The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-09-13

L. The Battles in Virginia, a
Interesting "A &C o u nt Of Oh
i Fighting On Friday and Sal
Il urday. ......,..,-,, ~,
From the New York Tribune. -,,,ei i.,i-s,.
Ir ,,..,,,., WASHINGTON, Sept. 2, 1852
! Alexandra, overfows to-day with Officer
and men Of regiments which are at the from
and with. others whose new, uniforms an
shining equipments show that they have M
yet been in battle. a The most contradictor
rumors I'll the air, and it is almost imposs
bic to get consistent narrative Of the event
Of the past few days. Regimental officer
know nothing ofwhat occurred beyond thei
own line, and the officers Of the stats onl,
recall that the night was wet, the day yer,
sultry, or the fight fierce one.s From
wounded Captain of cavalry, who was in TIN
battles Of Friday and Saturday, and only
left the front yesterday, I have got the fol
lowing outline Of the progress Of affairs
which throws some light upon points previ
ously, obscure.7nse rcd; 75l 53oda i,d9T 9di
,n0n Friday and Saturday, Gen. Banks
guarded the Wafrenton road, and was no,
drawn into the bloody engagements ofthose
days. The battle Of Friday was mainly di.
rected by Sigel, who was everywhere, en-
coursging, ordering, and setting an example
of splendid bravery. Saturday morning
dawned upon our srmy drawn up on the old
Bull Run ground, to the right of the War
renton turnpike. Sigel commanded our
right, Reno the center, and Med the
left Of the line. The fight commenced with
a heavy FIRE Of artillery at about 8 o'clock in
the morning, and the infantry were first en-
gagged at early DAWN As on the preceding
day, rhesonus of attack was thrown upon
US. the enemy keeping under shelter Of
woods, bitches, and hillocks, pouring IN tre-
mendous volleys in our faces as we exposed
ourselves, and meeting bayonet charge with
bayonet charge, without flinching or waver.
ing All day long our center and right stood
fast, and kept up their fight against superior
filling up the gaping ranks as fast
as they were opened. AT 8 O'Clock IN the
afternoon the enemy threw heavy columns
against our left, where McCall's Reserves
and Duryee's Brigade held position, the lat
ter on the extreme left. From their conceal.
ment in the woods they suddenly opened on
Duryee heavy fire Of batteries and threw
his force into confusion which was hight
sned, if not occasioned, by the large body Of
stragglers which swarmed on that flank.
Where they came from, or why they were
there, did not learn, but of all regiments.
battalions, squadrons, and companies they
locked to the number of two or three thous
md, and when Duryee gave way they start
sameT "cftss'eadtcn was really terrible. "irs
panic should spread from the bewildered.
running wretches, the roads and ravines Of
The old battle-ground might have seen such
! pitiable sight as they did in the dark days
of 1861. Our left turned and beaten back in
no one could tell to what lengths
the misfortune would spread. But Buford's
quick eye took in the position at glance
Ordering his cavalry brigade to form in reg.
mental line, his bugles sounded the wild
notes Of the charge, and in another moment
the hoofs Of his 1900 horses woke thunder
ing echoes among the glens. Down the slope
and out on the level ground his squadrons
swept on and crashed against the cavalry
which the Rebels we're gathering to hurl up
on our wavering lines. 1t was desperate
chance for the safety Of more than five thou.
sand men, and Buford never drew rein until
his force had gone through and through the
enemy's squadrons. There was cloud of
dust and smoke, out from which came pistol
shots and the crack of carblnes, and the
clash of steel, and shouts and yells, all min
gled in a pandemonium of sounds. Before
their impetuous charge the Rebel cavalry
fed like leaves driven by the wind, and the
moment Of danger was passed. For quar-.
ter of an hour Buford held the ground, while
Mccall swung his line around until he came
to the left of our center, and found support.
The movement was made in order, and the
stragglers got safely away to safe place. !
Recovering from their disorderly retreat,
the enemy gathered for great spring upon
Buford's brigade, and in few minutes our
1900 were attacked by an equal force Of
cavalry, supported by brigade Of infantry
and a flanking battery Of artillery. OF
course, they could not stagger against such
odds, and the order to fall back was given
and obeyed, the enemy repulsing us fol
about mile. Here, however. we stopped
and waited for them to come up until they
got within short range, when our batteries
were placed in position and gave them suct
welcome that they wavered, and, who'll
division being pushed out from our oentsr
they retreated until we had regained al tn
lost ground. Sigel turned the snemy's lef
1t about the same time as they turned ours
and when night put stop to the battle on
whole line stood about as it did in the NOR,
ing. The losses on both sides were fearful
the men of both going down by hundreds
and their bodies lying in some places heape
atop each other three and four deep.
On Sunday morning we occupied tn
same position as on the night before tn
men had their breakfasts (poor fellows,
was only hard crackers and waterD and ou
force was then put in motion toward Ger