The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-07-12

attempt to come out in force from Rich
mond.
llancook's position was strong one,
and it would have taken strong enemy
to dlslodge him. The fire commenced
at this point on Monday, when the bridge
that the engineers had constructed for
the passage of our army having subservcd
It's purpose, was removed from White
Oak creek. Previously the railroad
bridge had been burned, the culver S
blown up, and lot of superiluous am
munition and cumbrous baggage run by
train into the Chickahominy.
lie appeared on White Oak swamp in
strong force, and directly opened from
some twenty masked bat cries, that blew
up several of Captain Motifs caissons,
dlsmounted his pieces, and raised a hub
bub generally among teamsters, wagon
ers, cannonicrs and infantry. The Twen-
tleth New York at this point made their
celebrated stampede, for which, next
day, the Provost Guard, by order Of
General Mcclellan, picked them up aud
took Them to headquarters like so many
culpris.
However, very soon our light batteries
recovered themselves, and vigorously
responded to the enemy, who was soon
at pcrceptible disadvantage, so far as
accuracy and effect were concerned
Our infantry, too, fell in line, ready to
support the batteries or meet half way
any attempt of the Rebel infantry to push
across the creek. Thus the battle pro-
crossed till late in the afternoon, with
serious loss to both sides, more wounds
from cannon shot, perhaps, resulting
.han al any other time in any battle
The Rebels made some desperate efforts
o cross the creek, but General Smi h
brought his men up to close quarters
with them whenever they dared the con-
test, and although in each case some 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 cannonadng had continued sew
eral hours with fearful effect amonr our
baggage and artillery teams. We had,
however, prevented the enemy from cross
ing the swamp in our from, and londly
hoped that he would lie unable to pierce
Is businesses at any other point on our
right or left. That this hope was i'll
founded was soon testified by the appear
ancc 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 IL half
or two miles from the james river, at
Turkey Island Bend. He had advanced
direct from Richmond eight brgadcs,
the first under command of the rcdoubta-
bic General Henry \. Wise, and when
discovered at the Cross Roads were
endeavoring to work quietly down the
river road between our trains, our
wounded and the army. Two hours
previous such attempt might have been
successful, when utter ruin and confusion
woulG have cnsued.
Porter and Reyes were ordered UP to
repcl these new corners, the troops of the
former still suffering from the battle of
Friday IN so great degree that many
regiments had no organization at all, and
many brlgadcs scarcely rcgimental
organization. At five o'clock they en-
gagged the enemy, hidden by woods aud
the swelling hills, and the firing from
nuske.ry and field batteries was soon
intense. The Rebels did fatal execution
among us, and some of our most valuable
officers fell here, wounded and DYING
The reports of ordnance had now been
heard so many days that such chaos
seemed the normal condition of nature.
and painfully the battle went on. Il was
scarcely an cnthusias ic fight, for all the
romance of battle had worn off by reason
of its monotony. The men fought we'll,
however, though half dead will heat,
thirst and WEAKNESS. Some broke for
the river and plunged into the cool
water for an instant then, emerging.
rushed back to the fray and fought like
lions.
Fresh troops and superior numbers
seemed bearing the tide Of battle against
US at five o'clock, and the fate of the
army hung trembling in the sunset, when
new advanc9-half of God, half of
lan-camc to our relief.
THE GUNBOATs OPEN FIRE.
About five o'clock in the afternoon
the gunborts Galena, Aristook and Jacob
Bell opened from Turkey Island Bend,
n the James river, with shot and shells
rom their immense rihed guns. The
previous roar of field artillery seemed as
amt as the rattle Of Musketry in COM
'arlson with these mons ers of ordinance,
hat literally shook the water and strain.
I'd the air. The shells seemed to be
supplied with eight second fuses, and
considerable interval elapsed between
he shock of the report and the subse-
luont explosion of the shells They '
lred about three times a minute, fire.
luently 5roadside at time, and the
immense hull of the Galena careened as ,
he delivered her compliment of iron and {
lame. {
The first few shos went wide, but the :
nan in the Galena's topmast lookout =
Ignaled the proper elevation to the i
'uns, and soon they threw among the l
prrin1 Rohols ~, tbo IN Al -: