The Van Buren press., 1861-07-31

The right wing was commanded by Gen.
Beauregarl President Davis reached the
field at noon and took command of the CEN
tire. When the left was most severely
pressedly, the centre disengaSed portion
Of the enemy's force. No reliable reports
have been received, but are hourly expected.
It is stated that the enemy was command
by Scott, Patterson, and Mcdowell. 1t is
reported that the latter was severely wound
ed.
s.,...s.--s- WAsHlxGToS. July %. ~
Our troops, after gaining great victory
were eventually repulsed. and commenced a
retreat on Washington. After the lates.
information from Csntrsville. last night, .
series of events took place in the intense
degree disastrous many confused state
ments arc prevalent, but enough is known
to warrant the statement that we have suf-
fered to u degree which casts gloom over
the remnants of the army, and excites the
deepest melancholy throughout Washing
ton-carnage was tremendously heavy on
both sides and ours represented as frightful.
We were advancing, taking masked bate
ries gradually. but surely, and driving the
enemy towards Manassas, when the enemy
seemed reinforced by Gen. Johnston, and
we were Immediately driven back and a
panic among our troops suddenly occurred,
and regular stampede took place. 1t is
understood that Mcdowell attempted to
make stand near Centrevillc, but the pan
ic was SO great that the whole army became
demoralized. 1t was impossible to check
them either at Centreville. Or Fairfax Court
House.
Large numbers of troops, in the retreat,
fell on the wayside from sheer exhaustion,
and were scattered along the route all the
way from Fairfax Court House. The road
from Balls Run is strewed with arms and
knapsacks, discarded by our troops to bet
ter facilitate their retreat. Gen. Mcdowell
lnthe rear of retreat, endeavoring to rally
his men with only partial success.
Zouayes left from the slaughter. The six
ty ninth and other New York regiments
suffered srightfully. Sherman's, Carlisle 1
and the West Point batteries were taken by
the Condolences. Also the 9Th Seige bat
terry of thirty-two pound rifed cannon
Col. Wilcox, commander of a brigade, and
Capt. McCock killed. Col: Hartzleman.
Washington is the scene of the most in
tense excitement. Wagons are continually
arriving bringing the dead and wounded.
Feeling in the city is awfully distressing.
Both telegraph and steamboat communica-
tion with Alexandra is suspended to the
public. Greatest alarm throughout the city.
Fortifications strongly reinforced by fresh
troops. 1t is supposed Gen. Mansfield will
take command of the Notifications on the
other side of the river. Large rifed can
non and mortars are rapidly being brought
over.
Rhode Island battery was captured at
Bulls Run bridge. where the retreat was
cut off. Their horses were all killed. The
list N. Y. regiment lost half of their men
additional names of officers of the feder-
al army killed, Capt. Gordon, Mass, Col.
Slocum, 22d, Lieut.. Col. Fowler 14th NY.
regiments. Additional wounded, Colonel
Tompkins, N. Y. I'd regiment, Col. Corco-
ran. 69th, Col. Clark, Mass. 11th, and Cant.
Ricketts, of artillery. Col. Lawrence, Mass.
9th, Capt. Ellis of list N. Y. and Mai.
Loscieny of Zouaves. The lowest estimate
OF the killed and wounded federalists is s.
OOo There arc vague remors that Patter-
son arrived in the vicinity of Manassas this
morning ,,r and attacked the confederates.
Ihe exhausted condition of his men pre-
vented his coming to McDowell's aid dur
ing the battle 1t is reported that 1000
federals sent to Fairfax G. H.
HoUsE-Crittenden's resolutions charg.
ing civil war upon the south passed, vote
l2O to 2, Burnett and Reed.
LOUISVILLE, July %.
Jno. Thompkins, formerly of the Board
OF Aldermen. while hurrahing for jeff. Da-
Wis was ordered to desist by Green, a city
watchman. the afray resulted in Green s
shooting Tompkins dead. Coroner's ver-
dict was "Green shot Tompkins without
cause
LETTER FROM PRESIDENT DAAIs.
MANASSAS. July 21.
We have won glorious, though dearly
bought. victory. Night closed. on the ene-
my in full flight. and closely pursued.
JEFF DAVIS.
WAsHINGroN, July %.
SENATE-Bill to increase the military es-
tabllshment, was returned from the House.
Senate refused to concur in the amendment.
Message received from the president, when
Senate went into executive session till it
adjourned. HousE-Wright offered re-
solution that the reverses at Balls Run in
no way impaired the ultimate success of the
federal army, etc. It was laid on the table.
Gen. McClellsn is ordered to command of
Potomac, and has been succeeded by Gen.
Rosencrantz. The federal army will be inn
mediately re-organized and increased. Gen.
Mcdowell is at his headquarters, Arlington
Heights. His division win resume its form
er position there. A'large amount of arms
provisions. ect., were captured by the con-
sederates, who pursued and occupied the no.
sitions abandoned by the federalists a. far
~ Fairfax court houss. The cavalry Of the
confederates was the terror of our volun-
teers' who kept to the wood to avoid their
charge. g ess sH = ''>-
!. The Secretary Of war telegraphed 4 reply
20 me ney York Union Defense Commit
tee: Chseeout friends to sctive exertio,..
that we may speedily retrieve our nisfo,.
tunes. We are making most Vigorous ef.
Iorts to concentrate large and irresistible
srmy at this point. Remains now arriving.
Works on the south bank of the Potomsc
are being well manned. The caoital Is saes
Signed, SmoN CANrsoS
virginia Cavalry occupied Centerville las