The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-09-06
Mr.. Russell's Second Letter ON the Bat.
tie Of Bull Run.

Under date Of Washington, July "a, Mr..
Russell writes to the London Times ger.
eral review of the battle of Bull Run. We
make the following extracts
EFFECTS OF THE BATTLE.
There is a natural and intense anxiety to
learn what impression will be made abroad
by the battle-fOr Notwithstanding the vul.
gar and insolent arrogance of the least re.
putable portion of the press of the United
States, generally conducted by aliens or
persons who have left Great Britain from,
cause-it is felt that the result of the action
must have very strong influence over the
fortunes of the contending parties, particu.
larly in the money market, to which re.
course must be had in fear and trembling.
1t would be we'll not to arrive at hasty con.
illusions in reference to the bearing of the
defeat on the actual struggle. Those who
are persuaded that the North must and will
subjugate the South see in the disaster
merely prolongation of the war, certain
loss of material, or even an increasement of
hope in the spirit it will arouse, as they
think among the Unionists. Others regard
it as an evil omen for the compromise they
desire to effect, as it will give the North
another insult to avenge, and inspire the
South with additional confidence. The
Confederates will accept it as proof demon
strative of their faith that the n orth cam.
not conquer them, and may take it into
their heads to corrOborate it by an attempt
to inhict on the North that with which they
have been menaced by the Cabinet of Wash.
ington and its supporters. What will
England and France think of it?" is the
question which is asked over and over again.
The news must 60 forth in its most unfavor-
able form, and it will be weeks, if ever, be,
fore the North can set great victory to
the credit side of its books against the Con-
federates. In thirty days or so the ques.
ton will be answered-not hastily or an
grily, in spite of provocation and offence,
but in spite of honorable neutrality. In
the States one thing is certain-the Cabi-
net will resist the pressure Of the mob, or
be hurled out of office. Ii they yield to the
fanatics and fight battles against the advice
of their officers, they must be beaten and
the tone of New York indicates that
second defeat would cost them their polti>
cal existence. They can resist such press
sure as has been brought on them hitherto
by pointing to Bull Run and by saying,
"See the result of forcing General Scott
against his wishes"
OFFICERS.
1t is to the credit of the President and
his advisers that they have recovered their
faith in the ultimate success of their cause,
and think they can subjugate the South at,
ter all. If the Confederates have suffered
heavily in the battle, as is believed to be
the case, they may be disheartened in spite
of their victory, and the news of second
uprising and tevee en- masse in the North
may not be without an unfavorable effect
on their ardor. Such men as Wade Hamp-
ton, who is reported killed, leave gaps in
their ranks not readily filled, and the mum
Der of colonies reported to be hors de combat
would indicate considerable loss. But the
raw levies are not likely to be fit for much
for months to come, and it is difficult to see
how they will be fit for anything until they
get proper officers. Some of the so-called
regiments which have recently come in are
mere mobs, without proper equipments,
uniform or arms; others are in these respects
much better, marching well and looking like
soldiers, but still no better than the troops
who were beaten. 1t is not courage (need
it be said y which is wanting-it is officers;
and without them men are worth little or
nothing. The men of some regiments fought
well; others did not. There was little or no
difference between the privates of the one
and those of the other; there was probably
a marked distinction between the officers.
The West Point cadets will all be used up
by the increase of the regular army of the
United States to forty thousand men, just
agreed upon by Congress, after some dis
putes between the Senate and House of
Representatives; and the bulk of the officers
with military experience and education
are provided for already.
WHAT THE BATTLE WAS.
When the statements in the American
papers are compared with the facts, am
aware it will be necessary to rely little on
character" in asking faith for what re.
port. There was not bayonet charge made
by the federalist infantry during the day;
there was not charge of any kind made
by the Confederate cavalry upon any reg.
ment of the enemy until the latter broke.
There was not hand to hand encounter De.
tween any regiments. There was not sin,
gle "battery charged" or taken by the fed
eralists. There were no masked batteries
in play by the former. There was no ami
hilation of rebel horse by Zouaves, Fire or
other. A volley fired by one battalion
emptied three saddles among body of horse
who appeared at some distance, and the in.
fantry which performed the execution then
retired. There were no desperate struggles
except by those who wanted to get away.
The whole matter in plain English amounts
to this:
The federaiists advanced slowly, but
steadily, under the fire of their artillery,
driving the enemy, who rarely showed out
of cover, in line before them, and gradually
forced them back on the right and centre
for mife and half toward Manassas. AS
the enemy fell back they used their artillery
also, and there was good deal of pounding
at long ranges with light field guns, and
some heavier rihed ordnance, the line on
both sides being rarely within five hundred
yards of each other. On one occasion the
regiments on the right were received by
mn, olotr u, fro from, tho onou,v which IpduPpd