The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-10-04

OUT A BATTLE--DEPLORABLE BLUM
DER AND LOSS OF LIFE.
WASHINGTON, Sept. Establishments
from Generals Richards, Reyes, and
Wadsworth's brigades, and also from Gene
raj Franklin's division, are now occupying
Munson's Hill.
Early this A. NJ. the pickets from General
Smiths division advanced to and now oc~
cupy Falls Church. Neither this nor the
| preceding movements met with any opposl-
ton whatever, as the rebel army had on
Friday night retired from the whole line OF
their position on the line of Washington.
Upton's Hill, this side OF Falls Church,
is necessarily included among the points
now held by the Federal forces.
The positions at Munson's and Murray
! Hills afforded the rebels unobstructed views
of all our Notifications and other delences.
There were no signs to show that they had
ever mounted any guns there.
Our troops are now employed so as to
show that they do not merely intend to
temporarily occupy their present positions.
The advance of General Smith upon
Falls Church from Chain Bridge was ac-
companied by events of the most deplorable
character.
By some unaccountable blunder, Colonel
Owens Irish Philadelphia regiment, in the
darkness of the night, mistaking for rebels
Captain Molks' battery, which was in ad
vance, sustained by General Bakers Cali
forria regiment, Baxter's Philadelphia
Zouaves and Colonel Friedman's Cavalry,
fred full volley into the troops last men-
toned, killing and wounding large mum.
bers.
The Colonel of the regiment, not knows
ing whence the firing came, returned it
with marked effect. The horses attached
to Molks' battery became unmanageable,
and the tongues of two carriages were bro
ken, owing to the narrowness of the road.
Lieut.. Bryant, having command of the
first section, ordered the guns to be loaded
with grape and canister, and soon had
them in range of the supposed enemy,
word was sent him that be was in company
| OF friends.
Ali was excitement, and long time
elapsed before the actual condition of affairs
was ascertained and confidence re-establish.
ed. Several were killed and large numbers
wounded. Our troops while occupying the
ground vacated by the enemy, have burned
houses and destroyed property to consider
able amount. This will be investigated, as
Gen. Mcclellan strongly condemned it.
The whereabouts of the enemy have not
been discovered. Their pickets are dis.
cernible at distant points. The most prob-
able theory is that the rebels are making a
feigned retreat, as they did previous to the
battle of Bull Run, with the view of draw.
ing our troops into ambuscades. Their
encampments show that they had at no time
over 10000 men in front of Washington.
/ REBELS AGE ABOUT TO CROSS THE PO-
T0MAC ABOVE AND BELOW WASH
INGT0N.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 29.-There was
long session OF the Cabinet to day. Gen.
/ Mcclellan was present.
Our pickets at Chain Bridge are gradu.
ally advancing and forcing the enemy slows
| ly toward Falls Church. The enemy is in
great force there. Munsons and Mason's
| Hill have been evacuated by the rebels,
and, together with Upton's Hill, are now
occupied by our troops in large force, under
Gen. Mcdowell.
The rebels have retired about four miles
back. All rebel entertainments fronting Ar.
lington are abandoned and are now occu
pied by federalists. 1t is reported that
| Johnston, with 27,000 troops, is moving
from Leesburg towards the river, and the
rebels are pushing large forces towards the
ferries In the neighborhood of PoOlsvilIe,
and down the river towards Aqua Creek
Indications are that they will cross the river
| Immediately.
Weather is cold, and prisoners state that
the rebels are suffering from it.
WASHINGTON, October 30.-A special
dispatch to the Post says that our troops
across the Potomac are in fine spirits TO,
day. General Mcclellan is evidently tax.
ing such precautions as to ensure the suc-
cess of any future movements that he NAV
make. The prominent positions at Mum
sons Hill, Falls Church and Upton's Hill,
which were so suddenly evacuated by the
enemy, have been strengthened by large
bodies of Federal troops
1t is believed here that the rebel forces
are concentrated between Aqua Creek and
Manassas Junction, with their right wing
on the Potomac.
A messenger who has just arrived here
from the Chain Bridge, brings report that
the enemy are in strong force at Leesburg,
and that the entire army has been divided,
one division having taken position above