Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-07-31


Correspondents of the Richmond Enquircr.I
Southern Account of the Battle OF
Manassas.
MANASSAS JUNCTION, July 81.
The severest battle that was ever fought
in this country took place to day between
between :hc Conlederules aud Federal
forces. AS stated to you few DAYS ago,
the armies had faced each other until it
WAS evident that a collision must ensue.-
About s o'clock this morning, Il part of the
Federal forces, about 10000 strong, COM
meuced an attack on the Confederate troops
at Stone Bridge, on the turnpike, six miles
above here, numbering only 600, being the
18th Alabama Regiment under Col. S!oaue
Such was the suddenncss of the charge,
that the regiment suffered greatly, butlikc
the immortal Spartans, they held their
ground until rciniorccneuts came up. The
enemy succeeded in crossing the Run, but
were forced back in the evening, and made
to retreat in the utmost disorder. The
Confederttes had on the field about 30, 900.
Two intelligent prisoners, who were taken,
stated that the enemy had from 10000 to
80, 900 picked troops on the ground, and
yet they were forced to retreat, and leave
tue field to the victorious Southerners.
1t would be unjust to discriminate among
the various regiments, for all did their
work well. Virginia, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Misi-
issippi, Tennessee, Texas, Arkansas, Ken
lucky, aud, perhaps, little Florida, have
united their destinies this day in eternal
bonds of friendship, sealed in blood. May
it ever continue, and strengthen as time
shall pass.
Ex-Governor Smith was active in the
engagement with the portion OF the regi-
ment assigned to him, and elected the
warmest expressions of admiration from
General Beauregard.
II is sad to think that the folly of our
invaders has caused much grief to the fire.
sides of Southerners, but when it is re-
membered that the loss is done in the
glorious cause of Southern Independence,
it will be a lasting honor to ;he families of
those who fall in its prosecution.
By the way, General Beauregard must
be II man of great aud active mind. He
was upon the field the whole day, and
planned the movements with precision.
Ais horse was shot frem under him by a
cannon ball, which shows he was net far
from tue scene of BEETLE. He was all the
while perfectly calm and collected, and
seemed to regard the occurrence US a mere
incident ofwar.
Capt. Murray and Lieut.. H. Clay Ward,
of the Fauquier Guards, lately gotten up,
had an important position.
Several hundred prisoners of the enemy
have been captured and brought to this
station tonight.
p. S.-A gentleman who has just ar
rived from the field of battle states that
Lieutenant Caleb Smith was badly wound
cd in the hip, and II. Clay Ward is proba-
bly, killed. He received deadly shot, and
seems to be conscious of his condition.
He bears it with fortitude and resignation.
Among the prisoners is General Wilcox,
late of the Alexandria Federal command,
who was wounded and captured. Lieut..
Ramsey, of the Federal artillery, is killed.
The whole field is covered with the dead
and dying of the enemy. Blankets. hats,
knapsncks, guns, pistols, &c, lie in thous-
ands over .he field. After the retreat of
the enemy, the cavalry, about two thous-
and strong, pursued them for about six
miles, cutting down and capturing all the
detached parties they could find. The
cavalry suffered but little loss. The pris-
oners all confirm the fact that the very
| best troops, artillery and other appurte-
nances of the Federal Government, were
used in the action of to-day, which were
| defeated and driven fiom the field.
Gen. Beauregard com handed the FEEDER
at troops in person, was in the thickest of
the fight, and rallied his men with an en-
thusiasm almost unboundcd, telling them
he was ready to die with them or gain the
victory.
[From the Richmond Enquirer, July 2i.l
A vast coueourse assembled early yes.
/ t 'rday evening at the Central Railroad de-
pot to await the arrival of the train from
\ Manassas So great was the crowd that,
in anticipation of the arrival of the wound
ell, it was deemed necessary by the COM
mittee appointed to receive them, to set a
strong guard to prevent the pressure of the
people around the train when it should ar
rive. By this means, the track and con-
siderable space on either side of it was
kept clear, though the car tops, fences, and
all the eminences in the vicinity were
I thronged with the expectant crowd, At II
/ quarter past seven, tho first train arrived,
/ bringing twenty wounded soldiers and the
bodies of four of our dead-Gen. Barlow,
Col. Johnston, private of the Montgomery
! Guards, named james Driscol, and another,
| whose name we could not learn.
During the excitement attending the
anxious inquiries after friends, and the
crowdiug to look upon the dead and
wounded it was whispered through the
crowd that President Davis was on the
train. Immediately a rush was made in
search of the distinguished statesman and
and ehieflain, and thousand shonts rent