Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-07-16

the benefit Of the rumors facts and speculations
ahoat here, at the headquarters Of Gen. Johnstons
army, as picked up by private 10 the srmys
Well. you have heard from sreliabe gentlemen"
news carriers in these times are always relia-
bic, according to the papers-hov Johnston whip
ped tetterson's whole army, when the armies
were seven miles spaTt-all about the Yankees
crossing the Potomac; but you didn't hear how
calamity ESQ (and some Of them sick.) of Colonel
Aarper's Fifth Virginia Regiment repulsed 00g Of
the enemy three timez, and Kept them back two and
half hours, feat even General Jackson was sur
prised at Lieut. Col. Hartman counted 20 dead
bodies Of the enemy carried off the field in blankets
as he ordered the regiment to retire Some OF the
companies fired 40 rounds, eoolly and deliberately.
Gentlemen just from Hsgerstown and Martinsburg
say that the enemy have buried 179. and their
wounded and killed must have been 500. Capt
Pendleton7s Artillery fred one round through and
through the whole Of the enemy's column killing q
number. Lieut.. Herman, of Augusta, acted with
the greatest GOODNESS and bravery, as did Col Harp
er and the whole regiment. Gen. Jackson was as
cool as cucumber, writing orders, on his horse,
while the balls few around him like hail. That was
all the fight Our Uen retired in good order losing
only two and taking five prisoners from the enemy.
Pattersons lying dispatch to Washington makes il
out that he gained a tremendous victory; but, bah
Yankees can't help lying; it is born in them and
nourished by education.
Our forces here were ordered out as soon as the
news OF the enemy's movements reached u.s. on
Tuesday, July I'd That ievening they marched to
Bunkers Hill twelve miles and cAmped until the fol-
lowing morning, when they marched to Darksvilc,
six miles, and took position to meet the Yankees,
who were reported to be approaching with 10000
men, but who were snugly quartered IN Martins
burg.
Our troops were frequently drawnu up in order of
battle and always fell in" as oyfuy as the bride
groom hastens to the wedding; but each alarm
proved false. Once our pickets we're fred on, and
all thought the fight at hand. but the enemy dare
nOs approach, although double our numbers The
enemy entrenched themselves at Martinsburg and
our troops were eager to attack Them uncaring for
odds; but Gen. Johnston held them back So there
was no fight, though we offered battle to double our
numbers four days.
On Sunday, tae 18th, Gen. Johnston issued proc
lamation to the army, in which he said he knew it
to be the desire of his command to march upon the
enemy and drive them from MartInsburg he had
no doubt that the attempt would be successful but
the loss OF life would be greater than the object to
be gainedswoud warrant He had tour days offered
battle to the enemy, greatly superior in force but
the enemy declined, and there was no prospect of
an attack He concluded by hoping and knowing
his brave command would see the iustice of his
movements and obey his orders promptly, as they
had always done. The proclamation, of which
give only the substance, gave pretty general salts
faction, but it with sad hearts that our gallant
boys came back to old quarters here, which they
did on Sunday evening last.
The men stood the march and sleeping in the omen
air, without tents finely, and but few are sick from
it. Hundreds of the sick, with mprudent bravery
deserted the hospitals and went out to Join in the
fight Thus ended this expedition to whip Patter-
son, and various are the opinions of it. All think
Johnston acted prudently, but all regret that we
had no fight. And here we are stationed all
around this place, in what positions and in whA
numbers it is not policy to state
The Yankee prisoners-some sixty-work daily
in the trenches" They are a hard-Iooking set,
but work we'll. They say the first bread thew got
to eat since leaving home was here. I'D Abe fed
them on spoiled herrings and wormy sea crackers
They complain greatly of the heat say they were
going home on the 4th, as their time was out, and
they will never fight against the South
The army here Is going to fall back no farther
without fight Voices not loud, but Deep pro-
claim il. Southerners from Georgia, Mississippi
and Alabama, Kentuckians, Marylandeis and Vir-
ginlsns. not going to leave the kind the gene
rOus, the beautiful ladies of Winchester, who have
exhausted every device in kindness to them while
sick or well to the mercies of old Abe'S minIous.
without a fight. The soldiers now in the hospitals
receive every attention from the citizens especially
the ladies. Some of the sick are in private fami-
lies, who treat them like brothers and sons. The
sick are generally improving.
Six Sisters Of Charity are nursing the sick from
Emmetts6urg Pa, and untiring in their endeavors
to make the six soldiers lot endurable
Correspondence of the Memphis appeal.
RICHMOND, July IL Late and reliable information
from General Johnston headquarters represent
him quietly awaiting the advance Of the enemy
l saw chaplain belonging TO one of the Alabama
regiments last night, who left the camp at Wnches
ter the day before He says, that after await 2
the attack of the enemy in vain for four days dur
ing which every eXpedent was resOrtei to IN order
10 provoke General Patterson into contest, but to
no purpose, General Johnston determined to fall
back upon Winchester, and issued orders to that
effect. They were received with demonstrations
OF general dissatisfaction by the entire command
which he represents as eager for the contest and
confident of victory. Although the men had been
marched forward to the vicinity of Martnsburg
at moments warning, and being without tents
were exposed to the weather. occasionally short Of
ratiOns, and most of the time under arms,
for four days and nights, not a murmur
was heard till the order to countermarch
was issued. This was too much for their endurance
and evoked loud and general complaint and muir
murming, TO such degree that the general com
handing had made the matter the subject OF gen.
eral order, in which he details to the brave
der command the circumstance which induced him,
in despair of being able u provoke a fight with the
enemy, to fall back to the main line of his opera
tons to await further developments. Gen. Patter-
son has acted with degree of prudence" which
is little short of cOwardice. With force nearly
double JohnstOn's in point Of numbers, he refused
though repeatedly challenged to give battle to our
men. When Johnston determined to attack him in
Martinsburg, and sent flag Of truce requesting him
to remove the women and children from the town,
the valiant Patterson refused to allow them go
but kept them a shield for the brave PenusylVa-
mans whom he commands. Shade of departed
chivary what foe we have to fight
The following is extract from the order Of
Gen JoHSToX issued on the 9th inst alluded to in the
foregoing extracts. With such disparity of for
ces it was the hight of valor for JOHNSTON throw
down the gauntlet, and the sublimity of cowardice
for Patterson to refuse taking it up. An attack
under such circumstances by our men would have
only exhibited foohardy imprudence. We feel
confident that the public will rest satisfied with the
result:
The general announces to his gallant command
that for four days be has offered battle tO greatly
superior force. 1t has been declined. To attack
the enemy in his position would involve a sacrifice
of life too heavy for the object to be attained Our
men are patriots and freemen; the enemy are hire
lings and marauders. We will resume our former
position where the health and comfort of the com
mand can be preserved and whenever we may,
move in the assurance of striking an effective blow
The general expects from bis men the same cheer
full obedience to his orders which they have ever
shown and claims the confidence they have always
accorded him
By order of Gen. Johnston. E. X SMITH,
Brig. Gen. and Asst Adj't Gen.
Citizens Meeting Last Night.