Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-07-23
TERRIBLE DISASTER.
The Federal Army lRepulsed, ana
RetreRting ON Washington.
HORRIBLE SLAUGHTER.

WASHINGTON, July %, (via PHfLADELAHIA.)-
Our troops, after taking three batteries and
gaining great victory, were eventually repuls-
ed and commenced retreat on Washington.
The retreat was In good order, with the rear
well covered by good column. Our loss 2,5OO
to 5000. rIt .IsEra- a-l.rt.
The Notifications around Washington are
strongly reinforced by fresh troops.
The carnage was tremendously heavy on both
sides, and on ours is represented as frightful
We were advancing and taking their masked
batteries gradually, but surely, and by driving
the enemy towards Manassas Junction, where
they seemed to have been reinforced by General
Johnson, who, it is understood, took command
and Immediately commenced driving us back,
when panic among our troops suddenly occur
red, and regular stampede took place.
Il is thought that Gen. Mcdowell undertook
to make stand at or about Centerville, but the
panic was 80 fearful that the whole army be-
| came demoralized, and it was impossible to
check them either at Centerville or Fairfax
Court House.
Gen. Mcdowell intended to make another
stand at Fairfax Court House, but our forces be-
ing in full retreat, he could not accomplish the
object. Beyond Fairfax Court House, the re.
treat was kept up until the men reached their
regular eucampments, q portion OF whom re-
turned TO them, but still larger portion coming
inside the entertainments .....i
A large number of the troops in their retreat
fell on the wayside from exhaustion, and scat
tered along the route, all the way from Fairfax
Court House. The road from Bulls Run was
streWed With knapsacks, arms, etc, some of our
| troops deliberately throwing away their guns
and appurtenances, the better to facilitate their
travel. .....
| Gen. Mcdowell was in the rear of the retreat,
exerting himself to rally his men, but only with
partial effect. The latter part Of the army, it
| is said, made their retreat in order. His Or
ders on the field did not at all times reach those
for whom they were intended.
IL Is supposed the force sent out against our
troops consisted, according to prisoners state
ment, of about 80, 600 men, including large
number Of cavalry. He further says, owing 70
re-enforcements from Richmond, Strasburg and
other points, the enemy's effective force was
10000 men.
According to the statement of two Of the
Zouaves, they have only about 200 men lei
from the slaughter, while the 69th and othel
regiments frightfully suffered In killed and
wounded. The number cannot now be known
Sherman's, Carlisle's, Griffin's and the Yves
Point batteries were taken by the enemy, and
the eight 32-pound rifed cannon. ssEI
| IL is supposed that all the provision trains
belonging to the United States are saved
Large droves Of cattle were saved by being
driven back. bel. - - ----- I....
1t ls supposed here, to-day, that Gen. Mans
field will take command OF the Notifications or
the other eide of the river, which are able, it i;
said by military engineers, to hold them against
any force the enemy may bring against them
Large rifed cannon and mortars are being rap
idly sent over and mounted
An officer just from Virginia, at 1880, reports
that the road from Centerville to the Potomac
is strewed with stragglers. The troops are re.
suming the occupation of the Notifications and
lintrenchments on the line of the Potomac.
Col. HeiDtzelman was also wounded in the
wrist, In addition to those reported yesterday
1t is said that Col. Wilcox, the gallant com
mander Of brigade, was killed. Also, Capt
McCook, a brother Of Col. McCook, of Ohio.
The city this morning Ia in the most extreme
excitement. Wagons are constantly arriving,
bringing the dead and wounded. The feeling
is awfully distressing. Both telegraph anC
steamboat Communication with Alexandria il
/ suspended to-day to the public. The greatest
alarm prevails throughout the city.
The following il an account Of the beginning
OF the panic which resulted 30 disastrously e
our troops:
All our military operations went swimmingly
and Colonel Alexander Was about erecting
pontoon across Bulls Run, when terrific con
sternation broke out among the teamsters
who had incautiously advanced Immediately
after the body Of the army, and lined the War
renton road. .s...
Their CONSERVATION was shared in by numer
ous civilians who were on the ground, and soor
our whole army was In retreat. For time, 6
perfect panic prevailed, which communicated it
self to the vicinity of Centerville, and every
available conveyance was seized upon. Severa
similar alarms had occurred on previous occa
slons, caused by q change Of position of our bat
teries. IL Is most probable that the alarm
was owing to the same fact.