The New York herald., 1862-09-14
INTERESTING FROM NORTH CAROLINA.
THE BATTLE AT WASHINGTON.
Capture Of Four Guns and
Many Prisoners.
Lists Of Killed. Wounded and
Prisoners.
~~~~<~~~~-~-~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FULL PARTICULARS OF TIE AFFAIR.
Bravery Of the loyal North Caro-
lima Troops,
&s., &c.. 20.
Owr Newborn Correspondence.


ON BoArp u. 5. TRAysroRr STEAMER PBTyrx, /
BorND FoR NEwBERS, Sept, I, 1862
We have just left Washington ~ c. whcro every thing
Of social and military character has been raised to
high state Of excitement in consequence of that place
being attacked by The rebels the preceding day. The
following is complete account Of The en- gsgement:
ATTACK.
Just tho midnight darkness began pass away and
the fog Of this Of the year commenced TO ascend
in many thick clouds portion Of the Third New York
cavalry as also portion of the Third New York artillery
formed under command OF Colonel Milk FOR q contem-
plated expedition 10 Far distant point. Scarcely had
il reached the outskirts Of the town when firing, gra
dually increasing in rapidy and volume OF sound, was
heard in The opposite direction or rear. Colonel Mix
fearing danger, countermanded the general order OF
march, and on subsequently being informed Of the sp
proach of enemy gave the order for the cavalry TO
charge.
While this was bcin. done by the Unonsts, body OF
rebel cavalry, some thrco hundred or four hundred
strong. charged down the front and main street
in the most desperate manner. In this way they passed
portion Of our battery and reached position almost at
the end Of the town the opposite direction from which
they had entered There they met and engaged In
hand to hand encounter by Captain Gerard, Of Com
pany d. Of tho Third New York cavalry. This lasted
in regular order Cor ss six minutes, when each
party broke and bcsning axsl ~, fought individually
and In squads with sasr0 - pB1sA Owing TO the
dsnssness g ~ ~ and the want of sufficient dsyligh
II was vcV 0ult however, 10 distinguish individuals
colors, and hence many Of the rebels, In attempting
20 escape from Zoo in front met by foe be-
hind rendering extricat;on decidedly dangerous and
difficult couise OF action. In consequence Of the
spirited manner in which the rebels were met by
our cavary-sor they expected nothing Of the kind'
but the contrary believed all sleeping
soon became thoroughly confused and alarmed, and re-
treated fighting all the way to their artillery where
they were left alone for the moment by the persu
ing party.
During the brief space Of time that this rebel cavalry
was up the main street, some few Of them dsmounted
and rushed into building occupied as the headquarters
Of the Twenty Massachusetts, Volunteers, where
they risd an oncers trunk, and sssconded with var
ous little vsluablcs.
TINE WAY orR TROOPS THEM
As soon ~ possible additional companies OF our
csvalry-companies q, ID. end I-wero despatched 70
charge through other streets, parallel 70 that which
the attack hfst inade for the reason that the
enemy appeared 10 be in force on the flank well
ss IN front IL was well that this was done; for IL not
only surprised and disconnected the enemy, but had the
oot Of confusing those charge Of their battery and
.dlng thcm check Tor twonty minutes thereby
allowing us sncisnt time TO get n lighting order two
companies Of the North Carolina Volunteers and two
Tie cavalry afterwards engaged In supporting the
infantry and artillery, thy having by this time got into
active operation.
Battery H. OF the ihird New York artillery under com
msnd OF Captain Riggs, posted and Us missiles turned
upon the roocs at the earliest practicable moment
ii the outset Of this operation Lieutenant Mercer.s
k,eoe met o force OF the enemy on the corner Of
mo main street, and, receiving sufficient sup
port, engaged tho enemy at shurt range This fring
cyid.aty dauntsd the enemy, End prevented second
chare, Of their cavalry. The second piece Of artI-
iry JKought 10 bear was that under command Of out
Fields. AZ nrst this lieutenant placed ia curious
predlcamNat All arouud him wcrc Tulyn cavalryincn
and otners nd ho did not how ie could Gre without
inurng mora friends than enemies White woitirg an
opportunity 20 IRE (and yet, wthal tho lapse o. tno
was very brcrj, Commanding officer or the rebels rodo
10 TO him aud saiA who's therc2 Arc yon the damned
Yankeesy Give us 80 watchword" rc repl'el tha. 4.
wss nono u his fmneSs. and just 81 that nJnen seeing