The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-09-12
The Four Days Struggle,
From the National Int lligencer. of Monday.
ILL., lou~ ...,,oru If tho M,

ter the foray of the enemy on Manassas, has
been prepared from the best unofficial sour
ces within our reach. The correspondents
of the press having been excluded from the
lines Of the army, we are without any de-
tailed account OF these battles.
COMMENCEMENT OF THE FIGHTING,
On Tuesday night. about eight o'clock,
thepickeis at Manassas junction were driv-
en- in, and the two companies of Pennsylva-
Infantry, one company OF Pennsylvania GAYS
airy, and some artillery stationed there,
were surprised and attacked by General
Ewell's entire division, numbering from sew
en- to tel thousand infantry and cavalry,
with artillery. After short skirmsh the
handful of men at the junction fed, the
rebels turning upon them our own guns,
and keeping up brisk fire till the Union
troops were forced to retreat across Bull
Run. Here, at Union Mills, two regiments
of Gen. Cox's division, the 18th and 18th
and they i'm nediately advanced to meet the
approaching body of rebels.
ANOTHER CONFLICT.
Early on Wednesday morning a conflict
ensued between the Junction and Bull Run,
lasting for three hours, when the Union
trops, being largely outnumbered and
fanked on the right, retired across Bull
Run bridge. Here vigorous attempt was
made by Colonel Scammon to hold the
bridge. At IL O'Clock two rebel regiments
forded the Run above the bridge, when the
18th Ohio charged on them aud drove them
across the river with heavy loss. In this
skirmish the regiment lest, in killed, wound.
ed and missing, from thirty five to forty
men. At II O'Clock Colonel Scammon
was Obliged to retire, moving along the
railroad in the direction of Alexandra and
hating at point half way between Fairfax
Court House and Centreville.
THE FIRST BATTLE.
The New Jersey Brigade, under com.
mand of Brig. Gen. George w. Taylor,
and attached to General Franklin's divis-
ion, lett their encampment, near AleXan-
dria, at two O'Clock in the morning of Wed.
nesday, and, proceeding out the Fairfax
road for some distance, they made detour
to the lett, and, at ten O'Clock the same
morning, reached the battle field OF Ma
nassas. The enemy, being made aware Of
their approach, we're drawn up in line of
battle, and as soon as they emerged from
the wood skirtipg the field, at once opened
on them with eight pieces of artillery which
were taken from US the day before, together
with two other pieces, which they had se~
cured some time during the night. The ter
rife rain of grape and canister which was
hailed upon them for time somewhat dis
concerted them. A this juncture General
Taylor, haviny no battery or cavalry with
him, saw that he must either make charge
or an inglorious retreat. The charge was
ordered, but the enemy's batteries being
supported by infantry, it proved Intellectual,
and they were compelled to retire, which
they did in regular order, to Sangster's
Station, towards Fairfax, all the time keep.
ing up continual fire, and thus keeping
the enemy in check.
At SaDgster's Station they met with two
Ohio regiments who had been sent to rein
force them. As has often been the case
heretofore, our troops under Taylor mistook
the reinforcement for another body OF rebels,
and for time panic ensued, the rebels the
whole time keeping up continual fire upon
them, and doing imminse damage, most of
the casualties occurring at this point and
time. The disorder and confusion was at
last stayed. The troops who were at first
engaged, as we'll as the reinforcements com.
menced again to fire at the rebels, and to
such an extent as to cause them to give up
the chase and to return towards Manassas.
Leaving one of the Ohio regiments to guard
the point at Sangster's Station, the remain
der of the troops returned to Fairfax Court
House.
1t was during the confusion that Gen.
Taylor was so badly wounded in the leg
below the knee that amputati0n was cons
sidered necessary after he was removed to
the Government Hospital at Alexandria.
When last heard from, the General was
comfortable and in fair way of recovery.
1t Is stated that the casualties in all will
amount to three hundred on our side, while
it is stated that the loss of the rebels is
equal to if it does not exceed ours.
SECOND BATTLE. ....
On Wednesday Generals Kearney and
Hooker attacked the enemy about one and
hal! miles beyond Bristow, the enemy at
this point being commanded by Gen. EweIl.
Our forces attacked the rebels with such
impeiuosity that they fell back in some
confusion at least two miles. Night came
on, which saved the enemy from a total
rcat. They lost their camp equipage and
baggage, and about three hundred men in
killed and wounded.
THIRD BATTLE.
On Thursday, at daybreak, Generals
Kearney and Hooker renewed the battle,
the enemy falling back towards Centreville.
At this point our forces came up with them,
when severe engagement ensued, which
lasted until dark, with heavy losses on both
sides. The enemy fought with great despe>
ration, and the shades of night again caus-
ed a cessation of hostlities.
FOURTH BATTLE.
On Friday terrific battle was fought
with the combined forces of the enemy. The
engagement lasted from daylight until after
dark, by which time the enemy was driven
from the field. which was occupied by our
troops, who we're too much exhausted to
press the enemy further, though he remained
in front Our loss in this desperate conflict,