Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-08-01

the sound of Col Hunters axemen clearing his way
and awaited with some impatence the sound of his
cannon on the opposite height Time wore along with
occasional shots from our guns well those of Col
Richardson column, but without Ill single instance,
receiving any reply.
At a little before IL o'clock, the 1st Ohio and I'd
New York, which were lying in the wood on the left
were ordered to advance. They did So passing out of
the road and climbing fence into wood opposite
which they had barely approached however when they
were met by tremendous discharge of four gun bat
terry planted at the left in the woods mainly for the pur-
pose OF sweeping the road perpendcuary and the open
field on its right by which alone troops could pass for
ward to the opposite bank They were staggered for
moment, and received orders to retire. Capt. Ayres
battery formerly Sherman's) advanced little so as
to command this battery and by twenty minutes of vi
gorous play upon it, slenced it completely.
At half-past l, We heard Hunters guns on the op-
pose height. over mile to the right He was answered
by batteries there and then followed the sharp rafting
voleys of musketry, their infantry became engaged
The firing incessant. Hunter had come upon
them suddenly and formed his line of battle in an open
field at the right Of the road. The enemy drew up to
oppose him. but he speedily drove them to retreat and
followed them up with the greatest vigor and rapdity
Meantime, for some three hours previous we had seen
long lines OF dense dust rising from the roads leading
from Manassas, and with the glass could very clear
~ perceive that they raised by the constant and
steady stream of reiuforcements, which continued to
pour in nearly the whole day. The Sixty-nnth,j Sew
Second and Third Connecticut and the Second Wscon
SIM were brought forward in advance of the wood and
marched across the field to the right go to Col Hun
ter support. They crossed the intervening stream and
drew up in small open field, separated from Col. Hun
ters column by dense wood which was filed with
batteries and infantry.
Our guns continued to play upon the woods, which
thus concealed the enemy, and aided material in clearing
them for the advance. Going down to the extreme
front of the column, could watch the progress of COL
Hunter, marked by the constant roar of artillery and
the roll of muskery as be pushed the rebels back from
point to point. At O'Clock, he had driven them out
of the woods and the road which the proon-
cation of that on which stood Here by the side of
their batteries, the rebels made q sand-Ihey planted
their flag directly in the road and twice charged
it upon our men, but without moving them inch.
They met by destructive fire, and compelled to
fall still further back Gradually the point of fire pass
ed further away until the dense clouds of smoke which
marked the progress of the combat at least half
mile to the left of what had been the central position
the rebels.
it now 2 y o'clock. | was at the advanced point
of the front of column some hundred rods beyond
the woods, IN which the few troops then there were
drawn up, when decided to drive back to the town.
AS passed up the road the balls and shell from the
enemy began to fall with than usual rapdity.
did not see the point from which they came but meet
his battery, supported by the Ohio Brigade under Col
Schenck to repel rumOured attempt of cavalry to out
flank this column. ASH went forward he passed down
Gen Schenck's Brigade was at once drawn up across
the road, and Captain Ayre's guns planted in
knoll at the left when powerful body of rebels, with
heavy battery down from the direction of Bull
Run and engaged this force with tremendous effect.
went to Cenrevie, sent off my dispatch, and starte'
with all speed to return, Intending to go with troop
upoB what had been the botly-contested field, neve
doubling for a moment that it would remain in thei
hands
| had gone but quarter of a mile when met
great number Of fugives and carriage soon becam
entanged in mass of baggage-wagons, the officer ii
charge of which told it use to go in that di
rection, our troops retreating Not credine
the story, which utterly inconsistent with what
had seen little while before continued to push
met Quarter master Steson, of the Fire Zouaves
who told me- bursting into tears that his Regiment hat
been utterly cut to pieces, that the Colonel and Lieu
tenant Colonel were both killed. ard that troops ha
actually been repulsed still tried to proceed but tn
advancing columns rendered it impossible, and urne
about Leaving my carriage, went to a high point
ground and saw, by the dense crowd of dust that ros
each of the three roads by which the three column
of the army had advanced that they all the re
treat Sharp discharges of cannon in their indlca
ted that they were being pursued.
About mile this side of Cenrevlle, stampede tool
place among the teamsters and Others which thre7
everything into the utmost confusion and inflicted som
very serious injuries MIR. Eaton of Michigan, in try
ing to arrest the flight of of these men, she
by one of them the ball taking effect in his hand.
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