The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1861-07-25

Cneck ItIeIIl cituCi az OeOterVulo or
Fairfax Court House.
Gen. Mcdowell intended to make
another stand at Fairfax Court House,
but our forces being in full retreat, he
could not accomplish the object.
Beyond Fairfax Court House the re-
treat was kept up until the men reached
their regular encampments, a portion
of whom returned to them, Ibut still
larger portion coming inside the en-
trenchments.
A large number of the troops in their
retreat fell on the way-side from ex-
haustion, and scattered along the route
all the way from Fairfax Court House.
The road from Bulls Run was
strewed with knapsacks, arms, DC,
some of our troops deliberately throw
ing away their arms and appurtenances,
the better to facilitate their travel.
Gen. Mcdowell was in the rear of
the retreat, exerting himself to rally
bis men, but only with partial effect.
The latter part of the army it is said
made the retreat in order.
His orders on the field did not at all
times reach those for whom they were
intended.
1t is supposed the force sent out
against our troops, consisted according
to a prisoners statement, of about CO..
600 men, including large number of
cavalry.
He further says that owing to rein
forcements from Richmond. Strasburg,
and other points, the enemy's effective
force was 10000 men.
According to the statement of two
of the Fire Zouaves, they have only
about two hundred men left from the
slaughter, while the Sixty-ninth and
other regiments frightfully suffered in
killed and wounded. The number can
not now be known.
Sherman's, Carlisle's, GriffiD's, and
the West Point batteries, were taken
by the enemy, and the eight seige 80
pound rif1ed cannon.
1t is supposed that all the provision
train belonging to us is saved.
Large droves of cattle were saved
by being driven back.
1t is supposed here to-day, that Gen.
Mansfield will take command of the
Notifications on the other side of the
river, and is able it is said, by military
engineers, to hold them against any
force the enemy may bring against
them.
Large rifled cannon and mortars are
being rapidly sent over and mounted.
An officer just from Virginia, 1890
reports that the road from Centreville
to the Potomac is strewn with stray
glers.
The troops are resuming the occupa-
ton of the Notifications and entrench-
ments on the line of the Potomac.
Col. Heintzelman was wounded in
the wrist.
In addition to those reported yester-
day, it is said that Col. Wilcox, the
gallant commander of brigade, was
killed; also Capt. Nc Cook, brother
of Col. McCook of Ohio.
The city this morning is in the most
intense excitement. Wagons are con-
tinually arriving bringing the dead and
wounded.
The feeling is awfully distressing.
Both telegraph and steamboat COM
munication with Alexandria is suspen-
ded to-day to the public.
The greatest alarm prevails through
out the city.
The following is an account of the
beginning Of the panic which resulted
so disastrously to our troops:
All our military operations went on
swimmingly, and Colonel Alexander
was about erecting a pontoon across
Bulls Run, when terrific consterna-
ton broke out among the teamsters,
who had incautiously advanced imme-
diately after the body of the army and
lined the Warrenton road. Their con-
sternation was shared in by numerous
civilians who were on the ground.
Soon our whole army was in retreat.
For time a perfect panic prevailed
which communicated itself to the vicin-
ity of Ccntervile, and every available
conveyance was seized upon.
Several similar alarms had occurred
on previous occasions, caused by a
change of position of our batteries, and
it was most probable that the alarm
was owing to the same fact.