Smyrna times., 1861-07-25
Great Battle & Defeat.
THE FEDERAL TROOPS ROUTED.
Loss Estimated at $500.

federGI Troops Retreat in ConfusiOn-ReJei
Force from $4,000 to 100, 900 Men-Feder.
al Force about 80, ,000-Dauis, Beauregard
ana Lee IN the FIeld-ImmenSe Loss 81
PROVISIONS, Wagons, Horses, Guns and
AmmunitiOn-GreGt Suffering, dc.
WASHINGTON, July 22-After the latest in
formation was received from Contrevie, a,
haIf past o'clock, series of events took place
In the intensest degree disastrous
Many confused statements are prevalent. but
enough is known to warrant the statement that
terrible battle has been fought and we have
suffered in degree which has cast gloom over
lhe remnant OF the army and excited The deep.
est melancholy throughout Washington.
The carnage has been tremendously heavy
on both sides, and ours is represented as fright.
| full
we were advancing and taking the masked
batteries gradually, but surely, driving the
enemy toward Manassas Junction, when the
enemy seemed TO be reinforced by General
Johnson, and immediately CONNIE need driving
Us back, when panic among our troops sud.
denly occurred and regular stampede took
place.
II Is thought that Gen. Mcdowell undertook
10 make stand at or about Centreyille but
The panic was so fearful that the whole army
became demorallzed and it was impossible TO
check them either at Centrcyile or Fairfax
Court House.
beyond +alrfaX c. II. the retreat was kent
up until the men reached the regular encamp-
men's, portion Of whom returned to them, but
s'iiI larger portion coming inside Of the line
.! enrenchments.
~ large number of the troops in their retreat
tell on the wayside from exhaustion, and scat.
Tered along the entire route all the way from
Fairfax Court House. The read from Boil
Run TO Ccutrevle was strewcd with knaosacks
arms &c. Some Of the troops deliberately
threw away their guns and appurtenances, the
better 10 facilitate their travel.
Zen. Mcdowell was in the rear of the 70.
treat eXertng himself to rally his men, but
with only partial effect. The latter part Of
the army, it is said, made their retreat in rood
order.
1t is supposed that the forces sent against
our troops consisted, according TO prisoners
statement OF about 10000 men, including
large number Of cavalry. lie further saws
that owing TO the reinforcements from Rich
mond, Strawsburg and other points, the enc.
my's effective force was 90 600 men.
Such of the wounded as were brought 10
Cen'revi,le hospital were left there, after their
woun@s were properly dressed.
II firm stand had been taken at Cen,revilIe
which could not be accomplished, our troops
would baye been reinforced, and much disaster
prevented. Gen. Mcdowell was thus foiIed in
his we'll arranged plans.
1t is supposed that all the provision trains
belonging 10 the United States Government
were saved Some reglmental wagons were
overturned by accident or the wheels came off, .
and had therefore to be abandoned. LarGe
Groves ot cattle were saved by being driven
back in the advance of the retreat. Ii is spn. /
posed here that Gen. Mansfield will take com. |
mand OF the forilicatons on the other side of
the river, which are able il is said by military
engineers, to hold them against any force the
enemy may bring. Large rlted cannon and
mortars are being rapidly sent over and mount /
ed.
The troops are rcsuming the occupation OF
the tortlica tloLs and entertainments on the line
OF the Potomac.
Col. Morston ofa New Hampshire regiment,
reached Washagton th.s morning. lie was
wounded. Col. lIeIntzeImau was also wound
ed IN the wrist. Col. Wilcox and Capt. Nc
Cook. brother of Col. McCook, are reported
killed.
Washington this morning is in the most in
tense excitement. Groups are everywhere
gathered, lnqunlng the latest news. Wagons
are continually arriving, bringing dead and
wounded. Soldiers are relating to greedy lis.
teners the probable events of last night and
early this morning.
Both telegraphlc and steamboat communion
tioR with Alexandria are suspended to-day to
the public.
The greatest alarm exists throughout tho
city, especially among the female portion of
the population.
LATER.
WASHINGTON, July 22-l p. M.-The re-
port OF the killing of Col. Cameron, of the n.
York Seventy-nnth regiment Is confirmed.
Oar troops are scattered and in confusion,
with damaged artillery, wounded men and sol.
dIcrs half mead with fatigue, from Cenlrevile
to Alexandria.
Many of the dead and wounded are being
brought here, while still larger numbers are
coming into Alexandria.
A glooIn is hanging over Washington which
is lndescrlbabIe.
Two UNroN MEN HUNG IN MIssouRr.-N.
M D,,