The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-07-20
ouR.sPECrAL DISPATCHES.

/! CRNTRHvuxx, SIX AND A HALF NiIxs IRON
MANASSAS JUNCTION, Thursday, July rs-5P.M
have just returned from the thckest Of action Of
considerable moment, betweea aporaonof tho rebel
forces and the Fourth brigade Of General Ters division
composed of the Second and Third Michigan the First
Massachusetts, and Twelfth New York Volunteer regi-
mens under command Of Colonei Richardson and the
ad'of General Mcdowell who win carry the ocal report
Of the Amir General Scott and who offers the only
OF communication with Warrington this evening" about
starting have only time 70 send you the following brief
particulars Of TO- days operations
The First division left their camp and resumed their
march towards this point O'Clock A. NJ After ad
vancing short distance the head Of the column came up
with some country people, who reported Ccntrevie
evacuated by the enemy The division, nevertheless
tinued 10 advance cautiously but came in sight Of
the town. when the foremost paoons reported the state
ment 10 be Part Of the division then marched
through portion Of village, and turning into byroad,
advanced short distance towards what sknown Bulls
rum valley traversed by creek, three miles from
this point the direction Of Manassas Junction halt
was then commanded and the whole division encamped
on both sides Of the road.
At eleven O'Clock General Tyler proceeded 10 make .
reconnaissance in force, with Captain Ayres (ae Sher
mans battery, four companies Of cavalry, and Colonel
Richardson's brigade composed above stated Ad-
vancng up the road to Bulls for about miles,
column came 10 opening, after passing through long
stretch Of timber, when sight caught Of strong
body Of the enemy. General Tyler Immediately ordered
Captain Ayres battery to advance and open on them,
which they did from commanding elevation. Eight
she lis had been thrown, when suddenly volley was
Aired upon US from hidden battery, about mile down
the road Some Of the enemy's grapsshot struck
among tho cavalry, that had in The meantime
been drawn up in body on hill, killing
tvun and twO o.
Two more shots then fired by the rebels, to which
our red pieces responded with about fifty shot and she'll
directed wherever Of the enemy visible Two
Of PARROTS ed twenty Founders then came up, and i'm
medatey joined in the action. The Parrot gun made
Of trimmed wrought iron, with rife bore. With single
pound powder they throw shell Of twenty pounds two
and half miles
The enemy having retreated into the woods bate
res stopped firing and the Second Michigan was ordered
to depoy as skrmshers the left Of the road and ad
into the woods They CALAMITY moved on and hav-
ing entered the timber they bad hardly been out Of sight
Ave minutes when most lively exchange Of musket shots
took place for few minutes. Suddenly succession Of
whole voeys, evidently discharged by large bodies of
men, were fred
The remainder Of Colonel Richardson's brigade then
ordered ahead The three regiments advanced towards
the woods and drew uP in battle array Ia front
and on the right Of the timber Meantime the exchange
Of musket shots continued IN The lveiest style in the
woods Companies and n, of the First Massachusetts
regiment and companies Of the Twelfth New York
Volunteers were also ordered into the timber and
at the same time the cavalry and two howtzers advanced
to the edge of the woods the firing ia the timber being
kept up in the interval
Our howitzers then threw gapeshot into the tim
ber when at terrific series OF voeys Of musketry
poured out from the woods upon the troops outside
At the same time battery commenced playing upon
from elevation in the Shot Of every description
few about for minutes like hail but it being for
tunatey nearly all aimed too high hardly any
! struck outside the woods.
retreat ordered, when infantry, cavalry
artillery fell back behind battery the hill The
Twelfth New York and portion OF the First Massachu
sets broke ranks and scattered in different directions
their hasty Tor distance through the
the Of the battery The remainder Of the bgad
l formed behind No battery.
At this juncture Colonel Shernan'e Third brigade
headed by the sxty ninth New York regiment Appeared
Our battery again opened and kept UP rak.ng fire FOL
nearly hour, which WAS vigorously replied by h.
enemy Their balls and shells struck the houses In FROM
OF which the battery stationed sevsral times, one
raked the woods in the rear for nearly mile Some
OF their shot picked up, and proved to be from
Hotchkm' rined After cannonade Of about AZ
hour retreat ordered and entire force fell bach
to Centrevle Our loss considerable probably abou
ose hundred killed and wounded.
Our troops fought under great disadvantage. Not on,
rebel ycn,ursd out Of the woods during the action III