Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-08-05

4
been carried by tie I'd Brigade hour tefore HOW
the enemy had rereaed before Hunter and Heintz
cannot say, but am given 10 understand tnat hey Isu
forsaken all excepting one powerful earthwoik WIN oy
embankments, upon the highest ground Of their held
It this work which, later in the day. was sormed
the Zouaves and other regiments aud which, In spite Of
daring and intrepidiy which rebel prisoners speak
Of with amszement, resisted their charge. But otst
important works had been carried by the 80 and 4.n
Bgadss on our sde that little appeared 10 fcmnn
for victory but perfect the union OF the two col
| umns and TO hold the ground we had won
The fire now Stacked both sides for several minutes
Although the movements Of our own troops were mshy
hidden could peculiar activity among the enemy
at tho spot where they had been most yehementy r.:
pulsed BY Hentzellnan long line ofapparently fresh
regiments brought forward and formed at the edse
of grove through which bad penetrated -Four
times we saw this line broken, and reformed by i's
officers who rode behind and drove back those who ned
with their swords. fifth time IL was shattered and re-
formed but could not be made to stand fast aud led
back to the fortified ground This afforded US who looked
on from the lower battlefield, ground for the con
viction that the triumph would BE- with us.
For nearly half hour after this We we're LETT In great
uncertainty The enemy languished, and our
ments seemed cogsed by mysterious obstacle All
that was done within view the leading forward
OF Schencks brigade few hundred rods Oh the opec
road. But many of U.s. lookers-on had long before
passed ahead to Bull Rum and assured ourselves that the
field open for nearly mile in advance, this not
regarded as Of much Importance. From Bull Run the
aspect Of the field truly appalling The ensmys dead
lay thicky that they rested upon another,
the ground refusing space to many that had fallen Few
of our had suffered here although it seemed that
further on they lay in great numbers But the attention
Of those who gezed quickly turned from these awful
results of the battle to the imminent hazard Of its
newal Down toward our left which had so long been
exposed line Of troops moved with an alacrity
that indicated entire freshness As they swept around
the very woods upon which the Second Brigade rested
nhFnAn thah a1A
this feld-that which should have been bemes
by our idle troops-opcned with vigor Grape and
round shot, most accurately aimed, struck the ground
before behind ard each side Of Gen. Schenck and the
group Of officers about him. The Ohio regiments were
somewhat sheltered by cleft in the road, but the New
York second was more exposed. Gen. Schenck was in
great danger to which, an glad to say he seemed per-
fecy nssnshe riding always through the hottest Of the
FIRE If nothing serious than shower OF paper
pellets threatened him. But more than this Gen. Schenck
cannot claim.
Nevertheless, our work progressed. Capt Alexander
with the engineers had completed bridge across the
Run, over which smbulances were TO pass for the
wounded, and by which artillery could be planted in
new positions Even then although that seathy column
was winding awkwardly for u.s. about our left, no per.
dreamed that the day lost. The men Of the br
gsde, at least, firm, although they began to sur
severely. Horrible gaps and chGsms appeared once
twice in the ranks Of the New York second -Four men
torn In pieces by single round Of grape shot, and
their blood flung in great spashea over all Who stood
The carnage around seemed more terrific than il
really was hideous the nature OF the wounds.
few minutes later, and the great peril Of diyi-
son that which should have been foreseen and provided
against, was upon The enemy appeard upon the
left flank, between US aud our way of retreat Why
they failed having secured IL TO pursue this
nous advantage it is impossible to conjecture. am in
cned to believe that the GOODNESS and precision Of Col
McCOok Of the LIST Ohio REGIMENT saved from this
disaster. It ia certain Col hcCook displayed firm
sstsnce to the charge which mensced him. and that tho
enemy wavered and then withdrew. But at this time,
the first proofs Of the panic which had stricken the army
disclosed. From the distant hills troops dis
organized. scattered, psld with terror which bad
us cause, came pouring in among us, tramplng down
some and spreading the cotagon Of their fear among all
Ii then whirlwnd which nothing could resist
The most reluctant Of the Ccers were forced from tho
valley up The HILL ia spite Of themselves. Whoever had
stood would have been trodden under foot by his
men. Near the top Of the hill like commOion
visible, but from different cause The Rebel cavalry,
having completely crcumyented our left had charged IN
among crowd Of wounded and strggers who surround
ed small building which had been used for hospital
Nothing but the unexpected courage of considerable
number Of unorganz I'D men, many ortheiu Civilians, who
seized the readest. Weapons and fepeed tue enemy
saved that point from being occupied. Ii could learn
the names of that brave handful would b. glad 10 set
them down shining lights amid great and disastrous
gloom aud will say that If our flying army could have
forgotten for moment its alright, and paused to
what those trus men could do the nation might still
have eicsped the saddest dgrace which stains is bis
tory.
The secret of that panic will perhaps be known
All essay to explain it, and all fail. Whether Gen. Nc
Dowell did did not give order 10 retreat cannot
say OF my own knowledge | am asspr0i 10y one who
was With him that he did and by Others that he al
80 failed preserve his secontro II this DO NE
shall know OF Ii in time. but all nov be sure Of
il the scng fact that of utter and absolute rout
How nearly one great object Of the day had beon accom-
al ha when n ia snaNu that Gen
Tyler and Gen MoD9sel had actually met. Many who
came Into battle with Col Hutzelmau aud Col Hunter
fed by the road over which Gen. Tyler had adsaGced-
IN the from ialcisi danger, all divisions and all
regiments minged There WIS not even an attempt
10 cover the retreat Of Tyless division. With HeinR
mans II was tier, Lieut. DfummoGds eaVslrS troop
keeping firm line, and protecting the artillery until i's
abandonment was iap4rptvely ordered. The e,ent Of
the disorder unlimited. Regulars and volunteers
shared t alike. y.so traction OF our artillery was
sa-; Wuoe batteries were left upon the field, and the
cutting of Of others was ordered whea the guns had
already been brought two miles o. ore from the battle
ground, and wers aie a. they would be in New York
tis moment. perfect irenzywas upon Gaess every
Some cried peousy to We WED behind those who
rode horses and s,a-s sought to Chamber into wa
CONS, th2 ,es.pants resisting them with baycaes AL
sen.e Of manhood seemed to be forgo.tsa, ,ope and
am sure there were eyeep;iohs bur am speaking Of
the rule Sh The sass' D'-:r s of heavy wagons dash
ed do~" steep road reckless Of the Ives they entan,
pered OIL the way. Even tao sentiment OF shame bad
| gone Some q tue better men tried to withstand the
rush. Gnu cried Out against the tying groups calling
them towards, poroCns, brutes" aud reviilng them
for 90 degrading themselves especially when enemy
was near Inseusibe TO the epihes the runaways only
looked relieved and sought renewed assurance that the
lima gined pursuers not upon them. Every imped
ment to fight was cast aside. Rifles, bayope;s, psto'
haveIsaoks, carridgebores, canteena binEets oeit'
and oyercoas led the road Tho provlsions from the
wagons were thrown cut, and the tops broken away
Ali was lost to that American army, even its homer
The agony Of this overwhelming disgrace can never b
expressed words Understood by those who only heal
the tas repeated believe there were men upon thai
6ed who turned their faces TO the enemy and marched
to certain DEATH lest they should share the nfamy which
their fellows had invited aud embraced The suffering
of hundred deaths would have been as nothing com
nsred with the torture under which the few brave soldiers
wrthed who were swept along by that maniac hurricane
of terror But suddenly their spirits were revived oy
sight which, so longas God lets them live, they will never
cease to remember with pride and joy. Stretching b
the road long before the hoped for refuge Of Cen
trcyille was reached frm answering line OF men
to whom the sight Of the thousands who dashed by then
was only wonder or scorn ms was .Ge Gelnai
ra. regimen; and the manly bearing oil their Zen
era and feel the inspiration which his presence gave a.
| ,bst moment was like relief to those who perish in
desert Atleast them oil was not lost and We knew iha
lat our destiny that night ms should there was one
man who would hold and keep the fame OF the nation
| ulsulied TO the end
need not speak much in praise Of the action OF Beu
ker and the officers who served him so well. The events
speak for them Steady and watchfol be held bis lln'
throughout the evening, advancing his skirmishers
every token OF attack and spreading sure protection
over the muudcs WHO fed dsordered through Dis COZ
NINA With three regiments he stocd TO fight agAips
an opnumboring enemy already flushed with victory, att
eager to complete lis triumph. Az tho darkness ncreaa
ed his post became rerious and more honorable
A. o'clock the attack came upon the ADVANCE compa
n n To-. INT n
OF cavalry whose successful passage would have been To-
lowed by full force, and the consequent destruction