Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-07-31
Southern Account Of the Battle
of Manassas.

} The Great Battle at stone Bridge
near Manassas-Generals Beaure-
gard and Johnston Leading the
COIumns-Their Daring Deeds OF
Bravery-GreatVic Victory of the South
ern Forces-The Defeat Of the Fed
eral Army-Killed and Wounded
Terrible Scenes.
i Correspondence Of the Richmond Enquirer.l
MANASSAS JUNCTION, July 2l.--The severest
battle that was ever fought in this country took
place to day between the Confederates and Fed.
eral forces. AS stated to you few days ago,
the armies had faced each other until it was
evident that collision must ensue. About 8
O'Clock this morning, a part Of the Federal
forces, about 10000 strong, commenced an at
tack on the Confederate troops at Stone Bridge,
on the turnpike, six miles above here, number.
ing only 600, being the 4th Alabama Regiment
under Col. Sloane. Such was the suddenness
of the charge, that the regiment suffered great
ly, but like the immortal Spartans, they held
their ground until reinforcements came up.
The enemy succeeded in crossing the Run, but
were forced back in the evening, and made the
retreat in the utmost disorder. The Confeder-
ates had on the field about 10000 Two intelli.
gent prisoners, who were taken, stated that the
enemy had from 10, 1000 to 1000 picked troops
on the ground, and yet they were forced to re.
treat, and leave the field to the victorious
SoutherneIs.
| 1t would be unjust to discriminate among the
various regiments, for all did their work well.
Virginia, Norh Carolina, South Carolina, Geor-
gia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas,
Arkansas, Kentucky, and perhaps little Florida,
have united their destinies this day in eternal
bonds of friendship, sealed in blood May 1t
ever continue, and strengthen as time shall
pass.
Ex-Governor Smith was active in the engage.
ment with the portion of the regiment assigned
to him, and ELECTED the warmest expressions of
admiration from General Beauregard.
1t is sad to think that the folly of our invad-
ers has caused much grief to the fresides of
Southerners, but when it Is remembered that
| the loss is done in the glorious cause of South
ern Independence, il will be lasting honor to
the families of those who fall in its prosecu'
ton.
BY the way, General Beauregard must be
man of great and active mind. He was upon
the field the whole day, and planned the move
ments with precision. His horse was shot from
under him by q cannon ball, which shows he
was not for from the scene of battle. He was
all the while perfectly calm and collected, and
seemed to regard the occurrence as a mere in.
cident OF war. EtN
Capt. Murray and Lieut.. H. Clay Ward, Of
the Fauquier Guards, lately gotten up, had an
important position.
Several hundred prisoners of the enemy have
been captured and brought to this station to-
night.
P. S.-A gentleman who has just arrived
from the field of battle states that Lieut.. Caleb
Smith was badly wounded in the hip, and H.
Clay Ward is probably killed. He received a
deadly shot, and seems to be conscious of his
fla haas ( mil do ap1r
nation.
Among the prisoners is Gen. Wilcox, late of
the Alexandra Federal command, who was
wounded and captured. Lieut.. Ramsey, of the
Federal artillery, is killed. The whole field is
covered with the dead and dying of the enemy.
Blankets, hats, knapsacks, guns, pistols, etc.,
lie in thousands over the field. After the re-
treat of the enemy, the cavalry, about 5000
strong, pursued them about six miles, cutting
down and capturing all the detached parties they
could find. The cavalry suffered but little loss.
The prisoners oil confirm the fact that the
very best troops, artillery and other appurtenan-
ces of the Federal Government, were used in
the action of to-day, which were defeated and
driven from the field.
Gen. Beauregard commanded the C0nfeder.
ate troops in person, was 10 the thickest of the
fight, and rallied his men with an enthusiasm
almost unbounded, telling them he was ready
to die with them or gain the victory.
From the Richmond Enquirer, July 24.l
A vast concourse assembled early yesterday
evening at the Central Railroad depot to await
the arrival of the train from Manassas. So
great was the crowd that, in anticipation of the
arrival of the wounded, it was deemed pecessa-
ry by the committee appointed to receive them,
to set strong guard to prevent the pressure OF
the people around the train when il should ar
rive. BY this means, the track and consider
able space on either side of it was kept clear,
though the car tops, fences, and all the eminen.
ces in the vicinity were thronged with the ex.
pectant crowd. AT quarter past seven, the
| first train arrived, bringing twenty wounded
soldiers and the bodies of four Of our dead
Gen. Barlow, Col. Johnston, private of the
Montgomery Guard, named James Uriscol, and
another, whose name we could not learn.
During the excitement attending the anxious
inquiries after friends, and the crowding to look
upon the dead and wounded, it was whispered
through the crowd that President Davis was on
the train. Immediately a rush was made in
| search of the distinguished statesman and chief
tain, and thousand shouts rent the air with
wild huzzas as his well known face and figure
were discovered. ~.
Though travel-worn and evidently fatigued
| by the trying scenes through which he had
passed IN the last TWO Gays, the PRESIDENT could
not deny the enthusiastic citizens the pleasure
of hearing from his own mouth something of
the glorious deeds so recently achieved by our
brave and invincible patriot soldiers.
In strain of fervid elequence, he eulogized
the courage, the endurance and patriotism Of
our victorious troops; and to the memory Of
our bonored dead, who shed their life's blood
on the battlefield in the glorious cause of their
country, he paid glowing tribute, which could
not fail TO dim with tears the eyes Of the least
feeling among his hearers. g.nrs 3sf rA
| He pronounced the victory great, glorious and
complete. He said we had whipped them this
time and could whip them as often as they offer.
ed us the opportunity. s
| ARRIVAL OF PRISONERS, .a
This unannounced arrival of Our President
took the citizens by surprise. Had they known
of his coming, such an ovation would have
greeted his return asnever before was Witnessed
| in the Old Dominion. si.ss .;as
Just behind the train which brought the Pres
ident, there arrived second, bringing Eve hun
dred and eighty-fve Hessian prisoners, twenty
| five Of whom are Commissioned officers, and
thirty Of EllsWorth's Fire zouaves. Passenger
BY this train inform US that several hundred
other prisoners were left At Manassas, and that