Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-07-09
PROM GEN. McCLELLAN's ARMY.
Further detail Of the late Battle-The EVacu-
alton Of the White House, etc.


Further details Of the late Battle-The EVacu-
alton Of the White House, etc.
WITH SToNEMAN's LIGHT DIVISION, June 29-
More than week ago Gen. Mcclellan de-
tormined to withdraw from his position on the
right ut Mechanicsville, get out of the swamp,
get better under cover of his para llels, pre-
pare for any disaster, and concentrate his i'm
meDse army for grand flank assault upon
Richmond. This withdrawal was carried on
in such a cautious and quiet way, that it was
not until Wednesday night last that the enc
my became aware of the important movem ent.
This was evident from the movement they
endeavored to execute successfully on our
left, some days ago.
On last "Wednesday Commodore Rodgers
ordered the Port Royal to proceed down the
James river to point just above the mouth
OF Chickahominy. Here launches and small
boats were to proceed to shore and reconnoit-
TO inland until the army pickets were reached,
30 as to keep up communication with For
,ross Monroe and our Government at Wash
ington, In view Of the probable advance Of the
enemy upon our right
Early on Thursday morning Gen. M'CalPs
division, which was posted q little below
Mschanicsville, commenced retrograde
movement towards the position held by Gen.
Fitzjohn Porter, in the vicinity Of New
Bridge. M'Cail had scarcely Joined Porter
before the rebels-the divisions of Anderson,
Branch and G. w. Smith, under the command
of "Stonewall'' Thomas Jefferson Jack son
pushed him hard and forced him to halt and
hastily form line of battle, which was done
in excellent style, the Bucktails deployed to
the right and left in front as skirmishers. Por-
ier's division came promptly to the support
of Mccall, and, fighting desperately, the two
divisions fell back slowly towards Savage's
Station, on the Richmond and York River
Railroad, when night came on, aud the battle
ceased. Meanwhile Captain Sawtell, of Gen
cral McClellan's staff, had succeeded in de-
stroying everything in the way of buildings at
White House, and moving all the transports
down the river, had the gun boats stationed
SO ~ to command every approach.
On Friday the battle was renewed with
great fury by the rebels, but with different re-
suits, Mccall and Porter being reinforced by
most Of keyes' corps, making our defending
force foot up about 10000 men. The rebels
were in turn reinforced by Longstreet divi-
sion and division said to be improvsed for
Beauregard. General Mcclellan was present
on Friday, and personally man9uvred the
troops, handled them in a mastery manner,
and especially supervising the artillery. The
'csnnonade lulled after about five hours fight
hng, and both armies seemed to be recoilng
for desperate spring at each other, when the
rebel skirmishers, finding no enemy east of
I'm front Of their position. General Stoneman
how made dash at them with nearly seven
thousand cavalry, including Rush's Lancers,
creating great havoc and real panic. After
Shis, Stoneman craftily wheeled about and
covering the rear of our army, as it passed
over Bottoms Bridge and the Long Bridge,
followed them with his main force, leaving
sufficient cavalry to observe the movements
OF the bamboozled enemy, as he proceeded
east.
An hour later, and our gunbOats opened up
on the enemy on the line of the Pomunkey,
near the w hite House. The old battle ground
was made to ring again and again with our
floating batteries. When General Stoneman
heard this music he turned his horses head
towards the rebel capital, ard smiling said,
"All Is well now for Richmond 20 General
Mcclellan has been at work all day, and, in
advancing, has driven the enemy back at
cry point on the left and centre, and with
great loss to them, while ours was compare
lively light. The transports, hospital ships,
and other vessels, have all been ordered to re-
port at jamestown Island, inside of the island,
covered by our gunboats, should ary enemy
molest them. But of this there is no fear.
FROM this they may proceed to higher sta
tion on the river, as may be necessary. Gen.
Cssey's brave division did excellent service
in securing the transporting stores.
Indications of a general battle along the
whole line. Gen. Mcclellan, in order to be
ready for any emergencies, gave directions to
Gen. Casey and Col. ingalls, to make every
preparation for the instant removal or destruc-
tion of all the supplies at White House, should
the result Of the impending battle render such
scourse necessary, his force being deemed
too small to render the successful defense OF
his position certainty against such move
ment of the enemy. At O'Clock dispatch
was received that general battle was pro-
crossing along the whole line, the enemy hav-
ing renewed the attempt to flank Gen. Por-
ter's position on the right wing. At ii o.
clock, second dispatch announced that Gen.
Porter had driven the enemy before him and
fepulsed them with terrific slaughter, and was
Then ordered by Gen. Mcclellan to fall back.
This dispatch was signal for renewed energy
IN the work Of evacuation, and all the Quar-
'ermaster's papers and vauables, and the
chests OF the Psymasters, were brought on
board the mail boat. The family of Quarter
master Engle was also brought on board, with
ms horses and carriage, and the horses Of As
's'aGt Quarterrnaster Ssertell. The house