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。