Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-07-26

About mile from Centreville, an attempt
was made to rally the men, but with little
success. 4 few thousand were stopped, but
many without weapons. On the high hill top
at Centreville a column of infantry was seen,
with their cleaning bayonets. On the top
the artillery were also drawn up, prepared to
fire.
The Garibaldians, Einstein's and Blenker' S
regiments were drawn up at the foot of the
hill, and escaping men ordered to fall in. Loud
cheering was done, and the rail- wing cry Civ
en-, but it was but little or no use-men had
no officers when they did halt, and so they
kept on re;reating; "water, wateri' was the
cry "giye me water or FL sink, /" was heard
from all sides not drop was to be had fit to
drink; the wells were all drained, and the
clouds of dust filled the air at every point
We got in the rear of negro hut and there
secured water thick with filth, but it was the
best to be had; a number of buildings were
used for hospitals, and on every side cries
were made. for surgeons.
Orders were now circulated for the men to
gather at their last camping ground, around
Centreyille; ii was needed by some, but most
neglected it and continued their stampede to-
wards Fairfax.
The firing of the enemy was kept up on our
rear with artillery, and their cavalry rode
through and through, cutting and slashirig
WIN perfect HenulShneSS.
Our wounded and dead are nearly all on
the battle field in the hands of the enemy
such as could crawl or walk were trying to
get away, and such pitiablc spectacles were
seen as made our heart sick; but we could not
help them; the few ambulances were started
off early with the wounded and never return
ed. We saw a number lying on the roadside,
with medicine chests and bandages.
The immense baggage train, consisting OF
some six hundred or II thousand wagons, lined
the road for mile ard half on the Warren
ton road towards Bulls Run, two miles back
of Centreville. When the panic started the
wagons tried to fall back on Centrevile, but
number were upset and broken down; the
drivers would Immediately leave them and
escape on the horses. Others would throw out
their load of provisions and stores, and fill
up with soldiers and muskets; the body of
the luggage, however, got in the rear of Cen
treville.
Our greatest loss is in the thorough demon
alizaton of our army, 1t will take weeks to
gather the scattered forces in the condition
we had them.
The cowardly retreat on the morning Of the
fight, by the Pennsylvania Fourth, and vari-
GUS batteries, had a depressing effect upon
our force, and encouraged the rebels by the
story that our men were running. That theiI
time was up is an cAcuSe thht Will NOT an
swer; they fled ignominiously when our coun.
try needed them.
Col Corcoran of the Goth was once captur-
ed, and the colors of the regiment taken.
Account of Mr.. Russell of the Lon
don Times.
From the Baltimore South" of Tuesday |
An officer Of the army who arrived from
Washing at half-past A clock this afternoon
states that not less than 900 wounded were
brought into the various hospitals in Wash.
ington to-day. He further states that during
the retreat from Bulls Run, a rumor having
gained currency that all the Fire Zouaves
taken by the Confederates were put to death,
a party of Zouaves broke into the hospital al
Centrevlle, and killed the few wounded Con-
federate prisoners who were lying there.
| A letter from gentleman in high position
in Washington, to a friend IN this city, after
characterizing the defeat Of the Federals as
complete rout, says that Mr.. Russell, Of the
London Times, gives the following accountof
the engagement. He Russell says that the
Confederate forces completely deceived the
Federal Generals. They had thrown up
works at Centreville which they never intend
ed to use, and as soon as the army arrived
they would retreat, leaving baggage and pro-
visions, &C., to indicate hasty retreat. This
masked batteries without number played upon
the Federal right, left and centre. Ii bat
terry was taken, another opened npon its flank,
and theeapturcd battery was soon retaken by
the Confederatcs. The fight continued thus
for nine hours, when the Confederate forces
charged upon the left wing of the Federalists,
and the whole were routed Mr. Russell saws
that the loss in killed, wounded and prso-
ners on the Federal side must be at least 20, :
600. He calls it disastrous defeat
The same gentleman of Washington says
that at the muster Of the Fire Zouaves last
night, only 1913 answered 10 their names The
Goth brought home 25G out of 200, and the
list, 329 out of ] 100. Col German, of the
Minnesota Regiment, says that the Federal
forces actually engaged were So, 600, with
heavy reserves at Centreyille.
1t is positively stated that the army moved
not only against the advice but the wish Of
General Scott. The writer adds " IL is ac-
knowledged that the defeat must have Il most
damaging effect in Europe, as those govern
ments were only waiting to see the result be-
tween the centre of the army and the main
division Of the Confcderates. President Da-
Wis was conspicuous upon the field of battle
on u white charger. The Federal rfemen
made frequent attempts to take him off, but
without success. He was much exposed"
The following we take from the Baltimore
Exchange" of Tuesday last:
,SkilfM Manourering Of The Con(cderatcs
--Entrapping tie Federals- Bayonet
Charges Of tie Southern Regimeats-
Desperate Anack acith Bowie RniUes-
Terrible Loss Of the Federm E6rces-
Estimated at IL. 000-Condition Of
tie Fhgitices.
" AsHISGToN, July %.
more mournful picture ia not TO be ina
gincd than is this city after the terrible engage
ment of yesterday. The streets are thronged
with men, women and children. The tele-
graph Offices have been thronged all day with
those who were anxious to advise their friends
of their safety. The President has been in
council most of the day with Messrs. Seward,
Chase, Blair and General Scott. Secretary
Cameron remained in the meeting but short
time.
panic has seized all the officials and des-
pcrate preparations are being made for the
future and better defences Of the city. The
Congress, both Senate and House OF Represen-
tatiyes, certainly the most gloomy that ever
sat in the halls OF national legislation. Both
branches adjourned about two o'clock SEN
ator johnson did not speak he had probably
prepared series Of spitoful expletiyes
strengthened By all the vindictive adjectives
Of the language, and perhaps intended to give
a summary Of the claim Of brilliant success
cs" which had attended the Federal arms, but
was deprived Of the pleasure by the farce Of
circuIastdnccs.
Senator Wilson warmly advocated the bill
cOniscatng the property Of the iDsurrection-
lists and bitterly denounced those who deem
ed IL duty to vote against 50 extreme a
measure.
The division under General Burnsides, with
two Rhode Island batteries and list New York
regiments, had the centre OF the column in
the battle Of Yesterday. They were supported