CHAPTER VI.

BATTLE OF BULL RUN.

The First Great Battle of the War-Fresh Levies-Want of Arms and Equipments-Three Months' Men-Second call for Troops-Prompt ResponseDelays - Impatience of the People-Divisions and Positions of the Army of the Potomac-Force and Positions of the Enemy-Plan of the AdvanceWant of Transportation-Advance Ordered-Number of our Troops -Slow and Cautious Movements-The Enemy Fall Back-The Army Concentrate at Centreville-Reconnoissance of the Bull Run Valley-Severe SkirmishingJohnson and Patterson-Mistake as to the Enemy's Position - Advance on the 21st-Delays - Concentration of the Enemy-Details of the Battle — Gallantry of Capt. Coles-The Alabama 1st, and 71st N. Y.-Charge of tho Zouaves-Apparent Victory-Johnson's Re-enforcements-The Panic and Route - Official Details-Why the Enemy did not Pursue-Losses - Lessons of the Defeat.

Having traced the military operations in Western Virginia, until the rebels were virtually driven from that section of the State, we now return to the National Capital, to note the operations of the Army of the Potomac, and to describe the first great battle of the war.

Up to the battle of Bull Run, the engagements of the war had been between comparatively small divisions of the contending forces. When the large numbers in the field are considered, the engagements, hitherto, except in Western Virginia, though exhibiting rare cases of individual courage and prowess, must be regarded rather as skirmishes than as decisive contests. Their effect upon those engaged, was beneficial as a means of discipline, but had little influence upon the issue of the war.

Hitherto the army of the Potomac had been chiefly employed in preparations. The men had been suddenly raised,

BATTLE OF BULL RUN-ADVANCE OVER STONE BRIDGE.

EARLY DIFFICULTIES.

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were generally ignorant of military science; and much time and skill were requisite to convert them into reliable soldiers.

The first seventy-five thousand men were unwisely called into service for but three months; and it was soon evident that their term of service would expire before they could be properly armed and equipped. The President, therefore, on the fourth of May, issued his call for volunteers to serve for three years, or during the war.

The response to this call was at once prompt and patriotic, and 208 regiments had been accepted under it by the first of July following. Of this number, 155 regiments were in active service at that date. The total force at the command of the Government, at this time, was 307,875 men, of which 77,875, were three months' men, whose terms of enlistment would soon expire, leaving but 230,000 of three years' men. Of these, 42,000 were of the regular army.

Much previous discipline was necessary before these fresh levies could be relied upon in involved and intricate contests. Officers and men were alike inexperienced and unskilled. The former must learn, before they could teach. Nor was this all; arms and equipments for so vast a force could not be at once procured, and delays occurred on that account.

The loyal people, not properly appreciating the gigantic preparations requisite for the work in hand, were exceedingly impatient of delay, and anxious for prompt and effective demonstrations upon the enemy. He had long hovered near and menaced the Capital; and it is not surprising that the wish should be general, to relieve ourselves from the disgrace of his immediate presence. Much complaint was therefore made of the inactivity of the army, and its advance was often and

earnestly demanded.

The army of the Potomac at this time, comprised three principal divisions, namely: That in the city, commanded by Gen. Mansfield, that of Gen. McDowell, whose left exten

REBEL GEN. JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON.

ded to Alexandria, and his right, on either side of the Potomac, toward the left of Gen. Patterson, who commanded a division in the vicinity of Williamsport and Martinsburgh.

The rebel forces, under Gen. Beauregard, were at Manassas Junction, and its neighborhood, and he states their num ber, on the 20th of July, at 21,833 men, and on the 21st, at 27,000 men.

The rebel Gen. Johnson was confronting Gen. Patterson, near Martinsburgh.

The plan had been to attack the forces of Gen. Beauregard, at Manassas, with the army in front of Washington, while Gen. Patterson should watch and detain Gen. Johnson.

The order for the advance of the army of the Potomac, was issued on the 8th of July; but a delay of eight days occurred, before a sufficient number of horses could be procured, for the artillery and transportation trains,-a deficiency indicating

much lack of energy and system, in the previous preparations for the advance. It was not until the 15th day of July, that the final arrangements for the advance were so far completed, that the army of the Potomac was ordered to move from its camps opposite the city of Washington, in five divisions.

The first Division, was commanded by Brig. Gen. Daniel Tyler.

The second Division, by Col. David Hunter.

The third Division, by Col. S. P. Heintzelman.

The fourth Division- Reserves-by Brig. Gen. T. Runyan. The fifth Division, by Col. Dixon S. Miles.

The aggregate force thus moved forward, comprised about 55,000 men, although but 18,000 of these crossed Bull Run, and engaged in the fight of the 21st. The enemy in front occupied various positions, including Fairfax Court House, twelve miles from the Potomac, Centreville, ten miles beyond, Bull Run, four miles from Centreville, and Manassas Junction, about seven miles from Centreville. All those forces were in the fight, besides the heavy re-enforcements of Johnson; and numbered, according to Beauregard's own showing, over 27,000 men, while the entire force we had engaged, was but 18,000 men.

Our forces advanced over four different roads-Gen Tyler's Division over the Georgetown road-Col. Hunter, the Leesburg and Centreville route—and the remaining forces over the Little River Turnpike, and the Old Braddock road.

The movements of the troops were necessarily slow and cautious, for the enemy had obstructed the roads, and fortified various positions, at which we expected resistance to be made. For three miles before reaching Fairfax Court House, the route was barricaded by fallen trees, and here an encounter had been looked for. But those obstructions were removed, or roads made around them; and the army advanced without opposition, the enemy retreating as our forces advanced. On re