While in the corn we were suddenly opened upon by a rapid and sharp fire which our men, whenever they got sight of the enemy, returned with much spirit. Scarce two minutes elapsed when I found 3 men close to me had been shot down. The enemy being mostly hid, I deemed it prudent to order my men to fall back to the woods, distant about 30 yards, which I did. At the same time I ordered enough to remain with me to carry off the wounded, but they did not hear or heed my order except two. With these we got all off, as I supposed, the corn being thick, but Corporal Hand, Co. 1, who, when I turned him over, appeared to be dying. I took his musket, also the musket of one of the wounded and returned to the woods to rally the men. I regret to say that none of them could be found, nor did I meet them until I reached the blacksmith shop, three-quarters of a mile distant. Here I found Capt. Regur, Company I, with his command. Re-enforcing him with 25 men of the picket, then in charge of Capt. Vickers, 3rd regiment N. J. volunteers, with the latter he immediately marched back to bring in Corporal Hand, and any others still missing. He reports that on reaching the ground, he found the enemy in increased force, and did not re-enter the corn field, in which I think he was justified. I should have stated that quite a number of the enemy were in full view in the road when we jumped the fence and charged them, and that each man in the charge, Capt. Regur leading by my side, seemed eager to be foremost; nor did one to my knowledge flinch from the contest until my order to fall back to the woods, which fortunately they misconstrued into a continuous retreat to our pickets. The enemy seemed to have retreated very soon after, as the firing had ceased before I left. [Illustration: Mr. Jno. D. Payne] The 3 wounded men are doing well except one. As near as I can ascertain there were 3 of the enemy shot down. The whole affair did not last 10 minutes. The officers with me were Capt. Regur, Co. I, 1st Lieut. Taylor and 2d Lieut. Spencer, both of the same company. All of which I have the honor, respectfully to report. GEO. W. TAYLOR, Colonel, 3rd Regiment N. J. Volunteers BRIG. GEN. P. KEARNY, Commanding Brigade. [Illustration: The Rectory--Rev. George S. Somerville] Sept. 12, 1861: Longstreet states that Colonel Stuart has been at Munson Hill since its occupation by the Confederate troops; that he had driven the enemy from Mason's, Munson's and Upton's Hills. Sept. 25, 1861: Reconnaissance at Lewinsville and skirmish near that place with Stuart's cavalry. Union force 5,100 infantry, 16 pieces of artillery and 150 cavalry, under Brig. Gen. Wm. F. Smith, commanding at Chain Bridge.