Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-01-30

generey rides The resources of the country produce
the fresh meat necessary for the enormous daily con-
sumption and frequently saw scores of cattle and
sheep drivers aleng tie roads, from the condition of
which It was evident that their journey had not been
long Indeed, country gentleman informed US that
there were animals enough in two counties of Virginia
adjacent to the seat of war to last the army for two
years.
/ We were naturally anxious to inspect the ground up
which was fought the great battle called in England
| Bulls Run but in Secessia," that of Manassas
Plalns :; the former name being 10 America applied to
the engagement which took place the 18th of July
three days previous to the great stampede"
ne open space which formed the battle field is scarce
yEa mile Il length, and considerable less in breadth
Undulatng ground declines to the centre of this clear
ing through which runs the Warrenton high road upon
these slopes the great struggle took place
The object of the Federal General was to cross the
valley, and tall upon the flank and,rear of the Conede
rates who were drawn up in line of battle along Bulls
Run, at right angles to the road.
Gen. Johnston had therefore to change his front when
be found thatsa powerful attack being made upon
his LETT and that the whole force of the enemy had al
ready overapped it, aad descending the hill to the
Warrenton road General Mcdowell sklfully avoided
the deences of the Conederates and with great ability
succeeded in conducting his troops point from which
success seemed inevitable He reached the road with
out much opposition and began ascending the broken
grour in 'front.' There the battle really began. Again
and again the Southern brgades as they came up in
succession, thrown into confusion by overwhelming
numbers, and forced to retreat into the woods the
summit Of the hill Generals Johnston and Beauregard
came to the front at this crisis rallied the waverug
troops, and turned the tide in favor of the South Gen
kirby Smith, who happened to be passing along the
railway with troops for Manassas hearing the engage
men going on stopped the train and brought at this
seasonabe moment four regiments into action ln an
other hour all was over aud then took place that re-
markabie I" tall walk graphically described by Mr.
Russ H..
More than four thousand small arms and twenty eight
d pieces belonging to the United States army fell in
to the hands OF the Confederates.
The Southern official account has not vet been pub
shed but when it s, think the public will read with
surprise the list Of articles actually carried over
General Johnstons stores after the 2ls of July 1t will
be that the celebrated masked batteries have
been altogether myth the battle having taken place
at least two miles from where the nearest Confederate
gun was situate on the morning. and at right ang to
the position at which the attack anticipated.
Several wounded soldiers were walking about the
ground the day visited it, who took great pleasure in
show Dg the places where the hottest OF the contest
took place One of them an Irsbman belonged to that
gallant band of 500 who bore the whole brunt of the
enemys left for the first two hours ia the morning He
told that this force consisted of companies from
New Orleans called respectively Tigers and Wild
Cas,s the 4th Alabama and some companies OF the 9th
land 1th Georgia regiments He said be himself was
bate up wild itein'' and when Gineral Bewregard
KEN up wild rayniOrcements in the afternoon and ould
the " lid Cats they had done enough-Bedad, they
wint to the and got few GLASSES OF whisky and
KEN back to the fife as fresh the flowers of May ,!
On remarklng that had heard that the 69th Irish
New York regiment had fought very bravey on the
f side of the North he replied, Indeed they did sir
divi bitter. lroh the Irish did the best part OF the
oitin both Sides and mistake" !! A small pillar
in all respects like milestone has been erected on the
spot where Gen. Barlow fell His last words are en-
| graved upon it: They've killed me boys but dont
give up the fight" This is the only monument YET
erected but numbers OF graves to be seen
the brow of the bill where the final struggle took place
We have heard it frequently remarked that the vol
uneer system tried and found wanting the battle
of" Manassas - but surely the best reply that be
given such statement is that the whole of the South
ern army is composed of volunteers and many
regiments which arrived in Virginia only four days be-
l. fore tue action.
u 1 he time which we lad allowed ourselves for GU:
American tour being now nearly spent we returned
New ock, where we found most persons altogether II
ignorance of the feelings and intentions of the South
and strong in the confidence generally rtp0sed il The
numerical strength OF their vast army, the alleged eff
cheney of the navy and the great wealth of the New
" England States that few persons to be met with
who think glOomiy of the future. The hundreds o
contractors who making large fortunes by the
form no inconslderabe portion OF the public The
9 taxation consequent upon the State spending nearly
u 100000 day has net yet fallen upon the people
i while their worst passions excited by unscrupu
e ous and one-sided press, Better men, and far more
true to the Constitution, than the Government, would
= then be heard Genius, virtue, integrity now angulsh
e ing in Fort Lafayette, If too late the Union
IL will then at least De exerted to bind together what
y mains But, alas! raging democracy now supports
Ministry which bears repr0of and will endure cri
tcism; and signs pregnant with those consequence
+ eloquently predicted by Sir Buwer Lytton rising
in the political horizon. Gen. Fremont has been re
40 moved from the command OF an army over which b.
possessed uudoubted influence and although no success
has hitherto attended its Efforts the supporters of th
g Union in the West ardent admirers OF its late chie
VI Whether he is destined to become the head Of Abe
d tion Cabinet at Washington, the Dictator OF
y Northwestern Republic cannot attempt to forete
: but mistake the character of the if he be con
~ tented long to remain in subordinate position. On
- thing is however, certain; his removal will not aztec
'e Southern politics. By this measure, OF course MI
Lincoln wishes to impress upon the seeded States tina
I it is his intention now to preserve the institution il
q all its integrity; but such policy is too late. Tb
o South cannot believe in who merely catching at
straw repudate in the hour of peril the doctrines whc
4 they have hitherto held and which alone they
: their advancement.
IA Ia these islands, OF course, all pray for universe
:. ema cpation. We have made enormous sacrifices i
i the cause ourselves but cannot help sYmpathiSD
with ten millions OF people struggling for independence
nor think that the condition of thu negro in tn
X, Southern States will remain long what it is, bu
70 that if European intercourse be established with tt
70 Confederacy, and she be admitted into the family
h nations, commerce. always favorable to freedom, wi
g then gradually, but surely effect far humane RI
. suits than those which the most sincere aboitolsts
A. ever attain.
~. FROM BELow.-Afr. John Gillland. who came up fro
skidaway last evening informs that there were hree
vessels Of the feet off the Island in view of our ba
n teries, seven of them being steamers
I'd We have news OF interest from Tybee.
Thaef