The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-17
Beauregard's Account of the Bull Run
Battle.

The Virginia correspondent of the New
Orleans Delta gives an account OF a select
dinner party to General Beauregard, at
which he made the following remarks:
On the 2lst Of July, at about 3 u o'clock,
perhaps 4, it seemed to me that the victory
was already within our grasp. 10 fact, up
to that moment, had never wavered in the
conviction that triumph must crown our
arms. Nor was my confidence shaken un
I'll, at the time have mentioned, Observ-
ed on the extreme lett, at the distance of
something more than a mile, column of
men approaching. At their head was a
flag which could not distinguish. Even
with the aid ola strong glass l was unable
to determine whether it Was the United
States flag or the Confederate flag. At the
same moment received dispatch from
Captain Alexander, in charge OF the signal
st tiOD, warning me to look out for the left;
that large column was approaching from
that direction, and that it was supposed
to be General Petterson's command
coming to reinforce Mcdowell. at
this moment, must confess, my hear
failed me. l came, reluctantly, to the con-
clusiou that, after all efforts, we should at
last be compelled to yield to the enemy the
hard fought and bloody field. again took
the glass to examine the flag of the APP
preaching column, but my anxious inquiry
Was unprOductive of result could not
tell to which army the waving banner be.
Hinged. Al this time all the members of
my staff were absent, having ben dis.
patched with orders to various points. The
only person with me was the gallant officer
who has recently distinguished himself by
brilliant feet of arms-General, then Col
onel Evans. To him communicated my
doubts and fears. l told him l feared the
approaching force was in reality Patterson's
division that fsuch was the case should
be compelled to fall back upon our own re-.
serves, and postpone till the next day q
continuation of the engagement. After
further reflection, l directed Colonel Evans
to proceed to General Johnston, who had
assumed the task of collecting reserve.
and to inform him of the circumstances of
the case, and to request him to have the
reserves collected with all dispatch, and
hold them in readiness to support
our retrogade movement. Colonel Ev-
ans started on the mission entrusted to
him. He had proceeded but short dis
lance when it occurred to me to make an
other examination of the still approaching
flag. 1t had now come within full view. A
sudden gust of wind shook out its folds, and
recognized the stars and bars OF the Con-
federate banner. 1t was the flag borne by
your regiment here the General turned to
the Colonel, who sat beside him the gallant
Seventh Louisiana, and the column, OF which
your regiment constituted the advance, was
the brigade of General (then ColoneD Early.
As coon as you were recognized by our
soldiers your coming was greeted with en-
thusiastic cheers regiment after regiment
responded to the cry |; the enemy heard the
triumphant huzza their attack slackened ;
they were in turn assailed by our forces, and
within half an hour from that moment com
menced the retreat, which aiterward became
confused and total rour. am glad to see
that war stained banner cleaning over us
at this festive board, but hope never again
to see it upon the field Of battle"