The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-08-02
VOL. XIII.-NO. I.
Personal Observation Of the Fighting
at Bulbs Run,

Personal Observation Of the Fighting
at Bulbs Run,
Mr.. RAYMOND, editor of the New York
Times, and his corps of correspondents on
the field of battle, give US the most lively
pictures of its scenes that we have seen.
We extract the following from letters in
the Times of the 23d:
CIVILIANS UNDER FIRE.
The first movement was to deplOy the
First Massachusetts and Third Michigan
to the left from their position in the fields
adjoining the road where they first halted.
Mr.. Raymond, Mr.. Steadman and myself,
stood watching the movement of the two
regiments, and of course copjecturing the
events that were to follow. Mr.. Steadman
was mounted and Mr.. Raymond and myself
were standing one on each side of the horse.
While thus grouped, heard whiz, and
felt q concussiOn OF the atmosphere. 1t was
over in breath, but it lasted long enough to
give me assurance that one MIME ball had
come quite as close to my head as was COM
patible with my personal comfort and con.
venience. Some sharp shooter had undoubt-
ly mistaken my friend Steadman's gauntlet
gloves for those of field officer, and drawn
line on the group. 10 resume my narra
tive. After remaining in line of battle
about fifteen minutes, the First and Third
were ordered to retire up the bill and in the
rear. They wheeled into column and so
marched through the field, up the bill, pass
ed over the brow, and took position at ease,
in slight hollow between the brow of the
hill and the woods, which they occupied un-
til the close of the engagement. Alter the
regiments had retired, our group withdrew
to the left, and joined Gen. Tyler and his
Staff, in front of the house, on the brow of
the hill; where had also gathered half doz>
en- (Members of Congress and newspaper
men) spectators, anxious to eyewitness
what was going to be done. Evidently the
rebels respect persons. They allowed the
mudsllls of Massachusetts and Michigan to
form in line of battle, within musket shot of
their position. They permitted them to
stand thus arrayed for quarter OF an hour,
and then to march by cOlumn-en naaSse-
over the bill and out of sight, and without
firing shot. But no sooner had General
Tyler and his Staff, the Press Brigade and
the Congressional idlers gathered in front
of the house, than they at once commenced
to assail the position with their best quality
of rlaed projecties. With opera glasses
levelled, the entire party were endeavoring
to penetrate the impenetrable woods, and
to discover in their hidden depths the rebel
forces that had already, for three hours,
kept in check the advanced Brigade of Gen.
Tyler's column, when there was sound
like the whiz of thousand MIME balls
rolled into one, and concession of the at.
mosphere. A IL pound rife shot had been
plunged at the group, with velocity of
lightning, and l had my first experience of
a cannon ball traversing space, and that
space not to exceed twenty feet from the
space was then occupying. A miss is as
good as mile. That ball was thrown too
high. 1t went overhead and lodged in the
woods to the east, far, far away from the
gentlemen for whose especial benefit it had
been projected.
SEEING THE BALLS.
Speaking of seeing shot, on that point 1
am prepared to speak from experience. You
can do no such thing--at least one layman
on the field of battle failed in several efforts
to catch glimpse OF either round or plug,
until they had first struck the ground. If
the balls ricochet, you may follow their
course with the eye. saw several strike
that had gone overhead, and could trace
them to where they finally lodged in the
ground. 1t has been said, too, that stand
ing behind a gun, you may eye ball from
the time it leaves the nuzzle until it strikes.
On that score aE also incredulous--at
least Parrott guns don't give you any such
sight. l think so, at least, though as l only
had opportunity of making one experiment
in that way, before an oficious gentleman
in soldiers fixings, suggested that my room
was better than my company. As two of
the artillery horses in that locality were
shortly after put hors du combat by a rebel
ball, have concluded that his suggestion
must have beeu inspired--the assurance that
not even a sparrow may fall to the ground
without His knowledge, making me bold to
believe that the discourtesy of the military
gentleman, and my resentment of the insult
by silently withdrawing from bis company,
was the means to an end.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS DIsPELLED.
1t is always fashionable to give first i'm.
pressions. Shall l give mine? l shall as
sumo an affirmative without affording time
for rebuff. First, was dispelled a life
long Illusion, that battles were the orderly
moves of game of chess. Campaigns
may be likened. as l have heard them, to
the maDipulations of that game; but battles
are made up of a series of experiments,
more or less protracted, according to the
ingenuity of the commander, and the ex.
pertness of his officers and men. The re-
suits OF faro bank can be calculated with
as much accuracy as the results of battle
held. 1t is the veriest chance-the victory
assn all games of course, inclining to those
whoare most cool, al d therefore the most
likely to perceive advantages. Second,