Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-07-26
BAD NEWS!
Another Account of the Fighting
ut Bulls Run.
OUR TROOPS RETREAT!
GREAT SLAUGHTER!
MONDAY AFTERNOON DISPATCHES.

WASHINGTON, July %.
After the latest information was received
from Centerville, at 1880 last night, series of
events took place most intensely disastrous.
Many confused statements are prevalent,
but enough is known to warrant the state
ment that we have suffered in degree which
has cast gloom over the remnant of the az
my, and excited the deepest melancholy
through Washington.
The carnage was tremendously heavy on
both sides, and on ours is represented as
frightful.
We were advancing and taking their mask
ed batteries gradually but securely, and driv-
ing the enemy towards Manassas Junction,
when they seemed to have been reinforced by
Gen. Johnston, who, it is understood took
command and Immediately commenced driv-
ing us back, when a panic among our troops
suddenly occurred, and regular stampede
took place.
1t is thought that Gen. Mcdowell undertook
to make stand at or about Centervlle but
the panic was so fearful that the whole army
became demoralized and it was impossible to
check them at Centerville or Fairfax Court
House.
NCu MCDOWcl ultcIluCu u make announcer
stand at Fairfax, but our forces being full OF
retreat he could not accomplish the object
Beyond Fairfax the retreat was kept up until
the men reached their regular encampments,
a portion of whom returned; but still larger
portion coming inside the entertainments. A
large number of the troops when retreating
fell on the wayside from exhaustion and scat
tered along the route all the way from Fairfax
Court House.
The road from Bulls Run was strewed with
knapsacks and arms, some of our troops de-
liberately throwing away their guns and APP
purtenances the better to facilitate their travel
Gen. Mcdowell was in the rear of the retreat,
exerting himself to rally his men, but only
with partial effect. The latter part of the ar
my, it is said, made their retreat in order
His orders on the field did not at all times
reach those for whom they were intended.
1t is supposed the force sent out against
Our troops consisted, according to prisoner
statement, of about $4,000 men, including q
lalge number CT cavalry. He further says
that, owing to reinforcements from Richmond
Strasburg and other points, the enemy's
effective force was ninety thous and Ac
cording to the statement of two Fire Zouaves
they have only about two hundred left from
the slaughter, while the 10Th and other reg
ments suffered frightfully in killed and wound
ed. The number cannot now be known.
Sherman ;, Carlisle's Griffins and the Yves
Point batteries were taken by the enemy, ant
the eight 50 pound rifed cannon.
1t is supposed all the provision trains be
longing to us were saved. Large droves o
cattle were saved by being driven back.
1t is supposed here to-day that Gen. Mans
field will take command of the ratification
on the West side of the river, which are able
it is said by military engineers, to hold then
against any force the enemy can bring agains
them.
Large rihed cannon and mortars are being
rapidly sent over and mounted
An officer arrived from Virginia at 1890 re
ports that the road from Centerville to tn,
Potomac is strcwed with stragglers.
The troops are resuming the occupation o
the Notifications and entertainments, on tn,
line of the Potomac
Col. Heintzeiman was also wounded in tn
wrist. In addition to those reported yester
day, it is said that Col. Wilcox, the gallan
commander of a brigade, was killed; ais,
Capt. McCook, brother of Col. McCook, o
Ohio
Az ID LII Vic HlGcllS
excitement. Wagons are constantly arrivin!
bringing the dead and wounded The feelin.
; is awfully distressing. Both telegraph ant
steamboat communication with Alexandra;
is suspended to-day to the public The great
est alarm prevails throughout the city.
The following is an account OF the beginning
of the panic which resulted SO disastrously tt
our troops:
All our military operations went on swim
mingly, and Col. Alexander was about erect
ing position across Bulls Run, when ter
rife CONSERVATION broke out among tn
Transfers who had incautiously advanced i'm
mediatey after the army and lined the War
renton road. Their CONSERVATION was shared
by numerous civilians who were on tn
ground, and soon ourwhole army was in retreat
For a time perfect panic prevailed, which
communicated itself to the vicinity of Center
vile, and every available conveyance wa
seized upon. Several alarms had occurred OF
previous occasions, caused by change Of pc
sition of our batteries, and it is most probabl,
that the alarm was owing to the same cause.
WASHINGTON oia Philadelphia.-Our troops
after taking three batteries and gaining
great victory were eventually repulsed ant
commenced retreat on Washington. TIL
retreat was in good order with the rear wei
covered by good column. Our loss is 900
to 5000. The Notifications around Washing
ton are strongly reinforced by fresh troops.