Des Arc semi-weekly citizen., 1861-07-31

| lively held by the enemy was in a hollow to our left. and although an effort was undoubt- | edIv made to oVerreach us at the left, an am- nle force-one regimenta brigade-was ready i to receive them. and did receive and repuIse | them afterwards, in spite of the panic when reigned But at the beginning ef the retire. ment. a few ambulances and baggage wagons wereIdriven huriedly away, the noise st which | seemed te spread terror among the troops within hearing, who instantly broke ranks and ran. Dell mell. toward Centrevile.
 The fight continued until after , o'clock, without exhibiting any material result The | rebels had most decidedly the advantage in po- l sition and guns. and they used it with fearful 1 effect. The bravery of our troops was super ! human, but what bravery could meet the un- erring and unceasing cannon which came sweeping from almost every tree or heap of | brush Our men unmasked them, battery upon battery, only to find their lessened ranks, were unequal to the task A retreat was made by a New York regiment, and soon became 1 general In vain Gen. Mcdowell endeavored l to rally his forces. They retreated up the 1 Centreville road in good order until charged upon by the Secession cavalry and artillery, when they broke their lines and pushed to- wards Fairfax Court House in a disorderly column.
 fl iris rOntagion caught the rest, and in less l utmost disorder. Everything was abandoned. The wounded were deserted in he hospitals, i and the only thought was of individuals safe | ty. Guns were thrown aside, and blankets and knapsacs were lost and trampIed upon. The artillery shared the panic; the guns were cut loose, and the gunners used the horses to escape the more swiftly. Those on foot beg ged piteously to be allowed to share the horses of those who rode. Many stroVe to chamber into wagons and were pushed back by the bayonets of those who occupied them.
 The ground was streWed with food, wea- pons, and clothing of every kind Many of our guns were left to fall into the enemy's hands, including the large g pounders, which had done so much service during the fight. All courage, all manlineSs seemed to have for sazen our terror stricken men.
 The last stand upon the field was made by one of the Ohio regiments, under Col. Me l Cook, believe, but about three miles back 1 the reserve brigade of Gen. Benker was drawn up in line to cover the retreat, and ef 1 feet whatever service was needed. The stand of Gen. Blenker saved us from great losses.
 The disorder of our men continued during the night. There was no army, only vast rabbIe. By midnight they were all scattered 1 in the road to Fairfax Court House, and soon after, Gen. BIenker, with the 8th New York | Regiment, took up his retreat in perfect or der-the only body that so retreated left Centreyile at o'clock this morning. l The last fragments of our force had all been l long gone; even the hospitals were nearly de- serted, all who could limp having started forth with crutches and cane. The Rebel scouts were passing through the town, and appar- enty endeavOring to ascertain in which way they could best succeed in cutting off the strag- glers. 1 do not know, however, that any se- riou5 attemptto do this was made.
 The road from Centceville to Fairfax was thick with the retreat. Baggage wagons were overturned and the horses lying dead and dy- ing. Guns, ambulances, stores of provisions the inhabitants were plunderng our deserted baggage. Towards Arlington the evidences of the disgraceful retreat continued.
 ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE.
 It was now nearly D. m. and fire of musketry was incessanr for fifteen minutes, then it slacked, and thereupon cheers rent the air as an Aid came down the line with the in- telligence that we had gained their ground. At this time it was also currently reported that Gen Banks had arrived, having chased Johnston through the Gap. The soldiers re- ceived the intelligence with huzzas Several prisoners were captured, -one was q Captain from Louisville. He said that they had from 80,000 to 100000 men, and that Ja4F Davis com
 
 commanders of rightand left wings
 He was particularly jubiant over the ex- pected result though prisoner He had no doubt of the final issue of the battle
 Carlisle was ordered ill front of Schenck's Brigade, which stood in the road. Carlisle opened fire, which was replied to by the ene- my. Sherman's four pieces moved down, but had no room to come in position. The firing was kept up at intervals The enemy threw a hall it1Jith o;.i.o l. of the Ohio men and wounded two others
 The remainder of Ttler's coumn had, by this time, moved further out upon the enemy's grounds, and the cannonade ahead recom- menced, followed, as before, by yolleys of musketry. At 3 o'clock it was very heavy. The attack on the defense on the right was at ! this time conducted with great energy. Passing to an elevation in the rear of Schenck's brigade, wide view was obtained A mile or two in the rear of Burnside, 1 could see cloud of dust. What could it mean? h. quiries gave no satisfaction. Also in the same direction, mass of infantry were in view. Not liking the appearance of things, return ed to the left flank.
 There were baggage wagons, private car riages, ambuances, artillery wagons and crowds of men fleeing in indiscriminate con fusion, all crowding across the bridge at Cub Creek or passing through it. Half way up tue hlIl, toward CenCreVllle, the troops were forming. line of skirmishers were thrown , out Behind them were the Garibaldians, Be- yond was Miles, reserve.
 Then commenced the retreat of the baggage train, and the unwarranted destruction of pro- perty which followed. Soon after the two re- giments, which had been stationed at Vienna. 1 came up and materially aided in the subsequent retreat to Fairfax.
 The first intimation Gen. Schenck's Brigade had of the cavalry charge was the reception