Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-07-03
FROM McCLELLAN,S Array.
he AtlRpk on NInrdaN-H nheia X nHfed


From correspondence Phila inquirer, July /
The captain Of the Jacob Bell substantiates the
report that the rebels tried 10 press In between
Gen. McCleUan's LETT and James River, on Mon
day afternoon, but the gunbOas having felt them
out in the timber, opened a heavy fire on them,
which being Joined in by the infantry, routed the
rebels with great loss
In the disturbed state Of the camps after the
battle IL was difficult to find any two who would
agree about the various items Of news floating
around. Accordingly there have been various
errors put a1oat which will not boar investigation
IL has been stated that Gen. Porter lost oil his
batteries, but this Is not the case. Perhaps there
were some twenty obtained from US, and not
more.
tery, while DehaTt, Kerns and others lost several
each.
While the Eighth PennsYlvania Cavalry were
scouting about the country b tween Sayage's
station and the nearest point thence to the James
River, last Sunday, they fell in with a North
Cavalry regiment, and after brief skirmish
succeeded in killing several, woundng number,
and taking thirty priIoreFs.
The Prince De- JoinvilIe Comte De Paris and
the Duo De Charities, ltf. the headquarters of
General McClelian's army On Monday afternoon
last, and came down the James River to Fortress
Monroe, in the gun boat Jacob Bell. General
Mcclellan accompanied them Oh board, and re-
NAMED for some period, no doubt for the pur-
pose OF bidding them Gdieu, the two Princes,
II Is understood, have detached themselves from
the arduous dUles OF the field.
AN EXPEDITION Up THE APGOM,TTOx RIVER.
Last saturday, the Monitor, Island Belle, Step
ping Stones, ann one or two other gunboats, went
short distance up the AppOmattox, in order to
ascertain the probabilities attending an fort to
destroy the railroad bridge at Petersburg. Tie
Rebels were well prepared with batteries 10 de-
fend the approaches to the city, b. either chan
nell but a short and thorough cannonading com
PEELED them TO beat q retreat and leave the works
rhey were supported by some 5, 600 infantry, w 90
Were scattered about so as to do as much damage
as possible, by picking of the gunners, or any
bady who CHANGED TO afford them all opportunity
Tne enemy kept up steady Are, but without
doing mater al damage and, as we had no In
fantrY to land and hold the earthwOrks after clear
Ing them, 1t seemed OF little TO waste time and
powder on them. Several attempts were made by
the different boats 70 get up the deepest channel,
near enough TO fire the bridge, but they proved
Intellectual, and, besides that, when the island
Belle was engaged In testing the feasibility Of
passing up to the bridge, she grounded, and all
attempts 10 relieve her were unavailinE
ETte enemy soon observed her condition, and
having brought their guns TO bear on her, COM
menced rapid fire upon her All feasible means
having besn applied 70 remove her, but in vain :,
she wds fred, and the necessary quantity Of pow
der placed where its ignition would insure the
complete destruction of the vessel. In a short
time she was beyond utility, and the crews Of the
balance OF tue vessels having q red coal field and
q large depot building, returned into the James
river. The Island Belle was quite favorlte lit
tie boat, and was well known last season as do
idg good service on the Potomac. Her armament
was lig ht, as Is usual with vessels ef her size,
carrying about one % FOUNDER and a couple Of
howitZers.