The Express.
London, England, 1861-08-05 00:00:00

DISASTROUS RETREAT OF THE FEDERAL

ARMY.
PREPARATIONS AT WASHINGTON.

LIVERPOOL, SUNDAY.

The Royal Mail steamship Canada, Captain
Moodie, which left Boston on the 24th, and Halifax
on the 20th, arrived in the Mersey at 6 o'clock this
evening.

The Kett, York Herald of the 23rd ultimo gives
the following summary of the great battle at Bull's
Run, Virginia, on the 21st ultimo :
The success of the union army at Bull's Run on Sunday,
which resulted in the capture of all the enemy's batteries,
was subsequently converted into a repulse on the after-
noon of the same day, owing to an almost unaccountable
panic among the troops, which appears to have originated
with the teamster, and civilians who were spectators of
the action. The union army, after fighting gallantly and
with surprising endurance for over eleven hours, under •
scorching sun, and having accomplished the capture of the
rebel batteries, were suddenly attacked by the fresh troops
of General Johnston, 20,000 strong, who had just effected
a junction with General Beauregard. Unfortunately at this
time a panic occurred amongst the teamsters, who drove
their horses beck upon the lines. The panic was
immediately communicated to the volunteer troops, and •
disorderly retreat commenced. An effort to rally them at,
Centreville and at Fairfax Court-house proved unavailing,
and they finally retired upon their original quarters on the
Potomac. The force of the enemy is reported to have been
immensely superior, amounting to about 90,000 men, while
the union army in action did not number more than
2:2,000. The loss of life on both sides is represented
to have been frightful, the number being placed at between
four and five thousand on the side of the union army. But
intelligence from the war department received last night
states that this report is greatly exaggerated, and that the
troops that reached there have returned in much better
condition than could have been expected under the
circumstances, considering the overwhelming force opposed
to them. In the retreat some of the union batteries
were compelled to be deserted, including eight siege guns
(rifled cannon), which were found impossible to remove,
and they therefore fell into the bands of the rebels, but
the greatest part of Sherman's battery came safely into
camp. The war department is making vigorous exertions
to conoentrate an immense force at Washington.
Several regiments have already arrived there. The
government entertains no fear for the safety of the
capital. The attack on Bull's Run is said to have been pre-
mature, and contrary to the programme laid down by
General Scott. It was not intended any engagement should
take place until General Patterson had come up with his
forces, but it was no doubt supposed by General 31`DowsU
that Patterson would make his junction at the time ex-
pected, and be having failed to do so, the plans of General
Scott and General M'Dowell were thus frustrated ; and the
column of General M'Dowell, being unsupported by a body
of men which be had • right to expect would have been pre-
sent to sustain it, was outnumbered by an overwhelming
force.

General McClellan, whose able management of the cam-
paign in Western Virgioia is worthy of all praise, ha, been
called to Washington to take command of the army of
the Potomac. His presence there will no doubt inspire
confidence in the men. General M`Dowell will probably
resume his former position as general of brigade. Brigs•
diet-General Roseneranz, who so gallantly won the battle
of Rich Mountain, is to snowed General McClellan in coin.
mind on the Upper Potomac.

A Washington telegram of the 23rd, in the
Boston journals, gives the following later particu-
lars of the state of affairs :
Our losses have been greatly exaggerated. It is now
well ascertained that the killed fell short of 1,000, The
rebels did not follow our retreating forces after pasting
Bull's Ran. Colonel Einstein, of the Pennsylvania 9Gth,
returned to the battle field about 11 o'clock on Sunday
night, and brought off six pieces of artillery, which he de-
livered to the commanding officer on the Potomac.
He reports the field clear, and not an enemy
la sight. The state of &Rare at Alexandria
does not seem to indicate that we hold a position more ad-
vanced than before the march began. No person is allowed
to pass beyond the lines, which seem to be four or
live miles. The utmost excitement continues in Alex-
andria, and the citizens seem to anticipate an advance of
the rebels within forty-eight bows. It is known, however,
that Manassas Railway is unobstructed as far aa Springfield,
and the London Road, as faro Camp Union, is also unob-
structed. No official returns of the dead and wounded
have yet been made out.

It nay safely be stated that no federal troops in a body
are either at or south of Fairfax Wirt-house. General
Illrowell is at Arlington. Some batteries and single pieces
of artillery, supposed to have been lost, are being brought
in in safety. Among the pieces thus far received are the
32-pounder rigid guns.
The troops are fast becoming reorganised. The Presi-
dent and the Socretaryaf•War are vigorously orgaideing a
powerful army. Within the last twenty-fury boom over
110,000 fresh men, with • number of batteries of artillery,
have been accepted. A number of regiments have arrived,
and every day will bring immense reinforcements to the
national capital. The response from every quarter has
been most gratifying and truly patriotic.

In the United States Senate, on the 22nd, a bill
was passed to provide for iron-clad ships and float-
ing batteries. In connexion with this subject, the
Senate passed the joint resolution, providing for
an examination in regard to Mr. Stevens's Hoboken
floating battery. The bill to Mayas, the navy
medical corps was also passed. An interesting dis-
cussion then took place on the bill authorising the
confiscation of the property of rebels. On the taking
up of this bill an amendment was offered by
Mr. Trumbull to include slaves in the cate-
gory of confiscated property, which gave
rise to a spirited debate. The amendment
was agreed to by thirty-two yeas to six nays, and
the bill was passed. A resolution was then referred
to the military committee, to the effect that it is
the policy of the government to organise a regular
army of 150,000 men. The consideration of the
joint resolution approving of the acts of President
Lincoln was postponed till the next day. The
Senate refused to concur in the house amendments
to the bill to increase the military establishments.
A message was received from the President, when
an executive session was held.

On the 23rd a bill, appropriating 2,000,000 dole.
to supply the loyal citizens in the rebel states with
arum, was passed ; also the bill remitting the duties
on imported arms.
In the House of Representatives, on the 22nd,
Mr. Crittenden, of Kentucky, offered his resolution'',
to the effect that the present war has been forced
ou the country by the southern dieunionists, but
that, nevertheless, the only object of the govern-
ment prosecuting it is to maintain its integrity and
the unity of our entire country, and that when
these objects shall have been accomplished the war
shall terminate. These resolutions wore adopted
unanimously. A vote of thanks was pained to
the brave Massachusetts Bth regiment, of the 19th
of April fame ; also to the gallant Pennsylvanians
who passed through Baltimore on the 18th of
April, on their way to the defence of the national
capital.
A resolution in reference to the disasters to the
national forces at Bull's Run, declaring undi-
minished confidence in ultimate success, was intro-
duced and appropriately referred. Following this,
a resolution was passed to the effect that the pre-
servation of the glorious Union is a sacred trust, and
that no diameters, however apparently overwhelming,
must deter the nation or its representatives from
the performance of this high duty. A bill was
passed for reimbursing the governors of states for
expenses incurred in fitting out regiments for the
support of the national government in this
emergency.