464 OPERATIONS IN MD., PA., VA., AND W. VA. [CHar. Ix to Eshleman. At this position it remained for the purpose of, July 31, 1861
July 31, 1861.
July 31, 1861. CoLONEL: I submit the following report of the operations of my brigade on the 18th instant in the engagement at Blackburn’s Ford on Bull Run, in which our troops were commanded by Brigadier-Genera)
Longstreet :
In the morning of that day I marched with my brigade, composed of the Seventh Virginia Volunteers, Colonel Kemper’s regiment, com.
-manded by Lieutenant-Colonel Williams; the Seventh Louisiana Vol’unteers, commanded by Col. Harry T. Hays; six companies of the Twenty-fourth Virginia Volunteers, my own, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Hairston, and three pieces of artillery from the Washington Battalion of New Orleans, under the command of Lieutenant Squires, to Camp Walker, from whence it was moved by direction of General Beauregard into the road leading from Camp Walker to the gate in front of McLean’s farm, where it remained until about 12 o’clock, at which time a large cloud of dust was observed on the high ridge north of Blackburn’s Ford, at which General Longstreet’s brigade was stationed. ‘This cloud of dust proved to be produced by the enemy’s columns moving in that direction, and in a few minutes the cannonading was commenced by the enemy, directed first upon General Bonham’s position at Mitchel’s Ford and subsequently upon the farm-house of McLean and the hospital in his barn, over which was floating the hospital flag.
As soon as the cannonading commenced my brigade was moved
order of the general to the cover of the pines to the left of the road leading from McLean’s house to Blackburn’s Ford, where it was joined
by two more pieces of artillery from the Washington Battery, under
Captain Eshleman. At this position it remained for the purpose of
supporting either General Bonham at Mitchell’s Ford, General Longstreet at Blackburn’s Ford, or General Jones at McLean’s Ford, as
occasion might require. After the first cannonading had ceased, and
General Beauregard with his staff had passed towards Mitchell’s Ford,