Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-07-03
IMPORTANT NEWS.
ANOTHER GREAT BATTLE.
Two Days Hard Fighting.
HEAVY Loss ON BOTEu SIDES.


issued al extra, dated Battlefield giving
an account of two days desperate fight.
ing.
A company of Bucktails was surround.
ed and captured in the retreat of our right
wing.
Over 1875, 600 men were engaged. All
the Cavalry was ordered away from
White House.
A severe and most determined battle
was fought on Thursday and Friday,
which is claimed by some of our officers
which the enemy ha unwilingIy been
drawn and which will soon result in the
capture of Richmond and the entire rebel
army.
The attack was made by the enemy in
immense force, who crossed the Chicka
hominy near the railroad above Mechan.
icsvlle, Thursday afternoon and fought
desperately, but they were unable to drive
our men rod, though the enemy were
ten to one.
The only forces engaged that day was
McCal's division, the battle lasting from
2 till p. NJ, when the division was or
dered back.
Gen. Mcclellan was on the field, cX
pressing himself satisfied with the result
Thursday about noon the enemy made
an attack on Gen. Stoneman's forces, in
the vicinity of Hanover Court House,
probably for the purpose of accomplish
ing an outflanking movement on the
right, aud to engage our attention in that
direction. Shortly aiterward they com
menced vigorous cannonading from
their works on an eminence opposite Me-
gainesville, about one and half miles
distant. Also from two batteries, one
above and the other below
They were replied to by Campbell's
Pennsylvania batteries on picket duty,
one on the Mcchanlcsville road and an.
other from behind earthworls at the right
of a grove.
About 2 2. NJ. the enemy's infantry
and squadrons of cavalry crossed the
Chickahominy in immense force short
distance above the Virginia Central Il. r,
making a rapid advance toward General
McCall's division who were entrenched
on a hilly woodland across a swan ravine
about mile in the rear of Mechanicsville.
The first Pennsylvania Rifles, Bucktails,
and Campbel's Penn. Battery were on
picket duty, all of whom, except one coin.
pany, fell back behind the breastworlls
and rifle pits, where line of battle was
drawn up. Co. X. Of the Bucktails, who
were on picket beyond the railroad were
surrounded by the enemy and the last
that was known Of them they were try
ing to cut their way through. 1t is pre-
sumed the greater portion were taken
prisoners.
The enemy advanced down at the rear
Of Mechanicsville on low marshv ground
to where our forces were drawn up be-
hind rflept and carth-worlis on an EN-
nence on the northerly side of the ravine
when the conflict became most terrible
The rebels, with the most determined
courage, sttempted to press forward over
miry ground, bat the bullets and grape
shot fell among them like hail, moving
them down. This continued till dark,
hen they Withdrew.
The cannonading was kept up on both
sides till 9 o'clock Z. NJ, when the bat.
tie ceascl
Our forces were covered with earth
works, and suffered but slightly,
Late in the afternoon the enemy made
charge with cavalry. About 100 Of
them came rushing down an attempted
to cross the ravnc when the horses became
mircd. a squadron Of our cavalry see
ing their position made charge down
the hill when the cavalrymen abandoned
their horses and fed. The infantry fight
was then renewed and according to the
statement of my informant, Surgeon
Humphrey of the Pennsylvania Buclstail
Regiment, continued until about A. NJ,
when retreat was ordered, very much
against the will of the Pennsylvania boys
who begged to be allowed to hold their.
position. The outer forces then began
to lail back Potter's corps were some
distance below DR.. Gaines residence,
On the next days battle the CORES
pondent says; The cannonading and
musketry was terrific. The Duryea's
gallant. Xouavcs were lying upon the
ground for two hours, while our Batteries
were sheling the woods above them.
Finally, towards night the enemy at
tempted to break the center line in part
of Duryea's Iouaves, the musketry firing
became terrific, lasting 20 or 80 minutes.