Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-07-31


seen along the open fields. At Turke,
Bend bridge. a small creek empties int
the James river, with swamp on boil
sides. and the creek cireling round
fat on the river bank, thus formin.
Turkey Island, perhaps three miles lonl
and two wide. Here the main CAM
rested after the fighting and marchin,
Of last week, covered BY the gunboats
leaving only picket on the hills, whicl
completely covered the camp.
I The rebels drove 10 these pickets thu
next day, rendering it itnecessary for N
TO take to the hills to cover our landing
our supplies and our hospital. This
was at once done. and large force nov
occupies the position, supported by ar
tiilery, and feeling strong enough tC
hold it, until time shall determine fur.
tber movements. Turkey creek is buI
an insignificant stream, but the swamp
on its margin renders il difficult to cross
The rebels also shelled the camp from
the position we now hold on the hill,
killing few men.
The right wing ofthe army. crossing
the Chickahominy at Bottoms Bridge,
where they fought and repulsed the en-
emy, fled left through the White Oak
swamp. carefully protecting their train,
and upon reaching White Oak swamp
bridge. prepared to make another stand,
with their rear guard. This is splen-
did position. and the only road the ene-
my could follow in pursuit. As you ap-
prosch the bridge, the hill makes sud-
den descent into an impossible swamp
of an eighth of mile in width, COM
manded on the opposite sides by three
abrupt hills. On these roads were placed
immense batteries. and the road run
ming between and up their slopes, COM
manded at every point by our fire, rem
dered it the hight Of desperation to force
the position.
Late in the afternoon the enemy ap-
peared, and the battle commenced
Part of their column was allowed to
cross on the bridge, when it was blown
up. Our forces charged upon them. and
they recoied upon the main body in
great confusion. Still they pushed for
ward, stepping upon their dead and
wounded, moved down by our batteries
and musketry, only again to be driven
back; their artillery from the opposite
bill pouring in heavy fire. while from
our three hills terrible fire devastated
their columns and silenced their artil-
lery. The battle ragged until dark. we
holding the position, the enemy losing
about 90, 900 men, and our forces near
10000. During the night our rear
guard retired and joined the main col
nmn.
In the meantime the left wing had
filed down the Williamsburg road TO Sa-
wages Station, leaving part of Kear-
ney's division to protect their left, and
engaged in a desperate battle with the
rebel army from Richmond, the right
wing having been fighting with Jack
sons column. After a hard battle, the
loss being about 10000 on each side,
The left retired by a road through
White Oak Swamp, reaching the Charles
City road near Long Bridge road, and
selected another field of battle, to pro-
ect the move of the right, and their
rain of baggage. The line of battle
was abont four miles long, in level
field, batteries on the right and left, and |
,ur forces drawn up in the edge of
woods. The Charles City Road ran
through our center and it was here that
We looked for the main attack. But
he enemy came down another road to
he left, and made their main attack
They would advance upon batteries
With desperation unequaled. only to
De moved down in whole columns. No
sooner would one massive column dis
appear than another would charge, and
10 it continued for four hours, terrible
D slaughter to the enemy. They must
lave lost $4,000 men, for their dead
we're piled in masses all oyer our front.
)ur loss was not so large, for we were
by hastily constructed breast.
Eorks. and partially covered by the
imber, while the enemy charged over !
he open field. Our loss is probably
1000. The battle lasted till after dark ,
Then our forces quietly drew off, unfor- I
unately leavings most Of our wounded i
pom the field OF battle. G
The next morning the left joined the c
ight upon 3 high bill, from which we s
aught the FIRST view Of the James '
iver. a stream running into the river '
n our left. and wheat field OF per-
APPS two miles square on the top and Q
djoining fields stretching along the
Dad for miles. The road leading to il
his position is cut along the side Of a v
leep bill down to the bank Of this v
mall stream, its whole length within o
ange of our gunboats, and again rising C
escends by gentle slope to the wheat o
ED, whence it runs at right angles d. il
ectly TO Turkey Island. D
Here was the grand battle ground, o
nd here the most furious struggle took Il
lace. The enemy knew we were near Il
ur gunboats, and that now was their h
ply chance Of cutting US of, or driving t.
5 a confused mass into the river and h
Tamps. Mcclellan was here with W
! bis choice generals. The fighting el
carney, Hooker, Heintze!man and W
hers. The flower Of the army too, W
I'd all the artillery. Not less than d
xty thousand Of the Union army were Of
rawn mn in line tn contest the no.;tior :.