New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-08-01

the re of my brigade had gone on and that had been
di eced TO 60 TO that point with my regiment iol .no
snd Col Davies went, as I supp sed. to hi' bngaoe
s on after this was met by staff officer OF zen
McDowes, who told me to put my brigade IN posi-
iop on the left Of the road from Csntreyille to Bax
buns ford, and stretching toward the Union ana ecu
trevs road facing the enemy. Other troops nsd aio
fallen back to this point-distant about mile rom
Centeyille-aDd at about clock p. m, Capt Alex
ander of the Corps Of Engineers directed me- by order
of Gen. Mcdowell TO take the general arrange
ment of the troops at that point IN my own LANDS,
he suggesting as 0 good line Of defense between q
piece of woods on the right and one on the left, the
hne tacipg equally toward tie en-. my, VINO were
supposed 10 be coming either on the Union or .ne
Blackburn road. Immediately formed that line as
best could Of the regiments nearest the position,
placing the in The rayineS and the arliery as 1r
possible the hills In the OF the infantry be-
fore Captain Aex,nd.r gave me this last ireGOn If
some esiments which had placed before, esPechny
the 80 Michigan REGIMENT, which had ordered 70
form cose column by divison, TO remain az reserve
and await further orders from me. Inc ON or 10 COM
uand Of tho regiment at that time,
Stevens Colon Mcconnell beilg unwell, but on the
grcnd Immediately executed that ORDER and put his
regimen. in close column. went to some other pat
of the field, and on returning found tbs regiment de
ploy,d in line of battle and in another position.
Immediately inquired of Colonel Stevens the reason
of hir position being altered He told me that Colo
mel Miles bad directed this movement l asked hun
whyi Col. Stevens replied, II 40 not know Dut ne
wbyl Col Stevens answered, =" Because Col. M,f,'
is drunk" That closed the conversation. sent Co.
Stevens back with bis regiment, to form cloe column
by dyison, as at frst. / then reported to Cap.
Alexander that had been interfered with IN my dis
position Of the troops during the day. and could not
carry out Gen. McDowels orders as long as long as
was interfered with by drunken man. Cap; Alex
snder then answered that Gen. Mcdowell now
y,s4ed the whole disposition Of the troops with me,
and that must my own judgment. went 70
pllce another battalion IN line and l was met by
Col. Mics. who ordered me to form that regi:
mept In another direction. replied that y SHOULD
obey no more orde. that he might ice fit oglve
me- Colonel Miles then said, Colonel Riehsrds n,
shall put you in arrest" told hin never stoni1
obey his arrest and that he never conld p1! me IL ta
position" Col Miles answered that he didn UNDER
stand this said nothing, AID Went on with iurther
disposii Of the troops, which sas done according 10
the ne xt diagram. Az soon the line OF bstie was
well sormed, the enemys cavalry mnce It's aoIe Ihc9
on the Ceitrcyille and MANASSAS road, ana orde ed
Lieut.. Berjauin to open bis red cannon upon mem,
which be did and the cavalry disappeared after It "
shots. II was now nearly dark, and the trooIs en-
cnmped in their present position. About ten oeio x
o. M. General Mcdowell Informed ne tnat retreat WAS
resolved upon; that the troops must be started on
tie road t. F.irfnx as soon possible and ordered me
10 move last ard cover the retreat Of the army with my
bri. ade told the General would DO 20, and wond
stnnd by him as long as any uan would. let WIN
nv brigade at O'Clock M after all the other regi-
ncnis and batteries had retired On reaching Fairfax
found It abandoned by our troops, and covered tne
rear bringing 10 my brigade ia goOd order, the New
York regiment in 'front.' then the Massacbu etts regi-
m at ald the two Michigan regiments in rear OF the
whole. Arrived az Arlington ut o'clock p. IN. on
Monsy ss.r the act on. have The honor to be, very
respectfully, yO,r obedient serys"c .,
Colonel comuandiag Fourth BliTade.
Gen. TrIHn, Commanding Fi., Division.