The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-06-12

tion demanded or them.
Operations ON the Right.
While the battle is closing the left let mo proceed
to q narration Of the important events which have
already ranspirsd and still transporting on the
right
AT FAIR OAKS STATION.
Soon after the engagement commonwealth obedience
10 instructions given by General KeyesGensral Couch
proceeded in person to Fair Oaks station whore General
Abcrcombie and General Devns wers with detachments
from their command. Fair Oaks is situated the rail-
read about threequarters Of mile from the junction Of
the Nine Mile road with the Richmond turnpike, which
place Is known the Seven Pines. When the enemy
coming in mpetuous down centre part Of
the column bore away to the right in the direction of
Fair Oaks station. When the First Long Island reg
mont in the rife pits the right OF the Richmond
road the Twenty third Pennsy lvania, Colonel Neal ana
the Sixty first Pennsylvania Colonel Rppy. were stag
toned in the woods between the right Of tho First Lon
island and railroad and tho United States Chasseurs
commanded by the gallant Colonel Cochrane, and the
Thirty first Pennsylvania Colonel Williams, were placed
the right OF the railroad for its protection while Cap
tain Brady's battery posted ia commanding posi-
ton supported by these regiments, to intercept tho
enemy on the right
The enemy discovered in great force behind
bolt OF woods, moving down apparently towards Fair
Oaks station. Our detachmonts Immediately engaged
them and the contest hot and heavy for some time
until our regments-somc Of which were considerably
cut up-were compelled to fall back. This they did,
contesting the ground they retired The tempestu-
GUS columns OF the enemy fast pressing down
the railroad, and separating those four regiments
and the battery from the remainder of General Reyes
command. Perceivng how the tide OF battle was flow
ing fast against us, General Couch had well nigh
determined to cut his way through at every cost and
rejon the remainder Of forces General Abercombe
however, older soldier than General Couch, coun-
selled otherwise and the younger General with his
accustomed modesy gracefully yielded to the sngges-
tons OF his senior in years, though his junior in COM
mand. But just at that most critical period in the
battle, although they did not know it, the point SO
severely pressed, will be subsequently seen, was
about being reinforced by portion OF General Summers
command.
OPERATIONS OF GENERAL BRyEY's BRIGADE.
It will have been perceived that at the time General
Kearney's division ordered TO the front Genera
Heintzeman had sent one brigade OF that division,
General Birney's, up the railroad TO the support OF
General Keyes' command. 1t appears, however, that
whe in motion General Birnoy soon met by General
Kearney, who directed him to man the rife pits The
Fortsth New York placed in them, and the Fourth
Maine deployed skirmishers to the right OF the
For.ieth, the railroad, while Captain Stur.
giss, General Kearney's Chief Of staff, followed
the line Of the track with the Third Maine
and Thirty-eghth New York. Presently, how
ever, in accordance with instructions given
by Gen. Kearney, Gen. Birney halted the two regiments
the railroad, where, being directed to await further
ORDERS he placed the Third Maine in column Of compa
MES railroad and depoyod the Thirty eighth New
York to the right skirmishers. At hafpast four,
quarter 1ve Lieutenant Hunt camo with further
orders from Con- Hcntzeman for Gen. Brney to proceed
up the railroad to the support OF Generals Couch and
Casey, now sorely pressed AT this time the FKty-
seventh Pennsylvania, Col Campbell which had boon de-
ached from Gen. Jamesons brigade savage's station,
appeared the railroad andhe Colonel being without
special orders, joined Gen. Birneys command Having
marched with his brigade and this regiment about
mile and half further up he found the First Long Island
and other troops being driven back by the enemy on the
left while the time the opened IRE on his
front The flank OF the First Long Islanders about
being turned when the Fifty seventh New York was i'm
mediaely formed in line and placed the left OF that
regiment The Fifty seventh engaged; it
quilted itself spenddly and in driving back the encmy
from that point the dashng Colonel was wounded
and the gallant Major killed Tho remainder Of the
command stationed in line of battle, the ex-
trcme right regiment being tho railroad. At this
moment Captain Brady, Of the artillery, In General
Couchs division. rode up and said, General Couch has
been cut Off by tho enemy but he has found road by
which he retreat provided you can hold this posi-
ton" The General sign6ed his ability and willingness
to hold IL. But Of General Reyes aids came
with order from General Heintzelman still urging
General Brney to continue his up the railroad
Leaving the engaged he went to Fair
Oaks station where he found General Ssdgwck already
engaging the enemy At this point Captain Hasser Of
General Jameson's staff came with orders from General
Kearney directing General Birney to retire Immediately
to the point from which hc had proceeded Hav
Ing sent aid to inform General Kearney of
Gen. Hcintzemans ORDERS and 10 ask whether, under
the he should obey tho instructions Of tho
division or the corps commander General Kearney re
pcated his order to fall back, which was obeyed and
proper dispositions being made for the night the brigade
was joined the right by General Summers command
have given this record of General Brncy movements
because the following morning he placed under
by General Hentzeman for disobedcnco OF orders
Arrival OF General Summers Command Il.
now return the most important part Of the days
operations and the successful close Of the conflict for
the night. Having been ordered by General Mcclellan
early the afternoon after the action commenced
to his corps and proceed to the support OF Hent
zelrnan and Reyes, General Sumner had his command
Immediately under arms and It on the road
to the Chickahominy General scdgwcks division took
the lead followed by General Richardson's. Tho roads
heavy and the travel necessarily difficult and slow
The grapevine bridge which he crossed, had been
almost swept away by the sudden swelling Of
the swamp. It was almost impossible to bring
over the artillery; the horses noundered and
fell, and at first only Kirbys battery of Napoleon
guns were crossed When passing DR.. Trents house
Gen. Sumner mot by Con. Abercombio's Quarter
MASTER who then told his tale OF how Gen. Couch with
four regiments and battery had been separated the
right from the main body, being pressed by supe-
rior numbers and was in need OF immediate reinforce
ments. The column pushed along a rapidly as
possible, part OF the time portion Of 1t going the
double quick Gem Germans brigade in the nd.
vance. Arriving near the Adams House, not far from
Fair Oaks station, the Union troops in that vicinity
wore perceived In position. General Sumner mnde q
most admirable disposition Of his forces.
GoRMAs's BRIGADE