The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1861-07-26
From the NesD FORK IFibss's,
The Battle at BULBS Run
zee RErREAr-rHE EvENTs oF ZEE DAY.

which can no more be explained than II
can BE- justified or palliated. The day
was ours. The enemy had been driven
step by step from everp position. and the
field was occupied by our troops. Our col
un1ns had united in the very heart of the
rebels stronghold, when the order to retire
was issued. From victory to defeat was
only the work of an instant At the mo-
ment of our greatest hope all changed, and
the spirit and valor of the army were gone
I will briefly review the events of the
day. Our forces started upon their march
at half past two in the morning, taking a
road toward Bulls Run, about half a mile
to the right of that upon which the First
Division advanced on Thursday. When
near the enemy, a column shot off by the
side road to the right, with the purpose of
thanking the position and attacking in the
rear. This column comprised the divisions
of Gen. Hunter and Col. Heintzleman.-
The division under Gen. Tyler advanced d.
rect, and by six o'clock reached the neigh
borhood of Bulls Run, hey ond which the
enemy was seen drawn up in line, and ap-
parently awaiting the battle.
The first demonstration from our side was
made by Capt. Carlile's battery of artillery,
with thirty-two pound Parrot ri1ed can
non, two shells from which were fred
without any response. At about the same
time the Second Brigade, under G sneral
Schenek, was formed at the left, and the
Third, under Col. Sherman, at tie right of
the road.
Light skirmishipg soon after oega b, in
which our men were wounded by discharg
es from a masked battery which they en-
countered, and before which they slowly
retreated. Between Z and 8 o'clock can
nonading was heard from Col. Richardson's
position, he having been directed to open a
diversion to conceal orr real purpose. For
an hour after, the howitzers of Capt. Car
lille kept the enemy active, and it was not
until near noon that other batteries were
drawn in, and the infantry engagement was
prepared for.
The Third Brigade, including tine seth,
18th, and 18th New York, and I'd Wisconsin
regiments moved forward to the right, and
advanced regularly up the hill slope be-
yond Bulls Run, upon which the enemy
were stationed in force. The thick woods
on either side INSTRUCTED the view, but
presently volleys of musketry were heard
both to the right and left, and in the dis
lance, as if Hunters Division were APP
preaching and getting at work.
Immediately after, this belief was con-
! frmed by the thick cloud of smoke which
rose from afar, and presently the troops
themselves were seen moving rapidly for
ward, and driving the enemy before them
at a distnnce of about two miles.
The Sd Brigade was by this time menac-
! ing one of the enemy's earthworks, and ap-
| peared to be holly engaged. Col. Keyes's
| division, the 4th, was accordingly ordered
down to re enforce. and at once pushed for
ward in support The I'd brigade remained
| firm at the right. MI rot yet actively en-.
gagged. From hardson's post, 6
mile OF two to Ia = ..Soand to Col. Hunt.
ers, Two miles 10 ttse right and front the
battle thus spread over some FIVE miles o
space.
Their artillery was finely worked, ane
was quick to discover the places whenever
our men gathered; but up to this time, the
injury done by them was slight In infant
ry contests they were perpetnally beaten
but, when they retreated, it was to take
new and more strongly fortified position
At times they ranged themselves upon th'
open field or road, but were invariabl,
driven back by Hunter or Sherman's men
Their force was very large, and SHOULD
Judge from the bodies which kept pouring
down from Manassas, greatly superior t,
ours. They fought well, and even in thei
retreats showed considerable order, hu
their works were one by one taken from
them, until they held only two or three
one in the highest ground OF their position
and the others to the left of Gen. Tyler
division. The first of these was stormed b,
the Zouave Regiment, but was either no
taken or was not held. The others weF
well employed by the rebels who threw in
cessant shot and shell among our most ex
posed men. We still pushed forRard unit
the whole of our men, excepting the secon
brigade of the first division had crosse
Bulls Run.
The engineers were about constructing
bridge for the artillery, the regular ston
bridge having been mined, and the two col
umns under Gems. Tyler and Hunter, tn
latter of which was led by Gen. Mcdowell
had actually completed their junction, whe
the order to retreat was given. Why
was given, no person who witnessed tn
battle and saw the condition in which al
fairs stood can attempt to comprehend
The only point positively held by the enc
my was in hollow to our left, and al
though an effort was undoubtedly made t
overreach rs at the left, an ample force
one entire brigade-was ready to receiv
them, and did receive and repulse then
afterward, in spite of the panic whicl
reigned. But, at the beginning of the re
tirement, a few ambulances and baggag
wagons were driven hurriedly away, th
noise of which seemed to spread terro
among the troops within hearing, who in
stantly broke ranks and ran pell NELL, to
ward Centreville.
The contagica caught the rest, and il
less than ten minutes our army was flyiny
in the utmost disorder. Everything wa
abandoned. The wounded were desertel
in the hospitals, and the only thought wa
of individual safety. Guns were throws
aside, and blankets and knapsacks were los
and trampled upon. The artillery sharer
the panic the guns were cnt loose, and tn
gunners used the horses to escape the NOR
swiftly Those on foot begged piteousiy f
be allowed to share the horses of those VIII
rode. Many strove to Chamber into wagon
and were pushed back by the bayonets Q
those who occupied them.
The ground was strewed with food, weap
ons, and clothing of every kind. Many c
our guns we're left to fall into the enemy
hands, including the large 32-pounder