The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-09-19
T H E LATE BATTLES,
THE FIRST MINNESOTA In THE
POSITION OF HONOR.
SEDGWICK'S DIVISION PROTECTS
THE RETREAT.

sion, and the brgades of Generals German
and Dana, are handsomely mentioned, as
having protected the retreat on Washing.
ton. We copy from the Tribune:
Gu Monday, there was no fight till tos
ward evening. Gen. Howard, commanding
the LIST Brigade of Gen. Sedgwick's divi-
sion, made an armed reconnaissance on a
road leading northward from Centreville to
Stuart's house, on the Little River turns
pike. Gen. Sedgwick supported the move.
ment with Gen. Germans brigade. Near
the junction of the roads they came upon
the enemy's cavalry pickets. The latter re.
fused to be driven in, but opened rapid,
scattering fire on General Howard and his
escort, who were in the advance. The en-.
envy were finally compelled to unmaak
line OF battle extending along the turnpike
and in the woods nearly two miles, deve,
opiDg cavalry and artillery, beside infantry.
1t became evident that they were holding
the position to the right in force, or mov>
ing by that road in heavy columns. In
consequence of Gen. Towards discoveries,
Gen. Kearney was sent to the support OF
Gen Reno, who with bis divisions held the
extreme right of our position.
The battle which followed in the evening
was fought during storm of rain and light
ming and thunder, so severe that the cannon
aiding was not heard at the front. Riding
at the time on reconnaissance some miles
away with another General, heard nothing
of the fight till it was over.
Fairfax next morning was a scene of ap.
parently hopeless confusion. Positions were
held on every side of it, and brigades were
marching to all points. Germantown was
held by General Dana's brigade. Hart
SUITS was also in the rear. Their troops
were complaining for want of food, the only
hard usage which no soldier bears without
grumbling. Hooker held his ground to the
right and in rear of the town. Porter,
Sumner and SIgei were sent out on the Vi
emma road to Flint Hill, and lay under
arms in the fields till the middle of the
afternoon. Here, if anywhere today was
to be the battle.
No gun was fired till three O'Clock. The
rebels then observed trains moving out on
the road from Fairfax, which they knew
must accompany columns in that direction,
and opened suddenly with two sections of
artillery. Their shot flew wide, and got no
reply. Before the capnOnade began, Por-
ter was well on his way through Vienna,
and the columns of Sigel were filing along
the edge of the woods by the road. Suns
ner marched last, and of his corps General
Sedgwick's division brought up the rear.
Summers excellent corps had already
| marched seventy-two miles since Friday
had been on the road four nights in success
sion, and had earned the right to be thor
oughly tired They moved none the less
with promptness and precision. General
Sumner, a veteran soldier whom every one
trusts, sat on horseback, with his Staff, on
hill that commanded the ground, watch
ing the movement of bis troops, enjoying
the spectacle of their regular aud orderly
march as only true soldier can. They
moved in three columns, all the wagons and
artillery in the road, with intervening brig
AIDES OF infantry, and infantry marching by
brigades of tours on either flank. Away
towards Fairfax a house was burning brill
lisntly-c clouds of black smoke and flame
together. The rebels reopened with can
non as the brigades of Sedgwick's division
started, but still were out of range. A road
through the woods to the left, which offered
chance to bring up guns to Flint Hill,
where the roads and fields for some distance
in front are commanded, was blocked up by
telling trees across it, and the division then
moved on. There was single regiment of
cavalry on the rear, which came, no doubt,
with the best intentions, but entirely failed.
Col. Sully, with the LIST Minnesota, was
ordered by Gen. Sedgwick to hold the hill
neat beyond the one from which the rebel
shots were coming, and to halt for quarter
of an hour. Gen. Howard was soon after
ordered to take command of four regiments
and cover the retreat. With the 10th Massa.
cbusetts, the LIST Minnesota, the 1O6th and
72d Pennsylvania, and section of Tomp~
kins's Battery, be halted at every eminence
commanding the road, and waited the rebel
attack till the rear of the column was we'll
on its way beyond.
The rebels pursued not more than mile
and half. About a hundred and fifty
cavalry showed themselves near the battery
just at dusk. They were instantly dis,
persed by volley from the lst Minnesota,
and couple of shell from Capt. Tompkins.
While marching away from the cannon
ade the troops moved briskly-once or twice
rapidly, but were kept steadily in their
ranks without difficulty. Gen. Sumner and
Gen. Sedgwick kept in the rear so long as
the firing lasted, and the constant personal
supervision of the latter kept his column in
the most admirable order.
"THAT's WHAT'S TIE MATTER!'-We
have af Loot fonnd ont tho orinin NJ this