Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1861-07-23

TUESDAY 0OkNlN9..........JU .JUbI - 1901
DssAeassesisg atsllsgssee...Oeieat Of
| the Federal Fosess at Bull's Rua..AA
| laglOTs0us Retreat.
The news Of yesterday morning va
Of the most pleasant character. 1t VA
evident that brave victory bad been
won ty our noble soldiers, and the new'
made the hearts Of The people glad. The
psowess of our soldiery WAS upon the
tongue Of every ci.izen, and every coun.
teoance was illuminated with high salts.
faction.
Bot with the afternoon came the disa-
greeable and sickening news Of the most
fearful repulse recorded 10 our cou, try
history, Fifty thousand brave men,
equipped with all the appliances Of mod
ern warfare, we're overwhelmed with de-
feat and driven from the field by supe-
rior force and with great slaughter.
1t appears that after the first battle at
Bulls Run, in which our forces we're
successful, our troops pushed gallant.
forward and captured point after point,
battery after battery, driving all before
them with unflinching determination,
when the centre Of the Confederate
army became suddenly reinforced by the
left wing under Gen. Johnson, number
ing about 1900 men, and with this ad-
dition the enemy took courage and
made fresh charge upon our lines, car
ryiog terror and dismay into the hearts
OF our soldiers. The charges made by
the enemy at this time must have been
Of tie most determined, impetuous and
overwhelming character. We can imag-
inc something Of the spirit which
was Infused into those men. They we're
there in large Numbers.
BY cutting of the water which was to
supply them, as reported in the morn
ing dispatches, they were placed in a
most critical predicament, and with them
it vas either victory or destruction in a
very short space Of time. Encouraged
by the-for them--timely arrival Of
Johnson, and having left to them no 9TH
er alternative but to .Gght-..fghs for life,
when the word Of command, to charge,
was given, with such force was the or.
der avacntal that nnr snhd columns
trembled at the shock. Our gallant
officers did all they could to rally their
men and to sustain the blow, but TIE at
tempt was unava'ling. On by tens of
thousands came the determined enemy.
On the right wing and left, and point
blank into the center, charged the foe,
while from the wclI-directed batterit s
rained shot, shell and grape upon our
columns with such awful effect as to be
perfectly irresistible. The enemy out
numbered our forces two to one, and
our men were routed and forced to re-
treat, which was done partially in order,
but greatly to our disadvantage. The
enemy followed up their advantage,
capturing our hest batteries, aud crowd
ing our men sorely. Our soldiers we're
partially demorallzed, and threw away
their arms and ran for dear life. The
retreat was kept up, saving the most Of
the baggage aud stores. The route, so
far as We are yet informed, was COM
plete-disastrous in the extreme, and
was kept up until the most Of the men
reached their entertainments on the
Washington side Of Fairfax Court
House.
We are not of the opinion that Wash
ington is in danger. There are men
enough to defend that place we doubt
not. AS 10 who is to blame about this
matter is to be hereafter considered. 1t
is an awful disaster. We do not look
upon it as by any means decisive, but
coming as it does, at this present time,
it will have the effect to protract the
war for months-perhaps years, and will
involve millions Of treasure. If the new 9
is not greatly exaggerated, the loss Of
arms has been immense e-thus giving
the enemy possession Of some Of the best
war machinery in our county.
The work Of recuperation will COM
mence Immediately and another force Of
Federal troaps will be sent forward
which will produce change in the pre-
ssnt state of affairs. Though the army
At Washington may be sadly demoral
lied, there are thousands more ready to
lay down their n,es to retrieve the Fed
eral honor. The news i.om the seat OF
war will continue to be of the mo.t ex.
citing character.
Fleht il Missouri.
We are gratified to hear Of the sue.
cess Of the Federal troops At Kansas
City. The work in Missouri will be
ant to vax h otfor ainca tho diaaatop in