The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-07-20

Single copies six cents. Wholesale price the
same as for the WEEKLY HERALD.
----------------------
THE SITUATION.
The first action in which the advancing army
Of the Potomac were engaged took place on
Thursday, at Bulls Run, about midway between
Centreve and Manassas Junction, and three miles
from each point. The engagement took place
between accommodating party, of General Tyler's
division. and body of rebels, whose force has
not been ascertained, inasmuch as they fought
entirely from an ambuscade in the woods, and
from masked batteries. but it is evident that
they must have been very numerous from the
terrific Ere they poured forth, and from the fact
that they had batteries which played upon
the Union troops from three or four different
quArters. The conflict occurred In this way:
General Tyler's division which comprises the right
wing Of General MoDowell's army, was advancing
from it's camp near Centreyille-en route, accord
ing to programme-towards Manassas Junction.
Upon reaching Centreville that place was found to
be evacuated by the rebels, and having quartered
the main body Of his force there General Tyler
sent on an advance body towards Bulls Run-a val.
ley traversed by q creek and environed with
Woods-to reconnoitre, information having been
received that masked battery was planted
In that vicinity. Colonel Richardson, command
ing tho Fourth brigade, was detailed for this
oSd took Into chc tsrrx
Of three companies each of the First Massachu-
sets, Twelfth New York Volunteers, and Second
Michigan regiment, probably about eight hundred
mon in all, with Captain Ayres battery, supported
by four companies Of cavalry. When about two
miles up the Run they observed body of rebels,
and the battery opened fire upon them. Suddenly
the road opened heavy Ere upon Richardson's
troops, doing some destruction to the cavalry,
who were drawn up in line. The Michigan infantry
were then thrown out into the woods to skrmish but
were met with terrific Gre of musketry from unseen
foes The Massachusetts and Twelfth New York
troops were then ordered into the woods, the caval
The fringe Of the wood. A hot fire Of mpskotzY
here met them. and at that moment another muSsed
battery in the rear opened upon the troops on the
road, and had not the aim been too high would have
heea most destructive. Colonel Richardson now
peroeiving that he was in the midst of Q for.
midabie ambuscade, withdrew his men from the
woods and the infantry fell in behind the
ARTILLERY. A reinforcement then came up
from Centreville, consisting of Colonel Sher-
mans brigsde. with the New York Sixty-ninth in
advance, General Tyler accompanying them. Rich.
srdson. thus strengthened, again commenced firing
with his howitsers. and continued for an hour, the
rebels responding vigorously. Finding, however,
that It was impossible, under the circumstances
ind with the force at his command, to do more
than ascertain the strength of the enemy's posi-
ton and the nature of the ambuscsde, Colonel
Richardson withdrew his men and fell back on
Centreville, until General Mcdowell could ma.
turs movement whereby the batteries at
Bulls Run might DO dislodgsd. The loss Of
the Union troops Is reported to be about
forty IN killed and wounded. That of the
rebels cannot be ascertained, because from the
opening of the action not one of them showed him
self outside of the woops-a fact which adds
additional credit to the frmness with which the
Union troops stood the Ere of concealed foes for
three hours 1t was not the intention of General
Mcdowell to make an advance movement on Ma.
nassas until all the divisions of his army had con.
oenrated ct Centreville and the object of Colonel
Riohardson's movement was merely to re.
connoitse Buli's Run, which was supposed Ia
be. as It has since proved, the first Of
line Of dsfences reaching to the Junction
A corps Of typographical engineers was accord
ingly ordered out by General Mcdowell yesterday
to make thorough examination Of the entire cici
nifty before any further advance is made. Not
withstanding the impotence of the soldiers to en-
gage In general action, It Is not probable that
any important engagement will take place before
tomorrow Or Monday.
Colonel nshasasen's brigade, however, marched