Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-09-19
THE NORTHERN ACCOUNT Of TIE
II us u

AHE NOHBbEHR OE HE
SKEk MISH at EWINSVILLEs
We have already had telegraphie report of
this affair, but we give the following northern
accounts which must be taken with conside-
rate allowance for Yankee exaggeration:
OFFICIAL DISPATCH OF GEN. MCCLELLAN.
Gen. McClellan's dispatch to the Secretary OF
War, in regard to the 7kirnish, is remarkably
brief. He merely saws that Gen. Smith made
a Reconnaissance, WITH 1000 men, to Lewinsville,
remained several hours, and completed the ex-
animation of the ground. When their work
was completed, and The Omman had started
back, the ensSEy opened fire withs shells, by
which two men were killed and three wounded.
Grifin's battery, be says, silenced that Of
the enemy, and our men came back in perfect
order and excellent spirits. The men behaved
most admirably under fire. He concludes by
Tsmarking awe shall have no more Bull Run
affairso
The Washington Slar has the following
account Of the affair:
Yesterday "wednesday morning at seven
O'Clock, in pursuance Of orders, a TecOnnOiter-
Ing party OF about two thOUsana infantry,
between eighty and ninety volunteer cavalry,
and Grifin's United Suites light battery,
started, under Col. Stevens, Of the New York
18Th, from the camps In the vicinity of Chain
Bridge, and proceeded l~eisuTely up the Lees
burg turnpike. They advanced as far as Lew
iRsville-seyen miles-witbOut seeing any
thing OF the enemy, whose pickets fed before
them. On the way, however, they were IN
formed that the enemy's picket guard expected
to return with sufficient reinforcements TO cut
them off.
Lieut.. Poe, Of the Typographical engineers,
executed his orders 10 obtain a correct sketch
Of the country reconnoitered, using plane
table to that end.
On their return they were opened on from
the wood and a corn field to their right and
left, with artillery and musketry, though the
foe engaged kept concealed throughout the
sklrnIsh. The two forces were between
eighteen hundred and two thousand wards apart
during all Of fbe firing. No muskstry was
fired By the Union troops-Grifin's battery
being alone actually engaged on our side. The
enemy's battery consisted OF two rifle guns,
throwing HotchkisE shells, and two 6 Founders,
the rihed guns being heavier than those OF
Capt. Grifin's. A 81 FOUNDER was sent after
the force, but did not get up with Col Stevens
until after Grifin bad completely silencsd the
enemy's guns, when a single she'll thrown bv
it caused the eRemy's c~avslry, between seven
hundred and . thousand strong, Chat made
their appearance ia the rear Of our forces, a.
though disposedto dispute the way with them,)
to scamPer otf-scstteribg in all directions,
It ia not known whether snv Of their cavalry
were killed nor, indeed, whether any Of the
enemy were killed, as from first to lat DoDe
Of their infantry or artillery we're seen by any
OF the force under Col. Stevens. The fact that
the snemy's battery wss silenced, and the cd
sagement given up by him, is, however, strong
circunstsntial evidence on which to found the
impression that be met with more or less loss.
Persons residing in the vicinity brought to
our camps last night reliable information that
the force Of the enemy engaged consisted IF
two regiments OF infantry and StusrL's rsgi-
ment of Virginia cavalry, with A single bat
teTy-four pieces-of artillery, that was hur-
ried forward 70 the end Of cutting of Col. Ste
vens' force on its return.
The troops under Stevens consisted OF Sc
lectsd portions Of the Vermont 81, the New
York 18Th, the Indiana Oh, (Col. Meredith's,)
with a few other Embellishments Of infantry
from other regiments.
The purpose Of sending out this force was
not to bring on a general engagement, but to
obtain certain Information, which was OBJ
tanned Before the force faced about to returns;
shortly after which the attack began.
We learn from headquarters that our loss
wss one, actually killed on the field, one died
in a short time, FIVE desperately and five slight
ly wounded. All our wounded and killed were
brought away, with the sirgls exception Of
one man too badly wounded TO be moved, who
was left at a farm house to be cared for.