Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1861-08-17

,elcsaphed at Fort Kearney, show that
the repulse was not so disastrous to the
Federal army as at first reported. The
defeat might have been more di=heart-
cping, and the destrution of life ten
fold greater. They are however alto
rcthcr too great for the success or the
prestige of the Federal army. In the
first battle where thousands were Gu
ragged the fruits of victory are with the
Secessionists, though it seems they were
obtained ut sacrifice of life.
So far as the eleven hours fighting is
involved the laurels are with the Fede-
raj regiments. They assaulted posi-
ton which the rebels had been fortify-
ing for months; it was deemed by mil
itary men almost impregEable against
an assault, yet large number Of the
batteries were carried, aud that too by
regiments that had never been under
fire. In addition to the field works and
batteries, the location was at the juno
ton of the railroad from Richmond to
Manassas Gap, and from Alexandria
to the same point. This enabled the
commanding officer of the rebels to con-
centratc within twenty-four hours all
the available forces he had in Virginia.
The history of the battle establishes the
fact that it was done. From the time
the Federal troops began to move to-
wards Manassas junction, the rebel
army was reinforced to the extent of
some thirty to forty thousand men, in
Guiding the column of johnson who
avoided Patterson and retreated to
Strasburg in time to be transported to
Manassas Junction during the progress
of the fight. The one hundred and fifty
cars reported by a previous Pony to
have been sent up from Richmond it
seems, were so sent to convey John
sons command to the junction. 1t is
evident that Beauregard was kept AL
vised by traitors at Washington of the
movements of the Federal army, and
was enabled to make his arrangements
accordingly. The result was that the
Federal troops assaulted an army nearly
if not quite, double numbers, located
behind field works and batteries of
great strength, and after eleven hours
Of desperate fighting were repulsed,
but not with very great slaughter. III
battle of so long duration in front of
heavy and we'll served batteries, the
wonder is that the loss of life on the
part of the assaulting troops was not
greater.
All accounts agree in representing
the rebel loss as much heavier than that
of the Federal army. The Govern
ment troops were in the open field, and
were forced to assail batteries and in
trenchments behind Which the rebel
army was posted the latter fought
under cover and from behind their bat
teries and breastworks. So situated,
troops equally brave ought to repulse
double their number. TO be able to
fight from behind brcastworks and bat
teries is also of vast advantage to raw
troops-untried volunteers. The &c.
cession army was so protected; it was
assailed by soldiers who had never been
in battle; who four months before were
following the peaceful pursuits of civil
life, and Notwithstanding their inferiori-
ty in numbers and exposed position,
captured several batteries and for eleven
hours gained ground steadily, while
they maintained the unequal contest.
The gallantry dash and genuine bravery
were exhibited by the Federal troops
they forced the fighting at all points,
and when finally compelled to retire,
the enemy was 80 far exhausted as to
be enabled to pursue in force. But the
result was victory to those who sue
ceed in defending their intrenched po-
sition, and the moral effect will ope-
rate greatly to the advantage Of the Sc
cessiOnists.
But the astounding, as we'll az hu-
initiating part of tie affair was the panic
which first seized the teamsters and
civilians in the rear. Whilst the fight
was progressing in front, they COM
menced a cowardly and disgracefal re-
treat. The example and panic spread;
the battle had been long and obstinate
one; the regiments in the rear, seeing
those around them flying, seem to have
concluded that all was lost, and one
after another, including the reserve,
which had not been in action, COM
menced an unauthorized and disorderly
retreat. The contagion soon spread to
over half the army, and the retreat be-
came complete rout; and strange to say
they were fleeing but not pursued, OK
cent by . small body Of cavalry: The
enemy did ucc! pursue in force had he
done 80, the destruction of AicDowell's
army would have been complete. But