The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1861-07-27
Particulars and incidents of the
late battle at ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
G. ". WARREN.
SPECIAL 10 THE HERALD.

SPECIAL TO THE HERALD.
WASHINGTON, July 23'-The civil and
heads Of the government have had
a meeting at the w hite House to-day, and
reviewed the past, looked the present
strongly in the face, and endeavored to &C
count for the picture presented. Congress
and the newspapers were charged with the
awful responsibility of the failure on Sun
day at Bulls Run. The President leaned
wholly upon the Judgment of his great
military chieftain, General Scott. The
latter said &c" am the greatest coward in
the army, and ought to be removed for sur
rendering my own opinion of duty, in a
crisis like this to popular clamor, induced |
by bunkum threats in Congress and daily
newspaper harangue."
Ali of the members of the Cabinet were |
present. Those who have endorsed the |
Tribune forward to Richmond pro-
pramme, were silent. Words Of censnre
were uttered because General Patterson was
not removed before, the chief cause of the |
defeat being laid entirely to his incapacity.
General Scott has for long while been
of the opinion in view of the well drilled
militia of the South, that camps of instruc-
ton should be established for our troops,
and that they should be thoroughly educat-
ed before venturing into the field in active
service. The popular sentiment of the
people which is frequently very erroneous,
and proved to be so at this time, overruled
General Scott, and an early battle was de-
termined upon 1t has been had and the
results are before us.
A reinforcement of thirty thousand men
ia now en- route for Washington. With this
addition to the army here, the forward
movement will be made without any posi-
hiIifv of its heinp checked.
By day after tomorrow the stragglers
from the different regiments will ali be
gathered into their respective camps and put
/ in order for a steadier march than before
SOME OF THE INCIDENTS.
During the battle great many interest
| ing scenes occurred. Colonel Cowdin, Of
! the First Massachusetts, regiment, was lean
ing his back against tree.in very exposed
position, when a friend expostulated with
| him for his reckIessness. The Colonel said
the bullet was not moulded that would
shoot him that day. In a few seconds
i after another personal friend came up, and
reaching out his hand to the Colonel, the
| latter stopped little to grasp ii, when a
| conical cannon ball struck on the spot
where an instant before was the head of
Col. Cowdin, SCATTERING the tree into spint-
ers. The Colonel turned about calmly ard
remarked " that he was certain that the
| ball that would kill him was not yet cast"
and proceeded to issue his commands.
Your correspondent saw Colonel Jane
son, of the First Maine regiment, fall. He
was as brave soldier as he was an accom-
plished gentleman.
Col. Cameron seemed to have PRESENT.
ment of his death. In a conversation with
him, at his tent, on the evening prior to the
battle, be said that he had accepted the
command of the gallant Highlanders be-
cause he admired them, and inasmuch as
he had only a short time to live, he might
as we'll devote it to his country. He asked
your correspondent whether he was going
/ to the battlefield. Receiving an afirma-
tive answer he said, q Goodbye, God bless
you We may meet again, but am afraid
not in this world. " Some sixteen hours
afterwards the gallant Colonel was shot
from his horse and killed.
Your correspondent was leading his horse
over numerous dead bodies, when his at
tention was attracted by deep moans.-
Turning about he saw a Virginia cavalry
officer, with both legs shot off. He pointed
to the canteen. A deep draught of water
seemed to revive him, when, in answer to
I questions he said that he was an officer OF
the Fairfax cavalry, and his horse being
shot under him-the ball taking off both OF
and die. He said the rebels had upwards Of
one hundred and twenty thousand mer at
Manassas Gap, and that, according to his
Judgment, they could not have less than
: from four to FIVE thousand men killed and
wounded in this battle. This man shortly
after expired.
> Proceeding few steps further, an officer,
, whose uniform was trimmed with gold lace,
r was seen, and having on his breast plate,
; 4" Mississippi Rifles. " The wounded man
, raised slowly to his elbow, and endeavored
: to bring Sharpe's rifle to bear upon your
5 correspondent, when, acting on the maxim
. that " self-preservation is the first law OF
( nature, your correspondent put a bullet
9 through his head
: There is no doubt that the rebels were
3 actually retreating toward Manassas juno
/ ton at the very time when our soldiers
I were running towards Centreville. The
, reinforcements from Manassas were prob
ably intended to cover the retreat of the
. troops that had been engaged in the action
i Long before the panic on our side occurred
: the wagon train of the rebels was vending
: its way from the field, plainly indicating
q their intention 10 retire. This train was
followed by large bodies of infantry, and il
is probable that if our men had stood their
} ground even fifteen minutes longer, they
E would have had indisputed possession o.
e the field.
a tits stated by a Virginian, who came
i from Manassas into our lines to-day, tba
: the order for the retreat of the rebels haC
e been already issued. 1t is evident that the
e enemy did not immediately understand IhC
}. movement on our side. Phey thought
{ themselves whipped, and the sudden retire
G ment of their victors undoubtedly astonsh-
ed them. This ia apparent from the fac
9 that no pursuit was attempted for any con
J. siderable distance.