Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-09-12
spIri. Of IN. Morning Pres.
OUR MILITARY BUDGET.
TIE skIRMIsH YESTERDAY

ofoefs, feconnoitefing party OF about 900 men,
infantry; between 90 and 90 volunteer cavalry and
GrisanS U. 3. light battery, started, under Col.
Stevens, Of the New York seventy-ninth, from
the camps In the vicinity Of the Chain Bridge,
and proceeded leisurely up the Leesburg turnpike.
They advanced as far as Lewinsville-seven
miles-without seeing anything OF the enemy,
whose pickets fed before them. On the way,
however, they were informed that the enemy's
re1eating picket guard expected to return with
sumcient reinforcements to cut them off.
Lieut.. Poe, Of the Typographical Engineers,
executed his orders to obtain a correct sketch of
the country reconnoitered. using plane table to
that end.
On their return they were opened on from the
wood and q corn-feld to their right and left with
artillery and musketry, though the foe engaged
kept concealed throughout the skirmish. The
two forces were between eighteen hundred and
two thousand yards apart during all Of the firing
No musketry was fred by the Union troops,
Grifdn's battery being alone actually engaged on
our side. The enemy's battery consisted of two
rifle guns, throwing Hotchkiss shell, and two
siI-Pounden, the rihed guns being heavier than
those OF Captain Grifans. A 32-pounder was sent
after the force, but did not get up with Colonel
Stevens until after Griffin had com pletely sienced
The eAemy's guns; when a single shell thrown by
1t caused the enemy's cavalry, between seven
hundred and a thousand strong, THAT made their
appearance In the rear Of our forces, as though
disposed TO dispute the way with them to scamper
on-scattering in all directions
It's not known whether any Of their cavalry
were killed. Nor, indeed, whether any of the
enemy were killed; as from first to last none Of
their Infantry or artillery seen by any of the
force under Col Stevens. The fact that the en-
emys battery was llenced, and the engagement
given up by him, 10 however strong circumstantial
evidence on which to found the impression that
he met with more or less loss
Persons residing In the vicinity, broug bit to our
camps last night reliable information that the
force Of the enemy engaged consisted Of two req
iments Of infantry and Stuart's regiment of Wiz.
gina cavalry, with single battery-four pieces
OF artillery, that was hurried forward TO the end
OF cutting OF Col. Stevens force on its return.
The troops under Stevens consisted Of selected
portions Of the Vermont 3D., the New York 18th,
'ne Indiana 9Th, (Col. Meredith's,) with a few
other small detachments Of infantry from other
regiments.
The purpose Of sending out this force WAS no,
70 oflng on general engagement, but to obtain
certain Information, which ,ra, obtained befo,e
the force faced about to return shortly after which
the attack began.
was a noticeable fact that Col stevep. had
great difnculty In preventing his men from adj
vanclng upon the hidden enemy, and they Left
tne Held after the snemy's battery was silenced,
Win evident reluctance. No force ever showed
oe"erg pirt for the fight. Indeed, those who
were killed and wounded for the most mart suf
iefed through their over-eagerness for the frav
mat LED mem 70 expose themselves against orders
zen. Mcclellan, on receiving intelligence that
me enemy seemed disposed to dispute Col Ste.
vens' return to our lines mounted and accomna-
MED by his staf, FASTENED in the direction OF the
anair He was enthusiastically cheered by the
troops wherever he was seen by them, both going
ana returning When he reached the command
OF Col. stevens that had been engaged, the men
one and all raised atremendous shout of welcome.
one poor fellow, In the very aaonies of death
rom MS wounds, az the General took his hand,
suddenly sPrang up and thanked him for his kind
attention. He probably did net survive for half
an hour Afterwards. Gen. McCalls brigade gave
him most remarkable welcome, cbeerino him
a. be passed, as commander was hardly ever he
fore cheered
We learn from headquarters that our Jo.. VIZ.
one actually Filled on the field, one died in I,
SNORT time, fve desperately and five slightly
wounded
Al our wounded and killed were broup BIT awav
WIN tne single exception Of one man. too badly
wounded 70 be moved, who was left at a farm
house to be cared for.
ne Asocated Press reporter gives the follow
ing hn OF casualties, which we presume 4, an
over estimate:
The name. of the killed of the Federal troop.
Sergeant Samuel Goodwin, companv mi.
Sssss Oliver Hubbel and Win. a. Il. WOOD Of
, Lieutenant !, Haseoch, Of Company I, p sup
Tb,so lave oeen Killed, as be was seen TO fail.
lnfee privases In Company ID were wounded
.aa 'oree are supposed to have been taken prIso,
s sn. nese were all attached to the Ninth In
diana Regiment. " 'n'n III
Third Vermont Regiment, were iilIed and
A'ui VI sa'o company slightly wounded
sssKRAL M'CLELLAN's ACCOUNT inv ,ux.n,
OF TIE AFFAIR.
FSom General Smiths B,asox,r,,,,
september IL, 1861.
10 s'7o" Cameron, Secretary of War:
General Smith made reconnosapce with /. ooo
men to Lewinsville. He remained there .eve,,,
hous' and completed the examination Of the
ground. When the work was comple,ed .,a
me command had started back, the enemy onsnsd
h'e win she'll, killing two men and wound,,o
three. 0ihs
enmns battery silenced the enemv,. b,,.e,v
Our men then came back In perfect order and
excellent spirits. The men behaved most sd,,,,
ably under fire. We shall have NO no,. p,u
- AAa GEO. b. MCCLELLAN,
Major General, &c.
IRON CAMP BLAIR
CAhS BLAIR, Sept. 10-Edito, Star. Th,.
camp, named In honor Of Hon. MontUom.,v
biair, 10 pleasantly situated within the umit, =,
small thriving, but nameless village. sa,d 70 he
even miles nom your city. But, az regard. N.
oisonee, there 10 great diversity of on,n,on
Our Lieutsnant, who went to town in a WAGON ,
NV DAYS since, determined the distance At tv.n,r
miles, and some Of our hard trotte,. h,x. 60.
unced me h iss MEAS distance. The c,un :.
occupied by the putnam Rangers, - Cant. Geo
fhistieton commanding, a young and gallsS,
onces This 10 mounted company. omno..d
almost exclusively Of Westinghouse. who have
MOLLY turned cut In the defense Of their country
.ad are anxiously awaiting an order to march ~ |
fhe determination Of "secesh.p We npmhs,
bout seventy-eight, rank and file, although the
company IL quite new, and, with but few excen-
a1ttfn In