The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-08

GENERAL McDoWELL'S OFFICIAL REPORT
OF THE ENGAGEMENT.

Nr-NEAsAb MCDCW ELLIS OtfILiAi hEPphI
OF THE ENGAGEMENT.
HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT NoRTBEAsrRRN viRSss:A
ARLINGTON, Va August 1861
lieutenant Colcucl d TOWNSEND Assig.ant Adjs,ant
General Headquarters Of the Army, Washington, D. O.
coioSR--l have the homer submit The following 70
port Of The battle Of the 2st Of July, Manassas
Virginia. II has been delayed ill this fron, the ina
oui'y Of the subordinate commanders 10 Get earlier
true account Of the state Of their commands
IN my communication TO You Of the Goth u!,
stated II as my intention 70 movc that afternoon
and drive the enemy from the cast eide VI Ba
run, as TO enable the engineers 10 make
q sufficiently accurate reconnaissance TO justify
our future movements. Later The day they had ob
tanned enough Information Of tie passage the
stream to dispense with this reconnaissance, aud
decided 10 move without delay II had been my ntcn
ton to move the several columns out the road few
miles on the evening OF the 20h that they would hve
shorter march IN the mornng but deferred to those
who had the greatest distance 60 and who preferred
starting early in the morning. and making but
On the evening Of the Goth cit. my
mapd was mostly at or near Certrevle The
enemy at or near MaasssAs, distant
from Centrcv!o about seven MI ,le southwest
centrevillc is village Of few houses, mostly the
7cst side c ridge running nearly north and south The
read from Ccnrevie to Manassas Junction along this
RIDGE and Bull about three miles from Ito
| former place. The Warrenton turnpike, which runs
nearly east and west goes this RIDGE through the
village and crosses Bull about four miles from Il
Bull run having course between the crossing from north
west to southeast. The First division (Tylcr's)
was stationed the north eide Of the War
renton turnpike and tho eastern slope Of the
Centreve ridge, two brigades the road, and
mile and half in ADVANCE to the west Of the ridge and
one brigade on the road from Centrevie TO Manassas
tuhar 4 Dali
General Tyler bad the engagement OF tho 18th ult The
second division (Hunter's) tho warrenton turn.
pike, mile east of Centrevlle The third division
(Bentzeman's) road known the Old Bra idock
road, which into Ccnrevlo from the southeast
about mile and half from the village. The
9th division (MlcsD was on tho same road with
tho Third DIVISION and between II and Centrevne. A
map which is herewith marked A. viii show these posi-
tons better than can describe them
On Friday night train OF subse arrived and on
Saturday it3 contents ordered 10 be issued to the
command, aud the required to have three days ra.
items in er haversacks On Saturday orders were issued
for the available force to march As reported you In
my letter Of the 18th u personal of,ae
roads 10 the south had shown thai mol
to carry out the original plan Of turning the cnemys po
sition on their right. The affair Of the 18th Blackbus
Ford showed he too strong at that poin. US 10
force passage there without great ose and IL we did
that would bring In front Ct bis strong position at
Manassas, which not desired Our Information was
that the stone bridge, which the warrcnton
road crossed Bull run, to the west OF Centreyilr,
defended by battery in position, and tho
road on his side OF the stream impeded by
heavy abats The alternative was therefore, 10 turn
the extreme left Of his position Reliable was
obtained Of undefended ford about three miles above
the BRIDGE there being another ford between and the
hv;1o I'd n
mined TO take the road 10 the upper ford and after
ing, to get behind the forces guarding the
lower ford and The BRIDGE and after occupying the War
renton road east Of the bridge 10 send out = force
to destroy the railroad at Gainesville, and TINS
break up the communication between the enemys forces
Manassas and those in the valley Of Virginia. before
Winchester which had been held In check BY Major Cen
eral Patterson.
Brigadier General Tyler was directed 10 move with
three Of his brgades the Warcnton commence
cannonadng the enemys batteries, while Hunters dvi
sion, moving after him, should, after passing
little stream called Cub run, turn to the right
and NORTH and move around 10 the upper ford and there
turn south and get behind the enemy Colonel Hein,ze-
man division to follow Hunters as far as the turn
ing of place TO the lower ford whore he was 10 cross
the enemy should have been driven by Hunters
DIVISION the Fifth division (Mles) to be In reserve On
the eentrevic ridge.
Ihad felt anxious about the road from Manassa by Black
burns Ford to Centrevle along this RIDGE fearing that
whilst should be in force TO the 'front.'
to turn the enemy's position, ourselves should be
turned by him by this road for If he should obtain
possession OF this ridge which overooks all country
the west to the foot Of the spurs Of the Blue Ridge
should have been irretrievably cut Off and destroyed
had therefore, directed this point be held In force and
sent engineer to extemporize some Geld works TO
strengthen the position
The Fourth division (unyons) had not been brought
the front further than guard by
way Of Vienna and the Orange and Alexandria Railroad
His advanced regiment about miles in the rear
Of Centrevile:
The divisions were ordered to march at half past two
O'Clock A. NJ to arrive the ground early the
day and thus avoid the heat which is 10 be expected
this season. There delay in the first division getting
Of camp the road, and the other divisions
in consequence between two and three hours behind the
time apponted-a great misfortune events turned ont
The wood road leading from the warrenon turnpike TO
the upper ford much longer than cornei upon,
the general direction Of the stream being oblque the
road, and we having the obtuee angle on side.
General Tyler commenced with hH artillery at half past
six A. NJ but the enemy did not reply, and after
time became question whether he was in any force
In 'front.' and If he did not intend himself TO make an
attack and make IT by Blackburn's Ford. After SsDg
several times, and obtaining response, held one of
Hentzelmans brigadcs in reserve in case we should
have send any troops back TO reinforce Miles diyi
sion. The other brgades moved forward as directed
in the general orders On reaching the ford at Sud.
ey's Spring, ] found part Of the leading brigade
of Hunters division lBarnsides) had crossed, but tre
men were slcr IN getting over stopping TO drink As
at this time the clouds of dust from the direction Of Ma
6assas indicated the immediate approach of large force
and fearing might down 6h tue head Of the column
before the division could all get and sustain it order
were sent back TO tie heads Of reg imens TO break
from the column and come forward separately az fast
AS possible Orders were sent by oa officer to The
reserve brigade of Heintzemans division 10 come
by nearer read the fields end m aia-ie camp
was sent to Beader General Tyler TO direct him TO press
forward his attack, large bodies Of the enemy were
passing in front OF him to attack the division which had
crossed over The ground between the stream and tho
road leading from Sudieys Spring SOUTH aud over wh;h
Bnrnside's brigade marched was for about mile from
the sofi hcky wooded whilst the right Of the road
for about the same distance the country divided be
I noig, po,r tha