New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-07-25

when tho 6ght commenced, came upon the field at 3
O'Clock. He rode calmly round, made few inquiries,
and without sn appearance of the least excitement or
emotion, ordered q retreat. II strnck me from the
promptitude with which he came TO this conclusion,
that be thought the reconnaissance should have taken
this course after the first FIVE minutes apdas soon as
bad tested the extent of the enemys intrenchmens.
have since heard that he did mediate such an adj
vance with any portion of mis- force beyond the valley
east of Centrevie where the two foremost divisions
lay encamped. The whole affair, therefore, NUT be
looked npon 40 an erroneous movement, and one OF
series which has already grown too numerous on the
par! of subord nate officers who hayetoo strong desire
tor premature di tinction.
The troops which we had engaged suffered severely,
but the loss will prove be great a. was at rSt
supposed. found on visiting the wounded through
the wards that many had fallen from exhaustion, and
that the hurts of numerous others, who bad been put
hOr' do eoaba were very slight. think thirty killed
will probably cover all. 1t is said that Beaurogard
and Lee both came up from Manassas with the re-
enforcemelts, and that the batteries served by
the Carolina and Alabama troops, under Gen. Bonbam
who had fed from Fairfax. II IL also said that the
Confederates the time the point Of retreat,
but that the reenforeemens in time TO spare them
:, az nec-srity. What their loss is cannot tell.
Those Of our troops who charged furthest forward
reported many wounded lying round; but these we're
most likely men overcome purely by exhaustion and not
suffering from wounds II 10 charged, on the part Of
some, that the n. Y. Twelfth Volunteers from Onon
dags County, exhibited want Of courage in portions
of the fight and ed At Last in dsgracefm panic but
their IL that they stayed idly before the raking
batteries Of tho enemy longer than their Colonel aud
IL my opinion that they stayed too long for any SER
vice. and consequently quite long enough for credit.
There are no green troops in the world who would
stand before mere piece Of woods that was splitting
deadly fre without anything in sight to encourages
them with hope of satisfaction. There are none,
Whether green or seasoned who should be required W
do 20.
We are now az ain resting in The valley, and have
found my quiet farmers cottage 70 send you this dis
paGch. While writing, have been attracted 20 the
gate the gsyes Of the gay Of all our roops-the
dashine, handsome, elastic, and ever cheerful Fire
Zouayes. They came the invincible head Of Gen
Heinzensns division and they looked TO ne, Ms they
SWING by il they could have got to" tho enemy at
Bulls Rum and bucked the bull and bis gums from their
position bad they taken part in the action Of the after
noon. | ssid 10 some of them "a they went by "Ah,
boy wish you had been here to-day"
Ay, vi, we wish we hadP was the quick Response.
doubt II any movement will be made tomorrow, or
even the next day, for no temper will govern Gen.
Mcclellan toward accelersti of bis movements.
He is soldier who is governed purely by science, and
WHO does not either yield TO sentiment, study the
popularity of condolences We may therefore not ex
pcc another ment for two three dsys at most
and il the rumor which has just in be true, tina,
Gen. Johnston has effected bs pas, this point
aud made union Of bis sorces with the main Confed-
ersie army at Mabassas we may not have battle in
several days IL will then be game one, and you
shall have il faithfully set down. Groacr WILKES.