The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1861-08-01

side of the river, with reserve Of 10000
here in Washington, it is now ascertained
That there were not over 10000 on the held,
against 10000 of the enemy. In view Of
This odds an engagement yesterday was
premature. But our men urged on theii
officers, and officers in council with the su-
pcrior commander presented the same en-
thusiastic appeals for an onward movement.
But in fair open field fight, with these
odds against us, the rcsnlt would have been
Il glorious victory. This, however, was
not the mode of warfare adopted by the
enemy. They had chosen the ground. Ii
was carefully sclccicd, and waB comnoscd
of valleys and hills covered with forest
trees. The batteries were planted in vari-
ous positions, and so arranged that when
the front one should be silcnccd there was
another, and yet another in the rear, ready
td'opcn fire upon those who had succccdcd
in sjlcncing the guns in front They were
nearly all masked and their position could
not be discovered until they had opened fire.
Corrcspondcnceo Of the New York Herald.
There ia no doubt that the rebels were
actually rctrcating toward Manassas juno
ton at the very tine when our soldiers were
running towards Ccntcrvilc. The rein
forccmcnts from Manassas were probably
intended TO cover the retreat of the troops
that had been engaged in the action Long
before the panic on our side occurred, tie
wagon train Of the rebels was vending its
way from the fcl indicating their intcn-
ton to retire. This train was followed by
large bodies Of infantry, and it is probable
that if our men had stood their grom's
even fifteen minutes longer, they would
have had undisputcd possession Of the field.
IL is stated by n Nrginian, who come
from Manassas into our lines today. that
the order for the retreat of the rebels had
been already issued. 1t is evident that the
enemy did not Immediately understand the
movement on our side They thought Them
selves whipped, and the sudden retirement
of tEcir victots undoubtedly astonishcd
them. This is apparent from the fact that
no pursuit was attempted for any consider.
able distance.
DsA.The special Washington corrospon.
dent OF the Philadelphia LaqHirc, tolcgraphs:
Npprohend there is much truth in the
statement that the constcrnatjon that per
vadcj tho ranks of our Army on Sunday
last was produced by the tcamsters. II is
now believed that the tcamstcrs who pro-
duccd the excitement, and caused the retreat
were rebels not of The condition in life from
which such employees are usually selected
but men OF means and position in the South
who under u disguise, had deceived the
Government into employing them. In fact.
il was but a repetition Of the st. Nicholas
affair.
Several of the teamstcrs were in Wash
ington some time before they left for Confer
vile; and it is now remembered that littlc
child, residing in the house in which they
boarded, was several times the recipient of
rebel badges, and on one occasion of hand
ierchel barring upon it several rebel en-
blcms and devices.
a the time the presents were bcstomel
nothing was thought of it, the teomstcrs
being in the Government employ, but now
the facts are remembered.
| receive my information from good au
thority, and gave it, not only to show the
origin Of the panic, but also TO show what
risks the traitors to their country will incul
to further their licndish projects.