Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1862-01-10
Beauregard at a select Dinner Party.

BeaureEsrd at n select Dinner Party.
The Virginia correspondent of the New
Orleans Della gives an account of select
dinner party to General Beauregard, at
which he made the following remarks:
On the 2lst of July, at about half-past
three o'clock, perhaps four, it seemed to me
that the victory was already within our
grasp. In fact, up to that moment, had
never wavered in the conviction that tri-
umph must crown our arms. Nor was my
confidence shaken until, at the time have
mentioned, observed on the extreme left,
at the distance of something more than
a mile, column of men approaching. At
their head was a flag which | could not dis
tinguish. Even with the aid of q strong
glass, was unable to determine whether it
was the United States flag or the Confederate
nag. AT the same moment / received dis.
patch, from Captain Alexander, in charge of
the signal station, warning me to look out
for the LETT, that large column was APP
preaching from that direction, and that it
was supposed to be General Patterson's COM
mand coming to reinforce Mcdowell.
At this moment, | must confess my heart
failed me. | came, reluctantly, TO the con-
clusion that, after all our efforts, we should
at last be compelled 10 yield to the enemy
the hard-fought and bloody field. | again
took the glass to examine the flag of the ap.
was unproductive Of RESULT could not tell
to which army the waving banner belonged.
AT this time all the members of my staff
were absent, having been dispatched with
orders to various points. The only person
with me was the gallant officer who has
recently distinguished himself by brilliant
feat of arms-General (then Colonel) Evans.
To him communicated nay doubts and
fears. told him feared the approaching
fOTNp mQ in III -.
that ifsuch was the case, | should be com
PEELED to fall back upon our own reserves,
and postpone till the next day continuation
of the engagement. After further reflection,
directed Colonel Evans TO proceed to Gen.
Johnston, who had assumed the task of col
lecting reserve and 70 inform him of the
circumstances of the case, and to request him
to have the reserves collected with all dis
patch, and hold them in readiness TO support
ur retrograde movement.
Colonel Evens started on the mission thus
intrusted to him. He had proceeded but &
short distance when it occurred to me to
make another examination Of the still Ap.
preaching flag. 1t had now come within full
view. A sudden gust of wind shook cut its
folds, and recognized the Stars and Bars OF
the Confederate banner. II was the flag
borne BY your regiment there the General
turned to Colonel Hay, who sat beside him, ]
the gallant Seventh Louisiana, and the coll
umn ofwhich your regiment constituted the
advance was the brigade of General (then
Colone) Early. As soon as you WsrerecoR-
nized BY our soldiers, your coming was
greeted with enthusiastic cheers, regiment
after regiment. responding TO the cry; the
enemy heard the triumphant huzza; their
attack slackened; these were in turn as
sailed BY our forces and within half an hour
from that moment commenced the retreat,
rout. am glad TO see that W4r-stained BAN
ner cleaning over us at this festive board,
but hope never again to see it upon the
field Of battle.