The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-07-31

Details of the the battle at Bull Run make up
largely the news of the week. Owing to the
scattered condition of many of the regiments,
il is difficult TO ascertain our actual loss in woun
ded and prisoners, although the killed amount
TO less than thousand men. The Fire Zouaves,
who greatly distinguished themselves in the bat
tie, ard whose loss was reported at six hundred,
have lost but two hundred men.
One account states that ''the army in its re-
treat lett behind large amount OF provisions
and ammunition. About forty army wagons Tell
ito the possession of the rebels. As fast as
our troops retreated their positions were occu-
pied by the rebels till after Fairfax Court House
vas passed, after which the pursuit was not con-
tinued.
"In many instances the teamsters unhitched
the horses and abandoned the wagons, VIII II
there was not the slightest necessity for doing
so. The rebel cavalry was the terror Of the vol
unteers, who were compelled TO keep the woods
TO avoid being charged by them"
| The Heraids dispatch of July 22d, saws:
| The rebels oGtrumbered US three 10 one. AT
| ter the day had been won by the United States
forces, fresh troops were substituted for those
who were defeated. The ammunition of our ar
tilery had been expended in the contest, and as
| the caissons were rushing at full speed 10 the
rear for new supply OF ammunition, the move
ment was construed by transfers aud civilians
there into a retreat, panic among them occurred.
They ran for their horses, and without waiting
10 ascertain the facts they cut the traces of the
wagon horses, and commenced precipitate re-
treat. The Consideration thus created was com.
muncated 10 the soldiers in the rear of the col
umn, at the very moment when a charge of
fresh cavalry from Manassas Junction was made
Upon them. Ii was nothing more nor less than a
stampede. The enemy were themselves una
ware of it. The result is in "A great measure at
trbuted TO the hardness OF Patterson.
"Gov. Spragues bravery daring the whole
day challenged universal admiration, and aided
by Mr.. Caster, Paymaster OF the l4th New York,
succeeded in bringing some degree of order out
of this chaos The brave Rhode islanders were
formed in the rear 10 be ready To oppose the ad-
vance OF the pursuers. The number OF killed
and wounded mas been greatly exaggerated
"Gen. Mcdowell behaved with the greatest
bravery, but this was unayailing TO arrest a panic
in the rear.
1.-THE Fire Zouaves fought like devils The
New York list, l4th and 27th, and the Minres-
ota and Maine regiments were the praise OF all.
They were moved down like grass by the batter.
les upon which they advanced. The flag of the
Minnesota regiment was completely riddled."
There was certainly great mismanagement in
conducting the battle. Not over 1000 and
some accounts say not over $4,000 men took
part in it, These were compelled for nine hours
to stand the brunt of the fight, without either
food or water, and we're in a state of complete
haustion at the close. This accounts for so many
absentees who have since returned.
Ii is pretty certain that the commander of the
reserve ordered retreat of his force. At al
events be has been arrested, and is to be tried
mander of the Michigan First, is not dead as al
first reported, but is slightly wounded and taken
prisoner.
IL is stated that when Gen. Mcdowell found
that his reserve was on the retreat it was toe
late to counteract the mistake, and he then com
, manded the main body to tall back, which it did
quietly aud in good order.
A spectator, an Englghman who was presen,
at all the CFmean battles, says the fighting was
of the most splendid kind. Such charges as the
Fire Zouaves and the seth, Irish Regiment, he
had not seen at lnkermann or the Alma"
The Herdlds dispatch of the 23d, says:
"The Michigan regiments at one time march
ed up to one of the heaviest of the rebel batter.
les, which had been several times unsuccessfnlly
charged by the New York Fire Zouaves They
were subjected TO a terrible fire by the artillery
and rifles. They, well as the Zouaves were
without support, ard after three Intellectual at
tempts, were compelled to abandon the effort to
take the battery. In this charge, Colonel Will
cox, who is reported wounded, and taken pris
Oner, was reported killed"
| Tho barharitaS practiead ty ba rahals arn
said to be paralleled only in savage warfare
The following ate only instances
GA private of the First Connecticut regiment
found a wounded rebel lying in the sun and car
ried him to the shade and gave him drink from
, his canteen. The rebel revived and deliberately
shot his beneactor
In another instance where a number of our
wounded had been placed together in the shade
they were deliberately fired upon bv a rebel cav.
alier.
"During the fight, the rebels carried Ameri
can fags, to deceive our men, The rebel sharr
shooters also fred on yivandiers, who were car
rying water to the wounded. They also shot a,
ambuIances, bringing off the wounded. They
also fired point blank at Hospital buildings, and
it is said by some Trey fired the buildings
We might multiply sickening details of their
savage treatment of our wounded soldiers, but
We forbear.
1t seems our loss in artillery is not as great as
at first reported. The Times dispatch of the
9th says:
"The West Point battery is badly cut up
1t loses all the cassons and equipments, FIVE pie.
ces, forty horses, five men killed, and seven
wounded. All the guns were thoroughly disa
BLEED before they were abandoned.
1.-THE Ayres battery, formerly Sherman's, was
brought off without any loss Of consequence.
1.-The Seymour battery was all saved excep,
one 30-pounier rifed gun that was thrown Of
the bridge and lost"
Dispatches from Richmond state that las soon
rs ii became evident that the enemy meant to
give battle, Davis fastened to the scene of ac-
ton. He arrived in time to take part in the
battle and assumed command of the centre
Beauregard commanded the right wing, and
Johnston the left. 1t was against Johnston s
command that the enemy concentrated their best
troops and fought most obstinately.
AT one time our left was pressed so severely
that the issue of the conflict in that direction
seemed doubtful. 1t was here that Barton's
Georgia regiment was posted and which was 50
terribly cut up. \ large body os our troop.
from the centre was sent at this critical moment
to the assistance Of Johnston, and turned the
tide Of battle
\ special dispatch from Washington to the