Letter from D.W. Tenbrook (extract)
Witness to the First Battle at Bull Run, Civil War, July 1861
Chenango American, August 22, 1861
Beauregard's army is composed of the best troops of all the South, and they were on the ground, whereas our army had to march a long distance on Sunday morning, to gain their position in line of battle. The extreme wings had to march eight miles, and then, the make of the ground was such, that our army had to keep up a line near four miles long and exposed, while the enemy were intrenched with a great number of masked batteries. When our army took their position, not an enemy was in sight, so completely were they shielded; some traitor had informed the enemy of McDowell's plan of attack. McDowell's plan was to make a feint on the left, and then fall back to draw the enemy from their entrenchment. Such move they paid no attention to. Then McDowell commenced a heavy cannonade, which drove them from their position with dreadful slaughter. They were shelled out. the dead lay in heaps before they showed themselves in the open fields, when they did, our infantry routed them at once. Our soldiers, fought nobly, bravely, and determinedly. Unskillful and inefficient officers, did not deter the men. Yet they suffered severely on such account. Our men drove the enemy, from three of their important batteries, and drove them over the field near a mile. Up to the time, that Johnson's reserve came up, the battle was fairly won. I was where I could see the enemy, retreating in haste, their baggage wagons were moving towards Manassas, but when Johnson's reserve came up fresh, and our men exhausted, marching and fighting from 2 o'clock A.M. until 3 P.M. they became discouraged, to stand before a superior force of fresh troops; no veteran troops in the world would have done it. So many officers being killed or taken prisoners, that the retreat was in disorder, which was fatal. the enemy's cavalry cut them up badly. I believe that up to 3 o'clock the enemy had lost three to our army one, notwithstanidng their advantage all considered, was equal to three to one, thus the unequal contest. Some daring charges were made by the enemy's cavalry, yet always repulsed until our men became so exhausted that they could not fight. McDowell, could not bring more than 18,000 in the action, it required the rest to prevent being out flanked by the enemy cavalry--as it is the enemy has lost two to our one, in killed and wounded; their own reports confirms it. They took a number of men prisoners--much barbarity was practiced by the enemy on the day of battle, killing our wounded soldiers. I state it not from hear-say, but from personal observation I saw much in a short time, long to be remembered. The result of the day was in my opinion all for the best in the end--it will be the means of renovating the army officers; it was much needed. Gen. McDowell was compelled to fight on Sunday or fall back. Near one third of his army were three month men, and their time was out, and they would not stay longer; they were determined to leave on Monday; therefore, the importance of having marched on a day or two sooner. If the battle had been fought on Saturday, our army would without doubt been victorious.
It takes time to organize and put in motion for advance moves, an army of 50,000; one day's delay brought on Johnson's army, which Gen. Scott, expected to be kept in check by Patterson's command. Traitors, everywhere to be found, and often times high in command. Thus our officers that are loyal, are beset with evils. Gen. McClellan's appointment to the command of the army of the Potomac gives great satisfaction to the soldiers. His recent brilliant victories inspires great confidence with his thorough order of discipline. When our army moves again, it will be one of the best appointed armies in the world. Our cause and means of carrying on the war are daily improving, while the rebels have nearly all of their available force in the field--they fight desperately and will so long as the leaders can control the masses. The real sinews of war they have not got, and when our army of the Potomac gains one decisive battle it will make it difficult for Jeff Davis, to rally a large army in Virginia. Soon the weather will admit of our government throwing troops into South Carolina, North Carolina and Louisiana, which will reduce their forces in Virginia to Protect their own homes; the result is certain; let the people have patience and they will yet see the stars and stripes unfurled to the breeze, and float unmolested from Maine to the Rio Grande, both by sea and land.
In the late fight at Bull Run important facts have been settled. Firstly, that our government have a formidable enemy to contend with. Secondly, that they must not make a move to fight a great battle until they are ready. Thirdly, that military men can fight and plan a battle better than politicians.
The position that I occupied during the battle was an exciting one; imagine one up a tall tree in view of the contending armies. I watched it all with much interest and many incidents worthy of note, did I see. Two men were killed near me with one cannon ball, in trying to save wounded soldiers from being murdered. I was in the midst of balls flying from the enemy's cavalry and came off all safe after accomplishing which I did undertake to do.
Yours Truly
D.W. Ten Brook
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The First Battle of Bull run was fought on July 21, 1861 in Prince William county, VA near the city of Manassas. It was the first major land battle of the Civil War. The fierce fighting and many casualties led to the realization by both sides that the war was going to be much longer and bloodier than either had expected.
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