, 1861-07-23

Disastrous Retreat OF our Foxcess

formation Fa9 received lrom CenLl6Fuf ~
7:30 last night series Of events took place
in the intensest degree disastrous. Many con-
fused statements are prevalent, but enough Is
known to warrant the statement that we have
suffered in degree which has cast q gloom
over the remnant Of the army, and excited the
deepest melancholy throughout Washington
The carnage WIS tremendously heavy on both
aides, and on ours Is represented as frightful
We were advancing and taking their masked
batteries gradually, but surely, aud wero dF1T-
Ing the enemy towards Manassas Junction,
when the enemy seemed to have been rein
forced by Gen. Johnston, rho,i Is understood,
took command. and immediately commenced
driving Us back, when panic among our
troops tudd. My occurred and regular B;s:c1n'
pede took place.
It is thought that Gen. Mcdowell undertook
to make stand At or about CentreTil1e, but
the panic was 50 fearful that the whole army
teceme demoralized, and 1t was Impossible to
check them either at Cent1eville or Fairfax
Court House. Gen. Mcdowell intended to
make another stand at Fairfax Court House,
but cur fo;ces being in full retreat could not
81 complieh the object. BeYond Fairfax Court
House the retreat WIS kept up until the men
reached their regular encampments, a portion
Ct whom returned to them, but q still larger
portion coming Inside the entrencAments.
4 large number of the troops in their retreat
fell on the waysiae from exhaustion, and scat
tered along the route all the WAY frsm Fairfax
Court House. The road from Bulls Run WIS
strewed with knapsaeks and arms, some Of
our troops deliberately throwing sway their
eons and appu.tenance5, the better to facil-
tate their traScl.
Gen. McDon I'll was in the rear Of the re-
treat, e1ert1pg himself to rally his men, but
crly with partialettecs. The 1atter part Of the
asmy, it is said, made their retreat In order.
His orders On the field did not at al times
reach those for whom they were intended.
It il supposed the force sent out against our
troops consisted, according to \ prisoners
statement, Of about $1,000 men, including a
Large number Of cavalry. He further says
that owing to reinforcements from Richmond,
straeburg and other points, the enemy'a eff
tective force was 90,000 men.
According to statement Ct two OF the Fire
Zcna9es, they have only about 200 me1 left
from the slaughter, while the N. 7. Goth and
other regiments frightfully suffered in killed
al wounded. The number canaot NOM be
tnoWn.
she1man's, Csrlisle's, Grifin's and the West
Point batteries were taken BY the enemy, and
the eight siege 322pound ride cannon.
1t il supposed an the provision trains be
longing to Us are saved Large droves Of cat
lie were saved by being driven back.
It is supposed here to day that Gen. Mans
| field will take command Of the fortifeationi
| en- the other side OF the river, which are able
! it is said by military engineers, to hold then
agsinst any force the enemy may bring aSsyains
THIN, Largo ri1cd cannons and mc:tars ars
being rapidly aent over and mounted
An officer just from Virginia (1Gs0)r r+thil
morning, reports that the roads from Centre
vile TO the Potomac was strewed With stag
| glezs.
The troops are resuming the occupation q
the Notifications and entrenchments on tn
line Of the Potomac.
Col. Heintzelman Was also wounded in tn
wrist, in addition to those reported yesterday
1t is faid that Col Wilcox, the gallant com
mander Of brigade, ras killed; also Capt
McCook, = brother OF Col. MeCook Of Ohio.
The city this morning is in the most tntens
excitement. Wagons are continually arriving
bringing the dead and wounded. The feelinl
il awfully distressing.
Both telegraph and steamboat communics
tion With Alexandria is suspended to-day +
the public
| The greatest ala1m prevails throughout th
city.
The following il an account Of the beginnin
of the panic, which resulted so diaastrous1y t
cur troors:
All our military operations went on swim
mirglg, and Col. Alexander was about erectin
pontoon across Bull Run, when terrific COZ
sternation broke out among the teamstert
who had incautiously advanced Immediate
after the body Of the army, and lined th
War1enton road. Their CONSERVATION Wz
shared in by numerous civilians, who were 0
the ground, and soon our whole army was
retreat. For time perfect panic prevai1e'
which communicated itself to the vicinity
Ceutreyine, and every available conveyan'
was seized upon. Several eimilar alarms h
occurred On previous occasions, caused BY
change Of position Of our batteries and It vi
, most probable thai. ;alaEm~was owing
| the same4&Sk -5.3Yss: