The Placer herald., 1862-08-23
The Great Seven DAYS Battle.

We gather the following condensed narratives
Of the great Chichakominy battles from the diff
erent correspondents of the New York papers
There was fight on Wednesday, June 25lh but
no account OF it wor'hinotcing has appeared:
THURSDAY. JrNE 26.
Tribune correspondent writes that about
P M, Thursday, Gen. McCall's division, on the
extreme right, was attacked by large body of
the enemy. The fighting was very severe till
p NJ. The enemy were driven frequently at the
point Of the bayonet. The loss on both sides was
very severe. and the advantage was with us.
Sykes division of regulars Was held in readiness
to 60 to the assistance OF Mccall, but were not
brought into action. Thursday night both 1ivi-
sions lay on their arms. During the night the
order 10 fall back was given. the trains and sick
having been previously sent forward across the
Chickahominy. The location of Thursdays bat
tie was grove four or five mi les to the eastward
of New Bridge. and about four north of Gaines
Hill.
About o'clock Friday morning the two div-
sions commenced falling back, and at sun rise
were in the neighborhood of Coal Harbor. AT
Gaines Hills, McCall's forces were attacked by
the pursuing enemy. sharp engagement ensued
when ii appeared that the enemy were in too
large y fore e, McCall's troops continued the re-
treat. Coming up to Sykes division, the Two di.
visions made Il stand. Sykes division lay in an
open field. with the woods on the immediate ri ght.
open country on the left. the woods in the rear
at u distance OF about quarter of q mile. Nc
Call division took position on the left of Sykes.
The eneI occupied the woods in front, with an
opening OF about a hundred yards in the centre.
in which the encmys artillery was planted.
Sykes artillery being on an elevation in the rear
OF the inanro. at distance Of about 900 yards.
The artillery opened, and kept up the duel about
three hours. when the enemy advanced as far rs
the edge Of the woods. when, getting With range
of grape and canister, they retired. Once a
large body advanced into the open space near
where the 5ih New York Zouaves lay, who fell
back to entice them on. The enemy stood until
they were within Il lew feet Of them, and then
broke and fled to the wood. or as many as was
not shot down, for at that short range the Zou"ves
poured a destructive fire into them. cutting down
large numbers. Our whole line advanced 10 the
woods and delivered its fire. and captured the
flags of one rcgment Re'iniorcements OF the
enemy coming up, we rCtreatcd across the field
to the artillery, the enemy pursuing in over
Whelming force. We sustained heavy loss in
passing and requesting this field Very much of Il
panic ensued with several regiments in passing
across the field; therefore, but u partial stand
was made on reaching where the artillery was
posted At this juncture the rebel cavalry char
yed across the field, when the retreat was much
FASTENED. 1t was now nearly dark. Two or
three regiments posted as reserve supports. but
had not been ordered up in time to afford il, con-
lributcd to increase the panic by retreating in
confusion. A considerable number of guns fell
int the hands OF the enemy.
Two days afterwards, on Sunday, the cores
pondent refers again to this battle Of Friday. Us
follows:
The battle of day before ycsterday-I call it
the battle of Gaines Iill-now that iorty-eight
hours have passed. is found to be one of greater
magnitude than we thought when we saw the
angry red sun go down on our beaten, if not beat
en- shattered columns. The number engaged
were as | then estimated, thirty thousand
upon our side. We have brought across the
Lhckahominy. 1000 wounlcd. The killed and
wounded lett upon the field cannot be less than
4,5UO, and still tn re 5000 to be classed as
missing. Some of these last will come in, but us
many others will slraegle into The hands of the
enemy. Nor far from twenty guns were left on
the field