WASHINGTON, July 22, 1861. -- Our troops, after taking three
batteries and gaining a great victory at Bullrun, were eventually
repulsed, and commenced a retreat on Washington.
After the latest information was received from Centreville,
at half past seven last night, a series of unfortunate events took place
which have proved disastrous to our army. Many confused accounts
are prevalent, but facts enough are known to warrant the statement
that we have suffered severely on account of a most unfortunate
occurrence, which has cast a gloom over the retreating army and
excited the deepest melancholy throughout Washington. The carnage
is very heavy on both sides.
Our Union forces were advancing upon the enemy and taking
his masked batteries gradually but surely, by driving the
rebels towards Manassas Junction, when they seem to have been
reinforced by twenty thousand men under Gen. Johnston, who, it
is understood, then took command and immediately commenced
driving us back. We were retreating in good order, the rear
well covered with a solid column, when a panic among our troops
suddenly occurred, and a regular stampede took place. Before
that all our military operations went swimmingly on, and
Colonel Alexander was about erecting a pontoon across Bull
run. The enemy were seemingly in retreat, and their
batteries, one after another, being unmasked, when a
considerable consternation broke out among our teamsters, who
had incautiously advanced immediately after the body of the
army, and lined the Warrentown road. Their consternation was
shared in by numerous civilians who were on the ground, and
for a time it seemed as if our whole force was falling back.
Many baggage wagons were emptied, and their horses galloped
across the open fields, all the fences of which were torn down
to allow them a more rapid retreat. A perfect panic prevailed
among the wagoners, which was communicated to the vicinity of
Centreville, and every available conveyance was seized upon by
agitated citizens who had come out to see the battle. Wounded
soldiers cried on the road side for assistance, but the alarm
was so great that numbers were passed by unheeded. Several
similar alarms occurred on previous occasions, when a charge
of the rebel batteries rendered necessary the retirement of
our artillery, and it is most probable that the alarm was
owing to the same fact. The reserve force at Centreville was
immediately brought up, Col. EinsteinTwenty-seventh
Pennsylvania regiment, with two guns marching first. Then the
Garibaldi Guard and Col. BlenkerFirst Rifle regiment, with
its batteries, followed at several miles distant by the De
Kalb regiment.
When our courier left, at half past four o, it was in
the midst of this excitement. The new masked batteries had
been opened by the rebels on the left flank, and that portion
of the division had its line broken, and demanded immediate
reinforcement. The right flank was in good order. The battery
erected on the hillside directly opposite the main battery of
the enemy was doing good execution, and additional guns were
being mounted. On the arrival of the courier at Fairfax Court
House he was overtaken by a government messenger, who reported
that our army was in full retreat towards Centreville. He was
followed by less agitated parties, who stated that the report
of the retreat was owing to the fact that the alarm among the
teamsters had communicated itself to the volunteers, and in
some instances to the regulars; that the lines were broken,
and that a retirement of our forces across Bullrun was
rendered necessary. Colonel Hunter passed at the same time in
a vehicle, wounded.
It was known to our troops at the time of the battle
yesterday that General Johnston had formed a connection with
General Beauregard on the night of the first action at Bull
run. Our men could distinctly hear the cars coming into
Manassas Junction, and the cheers with which the rebels hailed
their newly arriving comrades. They knew that the enemy was
our superior in numbers and in their own position.
These facts were further confirmed by prisoners taken and
deserters and spies, but these facts were not probably known
at Washington, and the officers in leading our men into action
only obeyed orders.
General McDowell undertook to make a stand in the vicinity
of Centreville, but the panic was so great that the attempt to
rally the troops was entirely in vain. If a firm stand has
been made there our troops could have been reinforced and much
disaster prevented. He intended to make another stand at
Fairfax Court House, but could not accomplish the object.
General McDowell was thus foiled in his well arranged plans.
Beyond Fairfax Court House the retreat was continued until
the men reached their regular encampments. Some of them
returned to their quarters, but a still larger number went
inside the intrenchments.
In the retreat many of the troops fell on the wayside from
exhaustion, and scattered along the route all the way from
Fairfax Court House. We lost a large number in this way.
The road from Bullrun was strewed with knapsacks, arms
and appurtenances, which some of our troops deliberately threw
away, the better to facilitate their escape. The rear of the
army made their retreat in order.
General McDowell was in the rear of the retreat, exerting
himself to rally his men, but only with partial effect.
He was completely exhausted, having slept but little for
three nights. His orders on the field did not at all times
reach those for whom they were intended.
Gen. Schenck, as well as the older field officers, acted
admirably. He collected his forces and covered the retreat,
and up to the last moment was personally engaged in the
endeavor to rally his men to make a stand at Centreville.
It was the arrival of fresh reinforcements to the enemy in
superior numbers that turned the scale of battle.
The enemy before now might perhaps have more to boast of if
they had followed up their advantage last night.
From the statements of Quartermaster Pryor, a rebel
prisoner, it appears that our artillery created great havoc
among the rebels, of whom there were from thirty thousand to
forty thousand - including a large number of cavalry - in the
field under command under Beauregard, while they had a reserve
of seventy-five thousand at the Junction. Owing to
reinforcements from Richmond, Strausburg, and other points,
the enemyeffective force was over ninety thousand men.
GriffinWest Point battery was taken by the enemy, and
the eight siege thirty-two pounder rifle cannon, the latter
being too cumbrous to remove. They were two miles the other
side of Centreville.
The Rhode Island battery was taken by the rebels at the
bridge across Bullrun, where their retreat was cut off.
Their horses were all killed. Captain Ayres'battery was also
reported lost.
The Sixty-ninth and other regiments frightfully suffered in
killed and wounded. The number cannot now be known.
It is reported that the Black Horse Cavalry made an attack
on the rear of the retreating army, when the latter turned and
fired, killing all but six of the assaulting party. It was
the remnant of the Zouaves who were attacked by the Black
Horse Cavalry, and repulsed them, leaving but six to return.
The Seventy-first New York regiment lost about half their
men.
Nearly all the provision trains belonging to the United
States government were saved. Some regimental trains were
overturned by accident, or the wheels came off, and they had
therefore to be abandoned. Large droves of cattle were saved
by being driven back in the advance of the retreat.
Colonel MarstonNew Hampshire regiment reaches here this
morning. He was wounded. Colonel Heintzelman was also
wounded in the wrist.
In addition to those reported yesterday, it is said that
Colonel Wilcox, the gallant commander of a brigade, was
wounded; also Captain McCook, a brother of Colonel McCook, of
Ohio.
Col. Farnham and Major Lozier, of the Zouaves, are not
killed, but badly wounded.
Colonel Hunterdivision suffered most severely.
Colonel Heintzelman was wounded in the arm. The bullet was
extracted while he was still upon his horse.
Lieut. Henry Abbott, of the Topographical Engineers, has
his horse shot under him - the ball grazing his leg.
Colonel Marston, of the Second New Hampshire regiment, lost
his arm.
Captain Ricketts, of the artillery, two New York regiments,
have gone over to Virginia.
The city this morning is in the most intense excitement.
Groups are everywhere gathered, inquiring the latest news.
Both telegraph and steamboat communication with Alexandria are
suspended today to the public. The greatest alarm exists
throughout the city, especially among the female portion of
the population.
Such of the wounded as were brought to the Centreville
hospital were left there, after having their wounds properly
dressed by Surgeon Frank H. Hamilton.
Wagons are continually arriving, bringing in the dead and
wounded. Soldiers are relating to greedy listeners the
deplorable events of last night and early this morning. The
feeling is awful distressing.
It is probable that the number of killed and wounded is
magnified by large numbers who are missing, probably wandering
through the woods.
The lowest estimate may be placed at 4,000 to 5,000.
It is represented in many quarters that the Ohio regiments
showed the greatest consternation, probably from want of
confidence inn their commanding officers.
It is known that on the day previous to the battle a large
number of them publicly protested against being led by General
Schenck, and it was only through the importunities of Colonel
McCook, in whom they placed all confidence, and other
officers, that they were prevailed from making a more
formidable rebellion.
It is supposed here today that General Mansfield will take
command of the fortifications on the other side of the river,
which are able, it is said by military engineers, to hold them
against any force the enemy may bring against them.
Large rifled cannon and mortars are being rapidly sent over
and mounted.
The troops are resuming the occupation of the
fortifications and intrenchments on the line of the Potomac.
It is vaguely reported that General Pattersondivision
arrived in the vicinity of Manassas this morning, and
commenced an attack on the rebel forces. He was within
twenty-five miles of the battle ground yesterday, but the
exhausted condition of his men prevented him from coming to the
aid of McDowell.
It is also reported that four thousand of our troops have
been sent back towards Fairfax from the other side of the
river.
