The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1889-08-01
THAT SUNDAY IN JULY.
The First Battle Of Manassas July FL, 1861.
Iugusta Chronicle, july 81.
First battle of Manassas |

First battle of Manassas
Twenty eight years ago to-day. The
battle was fought on Sunday, July q,
1861. Since that year five anniyersa.
ries of the celebrated 6ght have fallen
on Sundays, viz: 1867, 1872, 1873, 1884
and 1889.
How rapidly time flies. The boy
born on the day of that encounter now
has children of bis own whom be tells
of this struggle as the story has come
down to him from his father. Young
men, slain on the field of Manassas,
now sleeping the years of their man
hood away" would be grandfathers if
living. The stream which almost ran
red with blood on that hot July Sum.
day now flows peacefully and untroubled
through wide fields Of nodding tassels,
and the old stone bridge, battered and
bloodstained, is crossed to day by the
farmer and plodding team. on his way
to the quiet village church.
How many Of the great battles of the
world have been fought on Sunday !?
Every campaign, before Waterloo and
since, has had its sanguinary Sabbath.
An old soldier of Gen. Pat Cleburne's
yesterday told me that this commander
made it rule to have a brush in Ten.
nessee every Sunday.
Somehow this Manassas anniversary
has burned itself into the memory of
people. A dozen old soldiers whom I
met yesterday were speaking about the
first battle of Manassas.
saw Mr.. F. M. Stovall up at the
Planters Loan and Savings bank. He
was talking Of the anniversary when 1
entered. There are special reasons
why he will never forget that ight. 1t
was his first experience under fire. He
was a boy of eighteen, just from Frank
lyn college, at Athens. Eulisting with
the Rome Light Guards, Of which his
brother was member, he entered the
fight early in the day with the Eighth
Georgia regiment.
"It was the regiment of the gallant
Francis S. Bartow," said Mr.. Stovall.
IT shall never forget his face as,he went
into the fight. His expression was q
rare composite of benevolence, bravery
and nobility. He bad just received his
commission as brigadier general, but
had not formally accepted. he said he
wanted to earn his title before he wore
it. Placing himself at the bead of his
command, he went into the charge early
in the day and fell at the hottest moment
of the fight. Barlow and Bee, brigadier
commanders, both died on the field Of
Manassas. I love to think Of this great
Savannah soldier, whose boast Vas that
he went out to "illustrate Georgia"
"Then again our Lieutenant Colonel,
Montgomery Gardner, was shot on that
memorable Sunday. His leg was frac-
tured below the knee. Standing by him,
saw him fall. Itwas in dense pine
thicket, and he had dismounted to pass
through with his troops. / ran to support
him and did carry him quite distance.
Gen. Gardner was severely wounded and
now lives near Rome. He suffers from
that wound STILL"
Shortly afterward Mr.. Stovall, whose
company got at once into the thickest
Of the engagement, turned to look for
his brother. In the hot melee these
two had separated. The eldest brother
was found lying upon his face, shot
through the heart. He sleeps to-day
beneath marble shaft in Summerville.
IT do not think either army intended
to fight just where they did. Beaure'
gard and Johnston formed junction
| there, and the issue was joined right off.
The morning was consumed with sharp
engagements between different COM
mands. I suppose it was nearly 2 o'clock
before line of battle WAS Joined, and not
till in the afternoon did the panic be-
come general on the Federal side.''
"There we're heavier and more savage
battles during the war, but none with
sharper fighting or more complete results.
have always thought ne could have
gone right into Washington after Manas-
sas. I believe our leaders refrained from
this for political reasons rather than from
military considerations
Just then Mr.. Wallace DELPHI, who
was probably the youngest commissioned
officer in the army, came up. "There
is one remarkable thing about Manas.
sas," said he. "a year lster I was in
the second battle. The Confederates
had crossed ever to the rear of the Fed.
erals, and occupied the ground the
Federals held in 1861. So the position;
of the armies were exactly reversed from
the first engagement. The fact that oui
army was victorious both times is not q
little significant
Shortly afterwards happened to meet
with Mr.. Jiles NJ. Berry. he, too, was
] in the first battle of Manassas.
eyes, remember it we'll. I was in
Kershaw's, then Bonham's, Seventh
Carolina. The night before the fight
was one of one hundred picked men
selected to form O vidette line in front
of the enemy. Next morning the Yam
kee drums commenced to beat. I never
heard such reyeille in my life. 1t was
evident that the advance had begun
We could see them coming. The FEEDER
al army was o magnificent body of men
They came forward with Furnished En-
field rifles and all improved equipment.
Their organization seemed perfect. Their
commissary was in splendid order. No
troops over had iner clothes or better
food"