The Words of War

by Donagh Bracken

  In the panic, the incredible force of a huge, fast charging Army wagon swept up and crushed Raymond’s horse-drawn carriage. Finding relief and transport with two fleeing Congressmen, he reached the capital at midnight. Because of earlier newspaper reports, Washington was largely under the impression of a victory. It had yet to receive news of the reversal.

  Raymond’s ordeal left him sunburned, filthy, and bereft of his distinguished demeanor. Hastily, he prepared to telegraph the Times of the disastrous turn of events. The censor promptly suppressed it. He was too late to countermand his earlier dispatch. Raymond caught the next train to New York, entered his office, and wrote the story headlined “Disaster To The National Army”. The first battle of Manassas was the last battle Henry J. Raymond covered. He did visit General McClellan during the Peninsula Campaign, but his journalistic efforts were exercised at the editor’s desk and the publisher’s office during the remaining years of the Civil War.

  July 18, 1861: From the Charleston Mercury Manassas Junction, VA. Special to the Charleston Mercury. A battle has at last been fought and a great victory gained by the Confederate troops. Yesterday morning, our scouts having brought in the news that the Invaders were advancing in heavy columns towards Fairfax Court House, the Southern pickets at that place were withdrawn and fell back towards Bull Run, where a large body of the Confederate troops were concentrated and strongly entrenched.

  At daybreak this morning, the enemy first appeared in force at Bull Run, where it crosses the road, about three miles northwest of Manassas Junction, and attempted to pass. Our troops immediately opened fire, which was replied to by the enemy, and the engagement soon became general.

  On our side, Gen. BEAUREGARD commanded in person. It is not yet know what United States officer conducted the attack. The fighting extended along Bull Run for the distance of one mile.

  The battle lasted, with intermissions, during the greater part of the day, the United States troops being three times repulsed, with heavy loss, and three times rallying again to the attack. At four oin the afternoon the battle reached its height. The enemy finally gave way and retreated in great confusion towards Alexandria. At five othe firing had ceased altogether.

  The First and Seventeenth Regiments of Virginia Volunteers were conspicuous in the action, and behaved nobly. The Washington Artillery, of New Orleans, under Major WALTON, also occupied a prominent position, and worked their batteries with tremendous effect.

  The loss on our side was but slight. WILLIAM SANGSTER, one of our riflemen, was killed. Capt. DULANY, of the Seventeenth Virginia Regiment, was wounded in the arm. Col. MOORE was also slightly wounded.

  An United States officer of high rank was killed and his horse taken. Upon his person was found $700 in gold.

  A shot passed through the kitchen of the house where Gen. BEAUREGARD was at dinner. The enemy, it is supposed, discovered his whereabouts. They also fired into our hospital, notwithstanding that they must have seen the yellow flag flying.

  BATTLE OF BULL RUN: MAP OF THE SEAT OF WAR, SHOWING BATTLES OF JULY 18 & 21ST, 1861 (CORBETT, V.P.). LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.

  We have no authentic information as yet concerning the number of the forces engaged or the amount of the loss of the enemy. It is, however, known to have been heavy. The impression prevails here that the battle will be renewed tomorrow.

  Manassas Junction, Saturday Night, July 20 – During the greater part of yesterday afternoon the enemy was busy in burying the dead near Bull Run. We have, however, information that the Northern forces are concentrating against us in immense numbers. They are throwing up earthworks and planting batteries with great energy, as if to renew the attack. Our troops await the onset with the utmost confidence.

  Gen. PATTERSON, with his entire force, has abandoned Martinsburg, and is now hastening to form a junction with McDOWELL. Troops are being thrown across the river in heavy bodies from Washington, and everything indicates that our positions will be attacked speedily by an overwhelming force.

  Gen. BEAUREGARD yesterday afternoon issued an order that all civilians, women and children should leave Manassas Junction forthwith. He evidently anticipates a great battle here tomorrow.

  The Battle

  Manassas Junction, Sunday Night, July 21, 7 ½ o. – A great battle has been fought today at the Stone Bridge, on Bull Run, near this place. The Southern troops are again victorious. The slaughter on both sides was terrific.

  Gen. JOHNSTON, who had been summoned from Winchester to come with all haste to the assistance of Gen. BEAUREGARD, arrived with his entire force in time to take part in the battle.

  Gen. BEAUREGARD had his horse shot under him, while leading Hampton Legion into position.

  Gen. JOHNSTON, during the thickest of the fight, seized the colors of a wavering regiment and rallied them in person, to the charge.

  It is impossible at this moment to estimate the number of the dead and wounded. It is reported that the commander of the United States forces, Gen. McDOWELL, is mortally wounded.

  FIRST AND SECOND RHOIDE ISLAND AND SEVENTY FIRST NEW YORK REGIMENTS, WITH THEIR ARTILLERY, ATTACHING REBEL BATTERIES (ALFRED WAUD) LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.

  On our side, Col. FRANCIS S. BARTOW, of Georgia, who was acting Brigadier-General, was mortally wounded, and is since reported dead.

  The battle began at 8 a. m., and lasted until 6 p. m.

  The enemy is now in full retreat, and hotly pursued by our cavalry.

  Second Despatch

  Manassas Junction, July 21, 11½ op. m. – Amid the bustle and excitement here it is exceedingly difficult to get the correct particulars of the great battle of today. I have, however, obtained a few additional facts, which will be interesting to your readers.

  The enemy opened their batteries of heavy artillery and small field pieces, at McLeanFord, about eight oin the morning. The engagement above the Stone Bridge, on Bull Run, began about ten o. The enemyforce, as near as can be ascertained, was at least 50,000. Our own force was but 20,000.

  General N. G. EVANS, of South Carolina, led the Brigade first into action. Among the southern forces prominently engaged were Colonel SLOANFourth Regiment, Colonel KERSHAW Second Regiment and Colonel WADE HAMPTON-Legion, all of South Carolina Volunteers. Only three men were wounded in Col. KERSHAWRegiment. In Col. SLOANRegiment and HAMPTON Legion the loss of life was greater.

  Adjutant THEODORE G. BARKER and Captain JAMES CONNER of the Washington Light Infantry, HAMPTON-Legion, were slightly wounded. Lieut. Col. B. J. JOHNSON, of the Legion, was killed. Captains EARLE and ECHOLS were slightly wounded. Men never fought more desperately than did ours today. We have captured eighteen pieces of artillery, also from 300 to 400 prisoners. The number of killed and wounded cannot be ascertained with any accuracy until tomorrow. Our loss is estimated at two hundred killed and three hundred wounded, while the loss of the enemy could not have been less than several thousand. These figures, however, may be wide of the mark, for the lie of battle was extended, and it was almost dark when the enemy gave way.

  The Washington Artillery of New Orleans was again in the foremost place, and did most effective work. Their fire fell upon the ranks of the foe with murderous effect.

  The Oglethorpe Light Infantry, of Savannah, were cut to pieces. Colonel BARTOW’S fine Regiment of Georgians were nearly annihilated.

  Gen. BARNARD E. BEE, of South Carolina was mortally wounded. Colonel WADE HAMPTON was slightly wounded.

  Rebel Account of the First Fight

  Louisville, Monday, June 22 – A special dispatch to the Nashville Union from Manassas, 18th. says that at the fight at Bull’s Run Gen. Beauregard commanded in person. The enemy was repulsed three tines in great confusion and loss. The Washington Artillery of New Orleans, with seven guns, engaged Sherman’s fifteen guns, and, after making the latter change position fifteen times, silenced and forced them to retire. Large quantities of arms were taken. Our loss was trifling. Maj. Harrison and two privates were killed. Capts. Dulany, Chittman and three privates were wo
unded. A National officer of high rank was killed. and $700 in gold taken from his body.

  From the New York Times

  Washington, Monday Morning, July 22, 1861: Special to The New York Times – I came in from Centreville last evening for the express purpose of sending you the latest intelligence of the great battle of yesterday. I left Centreville at half-past 5 and reached here at midnight. I sent a dispatch to the office, but, as it is to be subjected to the censorship of the Government, which gives no hint of what it refuses permission to pass, I have no means of knowing whether its contents reached you or not. I must therefore repeat its contents.

  The battle yesterday was one of the most severe and sanguinary ever fought on the Continent and it 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 Centreville, where they have made a stand and where Gen. Mc Dowell believes that they are able to maintain themselves.

  As I telegraphed you yesterday, the attack was made in three columns, two of which, however, were mainly feints, intended to amuse and occupy the enemy, while the substantial work was done by the third. It has been known for a long time that the range of hills which border the small, swampy stream known as Bull’s Run, had been very thoroughly and extensively fortified by the rebels-that batteries had been planted at every available point, usually concealed in the woods and bushes which abound in that vicinity, and covering every way of approach to the region beyond. These are the advanced defenses of Manassas Junction, which is some three miles further off. Until these were carried, no approach could be made to that place; and after they should -be carried others of a similar character would have to be overcome at every point where they could be erected. 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 batteries, as they would be of doubtful issue, and must inevitably result in a very serious loss of life. After an attack had been resolved upon, therefore, he endeavored to find some way of turning 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 a feigned attack should be made in front. On Thursday, when the troops were advanced to Centreville, it was found that the roads on the south side of these positions were almost impracticable—that they were narrow, crooked and stony, and that it would be almost impossible to bring up enough artillery to be effective in the time required.

  A CONFEDERATE BULL BATTERY PREVIOUS TO THE BATTLE OF BULL RUN (UNATTRIBUTED) LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.

  This original plan was, therefore, abandoned; and Friday was devoted to an examination by the topographical engineers of the Northern side of the position. Maj. BARNARD and Capt. WHIPPLE reconnoitered the place for miles around and reported that the position could be entered by a 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 close-up to Centreville and all needful preparations were made for the attack which was intended for the :next day. Yesterday morning, therefore, the Army marched by two roads – Col. RICHARDSON with his command taking the Southern, which leads to Bull’s Run, and Gen. Tyler the Northern–running parallel to it at a distance of about a mile and a half. The movement commenced at about 3 o’clock. I got up at a little before 4, and found the long line of troops extended far out on either road. I took the road by which Colonel Hunter with his command, and Gen. MeDowell and staff, had gone, and pushed on directly for the front. After going out about two miles Colonel Hunter turned to the.right–marching obliquely towards the Run, which he was to cross some four miles higher up and then come down upon the entrenched positions of the enemy on the other side.

  At half-past 11 we heard HUNTER’S guns on the opposite height, over a mile to the right. He was answered by batteries there, and then followed the sharp, rattling volleys of musketry, as their infantry became engaged. The firing was now incessant. Hunter had come upon them suddenly and formed his line of battle in an open field, at the right of the road. The enemy drew up to oppose him, but he speedily drove them to retreat and followed them up with the greatest vigor and rapidity.

  Meantime, for some three hours previous, we had seen long lines of dense dust rising from the roads leading from Manassas, and, with the glass, we could very clearly perceive that they were raised by the constant and steady stream of reinforcements, which continued to pour in nearly the whole day. The Sixty-Ninth, Seventy-ninth, Second and Eighth, New-York-the First, Second and Third Connecticut, and the Second Wisconsin, were brought forward in advance of the wood and marched across the field to the right, to go to Col. HUNTER’s support. They crossed the intervening stream and drew up in a small open field, separated from Col. HUNTER’s column by a dense wood, which was filled with batteries and infantry. Our guns continued to play upon the woods which thus concealed the enemy, and aided materially in clearing them for the advance. Going down to the extreme front of the column, I could watch the progress of Col. HUNTER, marked by the constant roar of artillery and the roll of musketry, as he pushed the rebels back from point to point. At 1 o’clock he had driven them out of the woods and across the road which was the prolongation of that on which we stood. Here, by the side of their batteries, the rebels made a stand. They planted their flag directly in the road, and twice charged across it upon our men, but without moving them an inch. They were met by a destructive fire, and were compelled to fall still further back. Gradually the point of fire passed further away, until the dense clouds of smoke which marked the progress of the combat were at least half a mile to the left of what had been the central position of the rebels.

  It was now 2 o’clock. I was at the advanced point of the front of our column, some hundred rods beyond the woods, in which the few troops then there were drawn up, when I decided to drive back to the town, for the purpose of sending you my dispatch. As I passed up the road the balls and shell from the enemy began to fall with more than usual rapidity. I did not see the point from which they came but meeting Capt. Ayres, he said he was about to bring up his battery, supported by the Ohio Brigade, under Gen. Schenck to repel a rumored attempt of cavalry to outflank this column. As I went forward he passed down. Gen, Schenck’s Brigade was at once drawn up across the road, and Capt.ayres guns were planted in a knoll at the left, when a powerful body of rebels, with a heavy battery, came down from the direction of Bull’s Run, and engaged this force with tremendous effect. I went to Centreville, sent off my dispatch, and started with all speed to return, intending to go with our troops upon what had been the hotly contested field, never doubting for a moment that it would remain in their hands.

  I had gone but a quarter of a mile when we met a great number of fugitives, and our carriage soon became entangled in a mass of baggage-wagons, the officer in charge of which told me it was useless to go in that direction, as our troops wore retreating. Not crediting the story, which was utterly inconsistent with what I had seen but a little while before, I continued to push on. I soon met Quartermaster Stetson, of the Fire Zouaves, who told me, bursting into tears, that his Regiment had been utterly cut to pieces, that the Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel were both killed, and that our troops had actually been repulsed. I still tried to proceed, but the advancing columns rendered it impossible, and I turned about. Leaving my carriage, I went to a high point of ground and saw, by the dense cloud of dust which rose over each of the three roads by which the three columns of the Army had advanced, that they were all on the retreat. Sharp discharges of cannon in their rear indicated that they were being pursued. I waited half an hour or an. to observe the troops and batteries as they arrived and then started for Washington to send my dispatch and write this letter. As I came past the hill on which the Secessionists had their entrenchments less than a week ago, I saw our forces taking up positions for a defense if they should be assailed.
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  Such is a very rapid and general history of yesterday’s engagement. I am unable to be precise or profuse in matters of detail, and must leave these to a future letter.

  I hear nothing, on every side, but the warmest and heartiest commendation of our troops. They fought like veterans. The rebels did not, in a single instance, stand before them in a charge and were shaken by every volley of their musketry. I du not mean to praise any one at the expense of another. The Sixty-ninth fought with splendid and tenacious courage, They charged batteries two or three times, and would have taken and held them but for the reinforcements that were constantly and steadily pouring in. Indeed it was to this fact alone that the comparative success of the rebels is due. We had not over 20,000 men in action, the rest being held behind as reserves at Centreville; while the enemy must have numbered at least 60,000.

  Washington Monday, July 22: Special to The New York Times – Stragglers from the Army create great but needless excitement, by stories that the rebels are coming to Washington. There is not the slightest cause for any such apprehension. The Army is falling back upon Arlington, and new regiments are constantly arriving from the North.

  It is not easy to account fur the panic which occasioned the first movement of retreat, but the most probable account is, that it was caused by a charge of cavalry, which was repulsed by the regiment upon which it was made, but which threw another, upon which in turn, it fell into confusion.

  The Army, in its retreat from Ccntreville, was protected in rear by Col. Milks’ Reserve.

  Some fifty or one hundred of the Fire Zouaves have just arrived here. The rumor is circulated that this is all that is left of the regiment, but this is not so. These are only those who have come on singly in advance.

  Exaggerated statements about the losses of individual regiments increase the excitement and cause heedless grief. The official list will he published as speedily as possible. All access to the Army across the Potomac is impossible.