Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-07-29

| fns ionsWi1B IMMENSELY Interesting socount OF sn'
great fight was written by a membsr Of tho Hsnovs
Cavalry; and Is published without his knowledge.
A rRoorEE's AccouSr.
CEEraEviLLz, July ga 1851.
Mt DRilrsr WIZ:
For the last four days have never been longer
ons place than two hous-havs seps every night upos
the ground In good weather and bad eaten nothing bu
hard crackers and fried bacon and rested little any ns
For al Of which prvstions, and thousand Others VI
have been moro than compsnsatsd-shanks 70 the jus
God who governs the Of history, and DEGREES III
destiny Of naonsin the glorious results Of yesterday
Ny last was from Fairfax Court House. On the morning
Of the 18th We had received reliable information that th
enemy were advancing over so 900 srsDg and no
surprised at o'clock In the morning 70 hear the Gre
our pckss who we're slowly retiring before the sdvan
cling foe. The order was given 70 pack-in ten min
utss baggage packed tents struck, and the wagon
driven 70 the rear, and the whole command fornet
In line ofbatts In few moments the glittskag baye
nets Of the enemy lined the neighboring hills. From
the heavy signal guns being 6red ct intervals along ou
line commencing at Germantown, and stretching slonl
TO Fairfax Court House. t evident that the snsmy
were vorng to surround little band But ou
'ttle trump" ~ the call Bsaursgsrd not 70 b,
taken by any such game. Every preparation was mad'
to deceive the enemy BY inducing him to believe thai
We mediateda vigorous resistance-meantims our col
umn deHled through densely wooded road, and was IA
on the road to Cenevils when the enemy discoveries
his mistake. He followed on very cautiously. 0uI
troop with Ksmpers battery, Was assigned the post Of
honour and charged with the duty Of covering the
treat We tho last to leave the village and n
.cHo ~ II. Il
ed At the ether We halted at this placs (Oentreville
about O'Clock in the afternoon, again made show oil
battle slept until u O'Clock ct the heads Of horses
and silently left the place, the ensmys pickes being
within talking distance Of at dsybrsAk
across Bull Run, having marched very slowly to keep
pace with the infantry We found beds oflsaves In the
woods wrapped ourselves in blankss and slept fos
hour two, until reused BY the roar Of the ensmy
guns, be opened bis batteries upon lines. For
two mortal hours, shot and shell a,w thick along
our whols lire. This days work was evidently In
tended only 10 draw the FIRE Of our artillery and
show where batteries In consequences Of which,
our gunners were ordered not to fire single shot unit.
within point blank range. After thus opening the ball
two dense massss Of Infantry we're to des to the
right and Left to make two separate attacks It wa In
deed beautifully sight, a. they came down in perfect
order and with the steady step Of veterans They came
nearer and yet nearer and yet shot from our guns
Men began to mutter and say that We were preparing
for another retreat But in few moments the appoint
ed time arrived single shot from the Washington Ar
tsry gave the signal Of death, and for half hour
there nothing but continuous sheet Of lms along
the right Of line The enemy fell back, rallied and
charged again With like result sgaia they rested and
rushed forward but old Virginia true to herself and
the gallant lst and 18th regiments met them, though
twice their numbers charged them with the bayone and
drove them back in utter confusion. The cavalry we're
held in reserve and although within range Of the artillery
and continually experiencing the sensations which men
may be supposed to indulge who know there "a hidden
danger lowering in the air, without knowing where Il is
10 light took no part in the action Our time came yester
day. however Our troop for four houFs iu the hot
test Of the fight and every In Il the applause
and appreciation OF the whole camp The action com.
mtnced at o'clock Of sweet Sabbath morning. The
enemy commenced with quite & heavy cannonads upon
our right which proved to be fent to distract our
attention. as bis main attack was directed to our left
wing At ten o'clock the enemy had crossed the river
on our left, and the lsht commenced In earnest From
the hill on which stood, ys could see the smoke
and dust although at the distance of ssveral miles from
the fight waged on left Some thought our men had
fallen back; Others that tho enemy retresting Il
was an hour Of painful interest At eleven o'clock an
addecamp rode up In gaop and said men we're 70.
tiring and the cavalry ordered To the e We were
temporarily attached R.dford regiment Ours was the
first company and nne the front platoon. On We dashed
at gallop. As We passed within range Of battery Of
riast cannon, q ball was fred At Us, and passed lust
between W and myself, knocking UP clouds Of dust.
Without vsvering In their ranks tie mon end horses
dashed forward gsop As reached the scene of &C.
ton the sight discouragng in the extreme. The enc.
my had first the advantage Of every attacking party he
bad all bis forces attack upon one point
The st Lousans regiment and the 4th Alabama we're a.
sailed In ,nk aud centre by OOO men, and literally cut
to pieces They refused to surrender but retired slowly
disputug every inch the gr6Snd n We rode up ws
met parts Of companies which had literally been over,
whslmed the mon wounded their arms broken while
some of them were carrying OF their dead In blankets
Every thing looked like retreat. We were ordered up
to within 500 yards Of the enemies artillery, behind
hill WHICH aordsd some protection against their desIuc
tive fire. For An hour the Ering ragged With ncessant
fury, ball passed over the bill and through our ranks
grazing one of our men; shell exploded right under
Radfords horse and every moment shot aud shell were
continually whstns By Is can give you no concep.
ton of that awful hour. not man slr.nk from bis
post two Of taken deadly sick one sintng
from heat and eScitemen such calmness and eomposurs
never witnessed 70 make the matter worse, dsspon.
dsncy not despair was fast writing itself on every face
The fire evidently approaching Us and our friends
were retiring and the whispered rumour passed from lip
to lip that artillery ammunition was running low In
moment however, cloud Of dust in our rear showed
the Approach # our wagons coming up at q dashing
rate with fresh supply Cur renfol com
msnosd pouring In. Georgia. Alabama, Soath Carolina,
Tennessee, and Mississippi swept by In their gssring
array with the calm light Of battle on their faces ard
their bayonss cleaning in the quiet Sabbath sunshre
No man faltsred, no man Jagged behind Neither tic
oans Of the dying nor the shrieks of the wounded ss
they passed 10 the rear in crowded ambuancss ID
produce any impression, except to fix the deermta lob
upon the countenauces Of ALTO win or die upou tho
field. Tie tide now seemed to ebb just enough 10 keep
u, from despair. The firing did not sdvslce although
the explosion Of their shell was terrific In the extreme
CLEAN of hope too. gradually broke in upon US when
Esmper battery, which had been posted in our oenp
slop,d up and opened destructive fire upon opr ex.
trsms loft. The advance evidently checked, uhsn
loud cheer In the front told US that something IN.
uul had happened. What Vas 10 Was 1t the tai.
umph Of our enemies stricken friends, or vas Il
advantage gained BY courage in defence Of right
yhe suspense was awful Men stood straight in their
srrups and 'csssss :s2 EYES :. If they would pierce
the rugged bosom Of the barren hill vhiO ra;ssa =
sc:rrei front before them. An Aid passes up-his -
SAFE l. written his face, and, before he speaks