
 The subordinate grades were likewise abundantly 
 conspicuous for zeal and capacity for the leadership 
 of men in arms. To mention all, who, fighting well, 
 paid the lavish forfeit of their lives, or at least crip- 
 pled, mutilated bodies on the field of Manassas, can- 
 not well be done within the compass of this paper, 
 but a grateful country and mourning friends will 
 
140 
 
 not suffer tlicir names and services to ho foi'gottcn, 
 and pass a^vaj unlionorcd. 
 
 IN^or are those officers and men ^vho were so for- 
 tunate as to escape the thick-flyir.g, deadly missiles, 
 of the enemy, less worthy of |)raise for their endur- 
 ance, firmness and valor than their brothers-in-arms, 
 whose lives were closed, or bodies maimed, on that 
 memorable day. To mention all who exhibited 
 n.bility and brilliant courage, were impossible in this 
 report; nor do the reports of Brigade and other sub- 
 ordinate commanders, supply full' lists of all ac- 
 tually deserving of distinction. I can ouly men- 
 tion those whose conduct came immediately under 
 m}^ notice, or the consequence of whose actions hap- 
 pened to be signally important. 
 
 It is fit that I should, in this wa}^, commend to 
 notice the dauntless conduct and imperturbable cool- 
 ness of Col. Evans ; and well indeed was he supported 
 by Col. Sloan and the officers of the Fourth South 
 Carolina Regiment, as also, Major Wheat, than 
 whom, no oue displayed more brilliant courage until 
 carried from the field, shot tlirough tlie lungs ; 
 though happil}^ not mortally stricken. But in the 
 desperately unequal contest, to which those brave 
 gentlemen were, for a time, uecessarily exposed, the 
 behavior of officers and men generadly, was worthy 
 of the higliest admiration ; and assuredly, hereafter, 
 all there present, may proudly say : We were of 
 that band who fought the first hour of the battle of 
 Manassas. Equal honors and credit must also be 
 aAvarded in the pages of history, to the gallant offi- 
 cers and men, who, under Bee and Bartow, subse- 
 quently marching to their side, saved them from de- 
 struction, and relieved them from the brunt of the 
 enemy's attack. 
 
147 
 
 The conduct of Gen. Jackson also requires men- 
 tion as eminently that of an able, fearless soldier, 
 and sagacious commander, one fit to lead his efficient 
 brigade : his prompt, timely arrival before the pla- 
 teau of the Henry House, and his judicious dispo- 
 sition of his troops contributed much to the success 
 of the day. Although painfully wounded in the 
 hand, he remained on the field to the end of the bat- 
 tle, rendering invaluable assistance. 
 
 Col. Wm. Smith was as efficient, as self-posses- 
 sed and brave ; the influence of his example and his 
 words of encouragement was not confined to his im- 
 mediate command, the good conduct of which is 
 especially noticeable, inasmuch as it had been em- 
 bodied but a day or two before the battle. 
 
 Colonels Harper, Hunton and Hampton, com- 
 manding regiments of the reserve, attracted my 
 notice, by their soldierly ability, as witli their gal- 
 lant commands, they restored the fortunes of the 
 day, at a time when the enemy, by a last desperate 
 onset, with heavy odds, had driven our forces from 
 the fiercely contested ground around tli-c Henry and 
 Robinson Houses. Veterans could not have be- 
 haved better than these well led regiments. 
 
 High praise must also be given to Colonels Cocke, 
 Early and Elzey, Brigade Commanders ; also, to Col. 
 Kershaw, commanding, for the time, the Second and 
 Eighth South Carolina Regiments. Under the in- 
 structions of General Johnston, these officers reach- 
 ed the field at an opportune, critical moment, and 
 disposed, handled and fought their respective com- 
 mands, with sagacity, decision and successful results, 
 which have been described in detail. 
 
 Col. J. E. B. Stuart likewise deserves mention, 
 for his enterprise and ability as a cavalry commander. 
 
148 
 
 Through his judicious reconnoisance of the country 
 on our left flank, ho acquired information, both of 
 topographical features and the positions of the ene- 
 ni}^, of the utmost importance in the subsequent and 
 closing movements of the day on that flank, and his 
 services in the pursuit, were highly efi'ective. 
 
 Capt, E. P. Alexander, C. S. Engineers, gave me 
 seasonable and material assistance early in the day, 
 with his system of signals. Almost the first shot 
 fired by the enemy passed through the tent of his 
 party at the Stone Bridge, where they subsequently 
 firmly maintained their position in the discharge of 
 their duty — the transmission of messages of the ene- 
 my's movements — for several hours under fire. 
 Later, Captain Alexander acted as my Aid-de-Camp, 
 in the transmission of orders, and in observation of 
 the enemy. 
 
 I was most efficiently served throughout the day 
 by my Volunteer Aids, Colonels Preston, Manning, 
 Chesnut, Miles, Rice, Heyward and Chisholm, to 
 whom I tender my thanks for their unflagging, intel- 
 ligent and fearless discharge of the laborious, respon- 
 sible duties entrusted to them. To Lieut. S. W. 
 Ferguson, A. D. C, and Col. Heyward, who were 
 habitually at my side, from 12 noon until the close 
 of the battle ; my special acknowledgments are due. 
 The horse of the former was killed under him by the 
 same shell that wounded that of the latter. Both 
 were eminently useful to me, and were distinguish- 
 ed for coolness and courage, until the enemy gave 
 way and fled in wild disorder in every direction — 
 a scene the President of the Confederacy had the 
 high satisfaction of witnessing, as he arrived upon 
 the field at that exultant moment. 
 
 I also received, from the time I reached the front, 
 
149 
 
 such signal service from H. E. Peyton, at the time 
 a private in the Loudoun cavalry, that I have called 
 him to my personal staff. Similar services were also 
 rendered me, repeatedly during the battle, by T. J. 
 Randolph, a Volunteer Acting A. D. C. to Colonel 
 Cocke. 
 
 Captain Clifton 11. Smith, of the General Staff, 
 was also present on the field, and rendered efficient 
 service in the transmission of orders. 
 
 It must be permitted me here, to record my pro- 
 found sense of my obligations to General Johnston, 
 for his generous permission to carry out my plans, 
 with such modifications as circumstances Lad re- 
 quired. From his services on the field, as we enter- 
 ed it together, already mentioned, and his subse- 
 quent watchful management of the reinforcements as 
 they reached the vicinity of the field, our country- 
 men may draw the most auspicious auguries. 
 
 To Colonel Thomas Jordan, my efficient and zeal- 
 ous Assistant Adjutant-General, much credit is due 
 for his able assistance in the organization of the 
 forces under my command and for the intelligence 
 and promptness with which he has discharged all the 
 laborious and important duties of his office. 
 
 Valuable assistance was given to me by Major 
 Cabell, chief officer of the Quartermaster's Depart- 
 ment, in the sphere of his duties-r-duties environed 
 by far more than the ordinary difficulties and embar- 
 rassments attending the operations of a long organ- 
 ized, regular establishment. 
 
 Colonel R. B. Lee, Chief of Subsistence Depart- 
 ment, had but just entered upon his duties, but his 
 experience, and long and varied services in his de- 
 partment, made him as efficient as possible. 
 
 Captain W. II. Fowle, whom Colonel Lee had re- 
 
15J 
 
 lieved, had previously exerted himself to the utmost 
 to carry out ordors from these headquarters, to ren- 
 der his department equal to the demands of the ser- 
 vice ; that it ^vas not entirely so, it is due to justice 
 to say, was certainly not his fault. 
 
 Deprived, by the sudden severe illness, of the 
 Medical Director, Surgeon Thomas 11. Williams, his 
 duties were discharged by Surgeon R. L. Brodie, to 
 my entire satisfaction ; and it is proper to say, that 
 the entire medical corps of the army at ])rcsont, em- 
 bracing gentlemen of distinction in the profession, 
 vho had quit lucrative private practice, by their ser- 
 vices in the field and subscnuentlv, did hiiih honor 
 to their profession. 
 
 The vital duties of the Ordinance Department were 
 effectively discharged under the administration of 
 my Chief of Artillery and Ordnance, Colonel Samuel 
 Jones. 
 
 At one time, when reports of evil omen and dis- 
 aster reached Camp Pickens, with such circumstan- 
 tiality as to give reasona1)le grounds of anxiety, its 
 commander, Colonel Terrett, the commander of the 
 entrenched batteries, Captain Stcrrott, of the Con- 
 federate States Navy, and their officers, made the 
 most efficient possible preparations for the desperate 
 defence of that position in extremity; and in this 
 connection, I regret n'ly Intibility to mention the 
 names of those patriotic gentlemen of Virginia, by 
 the gratuitous labor of whose slaves the entrenched 
 camp at i\Ianassas had been mainly constructed, re- 
 lieving the troops from that laborious service, and 
 giving opportunity for their military instruction. 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas II. Williamson, the 
 Engineer of these vforks, assisted by Captain D. B. 
 
151 
 
 Harris, discharged his duties with untiring energy 
 and devotion, as Avell as satisfactory skill. 
 
 Captain W. 11. Stevens, Engineer Confederate 
 States Army, served with the advanced forces at 
 Fairfax Court-House for some time before tlie battle ; 
 he laid out the works there, in admirable accordance 
 •with tlic purposes for which they were designed, and 
 yet so as to admit of ultimate extension and adap- 
 tation to more serious uses as means and part of a 
 system of real defence when determined upon. Pic 
 has sho\Yn himself to be an officer of cnergv and abil- 
 
 Major Thomas G. llhctt, after having discharged 
 for several months the laborious duties of Adjutant- 
 General to the commanding officer of Camp Pickens, 
 was detached to join tlie Array of the Shenandoah, 
 just on the eve of tlie advance of the enemy, but vol- 
 unteering his services, was ordered to assist on the 
 Staff of vjieneral Bonham, joining that officer at Cen- 
 treville on the night of the 17th, before the battle 
 of Bull Plun, where he rendered valuable services, 
 until the arrival of General Johnston, on tlic 2nth 
 ol July, wlicn he was called to the place of Chief of 
 Staff of that office!-. 
 
 It is also proper to acknowledge the si;jfnal ser- 
 vices rendered by Colonel B. F. Terry and T. Lub- 
 bock, of Texas, who lia:! attached themselves to the 
 staff of General Longstrcet. These gentlemen made 
 daring and valuable rcconnoisances of the enemy's 
 positions, assisted by Captains Goree and Chichester ; 
 they also carried orders in the field, and on the fol- 
 lowing day, accompan^nng Captain Whitehead'^s 
 troop to take possession of Fairfax Court-llouse, 
 Colonel Terry, Avith his unerring rifle, severed the 
 halliard, and tlius lowered the Federal flan; found 
 
152 
 
 still floating from the cupola of the Court-House 
 there. He also secured a large Federal garrison 
 flag, designed, it is said, to be unfurled over our 
 entrenchments at Manassas. 
 
 In connection with the unfortunate casualty of the 
 day — that is, the miscarriage of the orders sent by 
 courier to Generals Holmes and Ewell to attack the 
 enemy in flank and reverse at Centreville, through 
 which the triumph of our arms was prevented from 
 being still more decisive, I regard it in place to say, 
 a divisional organization, with officers in command 
 of divisions, ^Avith appropriate rank, as in European 
 services, would greatly reduce the risk of such mis- 
 haps, and would advantageously simplify the commu- 
 nications of a General in command of a field with 
 his troops. 
 
 While glorious for our people, and of crushing 
 efi'ect upon the morale of our hitherto confident and 
 over-weening adversary, as were the events of the 
 battle of Manassas, the field was only won b}^ stout 
 fighting, and, as before reported, with much loss, as 
 is precisely exhibited in the papers herewith, marked 
 F, G and H, and being lists of the killed and wound- 
 ed. The killed outright numbered 369 — the wounded 
 1,483, making an aggregate of 1,852. 
 
 The actual loss of the enemy will never be known ; 
 it may now only be conjectured. Their abandoned 
 dead, as they were buried by our people where they 
 fell, unfortunately, were not enumerated, but many 
 parts of the field were thick with their corpses, as 
 but few battle fields have ever been. The official 
 reports of the enemy are expressly silent on this 
 point, but still afford us data for an approximate 
 estimate. Left almost in the dark, in respect to the 
 losses of Hunter's and Heintzleman's Divisions — 
 
153 
 
 first, longest and most hotly engaged — we are in- 
 formed that Sherman's Brigade — Tyler's Division — - 
 sujQfcrcd, in killed, wounded and missing, 609 — that 
 is, about 18 per cent, of the brigade. A regiment 
 of Franklin's Brigade — Gorman's — lost 21 per cent. 
 Grifiin's (battery) loss was 30 per cent., and that of 
 Keyes's Brigade, which was so handled by its com- 
 mander, as to be exposed to only occasional volleys 
 from our troops, Avas at least 10 per cent. To these 
 facts add the repeated references in the reports of 
 the more reticent commanders, to the "murderous" 
 fire to which they were habitually exposed^^the 
 '^pistol range" volleys, and galling musketry, of 
 which they speak, as scourging their ranks, and we 
 are warranted in placing the entire loss of the Fed- 
 eralists, at over forty-five hundred in killed, wounded 
 and prisoners. To this may be legitimately added 
 as a casualty of the battle, the thousands of fugi- 
 tives from the field, who have never rejoined their 
 regiments, and who are as much lost to the enemy's 
 service as if slain or disabled by wounds. These 
 may not be included under the head of " missing, " 
 because, in every instance of such report, we took 
 as many prisoners of those brigades or regiments as 
 are reported ^^ missing^ 
 
 A list appended exhibits some 1,460 of their 
 wounded and others, who fell into our hands, and 
 were sent to Bichmond; some were sent to other 
 points, so that the number of prisoners, including 
 wounded, who did not die, may be set down as not less 
 than 1,600. Besides these a considerable number, 
 who could not be removed from the field, died at 
 several farm houses and field hospitals within ten 
 days following the battle. 
 
 To serve the future historian of this war, I will 
 
1 51 
 
 note tlie f\\ct, that among the captured Federalists, 
 arc officers and men of forty-seven regiments of 
 volunteers, besides from some nine" different regi- 
 ments of regular troops, detucliments of which were 
 engaged. From their official reports, ^ve leai-n of a 
 regiment of volunteers engaged, six regiments of 
 J^liles's Division, and the five regiments of Runyon's 
 Brigade, from ^vhieh avc have neither sound nor 
 wounded prisoners. ^Making all allowances for mis- 
 takes, W3 are warranted in saying that the Federal 
 Army consisted of at least fifty-five regiments of vol- 
 unteers, eight companies of regular infantry, four of 
 marines, nine of regular cavalr^^ and tAvelve batic- 
 rie.-, forty-nine guns. These regiments, atone time, 
 as will appear from a published list appended, mark- 
 ed "K," numbered in the aggregate 54, 14'. >, and aver- 
 age DIM each. From an order of the enemy's com- 
 mander, however, dated July 13th, we learn that 
 one hundred men from each regiment were directed 
 to remain in charge of their res})ective camps — some 
 allowance must further be made for the sick and 
 details, wdiich would reduce the average to eight 
 hundred men — adding the regular cavalry, infantry 
 and artillery present, an estimate of their force may 
 be made. 
 
 A paper appended, marked " L, " exhibits, in 
 part, the ordnance and supplies captured — including 
 some twenty-eight field pieces of the best character 
 of arm, with over one hundred rounds of ammuni- 
 ttion for each gun, thirty-seven caissons, six forges, 
 four battery wagons, sixty-four artillery horses, 
 completely equipped, live hundred thousand rounds 
 of small arms ammunition, four thousand five hun- 
 dred setts of accoutrements, over five thousand 
 muskets, some nine regimental and garrison flags, 
 
with a large luiuibcr of pistols, kiiap.iacks, swords, 
 canteens, blankets ; a larire store of axes and en- 
 trenching tools, wagons, ambulances, horses, camp 
 and garrison cqiiip:ige, luspital stores, and some 
 subsistence. 
 
 Added to these results, may rightly be noticed 
 here, that l)y this battle an invading army, superbly 
 e([uipped, vrithin twenty miles of their base of opcra- 
 .tions, has l)een converted into one virtually besieged, 
 and exclusively occupied for months in the con- 
 struction cf a ^^tupendous series of fortifications for 
 the piot:ction of its own Capitol. 
 
 I beg to call attention to the reports of the several 
 subordinate commanders for reference to the signal 
 parts played by individuals of their respective com- 
 r.innds. Contradictory statements, found in these 
 reports, should not excite surprise, when we remem- 
 ber how diilicult, if not impossible, it is to reconcile 
 tlie narrations of by-stau'lerg or participants in even 
 ihe ijir.st iiicon.-tiderable affair, much ]e;^s the shift- 
 msi:, thrillinir scenes of a battle field. 
 
 Accompanying are maps showing the positions of 
 the armi s on the morning of the 21st July, and of 
 three several stages of the battle ; also, of the lino 
 of Bull Run noi'tii of ]]lackliuru\s Ford. These 
 maps, from actual surveys nrade l)y Captain \). B. 
 Harris, assisted by ]\Ir. John Grant, were drawn b}'- 
 the latter with a rare accuracy worthy of high com- 
 mendation. 
 
 In conclusion, it is proper, and doubtless expected, 
 that through this report my countrymen should bo 
 made acquainted with some of the sufficient causes 
 that ])revented the advance of our forces and pro- 
 longed, vigorous pursuit of the enemy to and be- 
 yond tlic i'o'iomac. The Vt'ar DcparLUient has been 
 
156 
 
 fully advised long since of all of those causes, some 
 of which only are proper to be here communicated. 
 An army, "svhich had fought as ours on that day, 
 against uncommon odds, under a July sun, most of 
 the time -without water and without food, except a 
 hastily snatched, scanty meal at dawn, was not in 
 condition for the toil of an eager, effective pursuit 
 of an enemy immediately after the battle. 
 
 On the following day an unusually heavy and un- 
 intermitting fall ot rain intervened to obstruct our 
 advance, with reasonable prospect of fruitful results. 
 Added to this, the want of a cavalry force, of suffi- 
 cient numbers, made an efficient pursuit a, military 
 impossibility. 
 
 Respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 G. T. BEAUREGARD, 
 
 General Commanding. 
 
 To General S. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector Gen^ 
 eral, Richmond, Fa. 
 
 (Official.) R. H. Chilton, 
 
 Adjutant, 
 
ERRATA. 
 
 Page 12— In regard to the cause which produced a junc- 
 tion of the command of General Johnston with that 
 of General Beauregard, it is deemed necessary to add 
 that the order of the former was discretionary, and 
 amounted simply to permission to take this step, if, in 
 his judgment, it should be necessary; 
 
 Page 29 — Instead of General 8mith having arrived from 
 the cars, it should be stated that General Smith ar- 
 rived from Manassas, in command of Elzey's Brigade. 
 General Smith was wounded while placing his Bri- 
 gade in position, when the command devolved upon 
 Colonel Elzey. 
 
 Pages 30 and 60 — Elzey's Brigade was composed of the 
 10th Virginia Regiment, Colonel S. B. Gibbons, the 
 1st ]Maryland, Colonel Elzey, and 3d Tennessee, Colo- 
 nel Yaughan. 
 
 Pages 30 and 61— Early's Brigade ; instead of " 24th Vir- 
 ginia Regiment, Colonel Early," read the " 13th Mis- 
 sissippi Regimen ti" 
 
 Page 73 — Fifth line from the bottom, instead of " wound- 
 ed," read "mouutech'^ 
 
 Page 78 — Ninth line from bottom of page, read "In silence 
 long to rest," instead of "The spirit was released." 
 
 The 8th Georgia Regiment was not engaged with the en- 
 emy in the afternoon, or at the Henry House, as stated 
 in this book. 
 
Cop3^-rigUt secured according to law. 
 
A.