New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-09-05

iell DICK on tlc lhlduiy plChcto' iHc it'T Ieuocu
to be driven in, but opened rapid, scattering fire
on Gen. Howard and Lis escort who were in the adj.
vance. The enemy were finally compelled to un
marx line Of battle extending along the turnpike
and in the woods nearly two miles, developing cav
airy and artillery beside infantry. 1t became evil
dent that they holding the position to the right
in force, or moving by that road in heavy columns.
In consequence of Gen. Towards discoveries, Gen.
Keaney was sent TO the support Of Gen. Reno, who
with his divisions held the extreme right of our
position.
The battle which followed in the evening was
fought during u storm Of rain and lightning and
thunder, so severe that the cannonading was not
beard al the front. Riding at the time on recon-
poissance some miles away with another General, l
heard nothing Of tie eight till it was over. clear
account of 1t given me next morning by an officer
who was in the battle is contained in a letter sent:
you yesterday
Troops had been moving during the whole of the
day in all directions 1t was generally understood
| that Centrevie Wac to be abandoned An order OF
march was issued in the afternoon, and the wagons
Immediately began moving TO the rear. The troops
were to march at night Mott Of the tents were
7
bin TO look at some dispositions Of covering forces in
front. The gathering storm grew dark in the
western ,ky, and purple shades fell early over the
gloomy battlefield that lay hid IN the thiehets cover
ing the plain. There still the log hnts which
sheltered the Rebels last Winter there was the
road over which our routed forces passed-the
streams and hills and woods, all memorable forever.
Ii has all been often described since Marassas was
yielded, but looked On the scene for the first time
and knew that 1t was sure TO be the asl for many
days-not again till another army emerges from the
Canital and advances Oh the Richmond road
When the storm broke the troops were fully OK
posed 70 tsfry-some Of them already on the march,
others stl less comfortable, waiting IN the rain and
mud and darkness for the welcome relief even Of Il
toisome march. Returning to headquariers-the SPOT
WHERE they had been-we waited I'LL midnight, then
mounted and ret out for FairiaX. The momen, we
struck the road 1t was evident that the whole move
meut was in confusion. Regiments were separated
from tAeT brgades, divisions lacking whole brig
AIDES, batteries srsyiug from the commands to which
iiey were attached cavalry cutting columns in two,
and making no md Of mtchief in all directions.
From Centrev.lle to Fairfax is seven niles. We
accomplished il with difficulty in four hours. No
circumstances could have made such rnarch-s re-
treat from Rebel army upon the cspii,l-any,hin
but gloomy. No circumstances could have made IT
much more ~. Sumner in front, Sigel had the
centre OF the column, Porter the rear. TIE three
masses crowded and mingled together, the long lire
filing tie road from front rrar the troops march
ing heavily and YEARLY away from an enemy whom
they knew they ought 10 have beaten. Many Of
them we're already over-marthed and worn out
Arriving at Fairfax, the men dropped painfully out
Of ranks into wretohei camps, weary and tired.
Only some Of the German regiments, which are
WONDERFULLY hardy and never wholly broken down,
went Ly with elastic step 70 the music Of the same
airs which on far other ground in night marches
The mountains had loard again and again.
Fairfax next morning War a soene Of apparently
hopeless confusion. Positions were held on every
side Of IT, and brigidos march, to all points
Germantown was held by Gen. Danas brigade
Hausuns was alsO in the rear. Their troops were
complaining for want of iood the only hard usage
which no soldier beam without grumblIng. Hooker
held his ground the night and IN Of ths town.
Porter, Sumrer, aud Sigel were sent out on the
Vienna road to Flint Hill, aud lay under in ,he
fields t tie middle Of the afternoon. Here, if any
where to-day, waA 10 he the bhttle
No gun was fred till o'clock. The Rebels then
observing trains moving out the road from Fair
fax, which they knew must accompany columns IN
that direction opened rather sud leny with two sec
tons of artillery Their shot few wide, and got no
reply. Before the cannonade began, Porter was
well on bis way through Vienna aud the columns
Of Sige were filing along the edge Of the woods b.
the road Suuner marched last, and Of his corps
Gen. Sedgwicks division brought up the rear.
Summers excellent corps lad already marched ~
miles since Fr.dsy-had been on the road four nights
in succession and had earned the right to be thor
oughy tired. They moved none the less with promp,-
mesa and precision. Gen. Summer, Il veteran soldier
whom every one trusts, sat on horseback, with his
Staff, on hill that commanded the ground, watching
lie movement Of Lis troops, enjoying tho spectacle
Of their regular and orderly march, as only "A true
soldier can. They moved in three columns, all the
wagons and artillery in the road with intervening
infantry Lrigod,s, aud infantry marching also by
brgades in column Of fours on either flank. Alvey
toward Fairfax houRe was burning brilliantly
clouds If black smoke aud flame together The Eeb-
els Ieopencd with cannon as the bngades OF Sedg'
wicks Division started but still were out OF range.
road through the woods to the LETT, which oereda
chance TO bring mp guns to Flint Hill, where tie road
and fields for some distance III front commando,
wss blocked up by telling trees aIors IT, ard The Oil
y.sion moved on. There was single regiment Of
cavalry on tie rear which came, 10 doubt with The
best intentions, but wholly failed to be of service
Tie enemy seized on the bill as soon as 1t was
abandoned and having put ten guns IN position
lcgan shelng the triple column which had advanced
,.erhapa half "A mile on the road and through the
fields The cavalry regiment-it was The oth New
York-lad oontriyed to get lisel on tile right where