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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 do not mean to praise any one at the expense of another.
The 69th fought with splendid and tenacious courage.
They charged batteries two or three times, and would have taken and held them but for the reinforcements which were constantly and steadily poured in. Indeed it was to this fact alone that the comparative success of the rebels is due. We had not over 26,000 men in action, the rest being held as reserves at Centreville; while the enemy must have numbered at least 60,000.
The Fire Zouaves, before they had fairly got into action, were terribly cut up by a battery and by musketry, which opened on their flank.
They lost a great many of their officers and men. Col. Hunter, who led the main column of attack, received a severe wound in his throat.
He was brought to this city, but I understand that he cannot recover, if indeed he is not already dead.
I have heard the names of many others reported killed or wounded, but deem it best not to mention them now, as the rumors may prove to be unfounded.
About a mile this side of Centreville a stampede took place among the teamsters and others, which threw every thing into the utmost confusion, and inflicted very serious injuries.
Mr. Eaton, of Michigan, in trying to arrest the flight of some of these men, was shot by one of them, the ball taking effect in his hand.
Quite a number of Senators and members of the House were present at the battle.
I shall be able to ascertain to-morrow the cause of the retreat of Col. Hunter's column after the splendid success it achieved.
I am quite inclined, though in the face of evidence undeniable, to believe what is rumored here, that the column did hold its ground, and that the retreat was confined to the other columns.
I fear this will not prove to be the fact
H. J. J. R.
Atlanta “Confederacy” narrative.
The special correspondent of the Atlanta, Ga., Confederacy, furnishes the following direct description of the plans and progress of the great battle:army of the Potomac, Manassas, July 22, 1861.Yesterday, the 21st day of July, 1861, a great battle was fought, and a great victory won by the Confederate troops. Heaven smiled on our arms, and the God of battles crowned our banners with laurels of glory. Let every patriotic heart give thanks to the Lord of Hosts for the victory He has given His people on His own holy day, the blessed Sabbath. Gen. Johnston had arrived the preceding day with about half of the force he had, detailed from Winchester, and was the senior officer in command. He magnanimously insisted, however, that Gen. Beauregard's previous plan should be carried out, and he was guided entirely by the judgment and superior local knowledge of the latter. While, therefore, Gen. Johnston was nominally in command, Beauregard was really the officer and hero of the day. You will be glad to learn that he was this day advanced from a Brigadier to the rank of a full General. At half-past 6 in the morning, the enemy opened fire from a battery planted on a hill beyond Bull Run, and nearly opposite the centre of our lines. The battery was intended merely to “beat the bush,” and to occupy our attention, while he moved a heavy column toward the Stone Bridge, over the same creek, upon our left. At 10 o'clock, another battery was pushed forward, and opened fire a short distance to the left of the other, and near the road leading north to Centreville. This was a battery of rifled guns, and the object of its fire was the same as that of the other. They fired promiscuously into the woods and gorges on this, the southern side of Bull Run, seeking to create the impression thereby, that our centre would be attacked, and thus prevent us from sending reinforcements to our left, where the real attack was to be made. Beauregard was not deceived by the manoeuvre. It might not be amiss to say, that Bull Run, or creek, is north of this place, and runs nearly due east, slightly curving around the Junction, the nearest part of which is about three and a half miles. The Stone Bridge is some seven miles distant, in a north-westerly direction, upon which our left wing rested. Mitchell's ford is directly north, and distant four miles, by the road leading to Centreville, which is seven miles from the Junction. On our right is Union Mills, on the same stream, where the Alexandria and Manassas railroad crosses the Run, and distant four miles. Proceeding from Fairfax Court House, by Centreville, to Stone Bridge, the enemy passed in front of our entire line, but a distance ranging from five to two miles. At 9 o'clock, I reached an eminence nearly opposite the two batteries mentioned above, and which commanded a full view of the country for miles around, except on the right. From this point I could trace the movements of the approaching hosts by the clouds of dust that rose high above the surrounding hills. Our left, under Brigadier-Generals Evans, Jackson, and Cocke, and Col. Bartow, with the Georgia Brigade, composed of the Seventh and Eighth regiments, had been put in-motion, and was advancing upon the enemy with a force of about 15,000, while the enemy himself was advancing upon our left with a compact column of at least 50,000. His entire force on this side of the Potomac is estimated at 75,000. These approaching columns encountered each other at 11 o'clock. Meanwhile, the two batteries in front kept up their fire upon the wooded hill where they supposed our centre lay. They sent occasional balls, from their rifled cannon, to the eminence
