Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1862-09-03
1 PANIC AND FLIGHT.
Geneneral Banks Cut OH
Rebels 10000 or $4,000 Strons.
NEW YORK, Sept. |.


tains Washington letter, dated Sunday
forenoon. with the following details: I
Nothing later than Pope's dispatch Of
Saturday had been received by the gov
eminent this morning.
Distant firing was heard on Saturday
afternoon and later in the esening.
A courier arrived at Iallecks head
quarters this morning with the news that
Pope had fallen back to Centreville.
A staff officer from the battle field at
five. Saturday afternoon, states that the
battle commenced on Thursday forenoon,
and that -Sigeps corps engaged rebel
cavalry brigade on the road from War
rentown, and drove them back, the battle
lasting till 0 80 in the evening. This
fight was with Jsckson's rear guard, whose
force was estimated at 10000.
Friday morning Jackson undoubtedly
formed a junction with Longstreet.
Sherman's battery opened the battle on
Friday morning.
Miroy's brigade had the advance, aud
Sigel formed line.of battle with Schurz
on the right Schenck on the left and
Steiuwehr on the center.
The rebels were gradually forced back
till one o'clock, p. M. They then sudden
~ and fercely charged bay onets, forcing
MiIroy back. @Sehenck sonia brigade
forward, but both were driven back.
MIroy's command was so badly cut up
that he could not gather a regiment.~.y
Schurz and Steinwehr were holding
their own in the woods or the left Of
Schenck.
Heavy masses of rebels appeared, and
Stevens and Reynolds divisions were
sent up, aud all were driven back. The
result of Fridays fighting was, we drove
the rebels ;sbouttwo miles, then they be-
ING heavily re enforced recovered mile,
aud our troops rested at night mile in
advance Of their morning position.
On Saturday the battle was more gen.
eral. Heintzellnan, Porter, Mcdowell,
and Banks were engaged. Sigers force
being kept as reserve. Heintzelman
commenced the attack, with Porter in the
center.
The advance of the battle was checked
by immense masses of rebel infantry. and
his troops stood up with unparalleled hero
ism for over an hour exposed to en6lading
fire of grape and canister.
The ground was strewn with the fall
len ranks of the dying and dead. FL
nally they broke, falling back in great
disorder, which caused panic in the re-
serve, large numbers joining in the re-
treat. The rebels rapidly advanced their
batteries, pouring in q stoIm of shot and
shell. Our right wing was completely
beaten. Mcdowell advanced to their
support, endeavoring to hold the center,
but his movements were anticipated, and
both he and s gel were enveloped by the
rebels and outuumbcreI at NIL points
Then Sigel shone out, bringing mp his
brig ade successfully to their position,
holding Item IN front, while tho fugitiyes
poured by
Large bodies of MeDowell's troops re-
treated in great disorder across Bull Run.
At five O'Clock, P. NJ, The battle was
going against us. The last reserves were
ordered up TO retrieve the, day: but along
the CentreviIIe road artillery, infantry,
wagons and cavalry were confusedly fall
ing to the rear. Our right, however, re-
niained comparatively firm, preventing
the enemy from following up his advan
tage, and at o'clock Bull Run stream
was crossed by rebels troubling us only
by few shells. We were falling back to
Centreville.
Franklin's corps was between Stone
Bridge and Centreville and Summers
corps between Centreville and Fairfax
Court House, pressing on with great
speed to the assistance of Pope.
The day was probably adverse to us,
but the battle was to be renewed on Sun
day morning with heavy re-enforcsments.
II is believed the whole rebel army
under Lee has re-enfore ed Jackson by way
of Thoreughfare Gap, or by Aide Gap.
The above account was Cleaned by the
Tribune correspondent, from Capt. Fish.