-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 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 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 ears 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 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 battlefields, 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

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. 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, Now we halted under an order from Gen. to which was attached Kemper's battery, fol- Beauregard, not to engage the enemy, should lowed by the 8th, Col. Cash, hurried to the he form again, without reinforcements. Such scene of action. It was met along the way by as could be had were now hurried up. He innumbers of the wounded, dying, and retiring, spected the division, thus increased, consisting who declared that the day had gone against of the 2d and 8th South Carolina regiments, us; that Sloan's regiment, the 4th, was cut to the shattered remnants of Hampton's Legion, pieces; that Hampton's Legion, coming to the about 150 strong, whom we had rescued, (what rescue, and the Louisiana battalion, were anni-with the killed, wounded, and those attending hilated; that Gen. Bee and Col. Hampton were them, few were left in the field,) and one commortally wounded, and Col. Ben. Johnson pany-partly of Marylanders, and partly of killed; and that the Confederate forces were Crescent Blues of New Orleans. Kemper's out-flanked and routed, and the day lost. This battery had not been able to keep up with us was the unvarying tenor of the words that in the flight of the enemy and our rapid purgreeted us from the wounded and dying and suit, for want of horses. Ten minutes we haltthe fugitives who met us during the last mile ed, until joined by another small regiment-Presof our approach to the field of battle. To the ton's Virginians, I believe-and then moved on sharp cry of the officers of the 2d regiment, in the chase. Two miles further on, the cavalOn, men, on! these fellows are whipped, and ry joined us; but, finding the enemy posted on think that everybody else is," the troops re- a hill, with artillery covering the road, we sponded nobly, and closing up their columns threw out skirmishers, and formed in line of marched rapidly and boldly forward. 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. Sauve 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 nuinber of small arms, and plunder of every kind and description. To-day we can hardly recognize the members of our own company, by reason of their changed exterior. New habiliments and accoutrements abound. Truly, these fellows are well provided.

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.

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66

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-driv The Second and Eighth now dashed forward, ing the enemy in immense numbers before him. fast but steadily, and the victory was won. Too much honor cannot be given to Capt. KemThrowing down their arms and abandoning per. His coolness and presence of mind was their cannon, the United States troops fled pre- unshaken at any moment, and his rapidity and cipitately. The Second and Eighth pursued accuracy of fire was astonishing. At one time them to the Stone Bridge, about a mile, and surrounded and taken prisoner, he owed his esthere for the first time Kershaw received an cape to his cleverness. As soon as he found order, since leaving the entrenchments. He resistance useless, he cast his eyes round, and,

seeing a regiment of Virginians near, said, | until 7 o'clock, when the firing of cannon and pointing to them, "Take me to your Colonel." musketry became very hot and the action was His captors ignorantly did as he suggested, and fairly opened. Here an unfortunate mistake for actually carried him into the midst of the Vir- a time threw our lines into confusion. The ginians before they saw their mistake. In a few Yankees, infamous in their tricks of war as moments he was rid of them, and again at the well as trade, advanced a large column headed head of his battery, hurling destruction into by the Confederate flag, and when within fifty the ranks of the foe. Kershaw and Kemper yards opened a deadly fire upon the Fourth both deserve to be made Brigadier-Generals, as Alabama regiment. This caused a retreat, this great victory is undoubtedly due to their which the South Carolinians observing, they commands. opened upon the Alabamians, thinking them enemies, and nearly decimating their ranks.

Hampton's Legion and Sloan's regiment displayed the utmost gallantry, but, in the face of superior artillery and great odds, were not sufficiently sustained. We hear that our troops succeeded in capturing cannon from the enemy's left wing, also, to the amount of ten or twelve pieces. If that be so, we have captured forty odd pieces, amongst which is Sherman's celebrated battery. The Palmetto Guard have taken a flag and one or two drums. The Brooks Guard have captured a flag-staff and two kettle drums. The other companies have various articles. I have written the above in great haste, but the facts are correctly stated. I will give you some other incidents at another time. -Charleston Mercury, July 29.

LOUISVILLE "COURIER" ACCOUNT.

About the same time, Gen. Beauregard heard heavy firing several miles to the right, and immediately went with our main body to the scene of supposed conflict. But this was another decoy. The Yankees had sent a large quantity of ordnance with only men sufficient to man the guns, so as to distract the attention of our forces from the main point of attack. Quickly discovering the ruse, Beauregard double-quicked his troops to the former battlefield from which we had been driven back some two miles. Now came the tug of war.

The fortunes of the day were evidently against us. Some of our best officers had been slain and the flower of our army lay strewn upon the field, ghastly in death or gaping with wounds. At noon the cannonading is described MANASSAS, VA., Monday, July 22. as terrific. It was an incessant roar for more Sunday, July 21, will ever be a memorable than two hours, the havoc and devastation at day in the annals of America. Next to the sa- this time being fearful. McDowell, with the ered Sabbath of our Independence, it will be aid of Patterson's division of twenty thousand the eventful era in the history of Republican men, had nearly outflanked us, and were just in Governments. The military despotism of the the act of possessing themselves of the railway to North, proud, arrogant, and confident, has been Richmond. Then all would have been lost. But met in the open field, and the true chivalry of most opportunely, I may say providentially, at the South, relying upon the justness of their this juncture, Gen. Johnston, with the remnant cause, though comparatively weak in numbers, of his division-our army as we fondly call it, have gained a victory that in completeness has for we have been friends and brothers in camp never been paralleled in history since the Amer- and field for three months-reappeared and ican continent first dawned from its ocean-girt made one other desperate struggle to obtain the womb upon the eye of the longing discoverer. vantage ground. Elsey's brigade of MarylandBut the victory has been dearly won-purchasers and Virginians led the charge, and right ed, indeed, with the hearts' blood of thousands manfully did they execute the work. Gen. of the bravest and truest men of the Confed- Johnston himself led the advance, and wild erate States. But this blood will not only cry with delirium, his ten thousand advanced in aloud to the heavens for vengeance, but so fruc- hot haste upon three times their number. Twice tify the soil of the South that here more than was Sherman's battery, that all day long had elsewhere will ever bloom and blossom the glo- proven so destructive, charged and taken, and rions tree of liberty. our men driven back. The third time, Virginians, Carolinians, Mississippians, and Louisianians, captured the great guns and maintained their position.

It was not the good fortune of your correspondent to be in the engagement, that portion of Gen. Johnston's army to which the Kentucky battalion is attached having been detained at Piedmont by a railroad accident. We reached the field of battle just as the victory had been gained, and only had the mingled satisfaction and sorrow of joining in the huzzas and uniting in the sad lamentations.

The battle opened on Sunday morning, about 5 o'clock, near Bull Run, some four miles from Manassas Junction, the Nationals advancing with an immense column 54,000 strong, under Gen. McDowell. The engagement was not general, the artillery only playing at intervals,

About the pieces the dead and wounded lay five deep, so protracted and deadly had been the struggle. Now hope again dawned upon us, and just as the tide seemed turning in our favor, another good omen illuminated the fortunes of the day that at times seemed so illstarred. Riding in a half column along our lines was a single horseman with hat in hand, waving to the men and speaking brief words of encouragement. By intuition all knew it was President Davis, and such a shout as made the welkin ring arose-a shout of joy and de

fiance. The President had just arrived by spe- | own conclusions, and solve the terrible political cial train from Richmond, and Providence problem it presents to the American people. seemed to be with us again. The contest was no longer doubtful. As I heard one of the officers say, our men could have whipped legions of devils. The word "Onward!" was given, Davis bareheaded in the van. No more lingering or dallying. It was a grand and sublime onset of a few determined sons of liberty against the legions of despotism. The lines of the enemy were broken, their columns put to flight, and until after dark the pursuit was continued. The rout was complete. Off scampered the Yankees, throwing away guns, knapsacks, clothing, and every thing that could retard their progress. Thus was the day won, and the long bright Sabbath closed, a lovely full moon looking down calmly and peacefully upon the bloodiest field that the continent of America ever witnessed.

It was impossible for me, in the heat of a terrible engagement, exactly to locate the posi tion of our forces during the battle; but I find my conjecture of yesterday verified, that it was not at Bull Run, but at Manassas Gap. In other words, that General McDowell, with an army which, including the reserves at Centreville, did not number more than forty thousand, actually attacked the rebel forces at Manassas Gap, where Beauregard has been for months preparing his fortifications, and where he had lined the hills with elaborate and carefullyconstructed intrenchments, behind which were rifled cannon of large calibre, properly manned and supported by an army which subsequent information leads me to estimate at nearly a hundred thousand men. Behind these batteries the Southern troops fought. They were conOur loss is fully two thousand killed and structed in a manner calculated to deceive the wounded. Among the killed are Gen. Bee, of most experienced eye. The breastworks were South Carolina; Gen. E. K. Smith, Gen. Bar- in the shape of a gently sloping hill, neatly tow, of Georgia; Col. Moore and all the Ala- sodded, with here and there a tree left growbama field officers; Col. Fisher and the Northing, to more thoroughly deceive our troops as Carolina field officers; Adjutant Branch of Georgia, and a host of other leading men.

Thomas G. Duncan, of Nelson County, Ky., was in the fight, and shot through the left shoulder. His wound is not dangerous.

Col. Barbour, of Louisville; Capt. Menifee and Shelby Coffee, of Kentucky, were in the hottest of the fight.

We took thirteen hundred prisoners, sixty pieces of artillery, ten thousand stand of arms, and an immense amount of baggage.

This is a sad day. The rain is pouring in torrents. The killed and wounded are being brought in by hundreds, and a gloom pervades all hearts, that even the sense of our great victory cannot relieve. SE DE KAY.

THE RETREAT FROM CENTREVILLE.

WASHINGTON, July 22, 1861.

to their existence. Their line of batteries covered two or three miles. The whole region seemed literally to be one masked battery. What appeared to be a natural declivity, would in a moment bellow forth a most fearful charge of grape-shot, shell, and cannister; and from every clump of bushes or shrubbery, the terri ble messengers of death would come at the most unexpected moment.

I mention this in order that you may more properly understand the details of this great battle, and more properly appreciate the gal lantry of our men. Notwithstanding they had slept on their arms, and had marched ten miles to the place of engagement, they rushed into the contest weary, wanting food and water; they drove the enemy from battery and battery; slowly and slowly pushing them from their position. From nine o'clock till three, the battle was a victory, and if at three o'clock there had been ten thousand fresh men to assist them; if General Patterson had only come from Martinsburg, or McClellan over the Blue Ridge from Western Virginia-or if even Miles' divis

There is no use of concealing the fact, however terrible it may be to realize, that the army of the Union, under command of General McDowell, has been completely routed. I endeavored to intimate the sad intelligence in my letter of yesterday; I had hoped, however, that sub-ion of reserves could have been marched from sequent advices would have enabled me to say that the gallant, the superhuman conduct of our troops had met the rewards of bravery. Every account that comes, comes filled with disaster. Every eye is sad, and the exultation of yesterday has given place to the gloom and apprehension of to-day. The present is one of sorrow, the future has but few gleams of hope. We have sent into Virginia the best appointed division of our grand army, we have fought the greatest battle ever fought on the continent, and we have been not only beaten, but our army has been routed, and many of its best regiments wholly demoralized. The narrative of this disaster will be my duty; you may make your

Centreville, we could have driven them from the field and won the day. Our men were weary, and in many cases inefficiently commanded, The enemy was being constantly reinforced. So rapidly did they arrive, that many of their regiments rushed into the field with their knapsacks on their shoulders, and I could distinctly see with a strong spy-glass, even from the hills beyond Centreville, regiment after regiment of the rebels coming from the neighboring districts, and passing over the roads to Ma nassas. In many cases the colors of their flags could be easily distinguished.

The causes of our defeat appear to be these: A premature advance on the enemy without a

action.

sufficient force, which may be attributed to the | sylvania regiment any way concerned in the clamors of politicians, and newspapers like the action. This body had been intended as a part New York Tribune; the negligence of General of the advance, and with that impression its Patterson in not intercepting General Johnston soldiers had left their quarters at the early at Winchester, and preventing him from join- hour of the morning when the movement coming Beauregard at Manassas; the want of an menced. There was a change in the programme, efficient force of artillery to answer their mask- however, and they were instructed to remain ed batteries; the inefficiency of many of the at Centreville as a reserve regiment. They officers; the want of proper discipline among were stationed in a large field on the north of the volunteers, and the general panic which the town, and below the hill which commanded seized upon our forces in the latter part of the a view of the distant field of battle. I had the opportunity of paying them a few moments' visit. There was the greatest dissatisfaction among the men because of their inaction. The cannonading and musketry could be distinctly heard, couriers were constantly going to and from the field, the various reports of victory were constantly being repeated, but the day passed on into the afternoon, and no signal of advance was given. Some of the men were sleeping under the shade of the trees, a few were cleaning and preparing their muskets, others were writing letters home, and some, anxious and mortified, were actually weeping at the want of an opportunity to join in the fight. Col. Einstein was galloping hither and thither, anxiously awaiting the orders to march, and every minute scanning the horizon with his opera glass, in the hope of seeing the courier, which would signal him to victory. During the time of my brief stay, an aide arrived with an order to prepare for action. The command was given, and received with the most intense enthusiasm on the part of the men, who rent the air with repeated shouts. In less time than it takes to write these ten lines, they were in line, every man at his position, expecting the order to march. As I witnessed this spectacle, and recollected that in this regiment alone Pennsylvania was represented, I could not but feel proud of my State, and regret that her soldiers could not have taken part in the great events of this momentous day.

I have heard many stories of the bravery of some regiments and the inefficiency of others. But if we can make any such distinction, it is with the officers who commanded, and not with the men who obeyed. The material of our army is of an extraordinary character, and this disastrous battle has shown it; for the men who could fight double their numbers behind masked batteries for ten hours, in a country where water could not be found, under the torrid rays of a Southern summer sun, and make that fight a victory until their endurance had been overtasked, and the ranks of the enemy had been filled up by fresh men, are capable of any thing which may be demanded of the soldier. And this is the story of the battle of Manassas; this is the substance of every rumor-the logical result from every fact the contest furnishes. The general panic took place about 5 o'clock in the afternoon. There are a number of stories told as to the apparent reason for the precipitate flight of our troops; but, without stopping to relate them, or even to consider their manifest absurdity, I would simply say that it was caused by their utter exhaustion, and the terrible fire of masked batteries, which were taken by them, again and again, at the point of the bayonet, only to find, when taken, that others would open upon them. The reinforcements vastly strengthened the enemy, their fire was increased, and, before that fire, our men retreated. If they had been properly commanded, they might have retreated in good order, like the regulars under Major Sykes; but this, and the want of experience, gave rise to a panic, which soon swept every thing before it, and carried our army, like a tumultuous mob, from Manassas to Washington.

As I have said, it was necessary that I should reach Fairfax at an early hour in the evening. Fairfax is about eight miles from Centreville, and is approached by a devious and rugged road running through a woody country, and traversing a succession of hills. It is a small sleepy town of the old Virginia style, and will The day was so closely contested, that when be remembered as the scene of Lieut. TompI arrived at Centreville from the field of battle, kins' brilliant cavalry charge in the early part at five o'clock in the evening, it was with the of this campaign. It is situated in a valley, or impression that the conflict had either resulted rather on the brow of a gradually sloping hill, in a drawn battle or in a dearly-bought victory. surrounded by a scenery which is somewhat It was important that I should go to Fairfax monotonous, but certainly romantic and beauin order to forward you my despatches, no com- tiful. The houses are small, and built like munication existing between Washington city Virginia houses generally, with a view to comand Centreville. I had taken rooms in the only fort and aristocratic display. It was intended hotel of the place, and intended to have return- as the advanced post of governmental commued the same evening in order to complete my nication with Washington, wires having been observations of the battle and follow the army extended that far to a telegraph station, which in its further progress. At that time there were was operated by an officer of the Government. five regiments of volunteers as a reserve, and The tone of the people was certainly not one among them Colonel Max Einstein's Pennsyl- of friendship to the Union, although the pres vania volunteers, the only distinctively Pennence of a fine regiment of Western volunteers