The New York herald., 1862-02-06
The Official Report of Gen. Beauregard
of the "Battle of Manassas.
INTERESTING DETAILS OF THE FIGHT.
THE REBELS COMPELLED TO FALL BACK.
Eighteen Hundred and Fifty-two Killed
and Wounded,
Sc, &C., Sc.
MAHAssA "A Arg %. 1851.

GsNssAL- The war Depart
ment having been informed by me, by telegraph on the
1Tth Of July, Of the Of General Mcdowell Gen
eral Johnston Immediately ordered to form juno
ton Of his army corps with mine should the movement
In his judgment, bs deemed advisable General Holmes
also directed TO push forward with two regiments
battery and one company OF cavalry
In view of these propositions, approaching reinforce
ents modifying my plan Of operations so far ar to deter
mine on attacking the enemy at Centrevile
should hear the approach OF the two reinforcing
columns of my aids Colonel Chrisholm, OF
South Carolina, to meet and communicate my plans TO
General Johnston and my wish that portion of his
oros should march by the way Adie and take the
envy on bis right flank the a Centreville DIFF.
hculties however,, Of insuperabe character in
nection with Of transpor and the marching
condition Of his troops, made this impractisabe and it
was determined forces should be united within the
lines Of Bull rum and thence advance the attack of the
enemy.
General Johnston arrived here about noon the Goth
July and being my senior in rank, he necessarily
sumed command of all the force of the Confederate States
then concentrating at this point Made acquainted with
my plan of operations and dispositions to meet the
my he gave them his entire approval and gen nerosy
directed their execution under my command.
In consequence Of the unoward detention however Of
some Ave thousand Is o00 of General Johnstons army
corps resulting from the inadequate and imperfect
OF for many troops at the disposition
OF the Manassas Gap Railroad it became necessary OH
the morning Of the 2lst before daylight to modify the
plan accepted to suit the contingency Of immediate
attack lines by the main force Of the enemy then
plainly at hand
The enemys forces, reported by their best Informed
Journals to be IS 900 strong had learned from reliable
sources the Of the 2oh being concentrated
In nd AaIan
pike road to Bull run, which respective pcksts
we're in immediate proximity. This fact, with the con-
vction that after his signal discontinue the 18th Of
July before Blackburn's Ford-he centre OF my lines
be would not renew the attack in that quarter induced
me at once TO look for attempt my left flank
ing on the Stone Bridge, which but weakly guarded
sy men as well as but slightly provided with artificial
defensive appliances and artillery
In view OF these palpable military conditions, BY half
past four A. ~, the 2lst July, had prepared and
despatched orders directing the whole Of
forces within the lines Of Bull rum including the Brigade
and regiments Of Cen Johnston which had arrived a,
that time to be held readiness TO march at moments
notice.
At that hour the following was the disposition of our
forces
Ewes brigade constituted az on the 18th Of July re-
maned U posi."n "nion Mills Ford his left extending
Ss"sS ou run, in the direction OF Mcieans Ford, and
0upDOrted by Holmes DrlEnce, SECOND tennessee ana
First Arkansas regiments short distance to the rear
that 10, at and near Camp Wgfal
D. Jones brigade from Ewelrs left, in front Of Nc
Lean Ford along the to ongstreet position
II unchanged in organization and was supported by
Earys brigade also unchanged placed behind thicket
of~oung pines. short distance in the rear Of AcLeans
Longstreet brigade held its former ground at Black
burns Ford, from Jones' left TO Bonham's right at Nil
chels Ford, and supported by Iacksons brigade,
consisting Of Coonels James L. Prestons Fourth, Har
psrs Fifth, Aliens Second the Twenty seventh Lieuten
ant Colonel Echols, and the Thirty third Cummings
virginia regiments a,sIl strong, wlch posted be-
hind the skrtng OF pines TO the rear OF Black and
Mtches Ford and ia the rear OF this support was also
Barksdae's Thirteenth regiment Missssippi Volunteers
which had lately arrived from Lynchburg.
Along the edge Of pine thicket. in fear Of and equ
distant from McLsans and Blackburn Fords ready TO
support either position, had also placed all Of Bees and
Bartow's brgades that had arrved-nsmely, two com
panies Of the Eleventh Mississippi, Lieut. Col. Lddei
the Second Mississippi Col Fasner, and the Alabama
with the Seventh and Eighth Georgia regiments Colonies
Gartrelland Lieutenant Colonel Gardner) in all 2,T32
bsyonets.
Bonham's brigade as before held Mchell's Ford its
right near Iongstrsets left, IFS left extending in the
anS ~ m 81 slv & wss s
said, as q support.
Cookies brigade increased by seven companies OF the
Eighth Hunton three companies OF the Forty ninth
Smiths Virginia regiments two companies Of cavalry
and battery under Rogers OF four Founders occupied
the line In front and Of Bull extending from the
direction Of Bonhams left and guarding Island Ball
and Lewis Fords, to the right OF Evans dem-brgate
the Stone Bridge also under General Cookies com
msnd.
The latter held the Stone Bridge and ts left covered
farm ford about mile above the bridge
Stuarts cavalry, three hundred men Of the army
Of the Shen the ground extending
rear from Bonhams left 70 Cockes right
Two companies Of Radfords cavalry were neld 10 re-.
serve short distance in OF Mtchels Ford his left
extending in the direction Of Stuarts right.
Colonel Pendletons battery Of eight pieces was
temporarily placed In rear Of Bonham's extreme left
Major walton's reserve battery Of Eve guns in
position on Mclean FARM IN piece OF woods In rear Ct
Hampton g legion OF SIX companies OF infantry, siI
hundred strong having arrived that morning by the
from Richmond was subsequently ss soon as u arrived,
ordered forward 70 position In immediate vicinity OF
theIewis House as support for any troops engaged in
The eectiye force Of all arms Of the army Of the po
tomac on that eventful morning. including the garrison
Of Camp Pcksns, did not exceed Il s33 and 20 guns.
The army Of the Shenandoah, ready for action the
0slA, may be set at 5000 and 20 guns THAT is,
vhse the battle begun, Smiths brigade and Fisher 5
North Carolina came up later and made total of army Of
Shenandoah engaged OF oil arms s3s4 Hilps Virginia
regiment $50 also arrived but was posted a. reserve 10
TS. % brigade Of General Holmes mustered soou, ,2sS
bsXposs, six guns and company Of cavalry about
informed al haIf-psst Eve A. NJ. by Colonel Evans,
shA. the enemy had depoyed some Zoo men these
gade Of General Tyler's division and two other heavy
brgades, in all over 600 and thirteen pieces Of
tisry-Carlisss and Ayress batteries. That IL, 900
men and two sxpounders, confronted BY 1000 and
thirteen pieces Of artillery mostly risd win several
tain their position TO the last extremity.
In my opinion the most effective method OF relieving
that flank was by rapid, determined attack with nv
right wing and centre the enemy Gank and rear al
Csntrsvle, th due precauo sssns, the advance Of
his from the direction Of Washington BY such
movement confidently expected 70 achieye conplste
victory for my country BY twelve O'Clock VI.
These new dispositions we're submitted TO General
Johnston who fully approved them and the orders for
their immediate execution were At once issued.
BsigAdier General Ewell was directed TO begin the
movement 70 be followed and supported successfully by
Generals ID. r. Jones' Lonsstreet and Bonham respee
lively supported by their several appointed reserves
The cavalry, under Stuart and Radord 10 be held
n hand subject future orders and ready for employ
msnt As might be required by the sxgencise Of the
battle.
About halfpast eight O'Clock A. " General Johnston
and myself transferred headquarters 70 central po
siNon about half mile in the rear Of Mtchsls Ford
whence might watch the course OF events.
Previously early as hafpast 8ve the federass ID
front Of Evans position, stone Bridge had opened with
aiarge thirty pounder Parrot rife gun and thirty mi
autes later wtha moderate, apparently tentative fr,
from battery Of rife pieces directed Hrst in front
Evans and then the direction OF Cockss position, bu
without drawing return nre and discevery Of our posi-
tons chiefly because In that quarter had nothing bu
eight six -pOunfef rhf mt dis