Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 2.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[47] with the reserve at my position, unfortunately too late to take part in the engagement, notwithstanding the battery was moved at a trot and the cannoneers at a double-quick, the entire distance from Union Mills Ford.

In this battle my loss has been one killed, Sergeant J. D. Reynolds, Fourth company; two wounded slightly, Corporal E. C. Fayne, First company, and private Geo. L. Crulcher, Fourth company.

I cannot conclude this official report without the expression of my grateful thanks to the officers and men under my command for their gallant behavior during the entire day; they fought like veterans, and no man hesitated in the performance of any duty or in taking any position to which it was indicated they were required — in a word, I desire to say these men are entirely worthy of the noble State that has sent them forth to fight for the independence of the Confederate States. To Lieut. Squires commanding, I desire especially to direct your attention: a young officer, the second time under fire, (having been in the engagement of the 18th,) he acted his part in a manner worthy of a true soldier and a brave man. He is an example rarely to be met. Lieutenants Richardson and Whittington, both with this battery in the engagement of the 18th, were in this battle, and bravely did their duty. Lieut. W. M. Owen, adjutant, and Lieut. James Dearing, Virginia forces attached to this battalion, accompanied me. To them I am indebted for invaluable service upon the field; frequently were they ordered to positions of great danger, and promptly and bravely did they each acquit themselves of any duty they were called upon to perform.

I could mention individual instances of bravery and daring on the part of non-commissioned officers and privates, but this would be invidious where all behaved so well. In conclusion, General, I can only say I am gratified to know we have done our duty as we were pledged to do.

With great respect, I am, General,

Your obedient servant,

By Divine favor we are again victorious. To God be the glory. The armies of the North and South yesterday faced each other — the former not less than 50,000 men,¹ the latter not exceeding 30,000--and wrestled together for six long hours, with that desperate courage which Americans only can show. I proceed to give you, as near as I can, a full and detailed history of that terrible battle, which will, through all time, make famous Bull Run and the plains of Manassas. On Friday, the 19th, Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, who had commanded the army of the Shenandoah, posted at Winchester, arrived at Manassas Junction with four thousand of his division, to reinforce Gen. Beauregard. The remainder of his army (with the exception of a sufficient force to hold Winchester) were intended to arrive on Saturday, the 20th; but, in consequence of some railroad casualty, they did not reach the scene of conflict until Sunday, between the hours of 2 and 3 o'clock, when the battle was raging at its height.

The night before the battle, it was generally understood at Manassas Junction the enemy were gathering in great force, and designed turning our left flank, which rested a few miles above the scene of Thursday's engagement, at a ford on Bull Run, called Stone Bridge. We retired to rest under the full conviction that on the morrow the fortunes of our young nation were to be staked on a mighty contest, and we were not disappointed. There were not many spectators of the battle, the general commanding having, on Thursday, issued a general order requiring all civilians, with the exception of residents before military operations commenced, and those engaged necessarily in business at Manassas Junction, to leave the camp and retire beyond a distance of four miles. The writer, however, with the following named confreres of the press, were privileged to remain to witness a scene not often enacted, and which forms an era in their lives for all time to come; a scene of terrific grandeur and sublimity, which is imprinted on their memories with a recollection never to be effaced.

At seven o'clock on Sunday morning our party, consisting of Messrs. L. W. Spratt, of the Charleston Mercury; F. G. de Fontaine, of the Richmond Enquirer and Charleston Courier; P. W. Alexander, of the Savannah Republican; Shepardson, of the Columbus (Ga.) Times and Montgomery (Ala.) Advertiser, and your correspondent, started from Manassas Junction. The distant cannon, at short intervals since daybreak, had apprised us that the enemy were in motion, but in what direction we could only surmise until we reached a point a mile and a half from the breastworks, at the north-west angle of the fortifications of Manassas Junction. The day was bright and beautiful — on the left was the Blue Ridge, and in front were the slopes on the north side of Bull Run crowned with woods, in which the enemy had early planted his batteries, and all around us were eminences on which were posted small but anxious knots of spectators, forming the most magnificent panorama I ever beheld.

At about 8 o'clock we reached a hill above Mitchell's Ford, almost entirely bare of trees, and sufficiently high to afford an unobstructed view of the opposite heights. After taking a