Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-07-23
LOSS OF MEN AND GUNS.
DISASTROUS RETREAT 70 THE POTOMAC.

WASHINGTON, July 22-Our troops, after
taking three batteries and gaining great vic
tory, were eventually repulsed, and COM
menced retreat on Washington. Late yes
terday afternoon, after the rebels had been
driven from their strongholds at the Run, they
were reinforced by General Johnston, when
the Union army was attacked and driven in
disorder from the ground. The rebel army
numbered 10000.
The rout began by terrific CONSERVATION
among the Union transfers, who had incau-
tiously advanced Immediately after the body
of the army and lined the Warrenton road
Their CONSERVATION was shared in by numer-
Gus civilians who were on the ground and for
a time it seemed as il the whole army was in
retreat. Many baggage wagons were emptied
and their horses galloped across the open
fields, all the fences of which were torn down
to allow them more rapid retreat.
Gen. VI .DJwell undertook to make stand
at or about Centervlle, but the panic was so
fearful that the whole army became demoraliz-
ed, and it was impossible to check them either
at Centerville or at Fairfax Court House. Gen.
Mcdowell intended to make another stand at
Fairfax Court House, but our forces being In
full retreat, he could not accomplish his object
Beyond Fairfax Court House, the retreat was
kept up until the men reached their regular
encampments A portion of them returned to
them, but a still larger portion came inside OF
the entertainments. A large number of our
troops on their retreat fell by the wayside from
exhaustion, aud lay scattered along the entire
route all the way from Fairfax Court House
The road from Bulls Run to Centerville was
strewed with knapsacks, arms, &c. Some of
our troops deliberately threw away their guns
and apurtenances, the better to facilitate their
travel Gen Mcdowell was in the rear at the
retreat, exerting himself to rally the men, but
with only partial effect. The latter part of the
army is said to have made their retreat in
good order. Gen. Mcdowell was completely
exhausted, having slept but little for three
nights.
An officer, from Virginia at half past ten,
reports the road from Centerville to the Po
tomac strewed with straggers. The troops
are resuming the occupation of Notifications
and entertainments on the line of the Potomac.
Col. Marston, of the New Hampshire second
regiment, reached here this morning. He was
wounded. Col. HeintZeuan was also wound
ed in the wrist. In addition to those reported
yesterday as killed, it is said that Capt. Nc
Cook, brother of Col McCook of Ohio, and
Col Wilcox, are killed. Shermans, Carlises,
Griffius, and West Point batteries were taken
by the enemy, and the siege and 80 rifed
cannon the latter being too cumbrous TO re-
NOV fell into their hands. They were two
miles the other side of Centerville.
1t is presumed that all the provision trains
belonging 10 the United States were saved
Some regimental wagons were overturned by
accident, or the wheels came off and they
had to be abandoned. Large droves Of cattle
were saved by being driven back in advance
of the retreat.
1t is reported in many quarters that the
Ohio regiments showed the greatest conster-
nation, probably from the want of confidence
in their officers. 1t is known that large num-
bers of them the day previous to the battle,
publicly protested against being led by Gen.
Schenck, and it was only through the inter.
ference of Col. McCook in whom they placed
all confidence, and other officers, that they
were prevented from mutinying.
Among the number killed were Lieut. Col.
Fowler, of the New York fourteenth regiment.
Wounded-Col. Lawrence of the Massachu.
sets fifth Capt. Ellis of the New York seven
ty first; Col Farnham and Major Lavour, of
the Zouaves, were not killed but badly
wounded.
The Rhode Island battery was taken by
the rebels, at the bridge across Bulls Run,
when their retreat was cut off, and their horses
all killed.
1t is asserted that the Black Horse Cavalry
of the enemy made an attack on the rear OF
the retreating column, when the latter turned
and fired killing all but six of the assaultng
party The seventy first New York regiment
lost half their men,
The following regiments were engaged in
the fight First, second, and third Connect.
cut, second Maine, one regiment OF regulars,
composed of the second, third, and eighth com
panies, and two hundred and fifty marines
eighth and fourteenth New York militia, first
and second Rhode Island, seventy first New
York, second New Hampshire, fifth Massa
chusetts, first Michigan, eleventh and thirty
eighth New York, second, fourth, and fifth
Maine, and second Vermont, besides the sew
eral batteries.
The following is a partial list of the killed
and wounded officers =
Killed-Capt. McCook the major and lieu
tenant colonel OF the Zouaves ; Capt. Gordon,
company IL. Of eleventh Massachusetts Capt
Fry company IL, of second Rhode Island;
Col. Socumb of second Rhode Island Col
Slocumb of the twenty.second New York;
and Col Wilcox of the first Michigan.
Wounded-Col. Tompkins of the second
New York; Col. Farnham of the Fire Zou-
aves; Col Hunter, and Col. Corcoran, Col.
Clark of eleventh Massachusetts, and Capt.
ricketts, of the artillery. Two New York reg
iments have gone over to Virginia.
LATER.-It was the remnant of the Zouaves
who were attacked by the Black Horse caval-
ry, and repulsed them, leaving them but six
to return This gallant regiment now num-
bers but about 200 Probably the number
killed and wounded is magnified by the large
number missing, who are probably wandering
through the woods. The number Of killed
and wounded is gradually decreasing. Six
hundred of the Zouaves have returned and
would furnish information regarding names,
but there is too much liability to mistake from
haste. 1t is now understood that Col. Wilcox
is alive, but badly wounded.
1t was known TO our troops at the time of
the battle yesterday, that johnson had formed
connection with Beauregard on the night of
the first action at Bulls Run. Our men could
hear the cars coming into Manassas Junction,
and the cheers with which the rebels hailed
their newly arrived comrades They knew
the enemy was our superior in numbers and
position. These facts are confirmed by pris-
oners, deserters, and spies, but were not prob
ably known at Washington. The officers in
leading their men into action, only obeyed or
ders.
VIGOROUS NOV EMENTs OF THE