Hillsborough (NC) Recorder
July 24, 1861
Page 3
MANASSAS JUNCTION, July 21, 11:30 P. M.
Amid
the bustle and excitement here, it is exceedingly difficult to get the correct
particulars of the great battle of to-day.
The enemy opened their batteries of heavy artillery and small field
pieces, at McLean’s Ford, about 8 o’clock in the morning. The engagement above the Stone Bridge
on Bull’s Run, began about 10 o’clock.
The
enemy’s force, as near as can be ascertained, was at least 50,000; our own but
20,000.
Gen.
N. Y. Evans, of South Carolina,
led the brigade first into action.
Among
the Southern forces prominently engaged, were Col. Sloan, 4th
Regiment; Col.
Kershaw, 2d Regiment, and Col. Wade Hampton’s Legion—all of South Carolina
Volunteers. Only three men were wounded
in Col. Kershaw’s Regiment. In Col.
Sloan’s Regiment and Col. Hampton’s Legion the loss of life was greater. Adjutant Theodore Baker, and Capt. James Conner,
of the Washington Light Infantry, of Hampton’s
Legion, were slightly wounded.
Lieut.
Col. B. J. Johnston, of Hampton’s
Legion, was killed.
Captains
Earle and Echols were slightly wounded.
Men
never fought more desperately than did ours to-day.
We
have captured 18 pieces of artillery, also 300 prisoners.
The
number killed and wounded cannot be ascertained with any accuracy, until
to-morrow. Our loss is estimated at 200
killed and 300 wounded, while the loss of the enemy could not have been less
than several thousand.
These
figures, however, may be wide of the mark, for the line of battle was extended,
and it was almost dark when the enemy gave way.
The
Washington Artillery, of New Orleans,
was again in the foremost place, and did most effective work. Their fire fell upon the ranks of the
Federalists with murderous effect.
The
Oglethorpe Infantry, of Savannah,
was cut to pieces.
Col.
Barlow’s fine Regiment of Georgians, were nearly annihilated.
Gen.
Bernard E. Bee, of South Carolina,
was mortally wounded.
Col.
Wade Hampton was slightly wounded.
Gen.
Johnston commanded the left wing, and Gen. Beauregard the right wing.
Reports
that reach us here state that our force is no less than 75,000 men, all told,
and that the enemy had over 100,000.
These statements are probably exaggerated; but it is certain that the
leaders on both sides had concentrated their whole available force to take part
in the battle.
Among
the officers known to have been killed, in addition to those I have named
above, is Kirby Smith, of Florida.
At
one time, during the battle, Sherman’s
celebrated U. S. Flying Artillery was on the point of destroying Hampton’s Legion, when Col. Garland, of 11th
Virginia Regiment, was ordered to charge the Battery
at the point of the bayonet. He
immediately led the Virginians to the charge, under a terrible fire, and after
a fierce struggle, captured the entire Battery
and turned its guns upon the enemy.
[Transcribed by Sharon Strout]
