The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-08-14
NJ, l.

this point which made terrible havoc in the ranks of the
enemy The federal troops leading the action consisted
Of 10000 regulars, sustaining the celebrated Shcrmans
battery, these regulars being their turn sustained by
immense masses Of volunteers, the New York Zouaves
among the number. Gen Beauregard estimated the
enemya numbers in the action to Ee not less shan 35
900 men.
Their artillery outnumbered ours We have cap
tured 81 pieces of cannon while we had only eighteen
guns that part of the field 1t has been stated to
ME by 50 many of our soldiers that cannot but be-
ievc it, that by some they had obtained our sig
nal for the day. They also used our red badge which
fortunately discovered in time and they carried in
to action the flags of the Palmcto State and the Con
federate States, II has been asserted too by MANI
engaged in the battle, that there great confusion
and slaughter among who mistook them
for the enemy This was less to be wondered at fro
the similarity of their uniform; and the mean advan-
tage above referred to, taken by our crafty and
scrupuous foes.
They pressed our left flank with terrible effect for
several hours but our hinched not, until their
number had been 50 diminished by the well aimed and
steady voleys, that they were compelled to give way
for new regiments. The 9th and Sth Georgia rcgi
ments commanded by the gallant and laa4cated Bar
tow, said to have suffered terribly during the earI
part OF the battle. Kemper, Shields and Peudleton's
batteries we're in this part Of the field and did terrible
executions
Iregret to be unable to name all the regiments en-.
gagged in their order, not having succeeded in ascertain
ing their position.
am inclined believe that there was some mistake
made during the day in the delivery or noheXcCuton
of an order of Cen Beaurcgard's, respecting an at
tack ON the cnemy's rear, which was not effected.
Between 2 and o'clock, large numbers of men were
leaving the field, some OF them wounded, others ex-
Aaustcd by the long struggle who gave us gloomy re.
ports; but as the fire on both sides continued steadily
we felt sure that our brave soulherners had been
conquered by the overwhelming hordc of the north
Ii Is however, due to truth to say, that the result
IL. = l., - 1T.
uumbcrs OF most distinguished officers Generals
Barlow and Bee had been stricken down; Lieut. C5i.
johnson Of the Hampton Legion had been killed; Col.
Ilaniptoa had been wounded, but there was at hand
he fearless General whose reputation was staked on
this battle and with that chiyalrv which is his nature
Gen. Beauregard promptly offered to lead the Iamp-
ton Legion into action, which he executed in style
that unsurpassed and unsurpassblc.
Gen. Beauregard rode up and down our lines hc-
tween the enemy and his own men, regardless of the
firing, cheering and encouraging our troops. About
this time shell struck his horse, and killing the horses
Cf his aids Messrs Ferguson and Hayward.
Gen Beauregards aids deserve honorable mention
particularly those just named, and Coloncls W. Porch
ct Miles, James Chestnut John l.. Manning and A. K.
C3Iisom.
Gen John. ton, also. o.hrew himself in the thckest Of
tie fight seizng the coors of Georgia regiment,and
rdIlyng them to the charge. His staff sgnased them
selves for their ntrepidy, Col Thompson being kill
cd and Major Mason wounded
Your correspondent heard Gen. Johnston exclaim to
Gen. Cooke Just at the critical moment-"Oh for fous
re1inents~ His wish answered, for in the dis
tapcc rcinfarccments appeared,
The tide of the battlc turned in our favor by
the anivaLof Gen. Kirby Smith from Winchester, with
toIr thousand men of Gen Johnston's division.
Gen Smith heard while on the railroad cars the roar
of battle He stopped the train, and hurried his men
across the fields the point just where he was most
needed. They were at first supposed to be the enemy
thcr arrival at shat point of the field being entirely
The enemy fell back and panic seized them Cheer
alter cheer from our men went up, and we knew the
battle had been won.
Thus the best appointed army that had ever ta
ken the field this continent beaten, and compelled
to retreat in hot haste, leaving behind them everything
that impeded their escape. Guns, knapsacks, hats,
cap@ shoes cantceHs and blankets covered the ground
for miles and miles.
At abeVt o'clock We heard cheer upon cheer and
the word Davis along the ranks, and saw in the
distance the a slender form Of gallant president
who had arrived upon the field in time to the total
rout of the army which threatened his capture land the
subjugation Of tic south.
Tie president left Riehmond at O'Clock that morn
ing and reached Manassas Junction at where mount
ing horse, accompanied by Col Joseph L. Davis and
NUMEROUS attendants, he galloped to the battle field
just in time join in the pursuit by magnificent body
of cavalry, consisting OF 1909 men, commanded by
Lieui. Col. Stewart. This sight Of itself was worth
the fatigue of days journey, We saw the poor and
wounded soldiers the roadside and in the fields as
they observed the presidents manly form pass by lift
their heads and give shout upon shout and cheer upon
cheer.
It has been said that the president commanded the
centre, and joined in the charge, but this is mistake
The train had been delayed and arrived at the june
lion two hours behind time, which must have been
5reyous disappointment.
The Washington Artillery who had drawn UP their
guns TO the top of the hill and in front of the house.
known as Nr Lewis-Gcu. Johnston ana Gen. Cookies
lcadQuarters, aud which riddIed with shot-com-
manded by Major J. j. Walton, gave the enemy part
ng salute. With the aid Of our glass which was more
powerful than his own, he observed the carriage Of
gun some miles Off. He gave the order for anoth
er fire, and Lieut.. Dearing pointed the piece. Before
hc ball had well reached the point aimed at, whole
regiment OF the enemy appeared in sight going at the
double quick" down the road to Centrevillc. Major
Walton Immediately ordered another shot " to help
hem along, he said and two were sent without de-
ny right at them. There was no obstruction and the
whole front of the regiment was exposed. 0ne-half
we're seen to fall and if Gen. Johnston had not at tie
noment sent an aid to Major Walton, with the order
cease firing, nearly the whole regiment would have
)een Killed
OF }hc Washington ARTILLERY, only one member OF
lie detachment killed, viz: SERGEANT Joshua Reg
lods, of New Orleans who struck in the forehead
while giving the word Of command. Prgatcs Payne
md C!utcher were slightly wounded.
Thus did fifteen thousand mon, with S pieces OF ;r-
lefNa uflEC back vigorously force exceeding thr-
y thousand, supported by a hundred pieces Of cam
lon believe the official reports will sustain me il
he assertion that Gen Beaurcgard did not bring
han 900 into the action. The total force I'M
Ter GGn. Mcdowell was over 50,g0l, but $4,000 will
probably cover the force in action at Stone Bridge
AIanr of the prisoners say that Gen. Scott slept
Saturday night at Ccnrcville and was within two
hrce miles Of the lines Sunday in his carriage. BE
his r,e not it may, the defeat is his, and the
irst he ever suffered; but the who fought and
won his battles for him, arrayed against him
md they were determined not 10 be conquered.
Secretary Cameron of the department, Washing
on was also stated to have been the field in
Danr with Mr. Ely Congressman from the Rochester
district N. Y who captured, ard senator Foster
Of Connecticut They came to witness Waterloo de-
eat OF the Confederate army They fed, after wit
lessinga Waterloo defeat Of Gen SCOTS grand army.
Of the pursuit. the particulars already known. 1t
uflices Ito say VIC followed them on the Lcesburg road
md on The Ceutryvile road far Fairfax and Cen
reyile The poor wretches dropped their guns, their
,napsadgs blankets and everything they had-they fell
N theit knees and prayed for mercy. They received
t, soutlerners hAreno aimosy for defeated enemy.
We have captured90 prisoners and they will be len
emily treatedr We have also captured 81 pieces Of
ann0n among them numerous field pieces, Armstrong
uns ami rifed cannon, and hundreds of wagon loads
# provisions and ammunition.
The credit is accorded them that they fought long
nd Welt but their cause was bad-they were on soil
nf tl,nis Oyvn md thav euuols 6phtinp