The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-08-08

reposina in juDgles behind batteries {
the heaviest guns, some six or seven bri
gades, to explore the labarynth of tba
terrible position. and seek, by impetus a
lone, to butt hole through it and holt
on to the lower end
1t NUT be stated ct this time, tha
while Gen. Mcdowell was ormiug bi
calculations on the basis his engineers
report, he was aware that Gen. Patterson
was but so miles to his right with Fed
eral army of nearly 10000 men, who
were then employed in watching an equa
rebel force uuder Gen. Johnston, viii
the siew of preventing him from deseen
ding to Manassas. He knew, also, tha,
while Johnston, from having railway
track behind him, could reach Manassa:
with bis column in two days. Patterson
could not follow, over obstructed road,
and broken bridges, in less than five
Uuder these circumsta nces, it would seem
that the con monest military prudence
would have suggested that Gen Mellow
ell should have pouscd at least to know
whether Johnston had abandoned the
Deig gbborhood of Winchester, and wbeth
er, therefore, it vas not absolutely peces
sary to the safety of the Federal forces,
to say nothing Of a hope of victory, that
he should intrench himself at Centreville,
and wait for Pattersons arrival. But it
appears that Gen. Mcdowell considered
the prestige Of the Federal cause and his
own good luck as equal to all the odds
which treason could coumulate, and ao-
cordinely he decided to stake the fortunes
of the Republic against the rebels in gen
eral battle as be stood. a strong evi
dence of patriotic selfreliance, but rot an
abundant proof of judgment. The army.
however, did not question the determina-
tion Of their General, but, with the whole.
some vanity of valor, each soldier felt the
happiness of expectation, aud slept the
sounder for the prospects Of the MORROW.
POSITION OF THE REBELS.
Ou their part, the Rebels lay on that
brilliant moonlight evening enfolded in
vast strength; their position being that Of
triangle, with the point toward US. aud
branching upward to Manassas, With en-
open base of several miles. The point
or open of this triangle, about mile
round, was most heavily protected at Bull
Run, where the direct road to Manassas
crossed the Ocoquan. All up its branch.
ing sides, however, batteries faced out
ward in deep rows, their ponderous iron
tusks, concealed By artificial masks,
wherever natural groves did not volun-
teer a screen. A stronger field position
could hardly he immagIned Defended
as 1t was by ~, ,OO0 men, to DC increased
to 10000 in the morning, it wonld
scarcely suffer in comparison OF strength
with Solferpo or Sevastopol; and | doubt
if there is any French or Russian engi-
peer who would have undertaken to asssil
it, except BY regular approaches, and sew,
eral respectful days of distant compliment
with shot and she'll. Brgadier Gen. IT.
win Mcdowell, however, was going at it
Eith few 32-pounders ana 0 field bat
tcries (pearly all of them Light, lacked
by some five or six brig AIDES, whom, men
taIly, be gave the credit OF believing to
be equal to It's capture. Had our poor
fellows hut known the depth of the com-
plimeut thus layished Oh their prowess,
doubt if they would have risen SO joyful
for the fray on the lovely Sunday morn
ing now SO near upon Us. What render
ed things even still more desperate, could
We but have known their state, the enemy
we're thoroughly acquainted with our
strength and our Intentions, and awaited
our coming with the greatest eagerDess.
Their anxiety, however, was deeply mixed
with dread that our General might change
bis mind. With them, therefore, the eve
OF this battle was night Of true hopeful.
ness aud intelligent reliance; and we'll
mi gbt the retel chieftains. as they looked
proudly over the vast host which an i'm
uense and desperate energy had got to-
gether. hatter themselves that they DOW
had the fortunes of the Great Republic,
which they had so long coutemned and
plundered, securely in their grasp. lD
this belief, Davis and bis legions early
wcD! to sleep. while our battalions, half
rested rose little afer midnight, to be
wesried by several hours of hot march
before entering upon the more violent ia
tigues OF the attack.
The order for an early movent in the
morning was promulgated 10 our camp at
10 o'clock op Saturday night; aud VIC now
have reason to believe that the order Of
ID arch and battle, then distributed among
our militia Major Generals, was in pos
session of the Confederate leaders before
our troops had risen for the conflict
From the hour of midnight, our sentnels
could bear the oft-repeated distant rail
way whistle at the Junction. signaling
the arrival either of the last regiments
of johnson, or of fresh troop, coming up
from Richmond.
As the time of our start was fixed at
2:30 .. m., that entire army was awake
ap hour before, and in marching order al
the indicated moment. 1t was bright
moonlight; yet through the brilliant sheen
l.