New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1878-10-30

realty the forced result of mere common
sense, however much Of it may have been,
a. it was, the chief factor in the Tight as
Beaurtgard alone would have lost it,
possessing neither the capacity or num-
hers to win
| Prior to the 21st he had besought
johnston to adopt to very risky offensive
movements. but they were declined at
sight On the morning OF the. 21st his
plan OF offensive operations against
McDOweIl's right at Centerville, although
sanctioned by Johnston and on the pon:
OF execution, was extremely hazardous,
and it was, perhaps fortunately Tor his
side, estopped by the Federal precipta-
ton in attacking. After operations had
begun 70 wax warm. when both Johnston
and Beauregard found out they we're five
miles off The scent at Mitchell's Ford,
they did very cieverly hurry up with re-
Inducements to the critical point, some
what redeeming themselves in the eyes
Of their army, which knew that it had
actually been fighting four hours withou,
any General at all, and only guided at the
!, ost elementary notions of military ex-
pediency. Iii his narrative General
Johnston, like man, frankly admits as
a very great fault on his own part, that
one third OF his troops were not engaged
in the battle. as they might easily have
Eeen, apart from m maintaining til reserves
He even admits that, in his opinion.
Miles brigade should not have been left
by General Mcdowell at Centerville
The battle ragged severely from 9 a. m.
Diminishing was opened at 6 80 a. M
to 40 p. m, when, after the final
cnsrgrs. skilifully led in person by the
ts 0 Southern commanders, the right OF
the Federal army fled in confusion from
the keld toward Dudley Ford, while the
center and left unmolested marched off
hastily by the turnpike to CenterviIle.
Considering the length Of time III which
the troops were engaged, the losses were
small, about 5000 in killed, wounded and
missing on both sides together. In spoils
the Confederates captured twenty-eight
cannon, half million cartridges. gar
rison flag, ten regimental coIors, sixty
four artillery horses, with their harness,
twenty six wagons, and camp eQulpsges,
clothing and other military property.
The Confederates could not press the pur-
suit, because they had only two or three
cavalry companies, and thus their victory
was only as complete as one gained by
infantry and artillery alone, and they
raw, could be. The routed regiments and
companies, though Impressed, feared in
Perception and the belchlng forth of
masked batteries on all sides, and quick
ly resolved tn mselves into a pell-meil
mass of fugivives rushing he.dlong to-
ward Centerville. Perhaps there never
was before seen such panic as there was
visible on that Warrenton turnpike.
Upon the heights Of the northern side of
Bull Run crowds of curious spectators
had gathered since the dawn to enjoy the
novel sight OF a real battle; among them
were members of Congress, politicians,
editors and reporters, photographers, suit
tiers, sports, men and women, gay
party, in word: betting. laughing, feast
ing and drinking from baskets OF cham
payne, all collected to witness the defeat
Of the rebels. But, 10! Twenty minutes
to five.
Hark What's that? Only the victcri-
Gus cheer ng ringing louder and louder
down the Confederate side of the stream,
until it reverberates deafeningly upon
the idlers, rushing them franticai]y this
time "On to Washington! After that the
road was not open--as it was closed, but
| .furiously lively. The van of the fugitive
troops Immediately followed. Soon for
three miles things became mixed up. On
the run were teams, wagons and caissons,
lumberine, until broken down and desert.
ed; horses cut loose, suffers teams, pri-
vate carriages telescoping upon each
other amid clouds of dust and hubbub of
sickening sights and pitiable, angry cries;
nacks containing unlnckey spectators
were smashed like egg shells. aud the oc
capants lost in the melee (this French
word suits just here, and no othcr) horses,
wounded and wildly flying from the
field, galloped at random in their death
agony, increasing the horrors of the STAN
pele; the wounded soldiers appealed, un-
needed of course, to fleet riders to take
them up behind; the saved artillery and
cavalry Numbered on and sma he'd all in
their way; buggies and light wagons
tried to pierce the rear of the mass OF
heavier vehicles, solidiied and moving
imrerceptibly, while the cry Of ''cavalry
is coming added terror each moment
throughout the huge, confused thropg
Thus went on this rout until Centcrville
was cached, and tie spectacle Of we'll
formed reserves under General Miles gave
hope of safey at last.
During the day couriers had been dis
patched with reports to General Scott at
Washington, and each one arriving was OF
course eagerly hailed in the streets and
questioned as to the tide of battle. "How