The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-06-12


Chickahominy, where Gen. Sumner had thrown
a bridge across the stream, and was hourly ex
pected to complete the line of pickets to The
river.
. The centre of Gen. Casey's position held b!
the I'd brigade, Gen. Wassel's formerly Gen
Keims',) extended from Gen. NagIee's line tt
the left of short distance across the Williams
burg road.
GEN wAssELL's BRIGADE.
Brigadier General Wassell.
S5th Pennsyivana-Col. j. B. II. Howell.
lOlst Pennsyvania-Col.J j. IL. Wilson.
l03d Pennsylvauia-Col NJ. II. Lehman
Goth New York-Col. ]. Fairman.
The Sd brigade, Gen Palmer's, stretched SOME
distance further to the left, and joining the
| Zines of Gen. Couch, who guarded the left flank,
the main portion of the force being short dis
lance to the rear Of Casey, on the Williamsburg
road.
GEN. PALMER s BRIGADE
Brigadier General Palmer.
| 9Sth New York-Major Mann.
| SIst New York-Lieut. Col DeForrest.
/ 85th New York-Col. j. S. Belknap
Cpd New York-Lieut. Col Anderson.
93d New York--Lieut. Col. Butler.
ARTILLERY OFFICERS.
/ Bates 1st New York Artillery-Col, G.. D..
Bailey. .
7th Independent New York Battery-Capt.
Regain
Sth independent New York Battery Capt.
Fitch.
Battery A-Capt. Bates
Battery B-Capt. Spratt.
THE POSITION THEY OCCUPIED.
The position occupied by the main body of
these Two divisions was clearing of about one
mile suuare surrounded on the left and the front
by belt of forest in which Gen. Casey's pick
cts were stationed. On the right wooded
swamp divided the clearing from a similar OPEN
ing in the forest, along the railroad, which was
occupied by Gen, Neglee with his brigade
Just beyond the woods TO the front were similar
ceariugs, with woods on their further side
where the rebels lay concealed, their pickets
occupying the edge of the forest and separated
from our pickets by the width of the fields, form
ing sort of neutral ground between the two
armies over which each kept close watch lest
his neighbor should take possession.
Step by step Gen. Casey had pressed or TO
this point overcoming such opposition as met
him, until it became evident that the rebels had
reached the limit of their retreat, and further
advance could not be ventured without the risk
Of general engagement, for which the plans
were not yet ripe. Our proximity to the rebels
was evidently ANNOYING 10 them, and on Thurs
day, and again on Friday, they made an unsuc-
ccs full attempt, with force of q few hundred,
10 drive in the pickets and discover what mis-
chiet was plotting behind the belt of woods shell
tering Gen. Casey from their view Their at
tack was resolutey met by the pickets, who fell
back on the reserves and held their ground, de-
feating the purpose of the enemy.
Meanwhile Gen. Casey was actively at work
securing bis position, large force ofmen being
busy. NJ der the skIlful direction of Lieut. E.
" West of his staff, digging rife pits and fell
ing trees for abattis A similar line of defensive
work had been commenced AID partially COM
,,leteG at Gen. Casey's former position at the
Seven Pines, three miles further to the rear, and
just back of these was line of earthworks, con
structed by General Couch, and more fully fin
isbed.
THE REBELS ATTACK IN FORCE.
Failing in the two attempts to gather infor-
nation by forcing back Gen Casey's pickets
the rebels apparently resolved upon an adgGnce
IN force against the left a0ing Of the army, doubt
less determined TO drive it beyond the Chicka-
hominy, should the opportunity offer, and put
themselves in a position to turn Gen. McClel-
laI's left flank
During the afternoon of Friday terrific thur
der storm arose, continuing through most OF the
uight with uninterrupted severity, deluging the
earth with rain, converting the spongy soil into
nearly impossible bog, and raising the waters
of the Chickahominy so as to carry away one OF
two bridges Gen Sumner had prepared for his.
passage and somewhat disturb the foundation
of the other
just before the storm had reached its fury
there was some skirmshing between the artil-
lerv or both sides This commenced again In
the morning, several shots flying over our camp,
indicating that the rebels had in some way gain
ed more correct idea of our position.
Shortly after noon the grand attack common
ced Gen. Casey's pickets being driven in ali
along the front, after spirited resistance, the
rebels advancing in force along three roads-the
Williamsburg road, to our left, the railroad in
the centre, and the 'Nine-mile road" it is
called, on The right With his feeble division
greatly weakened by extension, Gen. Casey had
no backbone to oppose TO this sudden attack
His troops were Immediately formed into posi-
ton, the three brigades maintaining Their reia-
tive positions on the right left and centre, and
a. thorough preparations were made tor resist
ing the attack az its suddenness would admit
of Regan's New York battery was stationed
lust to the right of the Williamsburg road,
Bates battery Of Napoleon guns further to the
left across the road, aud Fitche's battery three
or four hundred yards to the rear, the last send
ing its she'll over the heads Of our troops at the
enemy beyond. The fourth battery was near
the railroad, further TO the right.
The enemy commenced the attack about one
/ p NJ.
Casey's position, with the evident design of
causing a pane in his ranks.
The most terrific of the fighting occurred just
as the enemy had got through the woods and
where our reserves were drawn up to receive
them. The most desperate courage was dis
played here upon both sides, regiments
charging repeatedly upon the enemy, driving
them back for a while, when they would again,
/ in turn, get the upper hand and drive as before
/ them.
/ 1t must BE- allowed that the rebels fought with
| great bravery, and their loss must have been
/ VERY severe. They again succeeded in playing
/ the old dodge upon our troops, by displaying a
! flag of truce till they got within good range,
and then pouring in upon them deadly yolley.
/ They succeeded in this way at one time In COM
pletely silencing the fire Of our batteries.
The vigor with which the enemy pressed for
ward to the attack, indicated the confidence OF
superior strength A battalion of two regiments
pressed against Gen. Nagee the right, anoth-
] er fell on Gen. Wasse at the centre, and third
on Gen, Palmer to the left, pouring in at once
a FIRE hot and heavy, and advancing with great
resolution in face of the steady fire Of canister
and grape from the guns in front, and shell from
those further TO the rear, moving down their
ranks in all directions. The rebels bad but 1T
tie artillery ard were evidently disposed to make
good their deficiency by pressing to close quar-
ters with superior force, to bear down at once
by weight of numbers the feeble skeleton regi-
ments of three and four hundred men VINO com
posed the advance division e..
Most of Gen Casey's troops were thrown foT'
ward TO the edge of the woods in front OF ms
Eposition TO meet the advance OF the reoels,a Re"
Regiments being left behind the partially com