The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-09-05

crously, our cavalry reached siisn' emf
nence, and were about to send out ueeach'
,pent 20 eyplore, when the enemy were seen
comm, nm In force along the line Of the adj
;acent woods. A rebel battery was seen 70
wbirl into position, and then came she'll
,bro,vp into the midst OF our cavalry follow
ed by canister and grape. Thus was dlscoy-
cred the intention OF the enemy to attempt
a aank movement. Long lines OF rebel in
f,ntry could plsinly be seen hurrying up to
take position, and some other rebel batteries
were brought up and opened upon our ltft.
Our cavalry, forced to retire, retrcated be-
hind a low ridge, bat the clouds Of dust re-
yealing their place OF retreat, the rebels con-
tinued Smelling them, and another change Of
position WAS made.
Here a body Of cavalry was observed rid
Ing towards the spot, and the sabre Of our
cavalry were drawn % meet the coming foe.
The squadron proved To be friends the 18th
n. Y. cavalry. Where they had come from,
rs Gen. Sigel was on the right, was and is a
mystery. They reported the rebel cavalry
under General Stewart Us about making a
charge
The y. Y. cavalry fell in behind General
Buford's brigade, the bugles sounded and oy-
or the hills galloped our men to meet the ad-
yancing rebels. AS our men approached
them the rebel cavalry discharged double
barrclled shOtguns and then met us in full
charge. Our men broke the enemy's line
and pursued them. The rebels rallied in
splendid style and dashed forward TO meet
the charge Again their line was broken,
and rs our cavalry was preparing to charge
again. the rebels opened fire upon them from
their batteries and with musketry, compell-
ing them 90 retire.
Meanwhile our left had given way and
was on the retreat passing the chvalry.
A battery, which had run short Of ammu-
milton. was on the point OF being captured,
but under the determined resistance OF our
cavalry il was safely brought of.
The troops fell back on Gen. Franklin's
division. which had just come up, and were
formed in line to prevent struggling and any
thing like panic. Had Gen. Fnnklins
division arrived two hours earlier on the
Geld the result Of the days fighting would
have been different.
The fact Of Gen. stewards cavalry being
armed with dOuble.barreled shot guns, is
proved by a number Of the guns being car
tured. and several Of our cavalry having
buckshOt wounds.
Col. Brodhead, commanding the LIST Mich
igan cavalry, was captured; Lieutenant Mer-
Ram was wounded and taken prisoner and
Lieut.. Morse was killed.
Gen. Franklin's division retired TO Centre
willie after preventing confusion and giving
our retreating troops time To rally.
During the fight body Of che enemy con-
cealed in the woods annoyed our forces much
by their ride practice. Gen. Martindales
brigade charged them and drove them from
the woods amid the cheers OF our line.
Gen. Hartsuii's brigade made a similar
charge. but with different result, They pen.
etratel into the woods when = deadly fire or
grape aud canister was opened upon them from
a masked battery. At the same time MUIR
derous yolley Of rife balls came from one SHE
and a desperate charge was made nom the
other, Our men fought bravely, but were
forced 10 retire
The enemy remained upon the battlefield
over night.
To-day there has been some diminishing. Re-
Inducements are going up, AMI battle Is an
ticipated tomorrow.
WAsuISrOS, Sept. Ia gentleman from the
battlefield this forenoon reports that IN Sat
ur,lay's fight the len wing, cOmminded by
Mcdowell, owing 10 murlerOus enhlaling
fire, was compelled to fall back. Sigel COM
Inanlel the centre and Kearney the right. IL
appears that our forces attacked the enemy IN
the woods, from which the latter opened nu-
merous batteries, causing great slaughter.
The rebels suffered equally as much rs our own
troops.
Our men fell back mile, leaving our dead
AMI wounded on the field.
Our informant says our main forces were
ave miles frUm Centreylle on Sunday in battle
array and prepared for all emergencies, being
strongly reinforced.
While passing through Centreyille he saw
thousands OF straggler. at that place-men OF
different regiments all mixed up and exhibiting
n scene Ut disOrganiEation. When the ambu-
Iances in large numbers reached the late battle
field yesterday to bring away the wOunled, a
stampede commenced, the drivers having tnrn-
ed the heads OF their horses toward the road
leading 20 Washington, aud commenced re-
treat with empty vehicles.
Some frightened driver imagined that Stew
arts cavalry was dashing up, and accordingly
gave the alarm. The panic spread with almost
the speed OF electricity. Doubtless serious
consequences would have ensued hal not the
guards on the rOals rushed forth with pointed
runs. and threatened TO shoot the drivers un-
less they returned 10 the field.
There seems 10 he no doubt that the enemy's
pickets are lowering around the persons en-
gagged in the humane work ON the field, but up
ca an early hour this morning they had not been
interrupted.
From all that can be gathered, though we
have suffered severely, our men are confident Of
retrieving their loss Of Saturday. IL was ow-
ing TO their impetuosity and daring in charging
the enemy in the woods that they suffered 50
many casualties.
At about II o'clock yesterday several trains
Of cars AZ Manassas Junction, with ammuni-
tiOn and stores, we're burnt by order Of the
military authorities, 10 prevent their falling IN
20 the hands of the enemy, which seemed 10 be
immincnt-the bridge at Bull Run having been
destroyed by the rebels. and the property there
fore being cut Of from removal TO a place Of
safety.