Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-07-27


at half past seven o'clock last night, series
Of events took place in an intense degree
disastrous.
Many confused statements are prevalent,
but enough is known to warrant the state
ment that we have suffered in q degree
which has cast gloom over the remnant
of the army, and excited the deepest melan-
choly throughout Washington. The car.
mage has been tremendously heavy on both
sides.
We were advancing and taking the mask
ed batteries gradually but surely, and dri-
wing the enemy towards Manassas Junction,
when the enemy seemed to be reinforced by
Gen Johnston, and Immediately commenced
driving us back, when panic among our
troops suddenly occurred, and o regular
stampede took place.
1t is thought that Gen. Mcdowell under
took to make a stand at or about Centreyille,
but the panic was 80 fearful that the whole
army became demoralized, and it was i'm
possible to check them either at Centreville
or Fairfax Court House.
Gen. Mcdowell intended to retreat beyond
Fairfax Court House. The retreat was kept
up until the men reached their regular en-
campments, a portion of whom returned to
them, but still larger portion coming in
side the entrenchments.
A largo number of the troops in their re-
treat fell on the wayside from exhaustion,
and scattered along the entire route, all the
way from Fairfax Court House.
The road from Bulls Run to Centreville
was strewed with knapsacks. arms, etc.
Some of the troops deliberately threw
away their guns and appurtenances, the
better to facilitate their travel.
~ a. - =
treat, exertng him self to rally his men, but
the army, il Is said, made their retreat in
good order. He was completely exhausted,
having slept but little for three nights. His
orders on the field did not at all times reach
those for waom they were intended.
1t is supposed that the force sent against
our troops consisted, according to prison
ers statement, of about GO, 900 men, incu-
ding a large number of cavalry. lie fur
ther says, that owing 10 the reinforcements
frop, Richmond, Strawsburg, and other
points, the enemy's effective force was 10000
According to the statement Of the Fire
Zouaves they have only about 200 men left
from the slaughter The Sixty ninth New
York, and other regiments, have suffered
frightfully in killed and wounded.
Such of the wohndei as were brought to
the Ccntreville Hospital were ft.there af-
ter having their wounds properly dressed.
The Surgeon in attendance there was
Frank H. Hamilton.
The panic was so great that the attempt
to rally them to q stand at Centreville was
entirely in vain.
If firm stand had been made there our
troops could have been made reinforced and
much disaster prevented.
General Mcdowell was thus foiled in his
we'll arranged plans.
1t is supposed that all the provision trains
belonging to the U. S. government were
saved.
Some regiment wagons were overturned
by accident, or the wheels came off, and
therefore had to be abandoned.
Large droves of cattle were saved by be-
ing driven in the advance of the retreat.
FURTHUR PARTICULARS OF THE
BATTLE AND RETREAT.
WASHINGTON. July 22.-It is estimated
that only 10000 of our troops in all were
engaged, and not more than 5000 at any
one time.
All communication with Alexandria
has been stopped, to prevent the soldiers
from crossing the Potomac.
out They complain of want Of food, hav-
ing had nothing to eat after breakfast yes
terday, and that they were kept in the fight
during the entire engagement, while the
rebel strength was constantly supplied with
fresh troops.
The whole battle on the centre column
was within radius of mile.
1t is believed that the rebels abandaned
,f hal Al, a.
coyinG the attacking force to advance to a
position where a double fire could be direct.
ed at them and sweep thoir lines.
The following particulars have been re-
ceived from gentleman who accompanied
the Eighth New York regiment: The men
reached the field after fatigueing march of
nine hours, and Immediately attacked the
enemy. The rebel batteries were concealed
as well as their infantry, while our men
moved steadily forward without being able
to direct their fire with as telling a result as
If they had been in the open field. None of
the field or staff officers Of the Eighth regi-
ment were injured.
Lieutenant NJ. IL. Wall, of company b,
received slight wound from an exploded
shell. Captain Griffin of company Els sup
posed to be prisoner. Surgeon Simply,
Assistant Surgeon G. .Winslow and Assistant
Surgeon G. S. Degraus, of the Sth N. York
nobly surrendered themselves sooner than
leave their wounded comrades.
In The grand retreat many of the Gair-
baldians acted like savages firing in every
direction. On their run to Fairfax country
houses were invaded, and innocent persons
maltreated. They seem to have been COM
pletely crazed in their rage over the repulse.
Sherman's battery, or the greater part of
it, has returned to the city. The reason
why the other batteries were taken was be-
cause the horses attached, as well as the
reserve horses, wers shot down rendering
their removal impossible.
Narison's battery will be mustered out Of
service at New York where it will arrive 10.
MORROW afternoon, The hatlary &c in he ra