The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-08-02

4
gagod. Tho firing was now incessanf.
Hunter had como upon them srddonly. and
formed bis line of baltic in an open field, at
the right OF tho road. Tho onomy drew up
to oppose him, but he speedily drove them
to retreat, and followed them up with the
greatest vigor and rapidity. Meantime, for
somo thrco hours previous. wo had soen
long lines OF donso dust rising from the
roads leading from Manassas, and with tho
glass wo could very clearly perceive that
ihoy wcro raised by tho constant and steady
| stream OF roinfOrcomonts, which continued
to pour in nearly the whole day. Tho Six.
ty-Ninth, Seventy. Ninth. Second and Eighth
Now HUrk--tho First, Second and Third
Connecticut. and the Second Wisconsin.
woro brought forward in advance of the
wood, aud marched ncross tho field 20 tho
right, TO go to Col. Hunters support. They
crossed tho intervening stream and drew up
in small open field, separated from Col
hunters column by donso wood, which
was filled with batteries and infantry.
Oar guns continued to play upon the
wo"ds.which thus concealed tho onemy, ana
aided materially in clearing them for the
advance. Going down to the oxtromo front
o: tho column, | could watch tho progress
OF Col. Hunter, marked by tho constant
! 'O" Va anu tUO TOll OI nutkDtfy, as
ho pushed the robels back from point 20
point. At o'clock no had driven thom out
of tho woods and across tho road which was
the proongatou of that on which We stood.
Here, by tho sido of their batteries, the
rebels made stand. Thoy planted their
flag directly in tho road. and twice charged
across i. .upon our men. but without moving
thom on inch. They wero met by de-
structivo fire, and wero compelled to fall
still further back Gradually the point of
| fire passed further AWAY, until tho donso
clouds of smoke which marked tho progress
OF tho combat woro at least half milo to
tho loft of what had been tho central posi-
| ton of tho rehels.
l. was now ~ o'clock. ! was at tho nd.
vancod point of tho front of our columns
some hundred rods beyond tho woods, in
which tho few troops then there were
drawn up. whom decided 10 drive back to
tho town for tho purpose of sonding you my
dispatch. As Ipassed Up the road tho balls
| aud shell from tho enemy began to fall with
moro than usual rapidity. | did not soc
tho point from which they camo; but meet.
ing Capt. Ayers, he said he was about to
bring up Ills battery, supported by the Ohio
Brigade, under Gen. Schonck, to Tepel
rumored attempt of cavalry to outilank tho
column. As won't forward ho passed
down. Gen. Schcnck's brigade was at
once drawn up across the road, nnd Capt.
Ayrcs' guns were planted in knoll at the
left. when powerful body of rebels, with
heavy battery, came down from the direc-
tion OF Bulls Run, and engaged tho force
with tremendous effect. l went to Cen.
terville, sent off my dispatch, and started
with all speed to return--intendi.g to 60
! epl In fatNR II.
ho'ly contested fold, never doubling for q
moment that 1t would remain in their hands
| had gono but quarter of milo when we
mot great number of fugitives, and our
| carriago soon became entangied in q mass
OF baggage wagons, the officer in charge OF
which told me it was useless to 90 in that
direction, as our troops wore retreating,
Not creditinE tho story. which was utterly
inconsistent with what had soon but q lit.
:lo while before continued to push on. !
soon met Quartormaster Stetson, Of the
Fire L"uavos. who told me, bursting into
tears, that his regiment had been utterly
cut to pieces; that tho Colonel and Leuton
ant were both killed and that our troops
had actually beon ropulsed. | still tried 10
proceed, but the advancing columns ron
dered it impossible, and l turned about.
Leaving my carriage, went to- high point
of ground. and saw by tho dense cloud of
dust which rose over each of tho throo roads
by which the thrco columns OF the Army
had advanced, that :hey wero all on tho re-
treat. Sharp discharges of cannon in their
roar indicated that thoy were being pur.
sued. l waited half an hour or so, to OBJ.
sorve the troops and batteries as they ar
rived, and then started for Washington, to
sond my dispatch and writo this letter. As
| passed. tho hill on which tho secessionists
had their entrenchments less than week
ago, saw our forces taking up positions
for defense if they should bo assailod.
Such is very rapid and general history
OF yesterdays engagement. am unable to
be precise or profuse in matters or detail,
and must leave these to future letter.
hoar nothing, on every side, but the
warmest and heartiest commendation of our
troops. They fought like veterans. The
rebels did not, in u single instance, stand
before thom in a charge, and were shaken
by every volley of their musketry. do
not mean to praise any ono at the expense
Of another. Tho Sixty ninth fought with
splendid and tenacions courage. Thoy
charged batteries two or three times, and
would have taken and held them but for
tho re;nforcoments which were constantly
and steadily poured in. Indeed, il tOds 10 |
his fact alone that the comparative success
of tho rebels is due. We had not over
10000 mon In action, the rest being held
behind as reserves at Centervlle while the
enemy must hnvo numbered at least 60. 600. |
The Fire IOuavos, before thoy had fairly
got into action, were terribly cut up by a
battery and by muskotry, which oponod on
their flank. They lost o great many of
their officers and mon.
Col. Hunter, who led the main column of
attack, received a sevoro wound in his
throat; he was brought to this city, but
understand that no cannot recover, if in
decd no is not already dead. have heard
tho namos of many others reported killed
or wounded, but doom it best not to mon-
ton them now, as the rumors may prove to
be unfounded.
About mile this side Of Contorvillo q
stampede took place among the toamsters
and Othors, which threw everything into tho
utmost confusion, and inflicted somo very
serious injuries. Mr. Eaton, of Michigan,
in trying to arrest the fight of some OF
these men, was shot by one of them-the
ball taking effect in his hand. Quito a
number of Senators and members Of the
House were present at tho baltic.
i shall be able to ascertain tomorrow tho
cause Of tho retreat of Col. Hunters col
umn after the splendid success it achieved.