New-York daily tribune., 1861-06-21
THE AMBUsCADE AT VIENNA.
From Our Special Correspondent.

est and before the closer delr of any Of the actions
OF the campaign can lie transmitted, their value is
almost lost. But alhougn slower, the mails some
times suer an the startling tctions which are oc, a.
si1ually ent eff III the fret excitement Of conflict may
b, subdued htO a nearer approach TO uutl by tie old
fashioned and que,er means of communication. In tue
cass surprise Vienna yesterday afternoon,
there is another why minute narrative should
lie received with interest. The general plan and inten
ton OF the rebe for the present. to have been
indicated here. and il will be own fauh IT, under
standing thus early their ndispostiOn TO meet us IN
any open way-unt they shall have united their forces
in some desperate stronghOd-and their fondnets for
lurking slaughter aud precpitate retreat We do not
tuke thorough precautions against such fatal conse-
quenees in future those which yesterday unhappiy
befel
IL is probably known that no important movement in
advance war intended by the Ohio regiment. The
railway from Alexandria TO Vienna had just been
stored, ano, the day before, nuaber Of troos bad
passed the lne and returned though not without
molestatoD. The shot which wounded the Connect
cut soldier should have served us ss a warning that
treacbery aourshed in all ihs region WAS evident
that the road would not remain cafe ithout proper
protection and the cuty upon which the frs Ohio reg
all the bridges and other dangerous posilions. The
Ohio camp was situated about three mics outlide Of
Alexandria in the direction of Vienna, which is some
thirteen miles distant. The exledition--if affair
with so comparatively peaceful purpose requires
be called so under the direction Of Brigadier Gen
Schenck, who, believe, arranged the details. Tie
immediate command Of Tie regiment was in the
hands of Col. McCook. The troops were embarked,
,.ats in fha If.
They proceeded leisurely pausng al intervals and de-
taihug guaids BY tits process the regiment naturally
grew thinner at every mile, until, wien at the out
skrts of Vienna, OILY four companies left. How
ever wise necessary tis plan OF dro Ping squads be-
hind mi bit be ordinary adYance il certainly
If doubtful expedency in this case There were no
villages groups Of bouses along the route, among
Which the enemy could have established them
se> es in force and the only point om which att ,ck
could be seriously appreheDded Vienna t;et Had
I entire regiment-and larger body would have
been better-been pushed rapidly down to Vienna,
should have been fully prepared 10 encounter and
act agans' ali ambush AID, had ali proved quiet,
nothing would have been lost, since we had the ad
vantage of railroad speed by stationg the guards
the H. instead Of the advance. IL is true THAI the
entire coune Of the road is through val
the heavy tbickeis which screen them appear to offer
excellent situations for smbus:de; but the roads III the
neighborhood are few and those which exist quite
mpraeticabe for tie ready transportation of troops
not to .peak of artillery. Decidedly suspicious
spot was Vienna and its vicinity. certain disposition
to tardy caution was frustrated by careessness Of
the engine-dI.ver He had been directed 10 stop ut
the distance of mile from the town, whence skirusb
ers were to be thrown out and proper reeonnossanees
70 be made. Instead of dong so he shot ahead until
within half mile less, that this siugle chance Of
avering the impending danger was wasted TIE train
was rounding gentle curve, and the men laugh
ing quite unconscious of peril when the frtt round Of
shot fell among lheIn tearing five Of them pieces
and wounoirg many others The Rebels guns had been
carefully planted in the curve and hidden until
the worst par Of their work was accomplished. The
first discharge was the most fatal. The -four COM
psnies were disposed upon open platform cars, and
were firt Of all exposed to the enemys fire. The en-.
spe was at the rear of the train. 1t was fortunate
that most Of the men were sitting, for the shot ecs e
high, and only those who stood erect were struck.
Major Hughey was among tie fsrvmos, but was un-
harmed. Gen. Schenck and Col. McCook were in
covered car behnS the troops. The Colonel instantly
sprsng ou and gathered the best part Of his toge
ther. The enemy's fed-pieces bad been stationed TO
command the line Of the railroad sDd nothing else.
They were at the tel mnaton OF the curve, TO the left
OF the track and elevated few feet above the grade
With the exception Of that company which was the
most exposed, and which suffered the most the
promptly assembled near Col. McCook, who proceeded
to form them in line Of battle and u lead them into the
protection Of little wood thcket the right Of the
track, apart from the range Of the battery. Mean.
while shot and shell continued " assai the
train, and thoee who fingered it. The engine.
driver 10 panic det ached his locomotive and single
car and dashed off o, full speed The rebel areriss
then directed their range to menace COL MeCooks
three companies upon which the Col quietly marched
them 10 the left Of the track into another cump
OF trees, where he collected all BIS little force and
srrayed them boldly in line. The shot from the rebels
now flew very wild, cutting the trees overhead ard
around, and, in their hurry, they made the frequent
bunder Of dscharging their she'll without opening
fuse. But, notwithstanding this Col. McCOok's posi-
ton was fur from comfortable. lie saw that he wac
pf0digiousy outnumbered aud that if the enemy could
only keep their wits for few minutes he must newt
ably be captared venture struggle at fearful Odds
lie had only about lSJ men, while the rebel force ey
ceedcd 900. Their eld-peces alone, dccentIy man
aged would have destroyed tho little Ohio band in
n twinkng. But the Ohio men never hinchsd, aud
this the reward Of their bravery; The rebels OBJ
serving such a mere handful bearing themselves I'M.
daunted before their superior host, were at fret
amazed, and then startled into the conviction that pow
erfpl reenorcemepts must 10 cOse at hand. How else,