The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-06-07

Our Potomac Army Correspondence.
BANKS or THE CMCKAxoMNY, June 2, 1852
ne Battle gf BoHom's Bridge-FightM Carnage on Both
Ssds-zscissmess in Camps-1Areats~od Advance Upa
Rich@9~d-TAe Cniekahominy Dams Dssroycd-Gsneras
AC7eun Satisfed wiA ne ResuHs-Di6icuties Of Car
rspondests- Ifssmoss a. 10 tie 0unboats, de-, DC.
Yca haye doubtless received accounts Of the nrst
days fighting at Bottoms Bridge between the left wing
q tho army under Generals Casey Ssdgwick and others
and superior force or rebels.
The greatest excitement pervadsd the other portions OF
The army and at mc the entire centre held under
orders to portion Of right under Porter and
FRANKLIN, actually marched to re Chickahominy when
their advance recalled. During Saturday afternoon
aad Sunday mornug the sat brsathlessly in camp
hearing the incsssant voeys Of cannon and muskstry
and reckoning the probable turn the battle by the
changes in the direction Of the firing.
The reports were distinctly heard al White House
nsary thirty miles away and the first impressions there
received unfavorable to our. cause. The suffers
and pic bakers and vendors OF newspapers there congrs
gated were at once stricken with dismay. They were
+. IN fact, upon the point Of smigratng, and . num-
Der Of frame shantiss sheds In process OF erection
were stopped for . season, until the final reports
re sstabshed things upon the old basis There little
doubt that when full history Of the batts Of Bottoms
Bridge s written II ever, will be found Of the
most sanguinary and peculiar battles fought in
rsgiments-some from the same state acting polroons
and some heross--the odd in which the en-
gagemsnt commenced, and apparently insxplcable way
in which the tide Of shifted; than all
the mystery with which parts Of the action are en-
voloped, 80 that even at headquarters completely
lucid and acuratc account Of the action be cleaned
these Of the difficulties battle tho clronicer
but enough known enable state that the battle
terminated glcriously for the Onion arms.
The enemy was driven four miles towards Richmond,
and camps now occupy advanced position In the
direction OF the rebel capital We captured OF his
generals, recovered part Of upwards Of
thousand Of his troops and charged him with the point
OF the bayons t he fed panic stricken and almost
razcd Had ths Chickahominy been fordabc we should
have pushed the whoio army the stream, and
completed triumph by the occupation OF Richmond.
Unfortunately heavy rains had swollen the stream, so
that the bridge where sedgwck crossed Saturday
OF floating logs Sunday The pontoon bridges
had not been completed, and the roads a condi
zion positively impossible for artillery. wswers there
fore compelled to abb ndon the idea OF immediate pur-
suit, and walt fer the elements to abate.
I visited the field, however, on Sunday noon, and
noted Tho usun n nAcatons OF great battle Wounded
hobbiry hithcr and thther, saving their
wounds with smile, others faintng and groaniDg in
aud friendly shoulder. 'sse,s he said, with pse
smile, "here * the ball that took OF my nnse at-
tened yaiist my hip b0ne.' he ooked at aSDoIdly
Ms IL Il lad been regal diamond
General sumner slightly wounded In tho scalp at
this battle and General Casey received painful wound
Sn the leg About twelve hundred rebel deed we're
found on the neld The rebcl General Johnston Is be-
eved TO have been wounded, and hero vague state
mcns TO two MINOR generals the oer side being
killed The rebel force engaged consisted OF dt
visions, or secsns Of fts ,ohos army. They planned
the attack after the dronching rain Of Friday,
and cut the dams the rppu Caickdhomiay
90 effect tho complete separation OF tho LETT wing froIn
tho centre and rghto our army. In this they al
successful both Bottoms Bridge adjacent
military bridge were almost entirely destroyed and the
water ovcrowed the dikos OF tho oek and covered
tho surrounding meadows.
The brisades OF Daniel r. sckcs ana Thomas Francis
Neaghcr ad the best lighting OF the day and We'd with
each other in gallant doeds. General Mcclellan stated
day that ne boyost charges Of these too bQades se
the NEST stubborn, sangnnc,V and enoi of aedsrn tunes.
Again and again they advanced with cold steel ar
as vigorously met by The enemy. In one place on
the field OF carnage three found on each siie
that bad fallen by mutual thrusts. Who shall say hare
after that volunteers viii not stand tbo bavonats
III Bottoms Bridge for The frat time tho antaSonsla
parred aud thrust unchingly. and revived the fabed
"reminiscences Of Wagram and Waterloo.
General Mcclellan crossed tho military bridge, below
lotions Bridge, on sunday afternoon, returning from
rsitto tho ned Of bste. lie was obliged 10 dsmOunt
and lead his horse the drifting ard perilous tim.
I9rs Onrcsching the ohcs side hs xrassod himself
~ rroatly delighted the general result hcadnuar-
lers was IN tina best possible s,irlts bulletin was
sent 10 the division commanders, and by them
transmitted IL each regiment IN The setyiee, follows
rhc Division General states, or the hencnt o. the
troops that to enemy Ry0 been reused at every point
whero they have appelrel"
lbis announcement received with glad cheering
that probably frightened tho eramy rang through
fhc cainrs md re-eclroed across the crseS.
tho grand army must now cross the Chckahominy be.
fore the close of the present week Thsre ars ndsons
tnst will before this letter II mailed. What
viii then ensUo know inlperiscty. ky own impfss.
sion tina, w shall hght and that shs passage Of the