The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-10

field at this time having been detained by the Genera
as reserve at the point when we left the turnpike, ~
TOOK 81 on hill on right and and for some time
calamity held the enemy in check had one company OF
cavalry attached to DIVISION which was joined during
Major Palmer, who cainonaded them, anxious to
engage the enemy. The ground being uniavorabe,
ordered them back out Of range OF fire Finding II i'm.
possible to rally any OF the regiments, we commenced
our retreat about half past four p NJ. There
was fine position short distance in the
rear, where l hoped to make a stand with
section OF Arnods battery and the United States caval.
ry, could rally few regiments Of infantry. IN this
utterly failed anu we continued retreat the road
we hal advanced on in the morning. sent forward my
stan officers 10 rally troops beyond the but not
company would form. stopped back few moments
at the hospital to what arrangements could be made to
save the wounded The few ambulances that were there
were filed and started to the The church which
was used as hospital with the wounded and some OF the
surgeons soon after fell into the hands OF the secession
cavalry, that followed closely company of cavalry
crossed tho rear and seized ambulance full of wound
ed Captain Arnold gave them n couple Of rounds OF
canister" from his section of artillery which them
scamperng away and kept them respectful distance
during The remainder of our retreat At this point most
OF the srnggers in advance OF Having every
reason to fear vigorous pursuit from the enemy fresh
troops, was DESTROYS of forming strong guard but
neither the efforts Of the officers Of tho regular army
inc cooness ol the regular troops with me- could induce
Them TO form single company. We relied entirely for
our protection section OF artillery and few
penIcs Of cavalry Most Of the road favorable for
infantry but unfavorable for cavalry and artillery.
About dusk as we approached the Warrenton turnpike
we heard firing OF rifod cannon on right,
and learned that the enemy had established bat.
terry en6ladmg the road. Captain Arnold with his sec
lion OF artillery, attempted to the gauntlet
and reached the bridge Cub rum about two miles
from tcnreviiie but found obstructed with broken
hices, and compelled TO abandon his pieces they
were under the fire of these rihed TIE cavalry
turned 10 the left, and after passing through strip Of
woods and some fields, struck road which led them to
some camps occupied by tops in the morning through
which regained the turnpike. At about eight p. NJ.
we reached the camps had occupied in the morning
Had brigade from the advanced short distance
beyond Centrcvil!e third of the artillery lost
might have been saved, it abandoned at or
this crossing. Such rout never witnessed before.
No efforts could induce single regiment to form after
the retreat had commenced.
Our artillery was served admirably and did mrch
cuton Some Of the volunteer regiments behaved very
well, and much be made for those no fed
few Of the enemy could at any time be Raw troops
cannot be expected tosand long against
my. have been unable TO obtain any report from the
Zouaves, Col. Farnham is still ut hospital. Since the
retreat than threefourhs Of the Zouaves have dis
appeared
beg icave to express my Obligations to the officers Of
my staff viz:-Cnptap II. = Wright, Lieutenant II. s. W.
snydev. Lieutenant Y. n. Farquhar, o. the Engineers
Captain ChaGncey McKeever Assistant Adjutant General
Lieutenant J. Sweet Of the Second cavalry and Lieu
tenant D. Fairbanks Of the First Michigan for the able
and fearless performance Of their duties and
mend them TO your favorable consideration. Very
specnutiy. s. +. HEINTIELMANN,
Colonel Of the Seventeenth infantry commanding the FIRST
Division.