The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-07-11

which has taken US time to learn, has placed
an immense advantage in their hands. Be-
ginning with the fight at Mechanicsville on
Thursday, our advance forces, while steadily
falling back, have had continuous running
fight. On Friday one of the severest battles
which was ever fought on this continent oc-
Cured on the right Of the Chickahominy, near
Gaines Hill. On Saturday. after our forces
had retired in good order across the creek
and destroyed the bridges, We were attacked
in front of our encampments. but Gen Smith
repulsed the enemy, leaving the ground
s:rewn with his dead. On Saturday morn
ing, the arrangements having been completed,
the wagon train was started on its way to
James river, and was followed on Sunday
morning by the artillery and commissaries'
train. Meantime the enemy, getting scent o!
our movement, strongly reconnoitered our
front, and finding that several of our positions
had been abandoned, pushed in and attacked
US vigorously. Gems Hooker and Richardson
drove them back, and Gen Meagher's bri-
gade, always on hand at the right time,
charged, and captured two of their guns.
There were, on Saturday, about one thou
sand of the wounded and sick, chiefly accu-
mulated from the battle of Friday. many Of
whom it was found impossible to remove,
owing to the nature and severity of their
wounds, and as matter OF humanity, as well
as of necessity, they were left behind. A
great many, however, who could walk slowly.
followed the track of the army, and the am
balances brought away a great many others.
Gen Hooker's division broke camp in the
intrenchments at 3 o'clock Sunday morning.
and Gen Sickles' and Growers brigades pro-
ceeded to the outposts to relieve Gen Patter-
sons New Jersey brigade. AT ) o'clock a. m.
the three brigades fell back to the second line
of redou5.s, where they formed line of bat
tie with Richardson's and kearney's divisions
and remained until S o'clock p. m. On dis
covering that Gen Hooker had fallen back,
the enemy advanced his scouts with two field
pieces, and opened a brisk fire upon his rear,
along the line of the railroad. Gen Meaghers S
brigade made a movement on both the enc
my's aanks, while the SSth New York charged
in front, and captured two Of their guns
The enemy then fell back under cover of the
wood. None were killed in Hooker's d.
vision.
Sedsewick's division crossed the creek al
White Oak Swamp about o'clock a. m.
Monday. His rear was not annoyed during
the night. keyes' and Porter's divisions had
already preceded US on the march. and had
reached a position on the James river, near
Turkey Island, which is about ten or twelve
miles above City Point. The engineer bri.
gade of Gen Woodbury. preceded the army
and constructed corduroy roads where they
were necessary. At the Four-mile Creek, a
bridge was built across the run. At the
White Oak Swamp Creek two bridges were
also constructed by the same valuable corps
One for the passage of the main army train
and the other to accommodate Gen Heintzel.
mans division. who with Hooker and Rich
ardson, covered the retreat. As the army
resumed its march Oh Monday morning, in,
formation was received. through Gen Rich.
ardson. that the enemy were pursuing, and
orders were given TO destroy the bridges.
The retreat was conducted in the most per
feet order. There was no trepidation ol
haste; no smashing up of wagons by careles:
or fast driving, and not a single accident o
any consequence is believed to have occurred
4 drove of 900 fat cattle. under the charge
of Col Clark, chief commissary, and Capt F
NJ. Buchanan, commissary of subsistence OF
Gen McClellan's staff, were successfully driver
along.
When an aid of Gen Mcclellan rode bacl
and reported that the WAY was all open Il
James river, thrill of relief ran through tn
whole line. and the sight Of the green field
Skirting its banks was indeed an oasis in tn
terrible desert of suspense and apprehension
through which they had passed. The team
8 were now put upon 4 lively trot in order 4
relieve the pressure upon that portion stii
, in the rear. Gen Mcclellan and staff rod
ahead and took possession of the old estat
known as Malvern Hills, owned by B. /
Drew, one mile back from Turkey Islam
Bend. Gen Mcclellan expressed the opinio
that with brief time to prepare, the positio
j., could be held against any force the enem
g can bring against US.
At o'clock p. NJ. firing was heard in th
o direction of White Oak Swamp, where it
), supposed Ayers was holding III check III
;, rebel force who were attempting to cross
This continued for nearly two hours, whe
:, sudden and heavy firing began further to tt
left, in the direction of Charles City eros
roads. At this point an immense body
- fresh troops, with artillery and cavalry, ha
% made their appearance direct from Richmon
% and were engaging our batteries still left
guard the road
,s Members Of staff and messengers hurried
49, mounted and rode to and fro with importai
\. orders to the commanding officers. II
70 wagons were drawn up on the right of Il
field as a kind of breastwork, and the irool
were disposed in line Of battle at the ives