The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1862-06-30

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- ess,,int ~ Z : 8 :, ~ main nd
a II dihk = ~ righk snd through
N sdsra1 saa ~ - m md rear o.
~ lesnd nasn liened t1il j Josd conss IN
.aes1l ~ ~ lnnas, jcinine - nin rosi men
oc,,eA Ikns. IS rssapitu1sts, 1xcept the desp
creek and timber -ccvsrsd hill beyond +, the
wAsie county, = sseu from the north door OF
(Uaiuee,s house, q unbfUksn, dpons Undertaking,
and table land, hslight forming descent 70
tho wood.covered creek, the left being dips
and snIliea, with dense timber stiA farther to
| the lsft the front being for the most part "a
bile land. These particulars Of the position are
a correct perhaps, n can be mentioned; bn'
without map it win always be difficult 70 nm.
! derytand the topography Of this hard fongh'
and victorious field Of Gaines's Mills.
But to the southeast Of Gaines's honse Is Q
large tract of timber, commanding all advances
! mon the main road, and in this Mcclellan and
Mccall had posted u strong body OF sk'rmisn-
| ers, with artillery, to annoy our flank and rear
| when advancing ON their camps on the high
grounds, if we did 30 by the main road or over
! the table lands to the north.
| sroRMIEa ENTRENcHMENTs.
It now being 3 p. NJ, and the heaa OF our
| co,nmn in view Of the Federal camps, Gen.
PRYOR was sent forward with his brigade to
| drive avay the heavy mass Of skirmishers
Dosted to our rear to annoy the advance. This
| being accomplished with great success, ana
| with little loss to us, Pryor returned ana
| aua;ted orders Meanwhile the Federals,
from their camps and several positions on the
high grounds, swept the whole face OF the
country with their numerous artillery, which
would have annihilated our entire force II MOI
screened in the dips of the land and in gnllles
to our left. Advancing cautiously but rapidly
in the skirt of woods and in the dips to the
left, Wilcox and Pryor depioyed their men into
line of battle-Featherston being in the rear
and suddenly appearing on the plateau facing
the timber covered hill, rushed down into the
wide gully, crossed it, clambered over all the
falled timber. stormed the timber breastworks
hevond it. and began the ascent of the hill, I'M
der terrific fire of sharpshooters and an inces-
sant discharge of grape and canister, from pieces
nosted ON the brow of the hill, and from bat
OAs
flat lands Such position was never stormed
before. In descending into the deep creek, the
infantry and artillery fire that assaied the three
brioades was the most terrific on record.
Twenty-six pieces were laundering at them,
and q perfect hailstOrm of lead fell thick and
fast around them. One of Wilcox's regi
ments wavered,-down the General rushed,
furiously, sword in hand, and threatened to be-
head the first man that hesitated. Pryor steadi
w advanced, but slowly;an by the time that the
three brigades had stormed the position, passed
up the hill through timber and over felled
trees, Featherstone was farm advance. Quick
" the Federals withdrew their pieces, and
| took up fresh position to assail the three bri
| gades advancing in perfect line of battle from
the woods and upon the plateau. Officers had
no horses, all were shot-Brigadiers marched
on foot, sword in hand ,-regiments were COM
manded by Captains, and companies by Ser
geants, yet onward they rushed, with yells and
colors flying, and backward, still backward
| fell the Federals, their men tumbling every
moment in scores But what sight met the
ewes of these three gallant brigades Infront
stood Federal camps, stretching to the north
| east for miles! Drawn up in line of battle were
| more than three full divisions, commanded
| by Mccall, Porter, Sedgewicke, &c.-ban
| ners darkened the air-artllery vOm-
tied forth incessant volleys Of grape. canister
| aud shell-heayy masses were moving on our
| IerI rnrougi, tho woods flank nc. Yet
ward came Wilcox to the right Pryor to the
| left, and Featherstone in the centre-One
grand, matchless line of battle-almost con
sumed by exploits of the day-yet onward
they advanced to the heart Of the Federal po
sition, and when the enemy had fairly sue
ceeded in almost fanking us on the left, great
eommotion is heard in the woods !-yolleys
upon volleys are heard in rapid succession,
which are recognized and cheered by our men
-" 1t is Jackson they shout, " on their right
and rear!'' Yes, two or three brigades of
Jackson's army have thanked the enemy, and
are getting in the rear! Now, the fighting
Was bitter and terrific. Worked up to mad.
ness, Wilcox, Featherstone and Pryor dash
forward at a run, and drive the enemy with
irresistible ftuy-to our left emerge Hoods
Texan brigade, Writings comes after, and
Pender follows! The line is now complete,
and " forward rings from one end of the line
to the other and the Yankees, over 10000
strong, begin to retreat! Wheeling their artille
nv from the front, the Federals turn part
of it to break our left, and save their retreat.
The very earth shakes at the roar Not ONE
piece OF os~s has get opened! all has been done
,cith bullet and bayoaet, and onward press our
troops through camps upon camps, capturing
guns, stores, arms, clothing, &c. Yet, like
bloedhounds OH the trail, the six brigades
sweep everything before them, presenting an
unbroken, solid front, and closing in upon the
enemy, keep up an inceasant succession Of vol
leys upon their confused masses, and unerring-
" Strengthening them by hundreds and thou
sands!
sToNEWALI." at WORK.
But "where is Jackson?' ask ALL
He has travelled fast, and is heading the re-
treating foe, and IA night closes in, all is anx-
;ety for intelligence from him. Tia now about
7 Z. NJ, and just as the rout of the enemy is
complete--just as the last volleys are sounding
in the enemy's rear, the distant and rapid dis
charges of cannon tell that jackson has fallen
upon the retreating column, broken it, and cap
tured 5000 prisoners! Far in The night, his in.
satiable troops hang upon the enemy, and for
miles upon miles are dead, wounded, prisoners,
wagons, cannon, &C., scattered in inextricable
confusion upon the roadi Thus, for four
hours, did our inferior force, Nnaided 6y sis-
gle piece Of artillery. Withstand over thirty
thousand of the enemy, assisted BY twenty-six
pieces of artillery
In total, we captured many prisoners, and