The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1861-07-26

and Wisconsin Regiment, when the battle was
wsged with great earnestness, continuing until
5 o'clock, when the Federal troops were driven
back IN great confusion, beyond The range Of
theiConfederafe batteries, where they Divouack-
ed for the night
During tae conflict the Michigan, Maine and
Wisconsin regiments held their ground with
fo:titude which, 10 view of the exceedingly
calling fire TO which they were exposed. was
most remarkable, but the New York Twelfth
and The Massachusetts, regimenls retired in great
disorder from the Geld, throwing away kRap-
sacks and even their arms in their fight. A
number OF the members of the former regiment
openly asserted that their confused retreat was
the fault OF their officers, who evIRced total
lack OF courage, and were the 6rst TO flee.
After the retreat had been commenced, Cor
coran's New York Sixty ninth (Irish) and Cam
eron's New York Seventy-nInth tScotchl Tegi-
ments were ordered up to the support, but ar
rived TOO late to take part in the action.
There were three batteries in all, the first to
open fire, and the smallest was situated on the
top of an eminence, and the second and most
destructive in ravIne. The latter was totally
concealed from view by bruShwood, &c, and it
was in attempting TO take the first by assault
that tAe Federal troops stumbled upon it. The
BAIT le occurred at point 10 the declivhy Of
the road, when It makes turn forming an OBJ
tuse angle, and the :hird battery so placed
as TO enfiade with ats Ere the approaches To-
wards the Junction
Much jealousy, II rs ST ateG by the same au-
thority, existed betweea the regular officers and
thoSe OF the volunteer corps, each appearing de-
sirous of shifting 10 the other the responsibility
of any movement not advised by themselves,
and this jealousy, ri is feared, will SERIOUSLY AFFECT
the efficiency of the "grand army" rhus Gen.
Mcdowell expressly states that the battle was
not his own, bat that Of Gen. Tyler. The for
mer officer said he would not advance further
until he had thoroughly and carefully reconnoi-
tered the position Of tke butterrS, their cafa-
blilies, &C.; and the Inference derived by my
informant from his remarks is, that he deems
has present force eatirelv insufficient 10 carry
the opposition before him.
One of the gentlemeW meatioHed at the COM
mencement OF this account gives it as his opIn-
ion that Manassas Junction cannot be carried
by $4,000 men in two months, and all agreed
IN saying that the force under Beauregard has
been entlrrly underrated, numerically, and that
their fighting qualities are superior. The cheers
with which they rushed to the fight frequently
rang above the DIN OF the battle. Their num-
bers were not aScertaine6, but IS estimated at
upwards of 5 zoo South Carohnians, under COM
Faand Of Gen. Bonham, of S. G. Their artil-
lery was OF the best kind; shot from one of
the batteries severed bough from tree full
two miles distant. and but few feet from where
the vehicle OF the Congressmen was standing.
One ball iell directly in the midst of group
of Congressman, among whom was Owen Love
lay, but injured no one, the members scamper-
ing in different directions, sheltering behind
trees, SC.
There were number Of ride pits also in
front OF the batteries, from which much execU-
fhe ss sTpsS wtre ghseafy mpresseu
with the extent and magnitude OF the earth
works, entrenchEsentS, &c, erected by the Con-
tedegates from Alexandria TO Centrevlle, and
beyond these were all Of the most formidable
and extensive character. 1t is thought by them
that Manassas Junction is encircled by chain
OF batteries, which can only he penetrated by
severe fighting. All the entrenchments evl-
dence consummate skill'in their consti uction.-
The entire column under Gen. Mcdowell fell
back at o'clock Thursday evening, short
distance from Centreville, where they encamp-
ed they were joined during the evening Dy
Heinizelman'S command, and on the succeed
ing morning by that of Col. Burnside, ali of
which troops age now enesmped there.
Early in the eyea.ng Cen Schenck's brigade
OF Ohio troops were sent forward on the Hanes
Vile road 10 flank the batteries, bat no tidings
had been heard of them up to S O'Clock yester-
day friday morning, when the Congressman
left Gen McDowell's headquarters bringing
with them his dispatches to the War Depart
ment.
These dispatches put the loss in killed at 5,
but Mr.. McCIernand states thai he himself saw
more than that Rumbrr killed. All of these
gentlemen coucur in the opinion that the loss
in killed lOiH reach one hundred. They account
for the disparity brtween their statements and
the official report, by the fact that the latter is
made up altogether from the surgeons returns,
and many are killed who are seldom reported
10 the surgeons
One remarkable fact, which commanded the
especial attention of the Congressmen, was the
absence from that part OF Virginia which they
traversed, OF all the male population capable of
bearing arms. They saw few inhabitants other
than old women, very aged men, and children.
The women seemed to regard them with abhor-
renee 10 quote the language of one of the Con-
gressmen, /" Their eyes fairly flashing fire at
the sight OF the soldiers"
Gen. Mcdowell expressed no fears OF any at
tack upon HIM by the ConfedeTates, but seemed
apprehensive that his Volunteers might by SUM
bling upon some masked batteries preciptate''
general battle.
The excesses of the Federal volunteers are
exciting general indignation among the officers.
A member of Congress who rode through the
smoking ruins this morning, states that the vii
lage o: Germantown has been burnt TO the
ground, with :he exception OF one house, in
which lay sick man, who had been robbed, he