Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-08-21
The Panic a, Manassas.

great deal has been said in the northern papers,
about the OF Ae panic and stampede OF the Grand
Army. One ascribed 1t to "ht lisu.ensnt," who got
scared before be was burt another 20 the transfers In
the rear another TO the regulars driving their anmu
milton wagons urousy through the volunteers another
TO the wonderful forecast Of the soldiers who beng en-
abed BY kind Providence to forssee that the "recor.
noissAnCs IN force would be attended with great o
.shdre= in good time another the arrival Of reinforce
the rebels This last is the grour assumed by
General hDoWe in substance though he does not assert
tin many words Others have fallen into this notion
and it has become quite prevalent at the south.
But what the fAesss General Porter, an eyewit-
and ACTOR ia the whole scene in his Official report to
headquarters, makes auslon any re-inforcemsns
dis army he thought had been gradually gaining ground
to certain hour; but suddenly murderous fire Of mus.
kerry and rides from infantry cut down every
nluer and many horses, and routed the Z'uaves al
Marines who fed 10 confusion The disorder spread and
the rout became general and irrepressible.
We copy the folio wing from Gen. Porters report:
The prestige Of success had thus far attended the e
tor OF our Inc Xperenced but gallant TROOPS. The lines
OF the enemy had been forciby shifted nearly mile to
their le and rear the hsgs Of eight regiments though
borne somewhat YEARLY. pointed towards the hill
hastily retiring Grifns and Ricketts, batteries
ordered BY the commanding general the top Of the hill
right supporting them with the Fire Zouaves and
marines while the Fourteenth entered the skirt of the
Wood on their right to protect that dInk and column
Of the Twentyseveuh New Ork and Eleventh and Fifth
Massachusetts Second Minnesota and Sx.y-ninth kew
York moved up towards the left flank Of the baueef;
but they were 10 position and before the fink
ing supports had reached them murderous fire OF mus
kerry and opened at sto range and cut dos every
HI ri Thu hraa
from some infantry Of the enemy which had been
mistaken for our own forces, an ofheer on the
ield having stated that il was . regiment sent by
COL Heutzelman 10 support the batteries The eysnes
courage Of the ZJulyes prompted them 70 hire
hundred Shots when they o,oke aud he'd leaving the
batteries open charge Of the enemys cavalry, which
took place Immediately The Marines also In spite Of
the exsrons Of their gallant officers, gave way In dis
order The Fourteenth on the right and the column on
the left hsstAtingy retired with the exception OF the
SIy-pinh and ThirIy,Dnth New York who nobly stood
aud returned the IRE OF theenemy for hteen minutes
soon the slopes behind Us were swarming with our
treating and disorgan zad forces while rderess horses
and artillery tesms furiousiy through the flying
crowd All further efforts futile. The words ges
and threats OF officers thrown away upon
who had lost s presence Of mind and only longed
tOr absence Of body Some Of notlest and best OFF
lost their lives Ia the trial to rally them upon
drst position. The Tsenty the first to rally
under the command Of Me- Bartlett and around il the
other regiments engaged aud collected their scat
cred fragments The battalion OF regulars in the
due moved steadily across the fields 10 the right and
TOOK up position where held the entire forces OF the
rebels In check until our forces somewhat rallied -
The commanding General then ordered retreat upon
CeutrevlIe At Ghe time directing me to cover IL
sith the battalion Of regulars ths cavalry and section
Of artillery.
Tue year guard thus organized followed our panic
stricken people TO Certrevle, resisting the attacks of
the rebel cavalry sud artillery aud saving them from the
Inevitable destruction which awaited them had not this
bolY been iutsrDOsei.