Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-08-21

ly held the enemy in check.
/ Ind one regiment of cavalry attached
to my division. which was joined during
the engagement by the cavalry on Colonel
Stanton's division. Major Palmer, who
commanded them, was anxious to engage
the enemy. The ground being un:avora-
bic, | ordered them back out Of range OF
fire. Finding it impossible to rally any OF
the regiments, we commenced our retreat
about half past four p. NJ. There was q
fine position a short distance in the rear,
where | hoped to make a stand with a
section of Arnold's battery and the Uni,
ted States cavalry, if | could rally n few
regiments of infantry. In this utterly
failed, and we continued our retreat on
the road we had advanced on in the morn,
ing.
sent forward my staff officers to rally
some troops beyond the Run, but not a
company would form. ! stepped back q
few moments at the hospital to see what
arrangements could be made TO save the
wounded. The few ambulances that were
there were filled and started to the rear
The church, which was used as a hospital,
with the wounded and some CT the sur
ceons, soon after fell into Il hands of the
cavalry, that followed us closely. A COM
pany of cavalry crossed the rear and seized
an ambulance full of wounded. Captain
Arnold gave them couple Of rounds Of
canister" from his section Of artillery
KEPT them at a respectable distance dur
ing the remainder of our retreat.
AT this point most of the stragglers were
-, =.
fear a vigorous pursuit from the enemy's
fresh troops, ! was desirous of forming a
strong reai guard, but neither the efforts
Of the officers of the regular army, nor the
GOODNESS of the regular troops with re,
could induce them to form a single COM
pany. We relied entirely for our protec-
tion on one section Of artillery, and a few
companies of cavalry. Mos: of the road
was favorable for infantry, but unlavora-
ble for cavalry and artillery.
About dusk, as we approached the War
rentoa turnpike, we heard firing of ritled
cannon on our right, and learned that the
enemy had established a battery entilad-
ing the road, Captain Arnold, with his
section of artillery, attempted to run the
gauntlet and reached the bridge over Cub
run, about two miles from Centreville, but
found it obstructed with broken vehicles
and was compelled to abandon the pieces,
as they were under the fire of these r.fl &c
cannon. The cavalry turned TO the left
and after passing through a strip of woods
and some fields, struck road which led
them TO some camps occupied by our
troops in the morning, through which we
regaiEed the turnpike. At about p. NJ
we rega;ued the camps we had occupied
in the morning. Had a brigade iIOm the
reserve advanced a short distance beyond
Ccntrevlle, near one.thi. d of the artillery
lost might have been saved, as it was aban~
doued at or near this crossing. Such a
rout never witnessed before No efforts
could induce single regiment to form
after the retreat had commenced.
Our artillery was served admirably and
did much eXecu ion. Some Of the volun
tecr regiments behaved very well, and
much excuse can Ue made for those who
fled, as few Of the enemy could Mt any
time be seen. Raw troops cannot be eXs
pected to stand long against an unseen
enemy. have been unable to obtain any
report from the Zouaves, as Col Farnham
is still in the hospital. Since the retreat
more lnan thIe"-lOuIlus Ol Nhe LOudNCS
have Disappeared.
beg leave 10 express my obligations 10
the officer. OF my staff, viz: Capt. II, 5.
Wright, Lieut.. L S. w. Snyder, Lieut.. +.
n. Farqut ar of the Engineers Captain.
Chaunccy McKeeyor, assistant adjutant
general Lieut.. J. j. Sweet, of the Second
'avalry, and Lieut.. j. d. Fairbanks, OF
the First Michigan, for the able and fear
less Performance of taeir duties, and to
recommend them to your favorable con
sideratcn.
Nnrv rpsDoctfuliv