The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1862-07-12

the same troops reinforced. Sykes regu-
liars were called up but proved unequal to
the task Of stopping them, and slooum's
command was added to them.
The Count de Paris testifies to the re-
markably good conduct of all the regiments
that sustained this unequal attack on Por-
tor. They gave away, indeed, but not one
of them ran. Their losses are enormous.
The 11th regular infantry was about
annihilated. Nearly every officer in it Is
killed or wounded. The 14th also suffered
severely.
Major Russell, of the regulars, kinsman
of General Mcclellan, is killed. Colonel
Pratt, of a New York regiment, is also
killed. and Lieut.. Coils. Black and Switzer.
Our loss is very marked indeed. The
disproportion in numbers was 50 extraord-
mary and the obstinacy Of our troops SO
unyielding that our losses were inevitably
large. The artillery in both Porter's and
Smiths divisions piled the rebels in heaps
Fourth Day.-The affair of Saturday
last partook more of the nature of battle
than the engagements of Thursday or Fri
day. General Fitzjohn Porter has covered
himself with glory. He selected very
strong position, and, having posted his
forces in an admirable manner, was prepar-
ed to hold it against any force Of the
enemy. The brave men of this command
all fought with heroic courage, and the
volunteers We'd with General Sykes regu.
lars in making steady movements, and
carefully executing the commands of their
officers.
Time and again, vast hordes of rebels
moved up in solid columns upon our troops,
but our regular batteries as often moved
them down in most destructive manner.
Steady discharges of shell, grape and can
lister in regular salvos seemed to sweep
down whole companies.
As soon as confusion in the rebel ranks
was apparent, General Porter ordered Gen.
Meagher's Irish Brigade to charge bayonets,
which they did in the most gallant and
heroic style, bare headed, in their shirt
sleeves, occasionally with these rolled up.
This charge had an excellent effect. The
rebels were drived back with great slaugh-
ter, and Gen Porter was preparing to move
upon them over the rebel dead and dying,
when the rebel again advanced steadily,
strongly reinforced.
Now the Pennsylvanians gave them the |
benefit of all their splendid rifles, while the
batteries played upon them as before, Great
ing sad havoc. Indeed, the slaughter upon
other fields during this war has never been
anything to compare to this. The rebels |
under their losses, and our forces
were advancing steadily upon them, driving |
them back at every point, when a staff
officer rode up with an order from the Com
to General Porter, directing
him to fall back with his command, and |
cross the Chickahominy.
The order was executed in fine style, and
our troops did not miss a man, the enemy
being too severely punished to follow US
closely. The only difficulty was with the
Pennsylvania Reserves and Meagher's Irish
commanders exerting all their
powers to induce these brave men to cease
iring. They saw the advantages gained
By hard fighting, and they were anxious to
All the troops mnst be praised for gal
antry in this affair, but the regulars must
nave especial notice. General Sykes, the
amented Major Russell, the Sd, 4th and
l4th Infantry, behaved nobly.
General Porter thought he would be
enforced aud be ordered to advance upon
Richmond forthwith, but it was not SO
designed, and he fell back, as ordered,
HEADoUARrERs ARMY OF THE PoroMAc,,
Turkey Island, July g
The following is an account of the battles
n front of Richmond on Sunday, Monday,
nd Tuesday, being the 5th, 9th, and 7tb
lays of the engagement On Sunday the
orps of Generals Sumner and Franklin
'ere left in the works at Fair Oaks, with
to evacuate and protect the '
aggage and supply trains on their way to
ames River. They had hardly left their !.
osition, and were falling back on the rail =
Dad and Williamsburg turnpike, when the
ebels discovered the movement, and imme- :
lately started in pursuit with their whole !,
orce. So rapidly did the rebels approach =
hat our officers had hardly time to place
heir men in position to receive them be-
ore they we're upon them. The enemy
dvanced to the attack about two o'clock, q
'hich was promptly met by our men. The q
attic lasted until dark, during which tho
nemy suffered terribly, advancing in D
Did mass to within short distance of our q
rtillery. The effect of our guns upon their
inks was fearful, killing and vouuding ,
lem by the hundreds. At dark the enc. 6
y was repulsed, aud forced to abandon II
,eir position. This battle took nlsce ahout U