[373] which about four hundred were killed. The enemy's loss was terrible, being at the lowest calculation 3,000. Thus far I have said but little of the part taken by particular officers and regiments; for the reason that I desire first to obtain all the facts. Nor have I said any thing of the gallant Seventh and Eighth regiments from Georgia. This part of my duty is most melancholy. It may be enough to say, that they were the only Georgia regiments here at the time, that they were among the earliest in the field, and in the thickest of the fight, and that their praise is upon the lips of the whole army, from Gen. Beauregard down. Col. Gartrell led the Seventh regiment, and Lieutenant-Colonel Gardner the Eighth, the whole under the command of Col. Bartow, who led them with a gallantry that was never excelled. It was when the brigade was ordered to take one of the enemy's strongest batteries, that it suffered most. It was a most desperate undertaking, and followed by the bloodiest results. The battery occupied the top of a hill, on the opposite side of Bull Run, with a small piece of woods on the left. Descending the valley along the Run, he proceeded under cover of the hill to gain the woods alluded to, and from which he proposed to make a dash at the battery and capture it. On reaching the woods, he discovered that the battery was supported by a heavy infantry force, estimated at 4,000 men. This whole force, together with the battery, was turned upon the Eighth regiment, which was in the van, with terrific effect. Indeed, he was exposed on the flank and in front to a fire that the oldest veterans could not have stood. The balls and shells from the battery, and the bullets from the small arms literally riddled the woods. Trees six inches in diameter, and great limbs were cut off, and the ground strewn with the wreck. It became necessary to retire the Eighth regiment, in order to reform it. Meanwhile, Col. Bartow's horse had been shot from under him. It was observed that the forces with which his movement was to be supported had not come up. But it was enough that he had been ordered to storm the battery; so, placing himself at the head of the Seventh regiment, he again led the charge, this time on foot, and gallantly encouraging his men as they rushed on. The first discharge from the enemy's guns killed the regimental color-bearer. Bartow immediately seized the flag, and again putting himself in the front, dashed on, flag in hand, his voice ringing clear over the battle-fields, and saying, “On, my boys, we will die rather than yield or retreat.” And on the brave boys did go, and faster flew the enemy's bullets. The fire was awful. Not less than 4,000 muskets were pouring their fatal contents upon them, while the battery itself was dealing death on every side. The gallant Eighth regiment, which had already passed through the distressing ordeal, again rallied, determined to stand by their chivalric Colonel to the last. The more furious the fire, the quicker became the advancing step of the two regiments. At last, and just when they were nearing the goal of their hopes, and almost in the arms of victory, the brave and noble Bartow was shot down, the ball striking him in the left breast, just above the heart. Col. Bartow died soon after he was borne from the field. His last words, as repeated to me, were: “They have killed me, my brave boys, but never give up the ship — we'll whip them yet.” And so we did! The regiments that suffered most and were in the thickest of the fight, were the 7th and 8th Georgia, the 4th Alabama, Fourth South Carolina, Hampton's Legion, and 4th Virginia. The New Orleans Washington Artillery did great execution.
Charleston Mercury account.
battle field of Bull Run, July 22.
After the repulse of the 18th inst., the enemy withdrew towards Centreville, and, except in burying the dead, appeared to be inactive during the 19th and 20th, until about midnight.
At that hour, the rumbling of artillery over the stony roads, the barking of dogs, etc., etc., told that vast preparations for the attack of the morrow were going forward.
To the ears of the Kershaw's detachment, who were thrown out half mile to the left, and in advance of our centre, Mitchell's Ford, those sounds were quite distinct.
At 5 1/2 o'clock A. M., a cannonading, on the right, begun, apparently from the point of attack of the 18th inst. A few minutes later, the firing of heavy guns was heard on the left, also, in the direction of the Stone Bridge.
The calibre of the pieces was, evidently, from the sound, greater than that of those used on the 18th, and together with the peculiar whirr of the shells, and stunning detonation of the mortars, gave ample proof that the Northern generals were determined to use every effort to annihilate us that day, the memorable 21st, as they had promised to do on the first fair occasion.
Gradually the cannonading on the left increased, whilst that on the right grew less.
The post of the picket guard of the 2d Palmetto regiment was upon a hill overlooking all the country to the north and westward.
And from this point, curling up over the tree tops, which hid the battle field, could be seen the smoke, but nothing more.
About 10 o'clock there rose a great shout, and a rumor soon came down to us that our boys were driving back the enemy.
This seemed to be confirmed by the smoke, which receded to the northwest.
The Confederate cavalry, too, were seen galloping in that direction, perhaps to cut up the flying columns of the Yankees.
More than an hour passed on, and nothing of the strife is heard but the roar of ordnance and the rattle of musketry.
Suddenly an order comes, borne, I believe, by Gen. McGowan, for the 2d and 8th Palmetto regiments to hasten to the assistance of the left wing.
Couriers are despatched to Capt. Perryman, 