Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-09-06
OFFICIAL REPORTS.
HEADQUARTERS 9TH BRIGADE,

the operations Of my brigade on the 18th inst
in the engagement at Blackburn's Ford, o
Bull Run, in which our troops wcre command
ell 10y Brigadicr General Longstree,:
cn the morning Of that day marched wit
my brigade, composed os Inc Tth Virgini
Volunteers, (Col Kemper's regiment,) cor
mandcd by Lieut.. Colonel Williams; lhs It
Louisiana Volunteers, commanded by Colone
Harry l. Hays; six companies Of the oath VII
gnia Volunteers, (my own) commanded b
Lieut.. COL Hairston; and three pieces Of aTti
lery from the Washington Battery, of New Or
leans, under the command Of Lieut.. Colont
Squircs, to Camp Walker, from whence it ia
moved by direction of Gen. Beauregard int
the road leading from Camp Walker to the gat
in front Of McLean's farm, where it romainc
until about 70 o'clock, at which time larg
cloud Of dust was observed on tho high ridg
north of Blackburn's Ford, at which Gen. Long
streets Brigade was stationed. This cloud {
dust proved to be produced by the enemy
columns moving in that direction, and in lcI
minutes the, .cannonadins was commenced h
the enemy, directed nrst upon Gen. Bonham'
position, at Mitchells Ford, and subsequent
upon the farm house of Mclean and the hos
pltal in his barn, over which was fost:ng tn
hospital flag.
As soon as the cannonading commenced m,
Brigade was moved to the rear Of the lines TO tn
left of the road leading from McLean's house
to Black burns Ford, where it was Joined b,
two more pieces of artillery from the Washing
ton battery under Col. Esche!man. At ,hi
position it remained, for the purpose OF sup
porting either Gen. Bonham at Mitchells Ford
Gen. Longstreet at Blackburn's Ford, or Gen
Jones Ut McLcaa's Ford, rs occasion misht re
quire
After the first cannonading had cclse, AZ,
Gen. Beauregard with his staff had passed TO-
wards Mtchelrs Ford, fire of musketry be-
gan at Blackburn's Ford, which became yer,
animated and WAS continued for some time
when u:.c of General Longstreet's aids came tt
inform GIe that he had repulsed tho caeiny's
charge, but desired reinforcements. mms
diatcly put my whole Brigade in ,aoticn, in
Guiding the five pieces Of artillery, 70 which
By his own request, was joined Lieut.. Garrett
Of the same battery, with two ricces .ha: had
been sent to the rear by Gen. IongstTect BE-
fore the action commenced
After my column vas I,ut in uDti,.n
received a. order from Gen. Ecaurcgard 10
support General Longstrcet with two regiments
and TWO pieces Of artillery | thercup9n pro-
ceedcd with the Tth Louisiana regiment ard
the 7th Virginia regiment, and two pieces OF
artillery, under charge Of Capt EScheIman,
to the support Of General Longstrce. Upon
arriving at Blackburn's Ford, | Gonad the
greater part ot General Long sirc.i's coz.
mand uutlcr Cover on the bank Of the stream
engaged with the enemy, who were under
cover nn the hi-sdes on the opposite banks.
Col Hays Regiment, whlct was in advance,
was ;hcn placed on the banks of the stream,
under cover, to the right and left of the Ford,
relieving the 18th Virginia Regiment, under
Col. Corse This regiment proceeded to it..
position under quite brisk fire OF ulSkc:ry.
The T.h Virginia Regiment, aH@ar LeHt.
Col Williams, az j; arrived, w:s formed TO the
right OF the Ford, under heavy Gre OF nus
kerry from the enemy, evidently directed 1t the
Regiment. 1t vas 1notnentarliy thrown into
confusion by this fire, and discharged many oi
its own guns over 4 portion Of our o1n troops
in front, fortunately, hawever, d1;ng them 10
damage, ! believe. Tne regiment was sGca
rallied, and proceeded 10 the ban KS siTeam,
relieving the first Virginia t,g'noI
Eso.o..c--:: -is:Hs Of artillery under Sapiain
ginia regiment, were moved down into the open
Held on the right Of the road, SO es to be con-
cealed from the view Of the enemy's artillery
by the timber on the banks Of the strean,
where it opened FIRE upon the enem:?, on The
opposite side, directed only by the sound CT
their nusketry.
As soon as the 7th Virginia Regimcal al
yanced to tho banks OF the stream, as above
stated. sent back for the companies Of the
s4th Regiment and the remainder OF tue pieces
of artillery-and they were brought up. The
companies Of the oath were placed in position,
in good order to the left Of the road, il space
not occupied BY Colonel Hays Regiment, and
the remaining guns Of the Washington Artll-
lery, five in number, were unlinbercd or .
line with the first two pieces, and to the right
of the road. A scattering fire ofnuskctry was
kept up for some time, but the enem! finally
ceased firing and evidently retired to tho bills
above where their artillery guns were placed,
having, no doubt, observed the position OF oHr
pieces of artillery for fire was soon com
menccd on them by the enemy's artillery,
which was responded to by ours, and the car
nonading was continued for considerable
time with great briskness on both sides-tht
balls and shells from the eDemy's battery Ge
ing directed with considerable effect upvr
ours. But the enemy Gnaliy ceased firing
and did not renew the attack with muskc'ry
During all this firing, when the balls and
shells were passing over the heads OF the :ner
on the banks of the stream, they Tcmainct a
their posts, coolly awaiting the renewal OF .ht
attack with musketry. The affair closed la:s
in the afternoon, and about dusk Gen. Long
street, by direction of Gen. Beaurcgard. retired
with the two regiments Of his brigade that iat
;p fho ri NJ
to the pines from which I had gone to reiniore'
him, leaving my brigade, and Col. Garland
regiment Of his brigade, on the ground Tor th'
night.
When first arrived on the ground, licunt
Gen. Longstreet very actively engaged IN tn
thickest Of the fire, in directing and enconf-
aging The men under his command; and / ar
satisfied he contributed very largely to tn
repulsc of the enemy by his own personal ex-
ertions. The officers and men he!onging t;
the Washington Battery behaved very hand
somcly. indeed, under we'll directed sn'
CALLING fire of the enemy, displaying grea
coolness and skill in the management Of thel
pieces.
The regiments of my brigade came, for til
first time, under fire; and while one regimen
was thrown, for few moments, into confusion
without retiring it rallied under fire on tn
same ground, took the position assigned it
and retained il.
Some parties, sent across the stream alter th
close Of the fight, reported about i":;T OF IN
enemy found dead on the ground occupied b.
their infantry during the fight. We were 40
enabled to examine the ground occupied D
their battery and the regiments OF infantr.
supporting it, because it was evident that
large force was in the neighborhoo'i; and tn
whole of the next day the nen wero engage
in throwing up cm5ankr,ents to slrcns hen on
position, which was on ground lower ,;'"i' id'
occupied BY the enemy. About Gu: i.un!Te
muskets were picked Up on Tie ;iiii-sdts: sit
large number Of hats and otiier articles
From all the indications :he ccetay's loss rnus
have been much larger than OUT own.
The ranks of the 7th Virginia sst;;:'n ent sh
the Gath Virginia Regiment were ;ao;'h th'ne
bv sickness srd the wsoic number OF u
Brigade did not exceed 1900 men.
Rr:~r 10 e. r. l~