The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1862-07-11

oncerS Oi Dnryeas LouaVes, ueretO'
tore reported killed are alive and
we'll.
ARMY OF TIE Potomac, }
ON JANE, RivER,
Monday evening, June 80
Events Of the gravest character
have transpired within the last i've
days, touching the condition and
prospects, Of the srrny on the PENN
sula. Acting under the necessity
which the Commanding General has
long foresecn, the widely extended
lines o! tho army, with ito miles o.
well.constructed deienses, stretching
almost from Ire James river on the
Left, TO and beyond the Chickahom
iny on the right have been abandon
ed. and the army before Richmond
has fallen back to a more practica
ble line of defense and attack, upon
the james river. Hithcr the grand
army, with its immense artillery
and wagon train; its Commisea airy
and Quartermaster's stores; it's am.
munition; its cattle drovcs, Of 2, SAC
head; in fact, its entire material
horse, foot and dragons, bag and
baggage, have been transferred.--
This msncuvro, howeyor--one o'
the most difficult and dangerous for
a commander TO execute in the face
Of the enemy--has been accomplish
ed safely, though under circnm
stances OF difficulty and trial which
would have taxed the genius e 9
Napoleon. The army has been en-
gagged in constant conflict with tht
enemy for elk days, during which
their highest energies have been
taxed to the uttermost. We have
had no moment Of iepose--no op
scarcely to properly care
for the wounded and to bury the
dead.
The enemy have closely watched
every movement; and, with an ar.
my more than double that OF our
own, have had the ability to con-
stan,ly launch fresh troops upon
our rear, an advantage which they
hive been quick to discover. and rs
morseless in improving. Their per
feet knowlodgc of the roads, paths
and bridges, aud the topography o
the country, which has taken us
time 10 learn, has placed an i'm
,nense advantage in their hands,
Heaven grant that here, under III,
shadow of these hills, and with th,
90 operation Of the gunboats, OIL
overtaxed soldiers nud officers ma,
have tha, briof response which is sr
essential II them and to the exist
once oI the ariuy i'eeli.
The interruption Of all communi
caiion with the Government has, nc
doubt, convuleed the country witt
anxiety and alarm. A knowledge
OF the facts, however, will relieve
this feeling; while any effort to con
coal the truth, will not only be fruit
less, but will leave the pnb'ic to im
agine a Thousand evils which do moi
exist.
Beginning with the fight at Me
chaniceviIlo, Thursday, our advsnc,
forces, while steadily falling back
have had a continuous running fight
On Friday one Of the severes
battles which was ever fonght OF
this continent. occurred on the righ
Of the Chickshominy, near Gaines
Hill. On Saturday, after our force
had retired in good order across III
creek, and destroyed the bridges, "
we're attacked in front Of our on
campments, but Gen. Smith repuls
Cd the enemy, leaving the groun
strewn with his dead.
On Saturday morning, the al
raugements having been completed
the wagon train was started on IL
way to the James river, and wa
followed on Sunday morning by tn
artillery and commissary train.
Meantime the enemy getting seer
Of our movement, strongly recor
noitered our front, and finding th'
aevcral Of our positions had bee
abandoned, pushed in and at,acke
ne vigorously. Gems. Hooker an
Richardson drove them back, an
Gen. Meagher's brigade, always o
hand at the right time, charged, an
captured two of their guns. Tt
rebels paid a dear price for the il
formation which they olt,ined.-
The chief struggle was near Sa'
ages Station.
Anticipating a movement on OF
fright flank, the railroad bridge ov'
the Chickabominy was destroyed q
Saturday morning. The rebels. su
posing we had fallen back on Il
White House, sent large force
, Infantry, cavalry and artillery
that direction, but aftcr long, ra
/. lid and weary march. diacover,
,boy had gone on q wild goose cha
III the wrong direction. They on
'ou,d o small force OF infantry al
cavalry scattered down to guard &
rear, who fol! back and escap'
from White House Landing. T
res, was one OF those "hovllng w
derresses" which the rebels into
4 Ito leave for IA. All the Quartz
. ,nas.er's and Oounlssary stores h