Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-08


division, comprising the brigadeS OF w. L.
Sherman, Reyes, Schenck and Richardson,
was to examine the roads from Centerville
to Bull Run, but not to bring OH an
engagement Tyler at Blackburn's ford
came in touch with Early, Longstreet and
Bonham, and the result was spirited en-
gagement The Union loss at this ford was
nineteen men killed, thirty-eight wounded
and twenty-six missing, a total OF eighty
three. The confederate loss was fifteen
killed and fifty-three wounded.
Johnston Escapes Patterson.
On the morning Of July 20 General John
ston came down in the confederate rear,
bringing with him the brigades Of Bee,
Barlow and Jackson. These Were a part
of the army which Patterson was to keep
busy in the Shenandoah. On the morning
of July 81, after the great battle had be-
gun, Mcdowell received the following dis
patch from General Scott at Washington:
"It is known that a strong reinforcement
left Winchester, Va, on the afternoon OF
the 18TH
McDowelrs army was already in a death
struggle with these troops.
1t was on July 20 that Mcdowell deter
mined to turn the confederate left by cross
ing Bull Run at Sudley ford, four miles
north of the stone bridge, Selling the Ma
nassas Gap railroad, and countermarchinS
down the confederate side of the run
Before entering upon this momentous part
of the battle story reference should be
made to the conditions in the Union camp
at Centerville Maj Gen. James p. Fry.
who at Bull Run was assistant adjutant
general on McDowelrs staff, says:
During the 10th and Doth (July) the
bivouacs of McDoweiPs army at Center
vile, almost within cannon range of the
enemy, were thronged by visitors, Official
and unofficial, who came in carriages from
Washington, bringing their own supplies
They were under no military restraint and
passed around the troops as they pleased,
giving the scene the appearance or a mon
| ster military picnic Among others, the
of M
eron, called upon General Mcdowell.
Whether due to naturally serious express
| sion, to a sense Of responsibility. or to
premonition Of the fate of his brother, Col
James Cameron 10th New York Volun-
teers, who fell upon the field on the list,
| his countenance showed apprehension of
| evil. but men generally were confident and
| OF for the Battlefield.
| Daybreak, July 81. 1861, saw the Union
| army on the march from Centervile to
! Bull Run TyIer's division led. Behind
| marched the divisions of Hunter and Hint
| Zelman Tyler followed the Warrenton
| pike to the Stone bridge, opening the en-
| gagement with Evans. At cross roads
| one mile east of the Stone bridge Hunter
| and Heintzelman left the pike, moving
along a forest road to Sudley ford, cross
| ing Bull run and then turning south along
| the Sudey Springs road The detour was
| twelve miles instead of six, as Mcdowell
| had been informed, and the time Of the
passage of Bull run at sudley $3.50 am.
| Instead of Z o'clock, as Planned.
Evans occupying the highland back OF
| Stone bridge perceived that Tyler's attack
| was a feint and clouds of dust away off
| to his left apprised him of the Union flank
| ing movement. Evans communicated with
Cooke at the next ford on his right. Cooke
moved up to the Stone bridge and engaged
Tyler. while Evans threw his brigade
across the Sudley road to block the prog
| ress Of the Union troops. One mile west
| of the Stone bridge the Washington-W War
| renton pike crosses the Sudley Springs
! road running north and south between
| the meeting Of the road the pike runs
| through valley, and on the heights at the
| north side of this valley Evans took his
| position Burnside's brigade, in the van OF
T, the turning column, encountered Evans,
| and. deploying In line OF battle assahed
! him. General Hunter. the division com
mander. fell badly woun del.ad burnside fnnae
| Burnside, and the attack on Evans was re-
newed
| ON the hills and plateau on the south side
| OF the valley through which the pike runs.
| stand the Henry and Robinson houses. The
brigades Of Bee and Barlow appeared on
| this side of the valley and quickly crossed
1 to the support Of Evans. The fighting on
! the heights (marked on the map Buck HilD
| became general and the weight of the Union
/ thanking column growing heavier as the
| troops came into line the brgades of Bee
Barlow and Evans wavered and then re-
| treated in confusion to the heights south
| OF the pike (marked on the map Henry
| HIP. Here the brigade of Jackson had
| come, drawn by the sound of the conflict
| and had formed a line, under cover Of which
| Bee, Barlow and Evans reformed. Here
| it should be again observed that McDowelps
army was fighting three brigades Of John
ston's army, which was thought to be on
| the other side Of the Blue Ridge.
| Where Fight Was Fiercest.
This brings the action to the Henry Hill.
one Of the bloody and historic spots Of the
world. On the night Of July 20 the opposing
armies were stretched out in lines running
north and south parallel to Bull Rum On
the morning Of the 21st they extended from
east to west. the confederate position being
at right angles to that 1t occupied before.