The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-07-26
FROM THE SEAT OF WAR.

Our reports IN tno last lssue, lett hcDoW
ellis forces in occupancy Of the village OF
Fairfax Court House, and the rebel forces
near Centrcville and Manassas Junction.
Since thon the Union forces have proceeded
with various fortunes-sometimcs successful,
but in tho main disastrous.
To proceed with events in their ORDER
Fairfax having been evacuated by the enemy
without fight-tho first action in which
our forces were engaged took place on Thurs
day, at Bulls Run, about midway between
Centrevillo and Manassas Junction, and
three miles from each point. The engage
ment took place between a accommodating
party, Of General Tylcr's division, and body
Of rebels, whose force has not been ascertain.
cd. inasmuch as they fought entirely from
an ambuscade in the woods, and from masked
batteries; but 1t is evident that thoy must
have been very numerous from the terrific
fro they poured forth, and from the fact that
they had batteries which played upon the
Union troops from three or tour different
quarters. The conflict occurred in this way:
General Tyler's division, which comprises
tho right wing Of General McDowell's army.
was advancing from its camp near Ccntrcvllo
en- route, according to programmc-to-
wards Manassas Junction. Upon reaching
Centrevillo that place was found to be evacu-
ated by the rebels, and having quartered the
main body Of his forcc thoro, General Tyler
sent on an advance body towards Bulls Run
"a valley traversed by creek and enyironcd
with woods-to rcconnoitre, information
having been received that masked battery
was planted in that vicinity. Colonel Rich
ardson, commanding the fourth brigade, wa,
detailed for this service, and took with him
attachments consisting of three companies
each OF the First Massachusetts,, Twelfth New
York Volunteers, and Second Michigan rcgi-
ment, probably about eight hundred men in
all, with Captains Ayres' battery, supported
by four companies of cavalry. When about
two miles up the Run they observed body
of rebels, and tho battery opened fro upon
them. Suddenly fire from q masked battery
about mile down the road opened heavy
FIRE upon Richardson's troops, causing some
destruction to tho cavalry who were drawn
up in limo.
The Michigan infantry were then thrown
out into the woods to skirmish, but were met
with terrific FIRE Of musketry from unseen
foes. The Massachusetts, and Twelfth New
York troops were then ordered into the
woods, the cavalry and howitzers at the same
time advancing into the wood. A hot fire Of
muskctrY here met them, and at that mo-
ment another masked battery in the rear
opened upon the troups on the road, and had
not the aim been too high would have been
most destructive. Colonel Richardson now
percciying that he was in the midst Of a for
midable ambuscade, withdrew his men from
the woods and the infantry fell in behind tho
artillery. A reinforcement then came up
from Centreville. consisting Of Colonel Sher-
mans brigade, with the New York Sixty
Nineth in advance, General Tyler accompany
ing them. Richardson. thus strengthened
again commenced firing with his howitzers.
and continued for an hour, the rebels res
ponding vigorously. Finding, however, that
1t was impossible, under the circumstances
and with the force at his command, to do
moro than ascertain the strength OF the
onemy's position and the nature of the am
buscado, Colonel Richardson withdrew his
men and fell back on Centreyille, until Gen.
Mcdowell could mature movement where
by tho batteries at Bulls Run might be dis
logged. The loss Of tho Union troops is re-
ported to be about forty in killed and wound
ed. That of the rebels cannot DO ascertained,
because from the opening OF the action not
one of them showed himself outside Of tho
wood-a fact which adds additional credit to
tho 6rmncss with which the Union troops
stood the FIRE ofconcealed foes for three hours.
It was not tho intention of General McDwell
to make an advance movement on Manassas
until all the divisions Of his army had con-
centratcd ut Centrcville, and tho object of
Colonel Richardson's movement was merely