Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1861-07-27
The Battle of Bulls Run.
THE RETREAT,

Correspondence CT the New York Times.
WAsuISGroN, Monday Morning, July % 1861
The battle yesterday was one Of the most
severe and sungunury ever fought on this
Continent, and il ended in the fainre of the
Union troops TO hold all the positions which
they sought to carry, and which they uctu.
ally did carry, and in their retreat to Cen.
teiville, where they have made stand aud
where Gen. Mcdowell believes that they
are able to maintain themselves.
As telegraphed you yesterday, the at
tack vas made IN three coIums, two of which
however, were mainly fciutS, intended 10
amuse and occupy the enemy, while the
substantial work was done bv the third
1t has been known for q loug Iime the range
of hills which border the small swanpy
stream known as Bulls Run had been very
throughly aud extensively fortified by the
rebels, that batteries had been planted at
every available point, usually concealed in
the woods aud bushes which abound in that
vicinity, aud covering every way of approach
to the region beyound. These arc the ad.
vance detenses OF Manassas Junction, which
is some three miles further of. Until
these were Carried, 10 approach could be
made to that place and after they should
be carried Others Of a similar character
would have to be overcome at every point
where they could be erected The utmort
that military skill and Ingenuity could ac.
complish for the defense Of this point was
done. Gen. Mcdowell was unwilling to
make an attack directly in face of these
batteries, as they would be of doubtful issue
and must Inevitably result in a very serious
loss Of life. After an attack had been re,
solved upon, therefore, be cndeavored to
lind some way of turning the position. His
first Intention was TO do this on the South
ern sidc-to throw a strong column into the
places from that direction, wbi c a frigned
attack should be made in front.
On thursday when the troops were ad.
vauGiug into Cen;ervile it was found that
the roads on the south side Of these positions
we're almost mprac!iable-that they were
narrow, crooked and stony and that it
would be almost impossible to bring up
enough artillery to be effective in the time
required. This original plan was therefore,
abandoned ; and Friday vas devoted TO an
examination by The Typographical engineers
OF The Northern side Of the position. Mai.
Barnard and Capt Whippie reconnotred
the place FOR miles around, and reported
that the position could be entered by path
coming from the north, though it was some.
what long and circuitous This was select.
ed therefore as the mode and point Of at,
tack.
On Saturday the troops were all brought
closely up to Centeryille,-and all the need
ful preparations were made for an attack
which vas intended for the next day. Yes.
tPrday morning. therefore, the Army march,
ed-by two roads-Col Richardson with
his command taking the Southern, which
leads 10 Bills Run, and Gen. Tyler the
Notwithstanding parallel TO il at q dis
tance Of about mile aud q half The
movement commenced a about 8 o'clock.
| got up at little before 4, and found the
long line Of troops extended far out Oh cith-
er road. took the road by which Col.
Hunter with Lis command, and Gen. Nc
Dowell aud staff, had gone, aud pushed on
directly for the front. After going out
about two miles Col. Hunter turned to the
right marching obliquely towards the Run,
which be was to cross some 4 miles higher
up and then come down upon the intrench-
ed positions Of the enemy on the other side.
Col. Miles was left at CeuterYillc and on the
road with reserves which be was to bring
mp whenever they might be needed. Gen.
lyIer went directly forward, 10 engage the
enemy IN trout and send rciDforrements to
Co. Hunter whenever it should be seen that
! be was engaged.
/ went out as have already stotod IN
on the Northern road. 1t is hilly. Eko All
the surface of this section. After goino,
out about 3 miles, you come to point down
which the road, leading through forest
decends then it proceeds by succession
Of rising and falling knolIs for a quarter o
mile, it crosses a stone bridge anC
then ascends by steady slope, where tn
rebels had planted heavy batteries, and th
wood below we're filed with their troop
and concealed cannon. We proceeded
down the road to the first Of the small knol
mentioned, when The whole column halted
The 80 FOUNDER Parrott gun, which was q
longer range than any other in the army
was planted directly in the road Capt
Ayres's battery were stationed in the woods
a little TO the right. The lst Ohio and I'd
New York Regiments were thrown in the
woods 10 advance on the left. The Goth
New York. the lst % and 81 Connecticut
regiments, were ranged behind them, and
the Second Wisconsin, was thrown into the
woods cn the right. At about half past G
o'clock the 80 FOUNDER threw two Shells di.
Tectly into the battery at the summit of the
slope, on the opposite height one of which,
as ! learned afterwards, struck Ond explod-
ed directly into the midst Of the battery,