Nebraska advertiser., 1861-07-25
FRIGHTFUL LOSS ON BOTH SIDE
INTENSE EXCITEMENT AT
WASHINGTON.
Washington. Midnight 81.

Washington, Midnight 81,
An. engagement occurred to-day near
Cenlerville, Va. The enemy ~retreated
towards Manassas leaving their batteries
In possession Of the Union forces, The
fighting commenced at 3 o'clock this
morning and continued most desperately
until 2 this p m. The rebels were driven
back inch by inch leaving their dead on
the field. The loss of life on both sides
is frightful. Our troops behave most gall
lantly and our guns were very effectual.
The whole force on both sides is said to
have been engaged.
Gen. Johnston having Joined the rebels
making Gen Beauregard's force about
10000. 1t is supposed the rebels will
suffer greatly at Manassas for want of
water.
Herald's correspondent says, when l
left the field Of battle / saw the rebels
flying in vast numbers. The greatest en-
thusiasm prevailed throughout our ranks.
JEFF. Davis is understood to be at Manas-
saS junction. Col Cowden's Mass Ist
regiment was fired on by rebel pickets
several times as they slept on their arms.
The Times correspondent says the bat
tie has been one of the severest ever
fought on this continent. Up to two o.
clock our troops had driven the enemy a
distance of nearly two miles. AS the
enemy fell back from one position it was
only TO another equally strong and at
every point fresh re-inforcements were
poured in almost without limit as 10 num-
bers, there can be no doubt that their
force was at least double ours. The Fire
Zouaves were terribly cut up while drawn
up TO make an attack. They were as
sailed by concealed battery with a strong
support on their flank and were forced to
break. 1t is said both Col. Farham and
Lieut.. Col. John Creighton are killed.
But II may prove untrue. The latter at
all events was severely wounded. Col.
Hewley wounded in throat. Col. Slocum
of the ID r. l., and Capt Lewis of the
lst reported killed. Gov Sprague had
his horse shot under him. Mai Ballow
of the r. /. was severely wound in the
thigh and hand by a common ball.
W~AsHINeToE, July %.
After the latest information was re-
ceived from Centreville at 7,20 last night
a series of events took place in the in
tensest degree disastrous. Many con-
fused statements are prevalent, but there
is enough known to warrant the statement
we have suffered a degree which has cast
gloom over the remnants of the army, and
excited the deepest melancholy through
out Washington.
The carnage was tremendously heavy
on both sides but on our side il is fright
ful.
We were advancing, and taking their
masked batteries gradually but surely,
driving the enemy towards Manassas
Junction, when the enemy seemed to have
been reinforced by Gen. Johnston, who
II Is understood, took command, and i'm
mediately commenced driving us back,
when a panic amoung our troops sud-
denly occurred, and a regular stampede
took place.
1t IS thought that Gen. Mcdowell IN
dertook TO make a stand at or near Cen
t~reville, but the panic was so frightful
that the whole army became demoraiized
T, and il was impossible to check them at
either Centerville, or Fairfax G. II.
The retreat was kept up until the men
reached their regular en%camPment. A.
great portion coming inside the entrench-
ments,
A large number Of the troops in the
retreat; fell by The wayside from exhaus-