The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-10-25

ley, now Senator from Connecticut, COM
manded the skirmishers, and taking a
Sharp's rife from the hands of soldier,
fred the first shot, which sent them flying
toward Fairfax. O, yes! we were going
right on to Richmond. So full of confidence
were we, that the members of the news
paper brigade in their enthusiasm dashed
ahead of the skirmishers up the heighrs of
Centerville and captured the @ laker guns,
which Beauregard had left with "painted
mole to represent the muZzlesl
First rattle of musketry, then two of
Ayres' cannon: then sound, the like of
winch never heard before,--a Shrek, de-
mon like, bang up In the air! 1t was a
snen which came towards us, not al all like
one going from us. Then the Second Massa-
chusetts went down into the bushes. All!
tnat hrst wounded man--his thigh torn to
pieces py solid shot; men Keeling; and
staggering up from the woods by Bull Run,
ana the air thick with bulletsl
l began to revise my opinion about going
on 10 hicnmond, keeping step TO the music
OF the brass bands, and revised it still more
on Sunday evening, when 1 was making
good time to Washington.
Inc teams In waiting were near the spot
where Eizey's brigade of Johnston's COM
mana iett the cars at noon and marched to
the held to turn back the Union right flank.
Upon hill flag was fiuttering in the
Dreeze,-not the stars and stripes, but a
Confederate flag.
IL never mad waved in battle, but was new
y MADE, undoubtedly by the woman who
nelu II, Who,. loyal still to the lost cause,
does not comprehend that the whole world
mas moved on; that there has been centuries
OF progress in the last two decades. Did it
lfouole any member of the party to see the
stars and bars thus waving? On the en-
sfary. everybody felt like giving the lady a
eneer LOT her loyalty to a cause which was
iaid down forever at Appomattox. I'm
douDtedly she experimental an intense salts
iaction In standing by the colors of the Con-
1ederacy. Quite likely she would not be able
to give reason for her action, but instead
OF disturbing in the slightest the pleasure of
the party, she rather contributed to their en-
joyment.
1t was at Sudley church that Mcdowell
began to deploy his skirmishers. The old
church used as hospital in the first battle
is replaced by new edifice. Beneath the
oaks in front of it the excursonists opened
their lunch-baskets, ate to their own health
and drank to the health Of each other.
1t has gone into the histories that Mellow
ellis flank movement was a surprise, that the
Confederates knew nothing of it until he
was across Bull Run; but Mr.. Gushing, who
lives near the ford, accompanied the excur-
sioDists, informed them that he discovered
the movements at 3 o'clock and fastened
across the stream to the Confederate cavalry
picket guarding the Sudley road, and in
formed them of McDowelps approach Long
beford Burnside advanced, Evans, who was
north OF Stone Bridge, nearest Sudley, knew
of the advance and prepared for it.
There is where we came into action"
was the remark of member of Burnsides
command, as the party came to the top of
the hill by Mr. Mathews house.
"And right there in that field is where you
left your blankets when you left in a hurry
in the afternoon, and what pile there
wasp said Mr.. Mathews.
over kyonder is where the Second New
Hampshire Stood" said Adjutant Lawrence,
who was color-bearer in the battle.
IL was on the plateau northwest of the
stone-house, that Private G. M Burbank. of
that regiment, when the retreat began,
shouldered wounded comrade and carried
him from the field.
Right down there is where Pickett's and
Grlfhn's batteries came into position" add
ed Captain Lawrence
house, is where Elzey came in flanked you,''
was the remark of Major Thornton, Of the
Conferate service.
The advance of Elzey upon the flank of
the Union troops, the movement of Ricketts,
and Griffin into position with their batter
les, was almost, if not quite supreme mo
ment in the history of this country Grit
fms pieces were loaded with canister, and
turned upon the advancing Confederates.
Hold onl Don't fire! They are your
ssupportsF' shouted Major Barry, command
ing the artillery.
''They are Confederateso
No; know that they are your sup
ports"
Ii at that moment the cannon had been
fired, Elzey's command would have melted
away. A line of fame flashes from the ad-
vancing column, and Griffia''s and Ricketts,
horses, the gunners and Ricketts, himself 90
down. There is a struggle for the guns, but
the day is lost. There is no possibility of
Tectifying the mistake of Major Barry. In
the councils of Almighty God it was as it
was. The first great battle was given to the
Confederacy, possibly to lead the country,
through sea of blood, and become teach
ers of all the nations.