The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-07-27
W ar News.
THE BATTLE AT MANASSAS.

THE BATTLE AT MANASSAS.
The HIN. H. ). Raymord, who was present
on Sunday at the battle near Bulls Run,
within three or four miles of Manassas juno
tlhh, has FINISHED the New \ ork times the
| following graphic account:
WASHINGTON, July %. 1861.
The battle yesterday was one Of the most
severe and sanguinary ever fought on this
continent, and it tnd,d IN the failure of the
Union troops to hol,l all the positions which
they sought to carry. and which they actually
did carry, and il their retreat TO Ccn:tevile.
The attack was made in three columns, two
OF which, however, were mainly fints, in
tended to annse and occupy the enemy, while
the substantial work was dime by the third
II has been known for long time thnt the
range of hills which border the small swami
py stream known ms Bull s Run had been
| thoroughly and extensively fortified br the
rebels; that batteries had been planted at
| every available point, usually concealed in
| the woods and bushes which abound in tina I
vicinity. and covering every way Of approach
to the region beyond. These aye the advance
defenseS of Manassas Junction. which is some
three miles further off. Until these were
carried no approach could he made to that
place and after they should be carried Others
offs similar character would have to he
overcome at every point where they could be
| erected.
The utmost that military SIX i'll and ingenu-
ty could accomplish for the defense of tins
point was done. Gen. Mcdowell was I'M
willing to make an attack directly in the
lace OF these batteries. as they would be Of
doubtful issue, and must int vitality result in
a very serious loss of life. After an attack
had been resolved upon, therefore. he endca-
vored 10 find some way ofturning the position.
His first inteJiton was to do THIS on the
southern side-tc throw a strong column
into the place from that direction. while a
fc'gncd attack should be made in front. On
Thursday, when the troops were advanced to
Centreville, it was found that the roads on
the south side Of these positions were almost
impractical BILE that they were narrow, crook
I'd and stony. and that it would be almost
impossible to bring up enough artillery to be
effective IN the time required. This org nal
plan was, therefore, abandoned and Friday
was devoted to an examination by the topo-
graphical engineers Of the northern side Of
the position. Maj Barnard and Captain
Whipplc rtconnoitercd the place for miles
around. and reported that the position could
be entered by a path coming from the north
though it was somewhat long and circu,ous.
This was selected, therefore, as the mode and
point of attack.
On Saturday the troops were all brought
closely up to Ctnlreville all ne, dful
preparations were made for the attack which
was in'cnttd for the next day. Yesterday
morning therefore the army marclcd-by
two roads Colonel Richardson with his
| commend taking the southern. which leads to
Bulls Run, and Gen. Tyler the northern
running parallel to il at distance of about q
mile and II half. The movement commenced
at about o'clock. got up a little before 4
and found the long Inc Of troops extended
far out Oh either road. took The road by
which Col Hunter with his command, and
Gen. Mcdowell and staff, had gone, and
pushed OH directly for the front After going
out about tNO miles, Col Hunter turned to the
! right marched oblQucly towards the Run,
which he was 10 cross some four miles higher
| up and then come down npon the cntrenched
positions of the enemy on the other side -
| Col. Miles was left at Centirville and on the
| road, with reserves which he was to bring up
whenever they might be lit edcd. Gen. Tyler
went directly forward, to engage the enemy
| IN front, and send reinfnrcenentS to Colonel
Hunter whenever il should b. seen that he
was engaged.
| went ont upon the northern road. 1t is
hiily, like all the surface of this SECTION
| After going Out about three miles. you come
| TO point down which the road, lead ing
through forest, descends: then it proceeds
by succession of rising and falling knobs
| FOR quarter OF a mile, when it crosses Il
stone bridge and then aSccnds by o steady
slope to the heights beyond, At the top Of
that slope the rebels had planted heavy bat
tcres. and the woods below were filled with
their troops and with concealed cannon
| We proceeded down the road to the first Ct
the small knobs MENTIONED when the y hole
column halted. The 80 FOUNDER Parrot gun
which has longer range than any other in
the army, was planted directly in the road
Capt. Ayres battery was stationed in the
woods a littlc to the right. The FIRST Ohio
and Second New York Regiments were thrown
into the woods in advance on the left The
SXty.ninth New York, the First, Second and
Third Connecticut Regiments. wtre ranged
behind them, and the Second Wisconsin was
thrown into the woods on the tight. AT
about half.pas' six o clock the thirly.poundcr
threw two shells directly into the battery at
the summit Of the s.ope. on the opposite
height, one of which as learned afterwards.
struck and exploded directly in he midst
Of the battery, and occasoned the utmost
havoc and confusion. After about half an
hour Captain Ayres 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 opposite
slope, but the batteries were silent An hour
| or so afterwards We heard three or four heavy
guns from Colonel Richardson's column IN
| Bulls Run, and these were continued at it,.
tervals Tor two or three hours, but they ere
not answered, even by single gun. 1t was
very clear that the enemy INTENDED to take
his own time in paying his respects TO us,
| and that he meant, moreover, to do it in his
oHn way. Meantime we could hear in the
distance the sound OF Colonel Hunter axe.
men, clearing his way and awaited with some
Impotence the sound of his cannon on the
opposite heights. Time wore along. with
| occasional shots from our guns, as well as
| those of Col. Richardson's column, but with
out, III single instance. receiving any reply.
Alta little before IL o'clock. the LIST OHIO
and End New York, which were lying in the
wood on the left, were ordered to ADVANCE
They did so. passing out Of the road and
climbing fence into wood opposite, which
they barely approached, however, when they
were met by a tremendous discharge Of four
gun battery, planted at the left IN the woods
mainly forth purpose Of sweeping the road
perpendicular.y and the open field on its
right by which alone troops could pass for.
|