Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-07-31

, an inch. They were met by destructive
y fire, and were compelled to fall still firthe
}. back. Gradually the point of fire passed
e still further away. until the clouds o
c smoke which marked the progress of thC
: the combat were at least half mile to the
S left of what had been the central position
2 of the rebels.
1t was now D o'clock was at the
advanced point of the front of our column,
some hundred rods beyond the woods, in
which the few troops then there were
drawn up, when decided to drive back to
the town, for the purpose of sending you
my dispatch. AS passed up the road
the balls and she'll from the enemy began
to fall with more than usual rapidity. l
did not see the point from which they
came: but meeting Capt. Ayres, he said
he was about to bring up his battery, sup
ported by the Ohio Brigade, under Gen.
Schenck, to repel rumOred attempt of
cavalry to outhank this column. As
went forward he passed down. Gen.
Schenck's Brigade was at once drawn up
across the road, and Capt Ayres' guns
were planted in a knoll at the left when a
powerful body of rebels with heavy bat
terry, came down from the direction of Bulls
Run, and engaged this force with tremend-
Gus effect. l went to Centreville, sent off
my dispatch, and started with all speed to
return-intending to 60 with our troops
upon what had been the hotly contested
field, never doubling for a moment that it
would remain in their hands. had gone
but a quarter of mile when we met
great number of fugitives, and our car
riage soon became entangled in mass of
baggage wagons, the officer in charge Of
which told me it was useless to 60 in that
direction, as our troops we're retreating.
Not crediting the story, which was utterly
inconsistent with what | had seen but !
little while before, continued to push on. !
L soon met Quartermaster Stetson of the I
Fire Zouaves, who told me, bursting into
tears, that his Regiment had been utterly
cut to pieces, that the Colonel and Lieu
tenant Colonel were both killed, and that
our troops had actually been repulsed
l still tried to proceed, but the advanc-
ing columns rendered it impossible, and l 1.
turned about. Leaving my carriage, l
went to a high point of ground and saw,
by the dense cloud of dust which rose over
zach Of the three roads by which the three
columns of the Army had advanced, that
hey were all on the retreat. Sharp dis
'harges of cannon in their rear indicated
hat they were being pursued. l waited
lalf an hour or so, to observe the troops !.
md batteries as they arrived, and then
tarted for r-M ashington. to send nv dis
'atch and write this letter. As I came
'ast the hill on which the Secessionists :.
ad their intrenchments less than week
60, saw our forces taking up positions
OF defence if they should be assailed.
Such is a very rapid and general history q q
t yesterdays engagement 1 am unable !,
be precise or profuse in matters of de- >
all, and must leave these to future let IL
er.
hear nothing on every side, but the
Tarmest and heartiest concentrations of
ur troops. They fought like veterans.
he rebels did not in a single instance,
tand before them in a charge, and were
laken by every volley of their musketry.
do not mean to praise any one at the ex- ht
ense of another. The Sixty-ninth fought in
nth splendid and tenacious courage. They te
larged batteries two or three times, and G.
ould have taken and held them but for or
le reinforcements which were constantly L,
curing in. Indeed it was to this fact T,
one that the comparative success of the C;
'bels is due. We had not over 26. 600 an
en in action, the rest being held behind in
reserves at Centreville; while the enc co
y must have numbered at least GO,OOO. ri,
The Fire Zouaves before they had fair. tic
got into action, were terribly cut up by of
battery and by musketry, which opened a
their flank. They lost great many of di.
eir officers and men. taI
Col. Hunter who led the main column bo
attack, received a severe wound in his NJ
roati he was brought to this city, but L plt
lderstand that he cannot recover, if in pa
ed he Is not already dead. Ihave heard to
e names of many others reported killed m;
wounded, but deem it best not to men,
'n them now, as the rumors may prove Po
be unfounded A.,
About mile this side of CentrevilIe a be,
lmPede took place among the tcamsters VII
ID others, which threw everything into me
e utmost confusion, and inflicted some sto
ry serious injuries. Mr.. Eaton, of Mich on
an, In trying to arrest the fight of some pli
these men, was shot by one of them en-
e ball taking effect in the hand. Quite ine
number Of Senators and members of the of
'use were present at the battle. val
shall be able to ascertain to- o-morrew lea
: cause of the retreat of Col. Hunters Tn
umn after the splendid success it a. is
eved. l would gladly. though in the mo
e of evidence unable, believe what is ru-
red, here, that this column did indeed tho
d its ground, and that the retreat was sid
lfned to the other columns. fear this thr
u not prove to be the fact. of
H. ]. r. Iro