The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1904-09-02
AT MANASSAS AGAIN.
The Historic Field Upon Which
Troops Will Manoeuvre
IN GRAND MIMIC BATTLE ARRAY

IN GRAND MIMIC BATTLE ARRAY
A Field Upon Which the Confederate
Soldiers Twice Whipped the
Federal Soldiers During
the Civil War.
The announcement that there are
to be increasing army manoeuvres
near Manassas In the early future nat
urally turns the attention at least Of
the old timers to the first great battle
In the War Between the States, which
was fought In July, 1861, upon that
famous battlefield.
The aC0nfederacy had changed its
capitahto Richmond, the last session
OF It's congress having been held in
Montgomery on May 2lst. President
Davis followed five days later, and
Gen. Beauregard arrived on June lst
and assumed command of the Confed.
crate troops In the department. Of AL
exandria. 1t soon became apparent
that the first struggle would take
place IN northern Virginia, and the
federal government held the Potomac
river In tight grasp and Washington
was well guarded. Gen. Mcdowell
had union army of about 5000
troops incamp south Of the Potomac
Ready for the fray. Gen. Beauregard
with Confederate army was posted
near Manassas Junction, 33 miles
from Washington Gen. Joseph e.
Johnstoni with Confederate army,
was entrenched at Winchester. his
task being to prevent any advance by
Gen. Robert Patterson, and to keep
him from Joining Mcclellan. At the
same time Mcdowell was assured that
Patterson with his 18, 900 men, would
preventsJ ohnston from joining Beau.
regard. But, as 1t afterwards turned
out, faWerSun was not in. Johnston's
way. ltWas planned that Mcdowell
should march to Fairfax Courthouse
then turn south, cross the Occoquan
river, and attack Beauregard's line of
communication with Richmond. That
was the situation just before the ia
nous battle.
The advance of the union army"
says q northern writer, was looked
upon asa holiday, for none at the
north doubted that 1t would be sue
cessful. "a large number of congress,
men and crowds of civilians rode out
from Washington to witness the
novel and inspiring sight. In many
OF the carriages were ladies who Sc
cured favorable position from which
to view through their opera, glasses
the o. throw OF the rebel forces. "
3 :. lsissss saessay closed closed sssI Linden
quite different IN the last act of the
tragedy from what this gay crowd
from the north had expected.
The Confederacy had gathered there
It's finest troops, many Of the privates
Icing young men out of the colleges
and universities, clothed Ia the finest
uniforms, With glittering arms, but
nothing about them SO bright as the
flash OF their eyes. The noblest com.
manders OF the Confederate forces
were there. Beauregard was there
and Johnston was there, as has al.
ready been said. Thomas j. jackson
was there, and when Cen. Bee looked
upon him and his gallant men he ex
claimed: Look! There stands Jack.
sen l ke stone wall! and from that
day this great soldier was affection
ately known as "Stonewall" jackson.
kiiby Smith was there, coming in
the nick of time with 900 Confeder.
ates, coming in time to receive John
st0n' order to attack McDowell's
right and make the Confederate vic.
tory bure.
Stuart and his cavalry were there
and Joined In the impetuous charge
whic1 threw the federal troops into
panit.
Evell was there, that crusty old In
dian fighter, diamond In the rough,
and John b. Gordon was there.
DR.. Hunter Mcclure of Richmond
was there and dressed tie wound
whicfeStonewall Jackson received.
WeSiaye not space to mention the
whole list, but must add that even
President Davis himself was there,
and ID his misglvings suddenly turn
ed if 20 the gladness Of triumph.
'Wffe was dressing Gen. Jackson's
handa said DR.. Mcclure, In one of
his addresses l saw President Davis
ride p from the direction of Manas-
sas. He had been told by stragglers
that Iur army had been defeated. He
STOPPED his horse In the middle of the
streah, Young's branch, stood up in
his pirrups (the palest, sternest face
eWr saw and cried to the great
cro"l OF soldiers, / am President
Davti, follow me back to the field. ~
MIR. rcGuire told Gen. Jackson who
1t @,s and what he said, when Jack
son ItOod up, took of his cap and
cried We have whipped them; they
ran Ike sheep. Give me 10, 900 men
and will take Washington city to-
morrsw" And II the men had been
forthcoming, he would have kept his
proi-ise and the entire fortune Of the
war night have been changed.
Is we are too fast. Let us go
backa step in the narrative and re-
late the closing act In the tragedy.
Let IS go back to the point where
kirly Smith arrived with his rein.
forcments and attacked McDowell's
righ, and let the story be told by
northern writer, who refers to the
soutierners as rebels and insurgents.
We iuote: The situation of Beaure-
garo was critical. He was fighting
desperately, but was pressed steadily
backward. AT the moment when
defat seem Inevitable, be was strong
ly r'infOrced: An advance along the