Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-05-04
E1eI.lng and RstraordInarY seene

Exciting aud Extraordinary Scene.
A correspondent with Gen. Banks's
army gives the following graphic descrip-
tion of the panic among our troops and
teamsters during the first days fight near
Pleasant Hill:
"It was one of those unaccountable
events that no genius nar courage can
control. find it impossible to describe
q scene so sudden and bewildering, al
though | was present, partly an actor
and partly spectator, and saw plainly
everything that took place. The battle
was progressing viorously. The musket-
ry firing was loud and continuous, and
having recovered from the danger exper-
fenced by Ransom's division we felt se-
cure Of the position, was slowly riding
along the odge of u wood, conversing with
a friend who had Just ridden up about the
events and prospects, of tile day. We had
drawn into the side Of the wood to allow
an ammunition wagon tOpass,and although
many were observed going to the rear,
some on foot and some on horseback, we
regaded it us un occurrence familiar, to
every battle, and it occasioned nothing
buta passing remark. | noticed that
most of those thus wildly riding to the
rear were negroes. hangers.On, and serv-
lng-men; for now that we have gone SO
deeply into this slavehOlding country,
every non commissioned officer has ser.
want, aud every servant mule. These
people were the first to show any panic,
but their scamper along the road gave
only amusement to tbs soldiers, who
peited them with stones, and whipped
their flying animals with sticks to in
crease their speed. Suddenly there was
q rush a shout, the crashing of trees, the
breaking down of rails, the rush and
scamper of men. 1t was as sudden as
though thunderbOld bad fallen amoug
us and set the pines on fire. What caused
it, or where it commenced, no one knew.
turned to my companion to inquire the
reason for this extraordinary proceeding,
but before he hHd the chance to reply we
found ourselves swallowed up as it we're,
in Kissing, seething, bubbling whirl-
pool OF agitated men. We could not
avoid the current; wecOuld not stem it,
and if we hoped to live in that mad com
pany, we must ride with the rest of them.
Our line Of battle had given way. Gen.
Banks took off his hat and implOred his
menTtO remain; his staff officers did the
same, BUTT was of no avail. Then the
General drew his sabre and endeavOred
to rally his men, but they would not
listen.
Behind him the rebels were shouting
aud advancing. Their musket balls filed
the air with that strange, tile.rasping sound
that war has made familiar to our lighting,
men. The teams were abandon ed BY the
drivers, the traces cut, aud the animals
fiddea'6EFby rths frightened men, Bare.
headed tfdeFs rode with agony Ia their
faces, apd for some ten minutes it seemed
as II We we're gaing 70 destruction together.
It was my fortune q. see the first battle OF
Bull Run. and to be among thUse who made
that celebrated midnight retreat towards
Washington. The retreat of the 4th divi
sion was as much ront as was that Of the
first Federal army, with the exception that
fewer men were engaged, and our men
fought here with a yalOr that was not
shown on that serious, sad, mock. heroic
day in July. We rode nearly two miles 10
this madcap way, until on the edge of a
ravine, which might formerly have been a
bayou, We found Emory's division drawn
up in line. Our retrea.iog men fell beyond
this line, aud Emory prepared TO meet the
rebeIs. They came with a rush, and as
the shades of night crept over the tree
tops, they encountered our men. Emory
cred three rounds, aud the rebels retreated.
This ended the fight, leaving the Federals
masters. Night aud the paraly 1tng effect
of the stampede upon our army made pur.
suit impossible. The enemy fell back.
taking with them some Of the wagons that
were left, aud number OF the guns that
were AbaudOned."ptpi aJ s9rry
1 o.