Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-07-25
Reorganization of the Army.
ZEN. MCCLELLAN M COMMAND.
Another Battle in
Missouri.
WASHINGTON, Monday July %, 1861.

After the latest information was received
from CentreVlle at I II o'clock last night, a
series of events took place in the intensest de-
gree disastrous Many confused statements
are prevalent, but enough is known to war
rant the statement that we have suffered in
degree which has cast gloom over the rem
nants of the army and excited the deepest
melancholy throughout Washington.
The carnage is tremendously heavy on both
sides, and on ours it is represented as fright
fnl. We were advancing and taking their
masked batteries gradually, but surely, and
driving the enemy toward Manassas Junction,
when the enemy seemed to have been re-en-
forced by Gen. Johnston, who, it is under
stood, took command and Immediately COM
menced driving us back, when panic among
our troops suddenly occurred and a regular
stampede took place.
It is thought that Gen. Mcdowell under
took to make a stand at or about Centrevile,
but the panic was so fearful that the whole
army became demoralized and it was mposs-
BILE to check them, either at Centreville 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
the object.
Beyond Fairfax Court-Ho the retreat
was kept up until the men reached their regu-
Tar encampmcnts, portion of whom returned
to them, but still larger portion coming in
side the intrenchments.
A large number OF the troops in their re
treat fell on the wayside from exhaustion, and
scattered along the route all the way from
Fairfax Court House.
The road from Bulls Run was strewed with
knapsacks arms, &c. Some of our troops de-
liberately threw away their guns and appurte-
nances the better to facilitate their travel
Gen. Mcdowell was in the rear of the re-
treat, exerting himself to rally bis men, but
only with partial effect.
The latter part of the army, it is said, made
their retreat in order.
He was completely exhausted, having slept
hut little for three nights. His orders. on the
field did not all times reach those for whom
they were intended.
1t is supposed that the forces sent out
against or troops, consisted, according to
prisoners statement, of about 10000 men,
including large nnmber OF cavalry He
further says that owing 10 reinforcement b,
from Richmond, Strawsbug and othet points,
The panic was so great that the attempt
to rally them to stand at CenterviIle was
entirely in vain. If firm stand had been
made there, our troops could have been re-
enforced and much disaster prevented. Gen.
Mcdowell was thus foed in his we'll arrang-
ed plan.
longing to the United States Government
overturned by accident or the wheel came of,
and had therefore to be abandoned Large
droveS of cattle were saved by being driven
back in the advance of the retreat.
An officer just from Virginia 90 30) re-
ports that the road from Centervle to the
Potomac is strewed with stragglers The
troops are Eesuming the occupation of the
Notifications and intrenchmentS on the line
of the Potomac The following is an account
of the Inauguration of the panic which has
resulted so diSaStrously to our troops. 1t re-
ceives unusual interest from the subsequent
events
All our military operations went swimming
ly on, and Col. Alexander was about erecting
pontoon across Bulls Run. The enemy We re
seemingly in retreat, and their batteries being
unDasked, one after another, when a terrific
CONSERVATION broke out among the teamsiers
who had incautiously advanced Immediately
after the body of the army and lined the War
renton road.
Their CONSERVATION was shared in by nu-
merous civilians who were on the ground, and
for time it seemed as if our whole army was
in retreat Many baggagewagons were empti-
ed, and their horses galloped across the open
fields, all the fences of which were torn down
to allow them more rapid retreat. For a
time a perfect panic prevailed, which com.
municated itself to the vicinity of Centreville,
and every available conveyance was seized up
on by agitated civilians. Wounded soldiers
cried on the roadside for assistance, but the
alarm was so great that numbers were passed
by.
Several similar alarms occurred on previous
occasions, when change of batteries render
ed the retirement of the artillery on our part
necessary, and it is most probable that the
alarm was owing to the same fact.
The reserve force at CentreVille was i'm
mediately brought Up, and marched in double
quick step in the following order:
Col. EinstenS 9th Pennsylvania Regiment
with two guns.