第 22 节
作者:
蝴蝶的出走 更新:2022-08-21 16:41 字数:9321
Beauregard in time to take part in the approaching struggle。
In the North no doubt as to the power of the grand array to make
its way to Richmond was entertained。 The troops were armed with
the best weapons obtainable; the artillery was numerous and
excellent; the army was fed with every luxury; and so confident
were the men of success that they regarded the whole affair in the
light of a great picnic。 The grand army numbered 55;000 men;
with 9 regiments of cavalry and 49 rifle…guns。 To oppose these;
the Confederate force; after the arrival of Johnston's army;
numbered 27;833 infantry; 35 smooth…bored guns; and 500 cavalry。
Many of the infantry were armed only with shot…guns and old
fowling…pieces; and the guns were small and ill…supplied with
ammunition。 There had been some sharp fighting on the 18th; and
the Federal advance across the river of Bull Run had been sharply
repulsed; therefore their generals determined; instead of making a
direct attack on the 31st against the Confederate position; to take a
wide sweep round; cross the river higher up; and falling upon the
Confederate left flank; to crumple it up。
All night the Federal troops had marched; and at day…break on the
21st nearly 40;000 men were in position on the left flank of the
Confederates。 The latter were not taken by surprise when Stuart's
cavalry brought in news of the Federal movement; and General
Beauregard; instead of moving his troops toward the threatened
point; sent orders to General Longstreet on the right to cross the
river as soon as the battle began; and to fall upon the Federal flank
and rear。
Had this movement been carried out; the destruction of the Federal
army would have been complete; but by one of those unfortunate
accidents which so frequently occur in war and upset the best laid
plans; the order in some way never came to hand; and when late
in the day the error was discovered it was too late to remedy it。
At eight o'clock in the morning two of the Federal divisions
reached the river; and while one of them engaged the Confederate
force stationed at the bridge; another crossed the river at a ford。
Colonel Evans; who commanded the Confederate forces; which
numbered but fifteen companies; left 200 men to continue to hold
the bridge; while with 800 he hurried to oppose General Hunter's
division; which had crossed at the ford。
This consisted of 16;000 infantry; with cavalry and artillery; and
another division of equal force had crossed at the Red House ford
higher up。 To check so great a force with this handful of men
seemed all but impossible; but Colonel Evans determined to hold
his ground to the last; to enable his general to bring up
reinforcements。 His force consisted of men of South Carolina and
Louisiana; and they contested every foot of the ground。
The regiment which formed the advanced of the Federals charged;
supported by an artillery fire; but was repulsed。 As the heavy
Federal line advanced; however; the Confederates were slowly but
steadily pressed back; until General Bee; with four regiments and a
battery of artillery; came up to their assistance。 The newcomers
threw themselves into the fight with great gallantry; and
maintained their ground until almost annihilated by the fire of the
enemy; who outnumbered them by five to one。 As; fighting
desperately; they fell back before Hunter's division; the Federals
who had crossed at Red House Ford suddenly poured down and
took them in flank。
Swept by a terrible musketry fire; these troops could no longer
resist; and in spite of the efforts of their general; who rode among
them imploring them to stand firm until aid arrived; they began to
fall back。 Neither entreaties nor commands were of avail; the
troops had done all that they could; and broken and disheartened
they retreated in great confusion。 But at this moment; when all
seemed lost; a line of glittering bayonets was seen coming over the
hill behind; and the general; nding of in haste toward them; found
Jackson advancing with the first brigade。
Unmoved by the rush of the fugitives of the brigades of Bee and
Evans; Jackson moved steadily forward; and so firm and resolute
was their demeanor; that Bee rode after his men; and pointing with
his sword to the first brigade; shouted; 〃Look; there is Jackson
standing like a stonewall〃 The general's words were repeated; and
henceforth the brigade was known as the Stonewall Brigade; and
their general by the nickname of Stonewall Jackson; by which he
was ever afterward known。 The greater part of the fugitives
rallied; and took up their position on the right of Jackson; and the
Federal forces; who were hurrying forward assured of victory;
found themselves confronted suddenly by 2;000 bayonets。 After a
moment's pause they pressed forward again; the artillery preparing
a way for them by a tremendous fire。
Jackson ordered his men to lie down until the enemy arrived
within fifty yards; and then to charge with the bayonet。 Just at this
moment Generals Johnston and Beauregard arrived on the spot;
and at once seeing the desperate nature of the situation; and the
whole Federal army pressing forward against a single brigade; they
did their best to prepare to meet the storm。 First they galloped up
and down the disordered lines of Bee; exhorting the men to stand
firm; and seizing the colors of the 4th Alabama; Johnston led them
forward and formed them up under fire。
Beauregard hurried up some reinforcements and formed them on
the left of Jackson; and thus 6;500 infantry and artillery; and
Stuart's two troops of cavalry; stood face to face with more than
20;000 infantry and seven troops of regular cavalry; behind whom
at the lower fords were 35;000 men in reserve。 While his men
were lying down awaiting the attack; Jackson rode backward and
forward in front of them as calm and as unconcerned to all
appearance as if on the parade ground; and his quiet bravery
greatly nerved and encouraged the young troops。
All at once the tremendous artillery fire of the enemy ceased; and
their infantry came on in massive lines。 The four Confederate
guns poured in their fire and then withdrew behind the infantry。
When the line came within fifty yards of him; Jackson gave the
word; his men sprang to their feet; poured in a heavy volley; and
then charged。 A wild yell rose from both ranks as they closed; and
then they were mingled in a desperate conflict。 For a time all was
in wild confusion; but the ardor and courage of Jackson's men
prevailed; and they burst through the center of the Federal line。
Immediately Jackson had charged; Beauregard sent forward the
rest of the troops; and for a time a tremendous struggle took place
along the whole line。 Generals Bee and Barlow fell mortally
wounded at the head of their troops。 General Hampton was
wounded; and many of the colonels fell。 So numerous were the
Federals; that although Jackson had pierced their center; their
masses drove back his flanks and threatened to surround him。 With
voice and example he cheered on his men to hold their ground; and
the officers closed up their ranks as they were thinned by the
enemy's fire; and for an hour the struggle continued without
marked advantage on either side。
Jackson's calmness was unshaken even in the excitement of the
fight。 At one time an officer rode up to him from another portion
of the field and exclaimed; 〃General; I think the day is going
against us!〃 To which Jackson replied in his usual curt manner; 〃If
you think so; sir; you had better not say anything about it。〃
The resolute stand of the Confederates enabled General
Beauregard to bring up fresh troops; and he at last gave the word to
advance。
Jackson's brigade rushed forward on receiving the order; burst
through the Federals with whom they were engaged; and;
supported by the reserves; drove the enemy from the plateau。 But
the Federals; still vastly superior in force; brought up the reserves;
and prepared to renew the attack; but 1;700 fresh men of the army
of the Shenandoah came npon the field of battle; Smith and Early
brought up their division from the river; and the whole Southern
line advanced at the charge; drove the enemy down the slopes and
on toward the fords。
A panic seized them; and their regiments broke up and took to
headlong flight; which soon became an utter rout。 Many of them
continued their flight for hours; and for a time the Federal army
ceased to exist; and had the Cenfederates advanced; as Jackson
desired that they should do; Washington would have fallen into
their hands without a blow being struck in its defense。
This; the first great battle of the war; is sometimes known as the
battle of Manassas; but more generally as Bull Run。
With the exception of one or two charges; the little body of
Confederate horse did not take any part in the battle of Bull Run。