Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-07-24
THE PRELIMINARY BATTLE Az BULL RUN-N
TERE5TlNG PARTICULARS.


From private letter, written from BAckburus Ford
on the field Of battle, the Lynchburg Rspubies" hsi
been permitlsd v copy The following Interesting PARTON
lars Of the fight at Bull Run, on Thursday last:
As we expected on the evening Of yesterday We made
stand here, with most Of our forces. four miles from
Manassas.
The enemy commenced the attack from thick woods
on tie opposite side Of the road With rsd cannon at
quarter past H. and continued for some time to throw
SHOT shell and grape into us without any damage, how
ever.
Our brigade drawn up 10 line Of battle as follows
below the Ford LIST Regiment Virginia VOLUNTEERS the
Left l7th and further up the hill the l1th four compa-
nies being stationed along the fences skirmsherA
After while the cannon ceased, and the most awful
firing that can we'll be conceived took place 10 the
voods-so severe that the 18th and ls the only ones
that commenced frs wavered, but were quickly raj
lied BY General LoDgstreet, who covered himself With
slory Then two companies Of the llth called for
and 4 (Blankenships) and (autters) were led gal
sntlv In by nsior Harrison. The latter poor fellow,
was soon brought back to Us, It d feared, MORALLY
wounded a. he Was shot through the stomach and In
the His horse was also shot In the hssa' ou. no'
killed.
The 6sht took place in thick woods and undcTbrush,
and We cannot tel the damage.
In short time tho enemy commenced giving way,
and the Washington Artillery also gaoped up and open
ed re where they thought the enemy strongest posted
| prisoner repOfU tnat Lncy uiu hWiui oArCustSHs
was on the hill and the whole battle, and In the
latter part did some running about. rally was made
by the enemy when another awful firing took pacs such
as you can scarce imagine. Then, too their artillery
opened and continued TO play making the battle
time fearful At this time the 7th Louisiana and Eiry
brigade came up double quick but almost too late for
the battle as brigade bad rushed across the
and sent the enemy heller skeer across the fields and
woods.
They gave tremendous shout, and then was BY,
when General Longsreet shook hands with Colonel Gar
land and said had repulsed them, ct the same time
complimcnting his whole regiment
Again their artillery opened and this time seemed With
better idea as position for the shells and balls
poded in every drection-no place being safe scarcely
and yet but tWy men wee stuck by yhsli. haye
piece that fell little distance from me- besides several
Others one large spherical csss,whch wlltry and
have sent to you.
Gen. Beauregard was some distance from u.s. where
the general hospital vas and they fred the whole
time, having to remove the wounded. ! have seen
ghs sufficient to sicken any one men shot every part
Of the body, but Of the killed through the head
Eve dead lying the battle field, besides many
others dreadfally mangled, all Of whom were promptly
carried of the field.
Among other interesting incidents Of the Ball Run
fight which have been related to u.s. deem the follow
ing not unworthy Of special mention:
During the height Of the battle. many Of our troops,
in their anxiety to get pep at the enemy left the
ranks for for that purpose and advanced distance
10 front. One Of these, James Woodbridge, Of Captain
Bankinships company, who wounded, made for
tree which would afford bin protection but Just he
rived there Lincolne came up who disputed the pos
session OF the tree with Woodbridge The was how
ever quickly settled foF without any parey Woodbridge
ran his bsyoIs. through the Yankee, killing him in
SANITY Federal officer then rode up who had observed
the affair, and while Woodrdge's bsyonet was still ia
the body OF bis VICTIM, ordered him TO surrender. The
proposition however, did not accord With Woodbridge
dea for 10 instant his bayonet Withdrawn when
he let the officer have the full benefit Of It. and killed him
instantly also. Two moro Lncolnites just then
rushing upon Woodbridge but observing the fate of those
who had preceded them Immediately turned about ard
taking their heels fast they could left hero
10 possession Of the muchcoveted tree. Woodbridge
vas subsequently, wounded, doubt in consequence Of
exposing himself unnecessarily.
Another of the incidents mentioned to us is that
while negro servant Of Capt. Lapghornes company was
moving about over the field be was ordered 70 surrender
by federal onicer sho rods no to where he
pecedy. Nothing dauntea however, and not retaining
the idea of surrendering Yankee the negro replied
NO srgee, you gre my prisoner at the same moment
drawing pistol aud shooting the officer dead. Toe
sable hero then secured the officers side and when
the battle was over boosted largely Of having given
ouieus - at least Of "the snkin' Yankees, who
fs'~f.s T"
come here 'spectirg to whip US soulnerner,.