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>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
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