wild with the enthusiasm of victory, and, having placed the wounded in the houses near by, and chopped the gun-carriages to splinters, started in pursuit of the retreating foe. Gen. McCall, and with great effect. Colonel Kane was among | cup of water, passed away. Our men were them all the time, inspiring them with his brave example. They laid on the ground as they loaded their pieces, rising suddenly, taking deliberate aim, and lying down to load again. The burden of the enemy's fire was directed at the house, and it was shattered and pierced, the roof being broken, and some of the walls giving way. The fire of our men was so terrific that the enemy fell back from the advanced position they had assumed, abandoned their flanking manœuvre, and retreated to the woods under cover of their battery, which still kept up an irregular and uncertain fire. The Bucktails advanced in pursuit. As they rose to advance, Colonel Kane, who was leading them, was shot in the cheek. He fell, but instantly arose, and, bandaging his wound with a white handkerchief, continued to advance. In the mean time General Ord ordered the line to advance and take the battery. The order was given to the Twelfth regiment, Col. John H. Taggart commanding. It was received with a cheer by our men, and they advanced in the direction of the unseen battery. They proceeded to the edge of the wood and entered, keeping the line as straight and precise as on dress parade. The wood was dense, and so impenetrable that our men found it difficult to proceed. Col. Taggart threw his scabbard away and preceded his men with his drawn sword in one hand and his pistol in the other. It was an exciting and awful time. In an unknown country, with the fear of an ambuscade, an enemy in the immediate vicinity, whose numbers were unknown to us, a constant and steady, even if at random, fire of musketry, a battery in front, whose shells and shot were tearing the trees, and falling around them every moment burdened with death; veterans might have paused and hesitated to advance. Still they went on through the undergrowth and trees, over deep ravines and gullies, which had been the undisturbed habitation of the rabbit and squirrel, dismantling the shrubbery and fences, with loud, exultant, and defiant shouts. They came into an open clearing about as large as Washington Square, only to find that the rebels had retreated in the most precipitate manner. While our brave boys were crowding through the woods, they had started along the Leesburg road, taking their cannon, but leaving their dead and wounded, and large quantities of arins and ammunition. A single caisson remained. The magazine had been struck by a shell from our battery, and exploded with appalling effect. Around it the dead and dying were heaped, as many as fifteen men and five horses being killed. Some had their heads shot away-others were wounded in the breast. One defiant rebel, even in the agonies of death, exclaimed, "We whipped you at Manassas, but you have the best of us to-day." Col. Taggart directed him to be carried to a house near by. He was placed on a mattress, and, asking for a This was about three o'clock. with his staff, had arrived on the ground only to learn of our victory. Knowing that an advance would be fatal, he ordered a recall, and with our wounded and dead, and the trophies of the war, our men came home, leaving the dead upon the field. They came home an exultant and victorious band, arriving at Langley's about nine o'clock in the evening, where they were met by thousands of their shouting and brave comrades. This has been a glorious day for Pennsylva nia. We have met the enemy in equal numbers-we have utterly routed and destroyed them. This contest shows the spirit and the bravery of our men—their enthusiasm and discipline. Pennsylvania may be proud of her sons. There may be greater encounters, and battles more terribly and fearfully contested, but none there can be in which the victory is more decided and undeniable. J. R. Y. REBEL ACCOUNT OF THE FIGHT. Yesterday morning a heavy skirmish occurred at Dranesville, which resulted disastrously to us. A foraging party was sent out by Gen. Stuart, consisting of about two hundred wagons, escorted by the Eleventh Virginia, Col. Garland; the Sixth South Carolina, under Lieute nant-Colonel A. J. Secrest; the Tenth Alabama, Col. John H. Forney; the First Kentucky, Col. Tom Taylor; the Sumter Flying Artillery, Capt. Cutts, and detachments from Ransom's and Radford's Cavalry. Our whole force amounted to nearly twenty-five hundred men. They started off early in the morning, and before day were some distance on the journey. Soon after leaving, a rocket was seen to shoot up in the direction of Dranesville, which, as was afterward ascertained, was a signal from the enemy, and indicated that our approach was known. It is about fifteen miles from here to Dranesville. When within a short distance of the place, two or three regiments of Yankees were seen deployed as skirmishers in the skirts of a pine thicket, which stretched out on either side of the road. Gen. Stuart drew up his force and prepared to make an attack. On ei ther side the woods were very thick, and it was difficult to make through them, but our force was pushed forward in the following order: the Eleventh Virginia, being in the advance, was deployed on the right of the road with the Tenth Alabama, while the Sixth South Carolina and the First Kentucky were sent to the left. On account of the dense thicket on either side, the artillery was forced to advance down the road in order to gain a position to make the guns effective. As we approached the Yankees, the Eleventh Virginia charged them, with a yell, and drove | them back to their line within sight of Dranesville. The enemy seemed somewhat confused, but soon formed again in line of battle. The advanced positions were held by the Eleventh and the Sixth South Carolina, the former on the right, and the latter on the left of the road. While waiting to get sight of the enemy, the Sixth South Carolina was drawn up, and the First Kentucky advanced on them, and mistaking them for the enemy, a portion of the regiment fired without orders, killing five of the South Carolinians. The error was soon discovered, and Colonel Taylor advanced cautiously to the left, and soon after came in sight of another regiment but a few yards away. To be sure there was no mistake, Colonel Taylor shouted to the colonel, and asked who he was. "The Colonel of the Ninth," was the reply. "Of what Ninth?" "Don't shoot," said the Yankees, "we are friends-South Carolinians." "On which side are you?" asked Colonel Taylor. "For the Union," and immediately after the Colonel gave the command to fire, and a volley was poured into the Kentuckians from the Ninth Infantry, regulars, U. S. A. The engagement then became general, and our four regiments, with Capt. Cutts' four guns, were soon actively engaged. The Yankees had every advantage of position. There were several houses along the Leesburg turnpike, and back of it a hill upon which their battery was placed. Lower down, and opposite the Eleventh, was another battery, placed in position to enfilade the turnpike should we enter it. The main battery of six guns swept the road upon which we were advancing, and kept up an incessant fire of grape, canister, and spherical case. The accuracy of their aim was remarkable, considering the rapidity with which the guns were fired. Capt. Cutts got three of his pieces in position and returned the fire rapidly and successfully. Meanwhile, the enemy advanced several regiments of infantry, and, protected by the nature of the ground, came within a hundred yards of us, and, forming in line, fired for some time, keeping the air full of Minié balls, and finally attempted to charge. Three times the officers gave the order, and tried to get their men forward, but failed. They could not be pushed into the thicket. Soon after this the firing on both sides ceased, but not before great damage was done to our force. For over an hour both sides had kept an incessant firing. The wounded and dead lay on every side, and the regi ments were beginning to get scattered. To give it a little more in detail: As our first advance were marching by the flank toward the Yankee skirmishers, two companies of the Eleventh Virginia were thrown out as skirmishers, and sent forward. Capt. Houston's company charged the Yankees with a shout and drove them in, and soon after the shout was taken up by others, and all advanced within | sight of Dranesville. Company A of the Eleventh was deployed on the right, but by some means got lost, and was separated from the regiment until the fight was over. When the enemy formed in line of battle, Col. Forney drew the Tenth Alabama up also, and prepared to advance upon them. The coolness and daring courage displayed by Col. Forney was observed by every body. He rode backward and forward in front of the line, encouraging his men, and in getting all prepared for the coming struggle. The same can be said of Col. Garland. Soon after the firing commenced, Col. Forney was shot through the right arm, Lieut. Col. Martin was killed, and the command of the regiment devolved on Major Woodward, who commanded on one side of the road, and the senior captain on the other. This regiment lost more than any other. The Sumter Artillery was in the road, and had three guns in position. Only four pieces were out, and about sixty men. Capt. Cutts and his men fought bravely, and suffered severely. The enemy's batteries played upon him for some time, and killed nearly all his horses, destroyed one limber, and exploded a caisson. Twenty-five horses were left dead upon the field. The guns still kept firing, and did good execution-every shot scattering the Yankees, and telling upon them seriously. He succeeded in breaking their line, and in driving their sharpshooters from the house behind which they were hidden. When ordered to fall back, the pieces were taken to the rear by hand, with the assistance of the infantry. Seeing the wagons safely to the rear, Gen. Stuart gave orders to fall back to a better position. The regiment marched to the rear in good order, both sides having ceased firing. At this time Col. Toin Taylor rode to the right to see what disposition had been made of his neighbors, and on returning found his regiment gone, and himself nearly surrounded by Yankee cavalry. Throwing himself down, he eluded them, and afterward crept into a pine coppice, and remained there until dark, with Yankees on each side of him. At night he escaped and joined his regiment this morning, sustaining no injury beyond a slight scratch on the hand by a musket ball. Taking his force to the rear, where the ground offered better positions, Gen. Stuart once more drew up his force and awaited the enemy, but he had enough of it, and was not disposed to give battle again. Thus ended the battle of Dranesville, which, although disastrous to us, was more so to the enemy, if recent reports are true. It is believed there were seven regiments of infantry, one of cavalry, and eight pieces of light artillery against us. ANOTHER REBEL ACCOUNT. CAMP NEAR CENTREVILLE, FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA., December 24. About nine o'clock last Friday night, an order was received calling out our regiment (the ceeded to have his wounded placed aboard the ambulances and wagons. Our men cheerfully assisted in bearing them out of the house and putting them in the conveyances. Eighteenth Virginia) to repair as hurriedly as possible to Dranesville, the scene of conflict of the previous day. We marched as fast as we could without going at the double-quick. We arrived at or near a church, known as the Fry- These ladies, with their mothers, had come ing-pan Church, about two o'clock of the same up from their comfortable homes, bringing with night. We had no blankets with us at all-them beds and bedclothes. They also prepared simply our overcoats-to protect us from the soups and such like delicacies, suited to the rigor of the cold. We procured fence rails, conditions of the wounded. As they were being which we kindled with ease; after which we placed on the ambulances, one of the ladies laid down on the naked earth. Some of our remarked that that was her patient. I told her regiment, however, remained up the remainder I prophesied for him a speedy recovery, having of the night. At early dawn the next morning been nursed under such favorable auspices. the drum beat the signal for the formation of These things over, I, in company with several our regiment. We marched briskly along, it of our company, took our rifles and went to being quite cold, and we therefore felt the more the battle ground. Spectacles of horror met inclined to exert ourselves to give warmth to our eyes there. The detail of men, who had our bodies. We had no idea of going so far been sent for the purpose, had collected our when we started, but were willing to follow dead alongside the road. I was horror-struck Gen. Stuart anywhere, even to the banks of by the ghastly appearance of the dead, as they the Potomac. Onward, still onward we went, lay all besmeared with their own blood, which winding our way up and down circuitous and in the agonies of death they had gotten all over zigzag roads, which, though wearisome, were their faces, having, as soon as shot, clapped their in excellent condition, being entirely free from hands to the part affected and drawn them across the stifling influence of dust. Still we went, their faces; shots of a more deadly character, I and it is a singular fact that the nearer you ap- never saw. The bullets and grape took effect in proach a given place, the further off are you the most vital parts, indicating with what unfrom it; since the uniform reply to an interrog-varying precision and accuracy the enemy shot. atory as to how far we were off from Dranesville had it more remote than the answer of the man previously met a mile or two back. This provoked us to such a pitch of desperation that we could scarcely refrain from insulting the author of the answer we had so much solicited. We reached Dranesville about eleven o'clock A. M., and went just beyond it to a house on the hill, near which was the fiercest portion of the fight. Our regiment was halted here, and broken, when an opportunity was afforded the curious of visiting the battle ground. My attention was directed to the house immediately on the Leesburg turnpike, at the front of which stood several charming-looking ladies, who very soon became the paramount attraction. I eyed them awhile with interest, then sided toward them, when I got into quite an interesting conversation. They narrated many incidents connected with the battle. They were in the town of Dranesville when it occurred. They say it was a most fiercely contested fight, and that the enemy had four or five to our one. They were kindly attending our wounded, of which there were eight in this confiscated house. They say the Yankees were very kind to our wounded, in bringing them to the house; they also left with them a good many bandages, to be used in dressing their wounds. They said the Potomac was not more than three and a half or four miles distant, and Washington twenty-two. I was speaking with two ladies, one of whose names was Miss Day. She was very sprightly; said that her father had been taken the day before-both her father, Dr. Day, It is proper to state that there were but two and a Mr. Day. They were charged, she said, regiments, our own and a Georgia regiment, with fighting against them on a certain occasion where the day before, four regiments and a baton the Potomac. Gen. Stuart meanwhile pro-tery had received a defeat. Albeit, we did not Corporal B-, who was one of the number who accompanied me to the field, put himself to some trouble to ascertain the number of the dead, which he says was thirty-four. Passing on further down, we saw a caisson which had been set on fire by a bomb from the enemy, causing immediate explosion, which, I am told, caused the instant death of two men of the Sumter Artillery, of Georgia. The head of one of them was entirely severed from the body, that of the other cut off just above the nose. I never saw such a sight before. Our killed was thirty-four, and as many wounded. The enemy are supposed to have sustained but a small loss-three killed and thirty or forty wounded. The Federal victory is owing, of course, to the superiority of their position; we could not get our battery in position for action, at least but one or two pieces. Some sixteen of our artillery horses were killed. The enemy had seven large pieces, which played upon our men and artillery from three different points, all playing upon one focus. Having put all our dead in wagons, we set out about four o'clock for Centreville, distant, the way we went, not less than twenty miles. In twenty-four hours we travelled over more than forty miles, with not half enough to eat. The suffering from cold, too, was intense. Our men were in high glee when they started, at the prospect of an engagement with the enemy-in fact, the whole of the time we were up there, we were in momentary expectation of an attack, but the cowards would not show themselves. This was enough to disconcert and discourage the bravest men, and throw into confusion the best disciplined regiment in the world. But the shock, though very severe, was not sufficient to disperse the Carolinians, while, in five minutes after the reception of this deadly fire, they were again in line of battle proper, and bravely advanced on the enemy. engage the enemy, yet our following General Stuart goes to demonstrate our willingness to hazard our lives. It was reported that fifteen regiments were sent in the direction of Dranesville, subsequent to our setting out for that place I have since learned that such was not the case. About night, on our way back, our colonel halted us, and put the vote to the regiment, whether or not we were willing to go the entire distance to Centreville; the reply was แ "yes!" with emphasis. So on we went; poor fellows! some of our men complained bitterly of sore feet, made so by travelling so much on this hard frozen ground. Some one or two were so lucky as to get a ride on horseback. Others were obliged to remain over night, and come in the following (Sunday) morning. No order as to regularity of marching could be When completely overpowered by numbers, maintained, each getting along as best he could. and well-nigh outflanked on our left, we were My captain, myself, and several others were ordered to fall back to a more advantageous amongst the first to get to camp-how glad position. The regiment fell back in good order were we to get there. We found hot coffee and and re-formed, and was shortly afterward warm fires. So, drinking the coffee and toast-withdrawn from the field. The Kentuckians ing our feet, we retired for the night. We got to camp about eleven P. M. "R.," Eighteenth Virginia Regiment. ANOTHER ACCOUNT. CAMP CENTREVILLE, December 27, 1861. EDITORS DISPATCH: Several communications have been published in your columns recently, describing the battle at Dranesville, but none of these contributors have been explicit enough to describe the positions and conduct of the South Carolinians in that engagement. We do not wish to claim for the Sixth South Carolina regiment any unmerited honor, but desire simply to place her position and conduct fairly before the public, and to correct some erroneous statements previously made with reference to the loss she sustained in the engagement. A writer who professes to have been with the Kentucky regiment during the engagement, states that our entire loss was fully one hundred, and that the killed and wounded in that regiment was half that amount. The same writer afterward states the loss of the Sixth South Carolina regiment to be fifteen. Whence he obtained this information we are at a loss to know, but refer the readers of the Dispatch to the report of the killed and wounded of the different regiments published in the Richmond papers, and at once they will ascertain the loss of the Sixth South Carolina to be sixty-five, which, from the small number of men in the regiment-three hundred and fifteen-was much heavier than that of any other regiment. The positions of the regiments when drawn up in the line of battle have been definitely and correctly stated. But the most heart-rending scene that presented itself, resulted on the part of Kentuckians, who, mistaking the brave Carolinians for the enemy, poured a murderous fire into their ranks, at a distance of not more than forty yards. The Yankees were lying in ambush, and when the advancing column had proceeded within one hundred yards of their line, they opened a terrific fire upon it, which was returned in a manner creditable and honorable to the regiment and the brave soldiers of the Palmetto State. Never were soldiers exposed to a more deadly volley, and never did men stand more nobly to their posts. fought well on the left, the Virginians and Alabamians bravely on the right, but the heavy loss sustained by South Carolinians, in the centre, shows conclusively that she was in the heat of the fight, and that her suffering was as severe as any other regiment engaged. past will have made Charleston an inland city. | of accompanying the expedition. The Cabawba This western bride of the sea is to be a widow; the decree of divorce is entered in a court without appeals; and the fleet which executes it, storm-tossed, shattered, and unworthy of the sea, is a fit counterpart to the gorgeous galleys with whose stately procession the Doge yearly wedded Venice to the Adriatic. Against these crumbling hulks the batteries which silenced Sumter point their guns in vain. They have taken counsel of the Romans, who declared that he is the most dangerous enemy who values not his own life, and has insured success by resolving on suicide. was steaming out to sea when I reached the wharf, and my boat's crew had a hard pull trying to intercept her, but just as it became evident we must give up the chase she changed her mind, ran back to the Wabash, and anchored. Some of the whalers being very slow to start, we spent a couple of hours in getting them off. The steam-tug Mercury did justice to her name, carrying orders to sleepy captains of reluctant vessels, and keeping her sandals-that is, paddles-steadily moving. By two o'clock the last vessel had got her anchor, and begun to drift lazily down with a light breeze that hardly Sixteen vessels will be sunk on the bar at filled her sails. The Cahawba took the Poto the river entrance. Amazon... America. American.. Archer... Courier. Fortune. Herald.... Kensington Leonidas. Maria Theresa Potomac.. Here is the list: Capt. Swift... New Bedford. Capt. Chase... New Bedford. Capt. Beard... New Bedford. Capt. Worth..New Bedford. Capt. Brayton.New Bedford. Capt. Rice....New London. Capt. Gifford.. New Bedford. Capt. Tilton... New Bedford. Capt. Howland New Bedford. Capt. Bailey....New Bedford. Capt. Brown...New Bedford. Rebecca Simms.....Capt. Willis....New Bedford. L. C. Richmond....Capt. Maloy.... New Bedford. Robin Hood.......Capt. Skinner..New London. Tenedos..........Capt. Sisson..... New London. William Lee. .Capt. Lake.......New Bedford. They range from two hundred and seventyfive to five hundred tons, are all old whalers, heavily loaded with large blocks of granite, and cost the Government from two thousand five hundred dollars to five thousand dollars each. Some of them were once famous ships; the Archer, for instance, the Kensington, the Rebecca Simms, and the Robin Hood, once owned by Girard. The Tenedos is one of the oldest, if I may trust the mate of the Cahawba, who confidentially informed me that her keel was laid when Adam was an oakum-boy; and if this be correct, one or two must date still further back to the period of mastodon and saurian. ..... With this fleet go the Cahawba, Philadelphia, and Ericsson, to help them along and assist at the sinking. The Mohican, Capt. Godon; Ottawa, Capt. Stevens, and Pocahontas, Capt. Balch, are convoy to the whole, and if Mr. Commodore Tatnall should be too curious about our operations, their eleven-inch shells will give him an intelligible hint to keep at a respectful distance. The business over, the Philadelphia and Ericsson go North with the crews of the sunken ships; the Cahawba returns to Port Royal. She is a good steamer, and at this moment carries her nose uncommonly high, for she is flagship of the squadron, by virtue of having the fleet-captain on board, Chas. H. Davis, U. S. N., who has temporarily quitted the Wabash to superintend operations. I am indebted to his kind invitation for the pleasure mac in tow, the Mercury picked up the Robin Hood, which had been run into by the Alabama and partly disabled, and both stood out of the harbor. We Some of the fleet have crawled well away already, under canvas, and the Philadelphia has towed one over the bar, and is returning to do the same office for another. At three, we pass a small schooner bound in, apparently a captured rebel with a prize crew aboard. The men-of-war, most of whom dislike unprofessional service, have been set to work towing, for we want to get the whole fleet outside tonight in readiness for the first breath of air that may come to help them along. As yet there and the best clipper in port might be puzzled is very little wind, all of it now the wrong way, to beat out against the strong flood-tide. The Potomac, our tow, is enjoying herself greatly. There is swell enough from the steamer's wheels to make her roll a little, and her bluff bows nod to us rather gracefully as she lifts herself on the wave, and yaws with the surge of the hawser. Poor old ship; it is her last voyage, and she does well to make the most of it. drop her pretty soon, and return for another, passing through the fleet on our way, close enough to many of them to read the names painted in white on their square sterns, which are of such abrupt angularity as to recall the familiar legend concerning the Maine shipyards: that they built vessels by the mile, and sawed them off to order. The Marion is coming out with the Ocean Express in tow, bound for Tybee-two very smart-looking vessels. Presently the propeller Parkersburg comes within hail, and is asked to go back with us to tow. The captain is understood to say he will, but doesn't. He is not of our party, and may have other business. Next, the Ericsson shears alongside, and we confidently count on her help, because she belongs to the expedition. Being ordered to return, her captain remonstrates that he draws too much water, seeming to be under the impression that he is expected to take a whaler on board instead of in tow. One of our officers says the Ericsson is a beast, which I find, on inquiry, to mean that she is a fine ship, but has very poor engines and worse boilers, with a name for ill-luck, which is, of course, fatal among sailors. However, she is |