Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1861-07-27
The War News.

Our village was thrown into the most
intense excitement on Tuesday even
ing last, by the reception of news that
Gen. Mcdowell had met with disas-
trous defeat at Bulls Run, losing 1000
or 5000 men. The news of the follow
ing evening, however, reduced our
nerves to wonted quiet, after reading
the following more reliable particulars,
FROM the \. Y Worlds special, who
was on the ground:
A battle was fought at Bulls Run,
near Manassas Junction, yesterday af-
ternoon, between the advance brigade
Of our grand army of forty thousand
stalwart men, and many thousands of
the rebel troops. It was the result of
q reconnaissance ordered by Brigadier
General Tyler, and has ended III the
temporary withdrawal of our forces to
prepare for 4 grand battle to-day
The echo Of the last Guns were dying
away as returned to Washington t.
write this dispatch. Both sides ceas-
ed as if by mutual consent.
Oar loss has not yet been ascertain
ed, but | am sure it cannot be more
than fifty, including the wounded. The
enemy's loss is unknown. They arc
known, however, to have suffered Sc
yerely. They still hold their posi-
ton.
On my arrival at CentreyiIIe vester-
day morning, [ found the town and en-
trenchments deserted, and learned that
the enemy had retired to Bulls Run, a
terribly strong position in advance Of
Manassas Junction.
The Fourth Brigade Of Gen. Tvler>s
division, Col. Richardson commanding,
led the order Of march, but Gen. "
Ter pushed ahead with his staff and an
escort Of three hundred Of the regular
cavalry, Second Regiment, Capt
Bracket, to reconnoitre the enemy's
position. On arriving at a height OPP
Iposite Bulls Run, long valley slope
Of open field stretched out between
them and the enemy. We saw bodies
OF the enemy's foot and horse gleam-
ing III a dense, ugly piece Of woods be
You'd the valley, and appearing now
and then about the farm houses at the
edge of the woods
Col. Tyler sent back for the two
twenty Founders, PARROTS rifed can
non, with which to shell the points
where the enemy was seen. Our posi-.
ton commanded them finely.
When the guns arrived they were
quickly planted and served by Lieuts
Rabbit aud Benjamin. An admira
BILE range was taken. and the first fire
dislodged p body of cavalry from :
grove a mile and a half distant. We
fcontinued to fire both guns, and the
general ordered Ayers, late Of Sher.
mans Battery, to advance and join in
the fire.
Our cannonading thus commenced
the action at precisely Y IL o'clock
P. II.
No rifles were fired for half an hour
though with the aid Of our glasses we
could see bodies Of men coming down
the bill from Manassas and elsewhere
and apparently fling into the woods
but at 1 o'clock battery Of f3ur guns
opened directly on our position from
the edge Of the woods. We saw ther
that We had started the game. The
rang Lad evidently been taken long
ago by the enemy, for grapeshot fell
hot and heavy. Brackets cavalry
VAS drawn up in the rear Of our guns,
and two privates were dismounted by
the first fire.
Richardson's Brigade now came up,
and Gen. Tyler gave them permission
to reconnoiter the woods to the right
and left, and, if possible, to take The
enemies guns, which had been silenced
for some minutes.
Our column advanced under cover
Of the rolling ground, on the left, and
along the nearest range Of the curve of
forest on this side.
The Massachusetts First Regiment
led the van, followed by the Michigan
Second, Third and Fourth. The
Twelfth New Y ork lay in reserve
The column moved forward, stretching
across the field, ard declined to the ex-
IRENE right near the location of the
battery.
The majority dashed into the woods
in fine order Oh the left and centre
For Il while all was still We could
see our sldrmishers advance close to
the place from which their shots came,
and fancied that the enemy had retreat
ed on the Junction. It was now pre-
cisely two O'clock. Suddenly there
were scattered musket shots in the
densest woods, under cover Of which
the Michigan regiment and part Of the
Massachusetts regiment were invisible.
There followed one or two rolls of vol
lnus by nlatnnn strThn1, nrn - :. :;