Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-08-08
BULL-RUN RUSSELL
The Famous Correspondents American
Experiences.


DIR. Russell, the famous war correspon-
dent of the London Times, says Ben Per-
ley Poore, was an important parsonage at
Washington during the early part of the
war. When his account of the battle of
Bull Run returned in print many took
oftense at it; but there was a great deal
OF truth aeout it, and it had an excellent
e1ect on the army. The following winter
Or: Russell enjoyed Washington society.
and was regular attendant at pleasant
little suppers, where some of the leading
American correspondents entertained
those from abroad. He was received at
the British legation, and took an active
part in some private theatricals got up
there. Frank Vizitelli, the artist of the
London Illustrated Netgs. painted the
scenery; and DR.. Russell not only
acted as stage manager, but took
the leading part in "Bombastes Furioso.V
The doctor was also received kindly at
headquarters, and Gen. Mcclellan re-
commended that he be permitted to accom-
pany him when the Army of the Potomac
moved toward Richmond. Mr.. Stanton,
however, ungraciOusly snubbed both the
correspondent and the General at one
blow. DR.. Russell and a party of British
officers were all, with baggage and horses.
on board the steamboat to 90 down the
Potomac, and steam was up for starting
when there came an order from the Secre-
tary excluding DR.. Russell but allowing
the rest to go. explanation was offered
nor would any be given upon request.
only the PRESIDENT would reply to appeals:
ana ne SAID, though he regretted the disap-
pOlntment and wished it were otherwise
he did not think it right TO overruIe the
Secretary in matter which the latter
considered of so much public Importance
as he did this. So British officers. sent
over to fight us, and milOrds, despising us
and our institutions, were freely permitted
to crafty an idle curiosity and observe in
detail all our operations in the field. while
the representative of the first British
newspaper, after being allowed to witness
all our failures, to see our poverty of
action IN contrast with our boosted words,
was denied the first real oppOrtu-
nifty that had occurred to him
of witnessing our actual ability and sue
cess in the field, and of proving that he
could do as full justice to the courage and
discipline of our troops in April as he
had done to their cOwardice at Bull Run
in July. This it was DIR. RusselPs desire
to do, as was stated by Mr.. Samuel
BOwles, who crossed the ocean with him.
and who also stated that the Doctors good
nature was imperturbable,a and that he was
neither cynical nor sore toward Ameri-
cans. Moreover, he carried home with
him full faith in the triumph Of
the Federal armies and full faith
also in that greatness of the
American nation in which the domi-
nant ideas and interests of the free States
wOald rule. 1t is curious that Dickens
introduces Martin ChuzzIewit to s'Our
war correspondent, sir, Mr.. jefferson
BrickW at time when a war cores
pondent, in the modern sense of the word,
was unknown. We imagine that the
warlike experiences of the redoubtable
Mr.. Brick were of a purely sedentary
character, and that his correspondence
was carried on entirely within the Office
walls,