The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1897-08-24

time, however, the enemy had already
driven III my pickets in advance Of
Fairfax Court House, and / answered
the president that 81 feared it was
then too late, but still would telegraph
and send II messenger TO General John.
ston." Tho latter arrived about noon
on the goth. AT about 4:3O a. m. ON
the 2lst L sent orders to all the troops
to hold themselves in readiness to move
at n moments notice, and at about :
a. III. sent my final orders TO
the movement (see my report OF the
battle of Manassas), Generals Ewoll
and Holmes on the right, to start first
to attack and turn the cncmy's left and
rear ut Ccntcrville. AT about $40 u.
m, having given all preliminary or
dcrs, l left NY headquarters With Cen
eral Johnston for the scene of action
ncnr Mitchell's Ford, on Bull Run. Al
about 1890 a. m. l was informed by
n message from General Ewell-o Gal
liant and meritorious Uficer-that he
mad not yeI received directly my Or
ders to advance, but would do so ut
once from information received TO that
effect from General ID. r.. Jones, next
on his left, and who was to have fol-
lowed his movement.
1t was, however then too late. fer
the enemy was already pressing with
rigor my extreme left under General
Evans at the Stone Bridge. | thus
had suddenly or on the spur of the mo-
ment to change my whole plan of bat
tie, with troops which had never vet
fought and could scarcely mancuycr.
My heart for n moment failed me- |
felt rs though al was lost, and | wish
cd L had fallen in the battle of the
lSth, but L soon rallied, and / then
solcmnly pledged my life that | would
that day conquer or die immediately
everything appeared again clear and
hopeful, although the worst was ct to
come. About 3 p. m, finding that the
emery had rctaken the plateau of the
Henry house, l ordered my reserves
Qhrce re9imcnts) forward and charged
al the head Of one of them. We drove
back the enemy, about five times orr
number, and held the position until the
rc-cnforcciucnts from our center and
extreme right of the morning had ar
rived and decided the fate of the lay,
The enemy commenced flying about
4:3O p. M, and the president arrived
on the field about half an hour later.
in time, however, to enjoy that agree,
able sight. You will excuse, | hone.
these details, which are given only tc
furnish you Il clearer insight into the
memorable events of that day. | bee
to remark here that the report of that
battle sent you is more a full history
OF 1t than a mere report, which would
have contained only the leading facts,
Moreover, | had not much experience
i'll such matters. | am happy to hcal
thtt you appreciated So well and trul,
my two most worthy friends, Johnston
and Price. | would serve with plea.
sure under either one of them. | hon,
you will yet meet also with another one.
breckenridge, than whom there is moi
a uoblcr soul.
With my kind regards to all at home.
l remain, very truly, your friend,
q. II. BEAUREGARD.
The publication of this private letter
Will give to many readers of the history
OF the civil war the first definite i'm.
preston OF the tremendous advantage
the C~onfcdcrntcs had through spies in
Washington, and also the first knowl,
edge of how the fortune Of battle
wavcrcd on the field of Bull Run
81. LouiS GtoJc-Dcmocrut