Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-06-30
AFFAIRS BEFORE RICHMOND.


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS of Whtts House
The Enemy Severely Rspufss3-General
MeCLellan's Army MaJsed South of the
Chickahominy-Th Enemy Dram Oni
/ of Has IntreHchments-Ontc 10 RieA.
moRG
Correspondence Baltimore Americana
WHITE Houss, Saturday June 2S.-The event,
transpiring at this point, and In the army befor.
Richmond during the past -four days, have beer
Of such varied character and thrilling Interest
that I scarcely know where to commence or end
the record In order TO make II all understanda bic
% the general reader. Many who wefe pyewit.
nesaes 10 these movements have hsd of panic
stricken, fully convinced that the whole army be-
fore Richmond has been destroyed, and that Gen-
eral Mcclellan has been out-witted, out gener.
alea, out-fanked, and "driven to the wall, y
where he promised to place the enemy. The
evacuation Of the White Rouse was to them an
inexpllcable mystery under anv other condition
of facts; but had they have kept their eyes open
early In the week, they would have discovered
that the work Of evacuation was silently and
surely progressing before any fighting on the
right wing, al early as Tuesday, and that large
numbers OF vessels had Jeff the York and Psuun.
key rivers, and were moving rapid Y around to a
new basis OF operations on the James river. They
nigh also have Observed that all civilians were
forbidden 20 approach the front as early as Tues
day, under any pretence whatever, and that the
immense stores Of supplies at Dispatch Station
had been steadily reduced for a week, until the
last box Of crackers, barrel Of beef and bale Of
hay had disappeared, before the great contest on
Friday. which len the way open for the enemy to
approach that point, which have every reason
to believe was designedly intended by General
Mcclellan to be the mouth Of the empty trap into
which they were being led, and, as hope and
believe, to their entire rout and discontinue
Before proceeding TO the narrative Of events as
they have occurred in the vicinity of w hte House
during the past few days will briefly state that
the whole movement Of Gen. Mcclellan, SO far az
the changing OF his lines are concerned and I'm
reality the making OF his len wing his rig ht wing,
and withdrawing his right wing to rest nesr Saw.
age station, at the railroad bridge across the
ChickahOminy, has been accomplished, throwing
the way open for the enemy 10 rush to his coveted
but an empty platter. Whether this movement
is good or bad, or what may be intended by Gen
Mcclellan to be accomplished by II further than
throwing his left on TO James river, and support
Ing land attack on Fort Darling, II Is impossible
at present to say. day or an hour NAV de cide
Ibis point. ] Will merely proceed to a narrative
OF events as they occurred at White House up to
Saturday at noon, embracing such statements as
Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
WEDNESDAY AT THE WHITE HOUSE
AT the White House on Wednesday matters
were progressing az usual with the exception that
there had been a check in the landing of stores
OF all descriptions, whilst those on the landings
were being rapidly loaded In wagons and moved
Oh towards the left flank. Several steamers with
large strings Of vessels laden with forage and
subsistence had also been started down the river
with orders to proceed to City Point on the James
river. This reversal in the course Of transporta-
non occasloned considerable comment and spec
ulation, but was ascertained to be the fulflmcnt
OF an order direct from Gen. Mcclellan. Some
supposed IL to be intended for the supply of a
portion Of Gen. Burnside's army, which rumor
said had reached James river to cooperate with
him. An order was also received from headouar
ters early on Wednesday, to prohibit any one
from coming forward to The lines on any consid-
erations whatever, unless the parties belonged 10
the army. This order was so peremptory that
even those connected with the press some of
whom had come down to forward their report bv
the mail boats were prevented from returning
and others who had Struggled themselves hrougb
were promptly sent back.
On the same day Gen. Casey came down and
took command Of the small land force not ex.
ceeding $50 men, and In the evening was notified
to prepare at any moment for the entire evacuation
Of the post md the preservation az far an pract.
caoie OF the public property Similar orders
were also sent to Col. Ingalls,. He Immediately
communicated with the heet, and a division Of
men armed with axes proceeded during the night
to cut down the trees around White House. and
subsequently all the way along, above and below
the Pamunky Bridge, so as TO give them free play
for the use OF their guns. On the same evening
we had report from headquarters that division
Of the Rebels the forces Of Stonewall Jackson and
Gen. Ewell were approaching and threatening to
open the way.by the right flank for a raid on the
w
the railroad were kept running night and day,
carrying forward nothing bnt ammunition and
munitions of war, with siege and rocket trains,
and field pieces
Wednesday evening, had not arrived, which
added to the excitement among the suffers and
camp followers. At half past 10 O'Clock In the
evening, however, the train arrived, bringing
down about 90 wounded men, II having been
delayed for their accommodation. They were
nearly all Of General HOoker's division, and had
participated in the gallant advance on the left of
the center on Wednesday morning, driving the
enemy from their rife pits, and reporting that
they had secured and held what Is known al
Tavern Hill, an important position, com ma ncing
the city Of Richmond. This Ia the important
point' alluded to In the dispatches Of General
Mcclellan detailing the affair The entire loss
on our side was reported to be about 200 wounded
and go killed. large number of those wounded
were, however, very slight, most Of them being
able to walk from the cars to the hospital boat
Thus ended the events Of W ednesday.
DOINss on THURSDAY
The fact that the gunboats had taken position
in front Of the landing with their guns out and
shotted, and the sweeping away Of the trees
which was still progressing, gave renewed ac,
tvity to the rush Of the camp followers for passes
by the mail boat to Fortress Monroe. and our
population commenced to be rapidly depleted
The down train from the front reported all
quiet with the exception of certain mysterious
movements within our lines that were not under
standable TO civilians. The immense stock Of
sIofes dHo forage al DlspdCn station, eleven
miles from White House, were being carried of
with great rapidity, and subsequently we learned
that an immense train Of wagons had been run
ming from that point all day with forage and
stores, and that the greatest activity in their re-
mOval was being observed. In the evening II
was announced that not a bale Of hay, a bushel
Of oats, barrel Of beef or box Of cracks was
left.
Throughout the day at White House the great
est vigilance was observed In and around the
headquarters Of General Casey, who had pitched
his tents on the beautiful lawn in front of the
White House, the building itself being occupied
az the private quarters Of the Sisters Of Charity-
and here let me add that 1t Is quite small build
ing, having not more than six small rooms I'm It,
the outbuildings and servants quarters being
separate from the residence. Gen. Washington
himself could not complain Of the use of il by
these ministering angels Of the sick and wounded
soldier. An immense train Of wagons was also
moving forward from the subsistence and COM
missary departments throughout the day and
the immense stocks on shore were being rapidly
diminished. The trains on the railroad were
still steadily moving forward with ammunition,
and continued throughout the night Cavalry
scouts Rad also been sent out In various
during the day, and preparations were made for
obstructing the roads.