The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1861-07-26
LATEST WAR NEWS.
rrRRlBL E DEFEAT OF THE FEDERAL ARMY.
.sHFRMAN'S, CARLlsLE's AND THE WEST
POINT BATTERY TAKEN.
FLIGHT OF THE TROOPS.
Lu.UENSE LOSS OF LIFE.
FOFFlcIAL DEsP4rcH.l


WASHINGTON, July 22d.-O troops, after
taxing three batteries and gaining great vic
,ory. were eventually Tepulsed, and commen-
ced retreat on Washington.
The retreat is IN good order, with the rear
well covered By good column.
Our loss is from $500 to 5000.
The lortlfcations around Washington are
strongly rein forced 5y fresh troops.
LATER AND DISASTROUS DETAILS.
WAsuNeroN, July 22.-Afer the latest
information was received from CenterVille, at
half past seven O'Clock, last night, series OF
events took place in the intensest degree dIsas-
trous.
MANY confused statements are prevalent,
but enough is known TO wa rrant The statement
that We have s6fered in degree which has
cast gloom over the remnant OF the army
aad excited the deepest melancholy through
out Washington.
The carnage has been tremendously heavy
on both sides, and OF ours IS rePese nted as
irghtful.
We wete advancing and taking tie masked
batteries gradually but surely, driving the en-
emy toward Manassas Junction, when the en-
emy seemed to be reinforced by Gen. Johnston
and Immediately commenced driving us back
when panic among our troops suddenly oc-
CURED and complete stamppdr took place.
i is thought that Gen. Mcdowell undertook
10 make stand at or about CeHtervile, but the
panic was so fearful that the whole army be-
came temorailzed, and il was impossible TO
check them either at CenterVlIle or Fairfax
Court House.
Gen. Mcdowell intended 30 retreat beyond
Fairfax Court House. The retreat was kept
mp until fhe men reached their regular encamP-
mpnls, portion of whom returned to them, but
a still larger portion coming insidethe entFench-
ments
A large number OF the troops, in their retreat
tell on the waySide from exhaustion, and scat
tered along the entire route, sill the way from
Fairfax Court House.
The road from Bull Run to CentreviIIe was
strewed with knap-sackS. arms, etc.
Some of the troops deliberately threw away
their guns and sppurtenances, the better 10 Ia
citate their travel.
Gen. Mcdowell was in the rear al the retreat,
exertng himself to rally mis- men, but with only
partial effect. The latter part OF the army, 1t
is said. made their retreat in good order. He
was completely exhausted, having slept but
little for three nights His orders on thu field
did not at all times reach those for whom they
were intended.
Ii Is SUPPOSED that the force sent against our
troops consisted, according TO prisoners state
nleut, Of about 30 900 men, including a large
number of cavalry. He further says, that ow-
ing 20 the reinforceaents from Richmond,
Sirasburg and other points, the enemv's eifec-
tise force was 10000
According to the statement of the Fire Zou-
aves they have only about 900 men left from
the slaughter. The 69th New York and other
regiments have suffered irightiuliy IN killed and
wounded.
Sherman's, Carlisle's, aud the West Point
Batteries were taken by the enemy, and eight
siege 80 pound rifed cannon, the latter being
too cumbrous to remove They were left two
m4les the other side of CentIeville.
Such Of the wounded as were brought TO the
Centreville Hospital were left there after hav-
ing their wounds properly dressed.
The Surgeon in tendance there was Frank
II. Hamilton.
The panic was SO great that the attempt 10
ralIv them 10 a stand At Centreville was entire
9y in vain.
II firm stand had been made there our troops
oouId have been reinforced and much disaster
prevented
Gen. Mcdowell was thus foilPd in his we'll
arranged PIe1s
Il IS supposed that all the provision trains
belonging to the S. Government, were saw
ed.
Some regimental wagoAs were overturned by
accident or the wheels came off, and therefore
had 10 be abandoned
Large droves OF cattle were saved by being
driven back in advance of the retreat.