The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-08
THE SITUATION.

We publish to-day the official report of the battle
OF Bull run by Brigadier General Mcdowell. ad.
dressed to the COMMUNICATIVE Though
1t does not materially differ from the de-
soriptions which we have previously given from
our special correspondents and other sources.
its details will be found highly interesting
and as an authoritative statement of the battle
will be received with satisfaction He states that
his report has been delayed in consequence of the
inability OF the subordinate commanders to obtain
true account Of the state Of their commands at
an earlier moment.
Ieneral Mcdowell represents the battle to have
been won by his army at half-past three in the
afternoon, but the arrival Of Johnstons fresh
troops by train at that time converted the victory
INTO disastrous rout--the Union troops being
worn out with the fatigue of hard days battle.
Accounts heve reached Washington that the
rebels arc committing terrible outrages in that
portion of Virginia around Fairfax and Centreville,
which they have obtained possession of since the
battle Of Bull run. Neither age, nor sex. nor in.
trinity is spared from insult and abuse. All those
capable of bearing arms and refusing to do 30 are
sent as prisoners to Manassas or Richmond.
The division of General McCIelan's army into
brigades occupies the entire attention of the com.
handing general, and demands the constant move.
ment of all corps of the service on the line of the
Potomac. It was observed yesterday that a large
body Of rebels, supposed to belong to General
Johnston's command, were posted within two
mes OF the Potomac shore, and couple of miles
Sstaut from Great Falls, where there is a ford
that has been much used The soldiers were no.
ticed cutting passage through the woods towards
the river with axes.
Tho Union troops in Missouri under Gen. Lyon
had another affair on Friday last with the
rebeis commanded by Ben McCulloch at place
called Ding Springs about nineteen miles southwest
of Springfield, which resulted in the defeat of the
rebels. 1t appears that it was only the United
States cavalry on the side of Gen. Lyons command
who were engaged, and small body of two hur.
dred and seventy of them made splendid charge
on force OF about four thousand rebel infantry
cutting their way through with the loss of only
I'VE men. The cavalry are said to have been
crossing ridge Of high land, partly enclosed on
the east by valley, and when descending the
hill came upon large force of the epemys in.
fantEy, and being unable to retreat, they charged
and cut their way through. The lieutenant com.
fl,o fryvu ttaJ
OF the rebels. Meantime the enemy appeared in
large numbers moving along the valley, but they
were put to fight by the artillery. The rebels
retreated southwark to place called McCul-
lough's store, on the Fayetteville road The mum.
Der of rebels found dead on the field amounted to
forty, and some forty-four wounded were picked
up General Lyon is said to be strongly intrenched
IN close proximity to the enemy, and another battle
q expected to take place very soon.
These facts, which reached us by telegraph from
St. Louis yesterday, confirmed by despatch
received by the President last night from General
Fremont. The gallant and successful charge of
the cavalry against SO large opposing force may
excite some surprise; but when we remember the
charge of the six hundred British light cavalry at
Eaiakiava, In the face Of terrific fire from the
batteries, and upon body of some six thousand
Russians, the charge at Dug Springs is not without
parallel. 1t is true, however, that while the IA
nous charge in the Crimea resulted in disastrous
consequences to the cavalry, and was the upshot
Of terrible mistake; the charge at Due SPRINGS