Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-07-07


The enemy followed us hard toward White
Oak Swamp, the faithful fellows of Heintzelman.
Sumner, and Franklin protecting our iaggard
baggage and artillery. These, indeed, were
compelled to keep in line of battle across the
country along the whole extent Of the retreat.
for the enemy was forever endeavoring to turn
US upon the right and the left.
The enemy appeared on White Oak Swamp in
strong force. and directly opened from some
twenty masked batteries. that blew up several of
Capt. Motifs c~aissons, dismounted his pieces, and
raised a hub5ub generally among teamsters,
wagoners, cannoniers and infantry. The 10Th
New York at this time made their celebrated
stampede, for which, next day, the Provost
Guard, by order of Gen. Mcclellan, picked them
up and took them to headquarters like so many
c~ulprits.
However, very soon our light batteries recov-
cred themselves and vigorously res, onded TO the
enemy, who was soon at a perceptible disadvan-
tage, so far as accuracy and effect we're con-
cerned. Our infantry, too, fell in line, ready 10
support the batteries or meet half way any at
tempt OF the rebel infantry to push across the
creek. Thus the battle progressed till late in
the afternoon with serious loss to both sides
more wounds from cannon shot perhaps resulting
than at any other time in any battle. The rebels
made some desperate efforts to cross the creek,
but Gen. Smith brought his men up to close
quarters with them whenever they dared the
contest, anu although IN each case sOUe OF our
best and most beloved soldiers bit the dust, there
were no signs of holding off. The cannon firing
was incessant here, some of the deepest and
closest of the war, and the infantry fire extended
along whole columns.
THE ENEMY AT CHARLES CITY CROSS ROADS.
The cannonading had continued several hours
with fearful effect among our baggage and artil-
lery teams. We had, however, prevented the
enemy from crossing the swamp in our front, and
fOndly hoped that he would be unable to pierce
its businesses at any other point at our right or
left. That this hope was i'll founded was soon
testified by the appearance of the enemy in great
force at Charles City Cross roads. which lies
about four miles from White Oak Swamp due
south, and about a mile and a half or two miles
from the James river at Turkey Island Bend. He
had advanced direct from Richmond eight bri-A
gades. the first under command of the redoubta- '
BILE Gen. Henry A. Wise, and when discovered at
the Cross Roads was endeavOriug to work quietly
down the river road between our trains, our
wounded and the army.
At 5 o'clock they engaged the enemy, hidden
by woods and the swelling of hills, and the firing
from m~usketry and field batteries were soon in
tense. The rebels did fatal execution among US,
and some of our most valuable officers fell here,
wounded and dying. The men fought well,
though half dead with heat, thirst and WEAKNESS.
Some broke for the river and plunged in The cool
water for an instant, then emerging rushed back
to the fray and fought like lions.
THE GUXBoATs OPEN FIRE.
About FIVE O'Clock in the afternoon the gun
boats Galena, AroOstook and Jacob Bell opened
fire from Turkey Island Bend, in the James riv-
er, with shot and shell from their immense rife
guns. The first few shots went wide, but the
man in the Galena's topmast lookout signaled
the proper elevation to the guns, and soon they
threw among the serried rebels on the hill their
pOnderous obligations, that cut down whole ranks,
spreading confusion, deSOlation and dismay. The
FIRE went on with the same fatal effects, making
music to the ears of our tired men, and conster-
nation among the exultant and blood thirsty trail
tors. They'(already confident of concluding their
work and driving US into the James, began 10
reel and grow uneasy. Their fire perceptibly
slackened; their ranks seemed slow TO close up
when the naval thunder had torn them apart; dis
affection and disappointment had already seized
upon them. and every tocsin from the Galena add
ed its impetus to the prevaing dread, when
HEIYTzELMAN CHARGED!
The whole corps of this famous warrior, con
ident that a recovery OF the fortunes of the time
could be made, prepared to give another great ef-
fort to retrieve the fortunes of the day and the
cause of the country. Waterloo did not know
such a charge of horse and foot, while our bate
res upon the hill tops, far and near, played in
cessantly upon the foe.
Heintzelman made a little appeal to his gene
rails, telling them that in the dash about to be
made, their confidence and courage might only
save the army. but do something towards aveng-
ing the great number of loyal men who had fallen
in the several fatal encounters.
The soldiers, poor, heroic, jaded fellows, re-
sponded with a spirit that must have come from
hungry hearts. and soon the grand corps of
Heintzelman was in line, with the gaunt, gray
figure of its commander g%alloping down its col
umns. The enemy anticipated some such dash,
for they directed their fire upon this part of the
line-if p~ossible-more concentratedly than ever.
Then Heintzelman passed down the order, and
like the surging of a sea long embOsomed in a
plain, the column moved, slowly, certainly, Wig
orously belchiug fire and ball at every step. but
never hating until they came so close TO the
rebels that they might have halloed the name of
each, man to man, across the little interval.
The latter came up bravely to tie offered combat;
but there was a destructiveness in our fire, and a
vehemence in our tread, that they could not with
stand.
The fiery brigade of Meagher edged up gal
lantly on the right, using the musket right SOL
dierly, and Gen. SickleS's Excelsior Brigade, al
ready fearfully cut up. went into the action like a
battalion of fresh veterans. The brigade of
Hooker was ably led by that distinguished officer,
and General kearney seemed ubiquitous, as he
screamed his orders here and there, always urg-
ing his men on to the foe. The brigade of Gen.
Grover, including some Massachusetts regiments.
behaved finely here, but the whole corps was a
unit. and Heintzelman was its genius. Pushing
steadily ahead, defying all the efforts of the enc
my to break or turn its line, the corps had at last
the satisfaction of seeing the enemy break and
hy in confusion to the swamp, totally dispiTited
and repulsed. We took in this engagement over
two thousand prisoners, but as our object had
been gained in covering our advance 70 the James
river. il was not deemed OF sufficient importance
in view of the risk to be encountered in holding
possession of them through the night. A large
number of these prisoners, however, remain on
our hands, and will serve in some sort to console
US for the loss of very many OF our own.
THE LOSSES AT WHITE OAK SWAMP.
We could not have lost, in killel. wounded aud
prisoners, less than two thousand five hundred
men. and our loss may reach twice that amount.
But we gained our point and made the James
river, despite all the enemy's attempts to cut us of
therefrom. In failing to do this he suffered the
retreat, whereas in the pitch of battle we beat him
back with immense loss and so crippled that he was
either unable OF unwilling to fire a gun next day.
The gunboats Aroos.ook and Galena are entitled
to tile most unbounded credit.
THE BATTLE or TUESDAY.
The battle ragged with fearful earnestness on
Tuesday, the first Of July. but full and detailed
accounts of il have not yet been received. The
rebel loss was appalling. The ~gunbOas hurled
shell upon them like hail and they were driven
back at all points.
JEFF. DAVIS AT THE BATTLE.
JEFF. Davis was at the house of Mrs. Price,
Just opposite DR.. Gainesis. for three consecutive
days before the battle of Thursday, in every case
engaged in close consultation with Gen. Lee.
Col. Towers of the 9Th Georgia regiment states