Hunter's axemen clearing his way, and awaited with some impatience the sound of his cannon on the opposite heights. Time wore along, with occasional shots from our guns, as well as those of Col. Richardson's column, but without, in a single instance, receiving any reply. At a little before 11 o'clock, the First Ohio and Second New York, which were lying in the wood on the left, were ordered to advance. They did so-passing out of the road and climbing a fence into a wood opposite, which they had barely approached, however, when they were met by a tremendous discharge of a fourgun battery, planted at the left in the woods, mainly for the purpose of sweeping the road perpendicularly and the open field on its right, by which alone troops could pass forward to the opposite bank. They were staggered for a moment, and received orders to retire. Capt. Ayres battery (formerly Sherman's) was advanced a little, so as to command this battery, and, by twenty minutes of vigorous play upon it, silenced it completely. 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 now became 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 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 and further to the left, 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 half-past 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 despatch. As I passed up the road, the balls and shells from the enemny began to fall with more 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 passed forward he passed down. General 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 Run, and engaged this force with tremendous effect. I went to Centreville, sent off my despatch, 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 cfficer in charge of which told me it was use less to go in that direction, as our troops were 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 go on, 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 columus 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 so to observe the troops and batteries as they arrived, and then started for Washington, to send my despatch, and write this letter. As I came past the hill on which the secessionists had their intrenchments less than a week ago, I saw our forces taking up positions for a defence, if they should be assailed. Such is a very rapid and general history of this day'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 warm est 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 inen, 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. R. 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 six 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 manœuvre. 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 bills. 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 where your correspondent stood. Gens. Beau- | regard, Johnston, and Bonham reached this point at 12, and one of these balls passed directly over and very near them, and plunged into the ground a few paces from where I stood. At a quarter past 12, Johnston and Beauregard galloped rapidly forward in the direction of Stone Bridge, where the ball had now fully opened. Gen. Ewell been received and carried out, and our entire force brought upon the field, we should have destroyed the enemy's army almost literally. Attacked in front, on the flank and in the rear, he could not possibly have escaped, except at the loss of thousands of prisoners and all his batteries, while the field would have been strewed with his dead. Finding that his orders had in some way The artillery were the first to open fire, pre- failed to be executed, Gen. Beauregard at last cisely at 11 o'clock. By half-past 11, the in- ordered up a portion of the forces which were fantry had engaged, and there it was that the intended to cooperate with Gen. Ewell. It battle began to rage. The dusky columns was late, however, before these reinforcements which had thus far marked the approach of came up. Only one brigade reached the field the two armies, now mingled with great clouds before the battle was won. This was led by of smoke, as it rose from flashing guns below, Gen. E. K. Smith, of Florida, formerly of the and the two shot up together like a huge United States army, and was a part of Gen. pyramid of red and blue. The shock was as Johnston's column from Winchester. They tremendous as were the odds between the two should have reached here the day before, but forces. With what anxious hearts did we watch were prevented by an accident on the railroad. that pyramid of smoke and dust! When it They dashed on the charge with loud shouts and moved to the right, we knew the enemy were in the most gallant style. About the same time giving way; and when it moved to the left, we Major Elzey coming down the railroad from knew that our friends were receding. Twice Winchester with the last of Johnston's brigades, the pyramid moved to the right, and as often and hearing the firing, immediately quit the returned. At last, about two o'clock, it train and struck across the country, encounbegan to move slowly to the left, and thus tered the extreme right of the enemy as he it continued to nove for two mortal hours. was feeling his way around our flank, and with The enemy was seeking to turn our left flank, his brigade struck him like a thunderbolt, full and to reach the railroad leading hence in the in the face. Finding he was about to be outdirection of Winchester. To do this, he ex-flanked himself, the enemy gave way after the tended his lines, which he was enabled to do by reason of his great numbers. This was unfortunate for us, as it required a corresponding extension of our own lines to prevent his extreme right from outflanking us -a movement on our part which weakened the force of our resistance along the whole line of battle, which finally extended over a space of two miles. It also rendered it the more difficult to bring up reinforcements, as the further the enemy extended his right, the greater the distance our reserve forces had to travel to counteract the movement. This effort to turn our flank was pressed with great determination for five long, weary hours, during which the tide of battle ebbed and flowed along the entire line with alternate fortunes. The enemy's column continued to stretch away to the left, like a huge anaconda, seeking to envelope us within its mighty folds and crush us to death; and at one time it really looked as if he would succeed. | second fire. Meanwhile Beauregard rallied the centre and dashed into the very thickest of the fght, and after him rushed our own brave boys, with a shout that seemed to shake the very earth. The result of this movement from three distinct points, was to force back the enemy, who began to retreat, first in good order and finally in much confusion. At this point the cavalry were ordered on the pursuit. The retreat now became a perfect rout, and it is reported that the flying legions rushed passed Centerville in the direction of Fairfax, as if the earth had been opening behind them. It was when Gen. Beauregard led the final charge, that his horse was killed by a shell. We captured thirty-four guns, including Sherman's famous battery, a large number of sinall arms, thirty wagons loaded with provisions, &c., and about seven hundred prisoners. Among the latter were Gen. Burnside, of the Rhode Island brigade, Col. Corcoran, of the New York Irish 69th regiment, Hon. Mr. Ely, member of Congress from New York, Mr. Carrington,* of this State, a nephew of the late William C. Preston, who had gone over to the enemy, and thirty-two captains, lieutenants, &c. We came near bagging the Hon. Mr. Foster, Senator from Connecticut. The moment he discovered the enemy's order of battle, General Beauregard, it is said, despatched orders to Gen. Ewell, on our extreme right, to move forward and turn his left or rear. At the same time he ordered Generals Jones, Longstreet, and Bonham, occupying the centre of our lines, to coöperate in this move- The official reports of the casualties of the ment, but not to move until Gen. Ewell had day have not yet come in, and consequently it made the attack. The order to Gen. Ewell un-is impossible to say what our loss is. I can fortunately miscarried. The others were deliv-only venture an opinion, and that is, that we ered, but as the movements of the centre were lost in killed, wounded, and missing, about 1,500 to be regulated entirely by those on the right, nothing was done at all. Had the orders to * These are errors. Gen. Burnside and Mr. Carrington were not captured.-Ed. R. R, -of which about four hundred were killed. | chivalric Colonel to the last. The more furious The enemy's loss was terrible, being at the the fire, the quicker became the advancing step lowest calculation 3,000. 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. Thus far 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 BATTLE FIELD OF BULL RUN, July 22. was a most desperate undertaking, and followed After the repulse of the 18th inst., the enemy by the bloodiest results. The battery occupied withdrew towards Centreville, and, except in the top of a hill, on the opposite side of Bull burying the dead, appeared to be inactive durRun, with a small piece of woods on the left. ing the 19th and 20th, until about midnight. Descending the valley along the Run, he pro- At that hour, the rumbling of artillery over the ceeded under cover of the hill to gain the stony roads, the barking of dogs, etc., etc., told woods alluded to, and from which he proposed that vast preparations for the attack of the to make a dash at the battery and capture it. morrow were going forward. To the cars of On reaching the woods, he discovered that the the Kershaw's detachment, who were thrown battery was supported by a heavy infantry out half mile to the left, and in advance of our force, estimated at 4,000 men. This whole centre, Mitchell's Ford, those sounds were quite force, together with the battery, was turned distinct. At 5 o'clock A. M., a cannonading, on upon the Eighth regiment, which was in the the right, begun, apparently from the point of van, with terrific effect. Indeed, he was ex- attack of the 18th inst. A few minutes later, posed on the flank and in front to a fire that the firing of heavy guns was heard on the left, the oldest veterans could not have stood. The also, in the direction of the Stone Bridge. The balls and shells from the battery, and the bullets calibre of the pieces was, evidently, from the from the small arms literally riddled the woods. sound, greater than that of those used on the Trees six inches in diameter, and great limbs 18th, and together with the peculiar whirr of were cut off, and the ground strewn with the the shells, and stunning detonation of the morwreck. It became necessary to retire the tars, gave ample proof that the Northern genEighth regiment, in order to reform it. Mean- erals were determined to use every effort to while, Col. Bartow's horse had been shot from annihilate us that day, the memorable 21st, as under him. It was observed that the forces they had promised to do on the first fair occawith which his movement was to be supported sion. Gradually the cannonading on the left had not come up. But it was enough that he increased, whilst that on the right grew less. had been ordered to storm the battery; so, The post of the picket guard of the 2d Palmetto placing himself at the head of the Seventh reg- regiment was upon a hill overlooking all the iment, he again led the charge, this time on country to the north and westward. And from foot, and gallantly encouraging his men as they this point, curling up over the tree tops, which rushed on. The first discharge from the ene-hid the battle field, could be seen the smoke, my's guns killed the regimental color-bearer. but nothing more. About 10 o'clock there rose Bartow immediately seized the flag, and again a great shout, and a rumor soon came down to putting himself in the front, dashed on, flag in us that our boys were driving back the enemy. hand, his voice ringing clear over the battle- This seemed to be confirmed by the smoke, which fields, and saying, "On, my boys, we will die receded to the northwest. The Confederate rather than yield or retreat." And on the brave cavalry, too, were seen galloping in that direcboys did go, and faster flew the enemy's bullets. tion, perhaps to cut up the flying columns of the The fire was awful. Not less than 4,000 mus- Yankees. More than an hour passed on, and kets were pouring their fatal contents upon nothing of the strife is heard but the roar of them, while the battery itself was dealing death ordnance and the rattle of musketry. on every side. The gallant Eighth regiment, which had already passed through the distressing ordeal, again rallied, determined to stand by their 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. Perry man, out scouting, and Capt. Rhett, on picket | had retrieved the lost battle and gained the guard, to march across the fields to the left, and victory of "Stone Bridge," with two regi join their regiment, the 2d, which is on the ments and a battery of four pieces. march to aid the left wing. This regiment, to which was attached Kemper's battery, followed by the 8th, Col. Cash, hurried to the scene of action. It was met along the way by numbers of the wounded, dying, and retiring, who declared that the day had gone against us; that Sloan's regiment, the 4th, was cut to pieces; that Hampton's Legion, coming to the rescue, and the Louisiana battalion, were annihilated; that Gen. Bee and Col. Hampton were mortally wounded, and Col. Ben. Johnson killed; and that the Confederate forces were out-flanked and routed, and the day lost. This was the unvarying tenor of the words that greeted us from the wounded and dying and the fugitives who met us during the last mile of our approach to the field of battle. To the sharp cry of the officers of the 2d regiunent, "On, men, on! these fellows are whipped, and think that everybody else is," the troops responded nobly, and closing up their columns marched rapidly and boldly forward. The fast flying cannon shot now cut down several of our number before we got sight of the foe. Presently they became visible, with banners insolently flaunting, and driving before them the remains of our shattered forces. But the 20, undaunted by the sight, ployed column, and, with a shout, charged up the hill at the double quick. The Yankees could not stand the shock, and fell back into the wood on the west of the hill, pouring into us a galling fire. Driven through this wood, they again formed a brigade of their men in a field beyond, and for half an hour a severe struggle took place between this regiment, with Kemper's battery attached, unsupported, and an immense force of United States troops. We poured in a steady and deadly fire upon their ranks. While the battle raged, the 8th South Carolina regiment came up, and Col. Cash, pointing to the enemy, says, "Col. Kershaw, are those the d- -d scoundrels that you wish driven off the field? I'll do it in five minutes, by God!" "Yes, Colonel," says Kershaw, "form on our left, and do it if you can." In a few moments the 8th got close up on the left, and poured in a murderous fire, under which the enemy reeled and broke. | Now we halted under an order from Gen. Beauregard, not to engage the enemy, should he form again, without reinforcements. Such as could be had were now hurried up. He inspected the division, thus increased, consisting of the 2d and 8th South Carolina regiments, the shattered remnants of Hampton's Legion, about 150 strong, whom we had rescued, (what with the killed, wounded, and those attending them, few were left in the field,) and one company-partly of Marylanders, and partly of Crescent Blues of New Orleans. Kemper's battery had not been able to keep up with us. in the flight of the enemy and our rapid pursuit, for want of horses. Ten minutes we halted, until joined by another small regiment-Preston's Virginians, I believe-and then moved on in the chase. Two miles further on, the cavalry joined us; but, finding the enemy posted on a hill, with artillery covering the road, we threw out skirmishers, and formed in line of battle. But the Yankees, after firing a few cannon shot and Minié balls, again fell back. On we went, and Kemper having now overtaken us, we deployed, and allowed him to unlimber and give them two or three good rounds, which completely routed the Yankee column again. Their artillery, which was in rear, now plunged wildly forward upon the wagon train, overturning and jamming them in mad disorder. Saure qui peut. Devil take the hindmost, became the order of the day, and the setting sun saw the grand army of the North flying for dear life upon wagon and artillery horses cut loose. They left in our hands thirty-odd pieces of cannon, many wagons, an immense number of small arins, and plunder of every kind and description. To-day we can hardly recognize the members of our own com pany, by reason of their changed exterior. New habiliments and accoutrements abound. Truly, these fellows are well provided. Thus you see that, on the right wing of the enemy, their chief force, the 2d and 8th South Carolina regiments, assisted by Kemper's battery, maintained the day, and upheld the ancient honor of the State. As Jeff. Davis, at a late hour yesterday, said, in urging forward the Mississippi and Louisiana regiments, "The 2d and 8th South Carolina regiments have saved the day, and are now gaining a glorious victory." Again they formed on a hill, and new legions covering the hills around rushed to their support, but the terrific fire of Kemper's battery was too much for them. They reeled again and During the action, the lion-hearted Kershaw broke. Forward, Second Palmetto regi-received no orders and saw none of our Genment!" says Kershaw. "Now is the time!" erals, but fought it out on his own plan-drivThe Second and Eighth now dashed forward,ing the enemy in immense numbers before him. fast but steadily, and the victory was won. Throwing down their arms and abandoning their cannon, the United States troops fled precipitately. The Second and Eighth pursued them to the Stone Bridge, about a mile, and there for the first time Kershaw received an order, since leaving the entrenchments. He Too much honor cannot be given to Capt. Kemper. His coolness and presence of mind was unshaken at any moment, and his rapidity and accuracy of fire was astonishing. At one time surrounded and taken prisoner, he owed his escape to his cleverness. As soon as he found resistance useless, he cast his eyes round, and, |