The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-08-14
Particulars Of the Great Rattle.

u''u bllc oI ppStCN a.
Winchester, arrived at Manassas junction with 1000
men of his DIVISION 20 reinforce Gen BeauregaFd The
remainder of his army with the exception of sufficient
force to hold Winchester were intended to arrive
Saturday. the 20h butin consequence of some railroad
casualty, they did not reach the of conflict until
Sunday, between the hours of and o'clock, when
the battle was raging at its height
Ger. Johnston, although perhaps entitled by strict
military rule to the command being the superior in rank
of Beauregard, with the magnanmity and chivaric
courtesy for which that gallant soldier is distinguished
left the latter to the plans which had all been
matured, assuring Gen Bearegard of his earnest
operation towards their sccess. And noby did Gen.
Johnston redeem his PROMISE, contributing, inno small
degree, to the victory which achieved on the
memorable Dist, by his distinguished associate in
The night before the battle, it generally under-
stood at Manassas junction the enemy gathering in
force and designed turning our left flank, which rested
a few miles above
There many spectators of the battle the general
commanding having, OH Thursday, issued general
order requiring all cyilians with the exception Of resi-
dents before military operations commenced, and those
engaged necessarily i'll business at Manassas junction. to
leave the camp and retire beyond distance of four
miles.
At o'clock on Sunday morning our party, consist
ing of Mcssrs L. W. Pratt of the Charleston Mercury,
F. g. de Fontaine, ofthe Richmond Enqurerand Charles
ton Courier p W. Alexander, of the Savannah Repub-
can, Shcpardson, of the Columbus (Ga.) Times and
Montgomery (Ala) Advertiser and your correspondents
started from Manassas junction..
The distant cannon, at short intervals since daybrcak
had apprised us that the enemy in motion, but in
what direction could only surnise until we reached
point mile and half from the breast st-works, at the
northwest angle of the Notifications of Manassas june
ton.
Here we were joined by acquaintance Of your cor
respondent, Col VIM &. Bonner formerly State engi-
ncer Of Georgia. now of the Vcksburg and Shreveport
railroad who old West Pointer and class mate
IF
in the service
So great was excitement we had left the junction
cntey unprepared, either III the way Of the commissa
rate with glasses to view the distant field and had it
not been for Col Bonncrss forethouaht, in bringing
powerful opera glass our party had lost mach which
through his poitencsS were permitted to see.
The day was bright aud beautfu-on the left was the
Blue Ridge, and in front the slopes the north
side Of Bull crowned with woods III which the
enemy had early planted his batteries, and all around
US were emincnces which were posted small but
anxious knots of spectators forming the most magnificent
panorama | ever beheld.
At about o'clock reached hill above Mitchclls
ford, almost entirely bare of trees and sufficiently high
to afford unobstruced view of the opposite heights
An interesting meeting here took place between our
party and the venerable Edmund Bufn who had against
the walls Of fort Sumter fired the first defiant gun at
our inSoent and braggart foe He had to this
conflict with his eighty odd Yeas weighing upon him.
and his flowing white locks, c take part IN this fight
encouraging our Young men by his presence and exam
pie. Agile youth OF sixteen with rifle Oh his
shoulder, his eyes gliStened with excitement as he
burned to engage the Yankee invader
Shortly afterwards, generals Beauregard Johnston
and Bonhom, accompanedby their aids, came gaoPing
up the hill, and dismounted on the summit The gen
erals Held earnest conversation for few minutes,
while taking a survey of Che field, ard Watching the
successive challenges from the cncmys batteries direct
ed against outright and among the woods MchcIl's
ford where hospital stationed and the yellow flag
flying This was Also the roiHt where their fire of
Thursday directed and where the mark of cannon
ball to be in the kitchen and stable of house
in which Cen Hcauregard dncd on that day at the time
the ball struck the building. Whether the enemy
thought again his headquarters, whether the
lire was now pavi4fg toward that point to draw a
response from us is not known. Itsmorc likely how
ever, it fein-an important attempt to de-
eeive skilltlt and able commander to the point
where the enemy was most in force, for wise
general considered it, as he was seen to direct general
JohnSonS attention particularly with his hand towards
extreme left, if he knew the struggle be
made there
should here remark that It had been Gen. Beaure-
CARDS purpose to make the attack instead of waiting
to receive It; but from some cause unknown to me- he
preferred at last TO let the enemy tkc the initiative;
perhaps for the reason that Gen. JOhnSCon's division
had been detained on the railroad.
As have said, general Beaureeard not deceived,
for the immense clouds of dust appearing above the
NOou0 iuNCdteu DtNOIH Il u0uDI Jllc ltutfdt COLUMNS
were moving in solid masses in another direction and
one which was unmistakable
Just at this time; by the aid of glass, could
see their guns brought to bear the hill where
stood, for few moments the smoke was discovered
issuing from their batteries Of ried cannon and before
scarcely word could be said, the peculiar whz and
kissing OF the balls notified that their aim had been
well taken. Several balls fell in field Immediately
behind us and not hundred yards from the spot where
the general stood. An officer of Gen. Bcaureglrds
staff requested as to earc the hill, and moved
away shell burst not twenty feet off. Col. Bonner
calculated with his watch the time taken by the balls
to pass U.s. and made the distance and tmecquartcrs
OF mile from the Cnemy's battery. The enemy
doubt discovered the horses of the generals and thought
it good opportunity to display their craftsmanship
and credit is due to them for the accuracy OF their aim
Providence, however, who govern all things, covered
the heads of ourgcncrals with Shield and preserved
them for the hazardous service in which they were in
Il short hour or two to be engaged.
1t was about ] o'clock, and the enemy having
opened FIRE with l4led caRueu and shell their right
which they had continued fer mere than three hours
without response we heard away the left about three
miles distant, the heavy booming Of cannon, followed
10y the rafting crack of musketrythc dis
charge being repeated aRd centinpous-whch notified
us the engagement had commenced in earnest At the
where the battle to be fought and won
Proceeding towards the scene Of action about two
miles, to a creek in the hollow where one of
the hospitals for the day had been stationed, and the
first wounded some twenty thirty, had been brought.
Dr. CASTOR, of South Carolina formerly surgeon in
Col Gregg's regiment, but attached to Gen. Beau
regards headquarters assduousy attending to the
wants of the wounded.
At this point, generals Beaurcgard and Johnston,
accompanied by staff of ten twelve officers,
passed at full galop riding towards their headquarters
for the day, which hill Immediately overlook
ing the ground where our brave soldiers were manfuly
and persistenty struggling for the victory.
large force OF cavalry here stationed, and as
the generals passed they called fer three cheers for Beau
regard, which Immediately given, with right good
will, and which the general gracefully acknowledged
lifting his hat from his head and bowiug his thanks;
Both of oar generals were plainly dressed No large
cpaalettcs gilt any fuss and feathers you could
only distinguish them to be officers by their swords
but on a closer inspection, the marks Of genius and
skill were unmistakabe. Their uniform was what
took be plain undress. Not the least sign of excite
nent to be OH the countenances Of either
they cooly rode forward into the storm of the iron hail
eyes gistened with expectation doubt
when he threw himself into the very heart of the action
appearing then afterwards eXpressvely said OF
aim, to be the very impcrsouaon of the God of war
Gen. Johnston, too looked every inch commander,
md proved himself TO be the worthy nheritor OF the
ooweress and virtues of his ancestors
On reaching the top of the hill, where was white
house owned believe bya Mr.. Lewis, they were again
discovered bv the enemy the rifed shot and she'll
yhizzed through the air and lodged in the hollow be-
lind The aim was not so good at this time the accu-