Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-08-03
REPORT OF A REBEL.



Courier an account OF tile battle of Bull Run,
which shows how terribly the rebels suffered
in that battle, and how thoroughly they were
beaten until the arrival of reinforcements
saved them. His mistatements in regard to
the federal troops are so gross, not TO say
laughable, than any reader can correct them
AS he would not be inclined to state any par
ticular of the case against his friends, what he
says Of their being beaten and of their losses
must be reliable. The rebels thought they
had taken Shernan's battery, but that battery
came back to the Potomac unharmed. Here
is the letter.
MANASSAS, Va, Monday July %.
Sunday, July q, will ever be a memorable
day in the annals of America. 1t was not the
good fortune of your correspondent to be in
the engagement, that portion of Gen. john
ston's army to which the Kentucky battalion
is attached having been detained at Piedmont
by railroad accident. We reached the field
of battle jus. as the victory had been gained,
and only had the mingled satisfaction and
sorrow Of joining in the huzzas and uniting in
the sad lamentations.
The battle opened on Sunday morning,
about five o'clock, near Bull Run, some four
miles from Manassas Junction, the nationals
advancing nth an immense column, 81 900 strong,
under Gen. Mcdowell. The engagement was
not general, the artillery only playing at in
teryals, until seven O'Clock, when the firing of
cannon and musketry became very hot, and
the action was fairly opened. Here an unfor-
innate mistake for time threw our line into
confusion. The Yankees, infamous in their
tricks of war as well as trade, advanced a
large column headed by the confederate flag,
and when within fifty yards opened u deadly
fire upon the fourth Alabama regiment This
caused retreat, schich the South Carol;n;ans
observing, they opened upon the Alabamidns, think
ing them enemies, and nearly decimdting their
ranks.
About the same time, Gen. Beauregard
heard heavy firing several miles to the right,
and Immediately went with our main body to
the scene Of supposed conflict But this was
another decoN The Yankees had sent large
quantity of ordnance with only men sufficient
to man the<guns, so as to distract the attention
Of our forces from the main point of attack.
Quickly discovering the ruse, Beauregard
double quicked his troops to the former battle.
field, from which we had been driven back
some two miles. Now came the tug of war
The fortunes of the day were evidently
against us. Some of our best officers had
been slain and the flower of our army Law
strewn upon the field, CHASTITY in death or
gaping with wounds. At noon the cannon
aiding is described as terrific. 1t was an inces
SAINT roar for more than two hours, the havoc
and devastation at this time being fearful
Mcdowell, nth the aid Of Patterson's division Of
tCenty thousand men, had nearly otut9anked as
and soere just in the act Of possessing themselves o.
the rdiltcay to Richmond Then all scouid hav.
been lost. But most opportuely, may sa,
PrOoidentialy, at this iuncture, Gen. Johnston
Dih the remnant Of his diUision--our army, sot
fondiy call IT, for ioe haze been friends and brother,
tn camp and field for three months-reappeareo
and made other desperate struggle 10 obtain tho
vantage ground. Elsey's brigade of Maryland
ers ard Virginians, led the charge, and right
manfuily did they execute the work. Gen
Johnston himself led the advance, and wild
with dilrium, his ten thousand advanced in
hot haste upon three times their number.
twice was Sherman's battery, that all day
long hao proven 50 destructive, charged and
taken, and our men driven back he third
time, Nrginians, Carolinians, Mississippians
and Loulslanians, captured the great guns.
ana maintained their position. About the
pieces the dead and wounded Law five deem 90
protracted and deadly had been the struggle.
Orr loss is fully tsc0 thousand Killed and ,oo,snJ.
ed. Among the killed are Gen. Bee, of South
Carolina; Gen. e. X. Smith, Gen Barlow. al
Georgia; Col. Moore, and all the Alabama
field officers; adjutant Branch, of Georgia
and host OF other leading men. This is i
sad day The rain is pouring in torrents
The killed and wounded are being brought in
by hundreds, aud gloom pervades all hearts
that even the sense of our great victory cannot
releFe. Sc De KAT.