The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-07-05
The Battles Before Richmond.

The Battles Before Richmond.
The following is n condensed account of
the fighting before Richmond, as digcstcd
from the numerous letters of army cores.
pondcnts that have filed the city papers the
present week:
The first indication of :! something in The
wind y was observed at White llouse-onc
of the main depots for eommissary stores
on Wednesday. the 18th ult., when fleet of
boats began to remove the stores down the
York River toward City Point. This was
done very privately, all inquiring cores,
pondents and civilians being kept off. The
sick and wounded We're also safely removed.
and the few troops at White House ordered
to be ready at any moment to leave. Dur.
ing the morning there was Il report abroad
that a division of the Rebels, the forces of
Stoncwall jackson and Gen. Ewcl. were
approaching and threatening to open the
way by the right flank for raid on the
White House. Meantime. TIE trains Oh the
railroad were kept running night and day.
carrying forward nothin: but ammunition
and munitions of war, and scige j,nd rocket
trains, and field pieces. The last event Of
Wednesday WAS the arrival of nearly hun
dred wounded ncn of llookcr's division.
movement Of Gen. Mcclellan on that morn.
ing. securing Tavern Hill, uhe "important
point in Gen. McClcllan's dispatches
which commands Richmond. Nothing Of
great importance occurred on Thursday
morning the removal of stores and mum.
tons of war continued. About noon the
enemy made their first attack in teint upon
Gen. Stoncman's forces, near Hanover
Court House, but about 2 0 clock p. Nj,
crossing the Chckahominy, and making a
desperate attempt to drive back our men.
The only forces engaged here were McCall's
division, who were located on the opposite
side of swampy ravinc. about a mile and
half back from the Chickahomny River.
The battle lasted from about , until Or. NJ.
when the enemy drew off, renewing the
attack at the break of day on Friday and
after several hours of hard fighting. Gen.
Mccall division were ordered to fall back.
The fighting, especially on Friday, is said
to have been terrible. The Rebels had
overwhelming forces. and as soon as they
met one rcpulse, they returned doubly
strong. They came in such dense masses
that the shell and grape poured into them
made great gaps in their lines, which were
Immediately filed up, and they moved for.
ward most determine,lly. Their artillery
was so poorly served that the damage to our
ranks was light in proportion. They still
moved on, and exchanged showers of Mimic
balls; but when Gen. Porter ordered Il
bayonct charge, they retrcated in double
quick. though he pursued them but short
distance. The enemy again rallied, and
approached our lines. when the same terri.
bic slaughter cnsucd. This time their artil.
lcry was more effective. On coming to close
quarters they were again rcpulscd, and
driven back a still greater distance, the
twice tought.oye battle ground being liter.
ally strewn with the dead and the dying
Gen. Porter a second time fell back to his
position. and waited nearly an hour for the
enemy to renew the assault. They finally
came on in increased numbers, having been
largely reinforced, and were again received
with shell and grape, causing great chasms
in their ranks. A third time they bore
down most dcterminedly on our lines. and
this confic. WAS the most severely contested
Of the whole, but when the bavonet was
brought to bear he fell back, and was press.
ed toward Richmond fully mile beyond
our original lines. Again, for the fourth
time, General Porter fell back to his first
position, when an order was received from
Gen. Mcclellan to continue his retrograde
movement slowly AMI in order. The enemy
again pushed forward boldly, when their
| advance was checked by the entire reserve
force. This fresh force held the enemy in
| check, while the force which had previously
borne tire brunt oS the battle moved back in
good order. carrying with them their dead
and wounded. The enemy made fierce
attack on the reserve, but cannon were
posted at various points of the route by
which they were retiring toward the Chick.
ahominy, which occasionally poured in shot
and shell upon them, and checked their
| 1.l ILL.,
back in order. At one time in this retro.
grade movement, the reserve force of Gen.
Sykes charged on the enemy with the bayo.
net and drove them back nearly a mile
| This is about the substance of the fighting,
which closed on Friday night. Our loss is
estimated ut 1900.
The affair of Saturday last partook more of
the nature Of battle than the engagements
| of Thursday and Friday. General Fitzjohn
Porter has covered himself with glory. He
selected very strong position, and, having
| posted his forces in an adh0ira BILE naanncr
was prepared to bold it against any force Of
| the enemy. The brave men OF this command
| all fought with heroic courage, and the VOL
unteers WED with General Sykes regulars in
making steady movements, and carefully
executing the commands os their officers.
Time and again, vast hordes Of rebels
""'Cu up !" Sou" CoFutlHS upon OUT troops.
but OnF regular batteries as often moved
them down in a most destructive nanner.-
Steady discharges of she'll, grape, and CAMS
ter in regular salvos seemed to sweep down
whole companies.
| As soon as confusion in the rebel ranks was
! apparent, General Porter ordered Gcneral
Meaghcr's Irish Brigade TO charge bayonets,
which they did in the most gallant and heroic
style, bare headed, in their shirt sleeves,
occasionally with these rolled up.
This charge had an excellent effect. The
rebels were driven back with great slaughter,
aud General Porter was preparing to move
upon them over the plies Of tho rebel dead
and lying, when THE enemy again advanced