Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-07-25
THE BATTLE.
CONNECTED ACCOUNT or TIE EN-
GAGEMENT. ... -s.r. r-..


Mr.. Raymond of The New York Times, who
was on the field, gives the following narration
Of the battle H.a T
Editorial Correspondents Of the N. Y. Times.
WAsBINsroN, Monday Morning, July o.
came in from Csntreyille last evening for
the express pur pose of seading you the latest
intelligence of the great battle Of yesterday.
Ilsft Centreville at half past Ave and reached
here at midnight. sent q despatch TO the
once, but, as Ii is to be subjected to the cen
sorship Of the Government, which gives no
have no means Of knowing whether its con-.
tents reached you or not. must therefore
repeat its contents.
The battle yesterday was one Of the most
severe and sanguinary ever fought on this
Continent and il ended in the failure Of the
Union troops to hold all the positions which
they sought 10 carry, and which they actually
did carry, and in their retreat to CentrevIlle,
where they have made stand, and where
General Mcdowell believes that they are able
TO maintsin themselves.
AS telegrsphed you yesterday, the attack
was made In three columns, two of which,
however, were mainly feints, intended to
amuse and occupy the enemy, while the sub.
stantial work was done by the third. 1t has
been known for long time that the range of
hiHs which border the small, swampy stream
known as Bull Run had been thoroughly and
extensively fortified by the rebss-thst bat
teries had been planted at every available
point, usually concealed in the woods and
bushes which abound in that vicinity, and
covering every way Of approach to the region
beyond. These are the advanced defences of
Manassas Junction, which is some three miles
further of Until these were carried no ap-
proach could be made to that place, and after
:hey should be carried, others of 8 similar
character would have to be overcome at every.
point where they could be erected.
The utmost that military skill and ingenuity
could accomplish for the defence of this point
was done. Gen. Mcdowell was unwilling to
make an attack directly in face of those bat
terfes, rs they would be Of doubtful issue, and
must fnevieably result in n very serious loss Of
life After an attack had been resolved upon,
therefore, be endeavored to fnd some way of
Turning the position His first intention was
to do this on the southern side, to throw q
strong column into the place from that direc-
tiOn, while . fegned attack should be made
In front. On Thursday, when the troops were
advanced to Centreyille, it was found that the
road on the south side Of these positions were
almost imprscticable; that they were narrow,
crooked, and stonsy, and that it would be al
most i'm possible to bring mp enough artillery
to be effective in the time required. This orig
inal plan was, therefore, abandoned and Fri
day vac devoted to an examination by the to-
biographical engineers Of the northern side of
the position. Major Barnard and Capt. Whip
pie recOunoitered the place for miles around,
and reported that the position could be en- ter
ed by q path from the north, though it was
somewhat long and circuitOus. This was Sc
lected therefore, IS the mode and point Of at
tack. "A.
On Saturday the troops were all brought
closely up to CentreyilIe, and oil needful pre-
parations were made for the attack, which was
intended for the next day. Yesterday morn
ing, therefore, the army marched, by two
roads, Col. Richardson, with his command,
taking the southern, which leads to Bull Run,
and Gen. Tyler the northern, running parallel
70 II at q distance Of about mile and half.
The movement commenced about three O'Clock
, l got up little before four, and found the
long line OF troops extended far out on either
road took the road by which Col. Hunter,
with his command, and Gen. Mcdowell and
stat had gone, and pushed on directly for the
front. After going out about two miles. Col.
Hunter turned to the right. marching Oblique-
ly toward the Run, which be was to cross some
Jour miles higher up, and then come down
upon the entrsnched positions of the enemy on
the other side. Col. Miles was left ar Centre
vile and on the road, with reserves, which he
was TO bring up whenever they might be need
ed. Gen. Tyler went directly forward to en-
gage the enemy in front, and send reinforce
menn TO Col. Hunter whenever it should be
Seen that he was engaged.
vent out, as have already stated, upon
the northern road. 1t is hilly. like all the
surface Of this section. After going out about
tnree miles, you come TO a point down which
the road, leading through the forest, descends;
nen 1t proceeds by q succession Of rising and
falling knolls for quarter of q mile, when il
crosses stone bridge and then aseends by a
steady slope to the heights beyond. At the
top Of that slope the rebels had planted heavy
batteries, and the woods below were filed with
nelr troops and with concealed cannon. We
proceeded down the road to the first of the
small knOlia nnantionAH trhau ha oh
ann halted. The 30-pound Parrott gun, which
nad longer range than any other in the army
was planted directly in the road. Capt. Ayres'
battery was stationed in the woods a little to
tns right. The First Ohio and Second New
York regiments were thrown into the woods In
alfance on the left. The Sixty y-ninth New
York, the Fir.t, Second and Third Connecticut
regiments we're ranged behind them, and the
second wisconsin was thrown into the woods
on The right. At about half past six o'elork
tne 3Z-pounder threw two shells directly into
soe battery at the summit Of the slope, on the
Opposite height, one Of which, as learned af-
terEards, struck and exploded directly in the
midst Of the battery, and occasioned the MT
most havoc and confusion.
After about half an hour Capt. Ayrss tbr,u
zen or mteen shot and shell from his battery
into the same place. But both faiI.5 10 49,,
ahy reply. Men could be seen movins shon,
tne opposite slope. bat the batteries Tere Al !
leht- An hour or 20 Afterwards We heard three
or four heavy guns from Col. Richard son :
column At Bnl Bun, and these were continued
81 intervals tor tso or three hours, but they
were not answered even by q single gun. Ii
Easy very clear that the epemy intended to
take his own time for paying his respects 20
Us and that he meant, moreover, to do IL In
hn own way. Meantime we could hear In IN A
diseance the sound Of Col. Hunters axerasn,
ciesrlng nj: way, and awaited with some i'm
Patienee the sound Of his cannon on the oppo-
cite heights Time wore along With occasional
fnoe from our guns, we'll as those of Col
'kichardson's column, but without in a sinSla
instance, reeeiving any reply. s''
Ala little before ii O'Clock the First Ohio
and Second New York, which were Iy;ns -
the wood on the left, were ordered 70 sdysnca
They did so-passing out Of the road and climb.
ing fence into a wood opposite, which tbev
had barely approached, however, when they
were met BY trsmendoas dischsrge Of fouf.
gun battery, planted at the left 10 the woods
nAinly Tor the purpose Of sweeping the road
PerPe9dicularly and the open field on its right
BY which alone troops could pass forward tC
the opposite baOk. They were staggered for Z
ann iv.Ao -.