Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-07-31
THE WAR FOR THE UNION.
THE GREAT BATTLE NEAR MANASSAS.
DETAILS OF THE ENGAGEMENT.

DETAILS OF THE ENGAGEMENT.
We have gathered the following particulars
OF the battle of the 21st July, near Manassas
function. 1t seems that our loss IS compara-
lively small; first reports having exaggerated
the number of killed and wounded. The Reb-
el loss can only be conjectured.
SCENE OF THE BATTLE.
Centreville is small village abou. four
miles from Bulls Run, and within seven or
eight miles of Manassas Gap Junction, the
centre of General Beauregards position as
commander-in-c chief of the rebel forces. 1t
commands a magnificent view-one seldom
seen in the eastern part of Virginia. The ap-
proach from Fairfax Court House is through a
succession of hills, covered in many parts with
dense forests of timber, and occasionally show
ing evidences of civilization in large wheat
fields, small, aristocratic mansions, and un-
gathered crops of new mown hay. The plain
beyond Centreville is an extensive one, and
will be memorable in history the scene of
the greatest battle ever fought on the Ameri-
continent. 1t is bounded by the Blue
Ridge, whose shelving and uneven summit
family lines the horizon: 1t is watered by
streams which rise in the mountain and flow
into the Potomac, and is divided into fields of
grain, pasture, and meadow. At almost regu-
lar intervals the plain itself asceDds into gradu-
.ally-Siopins hillocks, most of which are cover
ed with timber. Towards Occoquan especially
the country is densely wooded, and we can
but occasionally see a road or field, even with
the aid of the most powerful glass.
In this romantic and beautiful district, the
rebels had determined to show their first Or
ganized opposition to the Federal Government.
Fairfax, Alexandria, and the intervening
points were but mere picket stations, as it
were, intended only as a menace and moni-
tor. Their occupation by the Government
forces but weakly contested, and they
were lily defended. The great body of the
S outhern levies have been centered at Manas-
sas, skirting Bulls Run, Brentsville, Buffers
Ford, Centrevile, aud the Occoquau River.
Nature has been lavish in strengthening this
district defensive position. Immediately
before Manassas there is a succession of equi-
distant hills, in front of which there is said to
be a ravine so deep and so thickly wooded that
it is passable to an army only at two points,
and those two, gorges which a company OF
men could almost defend against whole
my. Months OF preparation have enabled Gen.
erai Beauregard to add to these natural defen-
ces others of more important nature. These
deiences were said, by Southern journals, to
be a line of forts, two miles in extent, zig-zag
in form, with singles, salients, bastions, case
mates. and everything properly belonging TO
the art of fortificaions. In addition TO this,
the country is admirably adapted to the SUBJ
sistenoe and entrenchment of troops in num-
bers as large as they can easily be maneuverd
on the battle field.
To drive the rebels from this position has
been the intention Of the Government in all
its operations along the Potomac shore. Such
a course has been Il necessity, as at Manassas
the commanding officer holds the key to the
surrounding country, and so long as the rebel
flag is floating over it, the flag of the Union
cOuld never be respected in Western Virginia.
The duty of driving these traitors from this
position had been assigned to General Mellow
ell; and, in pursuance of this purpose, Gen
cral Mcdowell has extended his base line of
operations to,Centrevilie. The assault on Bulls
Run was part of his plan, and prelude to
the great engagement OF Sunday. Bulls Run
is nothing more than small stream which
crosses the road from Centreville, constituting
a kind of ravine, and is buried between dense
masses of forest and shrubbery. In this wood
land powerful battery had been constructed
70 oppose any attempt OF the Government for
ces to threaten Manassas 1t was the advanced
battery of the great line Of rebel batteries ex-
tending to the Junction. The action on.Fri-
day did not succeed in its capture, and in or
der to avoid the great and unnecessary loss of
life which the success Of such an effort would
entail, ii was determined, in the operations of
Sunday, to avoid II as much as possible-to
extend the line against Manassas by more
northerly route from Centreville, and to take it
Dy flank movement, or compel the enemy to |,
abandon his position.
PLAN OF THE ATTACK.
1t appears that on Saturday night a council |
of war was held, when it was determined to |
make combined attack on the Rebel lines at |
BULBS Run on Sunday morning. In accor-
dance with this decision, the troops were put |
IN motion at O'Clock A. NJ. from about Gen. |
treville, where they had all previously concen-
tFated. This point appears to be seven miles |
to the northward from Manassas Junction, |
With Bulls Run, narrow and shallow stream, |
coursing through deep ravine, almost paral- |
tel TO the railroad, lying about half way be-
tween it and the entertainments of the enemy |
al the Junction. The route of our army lay a. |
cross this stream and ravine, all the crossings, |
whether by bridge or by ford, being obstruc- |
led by the destruction of the bridges, or by |
concealed batteries, so posted as to enflade |
ana rake all the approaches. But it had to be |
passed in order to attack or turn the fortified |
position of the Rebels at Manassas. This was
tHe work to be done now for the plan. The |
~ @Miiny was ordered forward in three divisions
Teheral , Tyler's 10 advance straight along the |
W " mmarrenton turnpike to the bridge by which
Nnat ROAD crossed BULBS Run-Col. Heintzle-
.'n 10 move somewhat to the left of this,
1IFectiy towards Manassas Junctiou-and Col
oHei hunters division was to move by flank
" " tie right to cross the run about three miles
-, ~ tne stream, and thence get to the rear ct
.u1 heoel batteries, and between them and the
ra'iosd. The first two of these movements
~eie TENTS to engage the attention of the ene-
j.! mhiie Colonel Hunter, who was command
,.s tne real attack. should get far enough for
"aru to attack the Bulls Run batteries in the
,ear' SO as to enable both Tyler and Heintzle-
,a Tan 10 cross. All three divisions were then
a., :. unite and march down between the Run
tb. thu the railroad, sweeping the field before
ba" sa as they advanced. This plan seems to
1--we 1--we been laid in ignorance of the fact that
'"us1on had come down from Winchester.
l., ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE.
on0l execution of the order of the day, Col