The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-07-26

ffrst gun was nrcd from ~ pounu riuce
cannon, SAINT ahead to batter the masked bat
ferries that might DO encountered on the road
There was no reply from tho enemy, ant
the advance moved on. At Gen. McDowellt
headquarters, three miles beyond Centreyillc
tho greater part Of the army moved TO th'
right to avoid bridge some distance beyond
said to have been undermined. They vii
pass over upon pontoons prepared BY Capt
Alexander Of the Engineer Corps, who hat
inspected the country infinitely in previou
reconnaissance, and TO whom in q great meas
ure the plan OF the campaign Ia due.
A general battle 10 expected to-day or to
morrow II Gen. Johnston has not formet
junction with Beauregard, he will DO en-
tirely cut of by this man9uvro, and thrown
hack upon the mountains, where his ARM
will become utterly demoralired. and proba
bly fall into the hands Of Gen. Mcclellan
who is advancing from beyond the Blu,
Ridge. II he has formed junction will
Bcauresard. it opens our communication
with Gen. Patterson's column, aud thus 70
inforced, the Federal army can crush out op
position.
II our army is driven back II can rctrca
upon Centrcvillo. and keep open communi
cation with Washington. II Gen. Beaurc
gard remains where no Is. his communion
ton In the rear are endangered. Manass.'
Junction being situated in the apex of q tri
angle formed by the railroad, movement IN
his rear would destroy bis communication
with Richmond.
The only danger the Federal troops run by
this flank march would be sudden advance
of Gen. Bcauregard upon Centreyille, inter
rupting communications and cutting OF oui
supplies. But this manGuyre would be des.
perate, rs by SO doing no would cut himself
of from his supplies, place himself in an
exhausted country, and between the Federal
troops and tho Potomac.
The Goth n. Y. regiment was assigned the
post Of honor in the advance. The members
Of this reg. have agreed unanimously TO
serve, though their time is out. All the N
Y. regiments will follow their example.
For FIVE or six hours one steady column oil
troops have passed through Centrcyillo.-
The morale Of the soldiers is excellent. All
are anxious for battle, and when informed
of the purpose to advance, the enthusiasm
was beyond all description.
1t is supposed Gen. Beauregard's forces are
larger than ours.
Telcgraphic wires are being rapidly put up
in the wake Of the army, and an Office was
opened this morning at Fairfax Court House,
with Mcssrs. Buell. and Benton as army OPP
orators.
Tho following bulletins were received In
official quarters during the progress Of the
battle, from the telegraph station about foul
miles from Bulls Run:
FAIRFAX C. H., July oil A. NJ.
There is rapid firing from heavy guns and
frequent discharges Of musketry.
ll.40.-Tho firing is very heavy and up
parently on our left wing.
ll.50.-Therc is evidently battle. To
wards our left, in the direction Of Bull,
Run and little north, is very rapid and
heavy.
l.45.-IIeavy guns are heard again and
apparently nearer. Tho musketry is heavy
and nearer.
2P. M.-Tho muskctry is very heavy and
drawing much nearer. There Is evidently o
movement TO our left.
2.45 p. M.-The firing is little farther
of. and apparently In the direction OF the
Junction less heavy guns and more light
artillery. as near rs | can judge.
3P. M.-The firing has ceased ten min.
utes since.
3.45 p. M.-The firing has almost entire.
ly ceased, and can only DO heard with diff
Guilty. l shall telegraph no more unless
there should be q renewal OF the battle,
which has boon 30 gloriously fought for the
old stars and stripes, and from all indications
here our troops have at least stood their
ground.
$50 p. M.-0ur courier has not returned.
Quarter Master Barton, Of the % Michigan
regiment, has just passed, and says that the
Officers, men and citizens at Centreyille say a
general engagement of the whole line had
taken place 3 l.2 miles this side Of Manas-
sas, and that our troops had driven and
forced the rebel lines back to Manassas
We expect Q courier every moment.
CENTREyILLE, 4 p. NJ.
Gen. Mcdowell has ordered the reserve
now here, under Col. Miles, TO advance to
the bridge over Bulls Run, on the Water.
town road, having driven tho enemy before
him. Col. Miles is now three or four miles
FROM here, directing operations near Black.
burns ford.
FAIRFAX G. ii, 4.45 p. NJ.
Two OF our couriers have returned, but
arc unable to communicate with Gen. Nc
Dowell in person. One Of the couricrs was
on the field Of battle. He says our troops
have taken three masked batteriesf and forced
the enemy to fall back and retire. Hc says
the battle was general on Bull'srun for some
distance. Ono of the batteries taken was in
q wheat field, another some distance from IT,,
and the third still further on.
$50 p. M.-Another dispatch says that
tho Federal troops have won tho day. Loss
ON both sides heavy, but rout Of the enemy
complete. The batteries at Bulls Run are
silenced, and two or three Others taken.
5.45 p. M.-The firing has ceased. We
shall send another courier there in few min.
utcs. The Col. went at 4 o'clock, and will
DO Jack soon.
TIE TIDE TURNED.
Up to this hour the dispatches had indica-
ted tho success Of the Union forcos---the con-
tinued though stubborn retreat Of the rebels,