Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-10-01
8g 0eIeataph.
Another Blunder--OQr Troops Fire
on Zach Other

An0Gner bIunQGr---UQf TrOOOS Fire
on Each Other.
WAsnINgToN, Sept. 2s.-Early this fore
noon, the ptekets from Gen. Smiths posi-
tion advanced to, and now occupy Falls
Church. Neither this nor the preceding
movements met with any opposition what
ever, as the rebel army had on Friday
night retreate1 from the whole line of their
positions fronting Washington. Uptun's
Hill. this side of Falls Church, is necessa-
rily included among the points now held
by the Fedetal forces. The works of the
enemy at the place they had evacuated,
were. in military point of view, almost
worthless, being nothing more than rifle
pits of vert common construction.
The positions at Munson's aud Murray's
Hills, afforded the rebels nearly an unob4
structed viewof all our fortifications and
defences. The appearance of the ground
deserted by the rebels, indicated that they
were defciensin those arrangementsw which
serve 10 maken camp life Comfortable
There we're osigns to show that they had
ever mounted any guns. There are troops
now so. employed as to show that they do
not merely intend temporarily to occupy
their present positions.
The advance of Gen. Smith on Falls
Church, from Chain Bridge, was attended
by events of the smost deplorable charac-
ter. Having passed Vanderwecker,s and
Yander6ergs houses, on their way to the
former place, and when about half mile
from it. by some understandable blunder,
Col. Owens Philadelphia Irish Regiment,
in the darkness of the night, mistaking for
rebels Col. Motifs battery, which was in
the advance, sustained by Gen. Bakers
California Regiment, Col. Baxter's Pbila-
a 61E.E 4
Cavalry; fired full yolley into the troops
last named, killing and wounding n large
number. The California Regiment, not
knowing whence the firing came, returned
it with marked effect. The horses attach
ed to Motifs battery became unnanageable,
and the tongues Of the csisons were bro
ken, owing to the narrowness of the road.
Lieut.. Bryant, having command of the LIST
section, ordered the guns to be loaded
with grape and canister, and soon had them
in rnnge to rake the supposed enemy, when
word was sent that he was in the com
pauy of friends. All was excitement and
a long time elapsed before the actual con-
ditiOn OF affairs was ascertained and con-
fidence re.established.
Many confused stories prevail as to the
parties on whom blame should rest. Zou-
ayes wounded-Sergant Gray, Co.. d, shot
in the head; Benz. Flood, Co. D, shot in
the head Lieut.. Shreeves, shot in the legs
and head; Geo. Hargreave's, Co. X, shot
in the leg. None of the wounds will pro-
badly prove fatal. Several Others were
killed and wounded. The killed were
buried to-day, near their encampments,
with military honors, while the wounded
were removed to the hospitals at George
town. They are receiving the best atten-
ton. There are reports of others being
killed, but no positive information has SO
far been obtained concerning them.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3O.-An officer who
Witnessed the disaster on Sunday morning
attending the advance of our troops TO.
wards Falls Church. states that Barr's
battery, of Cambell's Pennsylvania nrlil-
lery, was Immediately in the rear of Motifs
battery when the first firing commenced,
the balls coming from the decliYity of n
hill. Dense woods being on each side of
the road, they failed in their purpose, and
these batteries escaped injury. About half
an hour afterWard another panic happen-
lug, Bart's stery wsre on "a 10 fire in
the rear. They had Already loaded
their artillery, but being aware that their
friends were in that position, refused to
fire. Had they thoughtlessly obeyed the
order the havoc would certainly have been
frightful. There is still a mystery con-
corning the first firing on the advancing
column, many believing that it came from
body of rebel cavalry.