The National tribune., 1904-03-17

Division was being formed on Porter's
right III order to press an attack, clouds OF
dust on the extreme left Showed that the
enemy was moving to turn the Union line
in that direction; and that, instead of re-
firing, he was in the fun tide Of an Of
| fensive movement. To meet this manuver
Gen. Mcdowell detached Reynolds's COM
mand from the left of P0rter's force north
Of the Warrenton turnpike, and directed
it OH position south Of that road to check
this menace. The WarTenton turnpike,
which intersects the Manassas battlefield.
runs westward up the valley OF the little
rivulet of Young's Brunch. From the
stream the ground rises ON both sides. in
some places quite into hills The Sudley
| Springs road, on crossing the stream at
right angles, passes directly over one of
these hills, just south Of the WarrentOn
turnpike; and this hill has on 1t a detached
road with fields stretchingsback away from
it some hundreds of yards to the forest.
This is the hill whereons what is known
as the Henry House, stood. To the
west of it is another hill-fhe Bald Hill,
so ealled-whch is in Fact a rise lying
between the roads, and making about the
| same angle with each. and running back
| to the forest. Between the two hills is n
brook, a tributary of Young's Branch.
Upon the latter hill Gen. Mcdowell di-
rected Reynoldss Division and portion
Of Ricketts, command, so as TO check the
Hank manuver that mei,aced seizure of
the Warrenton turnpike, which was the
line OF retreat for the whole army.
PORTER REFUSED.
The occupation of this position was jul
dicious on the part Of Gen. Mcdowell:
but the detachment Of Reynolds from
Porter's left for that purpose had an un-
fortunate result ;(29) for it exposed the
key-point Of POrter's line. Col. G. X.
Warren, who then commanded one of
POrter's brigades, seeing the imminence
Of the danger, at once, and without wait
ing for orders, moved forward with his
small but brave brigade OF about thou
sand men, ,(30) and occupied the important
position abandoned by Reynolds; Porter
then, as well to sustain Warren as to full
fiji his orders of pursuit, his column of at
tack being formed, made vigorous as
sault on the Confederate position; but be-
yond driving back the advanced line SO as
formed behind the railroad embankment.
he was able to accomplish nothing. Line
after line was swept away byIthe enemy's
artillery and infantry fire, and so destruc-
tive was its effect that Porter's troops
finally were compelled to within draw. Por-
ter's attack had been directed against
Jackson; but Longstreet, on Jackson's
/ u
ground, whence he could rakestfe assault
ing columns with an enfiladiny Ere Of ar
tillery. From an eminefcd near by"
says that officer, tone portion Of the
enemy's masses, attacking Gen. Jackson,
were immed' ,tely within mt flew, and in
easy range Of batteries in that position. 1t
gave me an advantage / had not expected
to have, and | made haste to Iuse it. Two
batteries were ordered for tbe purpose,
and one placed in position Immediately
and opened. Just as this firing began,
received message from the commanding
General, informing me OF Gen. Jackson's
condition and wants. As II was evident
that the attack against Gen. jackson could
not be continued 10 minutes under the fire
Of these batteries, l made, no movement
with my troops. Before the second bat
terry could be placed in position the enemy
began to retire, and in less than 10 min
utes the ranks were broken, aud that por-
ton OF his army put to fiight," "t31) Warren
occupying the important point he had
seized, held on stoutly and against a fear
full loss till all the rest of Porters troops
had been retired, and only withdrew
when the enemy had advanced SO close as
to fire in the very faces Of his men.
REBELS HELD THE FIELD.
Such was the situation of affairs at 3
o'clock in the afternoon: Porter's troops
position which it was hopeless to attempt
to carry, were retiring from the field
Jackson Immediately took up the pursuit,
and was joined by q general advance OF
| the whole Confederate iine-Longstreet
extending his right so as, Impossible, to cut
off the retreat of the Union forces. BY an
impetuOus rush, Longstreet carried the
Bald HILL" held by Reynolds and Rick
| etts; and it then became doubtful whether
even THE Henry House HIP could be
| maintained SO as to cover the retreat of
| the army over Bull Run, for Longstreet
had thrown around his rightTso as to
menace that position. This, however, was
happily provided for by the frmness of
| some battali0ns of Regulars which held
Of Meade and Seymour and other troops,
that maintained the position and permit
| ted the withdrawal Of the army. Under
cover OF darkness the wearied troops re-
| tired across Bull Run, by the Stone
Bridge, and took position On the nights OF
Centeryille. Owing to tie obscurity of
the night and the uncertainty of the fords
Of Bull Run, Lee attempted no pursuit
EXIT POPE.
At Centerville Pope united with the
corps Of Franklin and Sumner, and he re-
mained there during the whole of the 31st
But Lee had not yet given up the pur-
| suit. Leaving Longstreet on the battle
| field, he sent Jackson by detour on
Pope's right, to strike the Little River
turnpike, and by that route to Fairfax
Courthouse, to intercept, il possible,
Pope's retreat to Washington Jackson's
march was much retarded by a heavy
storm that commenced the day before and
still continued. Pope, meantime, fell ba ok
to positions covering Fairfax Courthouse
and Germantown; and on the evening OF
the LIST OF September, Jackson struck his
right posted at Ok Hiii near German
town. He Immediately engaged the Union
force with Hills and EwelIs Divisions
in the midst Of cold and drenching rain.
The attack fell upon Reno, Hooker, part
Of Mcdowell, and Kearnyg A firm front
was maintained till Stevens'ss division of
Reno's Corps, owing to thei exhaustion OF
it's ammunition, and the dealh OF its
General, was forced back 81 disorder. To
repair this break, Keafny, with the
promptitude that marked him, sent for
ward Birney's Brigade 0f his own diyi-
sion; and presently, all ;ag1>w with zeal,
brought up battery, whick hehplaced In
position. But there still r1maiked q gap
on Birney's right, caused hy The retire
ment Of Stevens's Division. TAis Birney
pointed out to Kearny,a ana tlskt gallant