Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-07-25

they were raised by the constant and steady
stream Of reinforcements which continued to
pour in nearly the whole day. The Sixty
ninth, Sevsnty-ninth, Second, and Eighth New
York-the First, Second, and Third Connso-
ticut and the Second Wisconsin, were brought
forward Ia advance of the wood and marched
across the 6eld to the right, to 60 to Colonel
Hunters support. They crossed the interven-
ing stream and drew up in a small, open feld
separated from Col. Hunters column by q
dense wood, which was filed with batteries
and infantry. f-..n-n.l go ,.H '9a
Our guns continued to play upon the woods
which thus concealed the enemy, and aided
materially in clearing them for the advance,
Going down to the extreme front Of the column
could watch the progress Of Colonel Hunter |;
marked by the constant roar Of artillery and
the roll Of musketry, as he pushed the rebels
back from point 10 point. At l o'clock he had
driven them out Of the woods, and across the
road which was the prolongatien Of that on
which we stood. Here, by the side Of their
planted their flag directly in the read, and
twice charged across it upon our men, but
without moving them an inch. They were met
by destructive fire, and compelled to fall still
further back. Gradually the point Of fire
passed further away, until the dense clouds Of
bat were at least half nile to the left of what
had been the central position Of the rebels.
1t was now 1t o'clock. was at the ad-
vanced point of the front Of our column, some
hundred rods beyond the woods, in which the
few troops then there were drawn up, when
decided TO drive back to town for the purpose
OF sending you my dispatch. As passed up
the road, the balls and she'll from the enemy
began TO fall with more than usual rspidity. I
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
brigade under Gen. Schenck, to repel a ru-
mored attempt Of cavalry to outfank this col
| umn. As I went forward he passed down.
Gen. Schenck's brigade was at once drawn M
| across the road, and Capt. Ayres' guns were
planted in knoll at the left, when q powerful
body of rebels, with a heavy battery, came
from the direction of Bull Run, and engaged
this force with tremendous effect I went to
Centerville, sent of my dispatch, and started
with all speed to return-intending to go with
our troops upon what had been the hotly CON
tested held, never doubling for moment that
it would remain in their hands. had gone
but quarter of mile, when we met a great
number of fugitives, and our carriage soon be-
came entangled in q mass Of baggage wagons,
the officer in charge of which told me it was
| useless to go in that direction, as our troops
were retreating.
Inconsistent with what had seen but little
! while before, continued to push on. / soon
met Quartermaster Stetson of the Fire Zouaves,
who told me- bursting into tears, that his regi-
ment bad been utterly cut to pieces; that the
Colonel and Lieut.. Colonel were both killed
and that our troops had actually been repulsed
still tried to proceed, but the advancing COL
ums rendered it impossible, and turned about.
Leaving my carriage, / went to a high point
OF ground, and saw, by the dense cloud of dust
which rose over each of the three roads by
which the three columns Of the army had ad-
yanced, that they were all on the retreat
Sharp discharges Of cannon in their rear indi-
Gated that they were being pursued. 1 waited
half an hour or 80, to observe the troops and
batteries as they arrived, and then started for
washington, to send my dispatch and write
this letter. As / came past the hill on which
the secessiOnists had their intrenchments less
than a week ago, l saw our forces taking up
positions for defense il they should be as
sailed.
yesterdays engagement. / am unable to be
precise or profuse in matters of detail, and
must leave these to q future letter.
hear nothing, on every side, but the warm
est ana heartlest cOmmendation of our troops
They fought like veterans The rebels did not
IN single instance stand before them in a
charge, and were shaken by every volley Of
their musketry. do not mean to praise one
at the expense Of another. The Sixty-ninth
fought with splendid and tenacious courage.
they charged batteries two or three times.
and would have taken and held them but for
the reinforeements which were constantly and
steadily poured in. Indsed tt sas TO this fact
alone that the comparative success of the rebels
Is due. We had not over twenty six thousand
men In action, the rest being held behind as
reserves at Centrsville; while the enemy must
have numbered at least sixty thousand.
The Fire Zouaves before they had fairly got
into action were terribly cut up by a batter v
and by musketry, which opened on their flank
Ihey lost a great many of their officers and
men. .--7
Colonel Hunter, who led the main column
OF the attack, received a severe wound in his
throat; he was brought to this city, but I
understand that be cannot recover, il, indeed
he Is not already dead. 1 have heard the
names Of many others reported killed or
wounded, but deem it best not to mention
them now, as the rumors may prove 10 be un-
founded '.'.
About mile this side of CentreviIls stan-
pede took place among the teamsters and
others, which threw everything into the utmost
confusion, and inflicted some very serious
injuries. Mr.. Eaton, of Michigan, in trying
to arrest the fight Of some Of these men, was
shot by one Of them-the ball taking effect in
his hand. Quite q number Of Senators and
members Of the House were present at the
battle. - =.
Ishall be able TO ascertain tomorrow the
cause OF the retreat of Col. Hunters column
after the splendid success it achieved. / would
gladly, though in the face Of evidence unable,
believe what 10 rumored here, that this col
umn did indeed bold its ground, and that the
retreat was confined to the other columns I
'ear tons WI not prove to be the fact. Il. J. R.