Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1862-09-12

usually ulsSIacelul. IL ~ pVpuldIIY bc'
lieved in the army that cavalry ARRAYS
runs, which is not quite true but here
was a whole regiment which was ordered
to cover retreat, which had in the first
place put the rest of the troops between
itself and all danger on the flank, and
then fled precipitately from the first can
non shot. 1t is quite time to tell the
whole truth about such troops.
Col. Splly, with the First Minnesota,
was ordered by Gen. Scdgwick to hold
the hill next beyond the one from which
the Rebel shots were coming, and to
halt for quarter of an hour Gen.
Howard was soon after ordered to take
command of four regiments, and cover
the retreat. 1t was handsomely done.
With the Nineteenth Massachusetts, the
First Minnesota, the One Hundred and
Sixth and Seventy-second Pennsylvania,
and section of Tompkins' Battery, he
halted at every eminencc commanding
the road, aud waited the Rebel attack
till the rear of the column was we'll on
its way beyond.
The Rebels pursued not more than a
mile aud half About a hundred and
fifty cavalry showed themselves near the
battery just at dusk. They were in
stautly dispersed by a volley from the
First Minnesota and couple of shell
from Capt. Tompkins.
While marching away from the can
nonade the troops moved briskly
or twice rapidly, but were kept steadily
in their ranks without difficulty Gen.
eral Sumner and General Sedgwick kept
in the rear so long as the firing lasted,
and the constant personal supervision of
the latter kept his column in the most
admirable order An alarm sprang up
suddenly about ten o'clock, beginning
with the accidental discharge Of a mus
ket, which was hurriedly thought to
come from Rebel picket, and was an
swered by volley from the Fifteenth
Massachusetts. -Four men we're killed
and five wounded by the discharge,
which was at close quarters--al of the
Nineteenth Massachusetts The Eff
tecnth, before their mistake was discoy-
cred .2ame ranidlyy acEoGs TIC road. sHd,
swept it clear in moment. Firing SO
sudden and close at hand produced mo-
mentary panic in the column, but it was
checked by the officers before it had time
to spread. Assistant Surgeon Hill, Of
the Nineteenth Massachusetts,, was Sc
verely wounded in the leg, which will
have to be amputated. Captain Russell,
Of the same regiment, had HE horse shot
under him, and was slightly wounded in
the forehead.
The direction of the march vas from
Flint Hill to Vienna, thence by the old
Court House to Perkins, and through
townsville to Langley, a mile beyond
which the three corps went into camp
Chain Bridge crosses the Potomac a mile
and half further on Except what
has been related there was no attack or
disturbance, and the retreat was in per-
feet order A break in the road occa-
sionally halted the column, but there
was no confusion, no intermngling Of
troops, and very little straggling-some
Of SigePs Germans, who acquired
nearly inveterate habit under Blenker,
being the exceptions. Here and there
were parties in the woods, by the side of
tho road, who had, in the most composed
manner, lighted fires and cooked supper
while their regiments were miles away,
and still marching on As fast as the
rear guard came up they were ordered
forward.
Leaving Flint Hill, between 4 and 8
o'clock, the three corps arrived at this
camp about | o'clock in the morning.
The bdgodes moved into position as reg
ularly as il by daylight, and went TO
sleep in the most compact order in fields
on both sides Of the road The camp
was so near the river that the rctfeat
might be considered accomplished, tho
tue troops may not remain in their pre-
sent position. All the army has arrived
under the forts. The Capital is sur
rounded and guarded by the defeated /
retreating armies, which long since left
it confident Of swift success, Of possess
ing the Rebel Capital as the surest de.
fence Of their own
A Baltimore paper Of this morning
arrives with news that General Pope has
adrance& two miles beyond Ceutreville,
and is resuming the offensive The in
formation is Geographic that is, fur.
nsbed or authorized by the Government
The camp on the Potomac which is oc-
cupied by the rear guard Of The whole |
retrcatiug army is the best possible place
TO read that news. 1t may be expedi- /
cnt to deprive the public Of truthful in.
telligencc; it can not DO necessary to the
existence Of the Government to supply
il with false.
The movement and plans Of tho Reb. |
els are still secret. An attempt 10 I
cross into Maryland by tho Lecsburg
fords is still considered possible. II is
plain CROUCH that their army passed .
away from our front while Pope lay at
Centrcyille II has not been heard from
since. Oar. ". y TfbuHc.