Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-07-26

nearly the whole day. The Sixty Ninth, Sew.
enty. Ninth, Second and Eighth New YoIk-l
the First, Second and Third Connecticut, and
the Second wisconsin were brought forward IN
advance Of the wood and msrched across the
field to the hight, to 90 to Col. Hunters sup
port. They crossed the intervening stream and
drew up ina small open field, separated from
Col Hunters column by d dense wood, which
was filled with batteries and infantry. Our
guns continued to play upon the woods
which thus concealed the enemy, and aided
materially In clearing them for the advance.
Gong down to the extreme front of the column,
could watch tho progress of Col. Hunter, mark
ed by tue constant roar of artillery and the roll
oil musketry, as he pushed the rebels back from
point to point. At o'clock he had driven them
out OF the woods and across the road which was
the prolongation of that on which we stood
Here, by the side of their batteres, the rebels
made stand. They planted their flag directly
IN the road, and twice charged across it upon our
men, but without moving them an inch, They
we're met by destructive FIRE, and were COM
PEELED to fall still further back. Gradually the
point of fire passed further away, until the dense
clouds OF smoke which marked the progress of
the combat were at least half o mile to the
lett OF what had been the central position of the
rebels.
1t was now ~ o'clock. was at the advanc
ed point Of the front of our column, some hun
dred 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 send
ing you my dispatch. As passed up the road
the balls and shell from the enemy began to fall
with more than usual rapdity. i did not see the
point from which they came; but meeting Capt.
Ayres, he said he was about to bring up bis
battery, supported by the Ohio Brigade, under
/ Snhnnak 70 q
cavalry to outfank this column. AS went for
ward he passed down. Gen. Schenck g Brigade
was at once drawn up across the road, and Capt.
Ayres's guns were planted in knoll at the left,
when powerful body Of rebels, with heavy
battery, came down from the direction of Bull's
Run, and engaged this force with tremendous
effect. l went to Centreville, sent of my dis
patch, and started with all speed to return-in-
tending to go with our troops upon what had
been the botly contested field. never doubling
for moment that it would remain in their
hands. ! had gone but quarter Of a mile
when we met great number Of fugitives, and
our carriage soon became entangled in a mass
OF baggage wagons, the officer in charge oil
which told me IL was useless to 90 in that di
rection, as our troops were -retreating. No
crediting the story, which was utterly inconsis
tent with what had seen but little while be
=
! ter Master Stetson, of the Fire zouaves, VIII
! told me, bursting into tears, that his regimen
! had been oil cut TO pieces, and that the Colone
and Lieutenant Colonel were both killed, an,
that our troops had actually been repulsed.
still tried TO proceed, but the advancing col
. umn rendered it impossible, and / turne
about Leaving my carriage, went to 0 hig
i point OF ground and saw, by the dense cloud o
: dust which rose over each Of the thre
: . roads by which the three columns Of tn
J army had advanced, that they were al
: on ihe retreat. Sharp discharges of can
non In their rear indicated that they were bein
= pursued. waited half an hour or 30, to OBJ
!. serve the troops and batteries as they arrived
! and then started for Washington, to send m
: dispatch and write this letter. As came pas
the hill on which the secessionists had their in
!, trenchments less than week ago, / saw ou
I forces taking up positions for defense If the
= : should be assailed. ,s. - r.-. -i.ra
; Such Is q very rapid and general history 0
= yesterdays engagement. l am unable to b
:, precise or proiuee in matters of detail, an
? / must leave these to future letter. OF
h i hear nothing, on every side, but the warn
, est and heartiest c0mmendation of our troops
! They fought like veterans. The rebels did no
- In single instance, stand before them in
!. charge, and were shaken by every volley
r. their musketry. do not mean to praise an
"a one at the expense of another. The Sixt
= Ninth fought with splendid and tenacious oou
n age. They charged batteries two or thrt
% times, and would have taken and held them b'
!, . for the reinforcements which were constant
and steadily poured in. Indeed it ,oas to h
i fact alone that the comparative success of Il
!, - rebels is due. We had not over $4,000 men
action, the rest being held behind as reserves
n Centreville; while the enemy must have nun
= bered at least $4,000.
= The Fire Zouaves, before they had fairly q
a into action, were terribly cut up by battel
a and by musketry, which opened on their fan
They lost great many of their officers ar
!. men. i. --I-
a Col. Hunter, WHO led the main column of q
ts tack, received severe wound in bis throat;
Ia was brought to this city, but understand th
a. he cannot recover, il indeed he is not alreat
n dead. | have heard the names of many othe
"A reported killed or wounded, but deem it be
N not to mention them now, as the rumors m
=. prove to be unfounded. ...-.. g.s.
40 About mile this side Of Centreville,
~ stampede took place among the teamsters al
ID others, which threw everything into the utmo
al confusion, and inflicted some very serious mi
re ries. Mr.. Eaton, of Michigan, in trying to .
+, rest the fight of come of these men, was sh
nd by one of them-the ball taking effect In
cd hand. Quite number of Senators and mel
ss bers Of the House were present at the battle.
ut shall be able tomorrow to ascertain I
No cause Of the retreat of Col. Hunters colun
Of after the splendid success IL achieved. l wou
n gladly, though in the face of evidence unab
cd believe what is rumored here, that this coluI
nd did indeed hold its ground, and that the retire
n was confined to the other columns. fear d
.ea will not prove 10 be the fact H. J. r.
IN -