Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-07-25
A FIGHT AT BULLS RUN.
Battle between the Rebels and
Union Troops.
AsaotAer MaskGz Battery.
Our Loss Thirty Killed and For
ty Wounded.
OUR MEN RETIRE IN ORDER.
AnotAer Mashe1 Battery.
OUR MEN RETIRE IN ORDER.
REBEL LOSS SUPPOSED HEAVY.
WAsHINGToN, July 10.

WASHINGTON, July 10.
The first engagement Of any character in
Eastern Virg MIA during shis campaign, took
place at Bull Run, four miles South of Cen
trevile, on yesterday afternoon
Yesterday morning, PREVIOUS to the ap-
proach ofour army to Centreville, the enc
had retreated to Bull rue few miles fur
ther South, and ani haG took strong posi-
zion, near Manassas Jundtion.
The Fourth Brigade d Gen. Tyler's Di-
vision, under command Of Col. j. B. Rich
ardson. of the Michigan Volunteers, consist
in g of the Second and Third Michigan, the
first Massachusetts, and the twelfth New
York regiments led thenlarch in the advance
of Centreville, just after the occupation OF
the place.
They were escorted by two hundred cav
airy for accommodating purposes.
Oa arriving az the height opposite Bull
Run, in the rear Of CentteVille, they found
long slepe intervening, and in the distance
on the edge Of the woods, the enemy could
be seen.
Gen. Tyler sent for an artillery force f,r
the purpose of dslodging' them. When the
guns arrived, they were rapidly served by
Lieutenants Babbit and Benjamin. The first
she'll dislodged body Of cavalry from a
grove, mile and half 6istcnt. Another
of our batteries soon came up and aided cur
fires.
| The action commenced at half past twelve
O'clock, but the enemy did not reply for half
an hour, though they could be seen coDoon. .
trating their forces from Manassas.
The rebels had two bast.ries of eight pieces
| IN position commanding the road. They
used their guns well, except that they fred
sometimes 700 high bat were gallsEtly fac
ed by our troops.
At one o'clock one of their batteries open
ed, and shell and grape shot fell thick
and hot among US. Two priyates of Brack-
ett's Cavalry were dismounted by the first
fire.
Col. Richardson's Brigade then began to
reconn oitre the woods, with view to taking
the enemy's guns in the rear, if possible
The Massachusetts Regiment led the van,
followed by the Michigan Second, the New
York Twelfth deployiug to the extreme right,
and dashing into the woods from the slope in
beautiful style.
For short time all was still, and Gen.
Tyler thought the enemy was retrea:ing, but
in few minutes terrific volleys of musketry
opened upon US.
This continued but a few minutes, when
our troops appeared on the edge of the woods,
bringing out the cad and wounded to ann
bulences in the field.
CAPT. Bracket says the firing of the mus
kerry exceeded anything he ever saw in
Mexico.
Our main column then advanced, firing on
the enemy with artillery at great disadyan-
tage, while their shuts told on US with fearful
effect. Four companies of the Massachusetts
Fifth Regiment, were exposed to the fire of
the enemy from three positions. They stood
their ground until they got into the cross fire
of the Michigan Second, when they retired
In much disorder.
Two of our howitzers came to the enemy,
but did not fire, supposing them to be friends.
Our men suffered terribly from the fire Of
our own musketry upon them by mistake.
After the mistake was discovered, the how
itzers were served until the ammunition was
exhausted. The artillery was dragged out
OF the field by hand, all the horses having
been killed.
At half-past four O'clock, Gen. Tyler or
dered the troops to retire, it being necessary
to relieve Capt Brackett's cavalry, which
had done the most effective service.
Our forces were fred on in retrea5ing. but
Gen. Tayler, on the hill, covered the Ietr eat
somewhat with artillery fire. The Michigan
Second and New York Twelfth suffered
most.
Among the killed are the following:
Lieut.. Smith, of company g. Massachu-
setts First Edwin Field and Sergeant Fer
est, of the Boston Fusileers.
Lieut.. Lorin. of Braekett's cavalry is
among the wounded; also. Oliver E, smp-
son, of the Massachusetts First, and Chaps
lain Lancy, of Connecticut.
The total loss on our side is estimated ut
80 killed and 40 wounded.
The rebel loss is believed to be severe. 1t
is impossible to forward the names of those
killed and wounded.
The day was exceedingly hot and the
horses thirsting for water, which could only
be obtained at Centreville. Only about
1000 of our troops were at any time engas
ged. The rebel force is estimated at 1000.
Our troops did not retreat. as represented
in some quarters yesterday, but snly retired
to prepare for more efectual engagement.