, 1862-07-07

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at Charles City. Gen. McCau,s division came
next. Then followed other divisions In regu-
lar order, Gems. Hooker nud kearney bring
mg up the rear and covering the retreat.
On two or three occasions the rebels made
attempts to flank Hooker and K=arney, but
they were unsuccessful each time The retreat
wa6 conducted in perfect order.
The main body OF the army WIS now at
Charles City, distant from James River, by
one road Elk miles, and by another fifteen
mics.
at point opposite Turkey Bend.
During the Gay The Sth Illinois cavalry had
been sent over the road, fifteen miles in length,
ard which ran through dense Woods In cif-
cuitous manner, 10 ascertain II It Was clear.
They reported fayorably, md at about dark
8 trAin of transportation wagons, preceded by
the 8th Illinois cavalry, commenced moving
toward James Rirer. Keyes' corps brought
up the rear of this column. The column
reached point two miles west OF Carter'5
Lending at an early honr Monday morning,
enemy.
The other road, which vas nearer Richmond,
was not SO free from the rebels. In the NOR
ming squad of cavalry was Eent out to re-
ocnnoiter, and found the enemyin possession
of tie road at a point five miles from James
concluded it Was not great.
At seyen O'Clock in the morning, the pick
cts brought word that squadron oi rebel
cavalry Has coming down this road towards
the Charles City road. We sentup tWo pieces
Of artillery and planted them in concealed
position, 60 as to command the range of the
road upon which the cavalry was approaching
when they had come sufficiently near vol
ley Of canister was poured into their collmn,
which caueed them to retreat in precipitate
manner. A number we're killed and several
wounded.
Gen. Martinda1e's brigade then marched up
and occupied the ground ut the point where
the two roads met.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF THE
PoToNAc, TURKET ISLAND, July 2, 1862. {
The following is one account Of the battles
fought in front Of Richmond On Sunday, Mon
day and Tuesday, being the 5th, 9th and 9Th
days Of the engagement: ).
On Sunday morning the corps IT Gen. Sum-
| ncr and Gen. Franklin we're left in the works ut
Fair Oaks, with Instructions TO evacuate and
! protect the baggage and supply trains on their
way to Jlmes River. They had hardly left
| their position. and were falling back on the
| rebels discovered the movement and imuedi
ately started in pursuit with their whole force.
| So rapidly did the rebels approach that oGE
officers had barely time to place their man
in position to receive then, before they were
| upon them.
TIE enemy advanced to the attack about
two o'clock, which was promptly met by oul
men. The battle lasted until dark, during
! which the enemy suffered terribly. Advanc
ipg in 8 solid mass TO within q short distance
Of our artillery, the effect OF our guns upor
their ranks vas fearful, killing and Wouadins
| them by hundreds.
At dark the enemy Was repulsed and forcet
to abandon their position This battle tool
place about one and half miles from Savage
Station.
While this battle was in progress, other in,
portaut events were transpiriug. The raiirolt
bridge across the Chickahominy Was burned
and train Of t4elrc cars under full head Q
steam vas run orerbo1rd. AL the commits
Eary and guartermas' er's stores, unable to b
moved, We're committed to the flames, tc
gether with large amount of ordnance stores
The large house at the station and the adjoir
irg grounds, which were filled with sick an
wounded, whom it vas impossible to &c
away, were left under the care Of our surgeons
with all necessaries ut hand for their comfor
They numbered about 100, and are noW in tb
epemy's hands.
The troops which had fought the battle (
Sunday retired under cover Of the night
, White Oak swamp bridge, distance Of aboG
, twelve miles, there to await the advance Of tt
, eIemy. The disposition Of the troops on Mol
day, The sixth day Of battle was as follows:
l 0ci Cntlu . d1s lSlIu3 6uppJ1 LEu Dt 1C3
Naglee's brigade, occupied the right Of tt
, hrltge, Whi:e Gen. Summers and Gen. Franl
: Inns corps occu:ied the left, Gen. Heintze
nan's corps, with Gen. Mccall division, II:
: on the road to meet the enemy, who was q
preaching from Richmond. Tie enemy can
!, up boldly early in the morning, having bec
, | heavily reinforced by the troops who h;
r fought the battle Of Friday On the opposite
;. side OF the Chieka: ominy.
/ About three O'clock 1t vas evident th
e Ecme portion Of our liue must give away,
i the lebrls were constantly throwing fre
i the bridge nov t=li back to within Three aud
4 half miles Of Turkey Island, where the ilg
a was shortly afterwards renewed and eontinu
+ with the greatest determination on bo
. | sides.
: Tie loss on Monday was very heavy on bo
:. | sides.
Is During the day all the eattleand the great
:. portion OF the 1rna aportation had safe1ycro5s
! Turkey Island Bridge. Some Of the rear W
y on> had to be abandoned and fired to nj
d rcolu for the passage OF artillery.
Y morning. by the rebels, they evidently iutc1
# I'd to crush our arEy. It lasted about til,
l. hours, resulting in considerable loss TO be
n sices. The enemy then retired, leaving
Is field to our troops.
1t Tue rebels again advanced about ! o'cle
p. N. in considerable numbers, but reti1
id after being shell:d by the gunboats and ar
,e 1ery for about two hours, without com
ID near enough for musketry to became
1e | gaged.
ts TIC loss Ct our army during these seven
u gageMenst is not known, but 20, Coo is con:
e. cred to be as near an estimate as can at p1
"A ent tc given in Killed, wounded and m1ssi
M5nY Of these at present unacrounted
ts may hare struggled away through the coun
lie and L a5 hereafter return.
nf The less Of tie enemy in killed must b
4xhGY, hon f3r nj
ut | army.
MS We have taken about seven hundred pris
ers, among whom arc three lieut.
on one major. Thereported capture ct Gem
er htagrnder is probably mistake The los
,re field artillery is about thirty pieces dur
he the ttTen days.
Of: Gen Reynolds and Cspt. Kingsbnry Of
act stsd wire taken prisoners, as also Col. Ste
ton OF Michigan.
Gen. Meade Of Pennsylvania was seye
wounded. Gen. Burns was wounded In
as face. Gen. Sumner and Gen. HeintzeIs
'N but never left the field. Gen. Mccall
on seen to fall from his horse during the ba1
he. and was taken prisoner. The extent OF
inv injuries is ro' known. Gen. Gos!in Of
III ! 54th Pennsylvania regiment was killed. g
m Gamble Of the 9Th regular cavalry, was
~ wounded in the fsce.
b,t The army is now eneamped on high rol
Nv ground on the blDks Of the james RI
;ng fifteen mills. frnm Richmond. The t.
; Il ports are a1read5 unloading supplies at
1n5 Tlaryee.
~ ~. The commanding general feels confde1
hat successfully meeting any attack the eu
no ma: nuke upon Ills present position Th
~. infoTcements the rebels received from be;
gard and jackson gave them 4 force do
Tho / that of the army Of the Potomac, and mai
,rv- \ the prisoners taken during the battle belc
| n EUnJ