Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-07-26
ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
We are permitted to publish the follow
ing interesting letter from 9 young man
Wsll known in this city to his father
NATIONAL HoFEL,

WAsHnOTOS, July 2sd, 1861. J
DEAR FATHER IL this A. NJ. telegraphed
you, on my arrival in the Capital, (which
proves . "Oapitar place Of rest to US
sorry to say" defeated sOldiers.") can
tell you, my father, never knew what
worn out' meant before. We commenced
our march Tuesday afternoon at o'clock
via Falls Church, destined for Fairfax,
from whence, if We had no fighting to do,
We were (lst and % Regimsnts) to return
to Washington and be discharged; but
such was not the case. We continued on
our march, chasing up the rebels to Gen.
treville 80 miles from here. We laid there
until Sunday morning at 2 o'clock, when
We again took up our march for Bulls Run
or Manassas. The Grays, Company Let
Regiment, and Rover Guards, Company A
I'd Regiment as skirmishers vent ahead OF
the column, II 600 men, until within one
or two miles this side, where we met the
rebels, bloOdthirsty. Our intentions were
not to begin the attack until the Federal
forces came up in their rear-ssy 10000
men-fOr reasons, suppose, same as be.
fore, acting on their own discretion. At
10 A. NJ. We commenced the attack. We
the lst and ID ohio-snd the I'd New York
were acting as reserve, and supporting
Carlisle's Battery, fine one Of six pieces,
and 80 pound riAed piece. We we're de-
tanned at our fIst halting point ell day,
but liable at any moment to be brought
into action, either BY being Aanksd or sent
into the engagement We we're shellei .
great deal Of the time by the rebel batter
les, and all the time we're in dangerous
position. The reserve were ordered by
Gen. schenck to take q battery across
plain corn field, up high bank. We had
skirmishers ahead Of us finding out the To-
cation of the battery. We we're brought up
fronting this battery, when they opened
fire upon US. We we're just outside the
woods, and fell back, none Of us injured,
but having most remarkable escape. The
battery discharged several pieces at us af-
ter We had fallen back, and also at the 4th
Regiment of Infantry. At5P.M. we pre-
pared for retreat expecting to be cut to
pices at any moment BY our pursuers We
Joined the main army and rstreated in fine
order, about 10000 strong We we're out.
Asnked By the rebels, but they did not
make much obstruction. The Black Horse
Cavalry Of the rebels charged on the re-
serve, the battery, and the New York I'd,
but did not see the lst Regiment. They
made awful havoc among the artilIerymen
and the New York ID, cutting snd killing
them, especially the latter. They killed
most of the horses belonging to the Car
lisle Battery, and having no force to draw
the artillery, We left the battery on the
way. We got along well enough until We
arrived at bridge crossing 9 stream
Here the whole retreating army, smbu-
lances, U. s. wagons, horses, artillery, SO,
met to cross over. We we're fred upon by
secreted rebel cavalry, most Of whom we're
killed The excitement Was mostly among
the tesmsteIs, who left their posts and ran,
leaving their teams in the road. The
horses commenced running down the hill
to the bridge, creating general stampede,
never equslled, l think, in American his
tory. Thinking should be pushed off the
bridge, l got under wagon to get out Of
the FIRE. The horses started, and got eul
in rather hurry, I think, and took for tn.
woods, Nading the stream and losing M
musket. made my way to Centrevill'
through the woods hard tramp Of fv,
miles, meeting the army, but not one Of th'
Ohio boys took it cool, being sll We
through in wadiug the stream. After get
ting good cup Of coffee and two or thre
crackers at a house ct the camp, aoci
dentally fell in with the regiment coming
to Washington. The rebels chased as u
to our own camp, and expecting an attacl
during the night, thought best to retreat !
Arlington Heights the same night. W
accordingly started st 10 o'clock, arriving
: at Vienna at next morning, stead
! march OF % miles From o'clock sunds
morning until last night We had msrche
: so miles without any sleep Of any momen
perhaps four hours. Monday it raine
, all day, and got wet through again, an
> sleeping on 3 door without any GOVERN
but wet OvsroOat, in an untenanted hOus
: quite open, aWoke this morning feeling 9
o l never did before, and finding that u
. regiment had gone to Washington, two {
! three miles distant, ! being near Fort Co
cOran, the headquarters Of the N. Y. cot
= Getting into Georgetown took the Omn
9 bas for Washington.
: Washington presents sorry sight. z
II nerals are continually passing through 4
4 streets, and retreat is written upon I
= countenance Of every defeated soldier.
= Just before / got to the creek 3 Hh
4 whizled over my left shoulder, tearing
the skin and leaving black and bl
7. place Of considerable magnitude. The o
thing that would have stopped me Won
= = have been losing my. head, which l cal
a near doing. IHTf5s H \
If Your thankful to be here safe, thou
@ sr tired and stiR enough son,
be AEDAKW CARLIsEH