Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-03-18

| We can see traces of the conflict in shat
tered trees, broken trunks, limbs and
bOughs. The grIss is long and rank, the
ground is uneven and marshy, and in some
places traversed by streams of water
Crossing the ford, we go over the Manassas
road. Here the rebels were strongly en-
trenched, and along this road came the re.
Inducements of General Johnston, which
| turned the fortunes of the day. AT this
point of the field Beauregard was station.
cd, and a house was shown where n stray
cannon ball passed over the table where he
was eating his dinner. The wall of tho
house is broken, and although this story,
Ike many others, may be apOcryphal, the
building evidently suffered from the fire of
the Union artillery.
Beyond the ford the rebel cavalry were
stationed, and over these broad fields they
made the charge which completed tho PAN
&c OF our troops, and captured Sir. Ely, Col.
Corcoran, and a number of prisoners. On
a knoll to the right, at the edgeof ~ rock,
the battery of the rebels was placed, which
commanded tho road and raked our re.
treating forces. Tue way was narrow,
straight, aud for mile or two very even,
adording a sure aim for the guns. The eff
feet of few rounds from heavy cannon
could easily be conceived, aud the loss of
life must have been fearful. The spot
where Colonel Cameron fell was pointed
out, but in the mind of my informant there
was some doubt as to the exact location of
the death scene. The extent of the battle
held was very large and intricate. It is
impossible to form any definite idea of the
nature Of the field. The scene of the ac-
ton changed from one part of the ground
to another, varying and shifting, advanc-
lug and receding, according as the tide of
battle went with US aud against US. II
tancied could trace, from the open field
near the ford, where the feigned attack was
made early IN the day, the course of our
army as it slowly pressed the enemy back.
On the right, whereit is said the regulars,
the New York Sixty ninth, aud the regi-
ment OF Burnside were engaged, the trees
are broken aud shattered. One heavy can
non ball passed through the trunks Of two
large trees and shiveIedthem into spliuters.
The limbs still remain brown and decayed.
was curious to see if any traces of the
far-tnmed masked batteries existed, but
nothing was covered. The position OF the
enemy was naturally strong one They
had the devious, intricate, and heavily
wooded banks of Bull Run AS a natural de-
fence; they commanded every ford and
every bridge. For great part OF its
course 1t reminded INC of the scene along
tue banks of the lower Wissahickon, al
though the grandeur and majesty surround
ing that beautiful stream were wanting
Nature was the strongest bulwark of our
foes, and in failing to surmouut it we were
vanquished.
In an open field, from which the fences
had been torn away, Immediately beyond
what is known as "Lewis' House, "'where
the rebel General Stewart had his head
quarters, our dead lie buried. There are
no distinctive marks to designate the
names of the fallen, but there they lie, ''iu
one red burial blent." 1t was some days
alter the battle before the dead soldiers Of
the Union army were placed in their
graves, aud am sorry to say that, from
what heard, all the stories of the fndig-
mites heaped upon their remains-the
plumber and rapine-were true. They
were huddled into common grave, and
over their resting place the deep ruts of
wagons and teams were marked. II
seemed SO strange, on this bright CHEEKY
afternoon-with Nature bursting into
spring; the songs of birds ringing merri-
ly through the air; the distant humming
of the noisy stream coming like a mur-
muriug cadence upon the ear, with all the
realities around beautiful aud romantic
to ride over this sacred grOund. Ny CON.
panion had gone on his errand, and came
back alone. Everything was calm aud
subdued, and so far as the outward seem
ing went, there. could be no more attrac-
tive place than the battlefield of Bull
Run. An occasional soldier passed along
the rond on his pilgrimage, an occasional
officer rode quietly and curiousIy along
the Manassas road. There were tho
woods, the fields, the streams, the heights,
the lonely encampments of huts as silent
as the city of the dead no longer the roar
of cannon as on that sad Sunday in July
the contest of angry and infuriated mem
tue wounded and the dead, they were con-
stantly carried along tolthe nearest hos
pital-the rattle of musketry-the noise
and the shOuting-tbe long continued
strifc-the sudden lull, and the shameful
retreat in the shadows of the evening hour
-the panic aud utter rOut. f. e'ss
Two scenes-the summer day in July,
the spring day in March. Very different
very distinctive. Each with its great les
son, each the moral.of nations history.
We come over the hill and Ceutreville ap-
pears. Over its heights the Union flag is
floating, and the Union musicians fill the
mir with sweet and patriotic sounds. j
think the lesson of Manassas has been
learned. III .55ia.-g J. R. Y.
ai THE UMBRELLA.