War

BATTLE OF BULL RUN. 29

But hath the Muse no vict'ry to recount,
No glorious deeds to cause the soul to mount?
Aye — turn we now towards Manassas plains,*
Where gory Havoc all majestic reigns ;
, Where shouting hosts are charging front to front,
And snorting war-steeds court the battle's brunt;

* On the 18th July the grand affair of Manassas ^opened with a ren-
contre between the advance guards of the Confederate army under
Gcr^s. Beauregard and Johnston, and the invading army under Gen.
McDowell. The Southern troops were strongly entrenched at iManas-
sas Junction, and also had advanced batteries along the line of Bull
llun, about five miles towards Centrevillc. The advance guard of the
Federals was at the latter place 5,000 strong, our force numbering
about 3,000. On the 18th the invaders advanced towards Manassas
Junction, and attempted to cross the fords at several points, but were
repulsed by the Confederate troops three times, with a heavy Iocs on
their side. At about 5 o'clock in the afternoon they retreated in great
confusion, two of our regiments pursuing them. A large number were
taken prisoners. The casualties on the Confederate side were few.

The pursuing regiments, finding a large force at Fairfax C. H., after
exchanging a few shots, returned to Bull llun, Gen. Beauregard pre-
ferring to give them battle there. The General was hurriedly sent for,
and quickly rame to the scene of action, when he ordered a retreat,
which proved to be a brilliant strategic movement. At first the troops
murmured, but when they heafd that it was Beauregard's wish, they
were perfectly satisfied.

BATTLE OF BULL RUN. 29

There are numerous accounts of this severe conflict — all of them
differ. Those of the northern journals, however graphic they may be,
are tinged with that illibcrality which, during the entire war, charac-
terized the Republican press. Those of the southern journals, were
carried away by enthusiasm and a warm, patriotic desire to let the world
know what could be done by men fighting for their homes and those
they loved best.

BATTLE OF MANASSAS. o^

Red dawn stole up the cloudless eastern sky

BATTLE OF BULL RUN. 29

But hath the Muse no vict'ry to recount,
No glorious deeds to cause the soul to mount?
Aye — turn we now towards Manassas plains,*
Where gory Havoc all majestic reigns ;
, Where shouting hosts are charging front to front,
And snorting war-steeds court the battle's brunt;

* On the 18th July the grand affair of Manassas ^opened with a ren-
contre between the advance guards of the Confederate army under
Gcr^s. Beauregard and Johnston, and the invading army under Gen.
McDowell. The Southern troops were strongly entrenched at iManas-
sas Junction, and also had advanced batteries along the line of Bull
llun, about five miles towards Centrevillc. The advance guard of the
Federals was at the latter place 5,000 strong, our force numbering
about 3,000. On the 18th the invaders advanced towards Manassas
Junction, and attempted to cross the fords at several points, but were
repulsed by the Confederate troops three times, with a heavy Iocs on
their side. At about 5 o'clock in the afternoon they retreated in great
confusion, two of our regiments pursuing them. A large number were
taken prisoners. The casualties on the Confederate side were few.

The pursuing regiments, finding a large force at Fairfax C. H., after
exchanging a few shots, returned to Bull llun, Gen. Beauregard pre-
ferring to give them battle there. The General was hurriedly sent for,
and quickly rame to the scene of action, when he ordered a retreat,
which proved to be a brilliant strategic movement. At first the troops
murmured, but when they heafd that it was Beauregard's wish, they
were perfectly satisfied.

BATTLE OF BULL RUN. 29

There are numerous accounts of this severe conflict — all of them
differ. Those of the northern journals, however graphic they may be,
are tinged with that illibcrality which, during the entire war, charac-
terized the Republican press. Those of the southern journals, were
carried away by enthusiasm and a warm, patriotic desire to let the world
know what could be done by men fighting for their homes and those
they loved best.

BATTLE OF MANASSAS. o^

Red dawn stole up the cloudless eastern sky