The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-04-30
Ey JOHN D. vAUTIER, &c. SSth Pa.

in command. reached Bull Run battlefield
on the afternoon of Friday. Aug. 20, 1862
after series of excessively hard marches
and movements that began on the Rapi-
dan River on Aug IS, and continued.
without intermission. until after the battle
of Chantilly. Sept. /. 1862.
In reviewing the strategic movements of
the Union and Confederate armies during
this brief but strenuous campaign. lasting
about one month, it is amazing what ig-
norance Gen. Pope displayed in regard to
the intentions. locations. spirit and strength
of his opponents, and the contempt with
which he measured their combative pow
ers to the last. On the other hand. the
Southern Generals appeared TO have
gagged Pope's generalship and their every
movement was carried out with remark
able precision, to the utter discomfort and
defeat of the Union General. and, though
his army fought never so bravely, it was
a losing contest from beginning to the
bitter end.
ARRIVING on THE BATTLEFIELD.
The second battle of Bull Run really
August. was continued all the 18th. and
fought to a finish on Saturday, the Both,
the different divisions of both armies be-
ing pushed into action as they arrived on
the field.
Ricketts's Division bivouacked on the
night Of the 29th near the Henry House.
and on the morning of the Both was
y, Matthew'S ap1 lnrnp
farms, being held in reserve.
Here ratiors were distributed while the
lines were being arranged for further
operations. defensive and offensive. mostly
offensive. for Pope had conceived the idea
that the Johnny rebs had been fought out
and that their chief aim in life now was
to get out of reach of our avenginS leglons.
Where this idea originated is hard to
conceive. but. at any rate. Pope te!e-
graphed the news to Gen. Halleck as an
actual fact. and the good tidings sent
thrill of joy through the loyal sections of
the country that was most rude!y dispelied
a few hours later.
PURSUING THE ENEMY.
That Pope believed Lees army was de-
feated and flying there is no doubt, though
Porter. Reynolds. Sigel and others insisted
that Lee had no thought of retreating. but
was arranging his lines for a determined
and concentrated attack on the Union
nositions. but 10 all these protests Pope
maid no attention. and about noon Or
ganiZed strong columns to go after the
enemy, press him all day, and pick up
any Stragglers, cannon, wagons or any
thing else they could Law their hands on.
Cen. Mcdowell was to direct this pleas
ant dirty. and Ricketts's Division was to
lead on the right. About 3 or o'clock the
head of our column pulled out the Sudley
road TO 20 after those skedaddling Johnnies
first Milling our knapsacks in a field, but
we never saw those knapsacks acain-a
iob that we were more than willing ia do.
Though no fellow could exactly understand
why they were ON the run. hiking for the
mountains: but we were easily persuaded
tn believe the good news and we cheer
fully footed after them. fully determined
that we wouId now repay them for the
many unpleasant experiences we had late
" had at their ipbospitable hands.
There had NOT been much doing during
the morning in the fighting line. and i
remember marching near Kearny's Diyi-
sion and seeing that renowned General
carelessIy leaning on a brass cannon. while
a rifled cannon threw an occasional shell
toward a farm house half mile or more
to the right front; but the other fellows
Everything comes to those who wait. and
these waiting artillerists got plenty of
practice a little later in the dav.
Ii must have been between 3 and
O'Clock when our two bricades (Tower's
and Hartsuff's) marched north on the
Sudley road TO reioin the other two brig
AIDES Durvea's and Tboburn'sl of the diyi
sion. who had been sent 10 the extreme
right early in the morning: but the march
had not gone far before the real intentions
of the enemy had been fatbomed and in
stead of running away he was massing a
force of 20 600 troops of all arms TO crush
the Union left south of the Warrenton
nike
Ry some unacconufabIe bIunder the line
south OF the Warrepton road had been
entirely neglected. and TO meet this emer-
rencv Warren rushed his semi-bripode Of
two regiments into the breach. sunnorted
Inv Mel Ohio Brigade of SioeI's
earns and nresentlv Inv Jockson'e (1nder-
son!sl Rrigade of tbc Pannsvjvania Re-
serves and Towers and Uartsun's Rrio-
.des and when these trnnns had heen
heaten hack Inv EoItes's and N;Irov,s
Rripades Of SiGeI-s Corns These SnTen
brirades in succession bore the hrunt of
Iongstreet'S and Stnart's attach in Tho
angIe forme,, Inv tho Warrenton and Sad
Ier roads west of the Ucnry House Ii;II
TOWER TO THE RESCUE.