Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-10-29
OmciaI Report Of Ihe Rattle Of Manassas

Gen. BEAURECARD has made his official re-
port Of the battle Of MANASSAS Plains, on the 2lst
Of July, and we observe that it ~ generally com
mended as a document of exceedingly rare
merit. 1t has not yet been published, but We
find the following synopsis in a letter to the
Richmond Dispatch
l have been favored with a brief synopsis of
portions of Gen. Beauregard'S report Of the bat
tie of Manassa, which has been forwarded to
the War Department, and which viii doubtless
he published in a short time. Gen. BeaUregard
opens with a statement of his position antece-
dent to the battle, and of the plan proposed by
him to The government of the junction OF the
armies of Shenandoah and IOtomac, with ayieW
to the relief Of Maryland aud the capture of the
City of Washington, which plan was rejected by
the President. Gen. B. STATES that he telegraph
Cd the War Department on the 18th of July of
the contemplated attack OF Gen. Mcdowell, w
gently asking for a junction Of Gen. JOhnstou's
forces with his own, and continued 10 make uT-
rent requests for the same until the 18th July,
when the President consented to order Gen.
Johnston to his assistance. Gen. Beauregard
goes on to state that his plan Of battle assigned
to Gen. Johnston an attack ON the enemy on
the left at or near Centeryille, while he himself
would command in front but the condition Of
the roads prevented this.
1t was then decided to receive the attack Of
the enemy behind Bull Run. After the engage
ment at Blackburn's Ford, ON the 18th. General
Beauregard was convinced that Gen. McDOwelTs
principal demonstration would be made on our
left wing, and he then formed the plan of throw
ing forward a sufficient force by COnverging roads
to attack the euemy's reserves at CentarvilIe, so
soon as the main body of the latter became mex
tricably engaged ON the left. Late in the day.
Ev1tprr tbgt ION Evpat1 nh, y.r r,-..l 90. al,
extreme right of our line, had not moved forward
in accordance with the programme and the spe-
c.al order which had been sent 10 him, Gen. b.
dispatched a courier TO Gen. ETell To inquire
the reason why the latter had failed to advance,
and received a reply from Gen. f. stating he had
not received any such order. The cnemy's at
tack having then become too strong. on the left,
10 warrant carrying out the original plan, as it
would take three hours for Gen. Ewclrs brigade
TO reach Centerville, it became necessary TO alter
the plan, change front on the left. and bring ND
our reserves TO that part of the field. This
movement was superintendent in person by Gen.
Johnston, Gen. Beauregard remaining to direct
the movements in front.
Attic time when Gen. Kirby Smith and Gen.
Esrly came mp with their divisions and appeared
on the right Of the enemy, our forces on me left
occupied the cord Of the arc Of a circle, Of which
the arc itself was occupied by the enemv-thc
extremes of their lines hanking ours. The an
pearance of Smiths and Earlv's brigadrs. and
their charge on the enemy's right, broke the
lines OF the latter and threw them into confusion,
when shortly afterwards the rout became com
plete.
Gen. Beaurogard highly compliments General
then colOnel-Evans. Commanding q brir-
adc-and now the hero Of Leesburr-for the
extraordinary military aptitude and great gal
lantry he displayed in his movement from Stone
| Bridge TO Sudley's Ford, after receiving the enc
my's first onset at Stone Bridge. Gen. Evans
had only about one thousand men, but diyiuinc
that the euemy's movement was a coucentric
one, and that his columns had gone through the
woods to the left, and would attempt 80 cross at
Sudley's Ford, he left at Stone Bridge four hun
died men, and filing OH towards the ford al Sud
! ley's, with 600 men kept the enemy at bay there
for nearly an hour, although in force several
thousand strong.
General Beauregard settles forever the various
questions so much disputed respecting this
battle. He Acknowledges the great generosity
of General Johnston, in fully according to him
Gen. b. the right 10 carry ont the plans he
had formed with relation TO This campaign. in
yielding the command OF the field after rxamin-
ing and cordially approving the plan Of battle,
and in the effective cooperation which General
Johnston so chivalrOuslv extended to him on
that cventful day.
lie remarks that the retreat of our forces from
Fairfax, Immediately previous to the engage
ment OF the 18th, is the first instance on record
Of volunteers retiring before AN engagement and
with the object Of giving battle in another posi-
ton.
The numbers under his command on the 18th
July are set down at L 900 effective men, and
on Dist TO q 800, which includes $500 of John
ston's army, and LOO brought up boy General
Holmes, from Fredericksburg.
The killed on our side in this ever memorable
battle are stated in the report TO have been in
number 3J3, and the wOunded 1900.
The encmy's killed, wounded, and prisoners
are estimated by General Beauregard at 1900,
which does not include the missing.
The report is rather lengthy, and is accOmpa-
MED by another from Gen. Johnston, giving an
account Of the movements Of his army at Win
chester and march TO Manassas, also by the re-
ports Of brigade commanders. f. win be seen
that the hero Of Fort Sumter and Manassas can
write as well as be can tiEht-thCt be wieldS the
pen of Caesar as well as the sword of a Well
ingtou. In mUdesty and bravery be eXrmplLes
the highest type Of a true soldier, and has earned
undying fame. The graceful tribute he pays to
his brave troops is well merited, and will endcar
him more and more to men who are proud 10
rally under his standard. II is none the least Of
B~eauregard's merits that he was willing TO en-
counter an army so much larger and SO much
better appointed than his own, and that he en-
tertained the most uHtaltrriDg confidence in
troops which were as worthy OF their chivalric
commander, as he was to lead SO noble, SO brave
and so high-minded an army.
The victory of Gen. Evans, at Lcesburg, has
added new iusjcr to our arms. All honor TO the
unconquerable spirit OF the Mississippi and Nir-
giuia troops, whose achievement has infused
new spirit into our legions, who pant as Il held
.s-s . go NT.sfr-TF.. ...--T.r.
"a repulSe as was given to his predecessor Nc
Dowell. When the clash comes they will make
memorable once more he now classic banks OF
Boil Run. a. u. c..