Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-07-03
From the Richmond Dispatch. 9th inst.
OpenIng of the Great Battie.-Heavy Ergs,-s t u
on the Lett Of Cur Iinss. Al

ope"l"s of the Great E"'tie;-Hs~vy Eng,s, ment
OF the Lett Of Cur Lines. An-R
Our city startled, late yesterday eveni sur ce
ports OF heavy ordnance, and by one cOnse sDce US
universally announced that the Great Battle N the
opened, and that the greatest and most mouranc con
fct OF the age fully inaugurated. Aecklese we
ascertain, at late hour OF night, it set tlas that
our forces attacked the enemy with raaafury at
MechancsVile, aud from the suddenness Of the attack
the enemy were totally non-piussed ard driven from
three large redoabts in rapid succession, Selling the
gurs and turning them with teri 6c effect upon the foe
This accomplished, our forces advanced and captured
two lines OF entertainments and field work. taking every.
thing before them In gallant style. CO-Operating with
the movements on the extreme right and of the
enemy our Generals crossed the Chickahamny at two
points, viz: by the Mechancsvile bridge and Meadow
bridge attacking the enemy with great dash and ardor
driving In their outposs and ascending the opposite
hills seized the batteries erected thereon and fully COM
handing the future movements of forces in crossing
the stream In doing this, the rapdity of movement
was such that the enemy unprepared, and loSt>a
m0nstr battery, which has long annoyed cur troops to
the right and left of the York River Railroad. This
achievement in itself is OF incacuable value, and is
equivalent to the saving Of five thousand lives Gen.
Branch understand led the advancedown the Meadow
Bridge road with brigade OF North Carolnians and
crossing were Instantly reinforced by other troops Of
| Gen. Hills division. The numerous field works and
batteries opposed to their advance assaed by our
in the c0orst and most nonchaant style imagina-
BILE, and while driving the heavy masses of Federal in
fantry before them, ably seconded by our heavy
guns which, laundering with terrific noise, threw large
shells thick and fast upon the enemy CD positions
and camps thus preventing first forces from being
overpcwered by the swarming hordes OF McClelans
hireliDgs. While these brilliant movements were pro-
crossing in the neighborhood of Meadow Bridge our
troops beyond the Mechancsvie Bridge formed iunc-
ton with them, thus forming perfect Gordon with
others operating from the village of Mechanicsvle it.
SELF Our line being perfect, general advance took
place. but the brave Conederates had not progressed
far they encountered by the Federals in great
force aid terrific fight ensued but onward pressed
our infantry and artillery, until at P M when the
heavy cannonading ceased it generally known that
the enemy had been driven fully three miles having ex
perenced great loss in every shape but particularly in
artillery. Purcels battery we are informed immor-
tallzed Itself and was the first corps that crossed Me-
chancsvllle bridge, and opened fire on the enemy At
Mechanicsve the heaviest lighting is said to have Ia
ken place on Watts farm, but resulted magGGcently
to US. All the heights beyond the Chickahomipy are
IN our possession thus lrng the safe and speedy
transportation Of troops and munitions to tbe other
side
From the late hour at which we write it is impossi
BILE to obtain particulars Of the sangunary engagement
of yesterday, but the facts stated are substantially
rect while much more effected by the forces engaged
than the most sangune could have expected or predict
ed. The enemy were totally routed whenever they made
sand-batteries. entertainments, feld-works camps,
and arms were captured with great rapidly and our
loss is much less than could have been imagined in ali
likelihood the engagement today will prove general
at all points, and let Us revereptlv hone that the
God of Battles will smile propitiousy upon our efforts,
and crown our forces with complete aud glorious ri-
umph over malignant aud relentless enemies
The more we learn Of the fight near the old Rattle
grouud of Seven Pines on Tuesday the greater are we
satisfied that Ii Was of the most brilliant affairs of
the war, redoundng greatly to our honor and worthy
OF fitting memory and commendation.
From the best information, we learn that the LIST Lou
especial hatred of the Yankees while on picket service
near BaEker's farm for on one occasion last week
these two regiments suddenly appeared before the af
frighted enemy (Sckles' Excelsior brgade) and, with
out much ceremony, drove them from their picket
posts, and chased them through adjacent camps, in