Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1862-09-12
1Oar News.
THE RECENT BATTLES IN VIRGINIA.

CAMP NEAR CHAIN BRIDGE, Wednes-
day, Sept Slowly and sulenly the
two armies of the Republic, outgcneraled
and defeated, have fallen back from the
battlefield to Centreville, from Centre
yille to Fairfsx, from Fairfax to the Po-
tomac. The latest experiment in gener-
alship is the most immediate and disas-
trous failure Once more the National
army gather about the National Capital,
and the defence of Washington is the
strategic signal of the Peuinsular ad-
vance upon Richmond.
The retreat from Centreville to Fair
fax was complete on Monday night
Sumner, Sigel and Porter held the hill
during the day. Heinizelman Mellow
ell, aud the rest were already Zone
All Monday night the three rearward
corps struggled along the crowded road
to Fairfax, Porter covering the retreat.
On Tuesday morning the rebels once
more held the sweeping line Of forts that
pointed to the East all winter long, and
de6ed our advance.
Last night the whole army retreated,
and this morning the western bank Of
the Potomac is the only Yirginian camp
Of the National troops lIeintzelman
and Franklin went back on the Alexan-
dria road, Mcdowell by Falls Church.
Sumner and Sigel and Porter by Vienna
and Lewinsyiile. We may bitterly au-
nounee once more that the Army Of the
Potomac and the Army Of Virginia,
crouehing beneath the thirty forts that
girdle the Capital. are believed to be
safe
Isuppose no future hope can be haz-
arded if he details of an accomplished
retreat are given to the world. record
therefore, very briefly and incompletely,
what have seen and heard 10 the three
nights and two days just past-nights
and days Of sleepless activity which can
scarcely have brought to any one who
shared their gloomy experience a single
cheerful thought, or a moment Of repose.
When | left Washington on Sunday
night, although it was known that Pope
was defeated and driven back to Centre
vile, none, or very few, supposed that
he was to abandon that position, famous
for its strength without fight. A bat
tie was EXPECTED next day at the furthest,
and no enc certainly knew whether there
had Mt already been another during
- daY passed through Alexandria
D64. pn the Fairfax road at seven in
the evening Not half mile beyond
the town | net train Of heavily loaded
wagons, and hailed driver Where
are you 'FRONT.'" Centreyillo." The
whole story was told in a word. The
army was retreating.
For the next ten miles the road was
filed with the traius Of every corps in
the army, everywhere crowded and FREE
quently halting. Mingled with the
wagons were great numbers Of ambu-
lances and carriages, filled with wound.
ed and dying men. They had been all
day on the road, a day OF confinement,
priyation, discomfort, ana torture. -
Many must have remained all night on
the road-many also in the wagons,
which, as conyeyances for wounded men,
are only one degree worse than ambu-
larces.
Near Alexandria, and at intervals for
some miles beyond the bivouac fires of
many camps blazed along the road and
glimmered in distant fields. Guards for
the trains, struggling towards from the
front, sections Of batteries. squadrons Of
cavalry. and further on toward Fairfax
regiments, and shattered brigades moving
to the rear, and finally the last division
of reinforccments marching for the front,
sireamed along the road, and wound III
and out Of the endless trains. II was
impossible to ride faster than walk