Friday, January 25, 2008

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - July 20, 1861

Saturday July 20th [1861]

Hurrah! We have beat the Yankees. On the 18th our out posts retreated as the enemy advanced until they came to Bull run, about four miles from Manassas, where they made a stand.

The Federal troops numbered about ten thousand under Gen' McDowell and the Confederates were but seven thousand.

The enemy were repulsed three times with consideral loss, about five or six hunder. Our loss was not more than sixty.

Gen' Beauregard commanded in person.

Cousin Nanny and the children arrived here last night. Cousin Dabney will be up to night with Papa.

They left Santa Fe the 26th of May and did not stop one day on the way. They were forty days in crossing the plains in uncovered wagon and camped out every night. They look like Indians they are so burned. Cousin Nanny tells us they had no wood on the plains, but used "buffaloa chips".

The Confederate Congress met to day.

No comments: