The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-07-17
BENSBURG PA, THURSDAY, JULY II. 1862.

line. french's and Meagher's brlgades
subsequently passed over the same bridge,
and took positions further to the LETT
The enemy had made two charges, and
been repulsed in both
1t was how approaching 5 o'clock, and
the enemy was preparing to make charge
on the left wing of this portion of our
force. With this view, he seemed to have
concentrated the larger portion of his
torce On the hill directly opposite Gaines
house. He had been largely reinforced
by fresh troops, and seemed determined
to make one more vigorous effort to break
our line.
The rebels descended Gaines Hill six
columns deep, and in compact order
This mass of men gave our artillerists on
the left splendid opportunity for prac-
tice, and when the proper time arrived, a
deadly fire was opened upon the advancing
columns. An immense weight of canister
and grape was thrown among them, and
hundreds of their number were seen to
bite the dust. The rebels, however, were
not checked by our artillery, and onward
they came toward our left. Every man
stood at his pest, resolved to do his ut
most. Volley after volley was exchanged,
but neither side wavered At last the
rebels poured a tremendous volley into
our ranks, which thinned them out to an
alarming extent.
After while, the superior numbers of
the rebels began to rell, and it became
evident that our troops would soon be
obliged to give way. The troops under
command of Gen. M'Call were nearly ex-
hausted, having been in the battle of the
preceding day and passed the night with
out sleep. Our men fought well, but
they could not perform impossibilities.-
One man could not contend against three,
and hope to come out winner.
The left wing began to fall back. The
centre and right Of the column were neces-
sarily forced to do the same, and our en-
tire line commenced retreating towards
the river. The enemy seized upon the
auspicious moment, and, with furious
yells, rushed forward upon our broken
ranks. The horses attached TO the bat
teries on the left were nearly all shot
consequently many of the pieces had to be
abandoned.
To contend longer was useless. We
had lost our position, and it was utterly
impossible for the tine being to rally the
men. So the command for the troops to
retire in order across the Chickahominy
was given, and the regiments commenced
moving in that direction. 1t was nearly
dark. The fight had been desperate, and
the enemy did not seem inclined to press
hard. With the assistance of the rein
forcements previously mentioned, another
line Of battle was formed about half mile
in rear Of the first position. The object
however, was more for the purpose oi
covering the retreat than for renewing
the contest. The battle was ended.
THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES.
The following testimonial to the he
roism of the Reserves is from the Phila
delphia Inquirer:
All accounts concur in saying that the
dauutlcss bravery of the division of Penn
sylvania Volunteers commanded by Gen
MCali, usually called the Reserve Corps
really saved the army of the Potomac
They were in the very front, and were
attacked by superior numbers during five
successive days. But they always me
the enemy bravely, fighting like vet
Grams, and even when reduced to hal
their original strength and worn ou
by the battles of five days, they stil
showed no signs of finching. With an,
less determined division than this in front
! our army might have been wholly de
stroyed or captured.
; The loss of the Reserves, In officers, i
!, larger than that OF any other division
T Gen. M'Call, the noble Pennsylvania
: who created the corps, was badly wounded
: on Monday and taken prisoner Brig
Gen. Reynolds was also taken prisoner
; Brig. Gen Meade was wounded, and ha
: arrived at his home in this city, wher
he is doing well. Gen. Burns was ais
slightly wounded.
The New York Herald also pays thi
handsome compliment to the Reserves:
The Pennsylvania Reserve Corps Tough
on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
AMI Monday, in each and all of the lead
ing fights, and their losses are terrible
Ir all cases they behaved like good an
: gallant soldiers, and the Commonwealth
: they represent has nothing in commol
Q with them of which she may not be PROUD
The reserves did not lose more than on
\ hundred and fifty men in the cngageineI
e of Thursday, at Mechanicsville; but afte
Q the fight OF Friday they reported the a
: most incredible loss of two thousand mel
: The subsequent encounters must hav
. raised their loss to four thousand, incl,
a ding three generals, several colonels, &