St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1861-08-01
The Great Battle At Bull'S Run.

killed and wounded on our side will
not exceed 500. The rebels admit
, their own loss to be 5000.
; In the battle the rebels outnumbcrcd
us three to one. After the day had
been won by us, fresh rebel troops
were substituted for those who were
defeated. The ammunition of our ar.
tillcry had been expended in the con-
test. Tho caissons were sent to the
rear at full speed for a new supply
and the transfers and civilians took
tho movement for retreat. A panic
seized them, they ran for their horses
and fled precipitately. The conster-
nation was impaired to the soldiers
in the rear Of the columns, and sud.
denly afterwards, at about o'clock,
1000 cavalry burst upon Schenck's
command from the woods. The first in
timation our troops had of the APP
proach of the rebels was by being shot
in the back. One of our hospitals was
there, and thousands of citizens.
Instantly, while exulting that the
day was ours, there followed a COM
plete stampede, and all the while the
enemy in front were unaware of it.
Carlislc's and a portion of Sherman's
batteries were lost for the time, also
Burnside's and Griflith's, together with
a heavy 32-pound riiled gun, which
had been doing terrible execution
against the enemy. Gov. Spraguo,
who, during the whole day had cxhib-
tied the utmost GOODNESS and bravery,
spiked the Rhode Island pieces with
his own hands. 1t is reported that
Gen. Schenck gave the order for every
man to look out for himself There
was q terrible commotion, artillery,
infantry, baggage and private vehi-
cles and thousands of men fleeing
from the ground. Every thing was
oban doned. The reserve, meanwhile,
was ordered upon the hill to cover the
retreat. Skirmishers were thrown
out, the lines were formed and bate
ries put in position. Behind it the
fugitives were gathered. Two New
Jersey Regiments arrived and became
a rallying corps. The enemy advanc-
ed and opened fire, but were met with
desperate firmncss and held at bay till
the entire body could be withdrawn
to Fairfax. Our troops fought nobly,
won the field, and then were subject
to a complete rout.
Gen. Mcdowell showed the greatest
bravery, but this was unavailng to
arrest a panic in the rear. The Fire
Zouaves fought like fiends. The New
York Goth, 18th and 9th, and the
Minnesota and Maine regiments were
the praise Of all, but they were now
cd down like grass by the batteries
upon which they advanced.
Leading Congressman, many Of
whom were witnesses of the action,
loudly condemn the Generals on the
field, for ordering a premature attack,
instead Of fortifying and awaiting re-
Inducements. This appears to be the
universal verdict of those who know
the situation. Russell, of the Lon
don Times, says he never in his life
saw troops fight with such bravery as
ours did.
One writer says the baggage wag-
ons had been driven too near the ar
my, and the drivers and civilians in
the vicinity, believing that the rush
for new supply of artillery cartridg
es was retreat of our forces, precip-
itately fled, taking their horses, and
leaving the wagons blocking up the
road The soldiers, in turn, took up
the cry of retreat and followed.
Gen. Mcdowell, finding the panic
uncomfortable, covered the retreat in
the best order possible. Not more
than 10000 Of our troops were in ac-
ton at any one time. The rebels did
not follow our forces, they having On
their hands a slight panic of their
own. There is no doubt of this fact,
and that they retreated behind their
entertainments at Manassas. A gen.
tleman present says the rebels were
terribly frightened and thousands fled
precipitately to Richmond. The n. Y.
Goth captured three Of the rebel bat
tcries.
The assistant surgeon at Centre
vile says our killed and wounded will
not exceed 600. The tone of feeling
in Washington is rising fast. Gen.
Scott will not acknowledge that we
have suffered defeat.
A Washington despatch of July 2G
says the rebel loss ascertained by their
own military authorities, is over 1000.
The South Carolina troops suffered
the most severely, being nearly all
cut to pieces. Private letters from
! Richmond say Monday was n day of
mourning, and not rejoicing, in that
city, on account of the great number
of rebels killed.
During the fight the rebels carried
American flags to deceive our men.
Their sharp-shootcrs fired on riraadi-
ers who were carrying water to the
wounded. They also shot at those
bringing of the wounded and burned
the hospitals. A private in the Con-