Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-08-13

Alexander OF the engineer corps, brought u
tho company ot pioneers or axetnen, which
with lis officers and sixty men, had been en-
tirely detailed from the regiments OF my bri
gade 10 open u communication over the bridge
and through tbs heavy abattis which obstruct
ed the passage Of troops Oh our front beyont
the Run. 10 osupport him while thus engaged
brought up, and placed in the road TO
ward the bridge, McCook's and Tomkin's regi
men;s, detailing also, and sending forward tc
the bridge, 6 company Of the ID New York
crS to cover tie men while cutting through
the enemy's abattis.
Il second company from Lieutenant Colone
MaSon's command w&s also brought forTarC
with axes, afterwards, to aid in clearing the
| ObSlruciions, and thus ln o short time Capt
Alexander succeeded in opening passage
Capt. Carlisle's battery was now posted en- tie
hrli side, in the open field, 10 the left of the
road toward the bridge.
Very soon after, some reverse Of fortune
appearing to have taken place with our troops
On the otner side, who were falling back up the
Run, it was discovered and reported to me that
q large body Of the enemy~had passed over the
stream below the bridge, and we're advancing
through wood in the low ground at our lett
with Al evident purpose to flank US. To in
tercept this movement, | ordered forward into
the road, Still lower down, two Of Carlisles
brass howltZcrs, few rounds from which,
quickly served, drove the rebels from the
woods and back 10 the other side of the stream
1t was not long ailer this that the unplea.
SAINT Intelligence came Of 0ur army 5eiHy in re.
treat from tic front across the FORD abore, and
the order was received to fall back on Centre.
vile. The retreat Of my brigade, being now
in the rear OF our division, was conducted in the
reverse order Of our march in the morning. the
Second New York moving first, and being fol-
lowed by the Second Ohio, First Ohio, the two
latter Regiments preserving their lines in good
degree, rallying together and arriving at
Centrevil!e with closed ranks, and sharing
comparatively little in the panic which charac-
terizcd so painfully that retreat, and which
seemed to be occasioncd more by the fear Of
frightened teamsters and of hurrying and cx.
cited civilians (who ought never to have been
ttere) than even b. the reckless disorder and
want of dsplne Of struggling soldiers.
Near the house which was occupied as
hospital for the wounded, about mile from
the baRle ground, c dashing charge was made
upon the relrea,ing column by body Of the
rebel cavalry, which was instantly repelled,
and principally b. two companies of the Sc
cond Ohio, with loss on both sides Here, also, in
this attack occurred some Of The casualties to the
Second New York Regiment. From this point
to Ccntrevillc, = portion Of the First Ohio was
detailed, under command Of Lieut. Col. Par.
rott, and acted efficiently as rear guard, ccv.
cring the retreat Arrived at Ccntreville,
halted til, two Oao Regiments on the hill, and
PROCEEDED 10 call on General Mcdowell, whom
found engaged in forming the reserve ofthe
.irmy, and other troops in line OF battle to
meat IN expected attack that night OF the enc.
ms at that poiut.
offered aim cur s.rricrs, and asked for or.
ders, promising, however, that unfed and weary
troops, who had been seventeen hours on the
march and battle field, might not be very Ct.
fectirc unless it were to be posted as reserve
in case of ll,cr emergency Gen. Mcdowell
directed INC to take them to the foot of the hill,
there 10 stop and cncarnp. This did, estab-
lishirg the two Regiments together in the wood
10 the west Of the turnpike. After resting
there abou: two houis, was notified that your
division, with the rest Of the forces under the
Genera! commanding, were leaving Centreville,
-".l .ac~;--I order To fall back on Wash.
House, and thence across 20 Vienna, arriving at
tho latter place q. 81 4. NJ Oil the morning Of
the 22l, and there resting the troops for two
hours in an cpgn ii!!a.
During the march We did what was possible
10 cover the rear Of the column then scattered
or the road. Two miles or less this side Of
Vienna, Col Cook, with the main body Of his
regiment, turned upon the road leading to the
Chain Brids over the Potomac, thinking it
might be a better way, ard at the same time
afford, by the presence Of. large and organized
body, protection 10 any stragglers that might
have taken that route. Lieut.. Col. Mason,
with the Second Oaio, marched in By the way
Of Fails Church and Camp Upton.
The return Of the Ohio regiments to Wash.
ingon was made necessary by the fact that
their term Of service having expired, they are
at once to be sent home to be mustered out Of
service.
Not having been able 10 obtain yet complete
or satisfactory returns Of all the casualties in
the battle, in the different corps Of my brigade,
shall reserve the list Of them for separate
report which will furnish as soon US practi-
cable.
am, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant
ROBERT SCHENCK,
Brigadier. General.