The battle of Manassas.
[special correspondence of the Dispatch.]
Manassas Junction, July 23 1861
I suppose every information and incident of our brilliant victory of Sunday, the 21 1, at Bull Run, (not Bull's Run, as I see it written by some,) will be interesting to your readers; I will give you such as I know, or have been able to get from responsible sources And first as to the battle ground.
The principal attack was made by the enemy about four miles to the west of the battle of the 18th, and on our extreme left By looking on a good map you will see a turnpike road lain down running from Fairfax Court House up to Warrenton, (Fanquer C H) and that about fifteen miles from Fairfax Court House this turnpike crosses Bull Run by a stone bridge.
The approach of the enemy on our left up this road had been fully guarded against by the impediments and arrangements made by Gen. Beauregard at this bridge.
To avoid them, the enemy turned west from the turnpike, some miles below the bridge, and passed through a large body of woods, cutting a narrow wagon road under, then turned in a Southern direction through farm belonging to Mr Stuart Thornton, and passed the Bull Run immediately at a point known as Sudley Springs, and come out upon the turnpike about one and a half miles above the bridge, and passed the turnpike about two miles from the Sudley Springs — Immediately on crossing the turnpike, the country becomes undulating, and is principality what is called "old fields," with a few indifferent worm fences, and every now and then with clumps of pines and other small trees.
Immediately to the south of the turnpike, and over these "old fields." for one or two miles, the hardest of the fighting took place, Here the celebrated Sherman's Battery of the enemy was placed, and here every piece of it was taken by our brave men. The men belonging to this battery could be distinguished the day after the battle, (Monday) by their red uniforms, as they lay around thickly strewed.
Here, on a space of 30 acres, I counted about 80 head horse; not, however, all the enemy's, but some of them our own. Here I found the body on Lieut. Ramsey, with his delicate and well chiseled features.
I found him out by his name on his drawers. "Lieut. Ramsey, U S. Artillery," and I suppose he was the son of Capt Wm Ramsey, of the U S. Navy Some old army friend was having him buried, and I could not help wishing he had died in a better cause than that of Abe Lincoln.
Immediately in this neighborhood was placed one of our batteries, commanded by Col. Imboden, of Augusta county, which a regiment of New York Zouave, in extended line was marching to out flank This Col. I. E. B. Stuart, with the quick eye of a true soldier, saw, and immediately ordered Capt.
R Welby Carter, of the London, Volunteers, to leap a fence with about 35 of his company, and charge the Zouaves through their centre.
In doing this, the company had to receive the fire of the whole regiment of the enemy for the distance of about two hundred yards--At it they went, however, four abreast and revolvers in hand.
All the first four went down except John P Debutts, who was wounded in his right hand, Capt Carter's horse fell dead under him, but he called to his men to charge on, who having still with them their first and second Lieutenants Rogers and Chamberlin, went on. Others of the company fell — others cut their way through the centre of the Zouaves, then wheeled to the right and come through again.
The centre of the Zouaves was broken, and Col. Imboden's battery relieved on its flank.
Capt. Carbers company came out of the charge with the loss of eight men killed and nine wounded, one taken prisoner and one not yet heard from, and four or five horse killed. This charge of the young volunteers was so gallant, that I confess I cannot write the account of it, as given to me by eye witnesses, without having my spirit stirred within me; but I assure you I have not exaggerated the account, and I doubt not ColSmart will see to it, that his young soldiers have full justice done them in his report of his command
It is a great mistake, Mr, Editor, to suppose the enemy did not fight with firmness The day was only won by every man doing his duty, from Gens. Beauregard and Johnston to the soldier in the line Let us unite in giving Almighty God hearty thanks for this signal deliverance O P Q.
