The National tribune., 1904-01-21

Well-Dtsorderly Retreat 10 Washington.
Con -ederates Almost as Demoralized.
While these events, in the prelude of
the battle, We're going OH Beauregard and
Johnston, from their headquarters, near
the center of the line, marked the outburst
of battle on their left flank, and listened
eagerly and anxiously for similar sounds
from the direction of Centerville, result
ing from the prescribed counter-attack in
that quarter by the Confederate right.
ITO my profound disappointment" adds
the Confederate commander, Il learned,
just about the time that the force ON the
left had been driven back by the advance
of the Federals, that my order to Gen.
Ewell had miscarried." Judging it too
. late for the effective execution of the con.
templated move, Beauregard found HIM
self, as he states, forced to depend on
new combinations to meet the enemy on
the field upon which he had chosen to give
us battle. ''(2O Leaving Ewell, Jones.
Lonsstreet and Bonham at their posi-
tions along the lower fords to make dem
onstratlons against the Federal forces OPP
posite and prevent their going to re-en-
force McDowell's right, the reserves, con-
sisting Of Holiness two regiments and
battery, Early's brigade, and two of Bon
hams regiments and a battery, were inn
mediately ordered up to support the Con-
federate left flank, now seriously inlper-
illed. Jackson, who with his brigade of
i've regiments had been in reserve not far
from Stone Bridge, went up just at the
time Evans and Bee and Barton. who had
been holding the advance position, had
given way, and were attempting to rally
and reform their troops on the plateau.
(2S) at this juncture, Beauregard and
Johnston reached the field, and it re-
quired their best personal efforts to hold
the men to their work. This accomp-
Hshed, Beauregard took command on the
fiefd, while Johnston went to the rear to
r9~v for ,fs,
arriving from the Valley.
MORE THAN A MILE GAINED.
The Confederates had now been forced
back mile and a half, and the Union
force had cleared its front completely
across the Warrenton road; the Stone
Bridge was uncovered, and Mcdowell
drew up his line on the crest gained, with
Heintzelman's Division (brigades of Will
cox and Howard on the right, supported
sy part OF Porters Brigade and the cay
airy under Palmer, and Franklin's Brigade
Of Heintzelman's Division; Sherman's
Brigade OF Tyler's Division in the center:
and keyes's Brigade OF Tyler'e Division
on the left. Beauregard reformed his
forces on the plateau beyond. His line Of
battle consisted of about $500 men, 13
pieces Of artillery, and two companies of
SHuart's cavalry.
The definite possession OF this plateau
DOW became the prize eagerly contested by
the opposing force. This hight is on three
SIDES inclOsed by small water-courses,
wlhich empty into Bull Run within a few
yards Of each other, and half mile to the
South OF Stone Bridge. Rising to an ele-
yation of quite 100 feet above the level Of
Bull Run at the bridge, it falls off on these
sides TO the level OF the inclosing streams
IN slopes which are gentle, but furrowed
by rayines OF irregular direction and
length, and shaded with clumps and
raaf f<I,oo <af mir nd H.
general direction of the crest Of the
plateau IL. oblique to the course Of Bull
Kun. Around its eastern and southern
brow an almost unbroken fringe of second
growth pines gave excellent shelter to the
Southern sharpshooters. To the west ad-
on both sides Of the Sudley road, extends
q broad belt of oaks, in which, during the
battle, regiments Of both armies met and
contended for the mastery.
Having obtained possession of the
ridge. the main effort Of the Union forces
was made to work around and envelop the
left flank OF the Confederate line. This
was manuyer which promised well, but,
unfortunately, the army was hardly in a
condition to execute it; for, worn out in
the hot days work, it had already lost its
cohesion, and errors were committed of
which the Confederates speedily took ad-
vantage.
GRIFFINe BATTERY LOST AND RECOVERED.
The batteries Of Griffin and Ricketts,,
which bad played brilliant part during
the conflict, had been ordered by Gen. Me
right, SO as to take advantage OF the sue
cess gained. These batteries were sup
ported by the Fire Zouayes and Marines.
while the 14th N. Y. was directed into a
skirt of wood on the right to protect that
flank. The quick eye of Jackson, who held
~ Al e
and feeble support of Grifin's battery, and
he threw forward the 33d Va. to take it.
Nor till they emerged from the skirt of
woods, not 1000 yards distant, was the
danger known; and when Griffin was
about to open on them, the Chief Of Artil-
lery. Maj. Barry, restrained him from
so doing, conceiying they were the 14th n.
Y. that had been thrown into the woods
on the right in support. Jackson's men
made dash on the battery, and, the sup
ports giving way, took possession OF the
guns, many OF the cannoneers being shot
down and the horses killed. Fresh forces
were, however, brought up, the Confeder-
ases were driven back, and the guns re-
taken.
THE BATTLE SWAPS.
Beauregard then advanced the right of
his line in an attempt to recover the pla-
team and the guns. This effort was par
tally successful, but 1t was met by a fresh
rally of the Union forces; and thus the tide
of battle repeatedly surged backwards
and forwards, with varying success to each
eombatant. Finally towards o'clock in
the afternoon, fresh accession of force
having arrived from the incoming troops
or Johnston, Beauregard made q deter
mined effort to recover the disputed pla-
teau. The attack was vigorously made and
swept back the Union forces from the
whole open ground-the batteries OF Grit
I'm and Ricketts, being again and finally
(2O Report Of the Battle Of Manassas.
(2S) He came not a moment too soon.
Bee approaching Jackson, and pointing to
the mingled remnants OF his own COM
mand, and the shattered brigades of Bar
ton and Evans huddled up in the woods,
exclaimed. General, they are beating us
back. .Sir, We'll give them the bayonet,'
replied Jackson; and Bee, rushing back to
his troops, rallied them with the words:
There Is Jackson. standing like stone
EalI; let US determine to die here, and We
win co1Quex"