The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-02-11
THE BATTLE OF MANASSAS.

| DdelieoI MANASSAS Is just puUlSneu II "ouiu Nj
Que vhole side of our paper. The greater portion
of thereport is occupied with description of how
the trops were placed on the field on the morning
of the 2lst July At the commencement Gen
Beaurgard says: aF''-.''
! "Gel Johnston arrived about noon or the Goth
July, md being my senior n rank, he necessarily
assumd command of all the force of the Confed
crate States, then concentrating at this point
Made acquainted with my plan of operations and
dispositions to meet the enemy, he gave them his
entire approval, and generously directed their ex.
ecution lnder my command" s.. -.s..
Gen. feauregard puts down the enemy's force
at upward of So 900, and his own force at 81 ,998
including Fen Johnston's army from Winchester,
part of which did not arrive on the field until
the middle OF the day. According to the report,
Fishers N c. Regiment did not get into action
until 2 or o'clock. Gen. Kirby Smiths brigade
did not rea;h the field of battle until 3 p. m.
After stating the different positions of the two
armies, andthe reverses and successes of each up
to about o'clock, p. m. (the time at which the
enemy had overpowered and pressed back the left
wing of the Confederate army Gen. Beauregard's
report says
"Confronting the enemy at this time Con the
left wing) my forces numbered, at most, not more
than, 700 infantry and artierists, with but l3
pieces of artillery, and two companies of Stuarts
cavalry. The enemy's force, now bearing hotly
and confidently down upon our position, regiment
after regiment of the best disciplined troops that
took the feld-according to their own official
history ofthe day-.was formed of Coils. Hunters
and Heintzelman's divisions Coils. Sherman's and
Keye's brigade of Tyers division, and of the for
midable batteries of Ricketts,, Griffin, and Arnold
regulars, and I'd Rhode Island and two Dahlgren
Notwithstanding force of over 10000 infan-
try, seven companies of regular cavalry, and "a
pieces of improved artillery. At the same time,
perilous, heavy of infantry and artillery
hung in the distance around the Stone Bridge,
Mitchells, Backburn's and Union Mills Ford,
ready to fall upon us at any moment; and l was
also assured of the existence of heavy corps at and
around Centreville and elsewhere, within convent
ent supporting distance.
Fully conscious of this portentous disparity of
force, as [ posted my lines for the encounter [
sought to infuse into the hearts of my officers and
men the confident and determined spirit of resis-
tance to this wicked invasion of the homes of
free people which | felt. l informed them that
reinforcements would rapidly come to their sup
port, IGen. Johnston had then gone to the rear
to order up reinforcements] and that We must at
minded them that we fought for our homes, our
iresides and for the independence of our country
urged them to the resolution of victory or death
on that field. These sentiments were loudly and
eagerly cheered wheresoever proclaimed, and |
then felt reassured of the unconquerable spirit of
that army, which would enable us to wrench VIC
tory from the host then threatening us with de-
struction.
In the meantime the enemy had seized upon the
plateau on which Robinson's and the Henry hou-
ses are situated Ga position occupied by troops
earlier in the day. A number of the enemy's best
batteries were placed in action on the ground
mentioned) In reply to the play of the enemy's
batteries, our own artillery had not been idle or
unskillful. Ii pieces, mostly 6-pounders, were
maintained in action; ali displaying that marvel
lous capacity of people, as artllerists, which
has made them, it would appear, at once the terror
and the admiration of the enemy.
As was soon apparent, the Federalists had suf
fered severely from our artillery and from the fire
of our musketry the right, and especia lily frcm
the left flank. And we told in their official
reports how regiment after regiment, thrown for
ward to dislodge us, was broken, never to recover
it's entire organization that field. In the mean
time, two companies of Stuart's cavalry made
dashing charge on the Fire Zouaves, which added
to their disorder wrought by musketry. But
still the press of the enemy was heavy in that
quarter of the field, as fresh troops were thrown
forward there to outfank US, and some guns of
a battery we're placed SO regiment of Jack
sons brigade that our sprang forward and
captured them, but with severe loss, and were sub
sequenty driven back by an overpowering force
Of Federal musketry.
Now, full o'clock, p. m, gave the order for
the right of my line, except my reserves, to ad-
vance to recover the plateau (the ground occupied
by the euemy.) 1t was done with uncommon re-
solution and vigor, and at the same time Jack
sons brigade pierced the enemys centre with the
determination of veterans. With equal spirit the
other parts of the line made the onset, and the
Federal lines were broken and swept back at all
points from the open ground of the plateau Raj
lying soon, however, as they were strongly rem
forced by fresh regiments, the Federalsts return
ed, and by weight of numbers pressed our lines
back, recovered their ground and guns, and re-
newed the offensive.
By this time, between half past and P. NJ,
our reinforcements pushed forward, and, directed
by General Johnston to the required quarter, were
at hand Just as had ordered forward, to second
effort for the recovery of the disputed plateau,
the whole line, including my reserve, which, at
this crisis of the battle felt called upon to lead
in person. This attack was general, and was
shared in by every regiment then in the field, in
GLIDING the 9th, Fishers North Carolina regi- |
ment. which had Just come up and taken position
On the immediate left of the 49th Virginia reg- |
ment. The whole<sopen ground was again
swept clear of the enemy, and the plateau
around the Henry and Robinson houses
rnn,aiucd 6nallv in 0uF poSeoSsIou, with the