The New York herald., 1876-03-17
BEAUREGARD ON MANASSAS.
tFrom the New Orleans Picayunel
NpH OnIrAna March L 1871

NEW ORLEANS, March 7, 1874
DEAR SRI avail myself OF the FIRST opportune
moment your letter OF the 18th ut inquir-
ing OF mo, in command at the time. why the pur-
suit Of the ederas Immediately after their rout at the
battle OF Manassas, July 81, 1861, was suddenly
checked and the Confederate troops recalled toward
Manassas?
will first state that though with General Joseph E.
Johnston's consent exercised the command during
the battle, at its close, after had ordered all the
troops the field In pursuit. went personally TO the
Lewis House and relnquished that command to him.
then started at gaop to take immediate charge OF
the pursuit on the Centreve turnpike bat was soon
overtaken by courier from Manassas, with note ad
dressed TO me by Colonel T. G. Rhet OF General john
stons sta who had been left there in the morning 10
forward that Generals troops as they nigh. arrive by
rail from Winchester. Colonel Rhett thereby in
foi med that strong body OF federal troops
had crossed the Bull Run at Union Mills Ford
right, and was advancing on Manassas our depot OF
supplies, which had been necessarily left very weakly
guarded hurried back 10 the Lewis II House TO COM
municate this important despatch TO General john
ston, and both believing the information TO be
authentic, ! undertook 10 repair 10 the threatened
quarter with Ewelps aud Holmes brigades, at that
moment near tho Lcwis House. where they had Just
arrived. too late TO take part in the action with these
troops engaged TO attack the enemy vigorously be-
fore he conld effect n lodgmen side Of Bull Run
but asked 10 be reinforced soon practicable by
such troops as might be spared from the Centrevile
pursuit
Having reached the near vicinity Of Union Mills Ford
without meeting any enemy, ascertaincd, TO my sur
prise that the reported hostile passage was a false
alarm growing out OF some movements OF our own
troops "a part OF General D. K Jones brgadel who
had been thrown the in the
operations for the day and upon their re-
turn to the south bank OF the run
mistaken through their similarity OF uniform for the
federas returned TO intercept the march OF the two
brigadcs who were following me toward Union Mills,
and as II was quite dark when met them and they
were greatly jadcd by their long march and
march during that hot July day directed them to halt
and blvonac where they were Hearing that President
Davis and General Johnson had gone to Manassas, /
returned and found them between haipas nine and
ten O'Clock at my headquarters
This VIII explain TO you why the partial ''rctrogradc
movement, to which you REFER made and why no
sustained vigorous pursuit or hcDowels army
made that evening.
Any pursuit OF the fcderals next day, toward their
rallying point at and around Long Bridge, the
Potomac, could have led to possible military advan
tagc protected that position by system OF field
works No movement upon Washington by that
route could have been possible for II there had
been no such works the bridge-a mile in ength-was
commanded by Federal ships of war, and few pieces
OF artillery or the destruction OF small part OF tho
bridge could have made Its passage impracticabc.
Our only proper operation was to pass the Potomac
above into Maryland, at about Edwards Ferry and
march upon the OF Washington With the hopo
OF undertaking such movement had caused a recon
noisance OF the country and shore souh of the Poto
mac In that quarter TO be made in the month OF June
but the necessary transportation, for the
milton essential TO such movement had not been pro-
vided for my iorces Notwithstanding my application
for II during more than month beforehand nor was
there twenty four hours food at Manassas for the
troops brought together for that battle
G. T. BEAUREGARD.
Hon. JonN C. FBRRIss, Nashville, Tenn.