Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-23

The battle OF Bull Run was fought July
q, 1881. Throughout the week preceding
Washington was in fer
northern ment Of excitement as
n.-aI troops moved forward
OoAnuence. to the neighborhood of
Fairfax Court House and other positions
on the line chosen by the Federal COM
mander to resist the Confederate FORCES
The utmost confidence was felt through
out the capital in the success OF the
northern arms, this feeling having been
increased by Gen. McClellan's report.
printed In The Star of July 10, 1851, OF
his victory over Gen. Garnett near Hut
louisville. W. Va. In The Star of July 10
Is the following summary of the case five
days before the battle:
Gen McDowelrs army doubtless COM
mences a forward movement this after
noon. We do not feel at liberty to state
particulars concerning it today, as we
might thus jeopardize the success OF some
Of the plans, which had best be kept out
Of the newspapers. The progress OF his
army southwark will be deliberate, doubt
less. and no portion of it will take step
backward. Ex-senator Clingman ana ex-
Representative Keitt, who not long since
repaired to the Fairfax Court House to
do little fighting on their own hook las
the Richmond papers tell us), will not lack
the opportunity Of showing their heels in
race back to Richmond. They Will
doubtless get fair start in that direction
quite az early as day after tomorrow
morning, il not some hours sooner.
The following description OF the move
| ment Of troops into Virginia on the eve
of the battle, printed In The
| Onward Star Of July II, 1861, pre-
49, sents a far different picture
maIcA' from that afforded by the
| return Of the same troops a few days
later:
AT Gen. McDowelrs headquarters early
yesterday afternoon all was activity and
hustle. and officers were continually COM
| ing and going Every one seemed anx-
! ious to be on the march and in the van
| The numerous companies OF regulars IN
the vicinity Of Arlington house, compris,
| ing artillery, cavalry and infantry. soon
had their tents struck and formed In
column. They did not excel in prompt
ness Of movement and military enthusi-
asm the New York Eighth, which rapidly
formed and marched. leaving their tents
| on the ground in charge Of a guard. The
14th New York Brooklyn) Regiment was
| a part or the column WHICH IOTIHeQ VI
| the road at the foot of Arlington Heights
| and were preceded and followed by regu.
lars They also left their tents on the
ground We noticed in the line severa
| batteries OF rifled field pieces. The scene
from the hills In the neighborhood Of the
\ toll gate was grand. Looking toward
| Washington regiment after regiment was
| seen coming along the road and across
| the Long bridge. their arms cleaning In
| the sun. On the left, toward Arlington
| the column already mentioned was ap'
preaching, their rear being lost in the
distance The columns coming from both
| directions Joined at the toll gate and took
their places in the line marching onward
| Cheer after cheer was heard as regimen,
greeted regiment. and this, with the mar
| tial music and sharp, clear orders Of COM
manding officers. made a combination OF
sounds very pleasant to the ear OF a
| Union man. . Only one class OF
| men were low spirited and displeased
| The troops left behind to guard the forti-
| fications were loud in their murmurs be-
cause they. too. were not sent forward
One of the 21st New York said he
| thought It was a hard case, that after
being kept one or two weeks inactive in
Washington other regiments should have
| the preference. Every man Of the regi-
ments wanted to Join the movement. Let
them all take heart. The position Of the
troops left here is as important as that
Of the most advanced regiments. and
| they will take the field in time to do good
service, no doubt.