The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-07-11

Call once more His division had been in
nearly all the fights. 1t was worn out. But
with hearts as true as steel they responded to
the order. simultaneously upon their adj
vance came fresh troops from Richmond, and
loud and terrific as at any time during the
six days fighting roared the contest. But
the masses of the enemy rolled along the
road. Their leaders had no care for saving
life. This was war-a strife for mastery. 1t
was their determination to win, no mater
what it cost. They rushed on impetuously,
charged upon our batteries, captured Ken
dall's and took large number OF prisoners.
Here the brave and efficient commander of
the corps, General Mccall, went down at the
head of his troops, supposed to be badly
wounded. A score of officers fell. The lines
gave way. Ii was critical moment. Now
or never was brave work to be done. Now
or never was the army to be saved. All
hearts felt it. All hands were ready. Men
lived ages in those moments. o you who
live far away among peaceful valleys on SUM-
ny hill-sides, with smiling children at Your
feet, reading this tame account, cannot know
the thrill which brave men feel when the heart
wells up from its inmost depths to dare all,
to do all that God has given to save defeat !!
Untutored men look with clearest visions in
such moments down the future ages. They
see, they feel that uncounted millions are
reckoning them to do their duty now! They
are great moments
Sedgwick came Hooker and Kearney
came Hooker with the I'd New Hampshire
and LIST and 18th Massachusetts; kearney
with the life blood of New Jersey-brave
men all of them. They rallied for a desper-
ate charge-one which has determination in
it, when every man feels that he stands at
the gateway of centuries, as Leonidas stood
at Thermopyla. Twenty-four cannon addi-
tional were brought. The united divisions
firm and unyielding as the granite of their
native mountains, moved to the charge-on-
ward, right onward, unheeding death or life
They came upon the enemy like a thunder
bolt, bore down the living masses in front as
if they were automatons, sent them flying Ov
er the fed, and captured twelve pieces o.
artillery, one brigade, including three reg
ments; also Col Pendleton of the Louisiana
battalion, and ex-Congressman Lamar of the
lst Georgia regiment.
1t was the finale. The enemy was defeat
ed at last. He had come on with higl
hopes; he retired discomftted. 1t was ;
brilliant victory. 1t inspirited our troops
Here let me speak of the influence of music
While the fight was going on, Gen Morel
ordered the bands to play. For a month
they have been silent, under orders. They
gave Yankee Doodle, the Star Splanglei
Banner, and Hail Columbia. 1t was ikt
bread to a hungry man. The troops felt the
soul-stirring strains, and forgot that they
were tired, hungry, exhausted, and ready t
faint.
THE GUNBOATS.
The rebels had thrown a body of mel
close down upon the river. The gunboats
when the fight began, moved up and opened
with ten-inch shells upon the table land.
was timely assistance, otherwise the reoc
could have crept along the bank, tanket
Heintzleman and reached his rear. VIVA
narrow margins there have been in this war
| enumerated some of them in a former let
ter. This may be added to the list.
1t closed the fighting. On Tuesday TIT
pickets OF the enemy lowered around, but
not in force
PREPARATION OF THE REBELS FOR THE ATTACK
A correspondent of the New York Trib
une speaks of the great preparation made
by jeff Davis for the onslaught on our army
He says
"On Saturday at the Seven Pines, and OF
Sunday at Fair Oaks, the rebels were 81
crushed by our fighting that the purpose t
drown US in the Chickahominy was abandon
cd, and the intrenchments before Richmond
were speedily sought as a refuge. jeff Da
L Hal ~, 81 |,
telegraphed to Gen Sibiey in Charleston t
bring up instantly every soldier in that stat
who could be spared. At o'clock in tn
afternoon that officer left in train for Ricf
mond with two regiments. Photographic cal
for troops went at the same time from Pres
dent Davis to every Southern State.
prisoner taken by US yesterday told me tn;
since week ago Wednesday new reg
ments came into Richmol rapidly, man
from Georgia, some from Mississippi, an
more from North Carolina, Notwithstanding
her muchvouched-to Unionsm.'
The correspondent Of the same paper fu
Their states the advantages of the rece
movements, as follows =
"That Gen McClellan's army is very CO
siderably outnrmhered is very certain. III
movement of changing front in the face of
superior force has been executed with gre
skill, though it is not probable that the sa
culinary contingencies which attended
were contemplated. 1t doubtless proved t
safety of his entire folce for, with his fla,
turned, it is scarcely probable that he cou
have sustained himself against the SUPER
force hurled against him. In his present p
stion he cannot be fanked, but has We
many advantages which his former one d
not afford. Indeed, it had very few adva
tages, but many disadvantage say not
ing of its unhealthiness.
fhe army cannot be said to have sustain
defeat. Military men see in what has be
accomplished the elements of victory. T
necessities compelling this change of fro
cannot be told nor would they be appreci
ed were they to be told. The army has
capped from its greatest enemy, the stror
est defender of Richmond-the swamps
the Chickahominy.
A new campaign opens. The enemy
foe more terrible than the army Of the I
tomac or any other-a defective Subsister
Department. In this respect it has gain
nothing at the White House, or in the oc'
patton of our former lines. Reinforcemel
but increase the burdens in this respect.
On the contrary, the army is now in a
sition to receive the powerful support of
Navy-the terror of the rebels eyerywhe
There is no reason for depression over
events of the last four days. The army
less the object of solicitude than before
recent movement towards the James river