The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-08-02

O'Clock be had driven them ont of the woods
and across the road which was the pr0loDg.
alton of that on which we stood. Here, by
the side Of their batteries, the rebels made
a stand. They planted their flag directly in
the road, and twice charged across it upon
our men, but without moving them an inch.
They were met by destructive fire, and
were compelled to fall still further back.
Gradually the point of fire passed farther
away, until the dense clouds OF smoke which
marked the progress of the combat were at
least half mile to the left of what had
been the central position Of the rebels.
1t was now ~ o'clock. I 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. AS passed up the road the balls and
she'll from the enemy began to fall with
more than usual rapidity. did not see the
point from which they came but meeting
Capt. Ayres, he said he was about to bring
up his battery, supported by the Ohio
Brigade, under Gen. Schenck, to repel a
rumored attempt of cavalry to 0uthank this
column. As went forward he passed down.
Gen. Schenck's brigade was at once drawn
up across the road, and Capt. Ayre's guns
were planted in 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 tremen-
dous effect. l went to Centreville, sent off
my despatch, and started with all speed to
return intending to 60 with our troops
upon what had been the hotly contested field,
never doubling for moment that it would
remain in their hands. 1 bad gone but
quarter of mile when we met
great number of fugitives, and our
carriage soon became entaDgled in
mass OF baggage wagons, the officer in
charge OF which told me it was useless
to 60 in that direction, as our troops were
retreating. Not credting the story which
was utterly inconsistent with what 1 had
seen but little while before. l continued
to push on. l soon met Qaartermaster
Stetson, of The Fire Zouaves, who told me
bursting into tears, that his regiment had
been utterly cut to pieces, that the Colonel
and Lieutenant Colonel were both killed and
that our troops had actually been repulsed.
| still tried to proceed, but the advancing
columns rendered it impossible, and turn
ed about. Leaving my carriage, went to
high point of ground and saw, by the
dense cloud of dust which rose over the
three roads by which the three columns of
the army had advanced, that they were all
On the retreat. Sharp discharges of cam
non in their rear indicated that they were
being pursued. l waited half an hour or
soto observe the troops and batteries as they
arrived, and then started for Washington.
AS came past the hill on which the seces-
siOnists had their entertainments less than a
week ago, saw our forces taking up po-
sItons TOR defence If they should be as
sailed.
hear nothing, on every side, but the
warmest and heartiest commentator OF our
troops. They fought like veterans. The
rebels did not, in single instance, stand
before them in charge, and were shaken
by every volley OF their musketry. do not
mean to praise any one at the expense of
another. The Goth New York Irish)
fought with splendid and tenacious cour-
age. They charged batteries two or three
times, and would have taken and held them
but for the reinforcements which were con.
stantly and steadily poured in. Indeed it
was to this fact alone that the comparative
success of the rebels is due. Wei had not
over 10000 men in action, the rest being
held behind as reserves at Centreville
while the enemy must have numbered at
least 10000.
About mile this side of Centreville
stampede took place among the transfers
and Others, which threw everything in the ut
most confusion, and inflicted some very Sc
rious injuries. Mr.. Eaton, of Michigan, in
trying to arrest the flight of some Of these
men, was shot by one OF them, the ball TAX
lug effect in bis hand. Quite number of
Senators and members of the House were
present at the battle.