Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-07-08
seTRAYeo 1t BULL RUN.


washington, D. c., June 26.-The battle
of Bull Run. as 1t is known in history.
called Manassas by the South, was
fought in July, 1861: 1t was planned and
won by Beauregard. 1t was the greatest
victory gained by the Confederates In the
entire war. Yet there was time in the
midst of it when the Southern command
er's heart failed" him; when he "felt as
though all was lost" and when he wished
che had fallen in battle" before.
These revelations are made in a per-
sOnal letter of Beauregard, written to
Miss Augusta j. Evans of Mobile. The
letter has come into the possession of the
war department. but has not been made
Perhaps more interesting than the adj
mittedy fact that victory was snatched
from defeat is Gen. Beauregard's state
ment that two women In Washington,
detail Of the Federal army and enabled
him to choose his position and make his
arrangements to give battle. The failure
of his own orders, not any mistake in the
betrayal, jeopardized temporarily the re-
suit.
To Miss Evans Gen. Beauregard sent an
account of the battle, inclosing with it
personal letter. He wrote as follows:
Miss Augusta ]. Evans. Mobile, Ala:
Il beg to thank you for your letter of
the nth inst, and am at last able to an
swer your inquiries by sending you my
reports of the battles of Bull Run and
satisfaction. but, for fear of further de-
lays. l send them as they are by the
Southern Express Company.
The young lady referred to Miss Du-
val of Washington brought. about the
10th of July. 1861, to Fairfax court house,
headquarters of Gen. Bonham, the first
message from Mrs. Greenhow of the in
tended positive advance of the enemy
across the Potomac / then Immediately
commenced making my preparations to
receive his meditated attack, and l sent
one Of my aids Col ]. s. Preston) to
communicate the information received to
the President as we'll as my future oper-
ations. On the night of the 18th of July
l received by special messenger Ga Mr..
Donnellan) the second despatch in cipher
also of Mrs. G., telling me that the en-
emy-55, 900. strong, / believe-would pos
itively commence that day his advance
from Arlington Heights and Alexandria
on to Manassas, via Fairfax court house
and Centreville. Early the next morn
ing telegraphed that Information to
President Davis. About noon / received
his telegram to order Gen. Johnston to
join his forces with mine. By that time,
however, the enemy had already driven
in my pickets in advance of Fairfax court
house, and l answered the President that
I feared 1T was then too late, but still
would telegraph and send a messenger
to Gen. Johnston The latter arrived
A. NJ, on the 2lst sent orders to all the
troops to hold themselves in readiness to
move al a moments notice, and at about
A. NJ. sent my final orders to commence
the movement (see my report of the bat
tie of Manassas). Gems. Elwel and
Holmes on the right. to start first to at
tack and turn the enemy's left and rear
at CentreviIe. At about $50 A NJ. hay
ing given all preliminary orders, / left
my headquarters with Gen. Johnston for
the scene of action near Mttchell's Ford
on Bull Run. At about 1890 A. NJ. l was
informed by message from Gen. Elwell
Ia gallant and mpritDri0nS OfJicerl ba
he had not yet received directly my or
ders to advance, but would do so at once
from information received to that effect
from Gen. ID. r. Jones. next on his left.
and who was to have followed his move
ment.
1T was however, then too late for the
enemy was already pressing with vigor
my extreme left under Gen. Evans at the
stone bridge. thus had suddenly or on
the spur of the moment to change my
whole plan of battle, with troops which
mad never yet fought and could scarcely
manoeuvre. My heart for moment
failed me! | felt as though all was lost,
and wished l had fallen in the battle of
the 18th; but l soon rallied. and 1 then
solemnly pledged my life that 1 would
that day conquer or die! Immediately
everything appeared again clear and
hopeful although the worst was yet to
come. About 3 P. NJ, finding that the
enemy mad retaken the plateau of the
Henry house, l ordered my reserves
dhree regiments) forward, and charged
at the head of one of them. We drove
BACK the enemy, about five times our
number and held the position until the
reinforcements from our centre and ex-
IRENE right of the morning had arrived
and decided the fate of the day. The en-
envy commenced flying about 4.3O P. NJ
and the President arrived on the field
about half an hour later in time how
ever, to enjoy that agreeable sight You
Will excuse, | hope, these Details which
are given only to furnish you a clearer
insight into the memorable events of that
day. | beg to remark here that the re-
port of that battle sent you is more a
full history of it than a mere report.
which would have contained only the
leading facts; moreover, l had not much
experience in such matters. | am happy
10 near that you appreciated so well and
truly my two most worthy friends John
ston and Price. | would serve with pleas
ure under either one of them I hone
you VIII yet meet also with another one
Breckinridge, than whom there is not n
nobler soul.
with my kind regards to all at home.
remain. very truly, your friend
- &c. Il. BEAUREGARD"
The publication of this private letter
VIII give to many readers of the history
OF the civil war the first definite impress
SION OF the tremendous advantage the
Contcderates had through spies in Wash
ington. and also the first knowledge of
now the fortune of battle wavered on the
neld or Bull Run.-St. Louis Globe Demo-