New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-10-19
Manassas.
YGiibert Haven in lions Herald

4
-GIndspsndepts
Manassas.
yGibert Haven in lions Herald
| Five o'clock in the morning is not n,
I ''best hold" for sentiment or duty. ! hat
rather be called to each service at a late
hour. But if would leave for the South
| at nine and not lose precious day on the
I way, must il I would see this field, be w
! at this unseemly hOur-anything for duty
or curiosity. The hour comes and the men
Four OF Us climb into an open wagon. and
I two horses speedily drag us from Manassas
junction 20 the battlefield. Not so did
they go hence on that July week, twelve
years ago. '.Ah, then there was mounting
! III hot haste but not such mounting as
this. Beauregard on his blooded beast
and his subordinates leaped into saddle; the
Black Horse Cavalry curveted on those spa
eious plains artillery wagons ratified heavily
across the fields; soldiers marched sOlidly-
gray backed, bat not gray bearded-to
front, which was their rear; for the battle
of Bull Run was made by flank move
ment Of the national army, attempting to
get between the enemy and their base of
supplies. Our wagon goes by the eide of
Manassas Gap railroad, so familiar and so
dreaded name in our history, a mile and a
halt (no gap here, but usual upland plain)
crosses it. and proceeds northwesterly along
rough roads, half billy. and half level.
among scant fields and scantier forests, till
it reaches an opening five miles on, which
gives US views of the general landscape
about the field, though not the field itself.
A few houses are scattered about, some of
them prettily embosomed in trees, the one
of Mr. Wheeler, a member of the Church
South, being especially attractive out
wardly.
A short half mile through the wood
brings US to the hill slope that commands
and concluded the battle. Look from this
spot, where we come out of the forest fence,
upon the vision of the whole field. There
is descent, not steep, of quarter of
mile to where this road crosses the Wash
ington pike that goes from Alexandra to
Warreuton some dozen miles beyond.
Near the four corners is a stone house.
Beyond 1t the land rises, sharp in hil!ock
and hollow, to broad, level upland a mile
away. cleared on its front of woods, and
stretching, an unusual opening, mile or
so. At the junction of these roads is a rivu-
lee called 1oung's Branch. which empties
itself into the more famous, though less de.
servedly famous Bull Run. some mile or
more to the north.
That level slope before these woods. that |
stone house and rivulet and these upIands. |
where we come out 10 paint the picture |
how poorly '--are the main features of that |
bloody opening OF a bloodier following. |
They are not unlike Waterloo, except that
IN the latter case the valley is wider and |
smoother, the Wellington Or hither hill alb
rupter and the opposite uplands broader.
On that farther slope, on Sunday morn
ing, july II. Geployed the 80. 600 troops un-
der McDOwell IN this rested those of Beau.
regard. The advance was made across that
rough favine on the line here located. che
first onset was halt way between the two
lines. on 2 hill back of toe stone house.
The enemy was forced back into this ravine
and up this bloody slope. Terrible fighting
ansued around that stone house. II was
not made a fertilization, as was the farm
house of La Haye Sainte, which stood in
almost exactly the same relative position to
he contendIng armies at Waterloo II |
would probably have been no use to either
General for such purpose. At it's well
oldiers would crowd to get drink, regard
ess OF life In their passionate thirst on that
lot day, and were shot down as they rested
rom the combat around that we'll. One
eels Davli's thirst for the well of Bethe- |
lem, and its cost, as he hears these stories.
As IN Waterloo the effort was to dislodge
ne troops stationed on the neither hilton.
o was it here. Mcdowell intended to |
orce Beauregard back on Manassas, and
o get him between himself and the national
orts. The most of the battle, therefore,
ere, as there, took place upon the nearer
Inside and hilltop. Up this road, again
nd again. the battle ragged. 1t has on its
lde ravine, the bed Of the old road, aban.
oned and washed out in deep guIl;es
hat cut was full Of dead and wounded :
orses and men. rider and horse. friend J
De, in one red burial blent" On the left !;
and side OF the road up a gradual incline, :
ne Black Horse Cavalry were cut to pieces
Y the Ellsworth Zouaves many of whom
ere also cut to pieces, and their red leg
lngs have been often picked I'D Slsn, M.
irther wooded edgss of the field Z
Su, the chief seat OF the battle twas on | Z
ne right o. the road, and oh thi, hill. ia ! !
lis too resembling Waterloo. Just at it. )
1ge 10 gate that admits to the premises i
Mr. Henry. whose house, q few rods Oft. v
he room at She base, and two stOried | {
ands where sEe thickest of the battle | Y
lgeI. st IL Hn the edge Of an easy slope. y
nils back OF i and around it lies Iarre q
zen space OF twenty acres or more, Orr i
oops pushed their fraternal foes up to tbi. {
ouse and field, but pushed them no fur. .
er IL was in the rear of CHS field tina, r
scks0n'held his troops SO compact and un- Q
oxen that General lee, pointing to him. c
i'd. ''See jackson! He is as steady as n a
one wall" and hence arose his famous e
'meo In ehis house lay an old lady. sick: u
10 was wounded. They tried to get her n
way, but were compelled to go back. and D
70 was killed by shot and lies buried in
= own yard-a sad proof of the dread e.
'partlallty OF war. One of her dang ters RI
Nv living here, 1t is said, stood in the r:
imney eli that awful day, smotheEed 10y I
9 beat and blinded by the SCOT b