The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1881-07-08
LONGSTREET ON THE BATTLE Ol
MANASSAS:

MOUTH ucuuoUOluS pCbcOluA S0t'Ac-
ment between tie two sections Of the
federates by European powers, and,
probably, to the supremacy of that
party In the South which would have
preferred temporary political revolu-
ton in the Union to secession.
He was at that battle, aud was, he
says, in favor of Immediate pursuit OF
the felerals. With regard to the con-
hicting statements as to who was re-
sponsible for not pursuing the fe.lerals
he would not decide. He said, how
ever, the general impression was that
Mr.. Davis, who arrived at the battle
field about the time the federal rout
took place, was responsible, although
Mr.. Davis says in his history that he
not only suggested the pursuit of the
enemy, but that he actually dictated
an order for immediate pursuit, though
afterward he modified that order him
suit 1t should be commenced ut early
dawn.
Here General Longstreet added that
while Mr.. Davis, appears to lay the
blame, If blame there were, for not
pursuing the federals, on some one
else, and by Inference upon General
Johnston, who was in supreme COM
mand, General Johnston says emphati-
cally that Mr.. Davis was present with
him, as we'll AS General Beauregarti,
shortly after the firing ceased, and that
during the whole time up to midnight
he (Mr. Davis) never suggested taking
the army ON to Washington. OF course
Mr.. Davis, as president, could have
Issued the order, General LOngstreet
added, and it would have been obeyed;
I'll s<.H>
thought that it would not have been
wise or practicable to pursue the enemy
to Washington.
1.-THE battle of Manassas was lost"
General Longslreet said, "until Gene
raj Johnston's force came up to turn
the tide. General Beauregard wrote
to me when 1 was with my troops at
Blackburn's Ford, behind Bull Run,
that he was beaten and called upon me
to cover his retreat. This was about
four o'clock in the afternoon. Beaure-
gard took Johnston's troops, which
were then approaching, to be federal
reinforcement. 1t was Kirby Smiths
command, part of Johnston's, which
OPPORTUNITY made it's appearance. The
Confederate flag was changed after
ward in consequence of this mistake to
the form it had ever after.
~ was uuucI oSduISShIu SCOlllllNlO,
and it was ne VINO at Blackburn's
Ford, on the 18th, day of the Bull Run
fight, as distinguished from that of the
21st, called the battle of Manassas,
drove tho Federals back. Johnston
was the senior in command when he
came up at Manassas and ranked
Beauregard, but as the latter had
planned the battle Johnston proposed
to let him carry out tho plan. While
Gen. Johnston claims that he was in
command or commanded he admits
that he approved of the plan OF Beaure-
gard and permitted him to handle hi.
own troops"
A DISCOVERY AND FRESH ACTION.
In reply to questions as to what fol-
lowed the discovery that the troops
which had made their appearance were
not Federals, but II reinforcement un-
der the Immediate command Of Kirby
smith, and what action he General
Longstreet) took then the general said
"Ilnmediately it was known that we
were reinforced and the FederaIs were
retreatiDg got an order from General
Beauregard to recross Bull Run and
advance upon tho Federals at Centre
vile. I crossed, got within easy range,
put my batteries in position, had my
pOTI AIcS ISuNc>s, uuO NaS Ill the ACT OIL
firing on the retreating columns pass,
ing In front of mo when received
another order not to attack, but to re-
turn to my former position bchind
Bull Run. This was near sunset. l
thought there must be some mistake,
and while l did not open fire 1 main
tanned my position. After II while still
another order came to me to return to
my former position behind Bull Run,
which obeyed. 1t was then about
dark"
The general thought there was mis-
take about the order not to fire upon
the retreating federals or to pursue
them, and to return to his former posi-
ton, because he was impressed with
the importance of following up the
victory by crossing the Potomac and
taking Washington. He had not heard
there was any serious impeachment to
prevent this being done. He confirms
the reports of the helter-skelter fleeing
OF the federals from tho battle ground
OF Manassas, and of the things they
left behind them, aud he expresses no
doubt of those handouts being found
which Mr.. Davis dwells on in his hook
as having been provided nv tho c,,1o