The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-01-08

ing and one with the report of the picket
rea ched him simultaneously. The two re-
ports coming together from different
sources. thoroughly impressed him with
the gravity of the situation, and he acted
Immediately and with excellent Judgment;
He left four companies OF his command
to occupy the enemy Tyler and his three
brigades) in his own front. and with the
remainder Of his force (six companies OF
the 4th s. G. and Wheat's La. Battalion).
he marched to oppose and delay the turn
ing column, sending word at the same time
of his movement to Col. Cooke. next on his
right In his official report Evans warm
~ thanks Col. Robt. Wheat (who had
been an old Filibuster) for sound advice on
the field. and l have no doubt that Wheat
was consulted and advised with here.
Poor fellow. he fought as well as advised.
and fell shot through both lungs. He re-
covered, but at his next fight, Gaines's
Mill, II months after, he fell. leading a
charge and could only exclaim: Bury me
on the field. boys"
Having sent Evans my brief notice of
his immediate danger ! wrote q note to
Gen. Beauregard, which | can quote, l
believe, verbatim. as it was framed after
my idea of what the reports of reconnoit-
ering officers should be-the exact math-
ematical truth. the whole truth and moth
ing but the truth. kept no copy of it,
but its impression upon my own brain was
very vivid. and it was about as follows:
Il see body of troops crossing Bull Run
about two miles above the Stone Bridge.
The head of the column is in the woods on
this side. The rear of the column is in
the woods on the other side. About half
mile of it's length is visible in the open
ground between. l can see both infantry
and artillery"
When I had it written, It looked very
tame for notice of the great event ! took IL
to be: but l gave it to my courier and sent
him off at gallop, with some two and a
half miles to go.
sEAsONABLE AND MATERIAL ASSISTANCE
Gen. Beauregard. in his report of the
battle. does not mention the receipt of this
note, but says generally that | gave him
''seasonable and material assistance early
| in the day with my system of signals"
Gen. Johnston is little more explicit
and says: "About 8 o'clock. Gen. Beaure
gard and l placed ourselves on a com
handing hill in rear of Gen. Bonham's
left. Near 8 o'clock the Signal Officer
Capt. Alexander, reported that a large
| body of troops was crossing the Valley nj
Bull Run, some two miles above the
bridge. Gen. Bee, who had been placed
near Col. Cookies position; Col. Hampton
| WIN i$tSIDu. cbl JdchSbH. ITOfn
point near Gen. Burnham's left, were or
dered to hasten to the left flank"
Bees force comprised the 4th Ala, q
Miss. and the It'll and 9Th Ga. Tn,
Hampton Legion was one regiment, ant
Jackson had five regiments, the I'd. 4th
9th 9th and 33d Va. So in all. 10 regi
ments, with an average distance of abou
three miles to go, were now EN- route t,
reinforce Evans with his one regimen
and a half.
/ need proceed no further in the histor,
Of this battle, though it included the send
ing Of several other signals. and other mat
tiers of interest which concerned gu
knowledge of what was taking place
1t is known of all men that the della
made by the troops above mentioned CAV
time for the arrival of the brigades O
Early and Kirby Smith and two regi
ments Of Burnham's. and that their al
rival changed defeat into victory. A
the sending of these troops to the left wa
caused by the timely warning of tn
approach of the enemy upon tha
flank; it must fairly be attribute
to the operation of the system Z
signals. And as to the value of that viz
tory in moral effect upon the Confederat
army and people. those who have FULL
appreciated the immense power given b
morale" to any army. will realize 'ha
that victory laid a foundation of moral
without which our subsequent victories
prolonging the war for four years-woul
; have been almost, il not quite, impossibl,