Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-07-09

who controlled the troops already mentioned
supported by powerful train OF srtl iefy' regu-
lar and volunteer.
Meantime all the trains and equlpage OF the
right wing were Withdrawn to Trent's Blafi' on
the right bank Of the river, during the night
and our wounded were conveyed to the hospltsl
At SAVAGE station-to be deserted alas, to the
enemy they had beaten. Al these facts lndl-
Gated danger. But other evidences of 1t were
not wanting.
PREPARATIONS FOR RENEWED CONFLICT.
BY DAYLIGHT. Friday morning, Gen. Mccall
had fallen back TO the rear of Gaines Mill, and
in front Of Woodbury's bridge, where he was
posted his left Joining the right of Butterheld S
bricade resting in the woods and near the
swsmps of ChickahominY Morell was on his
right, in the center, and Gen. Sykes, command
ing 5000 regulars and Duryea's zouaves held
the extreme Tight-the line occupying crests Of
ills near the New Kent road, some distance
east by south of Gaines Mills a portion of
the position was good, but judieious general
ship might have found better aud especially
It might have been amended by posting the left
flank upon s swamp which was impossible be-
yond peradventure Besides, the line was so
disposed that il was next to impossible to use
our artillery advantageous-the very arm IN
which we have enjoyed undoubted superiority.
Nothing definite had yet been heard of the enc
my, but 1t was assumed that he would appear
stronger than yesterday Accordingly, Gen.
Slocum's division (about 5000 strOng) was moved
across the river to support Porter, although it
was deemed hazardous in consequence of
pending attack along orr whole front But
there was no alternative Gen. Mcclellan had
only so much material, and it was imperative
that he should use it according to unavoidable
necessity. Thus far l carry the reader in this
history The story Of the battle is narrated by
a friend, to whom had intrusted the right wing,
to secure the benefits Of division Of labor. He
writes of the
BATTLE or GAINES MILL, FRIDAY, JUNE 9TH.
The battle opened about one O'Clock by skir-
mishing, particularly in front of Grifith's brig
ade, near the mill, and by an artillery attack
from the battery planted in the orchard near the
Gaines House. Tue enemy felt our position
rapidly, and along the whole line at the same
time, showing that he was in full force. By two
o clock there had been several conflicts between
opposing regiments, without any particular re-
suit, save that cur men steadily maintained their
line. About this time Gen. Grifith's brigade,
whose front was covered by Berden's sharpshoot-
ers, advanced through to the edge Of the woods
toward Gaines mill, and made the first import
ant opening of the battle The enemy at once
replied The 9th Massachusetts,. Col. CsSs, a
strong and brave regiment, with the 4th Michi-
gan and l4th New York, had the principal posi-
ton. The 62d Pennsylvania took position On
the extreme right, where the enemy appeared
very strong, Weeden's Rhode Island battery,
from position in rear of the woods, piled shell
and solid shot with accuracy and effect. This
was the earliest collision between our forces and
the enemy.
ON TIE RIGHT.
The action Immediately began with vigor on
the extreme right, held by Gen Sykes division,
composed of Gen. Warmers, Col. Buchanan's
and Col. Chspman's brigades. These brigades
supported Weeds, Edwards and IidbalPs bat
teres, all regulars. The enemy attacked very
fercely, charging repeatedly, but were as often
repulsed.
ON THE LEFT.
The enemy delayed their assault upon our left
for some time, though MaTtindale's brave fellows
who were exceedingly we'll posted, gave them
several very destructive volleys, which caused
them to reeoil with shattered columns up over
the bill, down which they had advanced. A
brilliant episode occurred on the left Of Martin
dale's brigade where the 18Th New York, and
the fre-proof and scared veterans Of the "a
Maine were posted.l A brigade Of Alebamians
moved up over the crest Of a hill in splendid
style even, ready and resolHle, with arms at
right shoulder shift ready for a charge. Up
and al then" was the word along our Iiiye, and
the two regiments which had lain concealed in
the low growth Of timber in the valley, sprsng
to their feet, aud one piercing, terrible yolley OF
death-deGling minnies was poured into the ranks
Of the confident enemy
The grey coats fled IN terror and dsmsy, dis
charging only few random shots. The range
was so close that the whites of the eyes of the
rebels could almost be distinguished. The hill
was cleared as though swept by hurricane.
One Of the regiments left their coIors and battle
flag upon the field The regimental color was
secured by Col Roberts, of the I'd Maine, and
the battle flag by Capt Sullivan, OF the 18th
New York, who followed the retreating enemy
and secured it. Capt. Sullivan found the field
literally covered with the rebel dead, there being
oyer eighty near the spot where the coloTs fell.
BUTTERFIELD's BRIGADE.
The gallant men of the famous light brigade,
as already stated, had the important position Of
the extreme left Of our line. Their right rested
near the New Bridge road, and their left extended
into the woods, Joining Martindales right.
They were somewhat sheltered by ditch fence,
and, when in position, looked mp the hill through
an open field, on the top Of which the enemy
took position. They formed in line of battle,
the 44th New York supported by the 10th Mich
igan, and the SD Pennsylvania by the 18th
New York The 18th New York, of this brig
ade, as noted elsewhere, had been sent on
special duty to another pOint.l Aliens Massa-
ehusetts battery took up position on the light
Of the brigade, aud battered the enemy iercely
AT THREE O'CLOCK
The action had become general along the
whole line. Stonewan Jackson's column had
formed junction with Lee, and soon attacked
cur rignt with great Vigor and pertinacity, but
be met CALLING FIRE from Edwards Martins,
and Wcedin's batteries, which sent him reeling
back in disorder. Again he gathered his col
umns, supported them by fresh troops, again ad-
vanced, extending bis lines as if to flank our
right, and renewed the attack with greater fe
rocity than ever to be again repulsed with ter
rible slaughter. Sykes regulars and WaTren's
brigade in which are the Duryea Zouaves and
Bsadix's 10Th New York regiment played brill
liant part IN this portion Of the engagement,
the Zouayes especially fighting with despera-
ton and tenaeity only 10 be expected from such
superior men. They suffered largely, their Pc
culisr uniform being the especial mark OF ten
thousand rebel soldiers.
TIE FLANK MOVEMENT
the enemy against our right did not sue
ceed. We extended our line at the same time,
and when Jackson was repulsed the third time,
he withdrew from that part Of the field and did
not renew the attempt.
on THE CENTER.
The tactics Of the enemy were soon apparent
| 1t was IN massing troops and making sudden
onsIaughts on this and then on that portion oI
our columns, by which he expected to break
! them somewhere, and defeat if not rout US. His
next movement was against our ce0teT. Part
/ Of Jackson's column, reinforced by a large body
] from HIS division, now made desperate onset
against the center, the North Carolina regiments
/ being placed in front, and literally compelled tC
! fight Here the conflict was long and bloody
and ragged for nearly two hours with great vic
lence- The columns suIged backward and for
ward, first one yielding and then the other Al
idea of the great magnitude of this portion o
the fight may be obtained, when l say that thii
part Of the line was suceessively reinforced b.
McCaiTs reserves, the brigades of Gems. New