The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1862-07-11

The firing nov became incessant,
the explosion Of shells constant and
most terrific from both lines, and the
roar Of musketry, mingled with the
shouts and cheers Of the contending
forces. II We conld have seen them,
and estimated their strength or mum.
ber, il would have been sothe relief,
but they were advancing apparent.
ly, to within less than q mile OF our
position, under cover Of woods. Il
was very evident that our men was
being driven In, and that. TOO, by an
overwhelming force. At this junct.
ure two Of our gnnboats, the Galens
and Aroostook moved forward some
bali milo and ope ned Gre upon the
lett with their 81 Founders, the shells
exploding in the edge of tho woods
along the line Of hills where IL was
supposed the enemy would attemp,
to turn our left. No doubt these
terrific missiles bad an excellent Of.
feet in deterring them from this en-
terprise, and iE retarding their ad.
vance. In so long q range there
was danger that some oi our met
nigh. be hit, and a signal station
wac established on the top Of an o!t
house overlooking the acld, ard al.
80 commanding q view OF the river
The firing from the Galena was di.
rected in front by these signals. -
The Jacob Bell, and also the Aroos
took, fred several shells during the
last Of the battle.
| During the evening, and Will,
the fight was going on, crowds O
dusty men rushed down to the river
and plunged in 10 battle. Consider.
ling the circumstance Of the army
this was hardly the time TO adius
ones toilet.
Meantime the contest ragged will
terrible fury along our whole from
and right. Exploding shells filled
the air. and riflcd shot screamed
overhead. So thick was the clout
OF duet enveloping the field, II wal
impossible, except from the sound
to determine which way the tide o.
battle ebbed or flowed. The gun
boats kept up a discharge OF theil
heavy shells upon the enemy's posi-.
tion.
Provost. Marshal Porter meantime
took charge of the disabled and sicl
soldiers, and conducted them TO the
rear. A large number of straglers
filled the road, who seemed to have
business in an opposite direction from
that in which the enemy were com
ing.
The Prince de Joinvilie, with the
Duke de Obartres and the Count de
Paris, took charge of dispatches fol
the Government. and Gen. McClel-
Ian accompanied them as far as the
gunboat Jacob Bell, on board o
which he bade them final adieu to
ward evening. The crew manned
the rigging and cheared as the Gen
cral returned to headquarters.
The days contest wound up by a
diminuendo OF musketry, and by
dark all firing, except an occaa,ona
shot, had ceased. II was too late tc
obtain any list OF killed aud wound.
cd or in fact to learn definitely the re
suit Of the fight. The Jscob Bel
went down TO City Point ordering
up the Southfeid, and all the vessels
lying below.
1t should be borne in mind tina,
the wide bottoms along tho river
separate the gunboats, in many
places, some two miles from the
forces operating on the hills. The
igunboats Galeua, Maratanza, Aroos
took, Maraska and Port Royal, are
near by, and ouebt to be able to ron
der valuable assistance to the army
until 1t can be placed in position io
operate. The indications are ths,
tho enemy ,oiN continue to Aarasd
our position, and give tic troops no
rest, day or night, until thev haze
been dislodged or compelled to en-
bark. Should affairs reach the lat
ter crisis, where are the t,sneports
to receive such an immense army On
board, with its immense materisy ol
warl There Gre scarcely vessels
enough now in the James river to
take on board tho wounded and
sick, to say nothing about the army
The Jacob Bell having returned
from CITY Point, was dispatched
about 10 o'clock p. m., to Fortress
Monroe, With the Prince de Joinville
and companions who, it was under.
stood, carried dispatches to the War
Department.
When the steamer left, all wac
quiet along tho river, and it was
supposed that our forces were hold.
Ing their position at Malvern Hills.
The results OF this contest are moi
known. The fight was a most de.
'ternined ono.
TRANSPORTS and steamers were
proceeding M The river; among them
the Wilson Small, of the Sanitary
Commission. All their vessels will
be needed to remove the sick and
wounded. Early arrangements, will
no doubt be made by the Govern
ment for tho recovery ofthe wounds
ed from Savage's Station and from