The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-07-23
INDAlS M0gk - DESTRrCTiON OF SC0TTS
REGULAR ARMY.

TUESDAY MORNIN3....JtII. %. 1851 4
uNDAiS W0Gk - DESTRtCTiON Of SC0TfS
REGULAR ARMY.
Send me good troops, not volunteers. -
These were the words Of General Scorr to
the Government, during his uniucky
wars in Florida: and this was the sentiment cn
which he acted in preparing for the great en-
counter with the South on Sunday last. lie
had collected at Washington all the troops OF
the regular army on the east OF the Rocky
Mountains. The forces from jefferson Bar
racks and from St. Louis, with which Gen Lyon
had been hec,oring for two months over the
people of Missouri had been brought to the Poto-
mac. Tho three batteries Of the regular army
that had been sent to aid the column Of PArrER-
SON in its projected march into the valley ofVir-
einia-a march, however, which PATTERSON
did not effect-had been brought down for the
work of Sunday, by cunning stroke of STRAIT
egy. The whole forces Of regular troops that
had been collecting by degrees in Washington
since February last, had been marshalled for
this special service.
formed into the advancing column which was
TO precipita,e itself upon our left flank on
Bulls Run. and enforce success by an irresist-
ible coup de main. In the column OF thirty
five thousand men which charged upon JOHN
sroNs division, not less than ten thousand
were thoroughly trained soldiers Of the regu-
lar army. including all the finest batteries of
the Federal service, which had been diligently
brought together from long distances for the
special work Of this important day. 1t was
an army Of those good soldiers" with which
Gen. scoTr delights to fight, and whom he is
in the habit of thinking invincible against
volunteers, that the little band of Southern
troors who never were under fire before, itt-
rally beat to death on Sunday. Our brave
Southern volunteers not only whipped their
own number of Yankee troops, but they
whipped in addition, ten thousand forces Of
the regular United States Army. The fifteen
thousand men under JOHNSTON beat thirty-fve
thousand of the enemy, including the best
regiments and the crack batteries Of the regu
lar army Of the United States. 1t is the fact
that this latter forces was encountered, which
explains the terrific mortality that our column
suffered. The days work cost us dear but
it is q performance that makes an everlastip 6
record for Southern proves, as compared
with Northern instability and ineficiency in
the field.
The fight, too, was in open field and in fair
encounter. The enemy, recollecting his I'M
pleasant experiences Of Thursday, avoided our
strong works opposite Centreville, on Bulls
Run, and endeavored to outfank JOHNSTON
division, which were posted higher up tho
stream, under the protection of strong works
at the Stone Bridge. To meet and defeat this
fapking movement, JOHNSTON marched out
from his position at the Stone Bridge, I'D
vanced a considerable distance to the front,
and met the enemy before he had made any
progress in his 1anking movement. Mean
time feints were kept up in the most active
manner against our right flank and our CEN
ire. But the heavy onset throughout the day
was continued against our left flank !; and
on that side the main battle was fought
For seven hours did JOHNSTON make good
his resistance agains. more than double his
numbers. composed in part of the flower OF
the regular Federal army. Terrific as was
his loss, he still held his advanced position
and was still maintaining successful encounter
with his adversary, when, about four o'clock,
Gen. DAVIS, finding the attack elsew here upon
our lines to be little more than a feint, ad-
yanced the centre to the support of JOHN
SION, and decided the fortune of the day.
1t would be lido to attempt to apportion IL Q
credit of the day among our able and consum-
mate Generals. The first praise is due to Gen.
BEAUaEGARD, who planned the defence, ard
prepared so admirably and completely the for
tune that was won. Each division Of our gal
liant army did its duty, its whole duty, without
taulter or default. The plan of battle chosen by
the enemy forced the heavy fighting upon Gen:
JoHSsroN's command, who met the danger and
fought the good fight, as their country expect
ell them to do. To say "well done, brave and
faithful soldiers" is to give expression to the
language of every heart and tongue Every
soldier and every officer did his duty, and
benceforward, through all time, it will be the
highest pride of every, man in that gallant
army to say that he was at Manassas on the
2lst of July.