Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-08


you to publish In your widespread and
metropolitan journal, is from the pen OF
Captain William Fitzhugh Randolph. Oh
Greenville. Miss. Captain Randolph, him'
self n gallant Confederate officer, Is
brother to Bishop Randolph, OF virginia
and of the military stock OF the dis
tinguished Captain Buckner Magill Ran
dolph, of the Confederate infantry as
well as knsman to the courageous and
accomplished Colonel Robert Randolph. OF
the cavalry corps attached TO the Army
Of Northern Virginia
Yours. JOHN SCOTT,
OF Fauquier, Colonel OF Cavalry. Con-
federate States Army.
WarTenton. Va.
GREENvILI.E. August. 1898.
Colonel John Scott:
My Dear Colonel,-f hope you will
excuse the delay which has occurred in
my answer TO your letter, received s.ne
weeks ago. which has been occasionei,
first, by my absence from home. and then
by a spell of fever. from which l have
only recovered in the past few days.
The extract which you give from Colo
mel Munford's report (see for the rrinrt
itself. page Jsi. Official Records OF the
Union and Confederate Armies, Series |
Vol. IL is so entirely inaccurate
and at variance with all my own ex-
perience. that / think 1t better TO supple
ment your own narrative by giving
brief account of my observation OF sont
OF the incidents of that memorable day.
j did not at that time, as, perhaps, you
are aware, belong to any organized COM
mand, but had been, in company with
few choice companions. scouting in front
OF our army. and on the day Of the first
battle OF Manassas acted as sort OF
free lance, taking in the battle from the
various standpoints. which gave the best
promise OF interest and incident. 1t is
wen understood row that we were on
that day outgeneralled at every point.
The Federal commander. by sham at
tack on the 18th. had masked his
real design, while he marched the bulk
OF his army around by Sudley Mil, and
thus precipitated a superior force upon
the unprotected left flank and rear of tha
Confederates. turning our entire position,
and rendering absolutely useless all the
defences which had been erected at Ma
nassas, the day being only saved by the
ndomitable courage OF few Confederate
brigades who fought with a persevering
tenacity which has been rarely equalled.
and never excelled. on any Of the great
battle-heds OF the world. Our army
numbered nearly 10000. and less than 1000
Of that number, through that long and
terrible day, bore the whole brunt of the
Federal onset. Step by step. contesting
every inch OF ground with desperate cour-
age, our line was slowly. but steadily
driven back by the sheer weight of the
Federal advance, outnumbered, as they
were, almost ten 10 one.
HIENsELMAN'S REPORT.
Hienselman, who commanded division
of the Federal army, stated in his report
10 the department at Washington, with
grim satire that their defeat was not
the result of masked batteries, or over
wheiming numbers, but because regiments
repulsed brigades and brigades drove back
divisions. But, Notwithstanding this fact
the Confederate line was gradually forced
back up the long slope leading to the
Henry House When reinforced by rev
regiments OF fresh troops, which had been
hurried up from Manassas. the thin Con-
federate line closed up for a last stand
on the apex OF the ridge which overlook
ed the stone bridge and the whole
ground over which the enemy had been
advancing. / stood close behind, looking
at the long solid ranks of the enemy as
they were massing Sor Il final assault,
for. as / glanced along our line II SEEM
ed almost certain that those worn ana
tired soldiers who had fought through
the long, hot day, their ranks depleted
to one half of their original strength,
would surely be overwhelmed at last BY
the impact OF numbers. Bee and Barlow
had fallen. or the Fourth Alabama, which
had entered the fight $50 strong, more
than 100 had gone down on the bloody
field. and all that were engaged had suf-
fered in the same proportion. but with
ranks unbroken, resolute, and dauntsess
still. Johnston and Beauregard both were
urging and encouraging the troops, and
| fully exposed to the whole Federal fire,
the MIME balls coming thick and fast.
| Jackson stood near his brigade. with
cap drawn close over his eyes. stern and
silent, awaiting the catastrophe, and rem
| dered rather more conspicuous by white
handkerchief wound around his left hand,
which had been slightly wounded by
bullet.
SUCH THE SITUATION.
Such was the situation when looking
! TO our left. On the right flank Of the
| Federal advance. and little In its rear
we saw the gleam of bayonets on the
crest of the hills. 1t was but a single
brigade-3,0o0 stronghold by Kirby Smith.
who, hearing the steady firing from the
cars at GAINESVILLE. had come across the
country straight for the battlefield. As
the brigade poured over the crest OF the
hill the pace was quickened to a double
quick, rushing down on the enemy s
flank. firing and shooting az they came.
The Federal line halted. then wavered.
wheeling little to the right, as II to
meet this fresh enemy, but their hearts
seemed to fail them. before that onward
rush, and the right OF the line began
TO crumble like a rope OF sand. Then II
was that saw Jackson raise his wounded
| hand and point down to that waverins
| line. Those worn and tired soldiers need
ed no second bidding. They knew their
time had come at last. and. apparently
as fresh as when the battle opened In
the morning, those young volunteers leap
ed like boodhounds down the hill. and
closed with the foe.
The end had come, and the battle was
won-a victory as amazing as 1t was un-
expected. moment before the advance
Of the solid blue lines seemed irresistible;
now, in the widest panic. the whole field
covered with a host Of disorganIzed fugi-
tives, flying as II all the devils Of the lower
regions were behind them. I was on
many a hard fought field afterwards, but
never saw / scene like that Musket.
knapsack-everything In fine that impeded
Aight-was thrown away. and the disor-
ganzed panic-strcken masses poured like
an avalanche across the turnpike, over the
stone bridge, into the woods and fields
beyond.
THE PRESIDENT.
At this juncture I was standing not
far from the Henry house. Generals
Johnston and Beauregard were with
President Davis. who hearing that the
Confederate army was retreating. had
come In a special car from Richmond.
and had Just ridden upon the field. Cap
tain Davis. at the head Of the Albemarle
Troop Of cavalry. rode up the hill. and
| tois In railr Ia