The Nevada Democrat., 1861-10-15
AErada geuInfrat.
THE BATTLE OF BULL RUN.

Review, who witnessed the battle of Bull
Run from an eminence called PoOIe's Hill,
in the rear of the Confederates, has given
graphic and connected account of that
engagement. A synopsis of his Communi-
cation, taken from an English paper, is
publsoed in the Union of Saturday, from
which we extract the following:
1t was glorious day in July, as sweet and
cool and calm and bright as that which the
poet pronounced the bridal of earth and sky.
And it was Sunday-a day that has often been
selected for decisive battles, in Difference to a
fine superstition found among all armies, that
to die upon Gods day is to die in Gods good
time. As twilight flushed into day, and the
white counterpane of mist rolled itself off the
sleeping landscape, drums were heard beating
to arms. BY five o'clock every regiment was
in marching order. Seventy-ive rounds of ball
cartridge were served out to each man; and,
what was of prime importance, double rationS
of biscuit and fresh beef; while in the Federal
army at Centrevile the commissariat was so
vilely supplied that the poor fellows had not
rations enough for a single meal. At half past
five o'clock General Beauregard rode along the
line with his staff, and, assembling the Coonels,
announced, in few brief soldierly terms, that,
having learned the enemy's arrangements for
attack, he intended to make him fight on other
ground than he had selected, and that the fight
would speedily be begun. The air was by this
time so clear that from Poole's Hill the white
tits of the Federal wagons could be seen among
the woods at Centreville. BY half-past six, half
dozen field pieces were unlimLeFed to the
right of Bull Run, in such position as to flank
any force advancing from Centreville, and be-
fhnca o1fn a nf val Nya
placed. At the same time, regiments to the
number of 10000 men, from Georgia, Virginia
and Alabama, advanced under cover of the trees,
and six field pieces were placed, along with a
force of 1000 men, on the top of gentle emf
nence on the other side of the "run, sloping to
the field on one side and the stream on the
other. Swarms of men entered the redoubts
and other intrenchments, but all in profound
silence. A small dark mass was seen moving
at some distance to the right, and precisely at
half-past puff of blue smoke from the place,
and dull, distant sound, like the slamming of a
dungeon door, indicated that this was battery
of field artillery-and so the battle began.
Shortly afterwards similar puffs and reports in
various directions, and the movements of small
bodies of nen in clouds of dust, under cover Of
the guns, became distinctly visible; but from
this time for several hours the battle was
scene of confusion. The great body of the
Federalists in line had, in the meantime, ad-
vanced steadily towards Manassas, driving the
Confederate troops before them, and meeting
with but one repulse, where a body of infantry,
well concealed, delivered a murderous yolley
upon some regiments on the right, causing them
to fall back in confusion. Clouds of dust and
blue smoke rose now and then from among the
trees, and occasionally bright polished steel
cleaned through the rolling dust-clouds in the
open fields. and the quick sharp rattle of mus
kerry broke through the booming of the artil-
lery, but friend and foe were jumbled together
under this "sul phurous canopy" and, over all,
the sky was vaulted in dome Of Italian blue,
and the beams Of the meridian sun came scorch-
ing down upon the combatants, weary, thirsty,
stifed with smoke and dust. As the Confede-
rates fell back, their heavy ordnance opened
upon the Federalists at long ranges, and was
replied to by their light field pieces. About
noon the heads of columns were distinctly seen
advancing towards the Confederate batteries,
and three batteries-two of United States ar
tilery, and the Rhode Island flying artillery
were brought up so that their shot told heavily
upon a work containing eight guns of position,
which, from the steep activity Of Poole's Hill,
could be seen very distinctly. This redoubt
was crammed with men, and shot after shot
told upon the living mass. Vainly, in the iron
Storm men rushed to fill the places Of the gun
plosion of shell, or cruelty mangled by the spln-
tering of their wooden gun carriages. BY one
o'clock the battery was silenced, with loss Of
300 killed and wounded. The precision of the
Federasts' fire, says this eyewitness, was re-
markable. To nearly every blue puff which
left the muzzles Of their guns, gap in the mass
of men or a shower Of splinters answered. 1t
was a deadly fire, the range not being more
than five hundred yards. This battery was on
the other side of the run. About the time that
it was evacuated, large body Of Federalsts
moved forward under the shelter Of their field
pieces to capture the guns on the small emil
nence, which were delivering CALLING fire.
These guns were supported by 1000 men, and
the assailing force was considerably larger, and
included the Fire Zouaves and the New York
Irish and Scottish. The battle was now most
exciting, and It's course was distinctly visible,
the Federalists having advanced SO near to
their enemies that the spectators on Pooles
Hill could discern the color Of their uniforms.
Victory seemed now to incline to them. Two
of the Confederate batteries were silenced with
heavy loss, and the possession OF this eminence
would have obliged Beauregard to retire from
his first line of defense, his position being
turned in flank. The Federalists came boldly
on, mounting the slope in double quick time,
the gunners, panic-strickCn, deserting their
guns. The Confederates, after firing volley
which apparently did little execution, wavered
A. A. -