From: Daily Alta California San Francisco Saturday Morning, August 3, 1861 Washington, July 21st The fighting at Bull's Run commenced at three o'clock, A.M., and continued most desperately until two P.M. The Rebels were driven back inch by inch, leaving their dead on the field. The loss of life on both sides was frightful. Our troops behaved most gallantly. The guns were served effectively. It is said the whole force of the Rebels were engaged, Gen. Johnston having joined the Rebels, as previously stated, making Beauregard's force about 70,000. Washington, 21st--midnight The battle has been one of the most severe ever fought on this continent. Up to 2 o'clock the enemy was driven nearly two miles, falling back from one position to another equally strong. At every point fresh reinforcements poured in, almost without numbers. The Fire Zouaves were terribly cut up. While drawing up to make an attack, they were assailed by a concealed battery, with a strong pressure on their rear, and were forced to break. Washington, July 22 After the latest information from Centreville, 7:30 last night, a series of events took place in this city. Many confused rumors were afloat. Enough was known to warrant the statement that we suffered in a degree which casts gloom over all, and excited the deepest melancholy throughout Washington. The carnage was tremendous on both sides; ours is represented as frightful. We were advancing, taking their masked batteries, slowly but surely, driving the enemy towards Manassas, when the enemy seemed to be reinforced by General Johnston, who, it is understood, took command. He immediately commenced driving us back, when a panic among our troops suddenly occurred, and a regular stampede took place all through. Gen. McDowell attempted to make a grand stand at Centreville, but the panic was so fearful that the whole army became demoralized and it was impossible to check them at Centreville or Fairfax Court House. Retreat continued until the regular entrenchment was reached; a large number fell by the way from exhaustion. Gen. McDowell was on the rear, exerting himself to rally the men with only partial effect. The latter part of the army, it is said, made their retreat in good order.