Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-07-25
DREADFUL TIDINGs ! !
A Terrible Disaster {!
The Grand Army of the
Union is Repulsed!!
Retreat upon Washington!

Retreat upon Washington!
WASHINGTON, July %.
After the latest information was received |
from Centreville, at half past seven last
night, series of events took place in the |
intensest degree disastrous. Many confused
statements are prevalent, but enough is
known to warrant the statement that we have
suffered in degree which has cast gloom
over the remnant of the army and excited
the deepest melancholy throughout Wash.
iDgton.
The carnage has been tremendously heavy
on both saide9 and on ours is represented rs
irightful. We were advancing and taking
the masked batteries gradually but surely
and driving the enemy towards Manassas
Junction, when the enemy seemed to be re-
inforced by johnson, and Immediately COM
menced driving us back, when u panic among
our troops suddenly occurred and regular
stampede took place. 1t is thought that
Gen. Mcdowell undertook to make u stand
at or about Centreville, but the panic WIS 80
fearful that the whole army became demoral.
lied. and it was impossible to check them
either at Centreville or Fairfax Court House.
Gen. Mcdowell intended to make another
stand at Fairfax G. H., butour forces being
in full retreat, he could not accomplish the
object beyond Fairfax c. II. The retreat
was kept up until the men. reach he'd their
regular cncampments, but still larger por-
ton coming inside Of the line Of entrGnch.
ments. ...
A large number of the troops on their re-
treat fell on the wayside from exhaustion,
and scattered along the entire route fromFair-
: Centreville was atrewed with knapsacks and
arms, &c. Some Of the troops deliberately
threw away their guns and appurtenances,
the better TO facilitate their travel.
Gen. Mcdowell was in the rear at the re-
treat, exertng him.elf to rally his men, but
with only partial effect. 1t is said the rear
; part Of the army made their retreat in good
! order. He was completely exhausted having
slept but little for three nights. His orders
/; on tue field did not at all times reach those
for whom they were intended.
, 1t is supposed that the force sent against
our troops consisted, according to Il prisoner S
statement, Of about 30, 200 men, including q
: large number of cavalry. He further says
, that owing to the reinforcemcnts from Rich
G mond, Strausburg and other points, the
J, enemy's effective force was 10000 men.
! According to the statement Of the Fire
G from slaughter. With them the 69th New
York, and other regiments, have suffered
F, frightfully in killed and wounded
Sherman's, Carlisle's and the West Point
: batteries were taken by the enemy and the
eight seige % pound riAed cannon. The
> latter being too cumbrous to remove they
D were left two miles the other side of Centre
I; vile.
i Such of the wounded as were brought to
the Centreville hospital, were left there after
. having their wounds properly dressed The
: surgeon in attendance there was Frank H.
t Hamilton.
/, 1t is supposed here that Gen Mansfield
b, will take command Of the Notifications on
the other side Of the river, which are able
it is said by military engineers to hold them
against any force the enemy may bring
Large rited cannon and mortars are being
s rapidly sent over and mounted.
An officer just from Virginia at half past
g ten reports that the road from Centreville
$ to the Potomac is strewed with stragglers
: Tho troops are resuming the occupation of
: the Notifications and entrenchments on the
t line of the Potomac.
I, Col. Marston, of the New Hampshire
. regiment, reached here this morning. He
9 was wounded.
COL Hcintzelman was also wounded in
the wrist.
l In addition to those reported yesterday it
, j said that Col. Wilcox, the commander of
4 a brigade, was killed. Also Captain Nc
, Cook, brother of Col McCook, of Ohio.
: The city this morning is in the most in
tense excitement. Groups are everywhere
gathered, inquiring the latest news. Wagons
are continually arriving, bringing in dead
and wounded soldiers, There are greedy
listeners to the probable events of last night
and early this morning Both telegraphic
and steamboat communication with Alex
andria are suspended to-day to the public.
The greatest alarm exists throughout the
: female portion Of the population.
WASHINGTON, 22d.-The following is an
account Of the Inauguration of the panic
which has operated SO disastrously to our
troops. 1t receives unusual interest from
the subsequent events.
/. All our military operations went on SWIM
mingly and Col. Alexander was about throw
ing pontoon across Bull Run. The enemy
were seemingly retreating and their batteries
being unmounted one after another, when
terrific CONSERVATION broke out among the
teamsters who had incautiously advanced
Immediately into the body of the army and
, lined the Warenton road. Their consterna-
ton was shared in by numerous civilians who
were on the ground and for time it seemed
, as if the whole army was in retreat.
Many baggage wagons were emptied of
theircontents and the horses galloped across
the open fields. All the fences were torn
down to allow them more rapid retreat. For
time perfect panic prevailed, which COM
municated itself to the vicinity of Centre
vile, and every available conveyance was
seized upon by agitated civilians. The
wounded soldiers on the roadside asked for
assistance, but the alarm was 30 great that
| nHt hn.. lxr a,.t
similar alarms occurred on previous occasion,
/ when change of batteries rendered the
} retirement Of the artillery necessary on our
} part, and it is most probable that the alarm
! was owing to the same fact