66 velops neither the sense of military honor nor any of that affectionate devotion for the Union which is called by one party in America patriotism. As the General was speaking to me, a volunteer Colonel came up, and said abruptly, "General, my men have had nothing to eat for four days; what is to be done?" Make an application to the commissariat officer, and represent the circumstances to me. There is no reason whatever why the men should be without food, for there is plenty of it in camp." "Yes; but the carters won't bring it. They go away and leave us, and, as I tell you, the men have had nothing for four days." "I tell you, sir, that must be the fault of their officers. Why were not the circumstances reported? Go over to Capt. and he will take the necessary steps." And, after some further expatiation on the hardships of his case, the Colonel, who is as brave as a lion, but who is not very well acquainted with military routine, retired. It need not be said that the men were not actually without food for four days, although the Colonel's statement in reference to the commissariat was true. Reckless as all soldiers are of provisions and food, volunteers are notoriously extraordinarily so. Then, there is probably a want of organization in the commissariat. McDowell's corps were ordered to march with three days' food cooked, not including, of course, the day of marching. The food was, however, issued, inclusive of that day, and next day the men had eaten up or wasted the two days' rations in one, and had nothing. They were badly provided with food and with water on the very day of the action, and some men told me that evening they had eaten nothing since 2 A. M. Indeed, the General witnessed the disorder which was caused by the regiments rushing out of the ranks to drink at a small stream before they went into action, though their canteens were filled before they set out. Mr. Wadsworth, a gentleman of New York of large fortune, who, with the rank of Major, is acting as aide-decamp to the General, had just come in from Centreville from the Confederates, to whom he had gone yesterday with a flag of truce, relative to the dead and wounded. They would not permit him to enter their lines, but otherwise received him courteously, and forwarded his despatches. This morning he was told that an answer would be sent in due time to his despatches, and he was ordered to return to his quarters. While I was at Arlington, despatches and messengers were continually arriving. One was from head-quarters, appointing Major Barry to command the artillery. Another stated that the enemy had advanced to Fairfax Court House. Presently in came two young men, who said they had been prevented going to that place by the approach of the Confederates, and that they had he the sound of guns as they turned back. T plloon was up in the air reconnoitring. anspect, str with the wi drifting toward the Confederates. No one seemed to know, however, what Beauregard and Lee are doing, but it is affirmed that Johnston has gone off with a corps towards Western Virginia once more, and that an insurrection in Baltimore and Maryland is only prevented by the reenforcements which are pouring in to Gen. Banks, and by the anticipations of speedy aid from the Confederates. Mr. Bernal, the British consul, came over to-day to consult with Lord Lyons on certain matters connected with our interests in the city of Baltimore. As the truth is developed the secessionists in Washington become radiant with joy, and cannot conceal their exultation wherever it is safe to indulge it. Their ears are erect for the sound of the cannon which is to herald the entrance of the enemy into the capital of the United States. The Unionists, on the other hand, speak of the past hopes of the enemy, of the great reënforcements arriv ing, of the renewed efforts of the North, and of its determination to put down rebellion. There must be an infatuation which amounts to a kind of national insanity in a portion of the North, or is it possible that they believe what the journals tell them-that they are the strongest, bravest, richest, mightiest people in the world, and that they have only to will it, and the world-including the Confederate States-is prostrate before them? The exaggerations and misstatements of part of the American press would certainly lead those who believed it to such conclusions. Let us take a few phrases from the papers in reference to the action at Manassas. One New York journal on Monday announced positively "the national troops undisputed victors." "Bull Run lost, they must want water." "The enthusiasm which carried certain regiments" whose "brave and brilliant exploits" were "preeminent," "into the face of the intrenched foe was startling in its effect." "The nation has triumphed! Praise be to God! Live the Republic!" It does "not infer the Southern men are cowards," but that "all the forgery, perjury, and telegraphic lying have not weaned a very large proportion of them from their old love of the Union." "Splendid Union victory!" "Terrible slaughter!" "Twelve hours' terrific fighting!" "Their last hope gone!" "Heroism of the Union forces!" "They know no such word as 'fear!"" "Hot chase of the rebels!" At 5.30, when the Federalists were in retreat, "an officer telegraphs the enemy totally routed." There is, of course, plenty of "flanking" and "masked batteries;" and, as a proof of hard work on the part of the pioneers, it is remarked-"An observer judged it would ordinarily take three months to do what these lumbermen did in half a day!" "Guns were discharged as rapid as two in a minute." "We have successfully outflanked the enemy," A "brigadier quartermaster" was taken. In several places it is stated that the men asserted 'their officers were cowards." In another rnal of New York there are accounts of the "Greatest battle ever fought on this conti- MR. RUSSELL'S THIRD LETTER ON BULL RUN The rebel army could have entered Washington-He speculates as to the reasons why it did not. WASHINGTON, July 29, 1861. On this day week the Confederates could rout of the enemy was complete! "Crush-have marched into the capital of the United ing rebellion!""Victory at Bull Run; Sum- States. They took no immediate steps to folter avenged! A "battle of unparalleled se- low up their unexpected success. To this moverity!" "Oar gallant and laurel-crowned ment their movements have betrayed no fixity army!" Another newspaper, "Our army of purpose or settled plan to pursue an aggresswent into battle with firm step and light ive war, or even "to liberate Maryland if they hearts, singing patriotic songs." Bull Run de- have the means of doing so." feat is placed among those great military achievements which in ancient and modern times have overthrown or marked the beginning of empires," &c., "not less than 125,000 being engaged on both sides." The poor blus"an army equal in numbers to that of France, and as well disciplined, will burn to resent the wrongs that have been offered to the country, and they will rejoice at being able to display abroad the valor for which there will be no longer a field at home." It would be worth while to know what the Secretary of State thinks of this style of writing at present. His frame of mind just now, perhaps, is not suited to such strong expressions, particularly as the people they are meant to arouse only laugh at them. And, indeed, their success was, as I suspected, not known to them in its full proportions, and their loss, combined, perhaps, with the condition of their army, as much as political and prudential motives actuating their leaders, may have had a fair share in producing the state of inactivity with which the Federalists have no reason to be dissatisfied. terer tells us THURSDAY, July 25, 1861. Last night there was an alarm that the enemy were advancing. General Scott and his staff were roused up in the night by messengers from the outposts. There was a similar alarm in Alexandria, but the report was untrue. The Confederates, however, have advanced their pickets within six miles of the latter place. The War Department is in ignorance of their general movements, and can get no intelligence from the country. Several regiments marched out of the city, as their time was up, and their places will be taken by others coming in from the North and West. The three-months men are going off just as their services are most needed. Can any one say the three-years men may not do the same? The proportions of the contest are not likely to be dwarfed. FRIDAY, July 26, 1861. I have kept my letter open to the last moment, but there is no change to announce, except a nearer advance of the enemy's pickets on the road to Alexandria. General McClellan has arrived, and it is said he will send a force out at once to guard the Upper Potomac, and to prevent any force crossing in that direction. The weather is not excessively hot, and is favorable enough for campaigning purposes. Washington is quiet to-day as yet. There are considerable additions to be made to the works on the other side, and, indeed, there is a hill in front of one of the redoubts which commands it a trifle, and which it is an oversight not to fortify. In a few days, if a column is ready, I hope to be able to accompany it. A diplomatic view of our Union position. Let us look around, now that the smoke of battle has cleared away, and try to examine the condition of the ground. First, as regards foreign relations : The personal good feeling and perfect understanding which exist between the representatives of the great European powers directly interested in America, are founded on an appreciation of the exact demands of the interests they represent, and on the necessities of a common honorable policy. England, having a vast commerce directly involved in the contest, has naturally been the first to provide for its safety in American waters, and has also felt it desirable, in the face of the desperate counsels which have been given on this side of the Atlantic, to furnish a trifling reinforcement to her small military establishment in Canada. The fleet at present in observation is neither powerful nor offensively disposed, and no exception can be taken to the mode in which it has acted by the most sensitive Americans, although attempts have been made to arouse vulgar prejudices by erroneous statements respecting the views and declarations of Admiral Milne. The authoritative assertions on that subject in some of the journals here are destitute of authority, except that of the writer. What is of more consequence, perhaps, in respect to the preservation of friendly relations between England and the United States, is the fact that a great change has come over the views of the members or member of the Cabinet who was supposed to seek the reconstruction of the Union in a war with Great Britain, and that the most favorable disposition is evinced to cultivate our good graces, not by any sacrifice of principles, but by the adoption of a tone at once calm, just, and dignified, which will be appreciated by the Foreign Office. It is not probable, either, that we shall hear much more about the immediate annexation of Canada, and the fury of 750,000 "better than French" soldiers with which we were threatened will be for a time averted. The Morrill Tariff as a cause of embroilment. But if there are such pleasant changes in the diplomatic and press world, there is nothing at all like them in commercial relations. In the Senate it is proposed to clap a round ten per cent. on all the duties to be levied under the Morrill tariff, and Mr. Simmons, the father of this wicked little bit of political economy, declares he will thereby raise $45,000,000 of additional revenue. The House of Representatives, on the contrary, propose to raise revenue by taxes on coffee, tea, sugar, pepper, spices, and articles of the sort, not of necessity nor of luxury, but in the intermediate position, so that every one who uses them now will continue to do so, notwithstanding the tax, and no one will be the worse for it. On these plans it is probable there will be a conference between the two branches of the Legislature, in which the contending systems may be adjusted or amalgamated. The income tax to be adopted will give some $40,000,000, according to the calculations of the designers, and the people fondly believe it will be removed as soon as the war is over. The mercantile interests of France and Russia-Alleged opinions of the ministers of both these coun tries. If the increase of ten per cent. on the Morrill tariff be actually passed, it is difficult to see how France can continue to regard with friendly feelings such a direct attack on her great article of exportation. England is accustomed to bear these things from the United States, but France cannot afford any meddling or mischief in her wine trade and her tobacco monopoly. M. Mercier, the energetic and able representative of our ally, is said to entertain strong notions that the contest now waging cannot terminate in the success of the North in what it proposes to itself. M. de Stoeckl, the Russian minister, who has lived long in America, knows her statesmen and the genius of her people and institutions, and is a man of sagacity and vigorous intellect, is believed to hold the same views. not received; the exchange of prisoners with rebels is ridiculous. A regular "blockade " of rebel ports is quite anomalous. It remains to be seen, after Mr. Davis's recent hints, what the Government dares to do in the case of the "pirates" whom its cruisers caught in the act, redhanded, of privateering policy. Meantime the arm raised to chastise and subdue has been struck down, and the attitude of the North is just now defensive. There will be on the part of the one people whom the American press has most insulted and abused every disposition to give fair play and to listen to the call for "time." But the quarrel must have its limits -the time must be fixed, and the sponge must be thrown up if one or other of the combatants cannot "come up" to it; nor does it seem a case in which any amount of "judicious bottleholding" can prolong the fight. Now, at the present moment, the North is less able to go into the contest than she was a month ago. She has suffered a defeat, she has lost morale and materiel. Besides killed, wounded, and prisoners, cannon, arms, baggage, she has lost an army of three-months men, who have marched away was in the greatest danger. to their homes at the very moment the capital The Federal reinforcements. do not bring up the Federalists to the strength Up to this period the reinforcements received they had before the fight. No one can or will tell how many have strayed away and gone off from their regiments since they returned to the camps here, but the actual number of men who have come here are less than those who have gone away home by fully 8,000 rank and file. And the change has been by no means for the better. The three-months men at least had been three least as martial and as ready to fight as the rest months under arms. They were probably at of their people. Just as they are most required and likely not to be quite unserviceable, they retire to receive ill-deserved and ridiculous ovations, as though they had been glorious conquerors and patriots, instead of being broken and routed fugitives, who marched off from Perhaps the only minister who has really been Washington when it might be expected the neutral, observing faithfully all engagements to enemy were advancing against it. In their actually existing powers, and sedulously avoid-place come levies who have not had even the ing all occasion of offence or irritability to an three months' training, and who are not as well irritable people, rendered more than usually so equipped, so far as I can see, as their predecesby the evil days which have fallen upon them, sors, to face men who are elated with success is the discreet and loyal nobleman who repre- and the prestige of the first battle gained, and sents Great Britain, and who is the only one to be associated with regiments cowed, probathreatened with a withdrawal of passports and bly, and certainly, in some instances demoralall sorts of pains and penalties for the ized, by defeat. presumed hostility of his Government to the United States. The artillerymen who cut the traces of their horses from caisson and carriage at least knew more about guns than the men who will be put to the new field batteries which Government are getting up as fast as they can; and the muskets, of the best description, left on the field or taken, cannot be replaced for a long time to come. In fact, much of this army must be reorgan ed in face of an enemy. That enemy is either incompetent or artful; it is quite certain he is not actuated by clemency or a generous pity. Engineers are hard at work strengthening the position on the south bank of the river; but forts do not constitute safety. Without stout hearts behind their lines and breast works, abatis and redoubts avail nothing. A grand plan of attack on Washington mapped out -General Beauregard won't venture unless almost certain of success. the trenches and garrisons in the tête de pont and works. The cavalry of the Southern army and loss of many mounted “gentlemen." The Confederates, as you were informed from the South, have enlisted men to serve for the war, and take no others. The staple of their army will undergo no change, and as it grows older it ought to get better, unless it be beaten. You will pardon me for referring to a reIt must be that the Confederates are deficient mark in one of my previous letters, that there in the means of transport, or in actual force to might be fierce skirmishes and even sanguinary make an attack which is so obvious, if they de- engagements, between the two armies, but that sire to show the North it is not possible to sub-these would be followed by no decisive results, due them. The corps which went from Win- owing to the want of cavalry. Strange to say, chester to Manassas under Johnson is put by though the panic and very discreditable rout the Federalists at 40,000. Let us take it at half was caused by alarms of, and might have been that number. Beauregard and Lee are said to prevented by the presence of cavalry, no steps have had 60,000 at Manassas, including, I pre- are taken to remedy that great deficiency. The sume, the forces between it and Richmond. volunteers who were at Manassas will never Divide that again. There were certainly 20,- stand the man on horseback again, and I believe 000 between Monroe, the Court (?) and Rich- the Confederates are quite aware of their admond, of whom 10,000 could be spared; and vantage, though they may have had to mourn on the western side of the capital of the Con- the loss of many gentlemen who fell during the federate States there was available at least anday. other corps of 10,000, which could have been Military exaggerations North and South. readily strengthened by 10,000 or 15,000 more The Northern papers are increasing the from the South in case of a supreme effort. amount of butter in proportion as they decrease There seems no reason, not connected with trans- the losses of their loaves, and they do not apport, equipment, or discipline, why the Confed-pear to perceive that the smaller the latter erates should not have been able last week to take were, the less should be the layer of the former the field with 75,000 men, in two corps; one-for it is no credit to an army to lose its guns, quite strong enough to menace the force on the right bank of the Potomac, and to hold it in check, or to prevent it going over to the other side; the other to cross into Maryland, which is now in parts only kept quiet by force, and to advance down on Washington from the west and North. abandon its positions, throw away its muskets, leave its wounded in the hands of the enemy, and run some thirty and odd miles from front of Centreville, not merely to Arlington, but to Washington, without any cause at all; for without loss there was no cause of retreat, and therefore no excuse for panic and rout. Again, they say there was only a portion of their army engaged. The greater shame for those who were not engaged to run, then. But before the battle, when McDowell's force was enumerated in terrorem at 50,000, it was said fifteen regiments had subsequently joined. Now it is averred only 15,000, 18,000, or 20,000 were in action. What on earth were the rest about? declares the enemy were 35,000 strong, he astonishes us by asserting that of all his host only 15,000 took part in the battle. As to losses, of course it is beyond any thing but In the event of success, the political advantages would be very great at home and abroad, and there would be a new base of operations gained close to the enemy's lines, while the advantages of holding the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay would be much neutralized and finally destroyed. The navy yard would fall into the enemy's hands. Fort Washington would probably soon follow. Fortress Monroe would And I am obliged to say that Mr. Davis's be condemned to greater isolation. Philadel-statements are quite as startling; for, while he phia itself would be in imminent danger should the Confederates attempt greater aggression. But, for one, General Beauregard will consent to no plan of operations in which success is not rendered as certain as may be by all pos-imagination to give an estimate. Regiments sible precautions, and he might not favor a proposal which would lead to dividing an army into two parts, with a river between them and an enemy on each side. Monroe and Hampton, which are the true bases of operations against Richmond, have been weakened to reenforce the army covering Washington and Harper's Ferry, and yet I doubt if there are on the south bank of the Potomac at this moment 40,000 men all along the lines who could move out and offer an enemy battle, leaving any adequate guards in reported to have been annihilated have turned up, quite hale and hearty, neat as imported, on the day of marching home; and fond parents, wives, and relatives will be spared many pangs and a great deal of mourning. I think my estimate of killed and wounded was nearly correct. The prisoners may amount to more than 900 or 1,000, but the Federalists have lost more heavily than the totals under these heads would show, perhaps. It would be rather ridiculous to call it either a hard fought, a bloody, or a glorious field; but it was an important one; it | impregnable to the enemy, for they have not was a most trying one to the Federalists, who were badly fed and hard worked in a waterless country, on a July day, for twelve hours; they were exposed to the demoralizing effects of longcontinued artillery fire. In spite of their want of discipline and the very unaccountable rout, the Federalists at first showed alacrity, but after a time they became torpid and difficult to handle. the means of undertaking a regular siege. If they get heavy guns and mortars, however, they can certainly make the interior unpleasant, and should they open trenches the Americans may have a Sebastopol in petto near Old Point Comfort. Meantime the command of Colonel Phelps, at Newport News, consisting of four regiments, is threatened by the enemy. His camp is intrenched and furnished with a few howitzers and field-pieces, and heavy guns on the river face. I heard him apply to General Butler, when I was there, for horses and harness for his No one questions the general bravery of Americans, native or adopted, on either side; but a defeat is rendered worse than ridiculous by attempts to turn it into a triumph. Let the unfortunate brave rest content with the sym-guns, as if he wanted to move them. He is a pathy they deserve, and shun the ovations which are the due of the conqueror. Praise and flattery cannot retake a gun, nor save a standard, nor win a battle-even if it be from vox populi in Broadway or Bowery. Army and Financial measures of the Washington Cubinet. The government in some measure let the world see what they think of the charges made against the officers of the army in reference to the late battle. Here is an order just published: [Mr. Russell here gives the order (July 25) of Adjutant-general Thomas, United States Army, directing that volunteer officers shall undergo an examination, as well as the reconstruction of the military districts in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania--ED.] He then continues:-Yesterday a bill was passed by the House of Representatives imposing a tax on carriages of from $1 to $50; gold watches, $1; silver watches, 50c.; excise on spirituous liquors, 5c. per gallon; and on fermented liquors, 60c. per barrel, or 2c. a gallon. All incomes over $600 per annum, three per cent., including money at interest, &c. Every interest in the country is also taxed, including a tax on the net income of the banks; but not on their currency or bank circulation. Landed estates are likewise taxed, and if it be accepted by the other branches of the Legislature, the people of the North will begin to feel that fighting is an expensive luxury, particularly if it be unsuccessful. Generals Banks and Butler, and the fortifications of Fortress Monroe-The defences of James River. It will be weeks before we have done hearing and seeing accounts of Bull Run, or, as it may be better called, of Manassas, unless some other action intervenes, as is very likely indeed. Gen. Banks, not finding any advantage in occupying a point in front of Harper's Ferry, on the Virginia side, has, it is affirmed, withdrawn all his troops to a position in Maryland, which commands the passages from the Ferry; and Gen. Butler, at Fortress Monroe, feels himself compelled to abandon his advanced works at Hampton, which I described hurriedly the other day, and to retire to the cover of the guns of the place. Fortress Monroe is quite | grim, dour, stern soldier, of the old Puritan type, and if attacked he will defend his camp to the last. Should he be beaten, the Confederates will have both sides of James River. Relative value of the officers slain on both sidesSons of the First Families" a greater loss than mere Irish or Germans. The more closely the consequences of Manassas are investigated, the more serious they seem to be. It must be granted that the Confederates feel their losses more severely than the North does. Their colonels and officers are men of mark, and even of privates killed or wounded one sees notices implying that they belong to good families and are well known people. The O's and Macs and Vons (few of the latter), the Corcorans, Camerons, and Bruggers, prisoners, wounded, or killed, are of less consequence to the social system of the North than the Hamptons, Prestons, and Mannings are to the South. If Mr. Davis and a few of the leaders were to fall in battle there would be less chance of the South continuing its struggle with the same heart and confidence; but if all the cabinet were to go to-morrow from Washington, the spirit of the Northern States would not be diminished one iota. Announcements of the victory by the rebel chiefs. From the South, as yet, we have only a few scattered details of the fight and of its results; but it can be seen that there was no very great exultation over the victory. The following interesting extracts from the Richmond Enquirer, of July 23, will furnish a good idea of the manner in which the news was received: [Mr. Russell here gives the despatch of Jefferson Davis to Mrs. Davis, announcing the triumph; also his official report to Adjutant-General Cooper at Richmond, the speech of Mr. Memminger in the rebel Congress announcing the news, with the resolutions passed by that body on the occasion.-Seé Doc. 7.-ED.] He then adds:-It will be observed when Mr. Davis telegraphed to his wife he spoke of a dearly-bought victory and a close pursuit. Of the latter there are no evidences; many troops remained till next morning in Centreville, not four miles from the scene of the fight, and General Schenck's report states he withdrew his men in good order at his leisure. It will |