Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-08-01
From the Richmond Examiner

Northern Accounts and Opinions of the War.
We are under especial thanks to gentleman for lite
Northern papers, bringing Baltimore dates un to Thurs
dv last we are thus enabled to lay before readers
this morning. full and complete accounts of the battle as
related in the North accompanied by the comments and
opinions Of the leading Northern presses presenting, at
one SINGLE view, the Northern side of the picture.
A NORTHERN EDITORS CUNT OF TIE BATTLE
The editor OF the New ork Times, who was present
at the battle of Manassas, writes to his paper the fol
lowing account:
WASHINGTON, July %, 1861.
The battle Yesterday was one Of the most and
anguinay fought On this continent and 1t ended
IN the failure of the Union troops to hold all the posi-
toes which they sought to carry, and which they actu-
lily did carry, and in their retreat to CentreVlle.
The attack was made in three columns, two OF which,
however, mainly eins, Intended to amuse ana oc-
mpg the enemy, while the substantial work was done by
The third 1t has been known fora long time that the
range Of hills which border the small swampy stream
Known as Bulls Run had been thoroughly and extern
Syey fortified by the rebels that batteries had beer
planted at every available point, unusually concealed III
the woods and bushes which abound IN that vicinity
and covering every way Of approach to the region be-
goD3 These are the advance defences OF Manassas
Junction, which is some three miles further OIL Until
these were carried no approach could be made to that
place and after they should be carried, others OF SINH
lar character would have to be overcome at every point
where they could be erected
The utmost that military skill and ingenuity could &C
umpIish for the defence of this point was done Gen
Mcdowell was unwilling to make an attack directly III
the face of these batteries they would be OF doubtful
le and inevitably result IN very serious loss OF
He After an attack had been resolved upon, therefore,
be endeavOured TO fnd way OF turning the posi-
tOl His first intention was to do this on the Southern
dje-to throw strong column into the place from that
TectOn while feigned attack should be made IN 'front.'
OaIhmsday when the troops were advanced to Cen
pVG found that the roads on the South sde OF
these positions were almost mpassa be-that they were
n9rrO Olyal ct0
impossible to bring up enough artillery to be elective
the time required This original plan was, therefore,
abandoned and Friday was devoted to an examination
the typographical engineers of the Northern side OF
The position. Maj Barnard and Capt. Whpple recon
luered the place for miles around, and reported that
the position could be entered by path coming from
The North though it was somewhat long and clrcutonS
This was selected therefore, the mode and point OF
attack
On Saturday, the troops were all brought closely up
Centrevle-and all needful preparations were made
for the attack which was intended for the next day
Yesterday morning. therefore, the army marched-by
two r0ads-COlo1el Richardson, with his command
taking the southern which leads to Bulls Run, anc
Ten Tyler the Notwithstanding parallel to 1t at q
distance of about o mile and half The movement
Commenced at about O'Clock. | got up at little
before and found the long line of troops extended tal
ont on either road. | took the road by which Col
hOUer with his command, and Gen. Mcdowell anc
had gone and pushed on directly Tor the 'front.'
-NeC going CUT ABOUT TWO miles, OOl' A1uhO0l
the rght-marching obquely towards the Run
llch be was to cross some four miles higher up am
hen come down upon the entrenched positions OF TIT
Enemy on the other SIDE Col. Miles was LIT at Gen
ueve and on the road with reserves which he was Il
bring up whenever they might be needed Gen. lyle
7tOt directly forward to engage the enemy In 'front.' ant
send endorsements to Colonel Hunter whenever l
should be seen that he was engaged -
went out upon the northern road 1t is billy, Tx
all the surface of this section. After going ont abou
lree miles, you come to point down which the road
adOg through forest, deScends then it proceeds b.
succession OF rising and falling knobs for quarter
mile, when it crosses stone bridge and then ascends
F gentle slope to the heights beyond. At the top
at slope the rebels had planted heavy batteries, ant
~e woods below filled with their troops and witt
Sncealed cannon. We proceeded down the road to TIT
ISt OF the small knobs mentioned, when the column
eted. The 3O-pounder Parrott gun, which has Ion
g range than any other in the army, planted di
0Iy IN the road Capt Ayre's battery was statlonet
'he woods a little to the right The first Ohio ant
~e second New York Regiments were thrown into tn
vVQs IN advance, on the left. The Sixty-Nlnth New
Nk, the First Second and Third Connecticut Regl
~snis we're ranged behind them, and the Second Wis
, S-'u was thrown into the woods on the right. A
sCl halGpast six O'clock the 30-pounder threw two
gaS directly into the battery at the summit OF tn
pe On the opposite height one of which, laarnet
ggSTWads, struck and exploded directly 10 the midst
Gon. "Ou o''"SiOD'u 'n0 "''-'''
49, Ter about halt an hour, Capt. Ayres threw ten
D. shot and shell from his battery into the place
na 10Th Jailed to elicit any reply. Men could be see
ill., about the opposite slope, but the batteries Wer
Se An hour or SO afterwards we heard three or iou
Rp! guns from Col. Richardson's colu1hn at Bull
q a. and these were continued at intervals for tw
~''e hours, but they were not answered even b