New Oregon plaindealer. (New Oregon, Iowa) 1859-1866, 1862-07-11

Turkey Island, July ,.
The following is an account of thu
battles fought in front of Richmond or
Sunday. Mono y, and Tuesday, being
the fifth, sixth, and seventh, days o
the engagement :
"On Sunday morning the corps o.
Gen. Sumner and Gen. Franklin were
left in the works at Fair Oaks, with
instructions to cvacuate and protcc
the baggage and supply trains on thci,
way to James River. They had hard
]y left their position, and were falling
back on the railroad and Williamsburg
turnpike, when the rebels discovered
the movement and Immediately started
in pursuit with their whole force. So
rapidly did the rebels approach that
our officers had barely time to place
their men in position to receive them
before they were upon them.
THE enemy advanced to the attack
about 2 o'clock; which was promptly
met by our men. The battle lasted
until dark, during which the enemy
suffered terribly. Advancing in solid
mass to within short distance Of our
artillery, the effects Of our guns upon
their ranks was fearful, killing and
wounding them by hundreds.
Eat dark the enemy was rcpulsed
and forced to abandon their position.
The battle took place about one and a
half miles from Sayage's Station.
"While this battle was in progress
other important events were transporting
The railroad bridge across the Chicka.
homiry was burned and train oftwel~s
cars under full head Of steam was
overheard. All the commissary and
quartermaster s stores, unable to be
moved, were committed to the flames,
together with large amount of ordn-
ance stores. The large house at the
station and the adjoining grounds,
which were filled with sick and woun-
ded, whom it was impossible to get a.
way, were left under the care Of our
surgeons, with all .necessaries at hand
for their comfort. They number about
700 and are now in the enerny's hands.
"The troops which had fought the
battle Of Sunday retired under cover Of
the night to White Oak swamp bridge,
u distance Of about twelve miles, there
to await the advance of the enemy.
The disposition of the troops on Mon
day, the sixth day of battle was as fol-
lows
Gen. Smiths division, supporte d
by Gen, Nag!e's brigade, occupied the
right of the bridge, while Gen. Sumner
and Gen. Franklin's corps occupied the
left. Gen, Hcintzclman's corps, with
Gen. McCall's division was out on the
road to meet the enemy, who was ap-
preaching from Richmond. The en-.
envy came up boldly in the morning
having been heavily reinforced by the
troops who had fought the battle Of
Friday on the opposite side ofthe Chick.
ahominy..
"About 5 o'clock it was evident that
some portion of our lines must give
way, as the rebels were constantly
throwing fresh troops into action. Ou'
troops in front Of the bridge now fel
back to within three and a half miles
of Turkey Island, where the fight wat
shortly afterwards renewed and con
tinued with the greatest determinatio.
on both sides.
"The loss on Monday was very heavy
on both sides.
During the day al the cattle ant
the greater portion Of the transporta
ton had safely crossed Turkey 1slan'
bridge. Some ofthc rear wagons ha'
to be abandoned and fred to make room
for the passage artillery.
"Thc fight was renewed early o.
. Tuesday morning by tho rebels, the.
) evidently intending to crush our army
. 1t lasted about three hours, resultin
, in considerable loss to both sides. Tn
!. enemy then retired, leaving the Eel
- r,1y frc ms