Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-07-09
THE BATTLE BEFORE RICHMOND
Further Detaila.

FoRTREss MONROE, July 1.-The steamer
Daniel Webster has just arrived here from
City Point, with upwards of three hundred
wounded on board A gentleman who came
down in charge OF them informs me that yes
terday was the sixth day that the battle has
been going on, with the most terrific fighting
the sun ever shone upon. 1t was extended
the whole length Of our lices. We have lost
many men in killed, wounded and missing
probably $4,000 to 10000. He informs me
that McClellan's headquarters are at Hardy's
Landing to-day, and his lines extend five
miles above toward Richmond. This move of
the right wing of the army was predetermined
upon and planned ten days ago and could have
been carried out sooner, but for certain reas-
ons well known in the army but which il would
not be proper TO state. The enemy's forces
have greatly out numbered ours in almost
every action, but Notwithstanding this they
have been repulsed Oftener than we have and
their force far exceeds ours. Yesterday Nc
Clellan is SAID To have captured whole rebel
brigade, and took from them several rife can
non and other pieces. 1t is now said that we
have lost very few Of our siege guns, most Of
them having been moved in safety. There
bas been great many wounded prisoners ta-
ken on both sides. Our informant saws that
Gen. Mcclellan and his Staff all agree that
the present position OF our army is far more
advantages as base of operations against
Richmond than that hitherto occupied. The
gunboats can now be brought to bear and ma
terially aid in carrying on the work. Some
of our regiments have suffered terribly, while
| others have lost but little. The New York
Fifth have suffered terribly. They made a
most heroic struggle, and did great havoc a
mong the enemy. About one half their num-
are killed, wounded or taken prisoners. They
were in the fight at Old Arbor, and fought a.
gainst desperate odds.
TURKEY ISLAND, July 2, l862.-The follow
Innt g
of Richmond on Sunday, NJ onday and Tuesday,
the fifth, sixth and seventh days of the engage
ment: On Sunday morning the corps of Sum-
ner and Franklin were left in the works at
Fair Oaks, with instructions to evacuate and
protect the baggage and supply trains on their
way to James river. They had hardly left
their position, and were falling back the
| railroad and Williamsburg turnpike, when the
enemy discovered the movement and imme-
dlately started in pursuit with their whole
! force. So rapidly did they approach that our
officers had barely time to place their men in
| position to receive them, before they were up
| ON them. The enemy advanced to an attack
about two O'Clock, which was promptly met
by our men. The battle lasted until dark
during which the enemy suffered terribly.
They advanced IN a solid mass to within a
short distance Of our artillery, and the effect
| OF our guns on their ranks was fearful. They
We're. killed and wounded by hundreds. At
abandon their position. This battle took
place above Savage Station. While the bat
tie was in progress other important events
were transpiring. The railroad bridge over
the Chickahomny was burned, and train of
twelve cars ander full head of steam, was
run overheard. All the commssary and
quartermaster stores were committed to the
flames, together with large amount of ord
nance stores. The large house at the station,
and the adjoining grounds, which were filled
with our sick and wounded, whom it i'm
possible to remove, were lett under the charge
of our surgeons, with all the necessarics at
| hand for their comfort. They number about
seven hundred, and now in the enemy's
hands.
The troops which had fought the battle Of
Sunday retreated, under the cover of night,
to White Oak Swamp Bridge, distance Of
about twelve miles, there to await the ap-
proach of the enemy. The disposition of .he
troops on Monday, the sixth day, was as fol.
lows: Gen. Smiths DIVISION supported by
Gen. Nagees brigade, occupied the right of
the bridge, while Summer and Frankln's s
corps were on the left Heintzelmans corps
with Gen. McCalFs division, was posted out
on the New Market road to meet the enemy,
who was approaching from the direction of
Richmond. The enemy came up boldly early
In the forenoon, having been heavily reinforc-
ed by troops that had fought the battle of
Friday on the opposite side of the Chickahom-
my. AT about O'Clock it became evident
that some portions of our lines must give wav
as the enemy were evidently throwing fresh
troops into action. Our troops in front of the
bridge now fell back to within three and
halt miles of Turkey Island bridge, where the
fight was shortly after renewed, and continu-
ed with the greatest determination on both
sides. This was bloody struggle, and the
field was strewn thick with dead and wounded
During the day our forces fell back three
miles, reaching by next day their present po-
sition.
The Gght was renewed early on Tuesday
morning by the enemy, who evidently expect
ed to crush army. 1t lasted about three
hours, resulting in considerable loss to both
parties. The enemy then retired, leaving
the field to our troops. They again advanced
about three O'Clock F. NJ, in considerable
force, but retired after being shelled by the
gunboats and artillery for about two hours.
without coming near CROUCH for the use of
musketry. The loss of our army during these
seven days engagements is not known, but
twenty thousand is considered as near an es-
innate as can, at present. be given in killed.
wounded and missing. Many of those at pres
ent unaccounted for may have struggled away
through the country, and may hereafter re-
turn. The loss of the enemy in killed must
have been very heavy, far exceeding that of
our army. We have taken about seven hum |
dred prisoners, among whom are three lieu |
tenant colonies and one major. The loss in |
field artillery during the seven days amount |
ed to about thirty guns.
Gen. Reynolds and Capr. Kingsbury of his |
staff were taken prisoners, as was also Colonel |
Stockton, of Michigan. Gen. Mead, of Penn |
sylvania, was severely wounded. General !
Burns was wounded in the face. Generals !
Sumner and Heintzelman were both slightly ,
wounded in the left arm, but they did not
leave the field. General Mccall was seen to |
fall from his horse dnring the battle of Mon |
do III f,I-,