Year: 1861




"Thc battle yesterday was one Of the most
severe and sanguinary ever fought on this con-
tinent. and il ended in the failure of the Union
troops to hold all the positions which they
sought to carry, and which they actually did
carry, and in their retreat to Centcrvillc where
they have made stand and where Gen Nc
Dowel believes that they are able to maintain
themselves.


The attack was made in three columns, two
of which, however, were mainly feints, intended
to amusc and occupy the enemy, while the sub
stantial work was done by the third. it has
been known for long time that the range of
hills which border the small swamps stream
known as Bulls Run, had been very thoroughly
and extensively fortified by the rcbels-that bat
tcries had been planted at every available point,
usually concealed in the woods and bushes which
abound in that vicinity, AMI covering every way
of approach to the region cyond. These are
the advanced defrnses cf Manassas Junction
which is some :hree miles further of. Until
these were carried, no approach could he made
to that place after they should be carried others
of similar character whould have to be over
come at every point where they could be cree
ted The utmost that military skill and ingenuity
could accomplish for the defense of this point
was done. Gen. Mcdowell was unwilling to
make an attack directly in face OF these bate
ries, as it would be Of doubtful issue, and must
inevitably result in a very serious loss of lite.
After an attack had been resolved upon, there
fore, he endeavored to find some way of turn
ing the position. His first intention was to do
this on the southern side--to throw a strong
column into the place from that direction, while
fegnel attack should be made in front. On
Thursday, when the troops we're advanced to
Centrevile, it was found that the roads on the
south side of these positions were almost I'M
practicabe--that they were narrow, crooked
and stony, and that il would be almost mpos-
sible to bring up enough artillery to be effective
in the time required. This original plan was,
therefore, abandoned and Friday was devoted
to an examination, by the typographical engi-
neers, of the northern side OF the position
Mai. Barnard and Capt. Whirpe reconnoitercd
the place for miles around, and reported that
the position could be entered by path coming
from the north-though it WAS somewhat long
and circuitous. This was selected, therefore, as
the mode and point Of attack.


On Saturday the troops were all brought
closely up to Ccntreville-and all needfu prep
srtons were made TOR the attack, which was
intended for the next day, Yesterday morning,
therefore, the army marchel-by two roads
Col Richardson with his command taking the
southern, which led to Bulls Run, and Gen.
TYLER the northern, running parallel to 1t at
distance of about mile and half. The move
ment commenced at about three o clock.
got up little before four and found the long
line Of troops extended far out on either road.
| took the road by which Col Hunter, with his
command, and Gen. Mcdowell and staff, had
gone, and pushed on directly for the front
After going out about two miles, Col Hunter
turned to the right, marching obliquely toward
the Run, which he was to cross some four miles
higher up, a Il then come down upon the in
trcnched position or The enemy OH the other
side Col. Miles was left at Centrevllc and on
the road, with reserves, which he was to bring
up whenever they might be needed. Gen. Tyler
went directly forward, to engage the enemy i'll
front, and send reinforcements to Col Hunter
whenever it should be seen that he was engaged.
! went out, as | have already stated upon
what is marked as the northern road. 1t is
| hllv like all the surface of this section. After
going out about three miles, you come to point
down which the road, leading through forest,
descends then it proceeds by succession of
rising and falling knobs for quarter of a mile
when it crosses Il stone bridge and then ps-
ccnds by a steady slope to the nights beyond.
At the top of that slope the rebels had planted
heavy batteries, and the woods below were filled
with their troops and with concealed cannon.





small knobs mentioned, when the whole column
halted. The 80 pounder Parrot gun, which
has longer range than any other in the army,
was planted directly in the road Captain Ayers
battery was stationed in the woods little to
the right. The First Ohio and Second New
York Regiments were thrown into the woods in
advance on the left. The Sixty ninth New York
the First, Second and Third Connecticut Regi-
ments, were ranged behind them, and the Sec
ond Wisconsin was thrown in the woods on
the right. Al about half past six o'clock the
3O-pounder threw two shells directly into the
battery at the summit of the slope, on the op-
poste hight, one of which, as learned after
ward, struck and exploded directly in the midst
of the battery, and occasloned the utmost havoc
and confusion. After about half an hour Capt.
Ayres threw ten or fifteen shot and shell from
his battery into the same place. But failed to
elicit any reply. Men could be seen moving
about the opposite slope, but the battrieS were ST.
lent. An hour or so afterward we heard three or
four heavy guns from Col. Richardson's column
at Bulls Run, and these were continued at inter-
walls for two or three hours, but they We're not
answered, even by a single gun. 1t was very
clear that the enemy intended to take his own
time for paying his respects to u.s. and that he
meant, moreover, to do it in his own way


Meantime we could hear in distance the sound
of c !. Hunters aXmen clearing his way, and
waited with some impatience the sound Of hi,
cannon on the opposite nights. Time wore
along with occasional shots from our guns IA,
well as those of Col. Richardson's column, but
without, in single instance, receiving any reply


At a little before IL o'clock, the First Ohio
and Second New York, which were lying in The


wood on the lett. were ordered to advance
They did so, passing out of the road, and climb


ing a fence into a wood opposite, which they


had barely approached however, when they


were met by a tremendous discharge of four
gun battery planted at the left in the woods
mainly for the purpose of sweeping the roaC
perpendicularly and the open field on its right


by which alone troops coudpass forward to th,


opposite bank. They were staggered for a mo


ment and received orders to retire Capt
Ayres' Battery formerly Shermans) was ad
vanced little, SO as to command this battery
t and by twenty minutes of vigorous play upon i


sicnced it completely.


At half-past | we heard Hunters guns OF
the opposite height, over mile to the right
lie was answered by batteries there, and thel
followed the sharp rafting volleys of muskctry
as infantry became engaged The firing wa


now nccssOnt. Hunter had come upon then
suddenly, and formed his line of battle in AT
open field, at the right of the road. The enem,
drew up to oppose him. but he speedily drove
, them to retreat and followed them up with tn
greatest vigor and rapdity, Meantime io
some three hours previous, we had seen lonI
lines of dense tust rising from the roads eadinl