The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-09-06

the loss of the guns which they were SUD.
porting. Nothing would, or could, or die
stop them. In vain they were reminded o.
their oaths to "avenge Ellsworth's death.
Their flag was displayed to the winds-il
had lost its attractions. They ran in all di.
rections with speed which their fortune
favored. ~ tell the tale as it was told to
me-" by one who had more to do with them
and had better opportunity of witnessing
their conduct than had, for, as have al.
ready stated in previous letter, was late
on the ground, and had not been able to see
much ere the retreat was ordered. Though
1 was we'll mounted, and had left Washing,
ton with the intention OF returning early
that night, 1 found fugitives had preceded
me in masses all the way.
THE PLAN OF THE BATTLE.
There is an increase of the camps on the
heights up to Arlington, aud there must
now be strong force of Infantry there
though there is deficiency in field artillery.
Of guns of position in the works there is the
greatest abundance. The road up to Ar-
lingtOn House was dotted with men return
ing to the camps, few of whom were en-
numbered with firelocks. General Mellow.
ell was sitting with some officers before his
tent under the trees which shaded the place
from the sun. He is man in the prime of
life, some forty and odd years of age very
powerfully built, with kindly, honest, SOL
dierly expression in face and manners, and
1t was pleasant to see that though be was
not proud of being whipped" there was no
detection other than that man should feel
who has been beaten by his enemy, out who
knows be has done his duty. Originally he
had proposed series OF operations different
from those which were actually adopted,
and his dispositions for the advance OF his
columns after the scheme OF attack was de-.
cided upon, were careful and elaborate. But
he miscalculated somewhat the powers of
regular troops. All his subsequent opera
lions were vitiated by the impossibiity Of
gaining the points fixed on for the first
days march, and General Tyler, who en-
gagged somewhat too seriously with the enc.
my on the left at Bull Run on the Thurs
day before the battle, in making What was
mere reconnaissance, put them on the
alert and FASTENED up Johnston.
The General was kind enough to 90 over
the plans of the attack with me, and to
acqIaint me with the dispositions he had
made tor carrying out the orders be had
received to make it, and to my poor judg
ment, they were judicious and clear. With
the maps laid out on the table before his
tent, he traced the movements of the va
ri0us columns from the commencement OF
offensive measures to the disastrous advance
upon Manassas. 1t was evident that the
Confederate Generals either were informed
or divided on the general object of his plan,
which was, in fact to effect a turning move.
ment of his centre and right, while his left
menaced their right on Bull Run, and to get
round their left altogether for they had,
soon after he moved, advanced their column
to meet him, and brought on the engage
ment, which he was obliged to accept, on a
ground and at time where and when he
had not contemplated fighting. The initial
failure OF the movement took place several
days earlier, when his columns were late on
the march, though ample time had been
allowed to them, so that, instead of getting
to Centreville and to the Run, he was OBJ
lighed to halt at Fairfax Court House, and
to lose another day in occupying the po-
sitions which ought to have been taken when
he first advanced.
AS the General was speaking
to me, volunteer Colonel came up, and
said abruptly, General, my men have had
nothing to eat for four days what is to be
done?" Make an application to the COM
missariat officer, and represent the circum>
stances to him. There is no reason what
ever why the men should be without food,
for there is plenty of it in camp" Yes,
but the carriers won't bring it. They 60
away and leave US. and, as tell you, the
men have had nothing for four days" l
tell you, sir, that must be the fault OF their
officers. Why were not the circumstances
reported Go over to Captain -, and
be will take the necessary steps And after
some further eXpatiatiOn on the hardships
of bis case, the Colonel, who is as brave as
as lion, but who is not very we'll acquaint
ed with military routine, retired, 1t need
not be said that the men were actually with
out food for four days, althous b the Colo-
nel's statement in reference to the commits
SdrIal Was True. htChiCsS dc oi cOiuiSio al
OF provisions and food, volunteers are notoS
riousy extraordinarily so. Then, there is
probably want of organization IN the COM
missariat. McDowell's corps were ordered
to march with three days food cooked, not
including, OF course, the cay OF marching.
The food was, however, issued, inclusive OF
that day, and next day the men had eaten
up or wasted two days rations in one, and
had nothing. They were badly provided
with food and with water on the very day
of the action, and some told me that even
ing they had eaten nothing since halt past
two, NJ. Indeed, the General witnessed
the disorder which was caused by the regl-
ments rushing out of the ranks to drink at
a small stream before they went into action,
though their canteens were filed before they
set out.
Must Make up their Minds to Fight.
The controversy between the secessionlstS