New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-09-17

the engagement as one occurring =" between
/" several brigades of his command and soon
I" siderable Union body. II was, then, con-
| test of several " against "ODe." Col. Rich.
ardsons Brigade moved by regiments, the lst
| Massachusetts leading, and the ID and Sd Michi-
gan and 18th New-York following. Of this force,
as we shall show not more than $50 men we're ever
seriously engaged with the rebels. The I'd and
Sd Michigan were formed in line, but sustained
no part in the conflict. The LIST Massachusetts
| as a regiment, was not called upon to do active
service. The 18th New-York was ordered to
attack, but, after firing one scattering voIey
withdrew in disorder, with the exception OF frag-
ments of two companies, who, LETT alone, we're
unable to effect any thing important The infantry
contest, which lasted during nearly half an hour,
was maintained by mere battalion of our
men. against rebel force outnumbering them,
according To Gen. Beauregards exact statement,
at least twelve to one. and not imprObably twenty
TO one.
Preceding the main body of the brigade body
of skirmishers, 100 in number, under Captain
Bretchscbnelder of the I'd Michigan, bad advanced
to open the attack. " Our rlckets fell back
% silently before the advancing fire, across the
: ford" rays Gen. Beauregard While Captain
Bretcbssheider held his post on, one company OF
the 1st Massachusetts, under Lieut.. Bird, was
sent to Join him. Immediately after, two other
companies of the same regiment were sent, under
Lieut.. Col. Wells TO penetrate the center of the
woods, which concealed the enemys line. These
last two companies, about $50 strong, composed
the only force that advanced as body as far
as Bull Run, 80 that it might not improperly be
| said that the " battle, as Gen. Beauregard
will have it, was actually sustained by this hand
| fu on our side. Observe with what numbers
they were met. "Our troops engaged at this
a. time" remarks Beauregard, A" were the Let and
" 18th, and four companies of the 18th Virginia
" Volunteers; their resistance was re'olute, and
" maintained with a steadlness worthy of all
4" praise; it was successful, and the enemy was
" repused." There can be no doubt of it,
LIEUT. Col Wells, with his two detached cOmpa-
nies, was undoubtedly repused by two reg-
ments aud half Of Reoels, under Brig. Gen.
Longstrret " In a short time, however, con-
tnues Cen Beauregard, he returned to tie
" contest with increased force aud determination,
" but was again foiled aud driven back by our
" ,kirmi5hers and Longstreets reserve compa
nies which we're brought up aud employed at
the most vigorously -assaed points at the crit
" cal moment"
Meanwhile, the New-York 10Th had been
directed 10 enter the woods, and storm the rebels
position at the left, which, however, they failed
to accomplish, breaking and rum ng after the
first fire, with the honorable exceptions of por-
tons OF two companies. THIS was the one dis
crrdtable event of the day. The I'd and ID
MI,hg IN had been sent to the right, AID the re-
mander Of the LIST Massachusetts, to the front Of
tie center, where they renamed waiting orders.
They were not however, called upon to take any
p,rs ia tho acton. Two pieces of Ayrrs ost rry
had also been sent down BY Geo Il ler b. enter
the woods and assist the infantry movement.
They we're encountered by strong rebel reinforce
mrnts for which Gen. Long.treet had Sent ap-
pareDdy unable TO sustain himself with the odds
and advantages he already enjoyed. Gen. Beaure-
gard tells us that he accordingly directed " the
" advance of Gen. Early with two regiments of
" inilutry and two pieces Of artillery. AS these
- came upon the field the enemy advanced a
4" third tlme with heGry numbers, to force Long
streets position" Our " heavy numbers "
we're precisely the same two companies OF the lst
Massachusetts, and Capt Bretchschnedsrs 300
skirmishers, with the only addition of Capt
Ayre's two guns. Hays regiment, 9TH LOuiI-
" aua yoluuteersp adds Beaurgard, "was
placed on the bank Of the stream, under
" heaoy fire Of mHskeiry. The 7tn Virginia " as
formed to the right, also under hesUy fire."
Immediately after, as We continue to learn from
Geu. Besuregard, al the remainder of EaTlys ill.,
" iantry and arii lery had been called up--tbat
"is, SIX companies Of the oath Regiment Ylr-
"gnia VOLUNTEERS and FIVE pieces of artillery. |
" A scattering fire of musketry was It'll kept up
"by the enemy for q short time, but that was
" soon slltnced."
1t thus appears that two regiments and a half /
of Rebels, after fighting thirty minutes, with $50
soldiers of the UnIOn telt compelled to send for re.
endorsements, which came up in the shape OF
two and half additional regiments and several
pieces Of artillery. Later in the afternoon still
further re.eniorcements were brought up by
them But Gen. Tyler had already given the
pose of his reconnaissance, that OF testing the
Rebels strength at that point having been ac
complshed. Our skirmlsbers were accordingly
called in, and the three regiments OF Michigan
aud Massachusetts were marched of the field in
good order, without having participated IN tho
skirmish in any manner excepting that above re-
lated