The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-08-09


Federal Treasury will lose thousands.
Two miles beyond Centrevile the retreat
ing column was again thrown into confusion
by shells falling into their midst, and the
artillery and cavalry accelerating their
speed, heedlessly rushed through, and no
doubt over, our own men-leaviDg cloud
of dust to mark their rapid progress. Our
column scattered again into the woods, and
an engagement took place with our rear,
which lasted but short time, and resulted
10 the death of one man on our side. The
enemy did not pursue US farther, as we as
certained next morning after passing the
night in the woods. The main body marched
on and Ealted at their encampments 10 and
around Centreville for couple OF hours.
Here Col. German was seen for the first
time after marching US into the battle field,
his boosted bravery not being observed by
any one-and bis voice, so bold and COM
mauding on dress parade, was either
drowned in the roar and noise Of the battle
field, or else he must haze kept himself at a
safe distance. l have good authority for this
statement-authority that can be suhstan.
tiated by evidence. Lieut.. Col. Miller,
however, was very active in ralying us,
pointing to the Stars and Stripes, and call
irg on US to justify the fond expectations
which Minnesotians have placed in our
Regiment. He was 10 the thickest of the
fight, and Minnesota should justly acknowl.
edge bis bravery.
After lapse of about two hours, the
retreatiDg column again took up the line of
march through Fairfax to their former en-
campments in Alexandria and Georgetown.
A part of our regiment is eDcamped in
Washington. Most of those who were left
exhausted along the line, have come here.
Stragglers still continue to come in-yester-
day quite number arrived. learn that
four hundred OF the Minnesota First are
encamped at Washington. A few of our
men are in the Alexandria Hospital. 1t is
impossible to give you any reliable infor-
nation as to the number of our dead and
wounded, as yet; but as soon as l can as.
certain it, to any degree of certainty, the
statistics shall be Immediately forwarded to
you. . .Y..~ .....-. .. 2
The telegraph makes some desparaging
and unjust statements about our regiment,
which presume some reporter innocently
made up from unreliable camp rumors-
which are as numerous as they are uurelia-
BILE. Thus l find in this mornings Balti.
more Clipper the following:
The panic was commenced in light battery
commanded by a fat lieutenant. He was pro-
ceedlng under orders to faux one OF the enc
mys batteries, when detachment of their
cavalry made dash at them. Instead of an.
hmbering and essaying to receive the charge
with grape or canls'er, he turned and Instantly
fled. leaving two of his pieces Gu the field.
The Second Connecticut and the Minnesota
COT Gen. Schenck's brigade, which were ex-
posed o the fire of the battery which the fat
lieutenant had started to fank) then broke and
that the panic Was communicated in all d..
rectiOEs.
The above is but condemnation of mis-.
statements. The first statement about the
battery is an evident absurdity. II the "fat
lieutenant" was not "unlimbering to receive
the charge with grape or canister" how
could he &c leave two pieces on the field"
Secondly, the Minnesota regiment does not
belong to Gen. Schencks brigade, and we
did not "break and run into the bushes" be.
fore the proper order was communca-
ted through the proper officers, and then
simultaneously with the Fire Z,uaves (who
always receive so much praise) and the whole
column. 1t is base SANDER on the Mime
sofa First, every man of which fought side
by side with the Z)uaves, whose bravery is
universally acknowledged. ..
According to the telegraph reports, the
enemy's force at Bulls Run was 100000,
while ours is set down at % 900, which lat
ter numoer is by many considered exagger-
ated. l learned from some volunteers who
formed the reserve force that there were
number of regiments not called into the
field at all and when taken into considera.
tion that the enemy bad the advantages of
strOug Notifications and masked batteries,
acting as they did on the defensive, how
could we look for any other result than a
dsgracelul rout, acting as we did on the
aggressive.
There is considerable tax among the
boys of trophies taken during the engage.
ment, while some have taken prisoners, some
secession figs, some pistols revolvers and
other implements of war, g., &C..
Considerable excitement exists AMONG tho
soldiers and Others as to the probab BILE at.
tack on Washington, or retakiug Alexan.
dria, but rather think the enemy will have
enough to do to bury their dead and nurse
their wounded. If they had not force enough
to send out from Bulls Ran tn head no "a