Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-06-30


most determnedly. Their artillery was 10 poorl v
served that the damage to our ranks was light In
proportion. They still moved on and exchanp ed
showers Of Minnie balls, which wer destructive
on boto sides, put when Gen. Porter ordered g
bayonet charge they retreaied In double Quick,
distance.
The enemy again rallied and approached our
lines second time, when the same terrible
Slaughter ensued; this time their artillery beipp
better served was more effective on the ranks Of
our men. On coming to close quarters they were
again repulsed, and driven back still greater
distance this rwice-fought over battle. ground
being literally strewed with the dead and diving
General Porter then second time fell back to his
| to renew the assault. They, however, finally
came on In increased numbers, having been
largely reinforced, and were again received with
shell ond grape, causing great chasms In their
ranks and one poor fellow who had lost his arr
assured me that he saw the loose arms and por-
tons Of the bodies Of the enemy making gyra.
lions through the air. A third time the enemy
bore down most bravely and determined on our
lines, and this connctwas the most severely con
tested Of the whole but when the bayonet was
brought TO bear he fell back and was pressed to-
ward Richmond fully mile beyond our original
| lines
Again, for the fourth time, Gen. Porter fell
back to his FIRST position, when an order was re.
| ceived from Gen. Mcclellan 20 continue his
retrogade movement slowly and in order. SO
| soon as 1t became apparent to the enemy that II
| was the purpose Of Gen. Porter to retire, the
| enemy again pushed. forward most boldly and
| bravsly, when their advance was checked by the
| entire reserve force consisting Of the New York
| 5th, Lieut.. Colonel Duryea, the New York l0th,
Col. Benedix, and two other regiments, under
/ command Of Col. Warren, actIpg Brigadier
General, and the entire force Of regulars under
l Msjor Genl Sykes. This fresh force held the
| enemy In check whilst the force which had pre-.
viously bore the brunt Of the battle moved steadily
| back and In good order, carrying with them
| their wounded and dead
l The enemy made a fierce attack on the reserve,
l but cannon were posted ut various points OF the
i route by which they were retiring towards the
/ CbickahominY, which occasionally poured In sho,
and shell upon them, and checked their move.
/ ments and enabled the troops to move back In the
| most admirable order. At one time In this retro
l gade movement the reserve force Of Gen. Sykes
l charged on the enemy with the bayonet and drove
| him back nearly q mile. In this charge tn gal.
LIANT New York 5th and Col Benedix's New York
10th drew forth the plaudits Of the army by theil
l steadinsss and bravery, In which they however
| Lost abo ut q hundred Of their numbers, who's.
/ bodies IL was necessary to leave on the field
/ Cheers went up along our whole lines st this gal.
| LIANT repulse, which was ut three O'Clock In u,
afternoon, and the enemy did not again renew
| the attack during the balance Of the evening bu
| turned his columns down towards the Whit,
House, which seemed to be the haven Of all hii
hopes. The division Of the enemy despatched II
| this direction was estimated at from twenty 4
| thirty thousand, cavalry, artillery and Infantry
They started down at three o'clock on Friday az
I ternoon.
STATEMENT OF A PAYMAsrER. .as
In conversation with paymsster, who wal