Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-07-26

some of their batteries for the purpose OF
d~ecoying the attacking force to an advance
to a position when a double fire could be
directed at them, and sweep their lines.
A gentleman who accompanied the 6th
n. Y. saws the men marched on the battle
field after a ~fatiguing march of nine hours.
The enemy g batteries and infantry were all
concealed, which made it exceedingly diff
cult for our men, for as they were moving
steadily forward they could not see the
enemy, and consequently could not direct
their FIRE with as telling result as they could
had they been in the field.
The retreat of the troops to Centreyille
was successfully accomplished by s O'Clock
Sunday evening, the regiments regaining
the positions vacated in the morning, minus
a large number that had been scattered IN
the woods in various directions.
Those that succeeded in reaching Centre
Vile had an opportunity for four hours
sleep, the reserve force under Col. Miles
being posted beyond Centreville at one
O'Clock in the morning. The retreat from
that point commenced and was maintained
in good order to Arlington flights and Alex
andria.
The army in it's retreat was compelled TO
leave behind a large amount of provisions
and ammunition. About forty army wagons
fell into the hands of the rebels.
As fast as the federal troops retired, their
positions were immediately occupied by the
rebels until after Fairfax Court House was
passed, after which the pursuit was not con-
tinued. In many instances the teamsters
unhitched the horses and abandoned the
wagons when there was not the slightest
necessity.
The rebel cavalry was the terror Of our
volunteers, who were compelled to keep In
the woods to avoid being charged by them.
The reports that all the batteries were tax
en- proves untrue. One at least, Sherman's,
has returned to Washington.
The Rhode Island battery was taken by
the rebels at the bridge across Bulls Run,
where their retreat was cut of. Their horses
were all killed.
Gov. Sprague spiked the guns with has
own hand before they were left.
Ths Ohio regiments showed the greatest
CONSERVATION, probably from want Of conid-
ence in their commanding officers. 1t is
known that on the day previous to the
battle a large number Of them publicly pro-
tested against being led by Gen. Schenck,
and It was only through the opportunities
OF Col. McCook, in whom they placed con-
idence, and other officers, that they were
prevented from making q more formidable
rebellion.
Gen. Schenck, as well as the other field
officers, acted admirably. lie collected his
forces and covered the retreat, and up to the
last moment was personally engaged in the
endcayOr to rally his men to make q stand at
Centrcvillc. 1t was the arrival Of fresh re-
Inducements to the cnomy in superior
numbers, that turned the scale Of battle. The
enemy before now might perhaps have more
to b-ast Of if they had followed up their
advantage that night.
Ii was known to our troops at the time OF
the battle that Johnston had formed IA con-
nection with Beauregard on the night Of the
first action at Bulls run. Our men could
distinctly hear the cars coming into Manas-
sas Junction, and the cheers with winch the
ConledeTates hailed their newly arriving
comrades. They knew that the enemy was
our superior in numbers, and in their own
positions These facts were further confirmed
by prisoners taken, deserters and spies, but
these facts were not probably known at
Washington, and the officers IN leading our
men into action only obeyed order.
Gen. Mcdowell has returned to his head
quarters at Arlington Heights. The regi-
ments comprising his army will resume their
position, and most OF them have already
done 50. The corps de dyD1ec at Washing
! ton is to he instantly re-organized and IN
creased. The orders have already been
given. Offers OF regiments already raised
aud Beng made up viii be accepted with
Zach rapldity as 20 insure that tins viii be
Accomplished in a few days. Large rein
Iorcements from various districts are already
on the way hituer, orders having been teie-
| graphed Tor them Sunday, while the battle
was in progress. The government enter
taiEs no apprehension for the safety OF the
capita. Prepara.i n not only for the d.
trusiye bat for the renewal Of offensive uper-
atoms are going on vigorously.
1t is said that Gen. McClelland has been
summoned by the government from Ncstern
Virginia to repair to Washington 10 take
command OF the army Of the Potomac. Gen.
Rosencranz takes has place in command Of
the army Of Western Virginia.
The following regiments were engaged in
the fight The lst, % and 81 Conn, the
lst regiment regulars, composed OF the %,
81 and Sth companies, $50 marines, the Sth
and lith \. Y. militia, the lst and p r. l.,
the list \. Y, the p n. IL, the 9Th Mass.
the lst Minnesota. the lst Mich. the llth
and 3Sth n. Y, the q. 4th and 5th Maine,
and the ID Vt. regiments, besides the several
batteries.
The following is a partial list OF officers
killed and wounded
KiHed-Capt. McCook, Capt. Gordon. ,
Co. II. 18th Mass, Capt. Fay, Co. II. I'd
r. l., Lieut.. Col. Fowler, n. Y, 18th.
UounGed.-Col. Tompkins Of the y. Y,
d, Col. Farnham and Major Losier, of the
Fire Zouaves, Col. Hunter L. S. A, Col.
Corcoran of the 69th n. Y, Col. Clark of
the llth Mass, Capt. Ricketts, of the artil-
lcry, Col. Lawrence, 5th. Mass, Col. Slocum,
q, II. l.. Col. Wilcox, lst Mich, Capt.
Ellis, list.
Our losses have been greatly exaggerated.
L is now well ascertained that the killed
will fall short Of one thousand. The rebels
not follow our retreating forces after
they passed Bulls Run.
Col. EInstein Of the Pennsylvania Goth
regiment, returned to the battle field about
eleven O'Clock on Sunday night and brought
off SIX pieces OF artillery.
The Col. reports that the field was clear
and not an enemy in sight.
Capt. Tyler Commissary at Alexandria
a letter Tuesday morning from
Capt. Gibson OF the Franklin brigade Col.
NJ Hes Divisi d, dated at Centreville. asking
Ter h oise fodder from which it appears that
TT oops were still there.
The Post gives a statement of a spectator
Of the battle, that the sole cause Of the
panic was the charge Of q large body Of ca
'alry among the teAmsters and struggling
bidders who were IN the rear Of our main
between Bulls Run and Centerville.
This charge started the notion that our
Irny had been overwhelmed, and that the
was driving in full force on the re-
erves. Immediately the unarmed soldiers
md teamst rs ran and spread the alarm
It CentreyIlle, when the order was given tor
ha retreat. All the organized companies
withdrew in perfect order.
When Mcdowell found his reserve was re
it was too late to correct the mis-
axe and hecJmmand.d the main body to fall
lAck, which it did IN order. The men had
fighting all day without water or food.
nd we're completely exhausted. They would ,
been called back ifom active service in +
short time. even If the panic had not &C. Il.
GlrrAd.