Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1862-09-12
MARYLAND FRIDAY MORNING i 2

cuu, uOhS ukHHuVec OlHCNTn hutN NutIc
headquarters we're, whether at Centre
Vile Or to the scar. So spent what
was left Of tie night at Fairfax, and
rode on next morning to Centrevills
1t is needless now to explain the con-
stantly changing disposition of forces
during the d2- which followed the de-
feat Of SsrurDey / lree corps at least
ropained al ca sev;re on Monday, and
we're scat tegeal lover tie broad slopes Of
The iii Oh 6stssas siass Of tie road IN IN
military disorder. They had never been
in order-no more had the rest of the
army since the retreat There was no
head to put them IN order. There was
no order in any department of the ser
vice. There was not ammunition in the
batteries, or in the cartridge-boxes of the
infantry enough for another battle, yet
no one knew where the ammunition
trains were to be found III the first five
minutes | met three ordinance officers
riding in search of these trains. No
fault of theirs that the trains could not
be found. They are able officers, but
no control was in their hands-no means
of doing their duty. Orderlies had just
been sent in all directions in search of
the wagons-and it was already 10
o'clock, and battle hourly expected
since daylight
The camps were inextricably entan-
gled-not to my eye or judgment only,
though | have seen enough to know
something about it, but heard a Gen
era commanding corps d'armee say he
did not know, and could not ascertain.
the relative position of other corps
Another General, regular officer of en-
gineers, and famous for Typographical
elcarncss and skill, said to me that one
glance at the hillside was enough to show
that there was no General at the head of
The army encamped there
1t was no better with the supplies of
food. The troops were half-fed, o. fed
irregularly Regimental wagons were
unloaded anu ardered to Alexandria for
food and forage Then the order was
countermanded and they were reloaded
and ordered to the rear. Brigades with
out supplies were sent out on the tanks
and in front, 5and left there without
wagons to shift for th9mselves-I sup
pose to subsist On the country and from
the country they might have gathered
scanty grass, and, if in the woods,
leaves for their borses-for the men.
nothing But if a General on the eve
Of battle cannot supply bis troops with
powder, it is useless to expect they shall
be fed. | need not multiply instances.
There wasa Encouragement everywhere,
because at headquarters there was in
competence, confusion, no settled plans,
no head
The army was not so much dishearten.
ed as enraged-wiiling to fight, but not
willing to be acriiiced-denounc
with unauimity that had no exception,
the incapacity which had caused their de-
feat. No enc believed that the combined
force Of the Rebels were in front; aud
as for the battle Of Saturday, the men,
the officers, the Generals who fought it,
confess with shame and anger that they
we're beaten by half their numbers -
The army was not defeated, its comman-
der was out-gcneraled He neither knew
where his enemy was, nor would suffer
himsclf to be informed. He was warn
cd that the enemy was massing on bis
left--eyery soldier knew it, but he dis
believed and denied IL; sent batteries
and troops to the right, to the centre. to
the rear everywhere but whore they
were wanted then, in moment, found
himself surrounded, enveloped, crushed
and defeated
General Mcdowell was ccnsured not
less severely than General Pope. With
the latter his advice was said to have had
an undue controlling influence. "Tbe
only order Pope gave was the order to
refreat." Mcdowell fought the battle
Pope leaned only on his advice-yielded
him command throughout. 1t was
blunder from the beginning. 1t is use
less, said an officer, to fight under Me
Dowoll. ! shall do my duty as an Off
Ger, but VIC shall lose every battle where
be commands. ] do not know whether.
treachory or imbecility most frequently
imputed to Mcdowell. Perhaps oftenest
he is given tho benefit of the alternative.
| did not hear one suggestion in his favor
mo excuse or palliation.
No order Of battle was communicated
to Generals Of any rank Generals Of
corps were not told who supported them,
who was on their right or left, what
movements concerned their own com
mands or position, or on what plan the
battle was fought. asked question
about the plan. Sir, there was no plan.
We knew nothing but what VIC discover
ed for ourselvesN | do not know to. this
hour who was on my right asked,
:" Is IL not usual 10 inform Generals Of
corps or divisions on such points -
4" Usual The General who noglects TO
do it is an imhecile."
A commanding hill in our possession
was threatened by hostile movement 10
force. Gen. Pope was informed, was
asked 10 send another battery 10 hold Il.