gard to the numbers by whom he was surrounded. One of them actually penetrated a small battery, sheltered by a side ravine, bayoneted one of the gunners, and escaped unharmed. In this way they occupied themselves for nearly an hour, toward the end of which they got separated, and, consequently, became uneasy on each other's account. They both came out without a wound. One of them was the last man of our side to leave the ground; and, as he withdrew and walked up the hill on our side, quite unprotected, he kept pausing at intervals, and looking back for minutes at a time, as in need of his comrade, whom he be lieved to be still among the enemy. He went along the line as our column retired toward Centreville, crying bitterly. "I didn't want to have that fellow shot," he said; "that fellow has run in the Fire Department with me three

tions in their vicinity, were as innocent-look- Their manner of treating the rebel soldiers was ing woods as any we had passed through. eccentric. They waited until one showed himWhile they worked forward, the 1st Massachu- self tolerably near, and then ran forward, setts regiment, which led the line, was sent chased him down and killed him, without redown into the valley, and formed close to the thickets. The 2d and 3d Michigan regiments followed them, but were almost immediately afterward sent over to a distant field on the right, from which they were never called excepting to retire. Before these troops were fully formed, a series of tremendous musketry or rifle volleys was heard among the trees. These were directed against the skirmishers, who had encountered a large body at the skirt of the woods. From this time little attention was given to the right of the road, where the Michigan men were stationed, the left being the region of the conflict. For a time the skirmishers received the entire attention of the enemy; but a few minutes after their disappearance the right company of the Massachusetts regiment was instructed to occupy the house and barn before mentioned as having been held by the rebels. They reached it un-years." It was very touching to see the tender a sharp and regular fire, found that it was der grief of this rough and reckless fireman, now vacant, and so reported. They were im- and it was even more so to witness the wild mediately afterward ordered to enter the wood and overwhelming delight with which he met as skirmishers-a duty which cost them their his companion at Centreville as uninjured as second lieutenant and several men. The cir-himself, and filled with an anxiety as great as cumstances of the lieutenant's death were peculiar. He first discovered the enemy, but doubting, from their gray uniforms, that they were hostile, he ran forward, shouting, "Who are you?" The answer came, "Who are you?" to which he answered, “Massachusetts men." The enemy then cheered violently, and sent a volley, by which the lieutenant was killed.

Five minutes later Col. Richardson ordered two companies of the Massachusetts 1st to enter the woods, from which the firing proceeded. They immediately started forward, under Lieut.-Col. Wells, the respective companies being led by Capt. Carruth and Lieut. Bird. As they climbed the rail fence which divided the woods from the open field, they were joined by two Fire Zouaves, the record of whose hardy exploits I must here introduce, although it will somewhat anticipate the order of events. These Zouaves had inexplicably appeared at the van a little while before the period of the conflict. Their regiment was far behind, at Fairfax Court House, but they declared they had missed it some night, and were now looking for it with all their might. I privately believe that they scented the battle afar off, and could not control the temptation to step on and share the danger. At any rate they were with us, and they pushed themselves into a fighting position at the first opportunity that opened. For nearly an hour they fought in those woods with daring intrepidity, wholly on their own account, and conscious of no other authority beside their own. They were perpetually in the advance, until the run was reached, when they were obliged to hold back, like the Massachusetts companies, which dashed on at almost the same time.

his own. To-day, I am told, they have rejoined their regiment, which came up from Fairfax Court House last night.

When the Massachusetts companies penetrated the woods, somewhat to the left of the main road, they found themselves at the head of a dry water-course which grew gradually deeper as they followed it. Their path was not an easy one; for, beside the enemy who had met them at the edge, they had to contend with irregular and broken ground, which presented a continued series of alternate gullies and high rocks. The rebels attempted no stand here, although their force was the stronger. As they ran in a body over the hills, three or four men appeared to linger and level their pieces at Capt. Carruth's company. The captain, believing that they might be friendly skirmishers, ran swiftly in among them, crying, "Now, then, who are you?" It turned out that he guessed rightly, and that they were Michigan men, who were misled by the gray Massachusetts uniforms. Following on, and mounting a higher eminence than they had be fore encountered, our men came suddenly upon a deep ravine, which, from their description, was undoubtedly Bull Run. Here, at the angle formed by this ravine and the dry watercourse which emptied into it, they were subjected to volleys from three different direc tions. They looked about, but their assailants were invisible. Reiterated volleys drew their attention to a point where they discovered a very small number of the rebels, upon whom they showered their rifle-shots. The main body, however, remained hidden in masked batteries. Renewed volleys brought down the

men of Capt. Carruth's company by half doz- | Michigan regiments were stationed far away to ens, although Capt. Adams' men escaped with- the right of the main road, out of the line of out loss. Capt. Adams' company, however, battle, and in a deep hollow, where it was next rendered the most effective service at this to impossible for them to take part in the point by covering the retreat of one of our contest under any circumstances. The two guns. While the skirmish was going on so howitzers were sent down without any support briskly, Gen. Tyler had sent down two howit- whatever, in consequence of which one of the zers from Ayres' battery to the assistance of pieces, and perhaps both, might have been lost our men. With extreme intrepidity, they ran if the rebels had ventured from their pits and their pieces rapidly down the hill and into the batteries. When the New York regiment broke woods, until they reached the edge of the dry away, it did not appear that any attempt was water-course, before spoken of, at the outlet of made to supply their place by better men. which a small battery was now discovered. By And from first to last, the two Massachusetts the time they had fired their second round in companies, which entered the woods early, the faces and eyes of the rebels, six of their were left for half an hour without reinforcemen were disabled, but they held bravely outment, and were then compelled to retreat beuntil their ammunition was exhausted, and then fore the great superiority, in numbers and poprepared to withdraw. A disposition to cap-sition, which confronted them. All these apture one of the howitzers was manifested by a small party of the enemy, but the appearance of Capt. Adams' company restrained this unusual demonstration of spirit.

have risen above fifty men. The regiments, excepting the New York 12th, retired in good order, leaving the valley free from troops. No attempt whatever was made by the other side to pursue or harass them, although much injury might have been inflicted at that time. The business was then taken up by the artillery, and a heavy cannonading was opened by both our batteries, which was briskly responded to by the enemy. The shots, however, went -four of ours to one of theirs. Some injury was done to our troops by the balls as they plunged through the woods and tore away limbs of trees, and in one or two cases limbs of men. For ten minutes the ugly whirr and hum of their flight through the air were almost incessant. The shriller whistle of the rifle ball filled all intervals in its own unmelodious way. At last our batteries were called upon to cease firing, and the cessation on our side was the instantaneous signal for silence with them.

The

NEAR MIDDLEBURG, July 19, 1861.

F. L. FRED.

ACCOUNT BY A WASHINGTON ARTILLERIST.

I left Manassas Junction last night at sundown. Our troops had very severe fighting on Bull Run, about three miles distant from the Junction, nearly all day yesterday. The arti[lery was in full play from nine A. M. until between four and five P. M., with two or three intervals of about one hour each. The enemy's loss is thought to be very heavy. Ours is comparatively light. Marye, of the Alexandria Riflemen, and Sangster, of the same company, are killed. A good many of same regiment are wounded, among them Capt. Dulany, severely. I could not learn that any of the Guard were killed or wounded, though I did all in my power to ascertain. The regiment to which they are attached covered itself with glory; but were unfortunately fired into by a Mississippi regiment by mistake. The enemy were repulsed three different times with heavy loss. To use the expression of one of their Our position was then abandoned. men taken prisoner, "they were slaughtered regiments marched slowly back toward Cen-like sheep "-among them several field-officers. treville, their rear protected by Lieut. Drummond's cavalry company. On the way, large reinforcements met us, and other divisions of the corps d'armée were seen pouring down by the northern roads. They joined us at Centreville, where all rested for the night, excepting the picket-guards, which were thrown out far toward Bull Run, and a single troop of cavalry, which encamped about two miles from the scene of the contest. Thus the skirmish ended, not creditably to our leaders, but in a manner reflecting no dishonor upon our soldiers, (excepting those of the New York 12th.) Truer valor has never been seen among men than that which was gladly shown a hundred times during the lay. Our Generals, too, seemed utterly indifferent to any peril. Col. Richardson commanding the brigade rode through storms of shot unconcerned, and Gen. Tyler with his staff stood for an hour in the most exposed situations, while rifled cannon balls tore through the trees and shattered the walls of houses beside him, and the bullets dropped into the ground about him like cherries shaken from a ripe tree. In some places, thick puffs of dust covered the open field, shaken up by the plunging of the bullets in the loose soil.

SECESSION ACCOUNTS OF THE FIGHT.

The Leesburg Democratic Mirror extra of July 19, says: -We have just learned that a sanguinary battle took place at Bull Run, near Manassas Junction, on yesterday, July 18, in which the enemy met with terrible loss. The following letter, from a perfectly reliable gentleman, was sent to us at seven o'clock this morning, July 19. We will endeavor to give to our friends from time to time the latest information from the scene of action. Two passengers, who also left the Junction yesterday evening, confirm the statements of our correspondent, and say that the victory was overwhelming :

The Memphis Avalanche, of July 26, has the following letter from a member of the Washington Artillery, to a sister living in Memphis. The writer graphically describes the battle at Bull Run:

CULPEPPER, VA., July 20, 1861. Dear Sister Olivia: I suppose that ere this you have heard of the fight we had with the Yankees on the 18th inst.

However, I will give you a correct history of it, or at least as near as I can. Our battalion (the New Orleans Washington Artillery) were stationed on a small creek called Bull Run, five miles north of Manassas Junction. On the morning of the 17th couriers came running into our camps, bringing the information that the enemy had taken Fairfax Court House, and were advancing toward Manassas. We immediately left our tents standing, and went two miles further down on the same creek, to a ford where we thought the enemy would attempt to cross. Arriving at the ford we found the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Mississippi regiments awaiting the approach of the enemy. We planted our battery of seven guns, and waited till morning, but the enemy did not come. About 12 o'clock on the 18th, General Beauregard ordered our guns to be removed to another ford one mile above where we were. We left immediately, and had just reached the ford when the enemy commenced firing on our infantry. We only had five regiments at this ford, and the enemy were between fifteen and twenty thousand strong. However, our little force waded across the creek, pitched into them, and they immediately retired. It was not long, however, before they rallied on another part of the hill, and cominenced firing on our artillery.

They were on a high hill behind some thick

gressmen were standing. One ball fell direct- | been heavy. Among the killed, is said to be one ly in the midst of a group of Congressmen, Colonel Fountain-at least, a deserter so stated. among whom was Owen Lovejoy, but injured no one, the members scampering in different directions, sheltering among trees, &c.

It is said to have been admirably served, too, as the heavy list of killed and the disabling of Sherman's battery amply testify. There were a number of ritle-pits also in front of the batteries, from which much execution was done by expert riflemen.

The Congressmen were greatly impressed with the extent and magnitude of the earthworks, intrenchments, &c., erected by the Confederates from Alexandria to Centreville and beyond. They were all of the most formidable and extensive character.

The excesses of the Federal troops in Virginia are exciting general indignation among army officers. A member of Congress, who visited the scene this morning, states that the village of Germantown has been entirely burnt, with the exception of one house, in which lay a sick man, who had been robbed, he was told, by an army surgeon, of nearly every article he possessed of the slightest value, even to his jack-knife.

Gen. McDowell has issued orders that the first soldier detected in perpetrating these depredations shall be shot, and has ordered that a guard be placed over the principal residences of any town the troops may enter.

MEMPHIS "APPEAL" ACCOUNT.

RICHMOND, July 10, 1861.

It is thought by them that Manassas Junction is encircled by a chain of batteries, which can only be penetrated by severe fighting. All the intrenchments evidence consummate skill A slight skirmish occurred between the conin their construction. The entire column under tending forces at Fairfax Court House on WedGen. McDowell fell back at 8 o'clock on Thurs-nesday, which resulted in the Federals occupyday evening, a short distance from Centreville, where they encamped. They were joined during the evening by Heintzelman's command, and on the succeeding morning by that of Col. Burnside, all of which troops are encamped there.

ing the town, the Confederate forces retiring to Centreville. On Thursday a general engage ment occurred, extending along the line from Centreville to Bull Run. The enemy's column numbered twenty thousand, and was under the command of Major-General McDowell and two brigadiers. The confederate forces were led by Generals Bonham and Longstreet, and numbered eight thousand. In the attack the Yankees were repulsed with great slaugh ter, while the Confederate loss was very trifling. The War Department furnished no particulars. The Virginia and South Carolina troops were the principal sufferers, they being in the adThese despatches put the loss of the Federal-vance of our forces. No officers of distinction ists in killed at 5, but Mr. McClernand states were killed. that he himself saw a greater number than that RICHMOND, July 19.-Beauregard achieved a killed. All of these gentlemen agree in esti- great victory to-day. At daybreak this morn mating the number killed at 100. The disparing the enemy appeared in force at Bull Run, ity between the statements of the gentlemen and the official despatches is accounted for by the fact that the latter are based upon the returns of the surgeons, and that many of the killed are oftentimes never reported until after the publication of the official accounts.

Later in the evening, Gen. Schenck's brigade of Ohio troops was sent forward on the Hainesville road to flank the batteries, but no tidings had been heard of them up to 8 o'clock yesterday (Friday) morning, when the Congressmen left Gen. McDowell's head-quarters, bringing with them his despatches to the War Depart

ment.

One remarkable fact which commanded the special attention of the members of Congress was the absence, from that portion of Virginia visited by them, of all the male inhabitants capable of bearing arms. They state that they saw but few people, and those were chiefly old women and children. The women seemed to regard the soldiers with bitter hostility, and, to quote the language of one of the Congressmen, their "eyes fairly flashed fire whenever they looked at a soldier."

General McDowell expressed no fears of being attacked, but seemed apprehensive of some of the volunteer corps stumbling upon a masked battery, and thus "precipitating a general engagement."

The loss of the Confederates was not known, but is conjectured by the Federalists to have

and attempted to cross the stream. A severe battle ensued, three miles northwest of Manassas. Beauregard commanded in person. Federal commander not yet known. The battle was at its height at four o'clock in the afternoon. Ceased at five. The enemy repulsed three times. They retreated in confusion, having suffered a con siderable loss. Our casualties were small. The First and Seventeenth Virginia regiments were prominent in the fight. Col. Moore was slightÎy wounded. The Washington Artillery, of New Orleans, did great execution. The fight extended all along the whole line from Bull Run nearly a mile. Wm. Singser, rifleman, killed a federal officer of high rank, and took seven hundred dollars in gold from his person. Capt. Delaney, of the Seventh Virginia regi ment, was slightly wounded. A shot passed through the kitchen of a house in which Beauregard was at dinner. The enemy fired into the Confederate hospital, notwithstanding the yellow flag waved from it.

LATER-Apparently reliable advices from Fairfax, say the Federalists advanced this morn