Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-09-10

and their left on Bull Kun. hearney iihtne
diately formed his troops to the right OF Sie-
gel, his right resting on Bull Run, the two Di-
visions making curve. Hooker and Reno
were the reserve. At 10 O'Clock on Friday
the enemy were attacked by Siegel's right un-
der Carl Shurz, which resulted in driving
them some distance. On two occasions Shurz
was hardly pressed, and was only able to stand
the shocks of the enemy through the superior
bravery of the lst, 3D., and 9Th New York
Regiments of Kearney's division. AT lo:oo
the enemy advanced in great force, ana
Heintzelman's and Hooker's divisions OF
Augur's brigade of Greenough's division
fought the enemy for about two hours despe-
rately, but being overpowered by superior
numbers, for the first time in the war Hooker
jeL. back-not, however, until Augur's brigade
had exposed his flank. The back movement
of our troops from their position exposed the
left of kearney. The Rebels were now be-
hind the embankment of new railroad. kear-
ney, leaving one brigade to hold the right
flank of the Union forces, immediately chang
ed front and led two brigades to the assault,
attacking the enemy in the flank. This cross
fire drove the enemy across the raj lroad and
through the woods. Randolph's and Gra-
ham IS Batteries now let fire and sent the enc
my backward in precipitate retreat.
The Rebels were now driven through the
cornield b ey ond the railroad, from the woods;
and pressed hard by Brney's Brigade on to
the nights beyond. Night coming on, the
further progress OF the Union forces was i'm
peded; but with the assistance of two regi-
ments OF Stephens's Brigade, Kearney main
tanned his advanced position during the night.
Morning found them on the field.
SATURDAYS BATTLE.
During the night of Friday and early Satur
day morning Mcdowell and Porter arrived.
Porter was sent to turn the enemy's right,
and Ricketts's division of McDowell's corps
relieved Kearney in front. The morning
opened with slight skirmishing from Ricketts's
division. At two O'Clock Porter opened the
attack. The cannonading soon became gen.
eral, the enemy replying with heavy rified
pieces. The infantry fire now commenced
and became general and severe along the
right, under Fitz John Porter, Siegel and Re-
no. After a desperate fight of two hours, the
enemy forced McDowell's left and the left OF
the army through the woods. This was at
four O'Clock. Quite panic now commenced,
but it was soon stopped. The enemy did no t
seem to be aware of the advantage they had
gained. and before they could ia Ike advantage
Of it our troops were ordered by Gen. Pope to
take more commanding position upon the
nights commanding the plains beyond. The
enemy now pressed through the edge of the
space. They now came on under destruc-
tive fire of canister from all the batteries sta
| toned on the nights commanding the plain.
Their loss was now fearful, and they were
driven back to the woods. The fight now be-
came general. The artillery shook the coun-
try about, and the battle e-field was the wrestle
with death. Ricketts, was attacked, the en-.
emy advancing in line under the cover of thei r
batteries Alter severe fight, McDowell's
corps fell back, owing to the concentration of
| superior numbers on their decimated ranks.
The whole Infantry line of the left flank now
seemed to be in retreat, but they were simply
changing their position under orders from
Pope. The breaking of the left also made it
necessary to change the position of the right
kearney on the extreme right was ordered to
cover this movement, and hold the enemy now
advancing in check. This was successful lly
accomplished by change of the main regi
ments OF Birney's Brigade. Ricketts, Diyis-
ion was now rallied on the hill with Kearney's.
and Kearney, Ricketts,, Gibben, and Reno
were all that were left to dispute the advance
OF the enemy toward the bridge. Reno soon
became engaged on the left, and gallantly
drove the enemy back. Ricketts,, at Z o'clock.
under orders from Gen. Pope, fell back to
the nights OF Centreville, Reno following at
O'Clock. This left Kearney without support,
and with Gibben, the two Generals. the last
on the field, quietly withdrew to the Centre
Vile bights, commanding the plain beyond.
firing had ceased. Night came on, and the
Union army lay drawn out in battle array all
the night, but no enemy made his appearance.
Yesterday, though within sight of the enemy's
pickets, all was quiet, except little Smelling
OF the woods on our part, and some slight
skirm ishing on the left. Our losses have been
heavy, especially among officers. The grand
aggregate of all the detail movements within
the last four days has not resulted in a yicto-
ry to the Confederate or the Union forces.
They expected to cut off our supplies they
have not done it. Only about half of the Ar
my OF the Peninsula were engaged. Summers
corps arrived on Sunday morning as reserve,
and Immediately took up the right wing of
the army, where they now stand, anxiously
awaiting the enemy.
Saturday night was dismal night at Cen
treviile. The army of Virginia, for three days