The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-07-30
BATTLE OF BULL RUN,
Near Nonassas Junction on Thursddy, The l6M
t~o days precious to the Great Bdhte.

VI tHc NOHICucldtc IOEceS at NIaHaSSsS Hdu DeeH
anticipating advance Of the enemy, and had SO
arranged his troops to be prepared at all points
At Fairfax Court House, Gen. Bonham was
stationed, with six regiments of infantry, COM
posed of four from South Carolina (kershaw's S
Cash's, Williams and Bacons) and two from Yir-
gina, ('restons and Withers } with two batteries
of light artillery, (Shields' Howitzers and KEN
I rer's Company, and about five hundred cavalry
under command Of Col. Radford of Virginia
AT EaIrtax Station, about four miles distant
from the Court House, and a line with it, G. en-.
: Ewcll, of Virginia, was posted with three regi-
ments Of infantry, two Alabama (Seibles' and
! Rhodes and from Louisiana. These regi-
ments were stationed at intervals of a mile from
each other-Khodes' Fifth Alabama Regiment
/ guarding the Braddock road approach from Alex
andria, which intersects the country road between
] the Court House and the Station. At both places
infantry works had been thrown up for the protec-
ton of the troops and at the Court House, partic-
ularly, extended lines OF defence, including two
! or three masked batteries, had been constructed.
At Centrcville, a commanding emnence on rhc
turnpike road, between Fairfax Court House and
Bull Run, Gel. Cooke was stationed with his rcg-
nlent and Latham light Battery. The object Of
these preparations to resist the ncursion Of
anything short of large army into the interior,
and III the event Of the approach OF force under
twenty thousand men, to give battle and drive
them back. At the time orders had been
issued, in case Of overwhelming demonstration
OF the enemy to fall back on Bull Run, the select
ed battle-ground. TO provide for this contin-
gency, the troops, for more than week past, have
been trimmed of all superfuous baggage and been
under orders to keep on hand constantly three
days provision in advance.
We are particular in stating these minute de-
tails to give the reader an idea of what was antici-
pated by the commanding General, aud Of his
arrangements to meet the contemplated CON
tlngency.
On Thursday, the 18th, the enemy felt lis way
cautiously up from Alexandria and Washington,
in three separate columns, Of probably 10000
each-one down tie railroad another the Brad
dock read the third from the direction Of Falls
Church. Our pickets were driven in about
o'clock, and troops, after firing several hundred
rounds, withdrew in order before the advancing
foe, and feii back on the banks Of :" Bull Rum"
stream about four miles from Manassas, and eight
from the Court House.
The "Run' is about sixty feet wide, and easily
fordable for infantry at this season of the year
but its points of defence against an adversary
attempting to cross are inviting to the military
eye. Here the retiring forces met by Gen
Longstrcet's Brigade, consisting Of the llth, 17th
and lst Virginia Regiments under the command
respectively Of Coonels Garland, Corse and More
troops bivouacked for the light in expectation Of
the fight opening al day-break. But the enemy
approached cautiously, beating the roads and
woods in advance Of them with skirmishers, until
about four o'clock in the afternoon, when their
main body arrived within half mile of the Run
and made three several attempts to advance on it,
and each time were repulsed with great slaughter.
The reports of the loss of the enemy are con-
ficting, varying it from five to fifteen hundred
Certain it is their retreat had every appearance of
signal rout-leaving, they did, their dead be-
hind them, and losing six pieces Of their artillery
Two Of the Virginia Regiments pursued them for
some distaEca and captured quite number of
prisoners. The Confederate loss is estimated at
about one hundred killed. wounded and missing
1t is said the enemy in their several advances, be-
haved at first with much spirit, quickly rallying
and closing up their moved columns, but finally |
broke, aud gave way under the murderous execu-
ton Of our musketry and artillery.
On Wednesday aiterno bon, dispatches were sent
to General Johnston to repair With portion of his
command to reinforce General BeaurcgarG at Ma I
nasSas Johnston has his entrenchmcnt at Win /
chester strongly fortified and defended with
heavy artillery as to be able to spare at least half
his command without any risk.
i he enemy, they advanced, displayed their /
accustomed vandalism, burning and destroying as /
they went. The villages Of Fairfax Court House i
Germantown and Centerville, were reduced to
ashes, and men and women were fleeing in every
direction.
Farther Observation-Disclosures derived .
from gentlemen who left Manassas Junction, ena-
Jcs to lay before readers the important
particulars Of the great victory achieved by our
troops On Thursday.
At dawn on that day, the enemy recommended
heir advance upon our lines The Washington
Artillery went out to meet them, aed u skirlnsh-
NJ E>,ht between the opposing forces Of flying
artillery immediately began aud lasted until IL
\. VI. At this hour their whole front, infantry
md artillery, continuing still to advance, our in
antry also pushed forward and the fight became
general.
The battle continued with undated fury for
hree hours, when, about o'clock 2. NJ, the
'ncnIy's centre giving way before the combined
ire Of artillery and the charge of our infantry,
heir whole force fell back precipitately and in
disorder.
But, after an interval of an hour, during which
here was some unimportant skirnishing, at 3
o'clock, p. NJ, the enemy again returned to the
harge with redoubled impetuosity, and again,
fter severe fighting, they were driven back at the
,oint of the bayonet
4 third time they were rallied and brought up,
ut only to be repulsed quickly and with great
laughter.
1t now o'clock p. NJ, and the enemy /
aade no attempt to renew fight, but retreated I
astily, leaving the field strewn with the bodies of