The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1861-08-03

Immediately after, fhis oeiish
6rmed BY the thick cloud OF smoke "nica
rose from afs, and presently the troops
themselves were seen moving rapicsy Iof'
ward, and driving the enemy before 'aeln q
. distance of about two miles.
The 81 Brigade was By this time mensc-
ing one OF the euemy's rarthworxs, anu APP
peared TO be hotiy engaged Col. heSess
division, the Ilh, was accordingly ordered
down TO re- inf oree, and at once pushed ioe-
ward 10 support. The II Brigade remain
ed firm al the right, bu. not yet acs.se-y en-
gagged. From Col. Richardson's pest,
mile or two 10 the left aroand To Col. hun
ter's two miles to the right and front. the
battle thus spread over some hSs miles Of
space.
Their artillery was finely worked, and
was quick to discover the places whenever
our men gathere but, up TO this time, the
injury done by them was slight. In iufan-
try contests they were perpetualiy beaten,
bat, when they retreated, II was to take
new aud more strongly fortified position.
At times they ranged themselves upon
the open field, or road, but were invaria
biy driven back by hunters Or Sherman's
men.
Their force was very large, and should
Judge from the bodies which kept pouring
iowa from Manassas, greatly superior TO
ours. They fought well, and even in their
retreats showed considerable order, but
their works were one by one taken from
them. until they held only two or three, one
IN the highest ground of their position, and
the othors to the left of Gen. Tyler's divis-
ION. The first OF these were stormed by
the Zouave Regiment, but was either not
taken, or vas not held. The others we're
we'll employed by the rebels, who threw in
cessant shot and shell among our most ex.
| posed men. We still pushed forward until
the whole Of our men, excepting the second
brigade Of the FIRST division, had crossed
Bulls Run.
The engineers were about constructing a
bridge for the artillery, the regular stone
bridge having been mined. and the two coll
umns under Generals Tyler and Hunter, the
latter Of which was led by Gen. Mcdowell,
had actually completed their Junction, when
the order to retreat was given. Why it was
given, no person who witnessed the battle
and saw the condition in which affairs stood
can attempt to comprehend. The only
point positively held by the enemy was in a
hollow, to our left, and although an effort
was undoubtedly made to overreach US at
the left, M ample force one entire brigade
was ready TO receive them, and did re-
csive and repulse them afterward, in spite
Of the panic which reigned. But ut the
beginning Of the retirement, few ambu-
IauCes and baggage wagons were driven
hurriedIy away, the noise of which seemed
to spread terror among the troops within
hearing, who instantly broke RANKS and ran
pell nell toward Centreville.
The contagion caught the rest, and in less
than ten minutes our army was flying in the
utmost disorder. Everything was aban-
doned. The wounded were deserted in the
hospitals, and the only thought was of in-
diyidual safety. Guns were thrown aside,
and blankets and napsaeks were lost and
trampled upon. The artillery shared the
panic; the guns were cut loose, and the gun
ners used the horses to escape the more
swiftly. Those on foot begged piteousl, to
be allowed to share the horses of those ~ho
rode. Many strove to Chamber into wagons,
and were pushed hack by the bsyonet of
those who occupied them.
The ground was strewcd with food. weap-
ons, aud clothing Of everg kind. Many Of
our guns were left to fall into the enemy's
hands, including the large 80 Founders
NHiCu H'u uoie -, luucn SERVICE turing tfiB
fight. All courage, all manllnsss seemed
to have fAcsaken our terrnr-Strcken men.
The last stand upon the field was made by
one Of the Ohio regiments. under Colonel
McCook, believe. but about three miles
back tho reserve brigade of Gen. B!eukvr
WAS drawn npin line to cover the retreat,
and effect whatever service was needed
The stand of Goa. Blenker saved US from
great losses.
The enemy came up in small fore, at IL
O'Clock at night, aud charged upon the Sh
New York regiment, capturing ak Of its
men. The charge was rerulsed, and the
enemy attacked with such vignr as to cause
them to fly, leaving their prisoners. The
disorder of our men continued during the
night. There was no army, only vast
rabble. BY midnight they were all scatter
ed in the road to Fairfax Court House,
and soon after, Gen. Blenker, with the Sth
New York Regiment, took up his retreat in
perfect ordcr-the only body that 50 re-
treated.
left Ceu'reviile at 8 o'clock this morn
ing. The last fragments Of our force had
all been long gone; even the hospitals were
nearly deserted, all who could limp having
started forth with crItches and canes. The
rebel scouts were passing through the town,
and apparently endeavoring To ascertain in
which way they could best succeed in cut
ting of the ssragglers. do not know, how
ever, that any serious attempt to do this
was made.
The road from Centrrvil'e TO Fairfax was
thick with the debris Of the retreat. Bag
gage wagons were overturned and the hor-
sea lying dead and dying. Guns, ambulanees
and stores Of provisions were strewn every
where. At Fairfax Court House The inhab-
itants were pluudering out deserted bag
gage. Towards Arlington the evidences Of
the disgraceful retreat con,irusd. About
four miles from the Long Bridge Gen.
Btenker was moving gu arly towards
Washington, his force in thorough order.
As he passed, he destroyed the important
bridges To secure against sudden pursuit.
Probably not more than 900 Federal
troops are killed. The enemy were badly
damaged.
From the Washington Daily Republican.
ADDITIONAL INCIDENTS.
During the engagement, Gov. Sprague,
who was always in the thickes, Of the & shr,
had two horses shot under him. Each time.
as be fell to the ground. he would cody take
up his carbine, and bring q rebel to the
ground.
Col. Burnside seemed to bear charmed
life. The bullets even passed through bis
hat. ard Vet he escaped without scratch.
The Fire Zoaayes advanced % the charge
With deafeaing cheers for the Union. and
exposed to Calling ere from she batteries,
10 she IRE Of The Louisisna Z,uaves. and
sl-o to the attack Of the rebel Black IIars.
Cavary-aH Of which they sfood With ba
roi-m Of which the history Of the world pre-
sents few parallels. At each Gre, they would
perceive ih- rebels fall, they would exc.a.m,
ELS wsrth.''
poor little drummer boy was cot com.
plstclT in two BY canister shot. which
struck him jass under the arms. pierrtn.
'.ob y emitted in childish treble, the .al-
d'ers who we're near him ssv. ~as sound