The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-07-28
OUR ALEXANDRIA CORRESPONDENCE
HEAnQu ALTERS REIG Adler GENERAL MO,ugN,
A. 70 ~, f-.At L


AisxA .nR'l, Va, Jaiy %, t5dl. }
Rrsot Of The Brigade fran Eairoa-Fiuiter DeidiS #
he Great Bdtte at Bairs Ra,--Saege Coadact II h.
Retels-The Forces ot Airdadrio, dc
in my last letter gave You account OF The great
battle Of the campaign at Bais and particulars
OF the retreat Of the forces under the o General
McCInn from Fairfax station to this place viii now
detail 10 you account Of the Retreat add what fur
ther Information has into my possession concerning
the great fight at Balls Tic regiment with which
the General let Washington for the OF hoaincs-
the Thirty seventh, of New Yorkwas very much atguod
when they reached Fairfax. Here the Rrigader found
the First and Third New Jersey regiments Of infantry
campcd and awaiting his arrival lie also learned parti
culars Of The great battle which then progressing
aud expressed his determination push the remaining
distance and participate in it with the force united
under his command. MeaTwhile the laundering Of ;he
guns plainly heard and told too plainly Of the Fearful
work which progressing the sound grew palmer
and palmer, showing that army in retreat The
halt at the station for tho purpose OF allowing the
men, who had nothing half past clock 4.
NJ, some time to get meal, such could be pro
cured. While they were taking this rcpast-wh,h
consisted Of biscnts and Na;cr-pees was received
which showed that advance to the battle by
these regiments would he useless, rs the enemy
was in pursuit of troops and that the could
10 was to protect the road and The railroad junction, IN
order 10 allow the main body OF the army opportunity
Of retreating to Alexandria. soon afterwards
alarming despatch was received which showed that the
enemy making effort TO cut our regiments OIL and
compel their suTendcr. It is well for many of the
rebels that they were allowed mature this design
however unfortunate it might have been for forces
The had just bvouacked. taken their suppcrs aud
laid down upon the ground, when at ), ~ order
received to retreat on Alexandria The retrcgradc
led by The Thirty seventh, headed by company OF Skin
mshers The First and Third New Jersey boys brought
up the rear. The march was seventeen miles along
railroad track. The night commenced ne with bright
moonlight. 1t continued sti. The moved in good
order only few Of the officers understanding the nature
and object OF the movement. Every moment did Week
pect 10 encounter the hostile cavalry which had pushed
forward to intercept and had made all other roads but
the one selected Impossible. No Zoe show ed himself
however, and when the forces faded black clouds
gathered their heads rain began fall steady
heavy streams. At length little relief N hand,
and The welcome whistle Of locomotive was followed BIZ
cheer and shouts OF 'Cear the track, clear The track
The locomotive, which was named the General Scott,
passed along tie line, went onward TO Fairfax, took up
everything portable there, horses having been pre-
viousy taken away and sent advance and soon
returned and picked mp most Of the force and went
with them to Alexandria Another locomotive was
heard approaching and the train attached to
ycyed The remnant Of the brigade to Alexandria this
train yonr correspondent travelled covered with mud
and dripping with rain, and after reaching Alexandria
posted account of the battle To the account then
given will add in this letter such details from parci
pants ~ The action as have since become known to me
After reaching Alexandria loaf was given 10 each man.
ANA the brigade, with some other regiments retired
Fort Ellsworth, at the head OF King street This is an
earthwork, well built on the summit OF a HILL and il
may yet be the of brisk warfare viii take this
opportunity Of giving you account Of that ortca-
ton II mounts thirty heavy guns, mostly rifed cannon
md they mounted On the summit of tie ranloaf;s
which ten feet above the level OF the ground
aud about fifteen above ditch OF twenty feet in width
which surrounds the fort The shape Of this fort is ac
cordng to tho following diagram Of the guns are
not yet mounte3 on the rarapets:-