The Lambertville press., 1861-07-24
The War!
From The Grand Army.
ARRIVAL AT FAIRFAX COURT HOUSE

WASHINGTON July l7--lo P. NJ
Senator Lane and Representatives
Vandeyer, Verree. Washburae, and
Porter, went with The advance guard
of the army to Fairfax this morning,
and rel urned hither at 8 P. NJ, having
left this village at Il o'clock p. NJ. !.
They make the following report
Our skirmishers reached Fairfax
Court House at half past eleven A. nj.
and the advanced guard entered the
village exactly at noon.
Trees have been felled across the
road at three points to obstruct the
march, but they proved feeble imped-
iments. Half mile this side of Fair
fax an embankment had been thrown
np across the road, O half mile in
length, with embrasures Cor or five
guns, and sand-bag projections ; but
no guns had been mounted. There
we're no pitfalls or masked batteries.
The pickets this side Of Fairfax re-
tired this morning about one hour only
before the head Of ihe column came
in sight, leaving the grain bags ont
Of which their horses were fed, and
the Federal troops fed their horses oat
Of the same bags.
This morning the Confederate troops
at Fairfax were drawn up on the west
side of town, and the people expected
that a battle would certainly take
place but at 8 A. NJ they made
preeipitate retreat, leaving five qnar-
ters of fresh beet. shoyels. spades
tools camp furniture, ect behind them
ia their haste.
The entry of the Federal troops into
Fairfax is said by those gentlemen to
have been inspiring beyond description
The main street was filed, as far as
eye could reach, with the soldiers
marching with fixed bayonets and
loaded guns, cheering for the Union,
and the bands playing the Star Span
gled Banner
As soon as the 5000 infantry in the
column had passed, the cavalry which
were in the rear--the artillery being
in front-dashed through the town on
q gallop, and endeayored to overtake
the retreating Confederates. They
followed the road for four miles to-
wards Centreville, but the great heat
preventing a force march of the infan-
try they returned.
It is understood that CentreYille is
to be defended by the rebels and thai
Gen. Mcdowell will march on it to
morrow. The other columns of the
advancing army are north and south
of Fairfax. A few buildings were
burned by the Federal troops a mile
beyond Fairfax on account of a rumor
that soldier had been fred on from
them.
No buildings had been burned at
Fairfax, although the soldiers in
the first flush of excitement had seized
many things in and abont the houses,
most of which were deserted by their
owners. Gen. Mcdowell was, hoy
ever. placing guards all over the town.
Colonel Marston, of New Hamp-
shire Second, placed guard around
the courthouse building as soon as
he entered the town
The column which occupied the
town was composed of two brigades,
under Colonels Porter and Burnside,
and contained two batteries of flying
artillery, two Rhode Island regiments
the New Hampshire Second, the New
York Eight and Seyenty-frst, eight
companies United States regulars, and
FIVE companies Of cavalry, and perhaps
one or two other regiments.
The following dispatch was receiy-
ed tonight at the headquarters of the
army:
FAIRFAX Court HOUSE, July II, 1861.
Col E. D. TOWNSEND We have
occupied Fairfax Court House, and
driven the enemy towards Centreville
and Manassas Junction. We have an
officer and three men slightly wounded.
The enemy's flight was so precipitate
that he left in our hands a quality of
-four, fresh beef, entrenching tools,
hospital furnitpse, and baggage.
eadeavored to pursue them beyond
Centreville, but the men were too
much exhausted to do so.
Most respectfully yours,
IRWIN McDowELI.. Brig Gen.