The Memphis union appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-07-09

iHcFeaSeu But iAe army pressed so closely
upon Richmond it could not be withdrawn
without great peril. Gen. Mcclellan was
committed TO do all he could y with what be
lad white he hoped foraid. If the enemydid
not reinforce he might accomplish his aim
So the work was pressed, while the people
clamored that it was slow. The right wing,
consisting of McCalPs Morrels and Sykes
divisions, less than 25 GOO strong, was well
posted on the left bank of the Chickahominy,
from Beaver Dam Greek to point below New
Bridge. Several military bridges formed the
avenues Of communication between the two
portions of the army separated b. the river.
The center, consisting of Smiths, Sedgwick's
and Richardson's divisions, stretched in line Of
battle from Goiding's, on the banks of. the
river, to point south of the Yorktown rail
road. The left wing, consisting of Hookers.
Kearneys and Coueh's divisions stretched
from Richardson's left to point considerably
south of the Williams burg stage road, on the
borders of White Oak Swamp. The whole
line was protected by strong breastworks and
redoubts. The necessary extent Of the line
left but few troops for supports. Casey (now
Peek 81 sadly reduced division guarded Bottom
Bridge the railway bridge, and were assigned
to ether similar duty Oar line of battle on
the right bank Of the Chickahominy, as have
informed y9u, pressed 50 close to the rebe lines
that neither could advance regiment outside
Of their respective breastwurks without pro-
yoking battle
On Wednesday, June 25th, Gen. Mcclellan
made the first distinctly offensive movement,
by directing Gen. Hooker 70 take up an ad-
vanced position on Fair Oaks Farm, near the
Williamsburg road. 1t provoked sharp re-
sistance, which we overcrme, and accom-
pGshed our Object. 1t is necessary to note this
fact particularly, because it bears strongly
upon the question whether Gen. Mcclellan
bad then distinctly contemplated changing his
base of operations 10 james rivera perilous
thing to attempt before; moreso now that we
were still nearerthe enemy. 1t was pronounced
an important achievement by Gen. McCiel-
Ian himself, because it gave him advantages
over the rebel position which he bad not en-
joycd before. Some time during the night,
however, tidiDgs were received of movement
of fStonewall Jackson on our right wing. Itwas
deemed hazardous to maintain the advant-
gee of the epreVieus day, and the line was ordered
to resume its old position Thursday after
noon the anticipated attack upon our right
wing was made, and handsomely repused
but it was discovered that it had not been
made by Jacksons eolnmand. Information
was received that Jackson was sweeping down
the Psrnunkey, probably TO capture military
stores at White House, to cut of our commu-
nieations with our water base, and menace our
rear Orders We're given ut once to destroy all
public property al White House and eyaeuate
that point. Matters began to assume eriti-
cal appearance, and danger eliminated in the
disaster of Friday. Il was then fully deter
mined to I" change the base of operations to
james river" 1. seems TO me this was COM
pusory. The enemy had TUNED our right,
evidently outnumbered us in great dispTo 2or-
tion, was too strong in front for us to break
through, and was in position TO crush us in
front and rear-and, perhaps, intended to
strike on our left flank Apparently his army
was numerous enough for that grand combi-
nation. The great retrograde movement was
really commenced Friday evening, by the
transfer of headquarters from Trent's Bluffs to
Savage station, but the grand exodus did not
commence until Saturday, and did not swell
into full proportions till nightlal. of that day.
The history of that movement viii follow in
due course.
The reader being supposed to be familiar
with the war map, will now follow the course
pursued by the army. In order TO preserve the
morals of the army as far as possible and
obtain supplies of ammunition and subsistence,
it was determined to carry through all the
wagons loaded, and the ambulance train
making mighty caravan-vastly increased
by artillery trains. There was bat one narrow
road to pursue. 1t struck almost due south
nun bu6 w IOdui w AltC
Oak Swamp to the Charles City road, into
which it debouched about eghe miles from
Turkey Bend in James River. The course
then lay up the latter road towards Richmond,
where it struck a little southwest by the Qua
ker road, which terminated in New Market
road, leading from Richmond. The eEiver was
but q short distance south, and Malvern Hill
Ia beautiful lofty bluff overlooking the river
and commanding the surrounding eoantry,
being our goal. Although there was bat sin
gle road--with slight exception-it had the
| advantage of coursing through White Oak
Swamp upon which we might rely in some
degree for protection of our fanks There was
great daHger that the enemy might cut US of
by moving columns down the Charles City
Central, or New Market roads, or all three, but
these chances were necessarily accepted. Gen
| Mcclellan acted upon the supposition that the
enemy would not guess his determination until
ne was able to defeat their movements Atal
events, it was the only hopeful course, because
! the enemy was watching for him on the left
bank of the Chickahosniny. The ro4d was
narrow funnel for such u mighty torrent o.
/ trains and men, but fortunately it was smooth
/ and dry. In order to make the movement sue
1 cassfuiy, il was necessary to fght at the out
SCI, because il was morally certain that oui
| line of battle could not be withdrawn fromth,
/ front without sucking the enemy after them
SO that due preparations were made. Th,
events will nog be recorded in their order
/ with rs much of the spirit of the perilous en-
terp1isc thrown into the sketch rs | have tim
| TO engraft The affair at Fair Oaks farm wa
the real beginning of the dreary drama. Yol
/ will find description of it in another letter
The Mechanicsville battle was the second aci
which you will now read:
The Battle of MechaztcsviIIe.
When 1 closed my last communication
(26th ult., q fierce battle was raging ON tn
I left bank Of the Chickahominy, on the eas
side of Beaver Dam Greek. Our extrem
rightwing, consisting of McGalfs Pennsylva
MIA Reserves, $500 strong, with five batterie:
were strongly entrenched there in admirabl
: position for defense Information, leadin
Gen. Mcclellan to expect attempt upo
his right had been received during Wednel
day night and we were rs well prepared fc
.ofsr limited forooe 81 ~;