Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-07-31
Editorial Correspondence Of the y. Y Times
Henry j. Rnymond,s Account OF the
Battle of mnnassas.

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hold all the positions which they sought to carry,
and which they actually did carry, and in their
retreat To Centerville, whore they have made a |
stand. and where Gen. Mcdowell believes that |
they are able to maintain themselves.
The attack was made in three columns, two of
which, however, were mainly feints, intended to
amuSe and occupy the enemy, while the sub |
stantial work was done by the third 1t has heen
known for long time that the range of hills |
which border the small, swampy stream known as
Bulls Run, had been very thoroughly and ex
tensively fortified by the rebels-that batteries |
had teen planted at every available point usually
in the woods and bushes which abound
in that vicinity, and covering every WY of APP /
prOach to the region beyond. These are the ad
yanced deienses of Manassas Junction, which is /
which is some three miles further of. Until
these were carried, no approach could be made to |
that place; and after they should be carried /
Others of similar character would have 20 be |
overcome at every point where they could be |
erected The utmost that military skill and in
genuity could accomplish for the defense of this
point was done. Gen. McD0w, Ii was unwilling |
to make an attack directly in the face of these |
as they would be of doubtful issue, and
must inevitably result in a very serious loss OF
life After an attack had been resolved upon,
therefore, he endeavored to find some way of
turning the position. His first intention was to
do this on the southern side--to throw strong
No.ciii i'o 'ie P,"'C iIoni 'n.'' u'te01oi' "H'ie
ie,s'lel ir, a''i'cN snouiu oe nlNue III 'front.'
VI Wien ''le uTolS were au'Anceu
South side of these were almost impracticable-
that they were narrow, crooked and stony, and
that it would be almost impossible to bring up
enough artillery to be effective in the time re
quired. This original plan was therefore aban-
doned and Friday was devoted to examina
uOh ny the topo9raph'cai engineers Oh the North
ern t side oil the position. MAJ Barnard and Capt
"hippe Recommended 'he place ior miles around
ana reported that tile position could be entered by
path coming from the North-though 1t was
somewhat long ana circul'ous. MS was se:ect-
ell, therefore, as the NODE ana point OF attack.
On Saturday the troops were all brought close
~ npto Centeryllie-and all needful preparations
were made Tor the attack which WAS intended for
the next day. yesterday morning, therefore, the
army marched-Dy two roads-CoL Richardson
with his command taking the Southern, which
lelds to Bulls Run, and Gen. Tyler the North
ern-runninG parallel TO 1t at distances OF about
Il mile anu hali lhe movement commenced
at about three oclock. lgotup mt little before
four, ana found the long line of troops extended
lar out on either road. took tie road by which
Col. Hunter. with his command, and Gen. Nc
DoweiI and staif had gone and pushed ON directly
Tor the front. Alter going out about two miles
Col. Hunter turned to the right-rnarching OBJ
hqueiy toward the Kun, which he was to cross
some Tour miles hlgher up anu then come down
upon the intTenched positions OF the enemy OH the
other side. Col Milks was left at Centervilie
ana on the road, with reserves which he was to
bring up whenever they might be needed. Cen
Tyler went forward, TO engage the enemy in front
and send reiniorcements to Col Hunter, whenever
it should be seen that he was engaged.
went out, as | have already stated, upon
what is marked the northern road. 1t is billy
like all the surface oil this section. Alter gong
about three miles, you come to n point down
which the road, leading through forest descends;
then It proceeds by succession OF rising and
falling knobs Tor quarter OF mile, when II
crosses stone bridge and then descends by
stesdy slope to the nights beyond. AT the top
OF that slope the rebels had planted heavy bat
teries, and the woods below were filled with their
troops and with concealed cannon. We proceed
ed down the road to the first of the small knOlls
mentioned. when the whole column halted. The
30 FOUNDER Parrott gun which has a longer range
than any other in the army, was planted directly
in the road. Captain Ayers battery was station
ed in the woods little to the right. The lst
Ohio and 81 New York regiments were thrown
| into the woods in advance on the left. The 69th
New York, the lst, 81, and 81 Connecticut reg
iments were ranged behind them. and the 2d
/ Wisconsin thrown in the woods on the right.
/ At about half-past six O'Clock tie 80 FOUNDER
threw two shells directly into the battery at the
summit of the slope, on the opposite hight, one
of which, as | learned afterward, struck and
exploded directly in the midst of the bat
terry, and occasoned the utmost havoc and
confusion. After about half an hour, Captain
Harris threw ten or fifteen shot and shell
from his battery into the same place. But both
/ failed to elicit any reply. Men could be seen
moving about the OpDOSIte SlODe but the batteries
were silent An hour OF 50 alter~aius we heard
three or four heavy guns from Col hlchar'isoh 5
column at buiis Run ana the'e were continued
at intervals ior TWO or three nours' but they were
NOT answered even Dy single gun. III was very
clear that the enemy intended 10 take MS own
time Tor paying his respects TO us ana that ne
meant noreoVer' 20 10 IL IN nus own way mean !.
time we could hear III the distance the sound OF
Ool. hunter aNeneh' clearing MS way, ana
awaited with some Impotence the sound OF his
cannon on the oppo,''e heiSntS' l'ihe wore
dions win occSS,0iIai m SHOTS ItoIl our guns as
"eil rs those OF Coi. hcn'iuSoh coiunih' Ou'
without, IN single instance, receiving any re
ply.
AT Z niue before III o ociock the FIRST OhO ana
Second New York, which we're lying in the wood
on Tue ie''' Were oruereu 10 ADVANCE, lhey uiu
So passing OUT Oi the ROAD anu cilinolnS renee
lEto wood opposite, which they had barely ap
/
tremendous uisenarSe OF iouF-euh battery
planted at the lett IN the woods, mainly Tor the
purpose oi sweeping the ROAD perpenaicuiary
anu the open heid on It's riSht, oy Wnich alone
troops could pass forward to the opposite bank.
hey were staggered Tor n moment, and received
oIuerS 10 retire capt Ayres battery formerly
sherman y was advanced ilttle, so as 10 com
mand this battery, and by twenty minutes of Wig
orous play upon ~ S''e"ceu II completely
half ms NO nd Hnt.ta
opposite height, over mile to the right. He was
answered by batteries there, and then follow cd
sharp, rattling volleys of nuSketry, as their in
fantry became engaged. The firing was now in
cessan:. Hunter had come upon them suddenly,
and formed his line of battle in an open field, al
the right of the road The enemy drew up TO op.
pose him, but he speedily drove them to retreat,
and followed them up with the greatest viSOr and
rapidity. Meantime, for some three hours pre-
yiouS, we had seen long lines OF dense dust rising
from the roauS ie'u'nS from Manassas, anu, with
the glass, we could very cieirlN perceive that