Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-09-03
NEWS FROM THE BATTLE-FIELD.
GENERAL BANKS COMMAND SAFE

IL.
WASHINGTON, Sept. Recent advices
from the vicinity of the late sanguinarv con-
tiicts in Virginia, report affairs in that locality
as being comparatively quiet. The news from
that quarter to-day has been, considering the
intense excitement and hustle prevalent, de-
cldedly meagre. Rumors and stories of the
most eXtravagant nature have been circulated
throughout the city, great majority of which
have been found on inquiry and reasoning, to
be entirely unreliable.
Parties who left Centerville late Yesterday
afternoon, report that the command of Gen
Banks, which had been rumored cut off, had
arrived at that point about o'clock yesterday
afternoon. There can be very little doubt of
the correctness of this report, as our inform
ant states that he Witnessed the arrival Of this
command. 1t is further stated that march
of twenty-five miles was accomplished by
them on that day in order to reach that posi-
ton.
The greatest attention is being given to the
condition of the wounded, who are conveyed
with all possible prompttude to the various
departments prepared for their reception An
over-abundance of nurses and physicians
have rendered their services. and it is most
assuredly true that the brave men who have
fallen in defence Of the national honor, will
not want for sympathy and kind attention in
their Sutferings.
1t was stated in former letter that large
number of stragglers were, yesterday, picked
up by the enemys cavalry. The raid was
made between Fairfax Court House and Cen
treville.
Within the past few days the prices for
market provisions have nearly doubled, ow-
ing to the increased demand for them, and the
country people being interrupted in their pur-
suits.
On Sunday morning, between eight and
nine, fifteen ambulances, being in advance of
the train down hollow, were captured. In
all there were 230 ambulances, and 60 hacks
Yesterday evening at O'Clock our army
was withdrawn behind the hills of Centreville
as teint, it is believed, to draw on the enc
my, but they did not advance. This morning
our army is again advanced at least two miles
towards the old battle field. The large rein
tOrcementS which have arrived there, consist
ing Of artillery and infantry, make the army
perfectly safe. No firing took place after 8
O'Clock Saturday night.
Kearney's division remained on the field
till II o'clock on Sunday. Some shell were
thrown into the enemy. but no response was
made. This morning a slight skirmish took
place in Gen. Kearney's division. In the re-
cent battle Gen. Hatch was wounded slightly,
felt hat, iattening on the skull The dead
were being buried, and the wounded removed
to-day from the late scene of conflict, under a
flag of truce.
FAIRFAX COURT HOUSE, Sept. l.-Ye ester
day morning flag of truce was sent in for
permission to bring off the dead and wounded
of our army, who had not been reached dur
ing the days of the fighting, which was grant
ed to last from noon to sunset. Some sixty
ambulanceS were sent with number of ply
scians and some citizens, and on their arrival
at the field a terrible scene presented itself.
The wounded, with few exceptions, had re-
ceived no attention. The physicians imme-
diately commenced operations but their
means and help were very inadequate
About one-haf of the wounded were
brought in, their wounds partly dressed.
Some amputations were performed; and the
ambulances filled and brought away, the num-
Der being about 200. About $50 to 200 still re-
manned on the field, and now that our army
has retreated back, no chance remains of
sending them succor.
Those who visited the scene of battle were
not allowed to proceed beyond where the heav-
lest part of the fighting took place, and no
troops or guns could be seen, except num-
Der of cavalry who were scattered all over the
hills, and who were all willing to converse
companied the ambulances.
They unanimously say they will soon
drive us from Virginia, and even into the free
states, and will endeavor to let us feel the war
by making portion of our land resemble
that part of Virginia over which the armies
have passed and repassed the last six months.
On returning to Centreville, it was found that
fight had taken place somewhere in our
rear, and everything was hustle and excite
a. ] r
scene, trains moving of, &C., while many had
already gone. 1t seems that during the fore
noon a report reached headquarters that
movement was on foot to attack our trains
and Kings division was ordered to pro-
coed to Fairfax and take position to the
west of that town, to prevent any demonstra-
ton of the enemy.
About noon the rebels were discovered APP
preaching from that direction, when sklrmlsh-
ing commenced, and our troops formed IN line
of battle, word being sent to headquarters and
additional forces sent to the spot. The rebels
attacked with a large force OF infantry, out
were repulsed in gallant style by our iorce'
consisting of Kings and Ricketts, dlVlslohs'
the Pennsylvania reserves, and some Others
The rebels had batteries concealed in the
woods that opened with grape when our men
advanced. which was destructive to our ranks
for short time; but our guns, getting into
position, the rebels were soon compelled to
leave, suffering heavy losses.
The enemvs force was very strong, and
commanded by jackson in person; and, had
the attack not been promptly met our com
munication with Washington would again
have been cut off, and immense trains of wag-
ons either captured or destroyed
During last night all our trains succeeded
in making way back to the vicinity of Alex
andria, and acres Of land there are now cover
nl ,,ih thnr1