Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-07-03
PROGRESS OF THE WAR

PROGRESS OF THE WAR.
The chief interest in the war now cen tres in
and about Richmond where, about this time,
are movements making that must soon lead TO
decisive results. Already has there been a
great battle fought in front of Richmond, but
from the confused mass of details sent us by
telegraph from Fortress Monroe, Washington,
and New York, and without any direct intell-
gence from Gen. Mcclellan, il is impossible
to form any correct idea of the result. 1t APP
pears that Stonewall Jackson, (who moves with
a CELEBRITY and effectiveness that we would glad
ly see initiated on our side,) precipitated his
army of 10000 men on the right wing of our
army near Mechanicsville, on Thursday last, in
which he was aided by the left of the rebel ar
my at Richmond, and that after three days
hard fighting the enemy were compelled to re-
tire. On Saturday, however, a portion of
Jackson's army got in the rear of our right
wing and went down to White House landing
TO destroy our stores there. But fortunately
the stores there had been removed to place
of greater safety, and our troops there had been
forewarned of Jacksons approach. During
these three days Mcclellan changed bis 'front.'
bringing his right wing nearer the James River,
where he can have the aid OF our gunboats.-
The losses during this protracted fight were
very severe on both sides, but it will be mpos-
sibe to get the details of the killed wounded
and missing for some time to come. As yet it
is not determined which side, if either, got the
advantage; nor do we even know that either
claims the victory.
A highly important change has been made
during the week in the disposition of the forces
in Virginia which have recently been acting in
dependent of Gen. McClellan's command. The
army of the Rappahannock under Gen. Nc
Dowell, that of the Shenandoah under Gen.
Banks, and that of Western Virginia under
Fremont, have been consolidated as the Army
of Virginia, and Maj. Gen. Pope has been as
ssigned to its command while Fremont, Banks
and Mcdowell were retained each in command
of one Of the three corps de armee into which
the whole was divided. 1t is well that these
independent commands have been consolidated,
and Gen. Pope is undoubtedly the best com.
mander for them, but the way and manner in
which three Generals were jumped TO make
place for one decidedly inferior in rank strikes
us at least very singular. Gen. Fremont of
course asked 10 be relieved from his command +;
which request was granted, and Gen. Franz
Sigel has since been assigned to that corps
of the army
Our losses at the battle on James Island near
Charleston, on the 10th ult. are fully equal to
the number reported in the first accounts of the
battle, which came through rebel papers. The
whole number killed, wounded and missing was
76S. The New York 10Th and the Michigan
Sth suffered most severely, the latter bringing
but 2j0 men out Of the engagement. Some Of
the Massachusetts Regiments were also con-
sideraby cut up.
Intelligence from other parts of the country
is meagre in the extreme. At New Orleans
business is slowly resuming its accustomed
channels under the firm and impartial rule Of
martial law as expounded by Gen. Butler. Our
fleet has found some employment in the vicinity
of Vicksburgh, where several shore batteries
opposed their progress. There is no immedi-
ate prospect of fighting in the Southwest.
By the correspondence between the Govern
ors of the loyal States and the President il will
be seen that government is about 10 call fol
100000 more men. These it is understood arc
chiefly to be used in holding the points acquir-
ed. With this additional number of men it is
believed that the war will be efiectuay closed
another winter. The special order for these
troops will he speedily issued.