New-York daily tribune., 1861-08-12

killed, IL wounded II Of whom missing, AZ niiss
1Dg Many of the latter supposed 10 nave Iihen e
the Alexandria turnpike by mistake, and VIII no oouo'
reOin their cOlOrs to-day. -, %,
u. - Infantry, five companies oi the Oh - man!
and one company OF TIE sth l. o. mla"u!, 10" Tvs
camp near Centerville Gbo1t hall past hree w., OH
the Dist inst and after circultous nsrcn OF Ten or
twelve miles arrived on the enemys left and was i'm.
mediAtely ordered support the force under Colonel
Burnside which suffering from severe hre IN its
front Our line was raidy formed, opening fre, and
a column under Colonel Helntzelman appearing at Tie
same moment at left, the enemy fell back 10 the
rising ground in his rear. My battalion then ad-
yanced to the front and took posi- ION on the edge of
a wood Immediately opposite 10 masked battery and
a large force of the SecessiOnists, posted around
house and the fences and trees around it, The three
left compari les Were depoyed as skirmishers under
Captain Dodge, sth Inf8ntry and did great execution
among their ranks. At this time The whole battalion
became actively engaged and Rhode Island battery
coming into action my night and having supports,
at the request OF ts commanding officer, and seeing
myself the necessity of the case remained as pro-
lection TO his guns. For than an hour the COM
maDd was here exposed to concentrated fire from the
batteries and regiments Of the enemy, which seemed
doubled when the guns Of the Rhode Islanders opened
Many OF my men assisted in working the latter
battery.
As the attack Of our army became more developed
on the night, and the necessity OF my staying with tue
guns ceased, moved my battalion in that direction,
passing through crowds Of retiring troops whom
eroeavored IN vain TO rally. Taking position on the
extreme right in front OF several regiments OF the
enemy, opened effective fire them, and held
my ground until all troops had fallen back, and
my flank was turned by a large force Of horse and
foot. then retired a short distance in good order.
and facing 10 toe enemy the crest Of HILL held his
cavalry in check, which still threatened our flank
At this stage of he action my command was the only
fed.
BY taking advantage of woods and broken ground
Il he LII.
opponents were playing on our line of march from
every hight Willie thus retiring, l received an
order from our Brigade Commander To cover the
treat of that portion of the army me, which dd
well ss was able, remaining IN rear until all OF 1t
had passed me After crossing Ball Run, my COM
mand was threatened by large force Of y-but
it order and the regularity OF It's march forbade any
attack. We reached our camp beyond Centreyilie at
?. m. IL is but proper TO mention that our officers
and men their feet from ~ ?. m, OH the 2Jth,
until 10 h. III on the 1d-wilhout rest, many without
food, foosore, and greatly eXhausied-they yet bore
the retreat eueerfully, and ret an example OF con
stancy and di-cipiue worthy Of older aud more eX-
perienced soldiers NJ y officers, nearly all OF ITEM
Just from civil life and the Military Academy, were
eager and jealous, and 10 their Efforts is due the sol
derly retreat and safety of the btalon-as well as
Of many struggling volunteers who accompanied my
command.
The acting Major, Cap. n ii. Davis, "a Infantry,
rendered essential service by his coOlness zeal and
eoiiviy Capt. Dodge, 9Th Infantry, commanding the
ssruishers On the leit was equally eiiecient and to
those gcnilemeu and all my officers indebted for
cordial cooperation in all the Of the day.
Lieut.. Kent, although wounded endeavored TO retain
command oi his company, but second wound forced
lin to give ii up. He and Lieut.. Dickinson Acting
Adiutant, wounded and DIR. Sternberg, u. 5. A.
tince escapeo are believed be in the hands of the
enemy. beg to call the attention Of the brigade
commander 10 the services Of Sergeant Major Devoe
of the 81 Infantry WHO was conspicuous for bis good
conduct on the field.
The AIMS aud equipments Of my command are in
good condition. but the destitute of blankets
and i'll want Of necessary clothing.
GEO SYKES Major lsth Infantry.