Shreveport daily news., 1861-11-05

state that his plan Of battle assign
ed to Gen. Johnston an attack on the
enemy on the left at or near Center
vile, while he himself would COM
mand in front; but the condition Of
the roads prevented this. 1t was
then decided to receive the attack Of
the enemy behind Bull Run. After
the engagement behind Bull Run.
After the engagement at Blackburn's
Ford, on the 18th, Gen. Beauregard
was convinced Gen. McDowelps prin-
cipal demonstration would be made
on our left wing. and then formed
the plan Of throwing forward sufi-
cient force by converging roads to
attack the ene,ny's reserves at Cen
treville, so soon as the main body Of
the latter became inextricably engag-
ed ON the left. Late in the day, fin
ding that Gen. Ewell, who was pos
ted on the extreme right of our line,
had not moved forward in accordance
with the programme and the special
order which had been sent to him,
Gen. B. dispatched courier to Gen.
Ewen to enquire the reason why the
latter had failed to advance, and
received any such order. The
enemy's attack having then be-
come to strong, on the left, to war
rant carrying out the original plan, as
it would take three hours for Gen.
Ewell's brigade to reach Centreville,
it became necessary to alter the plan,
change front on the left, and bring
up our reserves to that part of the
field. This movement was superin-
tended in person by Gen. Johnston,
Gen. Beauregard remaining to direct
the movement in front.
At the time when General Kirby
Smith and General Early came up
with their divisions and appeared on
the right Of the enemy, my forces on
the left occupied the cord of the arc
of a circle, Of which the arc itself
was occupied by the enemy-the ex-
tremes of their lines ha1king ours.
The appearance Of Smiths and Ear
ly's brigades, and their charge on
the enemy's right, broke the line OF
the latter and threw them into con-
fusion, when shortly afterwards the
rout became complete.
General Beauregard highly COM
plilments General-then Colonel
Evans Commanding brigade )-and
now the hero Of Leesburg-tor the
extraordinary aptitude and great gal
lantry he displayed in his movements
from Stone Bridge to Sudley's Ford,
after receiving the enemy's first on
set at Stone Bridge. General Evans
had only about one thousand men,
but divining that the enemy's move
nent was concentric one, and that
columns had gone through the woods
to the left, and would attempt to cross
at sudley's with 600 men, he filing
off towards the ford at SudIey's with
600 ,nen, he Kept tbs enemy at bay
there for nearly an hour, although in
force several thousand strong.
General Deauregard settles forev-
er the various questions 50 much dis
puted respecting this battle. He ac-
knowledges the great generosity Of
General Johnston Ill fully according
to HIM {Gen. b. the right to carry
out the plans he had formed with re-
lation to this campaign, in yielding
the command of the field after exaul-
illi,Ig the cordially approving the
plan of battle, and in the effective
cooperation which General Johnston
so chivalrously extended to him on
thar eventtul day.
He remarks that the retreat of our
forces from Fairfax, Immediately
previus to the engagement ofthe 18th,
unteers retiring before an engage
ment and with the object of giving
battle in another position.
The number under his command
on the 18th of July are set down at