Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-09-05
THE RICHMOND WHIG,
THE BATTLE OF BULL RUN.
OFFICIAL REPORTS CONTINUED.
HEApoUARrERs Cru BRIGADE,

az Bliekburns Ford on Bull Kun, in which our troops
were commanded by Brigadier General Lougstreet:
On the morrilg of that day marched with my brig
sie composed OF the 7th Virginia Volunteers, Colonel
Kemper's reEiment) commanded by Lieut.. Colonel
Williams: the 7th Louisiana Volunteers commanded by
Colonel Harry Hays; six companies cf the 24th Vir
ginia Volunteers, (uy own) commanded by Lieut. Col
HarstOn and three pieces OF artillery from the Washing
\ ton Battery of New Orleans, under the command OF
Lieut. Colonel Squres TO Camp Walker, from whence it
Was moved by direction Of Gen. Beauregard into the
road leading from Camp Walker TO the gate in front OF
McIeAns farm, where 1t remained until about IL O'clock
AZ which time large cloud Of dust observed on the
high ridge north OF Blackburns Ford at which General
Ionssreets Brigade was stationed This cloud of dust
proved to be produced by the enemys columns moving
10 that direction and in few minutes the cannonading
was commenced by the enemy, directed trst upon Gen
BoahAms position, Achels Ford, and subsequently
upon the farm house OF Mclean and The hospital in his
I barn, over which was floating the hospital Dag.
/ As soon as the csnuonsding commenced, my brigade
was moved TO the rear Of the lines the left of the road
leading from McLeans house to Backburns Ford, where
t was Joined by two more pieces OF artillery IRON the
Washington battery under Col Eschlsman. At this po
ston il rename the purpose Of supporting either
Gen Bonham at Mitchelps Ford General L0ngsIreet at
Black burns Ford or Gen. Jones at hcLeans Ford, as
! cccsson might require.
After the frs. cannonadug had ceased aud General
Beauregard with his staff had passed towards aitches
/ Ford a fire Of musketry began at Black5urns Ford,
which became very animated and continued Tor some
me when one OF General LoDgstrees aids came 10 IN
form me that he had rpulsed the enemys charge, bat
desired reinlorcements. Immediately put my whole
brigade in notion including the five pieces OF artillery,
Ia which by his own r. tquest was oined Lieut. Garrett
OF the battery with two pieces that had been sent
to the rear by Gen. Longstreet before the action COM
nenced
After ms column was pu. in notion received an or.
der from Gen Beauregard to support General Lonssreet
with two regiments and two pieces OF artillery there
upon proceeded with the 7h Louisiana regiment and the
7h Virginia regiment aud two pieces OF artillery under
charge OF Cap' Escheman, to the support OF General
Lougsreet Upon arriving at BlGckburns Ford fouud
the greater part OF General Longsreets command under
cover on the bank of the stream engaged with the enemy
who we're under the hilsdes on the opposite
banks Col Hays Regiment which was in advance, was
then placed the banks OF the srean under cover 10
the rght and left Of the Ford relieving the 1h Virginia
Regiment uuder Col. Corse This regiment proceeded
10 its position under qnite brisk fIe Of muskttry.
The 9Th Virginia Regiment under Lieut.. Col Will
Eams a. it arrived formed TO the right of the Ford
under heavy fire OF musketry from the enemy evident.
ly reced ct the Regiment. L. was momentarly thrown
into confusion by this fire. and discharged many OF its
own gus portion of own troops IN 'front.' Tor
tuuatey however, doing them no damage, believe -
The regiment was soon rallied, and proceeded TO the
banks OF the stream relieving the first Virginia regiment
The two pieces of aTlery, under Captain ElehelmAn,
which followed the Seventh Virginia Regiment, were
moved down into the open field the rghtof the road,
80 as to be concealed from the view OF the enemy ar
e,y nv the timber on the banks of the stream where
il opened FIRE upon the enemy, on the opposite side,
directed only by the sound OF their musketry.
As soon the 7h Virginia Regiment advanced to the
banks Of the stream above stated sent back Tor tue
companies Of the oath Regiment aud the remainder OF
the pieces of artsry aud they were brought up. The
companies of the 2ith placed in position, IN good
order TO the left OF the road in space not occupied by
Colonel HAYS Regimen, aud the remaining guns Of the
Washington Artillery Eve in number, were numbered
on line with the first two pieces and to the flght OF
The read scattering Gre OF musketry was kept up ior
some time but the enemy 6nally ceased hrirg and eV-
IDENTIFY retired 20 the hills above, where their arhller!
| guns were placed, having, no doubt, observed The
| position of our pieces of artillery, for hire was
/ soon commenced on them by the enemys artillery,
| which was responded 10 by ours, and the can
rorading was continued for considerable time
| With great biiskness both sdes-the bsIs ana
shells from the enemy battery heng directed with con-
siderable ct upon ours But the enemy finally ceas.
ed firing and did not the attack with musketry
During all this firing when the balls and shells were
passrg over the heads o the the banks OF the
stream they remained at their posts, cOcy awaiting the
renewal of the attack with mlakery. The sfhe closed
late in the slernOon and about dusk Gen Longstreet,
by direction of Ger. Beanrgard retired with the two
regiments Of his brigade that had been engaged In the
early part OF tho action to the pines from which had
gone TO reinforce him, leaving nv brigade, aud Gel
arsuds regiment of his brigade, on the ground for the
night
When first arrived on the ground found Gen.
Longstreet very actively engaged in the thckest oil the
fire. in directing aud encouraging the men under Iis
command and AN satsf he contributed very large
" TO the repu'e OF the enemy by his own personal ex'
ertions The oifcers and men belonging TO the Wash
ington Battery behaved very handsomely indeed, under
well directed and CALLING fire OF the enemy, displaying
great GOODNESS and skill In the management oi their pc
| ces.
The regiments of my brigade come for the first time
under Gre; and Will, one regiment thrown for few,
moments into confession without retiring il rallied under
Gre the ground took the position assigned it,
aud retained il.
Some parties sent across the after the close Of
the fight reported about forty Of the enemy found dead
on the ground occupied by their infantry during the
hight We were not enabled to examine the ground oe-
euped by their battery and the regiments OF infantry
supporting H. because il was evident that large force
was in the neigborhood and the whole OF the next day
the men were engaged in throwing up enbankmens TO
strengthen cur position, which on the gsound lower
than that occupied by tho enemy About one hundred
muskets picked up the hillside, with large
number OF hats and other articles From all the indica
tons the enemys oss have been much larger than
our own.
The ranks of the 7th Virginia Regiment and the cath
Vi,gicia Regiment much thiuned by sickness, and
the whole number OF my Brigade did not exceed 1900
| men.
have already furnished BrgadierGenera Longstreet
with list of the killed and wounded.
Captain Fleming Gardner, my Aid, and A. A. A. Gen.
sra and Capt George @. Dennis Assistant Commssary
/ 10 the 24lh va. Regiment, VINO acteu as Ad curing
the engagement discharged their duties to my entire
satisfaction.
Very Respectfully,
Your obedent serv't
J. A. EARLY.
Colonel Commanding Briscde, LIST Corps Army Of
Col. TaoSAs JoaDAs, A. A. General ist Corps Army
Of Potomac.
HEADQUARTERS BATTALION,
WAsHsGToS ARrILLERY,
CAxP 'IoUIsnSA," August %, 1861. J
GEsERAL:-Reftrring to circular order under date Of
August s requiring detailed report Of the operations
OF all the troops under my command, including list Of
the killed aud wounded during tie action on Thursday
July 18Th, have the honor TO report that during the
night of the 10th OF Jaly was informed by letter thai
nv batteries might be required on the following day,
be distributed according to the following order.
Distri5u,ion Of Major Waiton's Battery, .fnly loA
1861.
"a Brigade, General Ewel. in advance OF Union Mile
\ Ford-two IL pound hoxzers and two rited guns-tou
l niecea d. .