Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-07-11
The Great SIX Days Battle ut
Richmond.

this continent occurred on The right of the
Chickahominb near Gaines Hia On Sat-
urday, after our forces had returned in
good order across the creek and destroyed
the bridges, we were attacked in front Of
our encampments, but Gen. Smith repulsed
the enemy, leaving the ground strewn with
his dead. On Saturday morning, the ar
rangements having been completed, the
wagon train was started on its way to
James river, and was followed on Sunday
morning by the artillery and commissaries
train. Meantime the enemy, getting
scent of our movement, strongly recon-
noitered our front, aud finding that several
Of our positions had been abandoned, pushed
in, and attacked us vigorously. Gems.
Hooker and Richardson drove them back,
and Gen. Meagher's brigade, always on
hand at the right time, charged, and cap
tured two of their guns.
j Gen. Mcclellan and staff left the head
quarters at Savage's Station at daylight on
Sunday morning, with body guard of the
Fourth U. S. cavalry, and halted some five
miles out, alter crossing the White Oak
Creek. There were, on Saturday, about
one thousand of the wounded and sick,
chiefly accumulated from the battle of Fri
day, mshy cf whom it was impossible to re-
move, owing to the nature and severity Of
their wounds, and as matter of humanity,
as well as of necessity, they were left be-
hind. A great many, however, who could
walk slowly, followed the track ofthe army,
and the ambulsuces brought away great
many others.
i Gen. Hocker's division broke camp in
the intrenchments at o'clock Sunday
morning, and Gen. Sickles' and Growers
hrigades proceeded to the outposts to re-
leve Sen. Patterson's New-Jersey brigade.
AT 5 o'clock a. M, the three brigades fell
back to the second line of redoub,s, where
they formed line Of battle with Richard
sons and Kearney's divisions, and remained
until s O'Clock p. m. On discovering that
Gen. Hooker had fallen back, the enemy
J advanced his scouts with two field pieces
! and opened brisk fire upon his rear, along
the line of the railroad. Gen. Meagher'.
, brigade made movement on both the
enemy's fanks, while the SSth New York
} charged in front, and captured two of theil
, guns. The enemy then TeIi UacK undel
cover of the wood. None were killed in
Hooker's division.
SedgewickS 8 division crossed che creek al
. White Oak Swamp about 4 o'clock a. m.
Monday. His rear was not annoyed dur
r ing the night. Keyes and Porter's divi
sions had already preceded us on the march
r and had reached position on the DANES
E river, near Turkey Island, which rs abou
, ten or twelve miles above City Point. The
. engineer brigade of Gen. Woodbury. pre-
ceded the army, and constructed corduroy
, roads where they were necessary. At the
Four-mle Creek, bridge was built acros:
I the run. AT the White Oak Swamp Greek
two bridges were also constructed by the
! same valuable corps. One for the passage
of the main army train, and the other te
, accommodate Gen. Heintzelman's division
r who with Hooker and Richardson, covered
! the retreat. As the army renewed it
march on Monday morning, information
was reached, through Gen. Richardson, ,tha
: the enemy were pursuing, and orders were
given to destroy the bridges.
! The retreat was conducted in the mos
perfect order. There were no irepidatior
or haste no smashing up Of wagons by
carless or fast driving, and not single
/. accident of any consequence is believed tc
have occurred. A drove of $500 fat cat
tie, under the charge of Col. Clark, chic
commissary, and Capt. E. NJ. Buchanan
commissary of substances on Gen. McClel.
lan's staff were successfully driven along.
When an aid of Gen. Mcclellan rode
back and reported that the way was al
open to James river, thrill of relief rar
through the whole line, and the sight of the
green fields skirting its banks was indeed
: an oasis in the terrible desert Of suspense
and apprehension through which they hat
: passed. The teams we're now put upon 8
lively trot in order to relieve the pressure
upon that portion still in the rear. Gen
, Mcclellan and staff rode ahead and took
: possession of the old estate known as Nal.
vern Hills, owened by B. F. Dew, one
mile back from Turkey Island Bend. Gen
Mcclellan expressed the opinion that with
brief time TO prepare, the position could
be held against any force the enemy car
bring against US.
AT 2 o'clock p. m. firing was heard in the
| direction of White Oak swamp, where it j:
supposed Ayers was holding in check the
, rebel force who were attempting to cross
This continued Cor nearly two hours, when
sudden the heavy firing began further to the
left, in the direction of Charles City cross
roads. AT this point an immense body oi
fresh troops, with artillery and cavalry, bad
made their appearance direct from Rich
mond, and were engaging our batteries still