New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-09-05

found himself within their lines, and was captured
before the action had fairly recommended.
Gen. Birney took command at once of the divi.
sion, and sent forward his own brigade to the left,
10 anticipate and repel the threatened 8ark move
ment Of the Rebels Randolph's battery accompanied
the brigade and opened on the enemy with great
yigor and effect. IL appeared that nearly the
whole force Of the Rebels had been maseed on the
left, and tie engagement was recommended by Gen.
Birney in that position.
The original line of Gen. Reno on the right had
extended to and partially held q piece OF woods,
against which bis right wing rested. On tie center
and left was cornfeld slopiDg down into ravine,
from which rose another bill beyond. On the crest
Of the latter the enemy were drawn up-at hTst
nearly opposite our center, aferward moving around
TO our left Stevens was killed in attempting to ad'
vance through the confeld, end his force driven
back. When Birney took command. al the troops
of Reno had been withdrawn from the tight, and tie
line was formed anew ON the left.
The same formation of the ground extended to the
left. Birney drew up his troops at an angle with
the line inst held by Stevens, 80 AS TO front the
Rebels on the LETT, and sending Robinson's brigade
still further in the same direction, posted Berry's
brigade rs q reserve, and Grahams battery near 1t,
and himself advanced 10 the attack with his whole
brig idc.
A heavy fire was kept up for half an hour. From
the time when kearpey came on the field fierce
thunderstorm bad been raging and tie rain fell ill.,
ces,anty and heavily. 1t was difficult TO keep am
nuniiion Dry but with the advantage Of artillery,
Brney continued bis fire for considerable time,
l. Nd,
their line at length somewhat shaken and their fire
proving weaker, Gen. Birney ordered bayonet
charge. The Mozart Regiment ooh New-York),
Col Egan; the Scott Life Guard (3Slh New-Yorb),
Col. Wald and the LIST New York, also included ia
Col. Exams command, wers intrusted with this
movement.
The three regiments advanced with gallantry and
determination, and moving down the ravine and up
tie opposite slope in the face Of heavy fire. almost
instantly decided the contest.
| The Rebels broke and ram abandoned the field,
and made no effort to renew the contest. The field
was held by Gen. Birney all night our dead were
buried and the wounded removed. Gen. Berry
10 had been held in reserve, occupied tie field,
and retained it ill relieved this morning.
| The conduct Of all the regiments engaged under
Gen. BirEey is highly praised. The lOlst New-York,
under Col Geener, was in tie haTdest OF lie lglt,
and lost heavily in killed and wounded. Col. Gcs
ner, Col. Ward OF tho 3Stn Hcw-York, aud Col.
Esan, who led the bayonei charge, displayed great
GOODNESS and galen,ry
Gen. BIrney, who Ia one Of the few Generals that
have been often in battle and never DEF! ated, Ibis
| light with only seven regimen after the whole
Division OF Gen. Reno had been compelled to retire.
Gen. Reno fought cautiously aud well, but could 40
nothing without ammunition after the advance Of
Stevens lai been repulsed and his left had become
eXposcd. lie had no means al strengthening n TIL
the arrival of Kearuey Most Of the battle was
fought ia darkness and storm. The thunder wac so
heavy that a. Cen,reyille, three miles distant the
noise of the cannonsde wholly inaudble, and
10 battle Suspected 10 be going on
| Some prisoners were taken from the enemy, but,
owing to the darkness and the storm, pursuit Tor
for any distance was impossible.
Among the prisoners was the Adj itant-Geneial of
Gen. Jones, who was in command OF one OF the
Rebel Divisions, and also his Chief of Ordnance.
| The Rebel Gen. Jones was formerly AdJutant OF
Gen. Hein,zelmans old regiment.
Major Iilden Of tie 18th NewYork was mortsly
wounded in the fight, and died soon after. The
whole number of killed and wounded in Gen. Dir
ney's Brigade was probably not over 100. OF Gen.
Reno's troops tie loss not much greater. have
seen lists but not moment 10 copy them for this
letter, which goes by an unexpected opportunity
Except this battle, there has been no engagement
since Saturday. Tie enemy showed no disposition
10 attack Centreyile in front, but endeavored TO
win the position by movement on Fairfax Court
House, which was discovered aud foiled by last
Iipits contest CentIevle ia abandoned.
battle is possible here but not expected by the Gen
erals i'll whose judgment most confidence is placed.
Our victory ls dearly bought by the death Of Gen
Stevens NJ I'll. capture OF Gen. Kearney. The mil
itary career Of both is well known TO the country
Gen. Keamey brought away from The Peninsula IA
very nigh reputation. His services arc too recent 10
have been forgotten.
Gen. Stcvenss connection with the Port ROYAL
expedition CAV. hn lees opportunity than he desired
ana " ished ior military services; bnt hs WAS con-
ce,ned in all OF The operations in which the land
forces had share, and always showed himself The
"a ant sold!er and nbe general. lie has an oder
reputation in Mexico aud Oregon, but l refer
err ecially 10 bus Port Royal career, because knew
him only ia South Carolina, and wish 10 add 10 tie
public EXPRESSION Of regret ~ his loss NY own trib-
ne TO his gallantry and ability.
have much 10 SAY Of the events Of IIsj week, !
the condition of this command of Generals aud
their Conduct and of the immediate prospects before
us; but must defer everything I'LL another letter,
which may be sent know not when OF how. An
oyening caunonade closes Ely letter.
T. S.-,;en. Kearney was shot, not captured. !
His body has Just been brought in.
The Deal, Of Gen. Fearscy-Thc Engage. !