Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1861-08-09
VOLUME X.---NO. IS.
THE BATTLE OF MANASSAS.

Oeu 10 tue RcueTut iuofeuIcutSoA thS oo1''oS
not really knowing at the time what they
WERE To understand them properly would
require the aid of diagram: showing tha
topography Of the country but as mono is
at hand, shall be compelled in further re-
fering 10 the subject, to trust to the simple
and unsatisfactory aid Of epistolary dcsctip-
ton,
You will remember that the enemy at
daylight first opened fire upon. our centre,
at Mitchels Ford on Bull Run, the object
being to divert attention from attack in a
mother quarter. At eleven o'clock, for a
similar purpose, he opened fire upon our
left, where were variously disposed the
several brigades under the command Of
Gen, Evans. This last feint succeeded,
and the Lincoln General availed himself of
the check, advanced mn immense body .of
troops consisting. it is estimated, of nearly
thirty thousand men, across Sudley's Ford,
beyond our position on Bull Run, and sud-
denly appeared upon our flank. Evans
discovered the manmuvre, not in time to
defeat it, but sufficiently soon TO prevent
the consummation Of the object contempla-
ted, namely, to surround and attack us from
front and ar-tlrowing his own brigade,
consisting of Fourth South Carolina Regi-
ment, Colonel Sloan, and the Independent
Louisiana Battalion Of Tigers, Col. Wheat,
into the neighboring woods and fields as
skirmishers. Tho battle was thus opened.
They were supported on either wing by
single piece Of artillery, but as the entire
brigade numbered only about twelve hun
dred, it was found impossible to maintain
their position, and they slowly gave way
before the heavy fire of infantry and ar
tillery to which they were exposed.
The brigades of Jackson, Barlow, Bee
and Cooke, also a part of the division OF
Gen. Evans, rallied to their assistance, and
contested every inch Of ground with des--
pcrate determination never surpassed, The
enemy, However had the, advantage OF nu-
mcrical strength and locality, and after
fighting fercely for three hours, succeed ed
in attaining position where short and
decioive struggle must have decided the
fortunes of The day against us. Forty or
fisty cannon were playing with fearful effect
upon our troops. Many Of our regiments,
in the rapid charge which had taken place,
! had become decimatcd ana disorgauized
small detacbments we're without officers to-.
lead them; several field officers had fallen,
killed or wounded and the menr weary
with their long marches and hard fighting,
where leaving the field by dozens. 1t was
a critical moment, but Providence has so
many times showered his blessings upon us,
again ipterposedin our behalf. Gen. Beau
regard took the field. in person. Tho
troops rallied. Hampton's Legion, sup
ported by Virginians, hasten down and
captured battery. In another part of the
field the virginians, Mississippiaus, Geor-
gians and Alabamiaps, had. performed
similar deed with. Shermau's far famed bat
terry and reinforcement consisting Of
Kershaw and Cash's regiments. gave their
fresh energies to the conflict. Just at this
juucturc, two o'clock, Gen. E. K. Smith,
of FIoriday, with elsey's Brigade, composed.
Of Tennessee and Mississippi Regiment,
the Baltimore Battalion and a battery OF
eight pe;ces of.artiIiery, arrived uponthefield
and reported himself and command to Gen.
Johnston. No event could have beer moro
opportune. New impulse was impated to
exhausted bodies, frest hopes we're inspired,
and; in aword the tide OF; battle changed.
Insteadof falling back, we now advanced.
Oursoldiers charged to tho very mouths of
the cannon, and fought as ifthey felttbat the
destinies of'tbe day were suspendedein tho
balance.
The enemy were moved down by hun
dreds.,, Ellsworth 3 Zouaves, Rhode Island,
Connecticut, New York, Maine, Massachu.
sets, Minnesota, Michiganand Wisconsin
men lay in every field and patch Of woods.
1.-THE larses Of tho artillery were dead and
| dying in piles AROUND The their batteries,
and the Yankees were receiving success.
sion Of shocks which Il was not:possible4 to-
long Withstand Still they fought obstinately
and. well, yielding not so4nnch to numbers
f as to The Irresistible. .onsets which foifoWed
/ on infantry sapdaftilletY alike. From slev,
en- until foaf 5p,Slock the. battle. lasted nm,
Edimiuished inalie ferceness with which ii
] had been conf Fenced. AT that hour, po--
! EsitiSn after posifop beng tufned, The ene-
.ftny begah,theifs sfetreat, wiibdsawing arst'
\ jn Squads theal,y companies, and then BY
batsalions, until finally. the whole -asmy
mefss :sis route fof The Nosthsrn4bordsrs. -.
q & Aresident in one of The farm houses up.
81 anafha Held saws that though The move.