Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-09-03
THE FIELD OF BATTLE ON SUNDAY.
The Situation at NOOn-Our Generals in
Good COurage-The Battle ON Saturday
The Delay of Franlklin's Division

tleman whose official position gave him the
eatgee to Gen. Pdpe'S headquarters, who
talked freely with him and with Il number of
generals and other prominent officers, and
who observed with cool civilian eyes, left
Centeryille at about o'clock o-day, and ar
rived here this evening. He supplies the la
test authentic account of the situation When
he arrived at the nights of Centerville at
about halt-past o'clock this morning,
things appeared to his Impractical eve TO be
IN no little confusion. Men roaming about
singly and in squadS-guns in motion toward
this and that point. But in the course of
two or three hours he perceived order coming
out OF chaos. The men who had been seek
ing their regiments had found them, and the
regiments were marching and countermarch-
ing. All the artillery, the supervision of
which was intrusted to Gen. Mcdowell, had
found its place. All seemed ready to meet
an attack, and strong picket guards had been
sent out to meet the enemy, the order to one
being to push on to Manassas. The only of
ticers who had much to say about demoraliza-
ton or panic or Reorganization were those
whose appearance indicated that they spoke
from personal experience. In Gen Pope's
headquarters, which were established in
house on the street Of Centerviile, all was
cool and serene. There, with the general
commanding, were Gems. Mcdowell, Reno,
and Reynolds, with other officers of high
rank. All We're in good spirits, and sent the
most cheerful messages to the secretary of
war They regarded their position as impreg-
nable; were disposed, indeed, to invite attack;
and were not apprehensive of any thanking
movement by the enemy.
REVIEW OF THE FIELD.
Though the officers at headquarters did not
seem to be disposed to admit it in so many
words, the inevitable inference from what they
said was. that we were defeated on Saturday
Friday closed with Il victory; we were driv-
ing the enemy back when night came on But
in the morning, as was soon made evident, he
was stronger \ force estimated at 10000
strong had marched to its relief through
Thoroughtare Gap. Our line of battle was
formed about six miles from Centreville, and
not far from the old Bull Run battlefield
Gen. Mcdowell was on the left, Gen. Fitz
John Porter in the center and Gen. Reno on
| the right. The left tronted a heavy piece of
woods, in which there was little show of
force, while opposite the center and right, the
| signs were, that the enemy had masSed his
/ troops. Our forces were disposed upon the
suppositon that this was the case. But it
| was discovered soon after the battle begun
that the real strength Of the rebel army was
on our left. Gen. Lee, who was in command
Of the whole rebel army, had massed his
troops on our left, and poured in terrible
fire which caused Gen. McDowelrs corps to
wayer and fall back The battle waged all
day, but the enemy proved too strong for us,
and toward night our forces fell back to Cen
treyille, leaving the killed and most Of the
more seriousl y wounded in the hands of the
enemy. The enemy, luckily, perhaps for us,
did not pursue our retiring columns, and made
no attempt to modest them. The renograde
movement was, according to the generals and
other officers with whom my informant talked,
executed in good order,
Gen. Reno said that the real cause of our
defeat was 1cant Of supplies. The horses had
hat haldty anything 10 eat for from three to
fce ddyS, md the men had tayed little better.
His words were borne out by the voracity
with which staff officers, who usually have
the best opportunities to secure what is to be
had, deyoured their breakfasts to-day. In
spite Of this, however, in spite of all draw
backs, to some of which it is not vet time to
allude, Gen. Reno and all the officers with
whom my informant talked, agreed that a COL
H1tH Of ten Thousand fresh troops would hare
Changed the fortunes Of the day. 'Where is
franklin" ''Where is Summer" was the
question. The answer have given you in
previous letter. Franklin'S officers said they
were ready to march on Tuesday, and were
expecting the order. On Wednesday they
were allowed days leave. On Thursday
and Friday they were kept in camp, momen-
tarily expecting an order, That it came and
kept coming from Gen Halleck, and was
countermanded by Gen, Mcclellan, you al
Ie'uy KNOW
GEN: BANKS POSITION.
me precise Iacts ABOUT banks, his troops,
anu MS transportation, IL Is difficult to arrive
at Inc selVleliiah' whose report have en-
ueaFoIea 10 present above, heard nothing
ABOUT nm, ana made no special inquiries. 1t
Is stateu mere ny thoSe VINO should know, and
It's Ifoh the best authority, that BanhS as safe,
0@t Htat ne ~@S 0Otfyea TO destroy alt ms
"@tHS' OF whlch ne lau more thanhS share
nluch unnecessary baggage having been left
Ill Ills charge by the other divisions which
moved forward MI tlneld, a master OF rail
ROAD transportation, VINO Is IN town, Is, how
ever, reported as saying that Banks has SaCed
Gu-h1"'se!t, ms contmaad, and has trains.
Gun another authouty-a superior detective,
who left Centreville yesterday mornlng-says
that ne IS eRfTeAche@ at Manassas Junction.
dhese accounts agree as to the safety Of Gen.
/ Banks and his soldiers, but differ touching
/ the wagons. esterday afternoon, however,
! there was no little anxiety concerning him in
| tne hlgheSt circles. The detective referred to
ABOVE sad that Slgel had taken up position
| III advance on the right wing, several miles
| from Centrcyllle, towards the Bull Run noun
/ talnS' lie also returned confident of victory
/ III the battle Tomorrow.
THE PANIC MAKERS.
am bound to give you the testimony of