Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-08-16

me ItMeS. III Is quite equal IN style to the
amy letters of Mr.. Russell of the London
Times -
POSITION OF THE REBELs.
On their part, the rebels lay on that brill
liant moonlight evening EMBODIED in vast
strength; their position being that of tri-
angle, with the point towards US, branching
upward 10 Manassas, with an open base Of
several miles. The point or open Of this
triangle, about mile round was most heav-
lily protected at Bull Run. where The direct
road TO Manassas crossed the Ocoquan.-
All up its branching sides, however, batter
les faced outward in deep rows, their pom
derous iron tusks concealed by artificial
masks, wherever natural groves did no, vol
unteer q screen. a stronger field position
could hardly be imagined Defended as it
was by 10000 men, to be increased TO ll0,-
600 in the morning, it would scarcely suffer
] in comparison of strength with Solierino or
Sebastopol; and doubt if there is any
/ French or Russian engineer who would have
undertaken to assa it, except 10y regular
approaches, aud several respectful days of
distant compliment with shot and heavy
shell. Brigadier General Irwin Mellow
ell, however, was going at it with a few 32-
Founders and 10 field batteries (nearly all
OF them light,) backed by some five or six
brigades, whom, mentally, he gave the cred
it of believing TO be equal 10 its capture
Had our poor fellows but known the depth
of the compliment thus lavished on their
proves, doubt il they would have risen
50 joyful for the fray on the lovely Sunday
morning now so near upon US. What rem
dered things even still more desperate, could
we but have known their state, the enemy
were thoroughly acquainted with our
strength and our intentions, and awaited our
coming with the greatest eagerness. Their
anxiety, however, was deeply mixed With
dread that our General might change his
mind. With them, therefore, tle eve Of
this battle was night Of true hopeiuihess
and intelligent reliance and well might
the rebel chieftains, as they looked proudly
over the vast host which an immense and
desperate energy had go together, fatter
themselves that they now had the fortunes
OF the great republic, which they had so
long contemned and plundered, securely in
their grasp. In this belief, Davis and his
! legions early went to sleep, while our bat
/ talions, half rested, rose a little after mid
night, 10 be wearied by several hours of
hot march before entering upon the more
violent fatigues of the attack.
The order for an early movement in the
morning was promulgated in our camp at
10 O'Clock ON Saturday night; and we now
/ have reason to believe that the order of
march and battle, then distributed among
our militia Mai Generals, was in possession
of the confederate leaders before our troops
had risen for the conflict. From the hour
Of midnight, our sentinnls could hear the
oft repeated distant railway whistle at the
Junction, signalizing the arrival either of
the last regiments of Johnston, or of fresh
troops coming up from Richmond.
As the time Of our start was fixed at 2;
80 p. NJ, the entire army was awake an
hour before, and in marching order at the
indicated moment. 1t was bright MOON
light; yet through the brilliant sheen some
Of the stronger stars looked curiously down,
as if they shared with us our wonder at the
spectacle From the hill of Centreville,
backward toward Fairfax, the Whole valley,
so lately untrodden in its verdure, was
sparkling with frost of steel; and as the
10000 bayonets moved forward in the un-
certain light, with that bilowy motion pc
cular to the step of troops, the stirring mass
looked like bristling monster lifting him.
self by a slow, wavy motion up the labori.
Gus ascent. To the left and forward through
the village il the direction of the Run, the
ground descended 8 or miles toward the
Ocoquan, and then rose in gradual ascent
to Manassas. 1t was a scene OF mingled
grove and opening. and the moonlight slep
as placidlyupon the juneles of that rise, a
if treason, armed in triple strength, wa
not slyly watching from its lair our ignoran
advance, ready 10 belch forth upon US III
, deadly and malignant fires.
THE PAGEANT OF TIE ENEMYs RESERVES
: THE CAUSE OF THE PANIC.
AT long way up the rise, and issuing
. from the enemy's extreme left, appeared
, slowly debouchiIg into sight, dense column
{ of infantry, marching with slow and sole
; step, and looking, at the noiseless distance
5 ike mirage of ourselves, or the Illusion o
a panorama. Rod by rod the massive col
a umn heightened, not breaking off at th'
I completion of a regiment, as we had hoped
: but still pouring on, and on, and on, till on
: regiment had heightened into ten. Ever
! then the stern tide did not pause; for on
Of its arms turned downward along the ia
: side of the triangle and the source of th'