The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-09-16

I From OUR OB'N CORRESPONDENT
ANOTHER ARTILLERY DUEL,

FAIRFAX &. IL, sept. l..
An hour ago. ~ came upon the Centrevill lie
road, called on Major Walton, of the Wash
inston Artillery, from whom | learned that
battle took place yesterday In the vicinity ct
Munson's hill. Early in the morning, in
formation WIS brought In that the Federals
in strong force We're crossing by the Cham
brlGSe TOT the purpose of attaching our sd
vance, ana OF driving rs from the present
commanding position. Captain ROsser, of
the second company of the Washington Ar
tiilery, having four guns, two rified cannon
and two howitZers, were sent out to engage
them Their battery was supported by three
companies Of infantry, of Colonel Kemper's
regiment, consisting of three hundred and
eight men, and small body of cavalry.
Inc Frderals were met at Louyansville five
miles from Falls Church, and about the same
olstihce from the bridge, where 4 sharp and
decisive battle commenced which, from the
number of men engaged, may be ranked Il
little above the usual skjrmishes. the dis
tance OF the enemy, and the careful manner
in which-they concealed all their movements,
prevents as from ascertatning accurately the
number of the Yankees but il is certain they
had two batteries, containing eight guns,
some twenty eight hundred or three thou
sand men, and considerable cavalry.
The fight commenced with the artillery AT
long range, the shots from the Washington
artillery falling with great accuracy into the
ra..'-S of the enemy. What the effect of these
shots were Is not known, and, on account of
the skill OF the Yankees in concealing disa-
greeahle facts, probably never will be; but
during the engagement Capt. Rosser and his
men ilred siXty-slX rife shots-forty five
spherical case, seventeen she'll and three can
ister. Considering the precision with which
THIS company have heretofore sent their mis-
sites at the enemy, and the number of shots
fired, IL may be safely supposed that the
--.f
the battle was Of some duration
The enemy also used their gins and fred
shot after shot III quick succession, but fired
badly II was another artillery duel. That
our Ire was having its effect soon became ap-
parent, for they gradually fed from their
guns, the infantry falling back, until a panic
was created and there commenced another
scene similar 10 the las actofthe drama on the
Plains of Manassas. There was 4 complete
roUt. The Yankees lied in terror throwing
away their canteens and hayersacks, which
were dead weights in the race. and broke like
quarter horses for the Potomac and n spot of
safety beyond IT.
They crossed again h. the Chain Bridge
bearing away their dead and wounded, hut
in the pursui five or six bodies were seen by
the roadside which they We're unable to
carry. As have previously said, the mum
Der of men put hors d. combat will not be
known probably. None of the artillery on
our side were injured, but there are rum ors
that two or three of orr infantry were
wounded. How true this ma J be, cannot say
tonight; but can get farther particulars in
the morning. The facts rs | have given them
are from the official report of Capt Rosser
which Major W alton received this morning
l learn since arriving in this village that
some prisoners Were captured lust before the
fight commenced who Were endeayoriug 10
make their way to the advancing enemy. A
Lieutenant with Il squad of men had been out
scOu ting, and had obtained some information
which would nave been valua BILE had they
escaped with II. These men are from one of
the Indiana regiments and it is said that they
were anXiOusly awaiting the termination of
the fight feeling entire confidence in the lbili-
" OF their Yankee friends 10 release them -
These men are now in Fairfax. and will be
sent on TO Richmond tomorrow.
AT this time am unable to learn what part
the infantry or the cavalry took in the fight
but shall get more particulars TO morrow
when can add additional facts and correct
any mlsstatement that may have been made
this evening. As the facts are given it Will
be seen that this llttle victory is one Of the
most briiIiant we have Won i'll this ca1npaiau
Hardly four hundred men engage force of
ten 10 one ,rout them and drive them like whip
ped ours from their kennels This is the third
time Mcclellan has ordered a sortie upon our
lines. ana the third time a. has been REFUSED
and ANONYMOUSLY whipped. HIS success
thus Tar has not been very alarming to orr
cause. - NJ