The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1862-07-09
THE WAR NEWS.

- q - = ~ = n n II y II " " ~ ".
The close of the pasisweek was marked
by important events before Richfno nd,
prominent among which was battle, con-
tInuing through two days. Gen. Mcclellan
has contracted his lines and massed his
troops between the Chickahominy aad
james Rivers-the latter OF which will con
stitule his base of operation until the fall of
the rebel Capital, which cannot apparently
De long delayed. White f1ouee has been
abandoned, and the right wing of the army
has been drawn in across the Chickahom-
Iny-not without considerable loss of life,
but still slight, il is believed, in comparison
with that of the rebels. The supplies for
The army will hereafter be conveyed up the
James River, under the protection OF our
gunbosis. On Friday morning the rebels
made the looked-for attempt TO turn our
right wing. The rebel division of Gen.
Jackson, which must have started tor Rich
mond Immediately afier the faseO in Shen-
andoah Valley, attacked Gen. McCall's
Division OF the Pennsylvania reserves, on
our extreme right. The action lasted for
three hours, and was brilliantly successful
on our part. Jackson was repuIsed and
severely punished. The rebels then made
a general attack on our right wing, which
was composed of Gen. Filz John Porlers's
army corps. A severe battle ensued, in
which the rebels suffered severely. In the
midst of the battle Gen. Mcclellan execu-
ted the movement for which he had been
preparing. His whole right wing CON-
menced an orderly retreat, falling back un-
til il had crossed to the south side of the
Chickahominy, in the rear of his left wing
and pushed on towards the James River -
The movement was carried out in excellent
style, everything valuable being secured,
and the rebels repulsed in their attacks up
onsour rear guard. The evacuation of the
White House was completed on Saturday,
all that was valuable being carried away,
and the remnants not worth moving burned
la this destruction the White House itself
shared, some unauthorized persons having
sci FIRE 10 it in the confusion. Our troops
there were finally put on board steamers
and taken TO Yorktown.
A correspondent of the New York Times
thus describes the battle on Thursday
About ? O'Clock, the rebels, who had
crossed the Chickahomiay at Meadow
Bridge, two miles below Mechanicsville,
attacked with artillery from across the
reser, and with strong infantry force, the
regiments composing the First Brigade of
McCall's Division--the Bucktails, The Tenth,
Eighth, Ninth and Fifth Pennsylvania Regi-
ments. They were promptly met by the
Pensylvanians, who fought them for two
houre, when the Second and Third Brigades
of McCall's Division comprising six regi
ments, reinforced their hard pressed COM
rades, and fought them until evening, re-
pulsing them at every point. Our men suf
tered very considerable loss in killed,
wounded and prisoners, something like
three hundred-the figure is merely esii-
mated-but were ready for further work
this morning and in high spirits. The
Buckiails were especially unfortunate
Two companies of them were surrounded
by the rebels. One of them succeeded in
escaping, but the other, Company K, fell
into the clutches of the Confederaies. The
Captain of the Company, Capt. Irving, after
be had been taken, took advantage of a
temporary confusion and made good his
escape. First Lieutenant Welch, of the
same company. was lett in The hands of
the rebels.
After holding the enemy in check for
four hours, McCsll's Division was rein
forced by two brigades from General Flz
John Porter, aud the rebels were again
driven back, they making further attack
with heavy loss. During the action a
severe cannonading was kept mp By both
parties, the rebels, however. failing 10 do
much damage with their shells. They ad-
yaaced upon US in great force. II is esti-
mated that at least 10000 men were
brougt by them into the fight, to make a
desperate effort 10 flank Our right. Our far
;nieTior force however, held them effect
uaIly in check and eventually drove them
back.
AluOu2 tuO hA4c0 SR tno ANoeAOhoi oAHC
were Gen McQuaii and COL S. w. Black
The latter was we.i-known politician and
orator in this State, served The country faith
fully during the Mexican war, was Gov
ernor of Nebraska for four years, and was a
brave, patriotic and generous man.
A rebe foTce of 80 900 men under Pillow
is strongly entrenched at Vicksburg, Mis-
sissippi. Gen. Halleck is preparing to at
tack and capture the rebels, who have
sent all the non.combatants out of the city
and threaten desperate resistance.
BATTLE NEAR CHARLESTON.
The United States troops under Gen.
Benham made an attack at four O'Clock on
The morning ofihe 10th instant upon the
rebel battery on James Island, and were re-
nnIsed after fonr hours hard fighting with