The new South. [volume] (Port Royal, S.C.) 1862-1867, 1862-09-06
he centre, and Heintzelman on the right both

in the centre, and Heintzelman on the right both
corps cooperating in one movement.
POrter's advance was at once met and checked
by heavy masses of the enemy's infantry, and al
most at the same moment became exposed to an en-
filading fire of the enemy s artillery.
The troops endured this with heroic bravery
more than an hour. An officer who watched them
with glass says that he could see the ground
strewed with dead and wounded. Finally they fell
back in disorder. .s
The reserves of both corps became disordered
by the stream Of fugitives which poured back up
on them. The enemy advanced his batteries rap
idly and poured in a storm of shot and shell upon
these confused and flying masses. The right
wing was badly beaten and the battle became seri-
ously endangered.
Mcdowell then advanced in support and en-
deavored to hold the centre, but his movements
were anticipated by the enemy, and both he and
Sigel were surrounded ON the left and outnumber-
ed at all points. Then Sigel shone out, and his
qualities as soldier became more than ever con-
spicuous. Riding everywhere over the field, he
brought up his brigades skifully to their positions,
holding them to the front, while the tide of fugi-
tives poured by.
Large bodies Of McDowell's division broke and
rereated in disorder, making pel-mell across Bull
Run. Ats O'Clock in the afternoon the battle
was going heavily against US. Gen. Pope had
ordered up and into the fight the last Of his re-
serves, and was still endeayoring to retrieve the
day |; but along the Centreville road, artillery,
infantry, wagons and cavalry were mingled togeth-
er in confusiun and falling to the rear. Our right
remained comparatively firm, and prevented the
enemy from following up his advantage. Indeed,
the last of the crossing of Bull Run was in perfect
order, and by 8 clock the stream was crossed,
and the enemy troubled us only by a few shells.
We Were falling back to Centreyille. -Eg ;.
Franklin and his whole corps was between Stone
Bridge and Centreville, and pressing on. Sumner
and his corps were close behind, between Centre
vile and Fairfax Court House, urging his troops
forward at the greatest speed.
Gen Mcclellan is universally and bitterly blamed
: for this reverse. He received the order 10 ad
vance Gen. Franklin's corps from Alexandra to
Pope's support as early as Wednesday, but he
sent word that it was impossible to do so for lack
of transportation and supplies. The order was
twice repeated, and Friday night Franklin corps
was moved as far as Avondale, seven miles from
Alexandria, and within sound of the enemy's
guns. Here the troops were stopped by Gen.
Mcclellan order, for the alleged reason that it
was unsafe to advance. Thus the march was de-
layed for three days, during which Gen. Pope was
fighting against terrible odds. .sa...
Gen. Halleck and the President do not hesitate
to ascribe our reverse to the tardiness of Gen.
McL Llellan's movements; and general order has
been issued relieving him of the command Of the
army of the Potomac, except that portion in and
about Alexandria There was no general engage
ment On Sunday up to three O'Clock.