The New York herald., 1862-09-01
THE FOUR DAYS STRUGGLE.

The Raids ON Catlett's station, Bristow
and Manassas.
TIE BATTLES OF KETTLE Run, GAINESVILLE AND
BULL RUN.
The details Of the late sanguinary battles between The
Union and rebel armies At and In the vicinity Of Nanas
such extreme importance that have collect
Cd all the reliable facts and thrown them together in nA
ratvs form for the information Of readers q late
since the order Of General Hasck for she expulsion Of
all newspaper correspondents from the army al kinds Of
conflicting rumos have been put in circulation that
it was utterly impossible to any correct conolu
sions concerning the all important struggle going
between tho two great armies in the field. The voice o.
the sovernmeot was not heard, and all the Information
the press was able give 70 the anxious public came
more less through dubious and uncertain sources A.
length the military authorities have broken sas long
sar ded silence ana from din Of arms and the
smoke Of battle hear tidngs Of Union courage, Union
onsets and Union victories.
From the unehangng indications Of all the rsportA
from the seat Of for week past was clear that
there would be severe battle series OF contests
Manassas that vicinity The nrs sign Of this after
the rebel dash Caetps Station, Sunday the Gath Of
August their sudden appearance at Manassas and
Bstow Station on the 97h ul, three days after their
nrst raid the destruction Of army stores and the mass
ting f large bodies Of troops near that place. Ths
attacking force Of the enemy was variously esti-
mated st fro0 so 70 2.oos cavalry, supposed 10
have been portion Of Fitxhugh Lees forcehe same
that had fallen Catetps Station Asf their success
ful attack small body Or troops a. Manassas the
rebels began 70 move up large reinforce nents, with
the evident intention q sndeavoring to turn the
rhht Of General Popc's army. On Wednesday morning.
the 9th ult., at about eleven O'Clock, Gene
raj raylors brigade, Of Major General slocum's d.
vision OF tho Army Of the Potomac, consisting OF
the First, Second, Thira and Fourth New Jersey
regiments we're ordered 70 proceed 10 Manassas by rail
iron their camp near Fort Elswerth Alexandra. The
brigade arrived al Bull run bridge about O'Clock
the following morning The troops landed and crossed
the bridge withous delay and marched direct for
Manassas; but on ascending the hill emerging from
The valley Of Bull they encountered line
or the euemys skirmishers, whioh fell back
before them. The brigade proceeded on 70 Manassas,
and whsn within range q the circular series q fornca
tIons around the Junction, the heavy Ore Of artillery
was opened upon them In all direesious without artil
,ery or cavalry 70 rsspsnd, tho brigade had 70 fall
back TO ths protection q shssrng crest of ground;
but here they were instantly attacked By bri
gade Of rebel infantry, and sharp nrs o.
musketry was kept up for about twenty minutes
when large rebel fcros Of cavalry began 70 advance 70
the rear shs Jersey brigade 70 cut or retreat BY tho
Bull run bridge The Geaeral In command had therefore
TO retreat across the Blaokburns Ford, and while
doing % As brigade ~ pursued by rebel horse artillery,
and very severely ussd
TIE pnsYsM or THE EwExY.
me designs Of eur sotive enemy 70 seise upon
every advantage that the disposition sf troops
separated tbey were could give thsm and thus 70 fall
upon drsrsns divisions al their own convenience, and
either cripple capture them On Wednesday rather
on Tuesday night tine 22d inss, report reached War
ronton Junction that jackson again In rear and
that instead Of making attack and retiring his
cavalry did the previous time al Catetts stat on he
had taken up position the railroad near BrIst,w,
four mixes south Of Manassas thai he bad burned two
railroad trains, torn up the rsiroad track, cut the
telegraph ,nd taken prisoners oil the guards along
the road These reports proved true, and tho events Of
Wednesday, tho 23d, showed the determination Of the
rebel snmandcr not 10 be easily driven from the neigh
bsrhood II soems from what 10 learned from the
rebel wounded hands tha Jackson and Ewc! started
from The vicinity Of warrcntcn Springs Sunday with
ibrco divisions crossed the Rspplhsnnccs some SIX
mice south q tie Hlrs Ridge ava proceeded by v'y
q 3,sxas snJ saien e Bis.ow nsx.ns tns dstsnee