The Howard union. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1865-1866, 1865-08-03
From the National Intelllgencer.
BATTLE OF BULL RUN.

SA \ 4hA1 0G bO4 hONs
Four years ago to-day was fought the
first battle, properly so.called, Of the Great
American Rebellion. On the 18th of July
General Mcdowell took up the line of
march against the Coniederates, who were
known 70 be concentrated in force in posi-
ton pf some natural strength, protected by
casshHesks which were, on account of the
Ebfek woodsd character Of the country,
difficult Of approach. The Union forces
were all raw troops, never having been
under fire, except battalion Of 800 regu-
lars and company of marines. Accompa-
nying this force were fifty-fve pieces Of
artillery, and an immense train. Fairfax
Court House was occupied the first day.
The army was composed Of five divisions,
one ofwhich, under Colonel Miles, was 10
remain at Centreville, single brigade of
the division to move. out under Colonel
Richardson, at the concerted time, 10 make
feigned attack on Blackburn's Ford. A
second division, under General Tyler, was
to move along the Warrenton turnpike, and
threaten the Stone Bridge and Bull Run,
four miles beyond Centreville. The other
two divisions, un Ter Colonels Hunter and
Heintzelman, constituting the main column
of attack, were to march up Bull Run, cross
over, come down the other side to Stone
Bridge, where General Tyler, then march
ing over, was to join them. Gen. Runyon,
with the remaining division, was left OF
Fairfax Court House to protect the commu
nications with Washington. The troops
that were to take part in the action were
to leave their enoampments at 2 o'clock on
the morning of the 2lst of July, which was
Sunday. Itwas expected that the attacking
column would then pass over the crossing
at Sudly Springs at or 7 o'clock in the
morning. They were unable to reach there
till some four hours behind time. Colone
Burnside, with his brigade, in marching
down the right bank of Bull Run, in advance
of the main column, came suddenly upon
the enemy in force above Stone Bridge,
about noon, and here the battle opened.
Through the failure Of the Union forces to
be on The field at the designated time, the
Confederate commanders, Gems. Joseph E.
Johnston and Beauregard, had been able to
strengthen their left wng-the junction Of
the Union nanking column not being com.
pleted till midday. AT half past o'clock
, however, the Union troops were victorious
in every part of the field, but having march
ed nine miles and q half since two o'clock
in the morning, and been for some four hours
in terrific conflict, they were exceedingly
exhausted. 1t was at this juncture thai
three thousand fresh troops from Johnston
army at Winchester, by railroad, came upOr
the scene, and at once entirely turned th'
e fortunes Of the day. As these fresh, un
wearied troops came into the conflict, regi
ment after regiment. Of the Union troops
broke; the repulse was general, and, in th'
words of General Mcdowell, "the retrea
soon became rout; and this soon degener
y ated further into panic" The enemy
4 thoroughly exhausted, were unable to pur
sue, and at nightfall our army was back t
Centreville, and the whole way from ther
to this city filled with panic-stricken civil
ians, deserting soldiers and camp follower
e and attendants OF every grade and condition
le Many fugitive soldiers had arrived her
& from the scene early in the evening, and ii
lie city was full Of them with the woful stoi
I'd before morning.
General McDowell's forces, on the ev
= ming before the battle, were reduced son
two thousand by the 4th Pennsylvania vO
:. unteers and the battery Of the 9th Ne
n York militia regiment claiming their di
4 charge, and, as General Mcdowell expires
IS ed it, "moving to the rear, indifferent to Il
ral appeals of the Commander Chief, and
i'd the sound of the enemy's cannon"
The Confederate strength, according
. Beauregard, was twelve brigades and fort
two field pieces, besides their cavalry
all, with the 8 1000 reinforcements, not lie
n; than 10000.
& Union loss, 48l killed, l,0ll wounde
ter eT and l,2l6 missing; and twenty-three gur
The with an immense amount Of material, we
ge' abandoned 10 the enemy, or captured
nst them. The pursuit was so faint that c
Einstein, Of the 9th Pennsylvania volt
. teers, recovered six abandoned feld-p;et
q. and brought them in next morning.
The loss Of the Confederates, as stsl
Nv by General Johnston, was 37S killed, Ia
o,T our wounded, and 20 missing. Among th
. killed was General Bee, of South Carroll
rs, and among the Union killed was Colo
c; Cameron, whose Highland regiment,
,uis 10Th New York, was mustered out Of
we service and marched through this CITY hoI