The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-07-20
OUR NAsurNGTON LETTER.

WASHGYGroY, July 10.
You will doubtless have received by this time
many reports of the action in Virginia on Thurs
day, but perhaps none of them true. | give YOU
an account by an eyewitness, one not preiudiced
against the Administration but a northern Of
fetal.
The Federal troops, (Gen. Tyler's division,) on
leaving Centreville on Thursdav at 10 O'Clock,
reached point, about one O'Clock, between Cen
treviIle and Manassas junction, about three miles
from the former place, known as Bull Run
small battery on an eminence attracted their
attention, and four companies of skirmlshers
from the Massachusetts First (three years
men) were ordered to advance towards the
battery. When within two hundred yards of it
volley of rife shots was heard ana smoke seen
arising from points in front Of the battery. The
Massachusetts soldiers retreated precipitstely, as
also did the cavalry, two companies of U. S. regu-
lars having accompanied them, leaving a number
of killed and wounded on their retreat General
Tyler now ordered a general attack, and the fol-
lowing regiments were marched on the batteries
(there more than one as it Turned outl. The
Massachusetts First, New York Twelfth Is wears
men, First Maine, Second Michigan and First
Wisconsin, Sherman's formidable battery leading
the van.
The troops had at first approached the battery
even closer than the skirmshers. Suddenly, from
either side of the ravine, hail of grape and can
lster was poured upon them by the Confederates
who were ensconced in the batteries hitherto con-
cealed by brushwood, and CALLING and continual
hire poured into their right, left and CENTRE which
did not continue long, the Federas retreated pre-
cipitately, and could not again beinduced or forced
| to advance. My informant was utterly disgusted
at the cowardice of the New i ork 18th and Masss-
| chusetts lst particularly. These regiments threw
| away knapsacks, cantcens, muskets and whatever
| might retard their retreat. They stumbled over
each other in their flight flock OF sheen were ne yer
thrown into more confusion than were the Federal
| into no IF ,k,1 II
the Confederates, who waved their caps in the
air and cheered, causing their voices to be heard
| above the din of the battle. The Southern troops
| were under the command of General w. Il. Bon
ham, of South Carolina and his force, which is sait
to have been five or six thousand strong, wa:
composed chiefly of troops from South Carolina
and Georgia. The battle closed at ten minutes o
five o'clock. Gen. Mcdowell is encamped at Cen
| treville. He sent official despatch to the War
Department to-day. 1t is not vet published, but
is said to report the entire loss at not forty. in
Guiding but three killed. while the gentleman who
| gave me the account of the battle SAYS he think:
that one hundred and fftr will not cover the mum
Der of killed. Sherman's battery was well worked
for while, but afterwards was badly disabled anC
removed from the field only with difficulty.
Rumors are prevalent at the War Department o
an cmaeWte between Generals Mcdowell and TYLER
the former censuring the latter for rvecptancy il
the attack at Bull Run. 1t is said that Mcdowell
censures several officers Of the Massachusetts, anC
| New \ DIRK regiments for cowardice
| Gen. Mcdowell says he will not attempt tt
march further until he has fully reconnoitered thu
| force and position of the Confederates. On Mon
day next decisive action may be expected.
| There is but little news to be learned on thu
streets to-day. Ordinary affairs are overlooked
In the endeavor to gain particulars of the battle
Gov. Hicks arrived in the City this evening
and called on Secretary Cameron.