The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-07-12

with the exception of General Ke.rn.v. -.
reported that the enemy we're too stron, ~ soS
him, and were forcing him from his position. :,
Word was Immediately sent to General Mccall
70 advance to bis relief, which his men did on
the double quick, Notwithstanding their pre.
vlous fatigue and exhaustion. They were soon
engaged in the thickest of the fight, which
grew hotter, as every moment brought fresh
troops from Richmond to replace those whom
rapidity.
Inc tide OF battle ebbed and flowed over the
pam ior nearly an hour with uncertain result
Az snis time General Mccall and his staff gal.
ioPeo towards tie front to incite his brave
s'ocPs 70 stronger exertons, when be was seen
breast. 'A'
His staff gathered around him. and beoped
to be allowed to bear his BODY to a nlace of
quiet and safety. No." said be, "let me die
on the teld and in the momentary confusion
which the fall Of their beloved leader made h;s
DIVISION was slowly driven back. Almos, AZ
the same time, Captain II. j. Biddle. aid to (;sn.
Mccall, was mortally wounded.
Still the contest ragged more madly, the efForta
OF bis men to reach him being almest frantic
ln this desperate charge the loss of life on both
sides exceeded anything that has occurred since
the contest commenced. The dead lay in piles.
Among the slain we're Lieutenants ]. H. Kuhn
and W. n. Watmough. General Meade was
severely wounded in the abdomen, and General
Reynolds was taken prisoner. It Is since ascer.
tanned that be is unhurt in Richmond
MAJOR GENERAL N'CALL.
George Archibald Mccall, who is reported a.
killed in the late engagement on the Chicks.
hominy, was Major General of Pennsylvania
State troops, and Brigadier General of volun.
teers in the service of the United States, with
the command Of Major General. He graduated
at the United States Military Academy in 1929.
Entering the army as first Lieutenant first In.
fantry, in December, he attained the following
ranks: In fourth infantry, first Lieutenant,
January, 1923, assistant comnissary subsistence,
November, 1929, aid.de camp 10 General Gaines.
from April 81, for five years, during which time
he was January, 1892 acting assistant adiu.
tant general captain September, 1885 distin-
gulshed under Col. Worth, in Florida war, brew
cited major, and brevetted lieutenant colonel
for Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma assist.
ant adJutant general to General Zachary Tavlor
frank major) July 7, ls45 major third infantry,
december, ls4s relinquished staff appoint.
ments inspector general frank of colonei) June
~, 1850, and relinquished rank in the line re-.
signed April 29, 1858 .-.
After resigning bis position in the army, he
took up his residence in Chester County, and
devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. Upon
the breaking out of the rebellion, he was called
from his peaceful seclusion and willingly devoted
his great military attainments to the cause of
his country. He was appointed major general
OF Pennsylvania volunteers, and brigadier gen.
eral in the service Of the United States, and
with the most comnendable energy, organized
and disciplined the Pennsylvania reserve corps,
OF which he became commander
Correspondence OF the N. Y. World.
On BOARD TRANsPoRT, JAMES RIvse,l
Tuesday evening, July l.
Events have eliminated. More history has
been made. Physical nature demands rest, but
duty and the public demand the facts. Another
terrible battle has been fought Our weary, worn,
half-famished troops, whose nobleness has never
known an equal, have again added to their fame
by honoring their country.
MONDAY MORNING.
Yesterday, while Porter was pushing for the
river, Eeintzelman's and Summers corps moved
down the Williamsburg road toward White Oak
Swamp. The enemy Immediately got Up his
columns and followed. He seemed to spread
himself out like fan, for before noon be was
found to be advancing upon every road leading
from Richmond-the Williamsburg the Charles
City, the Central, and the New Market as well
as from the direction of Bottoms Bridge.
" OUR PREPARATIONS.
All the indications were thit the enemy pre-
meditated fight. Mischief was in bis eve. Every
time his artilerists thought they saw q white
topped wagon, bang" would 20 the angry can.
non, and some poor teamsIer would imagine his
day of judgment had come. 49,. ."-
Gen. Heintzelman had charge of the column
by seniority, and made the dispositions for the
day, so as to efectually prevent any fisukine
movements, and at the same time to protect ali
the approaches and give ample room for the
transportation to get out Of the way, which had
been moved from White Oak Swamp, and were
being FASTENED toward James river with all Dos.
sible speed, and yet without confusion.
H.. THE POSITION. '....
Our position in this battle was a. follows. d.
keyes had taken possession of the road leading
from White Oak Swamp to the river, and Smith
was placed on it in his rear, 80 as to prevent any
movement on the right flank, at the same time
holding the road to Long Bridge. Next on the
lett was Summers corps, Of Richardson's and
Sedgwick's divisions. Connecting with Sumner
on the left (as you face Richmond) was Heintzel.
mans two divisions of five proven heroes-Kear.
ney and Hooker Slocum and Mccall were held
in reserve. Though bu. little time WAS given
for preparation, yet our line, though fully three
miles long, was reformed so as to prevent the
enemy from passing either OF our flanks by any
of the four roads by which he advanced.
THE ACTION.
Generally speaking, the action was 6t coun-
terpart. in severity, 70 those already fought, and
adds fesrfuly to the list OF casualties now already
swollen beyond belief by the dreadful contests of
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday last.
I have the same magnificent action of our
troops to record the same self-sacrifcing devo.
ton was exhibited; the same bravery and un.
finching vslor in rank and file; their charges:
their repulses, their losses, and their gains
THE ATTACK ON SUMNER.
The fight opened With artillery about o'clock.
The firing was not very severe at first. and seem.
ed divided about equally between Sedgwick and
the wagon trains. About o'clock an advance
in large force was made against Sedgwicks and
Richardson's fronts, and the action became hot
and bloody. The enemy attacked this corps
from two positions, right and left Slocums
division was called to the assistance of the right,