Omaha daily bee., 1911-07-21

Bull Run has never carried . pleasing
sound to the ears OF northern people The
hoodooed battlefield OF the civil war,
whereon the union cause twice met defeat,
buked large in the early days Of the struE-
gle. For the victor II was q powerful
recruiting force and the foundation OF the
delusive hope of ultimate triumph. The
shock of the vanquished union troops
aroused the north to q fuller eomprehen-
sion OF the desperate work ahead. Time
long since banished the harshness OF the
name and its memories. 20 that today the
fiftieth anniversary of the first Bull Run,
fought July q, 1851, survivors OF the con-
test and their descendants meet on the
famous battlefield In a spirit of fraternal
good will.
The Bull Run reunion Of the blue and the
gray and their descendants is unique in
the worlds history. Here assemble those
who were enemies In former days-this
time to hold a great jubilee Of peace fra
ternity and national solidarity. President
Taft will address the assembled veterans,
there will be talks by soldiers OF both sides,
camp fires, reunions, concluding with the
inspiring spectacle OF former foes formed
In lines, clasping hands with each other.
union forces and General q. T. BeaureEard
the confederates, with headquarters at
Manassas Junction. three miles from Bull
Run. General Robert Patterson Of Penn
sylvania with force OF militia was sent
to Harper's Ferry to keep General Joe
Johnston from reinforcing General Beaure-
gard. The force under General Mellow
ELL" writes John McElroy past senior
commander OF the Grand Army of the Re-
public. in the New York Herald, could not
be called an army. 1t was merely an ag-
gregatlon, hastily formed into regiments,
many OF the men being in parade uniform.
An effort was made TO organize them
into brigades and divisions but Il was
merely nominal classification, as there
were no maneuvers by which the different
units could become consolidated into q
cohesive force. There was scarcely the
pretense OF q staff, army, division or
brigade. Regiments did not know brigade
and division officers and officers did not
know their regiments.
The movement was ordered to begin at
o'clock IN the morning Of Sunday, July
q. All manner of difficulties were eneoun-
tered in the movement Of the new troops
especially as II was over unknown country
The officers were as green as the men
There were interference between the diff
ferent marching columns occupying the
road, and the uncertainty was heightened
by the lack of knowledge on the part Of
officers as to what roads they should take.
All this greatly fatigued the men. but they
did amazingly we'll for such raw material
General Johnston. with soldiers instinct,
81 pof NAv 81.
and arrived at Manassas, accompanied by
one brigade of his command, Realizing
that the big battle was being fought on
loped there with all haste. He was soon
followed by General Beauregard. and
troops were brought UP from Manassas to
strengthen the line.
Against the constantly growing force
the union regiments hurled themselves with
gallantry. but Intellectually. A colonel
would lead his regiment up the valley to
Young's Branch and throw II valisntly
against the line on the edge Of the tim
Der. Then would follow q fierce duel until
the regiment would be forced to fall back.
For hours and hours this struggle went
on. Ricketts, and Griffin's batteries, which
had been firing. from the other side OF
Young's Branch. were brought across TO
fire into the line at the edge OF the
woods In, the confusion of the fighting
a confederate regiment approached to close
range with Ricketts, battery. which with
held it's fire, thinking from the uniforms
that they were union soldiers. The con-
federate regiment volleyed and completely
destroyed the battery.
This was probably the turning point of