Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-09-18
Hi~ hesrics. assault, wa. made ,bou, Ave-

his hsssicst assault was made shout Eve
o'clook in the afternoon. When, after over
whslming General Fitz Jon Porter's forces,
snd diving him back on the csutsr aud left,
mass after mas OF the enemy's forces were
pushed against our left A terrific contest,
with great slaughter, was carried on for
several hours, our men behaving with firm
beS and gsllsntry under the iinmediate
command Of General Mcdowell When
night closed, our lett was forced back abo1t
half mile, but still remained firm and un.
broken, while tho right held its ground.
Cen. Franklin, with. his corps, arrived
alter dark at CentrceiIle, six miles in our
rear; whilst Gen. Sumner was four miles
behind Franklin. could have brought up
these corps in the morning in time to have
renewed the action, but men and horses
we're completely exhausted for want of suf-
scient food. | accordingly retired to Cen
tey,iie that night, in perfect order. Neither
on Sunday or Monday did tho enemy make
any advance upon us. On Monday sent
TO the army corps commanders for their
effective strength; which, afi told, fell short
OF sixty thousand men.
The enemy during Monday again began
70 move slowly around to our right, for the
purpose of Possessing Fairfax Court house,
and thus turning our rear. A portion Of
Summers division had been left there, and
sent Gen. Hooker, on Monday afternoon,
% take command and post himself at or in
front Of Germantown; at the same time di.
rectiug Mcdowell to take position along the
turnpike from Ccntreville to Fairfax Court
Houee, about ten miles west of the latter
place. Heintzelmsn was directed to post
himself In the rear, and supportbf Reno,
who was pushed north Of tho road at point
about three miles east of Centreyile, and TO
cover the road
II was my purpose in the course Of the
night 10 mass my command on the right,
IN the direction OF Germantown, where [
felt convinced the next attack Of the enemy
would be made. Late in the afternoon on
Monday the enemy made his demonstra.
ton upon Germantown, but was met by
nookef at that place, and by Reno, re.en.
forced by kearney, further west The bat
lie was very severe, though Of short dura.
ton, the enemy being driven back one mile.
with heavy loss, leaving his dead and wound
cd. In this short action we lost two of our
most valuable and distinguished officers
Generals kearney and Stevens. N
BY morning the whole Of my command
vas msssed behind difficult creeks, between
fnnt Hill and the Warrenton turnpike,
With the advance under Hooker in front of
Germantown. With the exception of Gen.
summer, the commanders Of the Army of
the Potomac, had continued to inform me
that their cammands had been demoralised
ever since they left Harrison's LaudiuS. -
TO fight. ''''~. "
81 This latter, statement, their conduct IN
the various actions fully contradicted. But
the struggling in those corps was distress
ing received orders on Thursday after.
noon TO retire 70 the intrenchments near
Washington, which was accordingly done in
good order and without the slightest loss. -
Gen. Banks. who bad been left with the
railroad trains, cut of at Bristow. by the
the burning Of the bridge, was ordered to
join me on Monday at Centrcville, which
he did on the afternoon of that day. M
This brief SUMMARY will explain sufficient.
ty ~ detail the entire operations Of the forces
under ury command, during sixteen days Of
continuous lighting by day and marching by
night, to confront powerful enemy with
Teatly inferior numbers; To fight him by
day without the loss Of the army; to DELAY
and cmbarrass his movements, and to force
him, by persistent resistance, 10 adopt hong
and circuitOus routes to his destination, are
the duties which have been imposed upon
me.
They are, Of all military operations, the
most difficult and the most harassing, both
% commander and to his troops. How
far WI have been successful, leave to the
judgment ofmy countrymen. The armies
of Virginia and the Potomac have been
united in the presence and against the of.
forts ofs wary aud vigorous enemy, in
greatly superior force, with no loss for
which they did not exact full retribution.
Among the officers whom feel found TO
mention with especial gratitude for their
most hearty, cordial and untiring zeal and
energy, are Generals Hooker, Kesrney,
Mcdowell, Banks, Reno, Heiniselman, and
many others Of inferior rank, whom | shall
take great pleasure ID bringing to the notice
Of the Government. Tho troops have or
hibited wonderful patience and courage, and
/ cannot say to much for them.
r. JouN PopE,
Major General Commanding.