The Nevada Democrat., 1862-08-12
gerada aemutrat.
THE SEVEN DAYS BATTLE.

THE SEVEN DAYS BATTLE.
The accounts of the late fighting before
Richmond, given by correspondents ofNew
York papers, are graphic and highly inter.
esting. The first battle OF the series was
fought at MechsnicsvilIe, on the 25th of
June, and was continued on the 26th, the
Federals falling back to Gaines Mill,
where one of the most sangunary engage
ments Of the war occurred on Friday, the
9th. On Friday night. orders were given
for the retreat Of the army TO James river,
the main body crossing White Oak Swamp.
There was no general engagement on Sat
urday, the most of the day being occupied
in starting the provision and ammunition
trains for the new base of operations, aud
10 providing, as far as was possible, for the
sick aud wounded. A correspondent thus
describes the preparation for retreat:
1t was generally understood at daylight
on Saturday also that the army was to
evacuate its line of entrenchments. To do
this with the requisite precipilancy it was
necessary to move only the most essential
baggage, and leave everything that was
pOndeIOns or bulky. The officers were
given TO understand that they must dis
criminate between necessariesland luxuries
aud The sick told that ambulances could be
granted TO very few, If any. The wounded
were told nothing; but the silence was
0minOus TO them, as ii fOretold them left
on contested ground in the hands of heart
less traitors, while the army should be re.
ceding, column by column, toward the re.
mote aud doubtful James. The scene on
that memorable Saturday morning can nev.
er be fOrgOtten--White House resigned our
supply depot cut off, part of our line of
earthwOrks deserted. aud the army group
ed tentless aud expectant, in the open field
sleeping after the abOTs Of the battle Hun.
dreds of soldiers we're limping hither and
thither, their arms in slings, asking for
their regiments. The long lines of fevered,
staggering people struck out for the river,
and many drop OF blood spattered the
sand as they filed through brook and wood,
over hill and dale, nerved by the certainty
that every football ensured more directly
their deliveTence The ambuances were
crowded with men until the springs beht
fiat upon the axles, and very common
matter to zee was several wounded men
sitting in the tail Of the wagon with bloody
feet dripping upon the steps. All day long
the wagons went out in fOggy files, and the
troops sauntered toward the same ultima
thule.
A thousand or more wounded and sick
were left in hospital, and by five O'Clock
on Sunday morning, the whole army was
moving towards White Oak Swamp. Two
severe engagements occurred this day, in
both Of which the rebels were beaten back.
The first took place OIL Aliens farm, 10 The
forenoon, and lasted from eight o'clock till
twelve-our forces losing about hundred
aud fifty men, and the rebels not less than
thousand. Having held their ground
until the teams were far across White Oak
Swamp, the Federals fell back leisurely TO
Savage's Station, where another and more
sanguinary conflict occurred, which lasted
from five o'clock in the afternoon until
eleven at night. At midnight the Federas
continued their march across the swamp,
being compelled to leave all their dead and
many of their wounded. By five o'clock
on Monday morning the troops bad crossed
the swamp, Gen. Richardson bringing up
and protecting the rear. The rebels having
crossed by another route attacked our for
ces about ten O'Clock in the morning, and
a murderous Ggbt was kept up until night.
This, by some correspondents is called the
battle Of White Oak Swamp-by others, Of
Nelson's Farm. The enemy was again
driven back, but not sufficiently beaten to
prevent bic continuing the pursuit the next
morning.
On Tuesday, July Jst. occurred the bat
tie Of Malvern Hills-the last, most fercely
contested, aud perhaps the most sanguina-
ry of The series. 1t is thus Inscribed by
correspondent:
AT eight o'clock Tuesday morning, our
forces having been concentrated at this
point, the line Of battle was formed, Gen.
Franklin holding the right. resting on the
James river. aud Gen. Porter the extreme
left. Gems Keys and Heinlzelman occupy.
ing the center. Gen. Summers corps was
held IN reverse. At nine o'clock the rebels /
opened the battle with heavy fire of ar !