From the Seat of War.
We are yet without any authentic particulars of the great
battle at Manassas on Saturday.
There a nothing really reliable to be added to the dispatch of
Gen. Lee to the
President which appeared yesterday.
That our forces have obtained a signal triumph over the combined armies of the enemy, there is no room to doubt; but how far this decisive victory has been followed up, was not known up to the hour of going to press last night.
Reports, as usual, were abundant and favorable, and if we were to credit one-half that were in circulation last evening, we might reasonably conclude that our army is now in a position to demand the surrender of
Washington.
In the present condition of affairs, however, these statements are to be received with great allowance.
Passengers by the train yesterday afternoon state that it was currently reported at
Gordonsville, that the
Federal Generals Pope and
McDowell had been slightly and banks mortally wounded at
Manassas, and that
Sigel, the
Dutch General who figured so conspicuously in the
Missouri campaign, had been killed.
These reports may be correct, but there is no official information upon which to base them.
It was further rumored that we had captured some seven thousand prisoners, all of whom were paroled on the field of battle, and that the corps of
Gen. Jackson had advanced as far as Fairfax Court-House.
We of course have no means of ascertaining the reliability of these reports, and only give them as we have obtained them.
without asking that they be received with the most implicit confidence.
Passengers also asserted, with apparent sincerity, that the
Yankees had fired the
Long Bridge at
Washington and blown up the aqueduct at
Georgetown; but, as far as or inquiries extended, there was no sufficient grounds upon which to rest these assertions.
As stated, we have no doubt of the triumph of our arms, nor have we any doubt that our triumph has been signal and glorious; but beyond that nothing is really known, and all else with reference to the condition of affairs at
Manassas and beyond that point is mere conjecture.
