The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1862-07-09
The Enemy Falling Back.

The splendid contest of Thursday af.
,ternoon, which resulted in the Wrestling,
by Gen. A. p. Hills division, of Mechan.
icsville, though without decisive results,
except the possessing Of the place, served
to attract the attention Of Mcclellan from
movement in his rear which oyerwhelm.
ed him. There Hills division Of $4,000
men stood successfully, opposed to at
least four times their number, behind
earth-works, which they, one after ano,h
er, evacuated, carrying off their guns,
which, mounted on wheel carriages, We're
not captured, as some OF our co,empora
rles announced yesterday, though their
positions were gained aad held. Many
valuable lives were lost at Mschanicsvile.
but they received immortality there.
At 8 O'Clock, Oh Friday morning, the
grand coup de main Of Gen. T. ]. Jackson
was accomplished. With his army, which
failed to get into position the previous
evening, he, fresh from the field OF ex.
.ploits in the Valley, came down the
.Chickahominy on the right flank of Nc.
,Celian's army, to Coal Harbor, in the
enemy's rear, and put bis front upon j, a,
Old Church. The enemy had fallen back
still further during the night. land Hills
AMI Longsreet's divisions pressed him in
front and left flank early yesterday morn,
ing. Thus, Ly strategy unparalleled
for its brilliancy, was Mcclellan circum
vented. Up to this writing, we have no
accounts Of the bate that has leen pro.
gress'ng that would justify particulars,
but Mcclellan and his main army was
reported retreating down the CLickahcm
my. bearing off from "Stonewalrsr guns
In the direction Of West Point, where the
gunboats were lying ready to cover him.
1t was 6 o'clock when the enemy gave
way, after leaving their last breaslwork
battery Of thirteen guns. which was their
best, mounting heavy siege guns. Nc
,C'ellan retired, burning up his stores at
the depo's of his lines. From the top Of
the Capitol, in the square, shafts of white
smoke could he seen rising in the direc.
ton OF Old Church and the White House
AT hrst this was thought to originate from
the firing Of cannon, tha, could no. be
heard from the distance, the wind also
being contrary; but later in the day i,
was ascertained to have been caused by
the destruction BY the enemy OF bis i'm
mense stores, of to the right Of the Me.
chanicsville Pike, on the farm of DIR.
Gaines.
The mutterings Of the fight could be
90 casonally heard through the repor, of
heavy guns, but it died en.irsly y away a.
the scene OF the conflict was removed bv
the retreat Of the enemy and the advance
o: the Confederate forces.
The retreat Of McCielIan's army. End
the pursuit Of the Confederate army, has
moved our base Of information concern
log the fight, which, we learn, was kent
up at intervals with great severity but,
through the kindness Of 40 officsr from
our lines. We have been supplied with a
very intelligent pencil diagram, furnish.
ing the positions of the rs,rsa.iug and
pursuing forces.
Jscksons army was represented as NOV.
ing down considerably this side Of the
Pamankey, fors trss,le bridge spanning
1t ut the railroad, with the intention OF
stripping Mcclellan, whose forces were
making for The same bridge to secure it
.ss crosaing before 1t vas seized or burn.