a hill, and not over 350 or 400 yards distant. | plexity. He directed me to fall in between At first I took them for friends, and ordered two of his regiments and return to the first hill the men not to fire on them. To ascertain cer- again and fight with him. I did so with a tainly who they were, I sprang upon my horse remnant of my men and guns. The caissons, and galloped to the top of the hill to our left, except one, were empty, and many of the men when I had a nearer and better view. There were ready to faint from sheer exhaustion. were two regiments of them. They halted We got into position 300 or 400 yards north of about three hundred yards in front of their the ground we at first occupied, within full own battery on the hill-side, wheeled into line, view of the enemy's heavy column of divisions with their backs towards us, and fired a volley, advancing towards us. We opened fire at once, apparently at their battery. This deceived me, but slowly, as we had not over four or five and I shouted to my men to fire upon the bat- men left able to work the guns, respectively, tery, that these were friends, who would charge and ammunition had to be brought from a caisand take it in a moment. Fortunately, my or- son left two hundred yards in the rear, because der was not heard or not obeyed by all the we were unable to get it up with the guns. gunners, for some of them commenced firing Every shot here told with terrible effect, as we into this line, which brought them to the right- could see a lane opened through the enemy about, and they commenced advancing towards after almost every fire. Our first gun was us, when their uniform disclosed fully their worked, during this part of the action, by the character. I instantly ordered the second sec- Captain, First Lieutenant, and two privates. tion of my battery to limber up and come on In the course of three-quarters of an hour our the hill where I was, intending to open on supply of shot and shells was exhausted-the them with canister. Anticipating this move- men could no longer work-we had nothing ment, and intending to make the hill to the left but some canister left, which was useless at so too hot for us, or seeing me out there alone, great a distance. A fresh battery came upon where I could observe their movements and the field, and Gen. Jackson ordered me to retire report them, their nearest battery directed and with my men and guns to a place of safety, fired all its guns at me at once, but without which I did, and had no further part in the fight. hitting me or my horse. I galloped back to my guns, and found that the two guns on our right had left the field, and we were alone again. My order to limber up the second section was understood as applying to the whole battery, so that the drivers had equalized the teams sufficiently to move all the guns and caissons, and the pieces were all limbered. On riding back a short distance, where I could see over the hill again, I discovered the enemy approaching rapidly, and so near that I doubted Several others were slightly touched with our ability to save the battery; but, by a very fragments of shells, without injury. I had 71 rapid movement up the ravine, we avoided the horses on Sunday morning, before the battle shells of the three batteries that were now di- commenced; 10 of those are killed and missrected at us, sufficient to escape with three ing, and 21 more variously injured and at guns and all the caissons. The fourth gun, I present wholly unserviceable, leaving me but think, was struck under the axle by an explod-40 horses fit for work. My harness is half deing shell, as it broke right in the middle, and dropped the gun in the field. We saved the team. Their advance fired a volley of musketry at us without effect, when we got over the hill out of their reach, and a few moments afterwards heard the infantry engage them from the No company in the army was more exposed, woods, some distance to the south of us. See- and none, I believe, so long a time, and yet no ing no troops where we first crossed the hill man quailed. There were instances of indiamongst whom we could fall in with and pre-vidual heroism worthy of special notice; but pare for battle again, and having had no com- where all did so well, it would seem almost inmunication with or from any human being for, vidious to single out individuals. I suppose, three hours, and not knowing where to find our brigade or any part of it, I determined to retire to the next hill, some 400 yards distant, and there form the remnant of my battery, and await the opportunity for further ser- REPORT OF MAJOR WALTON, OF THE WASHINGTON vice.

Just as we were ascending this second hill we met Gen. T. J. Jackson with the First Virginia brigade, hastening on to the field of bat

We were the first battery of the left wing of the army engaged. We were in the fight till near its close, having been engaged altogether upwards of four hours. We fired about 460 rounds of ball and case-shot, our whole supply, during the action. The only serious damage to my men I have mentioned above. Privates Points and Siders will doubtless get well, but will lose their wounded limbs. Lieut. Garber may save his hand.

stroyed and lost. One piece is dismounted, but will be as good as ever when remounted on a new carriage. All my officers behaved throughout with heroic coolness and bravery, and the conduct of the men was that of veterans.

Respectfully submitted,
J. D. IMBODEN,
Capt. Battery, 3d Brigade, C. S. A.
-Richmond Dispatch, July 26.

ARTILLERY.

HEAD QUARTERS, WASHINGTON ARTILLERY, NEAR STONE BRIDGE, BULL RUN, July 22, 1861. GENERAL: I have the honor to report:-On

tle. I reported to him my condition and per- the morning of the 21st instant, (Sunday,) the

leisurely survey of the beautiful landscape, | immense clouds of dust appearing above the spread out before us in all the loveliness and grandeur of nature, and listening with watchful intent to the booming of the heavy cannon on our right, and anxiously examining the locations where the guns of the enemy on the opposite hills were plainly to be seen with the naked eye, and the heavy clouds of dust rising above the woods in front and on either side, indicating the direction in which the heavy columns of the enemy were marching, we each sought the shade of a tree, where we drew forth our memorandum books and pencils, to note down for the information of the thousands, who looked to us for a description of the day's occurrences, the various shiftings of the scene which henceforth forms an era in the history of our young Confederacy, and grandly inaugurates the march of glory on which she has entered.

woods indicated beyond a doubt the Federal columns were moving in solid masses in another direction, and one which was unmistakable. Just at this time, by the aid of our glass, we could see their guns brought to bear on the hill where we stood, for in a few moments the smoke was discovered issuing from their batteries of rifled cannon, and before scarcely a word could be said, the peculiar whiz and hizzing of the balls notified us that their aim had been well taken. Several balls fell in a field immediately behind us, and not a hundred yards from the spot where the generals stood. An officer of Gen. Beauregard's staff requested us to leave the hill, and as we moved away a shell burst not twenty feet off. Col. Bonner calculated with his watch the time taken by the balls to pass us, and made the distance 14 miles from the enemy's battery. The enemy no doubt discovered the horses of the generals, and thought it a good opportunity to display their marksmanship, and credit is due to them for the accuracy of their aim. Providence, however, who governs all things, covered the heads of our generals as with a shield, and preserved them for the hazardous service in which they were in a short hour or two to be engaged.

It was now about eleven o'clock, and the enemy having opened with rifled cannon and shell on their right, which they had continued for more than three hours without response, we heard away to the left, about three miles distant, the heavy booming of cannon, followed immediately by the rattling crack of musketry the discharges being repeated and continuous which notified us the engagement had com

An interesting meeting took place between our party and the venerable Edmund Ruffin, who had against the walls of Fort Sumter fired the first defiant gun. He had come to this conflict with his eighty odd years weighing upon him, and his flowing white locks, to take part in this fight, encouraging our young men by his presence and example. Agile as a youth of sixteen, with rifle on his shoulder, his eyes glistening with excitement as he burned to engage the Yankee invader. Shortly afterwards Generals Beauregard, Johnston, and Bonham, accompanied by their aids, came galloping up the hill, and dismounted on the summit. The generals held an earnest conversation for a few minutes, while taking a survey of the field, and watching the excessive challenges from the enemy's batteries, directed against our right and among the woods near Mitch-menced in earnest at that point, where the ell's Ford, where a hospital was stationed and the yellow flag flying. This was also the point where their fire of Thursday was directed, and where the mark of a cannon ball is to be seen in the kitchen and stable of a house in which Gen. Beauregard dined on that day at the time the ball struck the building. Whether the enemy thought it was again his head-quarters, or whether the fire was playing toward that point to draw out a response from us, is not known. It is more likely, however, it was a mere feint-an impotent attempt to deceive our skilful and able commander as to the point where the enemy was most in force, for so our wise general considered it, as he was seen to direct Gen. Johnston's attention particularly with his hand towards our extreme left, as if he knew the struggle was to be made there.

I should here remark that it had been Gen. Beauregard's purpose to make the attack, instead of waiting to receive it; but from some cause unknown to me, he preferred at last to let the enemy take the initiative; perhaps for the reason that Gen. Johnston's division had been detained on the railroad. As I have said, Gen. Beauregard was not deceived, for the

battle was to be fought and won.

Proceeding towards the scene of action about two miles, we came to a creek in the hollow where one of the hospitals for the day had been stationed, and the first wounded, some 29 or 30, had been brought. Dr. Gaston, of South Carolina, formerly a surgeon in Col. Gregg's regiment, but now attached to Gen. Beauregard's head-quarters, was assiduously attending to the wants of the wounded. At this point Generals Beauregard and Johnston, accompanied by a staff of some ten or twelve officers, passed at full gallop, riding towards their head-quarters for the day, which were on a hill immediately overlooking the ground where our brave soldiers were manfully and persistently struggling for the victory. A large force of cavalry were here stationed, and as the generals passed, they called for three cheers for Beauregard, which were immediately given with right good will, and which the general gracefully acknowledged by lifting his hat from his head and bowing his thanks.

Both of our generals were plainly dressed. No large epaulettes, no gilt, nor any fuss and feathers; you could only distinguish them at a distance to be officers by their swords, but on

a closer inspection the marks of genius and military skill were unmistakable. Their uniform was what I took to be plain undress. Not the least sign of excitement was to be seen on the countenances of either as they coolly rode forward into the storm of iron hail. Beauregard's eyes glistened with expectation, no doubt, when he afterwards threw himself into the very heart of the action, appearing then, as was afterwards most expressively said of him, to be the very impersonation of the "god of war." General Johnston, too, looked every inch a commander, and proved himself to be the worthy inheritor of the prowess and virtues of his ancestors. On reaching the top of the hill, where was a white house, owned, I believe, by a Mr. Lewis, they were again discovered by the enemy, as the rifled shot and shell whizzed through the air and lodged in the hollow behind. The aim was not so good at this time, the accurate artillerists three miles below not having yet come up with the enemy's main body. At about 12 o'clock Beauregard and Johnston assumed the command of our main body at the Stone Bridge. The line of battle extended some seven miles up and down the creek, and during the day there were some minor engagements at other fords.

had only 18 guns on that part of the field.* It has been stated to me by so many of our soldiers I cannot but believe it, that the enemy by some means had obtained our signal for the day-they also used our red badge, which fortunately was discovered in time, and they carried into action the flags of the Palmetto State and the Confederate States. It has been asserted, too, by numerous individuals engaged in the battle, that there was great confusion and slaughter among our own men, who mistook them for the enemy. This was less to be wondered at from the similarity of uniform and the mean advantages above_referred to taken by our unscrupulous foes. They pressed our left flank for several hours with terrible effect, but our men flinched not until their number had been so diminished by the wellaimed and steady volleys that they were compelled to give way for new regiments. The 7th and 8th Georgia regiments, commanded by the gallant and lamented Bartow, are said to have suffered heavily during the early part of the battle. Kemper's, Shields', and Pendleton's batteries were in this part of the field, and did fearful execution. I regret to be unable to name all the regiments engaged, in their order, not having succeeded in ascertaining their position. I am inclined to believe there was some mistake during the day in the delivery or execution of an order of Gen. Beauregard's respecting an attack on the enemy's rear, which was not effected.

At Blackburn's Ford, General Jones's brigade made an attack upon the left flank of the enemy, who had two strong batteries in a commanding position, which it was important to capture. The Fifth South Carolina regiment led the attack, but our troops were compelled Between 2 and 3 o'clock large numbers of to retire for a while under the heavy fire of the men were leaving the field, some of them batteries and musketry, and the enemy imme- wounded, others exhausted by the long strugdiately retreated. Up to the time of this at-gle, who gave us gloomy reports; but as the tack, these batteries had been bombarding all the morning Gen. Longstreet's position in his intrenchments on this side of the run.

fire on both sides continued steadily, we felt sure that our brave Southerners had not been conquered by the overwhelming hordes of the North. It is, however, due to truth to say that the result of this hour hung trembling in the balance. We had lost numbers of our most distinguished officers. Gens. Bartow and Bee had been stricken down; Lieut-Col. Johnson, of the Hampton Legion, had been killed; Col. Hampton had been wounded; but there was at hand the fearless general whose reputation as a commander was staked on this battle: Gen. Beauregard promptly offered to lead the Hampton Legion into action, which he executed in a style unsurpassed and unsurpassable. Gen. Beauregard rode up and down our lines between the enemy and his own men, regardless of the heavy fire, cheering and encouraging our troops. About this time a shell struck his horse, taking

General Evans, of South Carolina, was the first to lead his brigade into action at Stone Bridge. It consisted of the Fourth South Carolina regiment and Wheat's Louisiana battalion. Sustaining them was General Cocke's brigade, consisting of the 17th, 19th, and 28th Virginia regiments, commanded respectively by Colonels Cocke, Withers, and Robert T. Preston. These brigades were the first to bear the brunt of the action, as they were exposed to a concentric fire, the object of the enemy being to turn our left flank while we were endeavoring to turn his right. These regiments of infantry were sustaining the famous Washington Artillery, of New Orleans, who had two of their guns at this point, which made terrible havoc in the ranks of the enemy. The Federal troops lead-its head off, and killing the horses of his aids, ing the action consisted of 10,000 regulars, sustaining the celebrated Sherman's battery, these regulars being in their turn sustained by immense masses of volunteers, the New York Zouaves among the number. General Beauregard estimated the enemy's numbers in the action to be not less than 35,000 men.

Their artillery far outnumbered ours. We have captured 67 pieces of cannon, while we VOL. II.-Doc. 4

Messrs. Ferguson and Hayward. Gen. Beauregard's aids deserve honorable mention, particularly those just named, and Cols. W. Porcher Miles, James Chesnut, John L. Manning, and A. R. Chisolm. Gen. Johnston also threw himself into the thickest of the fight, seizing the colors of a Georgia regiment, and rallying

The Federal forces had but 22 pieces on the field. The remainder of their artillery was in reserve.-W. F. B.