Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-09-06

Centreville, not merely to Arlington, but
to Washington, without any cause at all
for without loss there was no cause Of
retreat3 and therefore no excuse for
panic aud rout. Again, they say there
was only portion of their army engaged,
The greater shame for those who were
not engaged. to run, then. But before
the battle, when McDowell's force was
enumerated IN te,rorun, at 30, 900, it was
said fifteen regiments had subsequently,
joined. Now it is averred only $4,000,
$4,000, or 10000 were in action. What
on earth were the rest aboutf And |
am obliged to say that Mr.. Davis's state
ments are quite as startling; for while
he declares the enemy was 30, 900 strong,
he astonishes us by asserting that Of all
his host only $4,000 took part in the
battle. AS to losses, of course it is be-
yond anything but imagination to give
an estimate. Regiments reported to
have been annihilateU have turned up
quite hale and hearty, neat as imported,
on the day Of marching home land fond
parents, wives and relatives will be spared
many pangs and great deal of mourn
ing. / think my estimate Of killed and
wounded was nearly correct. The pris-
oners may amount to more than 900 or
1000, but the Federalists have lost more
heavily than the totals under these heads
would show, perhaps. 1t would be ra-
Their ridiculous to call it either hard
fought, bloody, or a glorious field (;
but it was an important one; it was a
most trying one to the Federalists, who
were badly fed and hard-worked, in a
waterless country, on July day, for II
hours they were exposed to the demo-
ralizing effects of long-continued artil-
lery fire. In spite of their want Of dis
cipline and the very unaccountable rout,
the Federalists at first showed alacrity,
but after time they became torpid and
difficult to handle. No one questions
the general bravery of Americans, native
OF adopted, ON either side ; but defeat is
rendered worse than ridiculous by at
tempts to turn it into triumph. Let
the unfortunate brave rest content with
the sympathy they deserve, and shun the
ovations which archie due of the con-
querer Praise ana dattery cannot re-
take gun, nor save a standard. nor win
a battle--even if it be from eon popdi
in Broadway or Bowery.
The more closely the consequences Of
Manassas are investigated, the more Sc
rious they seem to be. 1t must be grant
ed that the Confederates feel their loss
ess more severely than the North does.
Their colonies and officers are men of
mark, and even of privates killed or
wounded one sees notices implying that
they belong to good families, and are
well-known people. The O's and Macs
and Vons, (few Of the latter, the Cor
cofans, Camerons, and Bruggers, prison
ers, wounded or killed, are Of less con-
sequence to the social system of the
North, than the Hamptons, Prestons,
and Mannings, are to the South. If Mr..
Davis and few Of the leaders were to
fall in battle there would be less chance
of the South continuing its struggle with
the same heart and confidence; but if al
the cabinet were to 60 tomorrow from
Washington the spirit of the Northern
States would not be diminished one iota
From the South, as yet, we have only
few scattered details of the fight and it
results, but it can be seen that there wa
no very great exultation over the victory
One class of officers in the Federal ar
my did their duty nobly-the surgeon
remained on the field when all other
were retiring or had left. One is report
ed killed; six are prisoners in the hand
Of the enemy, engaged in attending t.
the wounded on both sides--an invalua
bic aid 10 the scanty medical staff of tb,
Confederates. There is no reason to be
lieve that the treatment of wounded OF
prisoners was what it was reported t
have been. There may have been some
isolated acts of atrocity in the heat Of
battle or pursuit, and it is only too like.
ly that building in which wounded
men were placed was set fire to by a
shell, but it is only justice to the COME
derate authorities to say, that they seem
to have done all they could for those who
fell into their hands. Much irritation
has been created by the false statements
circulated on this subject, and the sol
.diers on guard over Confederate prison
ers here would not permit them to re-
ceiye some little Injuries which had been
ordered by sympathizing inhabitants, on
the ground that they did not deserve
them after the treatment given by their
friends to the Federalists. And as ]
have used the word "sympathizers," let
me add the expression Of my belief that
there is scarcely department, high or
low, Of the public service Of the United
States, in which there is not treason
/ mean the aiding and abetting the enc
my by information and advice. 1t is
openly talked in society--its work is evil
dent on all sides. / went into the pri-
vate department Of the post-ofice the
other day, and found there gentleman
busily engaged in sorting letters at o
desk. The last time | met him was al
dinner with the Commissioners Of th,
Confederate States at Washington. and
| was rather surprised TO see him now II
the sanctum of the post Office, within I
few feet Of Mr.. Blair, the sangre azul o
abolitionism. Said he, II am just look
ing over the letters here 10 pick out SOM
for our Southern friends, and ! forwart
them TO their owners as l find them :
and If the excellent and acute gentleman
did not also forward any little scraps Of