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

This report is very elaborate. 1t would
occupy three columns of our paper.
OPPORTUNE INFORMATIoN-DECEPTIO
Opportunely informed of the determina-
tion 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 q
largely superior force, despite we'll plan
ned, we'll executed effort to cut of the
retreat of Bonham's brigade-frst at Ger.
mantown, and subsequently at CentrevilIe,
whence be withdrew by my direction, after
midnight, without collision, although envel.
oped Oh 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,
sbout 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 Oco-
quan. At this season habitually low and
sluggish, it is, however, rapidly and fre.
quently 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 tha highest and commands
the 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.
treViile and Manassas, some six miles apart.
NO RIFLE PITS.
AS part of the history of this engage.
ment, desire to place on record, that on
the 18th of July not one yard OF entrench-
ment nor one rife pit sheltered the men at
DldChouiuo iOIu-WuO, OUQC6FS ana men,
with rare exceptions-were on that dav for
the first time under fire, and who, taking
and maintaining every position ordered.
cannot be too much commended for their
soldiery behavior. fru
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-
tion occupied by Gen. Ewell's brigade, it
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 pro-
tracted defence against heavy odds.
Accordingly, on the morning of the 18th
ut., when the enemy appeared before that
position, they were checked and held at bay,
with some confessed loss, in skirmish 10
advance of the works, in which Major Nor
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.