Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-06-06
Great Battle at RichmOnd---UniOn
Victory!

Great Battle at RichmOnd---UnfOn
Victory!
A great battle was fought before Rich
mond on Saturday and Sunday last. The
attack was made by the rebels on Saturday
afternoon during rain storm. They rush
ed with great force upon Gen. Casey's divi-
sion driving him back, and capturing sever
al of our guns, and nearly all the camp
eouipage. In fact this division saved very
little beyond what they carried off on their
backs. The following account we take from
correspondent, writing from the field -
Gen. Casey's camp was situated in an
open cornfeld, about mile square, sur
rounded on all sides by belt of woods, and
his pickets we're posted through the woods
in front Of him distance of nearly mile.
In very short time after the firing COM
menced the enemy had driven our pickets
clear through the woods, when they were
met by our forces coming to their support
and here the severest fighting took place.
The musketry firing at this time surpass-
ed anything of the kind ever witnessed,
and it seemed as if whole brigades were fir
ing at the same instant. Our men fought
with great bravery, moving down the en-
envy at every discharge, but the vacant
places were Immediately filled from their
apparently numberless reserves.
The most terrible of the fighting occurred
just as the enemy had got through the woods
and where our reserves were drawn up TO
receive them. The most desperate courage
was displayed here upon both sides, our
regiments charging repeatedly upon the en-
envy, driving them back for while, when
they would again, in turn, get the upper
hand and drive US before them.
The loss upon both sides at this point
must have been fearful, as every inch of
ground was disputed in the most desperate
manner, and was only gained by over
whelming numbers, and by passing over
thebodies of our dead and wounded soldiers
Our batteries at this time were pouring
into the rebel ranks perfect shower of
grape and canister, moving them down in
winrows, but still they steadily, step by step,
advanced till our lines commenced to give
way, when they charged upon our batteries,
and succeeded in capturing seven guns,
which we were unable 10 remove, owing to
the horses having been killed.
The enemy were now in possession of
our camp and had turned our guns upon
our retreating columns, while the infantry
continued to follow them up as closely as
possible.
Casey's division fell back TO the Seven
Pines, where the division of Gen. Couch
was drawn up behind rife pits.
The battle ragged fiercely here for time,
when Gen. Couch fell back, with considera-
BILE loss, short distance, but finally succeed
ed in making a successful stand till The arri-
val of reinforcements from Gen. Hentzle-
man, whose troops were pouring in on the
railroad as left the field, and, learn, sue
ceeded jointly in checking the enemy and
retaking part of the ground lost during the
day. What the casualties were in COUGHS
division it is impossible to learn at the pre-
sent time of writing, as it is near dark, and
those whose statements can he relied upon
are still on the field. / learn that Peck
and Devens' brigades were actively engag.
GU SuhtlCu bOsS- biit Cdt
learn nothing reliable from the balance.
About four o'clock word was sent to Gen
Sumner TO bring up his corps, which wer,
encamped beyond the Chickahominy. They
crossed the bridge built by his troops, Blu
three miles above Bottom Bridge, and des
| ignaied by the name of Grapevine bridge
The last of them crossed about seven o'clock
and marched directly to the front, wher,
they will be ready for whatever may tran
spine in the morning.
SECOND DAY.
On Sunday morning as soon as i. wa
light, the battle was renewed by Gen. Helm
tzleman and Sumner, and the tide turned
everywhere our forces were victorious
The battle lasted nearly all day, durin
which we gained all that was lost on Satur
day.
Our loss in the two days engagement. i
killed and wounded, will amount to abou
5000. A great number are missing VIII
will probably return, having strayed away
All of the enemy's killed aud most of thei
wounded fell into our hands. The countr
in which the battle was fought is swamp,
e with thick underbrush, and most of the fish
ing was done in the roads. Owing to III
nature of the ground very little artiller
: was used. Both balloons were up nearl
: all day yesterday. All the troops left Ricl
n moDd and marched out in the direction
!, the battle field.
The dead rebels left on the field amou
TO over 1900. Our troops made four sep
rate charges with the bayonet on Sunda
In one instance the enemy were driven
: mile, during which LIS rebels were kille
, by the bayonet alonei
:, Fall Of COfinth.