Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-07-25

Description Of the Retreat
A Washington dispatch to the n. Y.
Tribune gives these interesting details Of
The retreat at Bulls Run By this it seems
that the Ohio boys, under Col. MoCOOk, 50
far from being the most panie-stricken,
made the last stand aud covered the re-
treOt for a time;
Their force was very large, and should
Judge from the bodies which kept pouring
Town from Manassas, greatly superior TO
burs. They fought well, and even in their
retreats showed considerable order, but
heir works. were one by one taken from
hem, until they held only two or three, one
a the highest ground Of their position, and
.e5o-others TO the left Of Gen. Tyler's de
lision. The first Of these was stOrmed by
he Zouave regiment but was either not
AIKEN, or was not held. The others we're
veil employed by the rebels, who threw
ncessant shot and shell among our most
exposed uen. We still pushed forward
until the whole OF our men, excepting the
second brigade Of the first division had
crossed Bulls Run. q
The engineers we're about constructing q
bridge for the artillery, the regular stone
bridge having been mined, and the two
columns under Gems. Tyler and Hunter,
the latter Of which vas led By Gen. Nc.
DoEell, had actnsIly completed their juno
tion, when the order to retreat was given.
Why it was given, no person Who witnessed
the battle and saw the condition In + hich
affairs stood can attempt TO oOmprehead--
The only point positively held By the enc
my was in a hollow, 10 our left, and al
though au Effort vas undoubtedly made %
lOysrreach us st the left, an ample force
one entire brigade-Was ready 10 receive
them, and did receive and repulsa them af-
terWard, in spite Of the panic which
reigned. But, at the beginning Of the re-
I tirement, few AmbulaRces and baggage
wagons we're driven hurriediy away, the
! noise Of which seemed to spread terror
/, among the troops within hearing, who in
! stantly broke ranks and ran, poll melii to-
Wsrd Centre4ille.
This eOnlagiOn caught the rest, and in
less than ten minutes our army was hying
In the utmost disorder. Everything was
abandoned. The wounded were deserted
in the hospitals, and The only thought was
Of individual safety Guns were thrown
aside. and blankets and knapsaoks were
lost and trampled upon. The artillery
shared the panic; the guns were cut loose
and the gunners used the horses TO escaPt
the more swiftly. Those on foot begged
Uiteously to be allowed to share the horses
Of those who rode. Many strOye 10 clam
-ber into wagons, and were pushed back ol
the bayonets Of those who occupied them
The ground was streWed with food
weapons. and clothing Of every kind
Many Of our guns were left to fall into IL
euemy's hands, including the large ~
FOUNDERS which had done SO much servo
during the fight. All courage, all mani
ness seemed 70 have forsakeE our terror
stricken men. .s.
The last stand upon the field was mad
by one Of The Ohio regiments, under Go
--AIcCoOk, believe, but about three mile
back the reserve brigade of Gen. Blenk'
was drawn up in line to cover the retrea
and effect whatever service was nesae
The stand Of Gen. Blenker saved US fro
great losses.
The enemy esme up in small force at J
o'clock at night, and charged upon the 3
New York regiment capturing six Of
men. The charge was repulsed, and I
enemy attacked With such yigor as
cause them to fly, leaving their prisoner
The disorder Of our men continued dHrl
the night There was no army, only q VI
rahble. By midnight they we're al Sc
tered in the road 70 Fairfax eOurt-Houi
and soon after, Gen. Blenker, with the I
New York regiment. took up his retreat
perfeet order-the only body thai SO
treated.
lefe Centreville at o'clock this mol
ing. The last fragments Of our force
ali been long gonei even the hospit
were nearly deserted, al who could Il
hgVihg started forth with CFutches 9
canes. The rebel scouts we're pass
through the town, and apparently ende
oring to ascertain in which way they CO
beat succeed in cutting of the straggl.
/ DO not know, however, thai any ser
attempt to do this was made.
The road from Centreyille 10 Fairfax
thick with the debris Of the retreat.
- gage wagons were overturned aud
horses lying dead and dying. Guns,
=bulanees, stores Of provisions we're str
evervwhere. At Fairfax Court House
inhabitants were plundsring our desc
baggage. Toward Arlington the eYide
of the disgraceful retreat continued. A
four miles from the Long Bridge
Blenker was moving regularly to'
h washington his force In thoroughao o.
As he passed, he destroyed the imPoi
bridges % secure against sudden Puri