Santa Fe gazette. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1859-1864, 1861-08-31
THE MAIN ATTACK.

As The circuit ofthe 0anklng column was TO be
wide one, and as II could not reach its destined
point and come into aCtiou with effect, in less than
two or three hours, our first attention must be
given to-the main column accompanied by the
COMMANDMENTS Chief, 1t was broad day when we
parted with the fanklng column, and we proceed
ed along with an easy step, with our skirmishers
well in advance, and watchrul, on the lookout
No traces Of the enemy appeared, however and
the extraordinary quiet Of the scene, coupled with
the fact that our entire column had been allow
ed to cross the wooden bridge unmolested, induc-
ed many to believe that the enemy, consulting pru.
dence, would yield the delenses Of the Run, and
give us battle only at Manassas. But this idea
was formed in perfect ignorance Of the extent Of
the Confederate delenses, for we were already
within Ange Of some Of their batteries, and at the
close of the day they landed their shell upon the
bridge with murderous effect In short their
whole strategy was decoy and their hasty retire
ment from Fairfax, and pretended abandonment oI
camp furniture, as well as the shallow obstruction
Of our advance by.evelcd trees, were merely pOr
tions of a well digtsted plan, to coax our army
step by step into theirgigantic trap OF all pla
ces therefore, on the whole continent, Manassas
and its miles of densey serried batteries, was the
last with which the Federal Army had any bust
ness yet there we were, going it blind" with tn,
vain confidence Of fools on perfectly good term
with ourselves and exating in advance the pro
found military leader WIN was thus giving US {
chance to develop his keen foresight and com
mandng genus After we had got about mill
and half beyond the wooden bridge, the roat
began gradually to slope toward the Run, and t
be more closed in with trees; and even at that eal
i y hour the GOODNESS Of those leaiy aslos, was fel
as relief from the already hot and dusty path
After we emerged from this pleasing shelter th
column proceeded along to the distance Of pei
haps, quarter Of mile, descending all the Will
toward raylneswhich harbored a sluggish streaI
crossed by stone bridge. From that point th
enemys defenses rose, spreading and thickenin
at easy intervals, and surmounted by powerful ba
| teries where the line met the horizon; and ma
+ pause here to say--with powerful batteries packe
r and extending behind that line for miles along
Suddenly, an exclamation Of @rhere they are
y from member Of Gen. Tyler's staff, brought OF
| column to astand Every field officer at on
i brought his glass to bear, and the consciousne
0 that we were surely to have fight ran in al
T. electric whisper along the entire column. The
d indeed, they were, the Rebels down ina meado'
e still distance off, and not boldly perceptibls, b
lie cause Of the dark background Of the woods
was body Of infantry drawn up in line oil bait
its full strength concealed from being extend
partly in the forest. II was now necessary tn
=, we also should take battle order; 50 we deploy
u into the adjoining fields, Gen Schencks brgai
y consisting Of the I'd New York and lst and
~ y Ohio Regiments, being extended tothe left, a
I, y, Shermans brigade, composed Of the New Yc
" Y, 69th, 10th, 18th, and I'd Wisconsin, stretching
W y, the right The large riaed 32-pounder was u
n brought forward through the center, and put II
% position in the middle Of the road. The enc
~ evidently saw this movement with their glass
W. for they suddenly fell back whereupon the big &
T. giving out It's thunder, flung shell toward
W. ", spot Of their retirement glN 'qelJa
~ on The fuse was short, however, and after plow
VII its roaring progress justoverthe proper spot
burst harmlessly in air. Butthe echoes Of I
solemn challenge announced 10 o hundred
lie. fifty thousand armed men that the battle had