The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-07-20
ACCOUNT BY CONGRESSIONAL
EYE-WITNESsES.
Defeat of the Federals.
JEALOUSY BETWEEN MILITARY
AND VILLAIN OFFICERS.
IILER And MDOUGAL AT LOGGERHEAD.
Masked BATTERIES AND RIFLE PITS.
RAPID RETREAT OF CONGRESSIONAL
AMATEURS.
SUPERIOR FIGHTING MATERIAL OF
SOUTHERNERS.
BEAUREGARD'S POSITION TOO
STRONG TO BE TAKEN BY THE
BEAUREGARD'S POSITION TOO
STRONG TO BE TAKEN BY THE
NORTHERN ARMY.
Excesses Committed by Federal
Troops.

The following account comes through our occa-
sional correspondent at Washington, on whom we
have great reiance
The following account of the battle at Bulls Run
is given by honorables VIM A. Richardson, John
A. McClernand, of Ill, and John W. Noel Of Mis-
souri, all members of the houSe), who were eye
witnesses of the battle, and aided in several in
stances in bearing from the field members of the
New York 18th, who were wounded.
The action commenced under the direction of
Gen. Tyler, of Connecticut at half-pa o'clock
on Thursday afternoon at Bull Run, three miles from
Centreville, between several companies of skirmsh
ers attached to the Massachusetts First, and
masked battery situated on slight eminence. The
skrmishers retreated rapidly and were succeeded
10 the engagement by Sherman's battery and two
companies of regular cavalry, which after continu-
ing the contest Tor some time were supported bv
the New York Twelfth, First Maine, Second Michi-
gan, First Massachusetts, and Wisconsin regiment,
when the battle was waged with great earnest
ness, continuing until five o'clock. The Federal
troops then drawn back in great confusion
beyond the range of the Confederate batteries,
here they bivouacked for the night.
During the conflict the Michigan, Maine and
Wisconsin regiments held their ground with a
fortitude which, in view of the CALLING fire to
which they were exposed, was most remarkable
hgyrthents retired in great disorder from the field
portion of them throwing sway knapsacks and
even their arms in their fight. number of
the members of the former regiments openly as
serted that their confused retreat was the fault of
their officers, who eviuced a total lack of courage
and were the first tn fee.
After the retreat had been commenced, Cor
coran's New York 69ih (lrsh) and Cameron's
New York 10Th (Scotch) regiments were ordered
up to the support, but arrived too late to take part
in the action.
There were three batteries in ALL The first to
open fire, which was the smallest, was situated on
the top of an eminence; the second and most de-
structve, in ravine. The latter was totally con-
ceaed from view by brushwood, etc., and it was in
30 tnl-n Al
Federal troops stumbled upon it. The battle oc-
Cured at point in the declivity of the road,
where it makes turn, forming an obtuse angle
and the third battery was so placed to enflade
with its fire the approaches towards the junction
Much jealousy, it is stated by the same authority
existed between the regular officers and those of
the volunteer corps, each appearing desirous of
shifting to the other side the responsibility of any
movement not advised bv themselves, and the ieal-
ousy it is feared will seriously affect the efficiency
of the "grand army" Thus, General Mcdowell
expressly states that the battle was not his own,
but that of General Tyler. The former officer said
that he would not advance further until he had
thoroughly and carefully recOnnoitered the position
of the batteries, their capabilities, etc and the
inference derived by my informants from his re-
marks, is that he deems his present force entirely
insufficient to carry the opposition before him.
One OF the gentlemen mentioned at the COM
mencment of this account, gives it as his opinion
that Manassas junction cannot be carried by so,
600 men in two months, and all agreed in saving
that the force under Beauregard has been entirely
underrated numerically, and that their fighting
qualities are superior The cheers with which they
rushed to the fight frequently rang above the din
of the battle. Their numbers we're not ascertained
but it is estimated at upwards of 5 600 South Caro-
linians, under command of Gen. NJ. l.. Bonham, of
South Carolina.
Their Artillery of the bestkind. A shot from
one of their batteries severed bough from tree
quite 2 miles distant, and but a few feet from
where the vehicle of two Congressman was stand
ing. Our ball fell directly in the midst of group
of congressman, among whom was Owen Lovejoy,
but injured no one, the members scampering in
different directions, sheltering among trees &c,
1t is said to have been admirably served too, as
the heavy list of killed, and the disabling of Sher-
mans battery, amply testfes.
There were number of rifle pits also in front of
the batteries, from which much execution was done
by expert riiemen.
The Congressman were greatly impressed with
the extent and magnitude of the earth.works en-
trenchments, &c. erected by the Confederates from
Alexandria to Centrevie and beyond. They were
all of the most formidable and extensive character
1t is thought BY them that Manassas Junction is
encrced by chain of batteries, which can only be
penetrated by severe fighting. All the entrench-
ments evidence consummate skill in their construc-
ton. The entire column under General Mcdowell
fell back at o'clock on Thursday evening, short
distance from Centreville, where they encamped.
They joined during the evening by Hentzie-
mans command, and on the succeeding morning
by that of Col. Burnside, all of which troops are
now encamped there.
Early in the evening Gen. Schenck's brigade of
Ohio troops was sent forward the Hanesville
road to flank the batteries but tidngs had been
heard of them up to O'Clock yesterday friday
morning, when the Congressman left Gen. Mellow
ells headquarters, bringing with them his des-
catches to the War Department.
These dispatches put the loss of the Federaliss in
killed at 5, but Mr.. McClernand states that he him
self saw a greater number than that killed. All of
these gentlemen agree in estimating the number
killed at hundred The disparity between the
statements of these gentlemen and the official des
patches is accounted for by the fact that the latter
are based upon the returns of the surgeons, and
that many of the killed are oftentimes never re.
ported until after the publication of the official ac-
counts.
One remarkable fact which commanded the spe
cial attention of the members of Congress was the
! absence from that portion of Virginia visited bv
them of all the male inhabitants capable of bearing
arms. They state that they saw but few people,
| and those chiefly old women and children
The women seemed to regard the soldiers with bit
ter hostility, and, to quote the language of one of
| the Congressman, their "eyes fairly flashed fire
! whenever they looked at soldier"
General Mcdowell expressed no fears of being
| attacked, but seemed apprehensiye of of the
volunteer corps stumbling upon masked battery,
and thus ''precipitating general engagement"
The loss of the Confederates is not known, but is
copiectured by the Feieralsts to have been heavy.
| Among the killed is said to be one COL Fountain
at least, a negro, deserted, stated.
| The excesses of the Federal troops in Virginia
are exciting general indignation among army Off
| GERS. member OF Congress, who visited the
scene this morning, states that the village of Ger
mantown has been entirely burnt, with the excep-
tion of one house, in which lay sick man, who
had been robbed, he was told, by army surgeon
of nearly every article he possessed of the slightest
value. even to his jack-knife.
Gen. Mcdowell has issued orders that the first
soldier detected In perpetratng these depreda-
tions shall be shot, and has ordered that a guard
be placed over the principal residences of any town
the troops may enter.
ANOTHER ACC QUIT.
Private dispatches were received in this city on
Thursday night, bringing accounts of the above
fight, but were not considered of sufficiently pos
tive character for publication prior to more au-
thentic account.
young man who rescbed Baltimore, reported
that he in field as the Federal troops'passed
that they took no notice of him, and he remained
to see the battle The advance, he said, was made
by the Ellsworth Zouaves, New Jersey regiment
Connecticut regiment, and New York regi
ment.
They were repulsed with terrible loss, as many
as six or seven hundred our informant states, being