The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1861-08-03
Condemn net UnjustIy.

defeat of the Grand Army at Bulls Run, |
the people are apt to overlook the labor
really performed, and the courage manifest |
ed, By the soldiers, who are denounced as
towards by those who seem unwilling to
look at facts as they really exist. With the
generally objectionable. The causes that
conspired to occasion it, are rarely patiently
investigated, the masses being unwilling to
look beyond the great fact that their army
was driven back in confusion, and the re-
treat ultimately became a rout. Notwith-
standing the impatience manifested at any
thing like excuses for the conduct of the
volunteers, it is well for the people to ex-
anime into its cause, and not unjustly con-
denim brave men. The I'd Indiana regiment
at Buena Vista did what few other regi-
msnts on the field were called upon to per-
form. For hours they stood under a heavy
cross-6re of artillery and musketry, until
ranks were cut down like grass before the
scythe and finally, when ordered to retreat,
becaused they failed to do so in order,
stigma was cast upon the soldiers that OBJ
scured all of their former acts, and has been
regarded as plague spot by the entire
State ever since. To such an extent is this
the case, that many of our new regiments
in Virginia adopted the motto, Remember
B uena VISTA" indicating that the sting still
ranked in their bosoms. This is grossly
unjust, and, for fear some of our readers
may be forming similar conclu sions in re-,
gard to the conduct of the troops at Bulls
Run, it may be well to state few facts.
The storming of the batteries is sfaaaasSntosti
delicate, as well as dangerous, duty to
which troops can be assigned. Il generally
devolves upon the older regimeqts soldiers
who have been often under fire, enured to
all the dangers, and not subject TO the pan
les which occur upona-She battle field
An open field battery, where the soldiers can
see what they ara expected to do, and upon
which they can rush with shouts and cheers
though formidable-has none of the ter
rors that attend the sudden display of a
masked battery, which belches forth fire
least expected. The terror of these hidden
instruments of Death is most trying on the
nerves of troops, who suffer more in an
ticipation than in reality. Manassas juno
ton was surrounded by complete TRAN
gle of these hidden batteries, and the banks
of Bulls Run were lined with them. Ev-
erywhere, in front and flank, these batteries
would suddenly open upon the Union
troops, scattering dismay and death through
their ranks.
The Union columns left Centreyille at 2
clock in the morning, having slept but
little during the night. A large portion o.
this force, and that portion too, which bore
the brunt of the fight, marched IA miles
under July sun before they commenced
fighting at all. They were not halted
for rest or refreshments, but were plung-
ed into labyrinth of batteries protect
ed by heavy columns of infantry and
cavalry, against which, with a courage
worthy of success, they struggled for six
or seven hours longer. No arrangements
appear to have been made for either food
or water and those who have experienced
the choking sensations produced on the bat
tie field, state that they are most a gonizing
and uncomfortable. In addition to all these
difficulties, which of themselves were suf
fcient to overcome the endurance of oui
brave men-they clearly understood that
their commanding officers were outgeneral-
led, and that the rebels were continually
bringing fresh troops on the field to contend
with the slowly wasting strength of our ex-
hausted and dispirited soldiery. At last
unable to Withstand the mighty pressure
upon them they were forced to give way.
That the retreat which commenced in good
order, should be converted into panic is
not to be wondered at, when we remember
the condition OF the army. From A.
N. on Sunday, until 9, 10 and IL NJ. on Mon
day-thirty-four hours--they had been
marching and countermarchiDg, faci ng the
lannon's mouth, charging at concealed bat
teries, hungry, footsore, crushed IN spirit
and leaving behind them many of their com
rades stark in death or weltering in their
gore" How ungenerous, then, to accuse
these men of lack of courage and devotion.
Why should we despond because raw and
undsciplined troops have been the victims
of a panic History is full of such in
stances of unreasonable panic among dis
ciplined and veteran troops. The battle Of
Bulls Run demonstrated that, on equal