The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1861-08-02

the battery opened fire upon them. Sud
denly a masked battery about mile down
the road opcued heavy FIRE upon Rich
ardson's troops, doing some damage to the
cavalry, who were drawn up in line. The
Michigan infantry were then thrown out
into the woods to skirmish, bat were met
with terrific fire of musketry from un-
seen foes. The Massachusetts, and 18th
New York troops were then ordered into
the woods, the cavalry and howitzers at
the same time advancing to the fringe OF
the wood. A hot fire Of musketry here
met them, and at that moment another
masked battery in the rear opened upon
the troops on the road, and had not the
aim been too high, would have been most
/ destructive. Col. Richardson now per-
! ceiYing that he was in the midst of for
midable anbuscade, withdrew his men
from the woods. and the infantry fell in
behind the artillery which was posted on
the heights and kept up an incessant fire.
A reinforcement then came up from Cen
treyiIle, consisting of Col. Sherman's bri-
gade, with the New York Qrish) Goth in
advance, Gen. Tyler accompanying them.
Richardson, thus strengthened, again com
menced firing with his howitzers, and con-
tinued for an hour, the rebels responding
vigorously. Finding, however, that it was
impossible, under the circumstances and
with the force at lis command,to do more
than ascertain the strength of the enemy's
position and the nature of the ambuscade,
Col. Richardson withdrew bis men and
fell back on Centreyille.
The casualties on cur side amounted to
16 killed and 40 wounded. Thirteen
rebels were captured.
During the night the outer pickets Of
the Union camp at Centreville, were an
royed by continual firing at them. Cow
bells were used by the rebels as signals TO
indicate the position Of the sentinels.-
The tinkling Of the bells was sure to be
followed by discharge of musketry from
an unseen fee.
On the 10Th, Col. Richardson's brigade
marched short distance towards the
scene of the fight, it being ascertained
that the rebels had abandoned their first
battery. Gen Mcdowell had his head
quarters at Centreville, and the whole
army encamped within space of two
miles around.
On the Goth, Gen. Mcdowell, with por-
ton Of his forces. commenced an advance
movement towards Manassas Gap Railroad
leaving the Bulls Run batteries on the
left-for the double purpose Of at once
turning that position and cutting off Gen.
Johnston's army from all communication
with Beauregard's forces. II had been
found that the roads on the south side of
the rebel positions were almost impracti-
cable-that they were narrow, crooked
and stony, aud that it would be almost inn
possible to bring up enough artillery to be
effective in the time required to carry
their entertainments. The whole Of the
10Th had therefore been devoted to an ex-
animation by the Typographical engineers
of the Northern side of the position, and
Major Barnard and Capt. Whipple, who
had reconnoitred the place for miles
around, reported that the position could
be entered by path coming from the north
though it was somewhat long and cir
cuitous. This was selected, therefore, as
the mode and point Of attack.
On the goth, the troops were all brought
closely up to Centreville, and all needful
preparations were made for the attack
Next morning, therefore, at 8 O'Clock. a.
NJ, the Army marched-by two roads
Gel Richardson with his command taking
the southern which leads to Bulls Run,
and Gen. Tyler the Notwithstanding
parallel to it at distance of about mile
and half. Col. Hunter with his com,
mand, and Gen. Mcdowell and staff, after
going out about two miles Col Hunter
turned to the right marching obliquely
towards the Run, which he was to cross
some four miles higher up, and then come
down upon the intrenched positions OF the
enemy on the other side. COL Miles was
left a. Centreville and on the road, with
reserves which he was to bring up when
ever they might be needed. Gen. Tyler
went directly forward, to engage the enc
my in front, and send reinforcemerts to
Col. Hunter whenever i. should be seen
that he was engaged.
The northern road is hiIly, like all the
surface OF this section. After going out
about three miles, you come to point
down which the road, leadiug through
forest. desceuds then II procoaIs hv .