Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-07-26
THE SKIRMIsU At BULLS Rry

Inc hrst tight at Bulls Run commenced ,t mon,
-Aoi'dSy. General Tyler had gone out to make
a reconnaissance in force, with Cant,ir Ar, ~,
'hcthah > battery, four companies Of cavalry
"a CV'onei richardson's brigade, Composed Of the
"a ana ID Michigan, the LIST Mass. and tho Iatb
y. /. Volunteers. Advancing IN the roa5 -
balIs Kun for about two miles, tbe column cana
10 an opening, after passing throuoh a lonr
sHetch OF Timber, when sight was canght of a
strong body of the enemy. Gen. TYLER immeii-
a1e,y oiuerea captain Ayres' battery 10 advance
anu open on them, which they did from 4 com
handing elevation. Eight shells had been thrown
wlen suddenly a volley was fired upon us from a
hidden battery, about 4 mile down the road. some
oi the enemys g~rspeshot struck among the cayal-
~, that had IN the meantime been drawn m in a
oouy On a nill' Killing two horses and woundins
two of the troopers.
Two more shots were fred by the rebels. 10 which
our rifed pieces responded with about 6ftv shot
and shell, directed wherever u trace of the enemy
was visible. Two OF PARROTS rifcd twenty
FOUNDERS then came up, ard immediately Joined
in the action.
The enemy having retreated int, the woods. our
batteries stopped firing, and the Second Michigan
was oraered to deploy as skirmishers on the left
u the road, aud advance into the woods. They
calamity novel on, and, having entered the tim
per- they had hardly been out of sight five min
~ "nena most IlVely exchange of musket shots
ZOO pace Tor afew minutes. suddenly a success
sioA OF whole volleys, evidently discharged by
large bodies # men, were fred.
Inc remainder Of Colonel Richardson's bri,ade
was then ordered ahead. The three regiments adj
Faneed towards the woods, and drew up in battle
array IN front aud on the right of tho timber
meantime the exchange Of musket shots contin- |
lel Ia the %lTeliest style in the woods. Compan- |
les q and II, Of the First Massachusetts REGIMENT. |
ana some companies Of the Twelfth New York |
volunteers, were then also ordered into the tim /
Der and at the same time the cavalry and two 4
advanced IN tho ala .r b - A. I
nrlnS IN the timber being kept up in the interval. |
Our howltzers then threw some graposhot into
the timber, when at once a terrific series Of vollevs
~nusketry was poured out from the woods upon
Us IRON an elevation n the rear. Shot Of every
description flew about us for some minutes like
nail but il being, fortunately. nearly all aimed
too high, hardly one was struck outside the woods.
A retreat was now ordered, when infantry, cav
and artillery fell back behind our battery on
he hill.
AT tn %juncture Colonel Sherman's Third brig
headed by tho Sixty-ninth New York regi-
appeared. Our battery again opened, and
up a raking fire for nearly an hour, which
vas vigorously replied to by the enemy. Their
'aIs and shells struck the houses in front Of
'lich the battery was stationed several times, and
aked the woods in the rear for nearly a mile
'ome OF their shots were picked up, and proved to
e from Hotchkiss' rided cannon. After A can
onade Of about an hour a retreat was ordered,
nd our entire fell back on Ceatrcville.
Our troops fought under great disadyanta &C.
lot oce rebel ventured out Of the woods during
be action
The total loss on our side Is now stated at 50
lied and 80 wounded. The engagement was not
regular attack, but simply a reconnaissance for
ne purpose Of aseertainiog tue position and
-rength OF the rebols, at whit may be considered
ne outworks of the Qualifications at ana about
lanassas Junction. No General would attack a S
ell known stronghold Of the enemy without like ,
1t never came within
lie plan Of General Mcdowell 70 make a formal
iYance upon the Junction until all the divisions Z
ms army had concentrated at Centrcville, S
hich dld not take place until after tho action at J
ulls Kun had occurred .