Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1861-08-02

and the only thought was individual safety
Guns were thrown aside, and blankets ans
knapsacks were lost and trampled upon Th,
artillery shared the panic; the guns we're Gu
loose, and the gunners used the horses to es
cape the more swiftly. Those on foot begged
riteously to be allowed to share the horses o.
those who rode. Many strove to Chamber ints
1 wagons, and were pushed back by the bayo
nets of those who occupied them.
The ground was strewed with food, Weapons
and clothing of every kind. Many Of oul
guns we're left 10 fall into the euemy's hands
/ Including the large 32,pounders which had
done SO much service during the fight. Al
courage, all manliness seemed to have foFsa-
ken our terror stricken men.
/ The last stand upon the field was made by
/ one Of the Ohio regiments, uLder Col, McCook,
i I believe, but about three miles back the re-
/ serve brigade of Gen. Blenker was drawn up
in line 10 cover the retreat, aud effect whatever
service was needed. Tie stand Of Gen. Blen'
ker saved US from great losses.
The enemy camo up in small force at IL
o'clock at night, aud charged upor the oth
New York regiment, capturing six of It's men.
The charge was repulsed, and the enemy at
tackled with such vigor as to cause them to fly,
leaving their prisoners. The disorder Of our
men continued during the night. There was
no army, only vast rabble By midnight
they were al scattered in the road to Fairfax
Court House, and soon after, Gen. Blenker,
with the 9Th New York regiment, took up his
retreat in perfect order the only body that so
retreated.
left Uentrevlle al o'clock this morning.
The last fragments of our force had all been
long gone; even the hospitals were nearly de-
serted, all who could limp having started forth
with crutcbes aud canes The rebel scouts
were dashing through the town, aad apparectly
endeavoring tJ ascertain in which way they
could best succeed in cutting off the stragglers.
| do not know, however, that any serious at
tempt to do this was made.
The road from Centreville to Fairfax was
thick with the debris of the retreat. Baggage
wagons were overturned and the horses lying
dead and dying. Guns, ambulaDces, stores Of
provisions were strewn everywhere. At Fair
fax Court House the inhabitants were pluEds
eriDg our deser.ed baggage. Toward Arlington
The evidences Of the disgraceful retreat con-
tiuued. About four miles from the Long
Bridge Gen. B.enker was moving regularly to-
ward WashingtOa, has force in thorough order.
es to secure against. sudden pursuit.
The reports Of losses are various. Icaunot
estimate our loss at less than 500 killed and
wounded, but believe that il cannot much
exceed that number. As regards individuals,
the most contradictory runors reach us, and it
would be criminal 10 spread them in this mo-
ment of uncertainty.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE BATFEL.
arrived at Ceutrevile at 10 o'clock yester-
day, and first visited Gen. Richardson's Bri-
gade, which was drawn up on the ground oc
cupied last Thursday. -Four Parrot guns were
in position, throwing shot and shell into the
woods across the Run. Away over Manassas
Eas dense cloud of dust, and large bodies of
men could he seen moving toward t6e North,
to where the main body under Gen. Mcdowell
was engaging the rebel batteries. The canon
ade was incessant, the heavy 32.pounders being
distinctly heard above the thunder Of the
smaller pieces.
There was no reply to Richardson's batteries
but, with glass, men could be seen in small
parties of two or three in the woods at The
foot of the long slope. Ii was evident that
the main force Of the enemy was being direct
ed to McDowell's attack. In addition to
AsiOuotAcOu Uu bUelE IOAu were the
New York 18th and 32d.
The drst musketfy was heard at I135
O'Clock, which soou Increased to e terrific
fire.
Taking short cut through the woods,
reached the rear Of Gen. Tyler's division. On
my way came upon Club Creek, small stream
with steep banks. There the rebels had cut
trees for long distance to impede the progress
of troops. Subsequent events indicate that
the plan Of the battle had been long consider
ed, and that it was one of the suppositions of
the enemy that the attack would be made BIZ
Gen. Mcdowell, as it was made.
Reaching the left wing of Gen. Tyler's d.
vision, found fou- pieces of Sherman's Bat
terry at rest, having been engaged all the morn
ing, with the loss of three men. At small
house hospital had been established. Many civ
ilians we're herein carriages. Further on was
Gen. Schenck's brigade, which had also been
engaged, but had beeL Withdrawn after severe
loss.
1t was now nearly D. M, and FIRE of
musketry was incessant for fifteen minutes, then
1t slackened, and thereupon cheers rent the air
as an Aid came down tho line with the intelli-
gence that We had gained their ground. Att
this time il was also currently reported that
Gen. Banks had arrived, having chased Johns
ton through the Gap. The soldiers received
the intelligence with huzzahs. Several prison
ers were captured, one was captain from
Louisville. He said that they had from so.
600 to 100, ,090 men, that jeff Davis comnan>
ded in person, with Beauregard and Lee COM
ders Of right and left wings
He was particularly iubilans over the sxpec-
ted result, though prisoner. He had no
doubt of the fnal issue o. the battle.
a little later, Capt Alexander Of the En-,
gineers, attached to Gen. Tyler's Division,
came slowly up the lines. He said we were
gaining ground, but that they contested every