Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1861-09-13
Gen. Beauregard's Official Report
OF THE
BATTLE OF BULL RUN
FOUGHT JULY 1s, 1861.
HEADQUARTERS, FIRST CORPS,
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Manassas. August, 1861.

ARMY OF THE PoToMAc
Manassas, August 1861. J
GENERAL With the general results of the en-
gagement between several brigades of my command
and considerable force of the enemy, in the vi
cinity of Mitchell's and Blackburns fords, of Bull
Run on the 18th ultimo you were made duly ac-
quainted at the time by telegraph. But it is my
place now to submit in detail the operations of he
day.
0pportuuely informed of the determination of
the enemy to advance on Manassas my advanced
brigades, on the night of the 10th of July, were
made aware from these headquarters, of the inn
pending movement; and in exact accordance with
my instructions, a copy of which is appended, mar
ked "a" their withdrawal within the lines of Bull
Run was effected with complete success during the
day and night of the 7th ultimo in face of and in
immediate proximity to a largely superior force,
despite well planned well executed effort to cut off
the retraet of Benhams brigade, first at German
town and subsequently at Oentreville, whence he
withdrew, by my direction, after midnight, without
collision, although envfoped on three sides by their
| lines. This movement had the effect of deceiving
the enemy as to my ulteror purposes, and led him
to anticipate an unresisted passage of Bull Run.
AS prescribed in the first end second sections of
the paper herewith marked "a, on the morning of
the ! 9Th of July, my troops resting on Bull Run
from Union Mills ford to Stones Bridge distance
of eight (S) miles were posted as follows:
Ewes brigade occupied n position in the vicini-
ty of Union Mills ford. 1t consisted of Rhodes 9th
and Sebels 9th regiments of Alabama and Sey-
mours 9th regiment of Louisiana volunteers, with
four l2-pound howitzers of Watons battery and
Harrsons Green's, and Cables companies of Vir-
ginia cavalry.
D. r. Jones brigade in position in the rear OF
i McLeans Ford, and consisted Of Jenkins 9th South
Carolina, and Burt's 18th and Fcatherstons 18th
Regiments of Mississippi volunteers with two brass
6-pounder guns of Walton's battery and one COM
pany of cavalry.
Longstreets brigade covered Blackburns Ford
and consisted of Moors lst, Garlands 18th and
Corses 18th regiments Virginia volunteers, with
two 6-pounder brass guns of Watons battery.
Bonham's brigade held the approaches to Mitch.
ellis Ford. 1t was composed of Kershaw's I'd, Viii
liam's 3D. Bacons 7th and Cash's Sh regiments
South Carolina volunteers, of Shields and Del KEN.
pers batteries and of Fords Bedfords, Payne S
Balls, Wickman's and Powell's companies of Vir
ginia cavalry, under Col. Bedford
Cookies brigade held the f0rds below and in the
vicinity of the Stone Bridge, and consisted of With
ers' 18th, 1t. Stranges 10th and r. T. Preston!
25th regiments, with Latham's battery and one
company of cavalry
Evans held my left flank and protected the SonC
Bridge crossing with Soan's 4th regiment Soutl
Carolina volunteers Wheat's special battalion Lou
isana volunteers four 6-pounder guns and tive
companies Virginia cavalry
Early's brigade, consisting of Kempers 7th, Isl,
companes) Earlys cath regiment Virginia volun
teers, Hays 18th regiment Louisiana volunteers ant
three rifed pieces of Waltons battery, Lieutenan
Squires, at first were held in position in Of
as support to Ewell's brigade, until after the de
velopment Of the enemy, in heavy offensive force
in front of Mchells and Biackburns Fords wher
it was placed in the Of and nearly equi-distan
between McLean's and Blackburn's and Mitchell
Fords.
Pending the development of the enemy purpose
about ten Il o. o'clock, A. NJ. established my head
quarters at central point, McLeans farmhouse
near to McLean's and Blackburn's Fords, wher
two 6-pounders of Walton's battery in reserve
but subsequently, during the engagement, | tool
post to the left of my reserve.
OF the typographical features of the couutr~ thu
occupied, it must suffice to say that Bull Run is
small stream, running in this locality nearly fror
!, wsst to east to its confluence with the Ocoquan Ri
YER about twelve miles from the Potomac. an
draining considerable scope of country from il
5 source in Bull Run mountain to n short distance
the Potomac, at Ocoquan. At this season hibitua
" low and sluggish, it is however rapidly and frC
qucntly swollen by the summer rains until unford
able The banks for the most part rocky an
steep, but abound in long used fords. The countr
on either side is much broken and thickly woodet
becomes gently rolling and open it reeedes fror
the s.ream. On the northern side the ground
much the ngneSt, ana commands tue Otnef ban
s completely. Roads traverse and interscct the SUI
rounding country in almost every direction.
nay. Mt Michells Ford the stream is about equ
: distant between Centreville and Manassas some 81
N miles apart
~ On the morning of the 18th, finding that the er
Iemy was assuming threatening attitude, in add
ton to the regiments whose positions have alread
been stated ordered up from Camp Pckens as
reserve in rear of Bonham's brigade, the efectiy
G. men Of six companies Of Kelly's Sth regimen
Louisiana volunteers, and KiTkiand's lth regimen
North Carolina volunteers which, having arrive
~ the night before, route for Winchester ha
halted in view of the existing necessities of the SCI
vice. Subsequently the latter was placed in pos
ton on the left of Bonhams brigade
- Appearing in heavy force in front of Bonham
position the enemy about meridian opened fire wit
several 2O-pounder rihed guns from hill over OF
and half miles from Bull Run. At the san
49, time Kemper, supported by two comprnies of lgl
infantry, occupied ridge on the left of the Centr
VILE road, about six hundred yards in advance
the ford, with two 5-pounder (smooth) guns,
~ first the firing Of the enemy was at random b
~, by halfpast IL, p. NJ, he had obtained the range
vi our position, and poured into the brigade a show
S of shot but without injury to us in men, horses,
w guns. From the distance, however, our guus cou
not reply with effect and we did not attempt il, y
" tiently awaiting more opportune moment
w Meanwhile a light battery was pushed forward
I'm the enemy whereupou Kemper threw only
u solid shot with the effect of driving back both I
battery and its opposing force. This is understo
to have been Ayers battery, aud the damlgo m,
- have been considerable to have obliged such
trograde movement on the part of that officer
The purposes of Kempers position having NJ
been fully served, his pieces and support were wi
sh- drawn across MitcheIs Ford to 4 point previous
lp- designated, and which commanded the direct
proaches to the ford,
About half past II O'clock A, NJ, the enemy y
. also discovered by the piCkets Of Lougstreets br
~ ade advancing in strong columns of Infantry W
or "u''''y W. W. "'' W, W e,I -, a., 10
80 the advancing foe across the ford, which, ms wei
the euthe southern bank of the stream for the VIII
from, of Longstreets brigade, was covered at
IA. h. al I'm If skirnaiah