Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1861-08-02


Carlisle's battery was in position and
opened upon the enemy. Sherman's stood
on little elevation, at rest. On the
Warrenton road, to the west was the right
of Tyler's division, driving the rebels in
inch by inch. Between Carlisles posi-.
ton and the rebels, the distance was about
one half mile over meadow land. There
was nothing to be feared from that force,
as they could not reach us by any move
ment in direct march across the marshy
land. Onr shells exploded with good ef-
feet among them. Right behind Schenk's
brigade was quite an elevation. l took
my position here to see what was going
on. Away to the West, towards War
renton was the head of Tylcr's and the
whole of McDowell'S command, with a
heavy firing going on. | could see that
we gained upon them, that we were push.
ing them further and further away from
the road. Looking northwest, about two
miles distant toward Manassas Gap-not
the Junction. c. uld see an immense
cloud of dust, which knew must be on
the rear of our right flank. 1t was in
rear of Mcdowell, and seemed to be NOV
Ing toward us. What could it meant
Was it our cavalry? Had we force in
that position? l did not like the look Of
it, but was assured by gentleman that it
was our cavalry in reserve.
1t was now 1 P. NJ, and the firing
gradually died away. Reports came in
that the day was ours. l did not feel
L.. G., 7 Gad L
knew we had driven them, that we had
got their ground; that we had captured
cannon and taken many prisoners. sat
down by our hospital and commenced to
write dispatch to the readers Of the
Journal, but suffering from intolerable
thirst, in company with two other gentle-
men of the Boston press, went down in
front of the hospital through the woods to
a spring. While there heard a commo-
ton, and thought our men were hurrahing
over the victory. The next moment
Minnie bullet whisted over my head then
there was rapid firing of musketry, two
or three cannon discharges and terrible
commotion. Gaining the cleared land, l
could see part of Sherman's battery
driving with terrific speed toward Cub
run bridge, with private carriages, the
bridge train, men on horseback and on
foot, soldiers and citizens, fleeing for their
lives. Being only reporter, tried tho
virtue of my legs till [ gained the other
side of Cub run, through the abbati which
the rebels had fclled. Then, feeling that
[ was safe, stopped long cnoug to conf
prehend the whole affair 1t flashed upon
me i'll an instant. Now saw the mean
ing of the abbati also Of the cloud Of
dust We had been charged upon by the
rebels cavalry-four thousand-on tho
extreme left. They had crossed Bull run
several miles above, had come down Sc
crctly, with the design of sweeping
Schenck's whole brigade into the cul de-
sac, the In lian buffalo trap formed by Bull
run and Cub run. 1t was great STRAIT
cgic plan. They had given way before
us, we had followed up, went far enough
in for the grand stroke which they must
make to retrieve the day. The first inti-
nation Schcnck's brigade had of the thun.
derbolt was volley in their rear. The
next moment all was confusion. Three
minutes .notice-one minute even--and
Sherman and Carlisle would have annihi-
lated the troop Of black horse. But the
notice was wanting, and hence the terrible
rout which followed The force of rebel.
across the meadows was only intended az
a feint, to attract attention from the cat
like step which was taking place in our
rear. If a company OF skirmishers had
been deployed, or if a regiment had been
in position on the eminence | had oceu-
pied, it would not havo happened.
There was a painful and criminal me-
glcct somcwhere-an utter want Of Sener.
alship. We had no fankers out,