Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-07-10
A Brief Summary Of Events
before Richmond.
TnnKry BENn. Inix 9

After the tremendous battle on tho right,
In which Fits John Porters Division was
engaged, including McCall's Reserves, with
such re- endorsements a. could be sent up
without weakeuig w the other wings, that
portion Of the army fell back in regular o..
der, presenting an unbroken line to the
enemy, who. warned by their terrible ex
perience Of Thursday and Friday, for some
time kept at a respectful distance, but as
they discovered by the absence Of our pick
cts that our troops were in motion, they con-
strued IL into a retreat, and began to cheer
and follow after us.
This discovery took place on Saturday,
and the rebels were bewildered and confused
in their efforts TO unravel the mystery which |
surrounded the entire movement. They |
sent down batteries on the right bank of the
Chickahominy,' 40 as to command all the
bridges, and posted heavy bodies Of troops
on all the roads leading to them. This was
done with the expectation that our troops
would be obliged to retreat across TO the
White House, by the same route that they
had advanced, and the rebel hordes were in
high glee at the promised capture Of the
entire Yankee army.
But while rebel Major Generals were in
council, their division commanders sending
hurried dispatches announcing the disap-
pearsnce Of the right wing OF McClellan's
army, that Wise and saga cious soldier was
executing movement which was destined
to emblazon his name among the brightest
in the scroll of military fame Slowly and
silently the flank movement was begun, In
accordance with the plans rnatued days be-
fore.
This plan was no more or less than to re-
move the entire army, with its baggage,
Ina INN ~ ossA A-,lAf f<a "a
from the low, unhealthy swamps, where
. disease was thinning his ranks, to the high
grounds On the james River, covered with
magnificent farms, where the cool and brac-
ing summer winds have full play For once
in the history Of the war the enemy was
kept in ignorance Of Gen. McClellan's plans,
although it is possible that they were aware
that some movement was on foot.
On Saturday morning the rebels deter.
mined to recall their immense forces from
beyond the Chickahominy, and having fol
the first time penetrated the grand design
OF Mcclellan, they commenced rapidly
q moving after our troops, at the sam. tim,
O they threw large bodies of baffled soldiery
i. upon the right OF their line SO a. TO be il
}, position to advance bs.woeu us anu tn
III James River. -
II Cautiously at fret, and then boldly, tn
Is rebels came out from Their lines on Satur
day, and moved toward Sayages Station
:. which on Friday night had been occupies
1t by Zen. Mcclellan Tor ms headquarters.
d th;spoint large force was still stationed
O. TOR the purpose Of holding the rebels
as check which they succeeded IN dong
y through Saturday night, and until late Q
Sunday morning Ihe rear OF Sumner
column had halted mere, and were orr ere
to destroy SUCH ammunition ana stores
er would be hkeiy TO tall into the hands OF tn
ut enemy, -, ~,
The locomotive 'Speedweh was iinKe
to twelve freight cars filled with ordnant
or stores and ammunition, and, true to h'
I'd name, was soon on the way to the Chick
of hominy Bridge, with two hundred pount
" Of steam on the valve and the water belo
the lowest gnagc. The train was arrange
'rs with fuses. SO ss % explode Oh reaching Il
N bridge, and, without living soul on boar
ng she sped on her mighty errand. In fe
he woments an sxulosiaa- NE, heard that shoo
oi the earth for miles, and, as the mug
eir volume OF smoke rolled sway, . load vi
on lifted on the hearts OF all that 80 mu!
nd valuable ammunition US we had accumul
'er ted there could not be turned against ou
anl SalVaa