The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-09-10
THE BATTLE OF BULL RUN.
FOUGHT JULY ls, 1851.
GEN RE4UREGARDs OFFICIAL REPORT
HEADQUARTERS, Army of the Potomac.
MANASSAS, August, 1861.


Generoi:-With the general results of the en-
pagement between several brigades of my COM
mand and considerable force of the enemy, In
he vicinity of Nitchelps and Blackburn's tords,
of BuIl Run. on the 18th ultimo you were made
duly acquainted at the time by telegraph But
It is my place now to submit in detail the opera
tons Of that day.
Opportunity informed the determination OF
the enemy to advance On Manassas, my advanced
brigaGes, on the night of the 10Th Of July, were
made aware. from these headquarters, OF the I'M
pendinc movement and in exact accordance with
NV Instructions, a copy Of which IS appended
marked "a" their withdrawal within the lines OF
Bull Run was effected with complete success
during the day night Of the Ith uit, IN the face
of and in immediate proximity to largely supe,
rior force, despite well planned, we'll executed
effort to cut off the retreat Of Bonhams brigade,
first at Germantown and subsequently at Centre
vile, whence he Withdrew by my direction, after
midnight, without collision, although enveloPed
on three sides by their lines. This movement
had the intended effect to deceive the enemy as to
my ulte1or purposes and led him to anticipate an
unresstcd passage Of Bull Run
rive here omit description OF how the troops
were stationed.
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 Deco
GUAM River about twelve miles from the Potomac,
aud draining considerable country from Its source
in Bnl! Run fountain to a short distance OF the
Potomac ut Occoquan. At this season habltual-
~ low and sluggish, it is however rapidly and
frequently swollen by the summer rains until
unfordable The banks for the most part are
rocky and steep, but abound in long used fords.
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 the highest, and commands
the other bank completely. Roads traverse and
intersect the surrounding country in almost every
direction Finally, at Mitchells ford the stream
is about equi-distant between Centervile and
Manassas, some six miles apart.
On the morning Of the 18th, finding that the
enemy was assuming threatening attitude, IN
addition to the reg ments whose positions have
been already stated, | ordered up from Camp
Pickens as ii reserve, in rear of Bonhams Brigade,
the effective men Of six companies of Kellys
Eighth Regiment Louisiana Volunteers, and
Kirkland's Eleventh Regiment North Carolina
Volunteers, which, having arrived tie night before
en- route for Winchester, had halted in view OF
the existing necessities ofthe service. Subsequent
ly the latter placed in position to the left of
Bonhams Brigade.
Appearing in heavy force in front of Bonhams
position, the enemy about meridian opened lire
with several 20-pounder rifle guns, from hill
over one and half miles from Bull Run. At the
same time kemper, supported by two Companies
of light infantry, occupied rid ere on the left OF
the Centreville road, about six hundred yards in
advance of the ford with two 6-pounder (smooth)
guns At first the firing of the enemy WAS at ran-
dom; but by hafpast Il 7. NJ. be had obtained
the range Of our position, and poured into the
brigade shower Of shot, but without injury to US
in men, horses, or guns. From the distance
however, our guns could not reply with effect, and
We did not attempt it, patiently awaiting more
upportunc moment.
Meanwhile light battery pushed forward
by the enemy, whereupon kemper threw only six
solid shot, with the effect of driving back both the
battery and its supporting force. This is under
stood to have been Ayres battery, and the dam
age must have been considerable to have obliged
such retrogade movement the part Of that
officer.
The purposes Of Kemper's position having now
been fully served, his pieces and support were
Withdrawn across Nlitchers ford to point previ-
ouSy designated, and which commanded the direct
approaches to the ford.
About half past l o'clock, 4. NJ, the enemy
also discovered by the p!ckets of Longstreet's
brigade advancing in strong columns of infantry
with artillery and cavalry on Blackburn's ford
At meridian, Tie pickets fell back silently
before the advancing foe across the ford, which,
for the whole front Of Longstreet's Brigade was
covered at the waters edge by extended line
Of skrmshers, while two six Founders of " atoms
Battery, under Lieutenant Garnett, were advanta-
geousy placed to command the direct approach to
the ford, but with orders to retire to the as
soon as commanded by the enemy.
The northern bank of the stream, in front Of
Longstrcets position, rises with steep slope at
least fifty feet above the level of the water
leaving bernie in front of the ford
Of some twenty yards. This ridge formed
for them an admirable natural palapet, behind
which they could, and which they did, ap-
preach under shelter, in heavy force, within less
than one hundred yards of our sklrmishers. The
southern shore was almost plain, raised but a
few feet above the water for several hundred yards
then rising with very gradual, gentle slope, and
undulatng back to Manassas. On the immediate
bank there was fringe of trees but with little if
any underground or shelter, while, on the other
shore, there were timber and much thick brush
and covering. The ground in the of our
skirmishers, and occupied by our artillery, was an
old field extending along the stream about one
mile, and Immediately back for about half mile,
to border of dense second growth pines The
whole of this ground commanded at all points
by the enemy's musketry; as was also the coun-
try to the for distance much beyond the
range OF 2O-pounder rifle guns, by the range Of
hills on which their batteries were planted, aud
which it may be further noted, commanded also
all approaches from this direction to the three
threatened fords.
RoForo inf ~