The national Republican., 1861-08-14

after The firing commenced, the regiment broke
and ran. | considered IL useless to attempt to
TALLY them The want Of discipline In thes.
regiments was so great that the most Of the
men wond run from fifty TO seven hundred
yard, to the rear and continue 10 FIRE e-fjrtu- |
na!ely for the brave ones, very high in the
air--and compel ng those IN front to retreat.
During this time Ricketts, battery had bean
taken aud re- taken three times by us, but WAS
finally lost most Of the horses having been
killed, Capt Rickett being wounded, and First
Lieutenant D. Ramsay killed. Lieut.. Khby
behaved very gollsntly. and succeeded In carry
ing of one casson. Before this time heavy
rcntorcrments Of the eaemy were distinctly
seen approaching by two roada. extending
and ouh mixing us on the right. Col. Stewards
brigade came on the field at this time, having
been det .chnl by the general as n reserve at
the point when we left the turnpke. It took
post on q h'Il on our light and rear, aud for
some time gallantly held the enemy in check.
had one com pany Of cavalry attached to
my division, which was joined during the eu-
gagcment by the cavalry Of Col. Stanton's di
vision. Major Palmer, who commanded them
was anxious TO engage the enemy. The ground
being udfavorable, ordered them back ont of
range Of fire.
Finding it impossible to rally any of the gi.
mens, we commenced our retrea. about hall.
past four pm. There was a fine position a
short distance in the rear, where hoped to
mako stand with II section of Arlold's bat
terry and the United States cavalry, If could
rally few regiments Of infantry. In this
utterly failed. and we continued our retreat on
the road we had advanced on in The morning.
seat forward my staff officers TO rally some
troops beyond the Run, but not II company
would form. | stepped back few moments
Al the hospital, to see what arrangements could
be made to save the wounded. The few am.
balances that were there were Il led and started
to the rear. The church, which was used as
hospital, with The wounded and som, Of the
surgeons, eoon after fell into the hands of the
secession cavalry that followed us closely. A
company OF cavalry crossed the rear, and seized
an aubula ce full Of wounded. Capt Arnold
gave them couple of rounds of canister /"
from his section Of artillery, which sent them
scampering away, and kept them at Il respect
tul distance during the remainder of our re-
treat.
At this point most of The stragglers were in
| advance Of US. II wing every reason 10 fear
u vigorous pursuit from the enemy's fresh
troops was desirous Of forming strong rear
guard, but neither the efolts IF the officers o!
the regular army, nor the coolness OF the regu-
lar troops with me. could induce them TO form
single company. We relied entirely for our
protection on one section Of artillery aud a few
c,mpanies Of cavalry. Most Of the road was
favorable Tor infantry, but uniavorahle for
cavalry and artillery.
About dusk, es we approached the Warren
| ton turnpike. we heard a fir ng of riff d cannon
on our right, and learned that the enemy had
established Il battery enflading the road. Capt.
Arnold, with bis section OF artillery, attempted
| IN r,,n tho OF and ron nhnl tho hri1 rp
ovrI Cob Run, about two miles from Centre
Will. bat iound it obsttucted with broken We
| hiciyS aud was compelled to abandon hi,
piec :, as { cy were under the fire Of these
rIed cannon. The cavalry turned to the left
and, alter Passing through strip OF woods and
sUma ii Ids, struck n road which led them tC
SOME camps occupied. by onr troops in th,
mnrt ing. through which We regained Ihe turn
pike. At about eight Z. NJ. we reached th,
camps We had occupied in the morning Ha,
brigade from the reserve advanced a shor
distance beyond Centreville, near one.third 0
tho artillery lost nigh, have bee" saved, as |
!, WITS abandoned at or near this crossing. Sucl
n rOut | never witnessed btfore. No effort
coud induce single regiment to form after th
, re reat lud commenced
Our artillery Was served admirably, and di,
much execution. Some of the vouu'eer regi
m"n's behaved very well. and much excuse cal
be made for those vino ied as few Of the cnuln
. could a, any time be seen. Raw troops eau
! not Lc expected TO stand long against an IN
sepn enemy.
| | have been unable to Oh ain any repor
from the Zouavrs - Col Farnham is still, Z
, hospital. Sine the retreat more than three
| iourihs Of the IJuaves have disappeared.
beg leave 10 express my obligations TO th
officers Of my stall, viz: Capt. II. 5. Wrigh
1 Lieut.. u : ". Snyder. Lieut. F. y. FarVIhar
of the engineers; Captain Chauncey McKeeve'
assistant adiutUH! neral: Lieut. ). J. Swee
bapka. OF the first VI chigan, for the able an
. fearless pr,iormanc. If their dutics and +
recommend lhcm TO Your favorable cons;dorO
? ton. Very respectfully.
:. +. nEiNrZEL MAN.
. Co. Ne'ra'ce"M Intuh'a. 'om'J Di,;siN