St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1861-08-01
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Raymond's Account or tho bat
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was at the advanced point of the front Of
our column, some hundred rods beyond
the woods; in which the few troops then
there we're drawn up. AS ( passed up
the road the balls and shells from the
enemy began to fall with more than usual
rapidity. | did not see the point from
which they came; but meeting Capt.
Ayres, he said he was about to bring up
his battery, supported by the Ohio brig
ade, under General scbsenck, to Srepei a
rumored attempt Of cavalry to outaank
As went forward, he passed down. Gen.
Schenck's brigade was at once drawn up
across the road, and Capt. Ayres' guns
we're planted ON knoll at the left when q
powerful body Of rebels, with heavy
battery, came down from the direction of
Bulls Run, and engaged this force with
tremendous effect. l went to Centreville,
sent off my despatch, and started with all
speed to notwithstanding to go with our
troops upon what had been the holly con-
tested field, never doubling for moment
that it would remain IN their hands. I
| had gone but quarter Of a, mile when
We met a great number Of fugitives, and
our carriage soon became entangled in a
mass Of baggage wagons, the officer in
charge of which told me it was useless to
90 in that direction, as our troops were
retreating. Not creditiny the story, which
was utterly inconsistent with what I had
seen but little while before, I continued
to push on. i soon met Qhartermaster
Stetson, Of the Fire Zouayes, who told
me, bursting into tears, that his regiment
had been utterly cut to pieces, that the
Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel were both
killed, and that our troops had actually
been repu)sed. - O..
I still tried to proceed, but the advanc-
ing columns rendered it impossible, and
I turned about. Leaving my carriage,
went to high point of ground and saw,
by the dense cloud of dust which rose
over the three roads by which the three
columns Of the army had advanced, that
they were all on the retreat. Sharp dis
charges of cannon in their rear indicated
that they were being pursued. I waited
half an hour or so, to observe the troops
and batteries as they arrived, aud then
started for Washington. AS I came past
the hill on which the 'secessionists had
their entertainments less than a week
ago, saw our forces taking up position
for defense if they should be assailed.
! hear nothing, on every side, but tho
warmest and fheartiest conmendation Of
our troops. They fought like veterans.
The rebels did not, in a single instance,
stand before them in charge, and were
shaken by every volley of their musketry-
| do not mean to praise any one at the
expense Of another. The Sixty Ninth
IN. Y. Irish fough with splendid and
tenacious courage. They charged bate
ries two or three times, and would have
taken and held them but for the REIN
forccments which we're constantly and
steadily poured ill.,: Indeed it was to this
fact alone that the comparative success of
the rebels IS due. We had not over &c.
600 men in action, the rest being held
behind as reserves at Centreyille while
the enemy must have numbered at least
$4,000. :.
About mile this side of Centrevilles a
stampede took place among the tcamsters
and others, which threw every thing into
the utmost confusion, and inflicted some
very serious injuries. Mr.. Eaton, of
Michigan, in trying to arrest tee fight of
some of these men, was shot by one of
them-the ball taking effect in his hand.
Quite number Of Senators and members
Of the House were present at the battle.