Colonel Kershaw and Colonel Cash were filing down the east bank to the left, while Colonels Williams and Bacon occupied some earthworks on the right.  These had been erected by former troops, who had encamped there before us.  General Beauregard had divided his troops into six brigades, putting regiments of the same State together, as far as possible, Bonham’s being First Brigade.  Beauregard was determined to make Bull Run his line of defense.  This is a slow, sluggish stream, only fordable at certain points, its banks steep and rather rocky with a rough plateau reaching back from either side.  The western being the more elevated, gave the enemy the advantage in artillery practice.  In fact, the banks on the western side at some points came up to the stream in a bluff—­especially so at Blackburn’s Ford.  In the rear and in the direction of the railroad was the now famous Manassas Plains.  The Confederate line extended five miles, from Union Mills Ford to Stone Bridge.  At the latter place was General Evans, of South Carolina, with two regiments and four pieces of artillery.  On the extreme right, Ewell with his brigade and a battery of twelve-pounders was posted at Union Mills.  McLean’s Ford was guarded by D.R.  Jones’ brigade, with two brass six-pounders.  Longstreet with two six-pounders, and Bonham with two batteries of artillery and a squadron of cavalry, guarded the fords at Blackburn’s and Mitchell’s respectively.  Early’s Brigade acted as reserve on the right.  In rear of the other fords was Cooke’s Brigade and one battery.  The entire force on the roll on July 11th consisted of 27 pieces of light artillery and 534 men; cavalry, 1425; foot artillery, 265; infantry, 16,150—­18,401, comprising the grand total of all arms of General Beauregard one week before the first battle.  Now it must be understood that this includes the sick, guards, and those on outpost duty.  McDowell had 37,300 of mostly seasoned troops.

The morning of the 18th opened bright and sunny.  To our rear was all bustle and commotion, and it looked like a vast camp of wagon trains.  From the surrounding country all wagons had been called in from the foraging expeditions laden with provisions.  Herds of cattle were corralled to secure the troops fresh beef, while the little fires scattered over the vast plains showed that the cooking details were not idle.  General Beauregard had his headquarters on the hill in our rear.

At eight o’clock on the 18th, McDowell pushed his leading division forward at Blackburn’s Ford, where two old comrades, but now facing each other as foes, General Tyler and General Longstreet, were to measure strength and generalship.  The Washington Artillery, under Captain Richardson, of New Orleans, a famous battery throughout the war, which claims the distinction of firing the first gun at Bull Run and the last at Appomattox, was with Longstreet to aid him with their brass six-pounders.