The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-08-19


myself made many copies. The last sem
tence j repember to this day. 1t read as
follows: .'In case the enemy Is defeated
he Is TO be pursued by cavalry and artillery
until he Is driven across the Potomac
He needed no pursuit, but went across the
Potomac all the same. No. not all the
same. Had we followed in force the re-
suit might have been different. | sat up as
usual that night, but recall no event OF in
terest. As morning dawned | wondered
and wondered why no sound OF battle was
heard-none except The distant roar OF
Long Tom, which set the enemy in mo-
tion. How Ewell failed to get his order,
how our plan CT battle failed in cOnse-
qHence, and how near we came to defeat,
is known to all. 'Tis an old and to Con-
federates a sad story.
On the morning OF the 18th. as Beaure-
gard walked out 10 mount his horse, he
stumbled and came near falling-a bad
augury, which, we thought, brought 4
shadow over his face. But on this morn
ing, the 21st, all went well; the generals
and their stafls, after an early breakfast,
rode of in high spirits, victory in their
very eyes. Ny duty was to look after the
papers Of the Office, which had been hastily
/
they were put on board a train, which
was held i'm readiness TO receive them
and other valuable effects. The earth
seemed to vomit men; they came in from
all sides. Holmes, from Fredericksburg,
at the head OF his division, in a
high-crown. very dusty beaver, | well
recollect. He made me laugh. Barks-
dale, OF Mississippi, hating his regiment
TO get ammunition the militia ensconced
behind the earthworks OF the entrenched
camp, their figures fit before me. 1t was
a superb Sabbath day, cloudless and at first
not very hot. 4 sweet breeze from the
west blew III my face as ! stood on a hill
overlooking the vale Of Bull Run. / saw
| the enormous column OF dust made by the
enemy as they advanced upon our left.
| The field of battle evidently would be
where the comet, then Illuminating the
skies. seemed to rest at night. Returning
to headquarters, reported to Colonel Jor-
dan the movement upon our left.
elias Mcdowell done tbat!" he asked,
with animation. 'Then Bcauregard will
give him all his old boots. for that is eX-
actly where we want him."
PROGRESS OF THE BATTLE.
The Colonel meant that EweIl would
have a better chance OF attack by reason OF
the weakening OF McDowell's left.
Again and again | walked out to watch
the progress OF the battle. which lasted a
great deal longer than | expected or de-
sired. The pictures Of battles at distance
| in the English illustrated papers give 4
good idea OF what saw, minus the Strag-
glers and the wounded, who came i'm i'll
creasing numbers as the day advanced, and
disheartening President Davis as he rode
out TO the field in the afternoon. At noon,
or thereabOutS, report that our centre had
| been broken hur led me back TO hcadquar-
| ters, and, although the report proved false,
| kept me there for several hours, the battle
mean while raging fiercely, and not asOund
| from Ewell.
Restless and excited went into 4 neigh
| boring house, occupied by lone woman.
who was in peek OF trouble about herself,
her house, her everything. The bigger
trouble outside filed my mind during the
recital OF her woes, so that / now recall
none OF them.
VICTORY AND NIGHT.
Unable longer to bear the suspense left
| important papers, ETC., to take care OF them
selves and set out for the battlefield, de-
| termined to 90 in and get rid OF my fears
and doubts by action. | reached the bill
which / had so often visited in the morn
ing, and paused awhile to look at some
OF our troops who were rapidly moving
from our right 10 our left Just then-can
| ever forget it ?-there came, as it seemed,
an instantaneous suppression OF firing,
and almost Immediately cheer went
up ard ran along the valley from
end to end Of our line. Ii meant vic
tory-there was no mistaking the fact.
| stood perfectly still. feeling no eXulta-
/ ton whatever. An indescribable thankful
sadness fell upon me, roofing me TO the
spot and plunging me into deep reverie,
which for n long time prevented me from
seeing or hearing what went forward.
Night had nearly fallen when | came 10
myself and started homeward. The road
was filled with wounded men, theiririends,
and few prisoners. | spoke kindly TO the
prisoners, and took in charge a badly
wounded young man. carrying him to the
hospital, from the back windows OF which
amputated legs and arms had already been
thrown on the ground in Il sickening pile.
IN BALTIMORE NEXT WEEK.
At headquarters there was great crowd
waiting for the generals and Mr.. Davis to
return. Il was now quite dark. a deal
OF talking went on, but | observed little
elatiOn. People were worn out with eX-
citement-too many had been killed-h0w
many and whom was yet to be learned.
War i sad business even TO the vict0rs.
saw Young George Burwell, fourteen years
OF age, bring in Colonel Corcoran, his per-
sonal captive. | heard Colonel POrcher
Miles's whitening 'retort 10 Congressman
EIv, who tried to claim friendly acquaint-
ance with him, but went oil abashed in a
linen duster with the other prisoners.
asked Colonel Preston what he thought
OF the days work.
"a glorious victory, which will produce
immense results" was his reply.
.'When will we advance?"
"We will be in Baltimore next week.
How far wrong even the wisest are. We
never entered Baltimore, and that yicto-
rious army, one half OF which had barely
fired a shot, did not fight another pitched
battle for nearly a year.
II was after midnight when ] carried Ia
the telegraph Office Mr.. Davis's dispatch
announcing the victory. Inside the en-
trencbed camp one thousand or twelve
hundred prisoners were herded, the militia
standing up side by side guarding them
and forming human picket fence, funny
to behold. 1t was clear rs bell when
walked back; the baleiul comet hung over
the field of battle: all was very still;
could almost hear the beating Of my tired
heart, that had gone through so much that
day. Too much exhausted tC play orderly
| slept in my chair like top.
~.poDsar nffprs.
| Tho ladies of the Ninth-Street Methodist