The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1861-07-25

WASHINGTON, July q, 1861. 9 PM
The following dispatch from an officer has
been received:
FAIRFAX STATION, $50 P M.-The
enemy accepted battle in full force. A
great battle has been fought. The day is
ours. The enemy totally routed. Great
loss on both sides. | am on the way 10
Washington with full details.
WAsHINGToN, Monday, July 22.-Our
troops, after taking three batteries and
gaining a great victory, were eventually
repulsed and commenced retreat on
Washington.
Tne retreat is in good order with the
rear well covered by good column.
The Notifications around Washington
are strongly reanfoIced by fresh troops,
1t is reported that late yesterday after
noon, after the Rebels had been driven
from their storgholds at the Run, they
were re enforced by Gen. Johnston's
forces, when the Union army was attacked
and driven in disorder from the ground.
The Rebel army numbered 10000.
Gen. Mcdowell was in the rear of the
retreat, exertiDg himself to rally his men,
but only with partial effect.
The latter part of the, army it is said,
made their retreat in good order.
1t is supposed that the force sent out
against our troops, consisted, according
to prisoners statement, Of about 10000
men, including a large number Of cavalry.
lie further says that owing to reinforce
ments from Richmond, Skaweseing and
Jrher points, the enemy's effective force
was 10000 men
WASHINGTON, Monday, July @, 1861
-Tne retreat of the Federal troops yes
terday, was one of these extraordinary
events which can no more be explained
than it can it can be justified or palIiated.
The day was ours. The enemy had been
driven step by step from every position,
and the GeId was occupied By our troops.
Our columns had united in the very heart
of the rebels stronghold, when the order
10 retire was issued From victory to
defeat was only the work Of aa instant.
st the moment of our greatest hope all
changed, and the spirit and the yalor Of
the army were gone.
From the statements Of Qaartermaster
Pryor, a rebel prisoner, it appears that
eur artillery created great havoc among
she rebels, of whom there are from thirty
thousand to forty thousand in the field
under command Of Beauregard, while
they have q reserve of seyenty-GVe thou.
sand at the Junction.
The whole force engaged on our side is
estimated at $4,000 men.
Some of our troops were worn out by
long marching.
Scme one has terribly blnnderod. Who
over ordered the attack with 10000 men,
upon thrice that number, in strongly
intrcnchcd position, protected by numer,
Gus masked batteries, after long march
ing, exposure, and deprivation of rations,
is greatly to blame.
Gen Mcclellan Immediately takes com
mand on the other side Of the Potomac
Gen. Rosencrantz takes his command.
Government has teiegrapbed to Mas:a,
chusctts for FIVE thousand men, and to
New York for five thousand more.
Among the killed, besides Coils Cam
eron, and Slocum, and Faruham, and
Lieut. Col. Haggerty Of the Zouayes, are
Col. Kimball of the ID Maine Regiment,
and Col Wood Of the I4th Brooklyn.
The latter may be alive, but he was left
in an ambulance severely wounded, and
has not since been heard from. Col Law
renee Of the Massachusetts, 9th was very
severely wounded None of the commits
stoned officers are missing except those
killed.