The National tribune., 1904-01-21

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lowered about the Capital. from crossing
their organization. The fire from the
fresh arrivals doubled up this flank and
drove it back il o. confusion which, pres
emily, involved the whole line, extending
even to the left, which had hitherto shown
more consistency, and was even advanc-
ing. The whole force was thrown back IN
disorder, across and over the ridge, and
over Young's Branch, and, in extreme
towards Bull Run. Every effort was
made to rally the. troops, even beyond the
reach Of FIRE, but in vain. The battalion
Of Regulars. alone justifying the tradi-
tons OF military discipline, made brief
stand on the margin OF the ridge, to allow
the volunteers to reach the Warrenton
road. But the troops were rapidly reach
ing that condition when it escapes the
power of man to hold them: there was
running through them that mysterious ter
ror which the Greeks ascribed to the pres
ence OF Pan.
REBELS VICTORIOUS.
1.-THE retreat" says Mcdowell, "soon
became rout, and this presently degener-
ated into a panic" The troops fed across
Bull Run; and once on the road, the diff
ferent bodies coming together, and without
ganization was lost; while army trains and
artillery blocking the road, produced a
hideous debacle.
At the same time COL Miles, who COM
manded the Division of Reserves, and to
whom was intrusted the duty Of holding
the Centerville ridge from Centerville up
to Blackburn's Ford, withdrew his troops
from these positions, uncoyering the pas
sage of the stream Of the Confederates,
and exposing the whole retreating mass to
capture or deStruction-a fate which was
averted by the arrival OF Gen. Mcdowell,
who ordered back Miles's troops to their
position, and by the inactivity Of the Con-
federates. Nothing like systematic pur-
suit was made, although a small party Of
cavalry followed the retreat as far as Cub
Run. By sundown most Of the army was
safe behind the Centerville ridge. There
was, however, no question of halting there;
for the condition OF the army and the abb
sence OF supplies left no alternative but to
fall back; and during the night the army
made its way to the Potomac.
COL. SHERMAN CHECKED THE RoUT.
The retreat was marked by great dis
order, all semblance OF military organiza-
ton being lost. Many did not even stop
on reaching the camps south Of the Po-
tonac, but fed by the bridges and ferries
to Washington. This. however, was at
length stopped by Col. Sherman, who
posted strong guards at the points Of pas
sage.
1ue COnIedeTate loss In this action was
1862, OF whom 269 were killed and 1,43S
wounded. The Union loss must have been
nearly 1000; the prisoners, well and
wounded, left in Beauregard's hands, num-
bered ], 400.
It is hardly necessary to seek any ex.
PLANTATION Of the events Of Bull Run, other
than what arises from the considerable of
the simple fact that the battle WAS fought
at oil. McDowelrs plan OF battle was
| well-considered, and even bold; but the
faults OF execution were innumernble
Owing to the absence of any thing like a
staff, the attack was made in a most frag.
mentary way, without order or ensemble
Since the close OF the war, the writer OF
| these pages has had with Gen. Johnston
La very full conversation on this action
and OF the question OF the general man,
lagement of the battle OF Manassas, he
spoke as follows: 4The key-point was q
fat, bare crest. 1t was here that the Fed.
erals made their attacks. Bnt they were
made by brigade at time. The posi-.
tion was really hardly tenabie, and had an
attack been made in force, with double
line OF batfie-such as any Major Genera
COZ ."The enemy's new formation ex
posed his right flank more even than the
Iprevieus one" Johnston: Report OF the
Battle OF N2nasSa&