The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-09-20
Gen. Beaure CARDS Report of the Skir-
mish on Bull Run Preliminary to
the Battle of Manassas.

This report is very elaborate. 1t would
occupy three columns of our paper.
OPPORTUNE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Opportunity informed of the determina-
ton OF the enemy to advance on Manassas,
my advanced brigades, on the night of the
10th of July, were made aware from these
headquarters of the impending movement,
and in exact accordance with my instruc-
tions, copy of which is appended, marked
A" their withdrawal within the lines OF
Bull Run was effected with complete success
during the day and night of the 18th ult.,
in face of and in immediate proximity to a
largely superior force, despite a we'll plan
ned, we'll executed effort to cut off the
retreat of Bonham's hrigade-frst at Ger.
mlntown, aud subsequently at Centreville,
whence he withdrew by my direction, after
midnight, without collision, although envel.
oped OF three sides by their lines. The
movement had the intended effect of deceiv-
ing the enemy, as to my Interior purposes,
and led him to anticipate an unresisted
passage Of Bull run.
THE BULL RUN COUNTRY.
OF the Typographical features of the
country thus occupied, it must suffice to say
that Bull Run is small stream, running,
in this locality, nearly from west to east, to
its confluence with the Ocoquan river,
ebout twelve miles from the Potomac, and
draining considerable scope OF country,
from its source in Bull Run mountain, to
short distance of the Potomac at Geo.
guam. At this season habitually low and
sluggish, it is, however, rapidly and fire..
Qucntly swollen by the summer rains until
unbeatable. The banks for the most part
are rocky and steep, but abound in long
used lords. The country on either side
much broken, and thickly wooded becomes
gently rolling and open as it recedes from
the stream. On the northern side the
ground is much tn highest and commands
tue other bank completely. Roads traverse
and interSect the country IN almost every
direction. Finally, at Mitchell's ford. the
stream is about equi-distant between Cen.
treyille and Manassas, some six miles apart.
no RIFLE PITS.
AS a part of the history of this engage.
ment. | desire 10 place on record, that On
the 18th of July not one yard OF entrench-
ment nor one rife pit sheltered the men at
l)idChUuiuS iOiu-HuO, UIuc6rS anu men,
with rare exceptions-were on that day for
the first time under fire, and who. taking
and maintaining every position ordered,
cannot be too much commended for their
soIdiery behavior.
AN ESTABLISHED PLAN OF BATTLE.
1t is proper here to state, that while from
the outset it had been determined, On the
approach of the enemy in force, to fall back
aud fight him at Bull Run. Yet the posi>
lion occupied by Gen. Ewell'S brigade, if
necessary, could have been maintained
against largely superior force. This was
especially the case with the 5th Alabama
volunteers, Col. Rodes, which that excellent
officer had made capable of resolute pros
tracted defence against heavy odds.
Accordingly, on the morning of the 18th
ult, when the enemy appeared before that
position, they were checked and held at bay,
with some confessed loss, in a skirmish 10
advance of the works, in which Major Mor-
gar and Capt Shelley, Fifth Regiment
Alabama volunteers, acted with intelligent
gallantry, and the post was only abandoned
under general, but specific orders, in con.
formity with strong conceived, established
plan OF action and battle.