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About Southern confederacy. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1861-1865 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 7, 1861)
>outlieru (Cons edtacg GEO. W. ADAIR J. HENLY SMITH, EDITORS AND PROPRIETORS. ATLANTA, GEORGIA: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1861. Our Special Army Correspondence. PLEASANT AUTUMN GRATEFUL TO THE SICK HEROIC PATIENCE A RIDE THRO’ THE CAMPS AFFECTING SCENE AND RE FLECTIONS RUMORS AN EXCITING EX- PERIMENT—PRIVATE PROPERTY RESPECT ED THE SICK COLS. GARDNER AND STEPHENS. Army of the Potomac, ) Manassas, Sept. Ist, 1861. J Autumn has set in, and with its advent comes pleasant weather—the first for many weeks. With occasional intervals of sunshine and blue skies, we have had clouds and rain almost incessantly throughout the month of August. When the weather was good, it did not last long enough for the earth to become dry and the water courses to resume their ac customed channels; and hence, the great in crease of sickness in the camps. For the past three days, however, the weather has been de licious, and the temperature delightful. The air is soft, and balmy, and elastic, and already our sick list has begun to diminish. I rode out to several of the camps yesterday, and wherever I went I saw numbers of the sick who had crawled out from their tents to enjoy the glorious sunshine and the pure, health giving breeze, as it swept down from the dis tant summits of the Blue Ridge. Their pale cheeks and trembling limbs told how much they bad suffered. But not a murmur escaped their lips ; they bore all their sufferings, and privations, and hard living in camp, with the patience and fortitude that ever characterize the brave. One poor fellow, whose ears were so thin and bloodless that you could see the sunlight thro’ them, was seated upon his blanket propped up against a tree. In his hand he held a let ter which he had just finished reading, and which, it was evident, had aroused all the ten der sensibilities of his nature. Perhaps it was from his mother in the far South, whose yearn ing heart and daily prayers had followed him in all his marches and counter-marches since she last pressed him to her beating heart. It may be that she had heard of the great battle of Manassas, and of his narrow escape and heroic daring, and the letter may have con tained some expression of the maternal pride and deep gratitude which agitated her bosom. It may be, too, that in it she had breathed a prayer for his future safety, and had asked God to protect her darling boy amid the dan gers of the battle, and to return him to her when the contest shall have ended. Perhaps the letter was from one who was still dearer to him, if possible, than mother or father—for his eye looked supernaturally bright and and tender, as he held the delicate ly traced sheet between his wasted fingers. Possibly it was written by some bright-eyed, sunny-headed girl, whose last-whispered word to him, as he bade her adieu, sent a thrill of joy through every fibre of his heart. What his thoughts were, no one could divine, except that they were not of an unpleasant charac ter. If one might judge, however, from out ward appearances, his mind had run far into the future—to a time, perhaps, when this war should be over, and when he should have a little cottage among the trees upon the hill side, with clustering vines and sunny walks, lowing herds and snowy cotton fields, and when this same bright-eyed, sunny-headed girl should be there with her sweet smile and cheerful voice to welcome him home when his day’s toil was over. Possibly she had ven tured to hint, in her timid way, that she, too, longed for the return of the dove of peace; but why she desired it, doubtless she had not said, though he well knew the reason. Alas ! who can tell how many hearts there are in all this broad land that have been strick en by this horrid war! The loved ones who have been slain in battle, or fallen from pesti lence—the painful separation of families, the long and weary marches, the dangers of the battle field and camp, and the suspense and aud anxiety at home—how much suffering all these bitter consequences of the unnatural conflict have produced. How many eyes have they filled with tears, how many hearts with sorrow! "Who shall say that the authors of this iniquitous war shall not be punished in this life and that which is to come for all this suffering ? To us of the South, there is no al ternative left but to defend our homes aud the graves of our ancestors. The war is not of our seeking—it was forced upon us. And although our brave brothers may be slain upon the field aud our friends may weep and suffer at home, now that the struggle is upon us, in the lan guage of the lamented Bartow, we shall “uev er give up the fight," until victory perches upon our standard, or the last man of us has been cut down. But we must leave the soldier to his letter and the pleasant thoughts it has given him. His dream may not last long. Ere this reach es you, it may be broken by the •• cannon’s deep, roar,” and the tramp of armed legions rushing to the conflict. His cheek may be still paler when ths battle has ended, and some rude board on the banks of the Potomac may point the writer of that letter to the spot where his wasted form reposes. The air is thick with rumors, and from my tent I can see couriers gallopping to and fro along every road and over every hill. The Generals are silent; the transportation wagons have been gathered in groups around each regimental camp; orders have been given to the men to reduce their baggage, and to keep cooked and always on hand three days’ rations. All these things portefid the coming storm. Yesterday, the 14th Georgia Regiment was ordered to strike their tents and pack away their baggage in the transportation wagons. The order was given as an experiment, to see how lung it would take to get ready to march, and how much room it required for their tents, Ac.— This the men did not know; and they went to • >rk with alacrity, and in a few minutes had everything stored away snugly in the least possible space. When they were informed of SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY the nature of the operation, and ordered to unload and pitch their tents again, their dis appointment was indescribable. They pro posed to leave the tents in the wagons, and to sleep on the ground that night, as they almost knew the regiment would march to-day. It was not until the order had been repeated more than once that they obeyed it, and then did it most reluctantly, so anxious were they to move forward in the direction of the ene my. Near the camp of this regiment is a small cornfield. I observed a number of sentinels posted around the field, and on inquiry learned that they were placed there to prevent the sol diers from gathering the roasting ears. I learned further that theowntrof a neighbor ingforest had been waited upon and requested to point out such refuse wood as he could best spare for the use of the camp. What a spec tacle is here presented ! We are in the midst of a great revolution, and yet we see that pri vate property is not only respected, but ac tually guarded, and that by soldiers flushed with victory and posted in sight of the Plains of Manassas. Life, liberty and property are as sacred and as well cared for now, even in the midst of our victorious legions, as they were in times of peace. Such men may be slain, but they cannot be conquered. This simple fact of the cornfield, if known in Lon don and Paris, would be worth as much to us as a great victory. A number of the sick in the Georgia Regi ments were sent to Richmond to-day. Lieut.- Col. Gardner, of the immortal Eighth, who was wounded at the battle of Manassas, is not doing so well to-day. Lieut.-Col. Stephens of the Fifteenth, will soon be able to resume the field. A. Gen. Beauregard’s Official Report of the Battle of Bull Run, Fought July 18, 1861. Headqaurtees, Fibst Corps, 1 Army of the Potomac, > Manassas, August, 1861. J General: With the general results of the engagement between several Brigades of my command and a considerable force of the en emy, in the vicinity of Mitchell’s and Black burn’s Fords, of Bull Run, on the 18th ulti mo, you were made duly acquainted at the time by telegraph. But it is my place now to submit in datail the operations of that day. Opportunely informed of the determination of the enemy to advance on Manassas, my ad*, vanced Brigades, on the night of the 16th of July, were made aware, from these head quarters, of the impending movement, and in exact accordance with my instructions, a co , py of which is appended, marked “A,” their withdrawal within the Hues of Bull Run was effected with complete success during the day and night of the 17th ultimo, in face of and in immediate proximity to a largely superior force, despite a well-planned, well executed effort to cut off our retreat of Bonham’s bri gade—first at Germantown and* subsequently at Centreville, whence he withdrew, by my direction, after midnight, without collison, although enveloped on three sides by their lines. This movement had the intended effect of deceiving the enemy as to my ulterior pur poses, and led him to anticipate an unresisted passage of Bull Run. As prescribed in the first and second sec tions of the paper herewith marked “A,” on the morning of 18th of July, my tioops rest ing on Bull Run, from Union Mills Ford to the Stone Bridge, a distance of about.eight miles, were posted as follows : Ewell’s brigade occupied a position in the vicinity of Union Mills Ford. It consisted of Rhodes’ sth and Seibel’s 6th regiments of Al abama, and Seymour’s sth regiment of Louis iana volunteers, with four 12 pounder howit zers of Walton’s battery, and Harrison’s, Green’s and Cabell’s companies of Virginia cavalry. D. R. Jones’ brigade was in position in rear of McLean’s ford, and'consisted of Jenkins’ sth South Carolina, and Burt’s 17th, Feather ston’s 18th regiments of Mississippi volunteers with two brass 6 pounder guns of Walton’s battery, and one company of cavalry. Longstreet’s brigade covered Blackburn’s ford, and consisted of Moore’s Ist, Garland’s 11th, and Corse’s 17th regiments of Virginia volunteers, with two 6 pounder brass guns of Walton’s battery. Bonham’s brigade held the approaches to Mitchell’s ford. It was composed of Kershaw’s 2d, Williams’ 3d, Bacon’s 7th, and Cash’s Bth regiments, South Carolina volunteers, of Shields’ and Del Kemper’s batteries, and of Flood’s, Radfords, Payne’s, Ball’s Wickham’s and Powell’s companies of Virginia cavalry, under Colonel Radford. Cocke's brigade held the fords below and in the vicinity of Stone Bridge, and consisted of Withers’ 18th, Lieut. Col. Strange’s 19th, and R. T. Preston’s 28th regiments, with Latham’s battery and one Company of Cavalry, Virgin ia volunteers. Evans held my left flank and protected the Stone Bridge Crossing, with Sloan’s Fourth Regiment South Carolina Volunteers, Wheal’s Special Battalion Louisiana Volunteers, four six pounder guns, and two companies of Vir ginia cavalry. Early’s brigade, consisting of Kemper’s 7th (six companies,) Early’s 24ih Regiment Vir ginia \ oluuteers, Hays’ 7th Regiment Louis iana Volunteers, and three rifle pieces of Wai ton’s Battery, Lieut. Squires, at first were held in position in rear or as a support to Ewell’s Brigade until after the development of the enemy, in heavy offensive force, in front of Mitchell’s aud Blackburn’s fords, when it was placedin rear'of and nearly equi distant be tween McLean’s. Blackburn’s and Mitchell’s fords. Pending the development of the enemy’s purpose, about ten o’clock A. M., I establish ed my headquarters at a central point, Mc- Lean's farm-house near to McLean’s and Blackburn’s fords, where two six pounders of Walton’s Batterey were in reserve ; but sub sequently, during the engagement, I took post to the left of my reserve. Os the topographical features of the coun > try thus occupied, it must suffice to say that i Bull Run is a small stream, running, in this locality, nearly from west to east, to its con fluence 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 a short dis tance of the Potomac, at Ocoquan. At this season habitually low and slugglish, 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 wooded, becomes gently rolling and open as it recedes from the stream. Ou the northern side the ground is much the highest, and commands the other bank completely. Roads traverse and intersect the surrounding country in al most every direction. Finally, 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 enemy was assuming a threatening attitude, in addition to the regiments whose positions have been already stated, I ordered up from Camp Pickens, ns a reserve, in rear of Bon ham’s Brigade, the effective men of six com panies of Kelly’s Eighth regiment, Louisiana Volunteers, and Kirkland’s Eleventh regiment, North Carolina Volunteers, which having ar rived the night before en route for Winchester, I had halted in view of the existing necessi ties of the service. Subsequently, ihe latter was placed in position to left of Bonham’s brigade. Appearing in heavy force in front of Bon ham’s position t he enemy about meridian open ed fire with several 20 pounder rifle guns, from a hill over one and a half miles from Bull Run. At the same time Kemper, sup ported 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 ran dom ; but by half past 12 P. M-, he had ob tained the range of our position, and poured into the brigade a shower of shot, but with out 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 mo ment. Meanwhile a light battery was pushed ward by the enemy, whereupon Kcfaper threw only six solid shot, with the effect of driving back both the battery and its supporting force. This is understood to have been Ayes’ battery, and the damage must have been con siderable to have obliged such arelrogade movement on the part of that officer. , The purposes of Kemper’s position having now been fully served, his pieces and support were withdrawn across Mitchell’s ford to a point previously designated, and which com- 1 manded the direct approaches to the ford. About half past eleven o’clock. A. M., the enemy was also discovered by the pickets of of Longstreet’s brigade advancing in strong columns of infantry with artillery and caval ry on Blackburn’s ford. At Meridian, the pickets fell back silently before the advancing foe across the ford, which, as well as the entire Southern bank of the stream for the whole front of Longstreet’s i brigade, was covered at the water’s edge by an extended line of skirmishers, while two • six pounders of Walton’s Battery, under Lieut. Garnett, were advantageously placed to com mand the direct approach to the ford, but with orders to retire to the rear as soon as » commanded by the enemy. The Northern bank of the stream, in front of Longstreet’s position, rises with a steep i slope at least fifty feet above the level of the ' water, leaving a narrow berm in front of the ford of some twenty yards This ridge form ed for them an admirable natural parapet, be hind which they could, and did apptoach un ' der shelder, in heavy force, within less than i one hundred yards of our skirmishers. The southern shore was almost a plain, raised but I a few feet above the water for several hundred yards, then raising with a very gradual, gen- I tie slope, and adulating back of Manassas.— On the immediate bank there was a fringe of trees, but with little if any undergrowth or shelter, while, on the other shore, there were timber and much thick brush and covering.— The ground in rear of our skirmishers, arid ■ occupied by our artillery, was an old field ex tending along the streams about one mile, aud immediately back for about half a mile, to a border or skirting of dense second growth pines. The whole of this ground was couHuan dtd at all points by the ridge occupied by the enemy’s musketry ; as was also the country to the rear for a distance much beyond the range of 20 pounder rifled guns, by the range of hills on which their batteries were planted, and which it may be further noted, comman ded also all our approaches from this direction to the three threatened fords. Before advancing his infantry, the enemy maintained afire of rifle artillery from the bat teries just mentioned for half an hour, then he pushed forward a column of over three thousand infantry to the assault, with such a weight of numbers as to be repelled with dif ficulty by a comparatively small force of not more than twelve hundred beyonets with which Brigadier General Longstreef met him, with characteristic vigor and intrepidity. Our troops engaged at this time were the First and Seventeenth, and four companies of the Elev enth Regiment, Virginia Volunteers. Their resistance was resolute, and maintained with a steadiness worthy of all praise. It was suc cessful, and the enemy was repulsed. In a short time however, he returned to the contest with increased force and determination, but was again foiled aud driven back by our skirmish ers and Lougstreet’s reserve companies, which were brought up, aud employed at the most vigorously assailed points at the critical moment. It was now that Brig. Gen. 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 enemy had ad vanced a third time with heavy numbers to force Longstreet’s position. Hay’s Regiment, 7th Louisiana Volunteers, which was in ad vance, was placed on the bank of the stream, under some cover, to tha immediate right and left of the ford, relieving Corse’s Regiment 17th Virginia Volunteers. This was done un der a heavy fire of musketry, with promising steadiness. The 7th Virginia, under Lieut. Col. Wil liams, was then formed to the right also under heavy fire, and pushed forward to the stream, relieving the Ist Regiment Virginia Volunteers. At the same time two riflle 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 on ly 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 sev eral small parties of Corse’s Regiment, under command of Captain Marye, met and drove the enemy with the bayonet, but aa the road way from the ford was too narrow for a com bined movement in force, Gen. Longstreet re called them to the south bank. Meanwhile the remainder of Early’s infantry and artil lery had been called up: that is, six compa nies of the 24th Regiment Virginia Volun ; teers, under Lieut. Col. Hariston. and five pie j ces of artillery, one rifle gun, and four B ix pounder brass guns, including two 6 pounder guns under Lieut. Garnett, which bad previ*. ously been sent to the rear by Gen. Longstreet. This infantry was at once placed in position to the left of the ford, in a apace unoccupied by Hays, and the artillery was unlimbered in i battery to the right of the road, in a line with | the two guns already in action. A scattering fire of musketry was still kept up by the ene my for a short time, but that was soon silen : ced. It was at this stage of the affair that a re markable artillery duel was commenced and maintained on our side with a song trained professional opponent—superior in the char acter as well as the number of his weapons, I provided with improved munitions and every artillery appliance, and at the same time oc cupying the commanding position. The re sults were marvellous, and fitting precursors to the brilliant artillery achievements of the 21st July. In the outset our fire was direct ed against the enemy’s infantry, whose bayo nets gleaming above the tree 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 earn est. 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, woundingin the course of the combat Capt. Eschelman, five privates, and the horse of.Lieut Richard ardson. From the position of our pieces, and the nature of the ground, their aim could on ly be directed at the smoke of the enemy’s artillery. How skilfully and with what exe cution was this done, can only be realized by an eye-witness. For a few moments their guns were silenced, but were soon re 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 heads of our gunners; but one of our pieces had become hors du combat from an enlarged vent. From the new position of our guns fired as before, with no other aim than the smoke and the flash of their adversaries’ pieces—renewed and urged the conflict with such signal vigor and effect that gradually the fire of the enemy slackened, the intervals be tween their discharges grew longer, finally to cease, and we fired a last gun, at a baffled, fly ing 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, blankets, and knapsacks, as|our parting'shell was thrown amongst 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 recover rd it. The guns engaged in this singular conflict, on our side, were three six pounder rifle pie ces and four ordiarry six pounders, all of Walton’s battery, the Washington Artillei’y, of New Orleans. The officers immediately attached were Capt. Eschelman, Lieuts. C. W. Squires, Richardson, Garnett and Whit tington. At the same time our infantry held the bank of the stream in advance of our guns, and the missiles of tbe combatants flew to and fro above them, as, cool and veteran like, for more than an hour, they steadily awaited the moment and signal for the ad vance. While the conflict was at its height, before Blackburn’s ford, about 4 o’clock, A. M., the enemy again displayed himself in force be fore Bonham’s position. At this, Col. Ker shaw, with four companies of his his regi ment, Second South Carolina, aud one piece of Kemper’s Artillery, were thrown across Mitchell’s ford to the ridge which Kemper had occupied that morning. Two solid shot and three spherical case,thrown among them, with a precision inaugurated by that Artillerist at Vienna, effected their discomfiture and disap pearance, and onr troops in that quarter were again withdrawn within our lines, having dis charged the duty assigned. At the close of the engagement before Black burn’s ford, I directed Gen. Longstreet to withdraw the First and Seventeenth regiments, which had borne the brunt of tbe action, to a position in reserve, leaving Col. Early to oc cupy the field with his brigade 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 entrenchments nor one rifle pit sheltered the men at Blackburn’s ford, who, officers and men, with rare excep tions, were on that day for the first time un der fire, and who, taking and maintaing every position ordered, cannot, be too much com mended for their sodierly behavior. Our artillery was manned and officered by those who but yesterday were called from the civil avocations of a busy city. They were matched with the picked light artilery of the Federal regular army, company “E,” 3d ar tillery, under Capt. Ayres, with an armament, as their own chief of the artillery admits, of two ten-pounder Parrott riflle guns, two twelve-pounder howitzer and two six-pounder pieces, aided by two twenty pounder Parrott rifle guns of company “G,” sth artillery, un der Lieut. Benjamin. Thus matched, they drove their veteran adversaries from the field, giving confidence, and promise of tbe coming efficiency of that brilliant arm of our service. Having thus related the main or general re sults and events of the action of Bull Run, in conclusion it is pro; er to signalize some of those who contributed most to the satisfactory results of that day. Thanks are due to Brig. Generals Bonham and Ewell and to Col. Cocke, and the officers under them, for the ability shown in coducting and executing the retrograde movements on Bull Ran, directed in my orders of the Bth July—movements on which hung tbe fortunes of this army. Brig. Gen. Longstreet, who commanded im mediately the troops engaged at Blackburn’s ford on the 18th, equalled my confident ex pectations, and I may fitly say that, by bis presence at the right place, at the right mo ment, among his men, by the exhibition of characteristic coolness, and by bis words of encouragement to the men of his command, he inspired confidence and spirit that contrib uted largely to the success of our srtns on that day. CoL Early brought his brigade into position, and subsequently into action, with judgment and at the proper moment; he displayed ca pacity for command and personal gallantry. Col. Moore, commanding the First Virginia volunteers, was severely wounded at the bead of his regiment, the command of which sub sequently devolved upon Maj. Skinner, Lieut. Col. Fry having been obliged to leave tbe field in consequence of a sun stroke. An accomplished, promising officer, Major Carter H. Harrison, Eleventh regiment Virgin ia volunteers, was lost to the service, while leading two companies of bis regiment against the enemy; he fell, twice shot, moi tally woun ded. Brigadier-General Longstreet, while finding on all sides alacrity, ardor and intelligence, mentions his special obligations to Colonels Moore, Garland and Corse, commanding sev eral regiments of his brigade, and to their field officers, Liect Cols. Fry, Funsten and Munford, and Majors Brent and Skinner, of whom he says : “ They displayed more cool ness and energy than is usual among veterans of tbe old service.” General Longstreet also mentions tbe conduct of Capt, Marye, of the 17th Virginis Volunteers, as especially gal lant on the occasion in advance of tbe ford. Tbe regiments of Early’s brigade were com manded by Col. Harry Hays and Lieut. Cols. Williams and Hairston, who handled their commands in action with satisfactory cool ness and skill, supported by their field offi cers, Lieut. Col. DeChoiseul and Major Penn, of the 7tb Louisiana and Maj. Patton, of the 7th Virginia Volunteers. The skill, conduct, and tbe soldiery quali ties of the Washington Artillery engsged, were all that could be desired. The officers and men attached to the seven pieces already specified, won for their battalion a distinction which I feel assured will never be tarnished, and which will ever serve to urge them and their corps to high endeavor. Lieut. Squires worthily commanded the piece in action. The commander of the battalion was necessarily absent from tbe immediate field, under orders in the sphere of his duties; but the fruits of his discipline, zeal, instruction and capacity as an artillery commander, were present, and must redound to bis reputation. On the left, at Mitchell’s Ford, while no se rious engagement occurred, the conduct of all was eminently satisfactory to the general offi- 1 cers in command. It is due, however, to Col. J. L. Keemper, Virginia forces, to express my sense of the value of his services in the preparation for and execution of the retreat from Fairfax C. H., on Bull Run Called from the head of bis regiment by what appeared to me an impera-, tive need of the service, to take charge of the superior duties of the Quarter-Master’s De„ i partmerit, with the advance at that critical ; juncture, he accepted the responsibilities in- = volved, and was eminently sufficient. For further information touching officers ’ and individuals of the First Brigade, and the details of tbe retrograde movement, I have to refer particularly to the report of Brigadier- General Bonham herewith. It is proper here to slate that while from the outset it had been determined, on the ap proach 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 was especially the case with the position of the sth Alabama Volunteers, Col. Rodes, which that excellent officer had made capable of a resolute, pro tracted defence against heavy odds. Accord ingly, on the morning of the 17th ult., when the enemy appeared before that position, they were checked and held at bay, with some con- ( fessed loss, in a skirmish in advance of the works, in which Major Morgan and Captain 1 Shelley, sth Regiment Alabama Volunteers, acted with intelligent gallantry, and the post was only abandoned under general but speci fic imperative orders, in conformity with a long conceived, established plan of action and battle. Capt.. E. P. Alexander, Confederate Slates Engineer, fortunately joined my headquarters in time to introduce the system of new field signals, which, under his skilfull management, rendered me the most important service pre ceding and during the engagement. The medical officers serving with the regi ments engaged were at their proper posts, and discharged their duties with satisfactory skill and zeal; and on one occasion at least, under an annoyiug fire, when Surgeon Cullen, Ist Regiment Virginia Volunteers, was obliged to remove our wounded from the hospital, which had become tbe special target of the enemy’s rifle guns, notwithstanding it was surmounted by the usual yellow hospital flag, but which, however. I hope, for the sake of past associations, was ignorantly mistaken for a Confederate flag. The name of each indi vidual medical officer I cannot mention. On the day of tbe engagement I was atten ded by my staff, Lieut. 8. W. Ferguson, A. D. C., and my volunteer Aides-de-Camp, Cols. Preston, Manning, Chestnut, Miles, Chisholm and Heyward, of South Carolina, to all of whom 1 am greatly indebted for manifold es sential services in the transmission of orders on the field, and in the preliminary arrange ment for the occupation and maintenance of the line of Bull Run. Col. Tbos. Jordan, Assistant Ajutant Gene ral ; Captain C. N. Smith, Assistant Ajutant General; Col. 8. Jones, Chief of Artillery and Ordnance ; Maj. Cabell, Chief Quartermaster; Capt. VV. 11. Fowle. Chief of Subsistence De partment ; Surgeou Thos. H. Williams, Med ical Purveyor, of the general staff attached to the Army of the Potomac, were necessarily engaged, severally, with their responsible du ties at my headquarters at Camp Pickens, which they discharged with an energy and in telligence for which I have to tender my sin cere thanks. Messrs. McLean, Wilcoxon, Kincbeloe and Brawner, citizens of this immediate vicinity, it is their due to say, have placed me and the country under great obligation for the infor mation relative to this region, which has ena bled me to avail myself of its defensive features and resources. They were found ever ready to give me their time without stint or reward. Our casualties, ia all, 68 killed and woun ded, were fifteen* killed and fifty-three woun ded, several of whom have since died. The loss of the enemy can only be conjectured; it was unquestionably heavy. In the cursory examination which was made by details from Longstreet’s and Early’s brigades, on the 18th July, of that part of the field immediately contested and near Blackburn’s ford, some 64 corpses were found and buried, and at least twenty prisoners were also picked up, besides, 175 stands of arms, a large quantity of ac coutrements and blankets, and quite one hun dred and fifty hats. The effect of this day’s conflict was to sat isfy the enemy he could not force a passage across Bull Run in tbe face of our troops, and led him into the flank movement of the 21st July aud the battle of Manassas, the details of which will be related in another paper. Herewith I have tbe honor to transmit the reports of the severai brigade commanders engaged, and of the artillery. Also, a map of the field of battle. The rendition of this report, it is proper to say in conclusion, has been unavoidably de layed by tbe constantly engrossing adminis trative duties of tbe commander of an army corps composed wholly of volunteers—duties vitally essential to ii« well being and future efficiently, and which I could not set aside or postpone on any account. I have the honor to be. General, your obe dient servant, G. T. BEAL REGARD, General Commanding. To General S. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspecter General, C. 8. A. ♦lncluding two reports! “missing." ImtfK OF GEORGIA! THE subscribers desire to assist in raising and organizing a COMPANY of INFANT RY, to aid in the protection and security of the Sea-Coast of our State, and would call upon the young men, and those in the prime of their manhood, to enroll their names as volun teers. Delay not, but tender your services im mediately, to organize the corps, and be pre pared, and on the spot, to repel the enemy, ere he obtain a foothold upen your own soil. A roll can be found at the stand of George H. Daniel, on Whitehall street, and at the store of Thos. M. Clarke, hardware merchant, Peach- Tree Block GEORGE H. DANIEL, Bep7-lm JOHN W. HURT. WANTED, FIVE Journeymen Tailors. To competent workmen good wages and constant em ployment will be given. Apply immediately to LAWSHE A PURTELL, Sep6-Iw. Atlanta, Ga. India Rubber Goods. THE undersigaed has a good supply of India Rubber Coats aud Blankets on hand. Atlanta, Aug. 14-ts. D. MAYER. yKLA// AT $ 8 ? MV Av .1 !|. 11 IgggM BY ADAIR & SMITH. TERMS: Daily, one year, $5; six months, $3; one month, 50 cents. Weekly, one year, $2; six months, $1.25 —invariably in advance. all cases, subscribers to the Daily “Confederacy” will be charged at the rate of 50 cents per month lor any length of time less than one year. We ask especial attention of every family to our paper. Those enjoying daily mail facilities, will find The Daily Confederacy filled with the latest intelligence from the seat of war, both by telegraph, aud from reliable special correspondents, of unquestioned abil ities and whose facilities for getting correct in formation are unsurpassed. We are laying out large sums of money and exerting every effort to make ours a first class journal. J THE I ’ CONFEDBRACn HAS MORE THAN three times | The circulation of any paper I in Georgia, north ol Augusta, I and is I FULI-Y EQUAL I to that of any paper in the fl NO LABOR NOR EXPENSE will be withheld that will add to the attractive ness and interest of our paper. To reimburse us for the heavy expenses we have incurred— not simply the ordinary expenses of publishing a paper, but for our correspondence and tel egraphs, we must rely in a great measure upon receipts from subscriptions. We ask our friends everywhere to assist us in getting subscribers. Every man who takes onr paper, so far as we know, is pleased with it. We feel very sure that we have not a single subscriber that could not at least send us one more with but little ef fort, while many could send us a dozen or more. Let every friend be assured that with the in crease of our circulation, our ability to make a better paper will be greatly enhanced, and such means shall be used to the best advantage. We hope those who have subscribed for our Daily for a short time, will renew their subscriptions and Go it for the Whole Year* It will benefit us more, and save considerable trouble in erasing and re-writing names on our mail book. We have every possible facility for obtaining correct news. This, however, costs us heavily, and w-e hope every one who is so anxious to get war news will equity of subscribing and paying for our paper. In these exciting times it is probable that ex travagant rumors will get afloat. We caution the people against them, and beg everybody to be careful what they believe. wa "t contain. P 1,, g ail the JNWar news M 4 Send for s*. ks mJ . THE WEEKLY CONFEDERACY is one of the largest and most attractive news papers in America, and will be filled with the choicest reading matter—made up from the cream of our Daily issue. In future it will be mailed punctually every Wednesday morning on the Georgia, the Macon & Western, and the State Road trains. Send in your orders. KF" Postmasters are authorized to act as our Agents in obtaining subscribers and forwarding the money—for which they will be allowed to retain, as commission, twenty-five cents on each Weekly, or fifty cents on each Daily subscriber. YoTtxms getting up Clubs of five, ten or more subscribers, will be supplied with the copies ordered at 12% per cent, less than our regular rates. EBF” No name will be entered on our books until the money is paid; and all subscriptions are discontinued when the time expires foi which payment is made, unless tbe same be renewed. Address, ADAIR A SMITH, June, 1861. Atlanta, Georgia
