Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-08-01
OUR MILITARY BUDGET.

VIVID NARRATIVE OF THE CONFLICT.
The writer Of the subjoined gives a graphic
picture Of what came under his observation In the
battle Of Bull Rum
Heintzelman's division, In their move from
Centerville to Bull Run, experienced one Of the
most severe marches known in modern times |
say this and 1t will appear palpable to all, when
1t Is considered that the heat intense the dis
lance twelve miles, the men loaded with their
guns, blankets, canteens, forty rounds Of ammu-
milton In their cartridge-boxes and nearly all the
regiments wearing heavy blue jackets, and vet
making II in about three hours and a half Any
one following In the rear of the division would
find II hard to believe that II was advancing on
the foe, but would rather incline to the opinion
that an army In full retreat had passed over the
road. Blankets and jacksts were cast off as the
heat grew more intense. Some of the men gave
out and despairingly threw themselves down,
lamening their utter inability to proceed farther
Two miles this side of the enemys batteries
Wiicoxs brigade, with whom your correspond
ent Is connected, were allowed ten minutes
halt to strip themselves Of everything that would
cucumber them, and at the same time filled their
can!eens with water from a creek. They were
then marched from the road across lots for about
mile, over fences, up hill, and at double-quick
the whole way, until they found themselves IN
the presence Of the enemy. At this time the men
were so thoroughly used up that II seems impos-
sibe that the same men in five minutes from that
time were fighting with all the desperation and
valor of experienced veterans.
The scene at this point was most exciting The
brigade took its position upon the feld-the Zou-
aves to the right, the 35th regiment, Scott Life
Guard. upon the left, and the Michigan regiment
marching along the road and forming, ready to
support any movement that might be made
About mile directly in front we saw what ap-
peared to be a volcano vomiting forth smoke and
fame, while the rife cannon ball and round shot
fell thickiy among us, as we were drawn up in
line Of battle. Towards the left, as we came
within its range, another battery opened with
shell upon US, changing new and then to round
shO. Our own batteries were upon the field
Green 8 being behind US throwing over our heads
while Arnold's was to the right preparing take
position on the hill Two Others consisting of
light brass guns, were In position firing, but
with little effect, the distance being too great
When the line was formed, Capt Arnold received
an order to take position upon the brow Of the hill
with his battery, and the Scott Life Guard was
ordered forward to support him. When the enc
my perceived the advance about being made they
bred with redoubled energy, but our men moved
steadily forward, crossing fences and coming I'm
proper order upon the instant. They at last ar.
rived at their proper place, just below the top Of
the hill, and were ordered to lay down when
Arnoid's battery took position on top and opened
fire upon the enemy
The Fire Zouaves In the meantime had received
orders to advance and take position along the
edge Of a wood, on the right Of Arnold,s battery
Inc nre came so heavy here that our battery had
not been In position five minutes before one of the
ar h Ia .Aot
killed, and every shot OF the enemy was aimed in
such an accurate manner, that II was useless for
our battery to remain in such a position. They
accordingly drew their pieces a little way down
the hillside and left them. Upon this a furious
charge was made upon the Zouaves by the ene-
my Is cavalry Issuing from the wood They were
received by volley from the regiment that emp
tied many saddle, and sent the survivors to the
flght about In short order. Another charge was
then made upon them by cavalry upon their ri ht
nahk, and Infantry In 'front.' when they broke and
ran down the hill In disorder. Col Ward, of the
lhirty-eighth, then gave his regiment orders to
charge, when, with cheer, the men dashed for
ward, driving the enemy into the woods and
covering the ground with the dead and wounded
A concealed battery on the right opened FIRE on
The Thirt7-eighth at this time, killing some thirty
men and driving the regiment down hill again;
out Inc oHcers rallied them and led again TO the
attack and 1t was not until several Of the officers
and many Of the men had fallen, that the Thirty
eighth Scott Life Guard, finding the odds too
great TO be combatted with, retreated to the road
That they retreated in good order, may be seen
from the fact that they stopped, uncoilei the cam
non ropes, and dragged Arnold's battery away
with them thereby preventing Its falling into the
hands Of the enemy.
In the meantime the Zouaves had formed AGAIN
marched to the extreme right of the wood and
again be I OF the Black Horsemen making manv
rider bite the dust. But valor was use ayainst
such odds and strength II position, and they az
well as the other regiments walked SADLY from
the field Col Wilcox had fallen early In the en-
gagement while leading party to the attack in
the woods. About one mile from the field of ba T.
tie large stone buildin was used for a hospital.
the scene around this place was truly narrowing.
mutilated men, some without legs, or only one,
arms torn of at the shoulder, deep and pbastlv
body wounds, some exposing the intestines, and
In fact every kind Of wound that could he inhict
ed by gunpowder, iron or steel. Most of the men
were carried to the hospital seated upon musket,
one man Selling it by the stock, another by the
barrel, the wounded being supported upon It by
third man walking behind.
Upon the retreat Of the last regiments who went
~ tuc osSdcitS Tue sever ty-ulntn, second Rhode
Island, and the Slxty-hinth, charge was made
by the enemy in the direction of the HOSPITAL.
when perfect stampede took place; those who
were carrying the wounded dropped them by the
road side and consulted their own safety the d,i
vers of the ambulance wagons drove forward un-
loaded men cast aside their guns, while the artil
lerymen drove headlong through the crowd. A
scattered firing from men Of different reyiment.
at last drove the enemy back, and the march wa.
resumed at pace more fitting for weary and dis.
pirted men.
Nine O'Clock p m. brought them to their camp
ground at Centervilie. By 10 O'Clock the differ.
ent regiments Were pretty well together the men
had built fires, and expressed the desire to make
stand, having confidence they could beat the
enemy In the open field. In four hours an order
came to retreat on Washington, and the weary
march was resumed-sOme Of the men cryipg
with disappointment at our giving I'D without
one more rally. Too much credit cannot be given
the men, not only for their courage, but for their
endurance under adverse circumstances. IJept
Col Farnsworth, Of the Thirty-eighth N.Y.s,