Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-07-26
OUR WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE.
rae CAmPaIGN N vIRGINIA,
TIE GREAT Ratuo Of manassas.


OF soUTHE0Ns.
The failure Of the Richmond mail yesterday
the train having missed the connection somewhere
-deprives US of the details we expected to gather
from the Richmond papels The following ac
counts Of the engagement, telegrsrhed to the No
bile Register and Advertiser, by the correspondent
Of that paper who was on the field Of battle, is
the most satisfactory We have yet seen:
RICHIoND, July pat O'Clock on Sunday
morning the enemy commenced Operations at
McLane's Ford on Bulls Run, by opening their
batteries Of riaed cannon and heavy and light
field pieces. This was intended as a mere feint,
to draw our fire and induce US to disturb our
position, if possible. But they failed, we did
not respond to their invitation to fight the battle
in the way that they selected, in that instance
Failing in this attempt, the enemy chose their
own position few miles above Stone Bridge on
Bull Rum and attempted to turn our left flank Here
the main, principal battle was fought.
At that point the battle ragged for four hours and
the fire on both sides was never fought better.
The enemy having largely the advantage in num-
bers and artillery, and constantly leading fresh eel
umns to the attack between three and four O'Clock
in the afternoon our brave men, exhausted by the
toll of the fray, and much reduced by the casual
ties of battle, seemed scarcely able to longer con-
tnue the conflict and the result hung in the balance
At this perious crisis Generals Beauregard and
Johnston heroically threw themselves into the thick
of the fight, and by their words presence, and exs
ample OF reckless personal daring infused new life
and spirit into the brave soldiery.
Gen. Beauregard covered himself with glory.
Lieut.. Col. johnson. of the Hampton Legion" of
South Caronians, being killed. and Col. Hampton
wounded, Gen. Beauregard assumed command Of
the Legion, and in person led it into action in the
most gallant style.
In leading the charge the head of Gen. Beaure-
CARDS horse was struck off by shell, which also
killed the horses of two of his aids, Messrs. How
ard and Ferguson, of South Carolina, at the same
moment.
Reinforcements Of the Cenfederates having come
up just at the critical moment the tide of battle be-
gun to turn in our favor the enemy falling back,
though in good order
Col. Barlow, of Georgia, was struck dead from
his horse while leading magnificent charge Of his
regiment with its colors in his hand.
Beauregard commanded throughout the day,
bearing himself in the most gallant style and with
utter disregard of personal danger. He was every
where, directing manUuvres small and great. lie
was several hours under heavy fires, escaping
many shells and riied shot evidently aimed directly
at him. myself saw shell burst not TWEEN ty
yards from him.
Gen Johnston "aldedn him, it is said though en-
titled to command by superior rank. They appear
ed to be mutual in command, acting with perfect
unison and accordance.
The panorama of the field was magnificent, be
yond description. The line of battle extended
miles, with its columns of charging infantry,
its dashng squadrOns of cavalry and flying Rrtille-
ry,its batteries laundering and sending up clouds of
smoke.
The battalion of Washington Artillery of New
Orleans, Col Walton, managed their battery with
wonderful Judgment and dexterity. doing great
ecItion in the enemy's ranks Sergeant Joshua
Reynolds was the only belonging TO the bat
talon who was killed. He was struck in the fore
head while giving the word of command to his gun
ners. Privates John Payne and Crutcher were
wounded. The artillery had their position within
close range of the Michigan Regiment.
A portion of the eth and Sth Louisiana Regiments
were in action, but have been unable up to this
time to ascertain particulars of their Losses.
Major Wheat is very badly wounded and his re-
covery is barely possible. His battalion saw hot
| work and is badly cut up.
Gen. Mcdowell is believed to have commanded
the enemy in person. and to have had sixty thousand
men on the field. Our forces at Stone Bridge is es
timated at thirty-fve thousand in all. Our forces
Immediately engaged were fifteen thousand.
Gen. Scott is said to have been but few miles
off from the fight during the action. This Is the
statement of persons who were able to know the
fact. We know nothing as to where Patterson was.
The enemy were totally routed. We have cap
tured thirty pieces Of artillery, thirty wagons,
great quantity Of provisions and five hundred pris>
Oners. Among them are Col. COrcOran, who COM
mande1 the New / ork Fire ZOuaves, Col. Wilcox,
Captain and three privates of the Michigan regi-
ment, who surrendered to the 2Sth Virginia regi-
| ment Of the Confederate army.
Edward Darlington, nephew of the late VIM G g.
Preston. Virginian, who fought against Us, is
prisoner.
Col Kemper's Alexandria Artillery rendered eff
| fective service during the battle.
The correspondent of the Charleston Mercury
telegFaphs the following
MANASSAS JUNCTION, July 22.-9 a. m.-As yet
very little more is known concerning the great bat
tie of yesterday than teiegraPhed you In my dis
patches of last night.
As soon as it became pretty evident that the enc
my meant to give us battle President Davis FASTENED
from Richmond to the scene of action arriving here
about noon, in time to take part in the battle
He Immediately assumed command of the centre.
Gen. Eeauregard commanded the right wing and
Gen. Johnston the left wing 1t was against Gen.
Johnstons command that the enemy concentr ated
his best troops, and fought most obstinately.
At one time our lett was pressed so severely that
the issue of the conflict in that direction seemed
doubtful. 1t was here that General Bartow's Geor-
gia Regiment posted, which so terribly
cut up. A large body of our troops from the CEN
tire were sent at the critical moment to the assist
ance of Johnston and this turned the tide of battle
The enemy broke, and fed before the impetuOUs
charges of the Southerners and the battle soon be-
came a rOut.
THE EATTLE OF PULL RCN-INTEREsTlNC INCIDENTS.
Correspondence OF the Richmond Enquirer.
MANASSAS, July 2O-The details of the late battle,
or ratheriskirmsh, for such it was, viewing the
magnitude of the two armies-have already been
laid before your readers. The few additional facts
which follow, may be repetition of what's there
lore known: Dut coming as they DO from 1fesn ana
varied sources additional interest will be lent to
the subject
First of the battle ground. This was upon both
sides of Bull Run-a creek perhaps twenty feet
wide, and less than many inches deep and upon
both sides of the road leading Centreville. Here
the enemy appeared after having paid their respects
to Fairfax, and the other positions from which our
forces, by previous arrangement, had fallen back.
and here they encountered a Nirginia brigade, IN
der the command of Gen. Longstreet, consisting Of
the LIST, llth and 18th Virginia regiments, two or
three companies Of the eth Louisiana regiment, Col
Hays and the Washington Artillery Of New Orleans.
The South Carolinians and other regiments which
formed the advance division, under Gen. Bonham,
were located within & short distance of the scene
ready, if necessary, at moments warning to CO.
operate with the Confederate troops engaged.
The object of the enemy Undoubtedly to
break our lines and fight the tanks. To this end
SAerman's battery was brought forward, and at a
distance of a mile and half opened heavy but
Intellectual fire expecting doubtless to make breach
in our ranks. through which their infantry might
enter, and open general battle. They were ga'
lantly encountered, however, by the Washington
artillery with six pieces and in the course of the
action, notwithstanding the enemy had thirteen
guns, served by United States regulars the far
famed Shermans battery was completely silenced,
and obliged TO return 1t is said, however that VIC
had the advantage of firing up hill, where nearly
every shot took effect, whereas the shells and balls
of the enemy passed entirely over the heads Of our
own artilersts and buried themselves IN a mound |
beyond. Under the cover of this fire, Mcdowell !