The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-09-06
The Battle of Manassas.
LGeo. W. Bagby.l


falling-a bad augury, which, we
face. But on this morning, the 2lSt
all went well, the generals and their
staff, after an early breakfast, rode OFF
in high spirits, victory in their eyes
Ny duty was to look after the papers
of the office, which had been hastily
packed up, and, in case OF danger, see
that they were put on board train;
which was held in readiness to receive
them and other valuable effects. The
earth seemed to Vomlt men; they
came in from all sides. Holmes
from Fredericksburg at the head of
his division, in high crown, very
dusty beaver, l well recollect. He
made Inc laugh. BarlzSdale, of Mis-
sissippi, hating his regiment to get
ammunition; the militia ensconced
behind the earthworkS of the en-
trenched camp, their figures Tit be-
fore me. 1t was a superb Sabbath
day, cloudlesS and at first not very hot.
A sweet breeze from the west blew in
my face as 1 stood on hill overlook
ing 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 Col. Jor-
dan the movements upon our left.
'Has Mcdowell done that 2" he
asked with animation. "Then Beau
regard will give him all his old boots,
for that is exactly where we want
him."
PROGRESS OF THE BATTLE.
The colonel meant that EWell would
have a better chance of attack by rea-
son Of the weakening OF McDowelPs
left.
Again and again 1 walked out to
watch the progress OF the battle,
which lasted a great deal longer than
expected or desired. The pictures
Of battles at distance in the English
illustrated papers give a good idea of
what l saw, minus the stragglers and
the wounded, who came in increasing
numbers as the day advanced, and
disheartening President Davis as he
rode out to the field in the after
noon. At noon or thereabouts a
report that our center had been bro
ken hurried me back to headquarters,
and, although the report proved
false, kept me there for several hours,
the battle meanwhile raging fiercely
and not a sound from Ewell.
Restless and excited 1 went into a
neighboring house, occupied by lone
woman, who was in peck of trouble
about herself, her house, her every
thing. The bigger trouble outside
filled my mind during the recital of
her woes, SO that now recall none of
them.
Unable longer to bear the suspense,
I left important papers, etc., to take
care ofithemselVes, and set off for the
battlefield, determined to go in and
get rid of my fears and doubts by ac-
ton. l reached the hill which / had
so often visited in the morning and
paused awhile to look at some of Our
troops who were rapidly moving from
our right to our left. Just then-can
L never forget it ?-there came, as it
seemed, an Instantaneous suppression
Of firing, and almost Immediately a
cheer went up and ran alCng
the valley from end to end
of our line. 1t meant vic
tory-there was no installing the
fact. 1 stood perfectly still, feeling
no exultation whatever. An indie
scribable thankful sadness fell upon
me. roofing me to the spot and plung-
ing me into a deep reverie, which for
long time prevented me from seeing
or hearing what went forward, Night
had nearly fallen when l came to my
self and started homeward. The road
was filled with wounded men, their
friends and few prisoners. l spoke
kindly to the prisoners and took in
charge 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 a slckenlng pile.
IN BALTIMORE NEXT WEEK.
At headquarters there was a great
crowd waiting for the generals and
Mr.. Davis to return. 1t was now
quite dark. A deal of talking went
on, but / observed little citation. Peo-
pie were worn out with excitement
too many had been killed-how many
and whom was yet to be learned.
War is sad business even to the vic
tors. 1 saw young Geo. BurweIl, four
teen years Of age, bring in Col. Corco-
ran, his personal captive. / heard
Col. Porcher Miles whitening retort
to Congressman Ely, who tried to
claim friendly acquaintance with him,
but went off abashed in linen buster
with the other prisoners. 1 asked
Col. Preston what he thought of the
days work.
"a glorious victory, which will pro-
linz inn 1fcJ &c nV11rT
"When will we adVanceY
eve will be in Baltimore next
week."
How far wrong even the wisest
are? We never entered Baltimore,
ami that victorious army, one-half Of
which had barely fired shot, did not
fight another pitched battle for nearly
a year!
1t was after midnight when 1 car
ried to the telegraph Office Mr.. Davis
dispatch announcing the victory. In
side the entrenched camp 1000 or 1900
prisoners were herded, the militia
standing up side by side guarding
them and forming a human picket
fence funny to behold. 1t was clear
as bell when l walked back ; the
baleful 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 to
play orderly, 1 slept in my chair like
top.
AFTER THE BATTLE.
The next day, Monday, the 22nd, it
rained, a steady, straight downpour
the ivelong day. Everybody focked
to headquarters. Not one word was
said about a forward movement upon
Washington: We had too many gen
erals-in-chief; we were Southerners;
we didn't fancy marching in the mud
and rain-we threw away a grand op-
portunity. For days, for weeks you
might say. our friends kept coming
from Alexandria, saying with wonder
and impatience: "Why don't you
come on? Why stay here doing
nothing?" No sufficient answer, in
my poor judgment, was ever given.
The dead and the dying were for
gotten in the general burst Of con-
graduation. Now and then you
would hear the loss of Bee and Bar
tow deplored, or of some individual
friend it would be said Yes, he is
gone, poor fellow" But this was as
nothing compared to the joyous hub
bub over the victory. How proud
aud happy we were Didn't we know
| fhat ua oOuId whin the YankapC :