Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1861-07-31
The Battle of Bulls Run.

driving the enemy from place 70 pace all
day. and had actually won victory up to
the time the stampede took place. Our
troops took up their line OF march at half
past two in the morning and commenced
tile attack about six O'Clock They fought
all day, driving the enemy nearly in cir
Gle, and at o'clock were near the spot
where the FIGHT commenced in the morning
The following account Of what took place
after 4 o'clock was written by the cores
pondent Of the New York World
AT this time, near o'clock, | rode for
ward through the open plain, to the creek
where the abattis was being assaied by our
engineers. The Ohio, Connecticut and
Minnesota Regiments were yariously post
ed thereabout; others were in distant por-
tons of the field; all were completely ex-
hausted and partly discovered no General
Of division. except Tyler could be found.
Where were our ofiicers2 Where was the
foe? Who knew whether we had won
or lost
The question was quickly to be decided
for us. A sudden swoop, and body Of
cavalry rushed down upon cur columns
near the bridge. They came from the
woods on the left, and the infantry poured
out behind them. Tyler and his staff, with
the reserve, were apparently cut off by this
quick vancouver. | succeeded in gaining
the position had just left there witness
ed the capture of Carlile's battery in the
plain, and saw another force Of cayal:y and
infantry pouring into the road at the very
spot where the battle commenced, and
near which the South Carol.ians, who
manned the battery silencsd in the morn
inc, had doubtless all day been lying con-
cealed. The ambulances and wagons had
graz ally advanced to this spot, and of
course an instantaneous dismay and confu-
sion resulted. Our own infantry broke
ranks in the field, plunged into the woods
to avoid the road, and got up the bill as
best they could, without leaders, every man
saving himself in his own way.
By the time reached the top Of the bill;
the retreat, the panic, the hileous headlong
confusion were now beyond hope. | was
near the rear of the movement, with the
brave Captain Alexander, who endeayored
by the most gallant but unavailng exer-
ton to check the onward tumult. 1t was
difficult to believe the reality of our sudden
reverse. "'Yhat does it all mean?" | ask
ed Alexander. q means defeat" was his
reply. 1--WE are beaten; it is a shameful,
cowardly retreat Hold up, menr' he
shouted, .lon't be such Internal towards
and he rode back and forth, placing his
horse across the road, and vainly trying to
rally the running troops. The teams and
wagons confused and dismemJered every
corps. We were now cut off from the adj
vance body by the enemy's infantry, who
had rushed on the slope just left by US, sur
rounded the guns and suffers wagons, and
were apparently pressing up against u.s.
.'Ifs no use, Alexander" said !, "you must
leave with the rest" '1'll be damned if
will" was his sullen reply, and the splendid
fellow rode back to make his way the best
he could. Meantime | saw officers with
leaves and eagles on their shoulder-straps,
majors and colonies, who had deserted
their commands, pass me gallopng as if
for dear life. Noenemy pursued just then;
but suppose all were afraid his guns
would be trained down the long, narrow
avenue, and NOW the retreating thousands,
and batter to pieces army wagons end ev-
erything else which crowded il. Only one
field officer, SO far as my observation ex-
tended, seemed to have remembered his
duty. Lieut.. Colonel Speidel, foreigner
attached to a Connecticut Regiment stroye
against the current for a league. ! posi-
lively declare that, with the two exceptions
mentioned, all efforts made 10 check the
panic, before CentreyiIle was re- ched, were
confined to capiiiaas
saw man in citizens dress who had
thrown off his coat, seized musket, and
was trying to rally the soldiers who came
by at the point Of the bayonet In reply
to request for bis name, he said it was
Washburn, and learned he was the mem
ter Of Congress by. that name from III
nois. The Hon. Mr.. Kellogg made sim
liar effort. Both these Congressman stood
their ground bravely till The last moment,
and were serviceable at Centreyile in as
sisting the halt there ultimately made.
But what a scene and how terrific the
onset of that tumultuous retreat For
three miles, hosts Of Federal tioops-all
detached from their regiments, all mingled
in one dsorderly rout-were fleeing along,
but mostly through the lots on either side.
Army wagons, suffers teams, and private
carriages, choked the passage, tumbling
against each other, amid sickening sights
and sounds. Hacks, containing unlucky
spectators Of the late ARRAY, were smashed
like glass, and the occupants lost in the
Debris. Horses, flying wildly from the
battle field, galloped at random forward,
joining in the stampede Those on foot
who conld catch them, rode them bare
back, as much to avoid being run over, rs
to make quicker time. Wounded men, "
ing along the banks, appealed with raised
hands to those who rode horses, BEGGING
/ to be lifted behind; but few regarded such
petitions. The artillery such as was saved,
then came laundering along, smashing
and oyerpowcring everything. The reg