Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1861-08-02
FHB GREAT BlTTLE.
Additional Details.
WAsaNar0S, M0sday, July q, 1861.

WASHINGTON, MoGuays July zzi 1901
THg RETREAT TIE EVENTS OF THE EAT.
The retreat of the Federal troops yesterday
was one Of those extraordinary events which
can no more be explained than it can be justi-
fed or palliated. The day was ours. The enc
my had been driven step BY step from every
position and the field was occupied by our
troops. Our columns had united in the very
heart Of the rebels stronghold, when the order
TO retire was issued. From victory to defeat
was only the work Of an instant. AT the mos
ment of our greatest hope all changed, and the
spirit aud the Valor of the army wers gone.
I will briefly review the events of the day.
Our forces started upou their march at half
past sso in the morning, taking road toward
Bulls Run, about half mile to the right Of
that upon which the First Division advanced on
Thursday. Whsn near the enemy, column
shot off by the side Toad to the right, with the
purpose Of aanking the position and attacking
in the rear. This column comprised the dis
visions of Gen. Hunter and Col. Heintzelman.
The division under Gen. Tyler advanced direct,
and by SIX o'clock reached the neighborhood
of Bulls Run, beyond which the enemy was
seen drawn up IN liue, and apparently awaiting
the battle.
The FIRST demonstration from our side was
made by Capt. Carlisle's battery of artillery,
with thirty-two pound Parrot rifed cannon,
two shells from which we're fred without any
response. At about the same time the Second
Brigade, under Gen. Schenck, was formed at
the left, aud the Third, under COL Sherman,
at the right of the road.
Light skirmisbing soon after began, in which
fur men where wounded By discharges from a
masked battery which they encountered, and
before which they slowly retreated. Between
and o'clock eannoDading was heard from
Col. Richardson's position, be having been di-
rected to open diversion to conceal our real
purpose. For 40 hour after, the hoWitzers of
Capt. Carlile kept the enemy active, and it
was net until near noon that other batteries
were drawn in, and the infsntry engagement
was prepared for.
TIE Sd Brigade, including the Goth, and
18th New York, and Cd Wisconsin Regiments
moved forward TO the right, and advanced reg
ularly up the hin slope beyond Bulls Run,
upon which the enemy were statiol.6d in force.
The thick woods on either side obstrueted The
view but presently volleys of nlusketry were
heard both to the right and left, and IN the
distance, as if Hunters Division were ap-
preaching and getting at work.
Immediately after, this belief was confirmed
by the thick cloud Of smoke which rose
from afar, and presently the troops themselves
we're seen moving rapidly forward, and driving
the enemy before them at distance Of about
two miles.
The Sd Brigade was by this time menacing
one of the enemy's earthworks. and appeared
10 be hotly engaged. Col Keyes's division,
the 4th was accordingly ordered down to re-
enforce, and al onee pushed forward in sup
port. The I'd brigade remsined firm at the
right, bat not yet actively engaged. From
Col. Richardson's post, mile or two to the
left around to Col. Hunters two miles to the
right and front, the battle thus spread over
some FIVE miles Of SPACE.
Their artillery was finely worked, and was
quick to discover the places whenever our men
gathered; but up to this time, the injurs done
by them was slight. In infantry contests they
were perpetually beaten, but when they reteta-
ted, il was to take q new and more strongly
fortified position. AT times they ranged them
selves upon the open field, or road, but were
invariable driven back by Hunters or Sher,
mans men.
Their force was very large, and l should
Judge from the bodies which kept pouring down
from Manassas, greatly superior 10 ours. They
fought we'll, and even in their retreats showed
considerable order, but their works were one
by one taken from them, until they held only
two or three one in the highest ground Of
their position, and the others to theiIeft of Gen.
Tyler's division. The frst of these was Storm
ed by the Zouaye Regiment, but was either
not taken, or was not held. The Others gere
we'll employed bJ the rebels, who threw inces-
rant CHI m nd hali j
men. We sill pushed forward until the whole
of our men, excepting the second brigade Of
theiirst division had crossed BULBS Run.
The engineers were about constructing a
bridge for the artillery, the regular stone
bridge having been mined, and the two cols
umns under Gems. Tyler and Hunter, the lat-
ter of which was led by Gen, Mcdowell, had
actually completed their junction, when the
order 10 retreat was given. Why it was Civ
en-, no person who Witnessed the battle and
sawthe condition in which affairs stood can
attempt TO comprehend. The only point posi-
lively held by the enemy was in hollow, to
our left; and although an effort was undoubtei-
ly made to oveIreach us at the left, all ample
force -one entire brigade was ready to re-
ceive them, and did receive and repulse them
afterWard, in spite of tbs panic which reigred.
But, at the beginning Of the retirement. . FEW
ainbulances and baggage wagons were driven
hurredly away; thesnoisc of which seemed TO
spread terror anong' The troops within hearing,
who instantly broke ranks and ran, pell NEIL, \
toward CentreTille.
This cOntagiOn caught the rest, and ia less
than ten minutes our army was flying in the
utmost disorder. Everything was abandoned
Inc Wopndsd Tcre deserted in the hospitals,