The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-07-04
SECOND DISPATCH.
REBELS DRIVEN BACK,

The following is digest oil the Tribune
report of two days battle, which the cores
pendent states is necessarily imperfect:
On Thursday noon the enemy made an at
tack on Gen. Stoneman's forces in the yicin-
ity of Hanover Court House.
Shortly after they commenced vigorous
cannonading from the woods on an emlnence
opposite Mechanicsvilc; also from two bat
tcrics, one above and the other below.
They were replied to by Col. Campbell's
Penn. batteries, one on the Mechanicsyille
road, and the other from behind earthworks
at the right Of the grove.
At about p. NJ. the enemy infantry and
squdrons of cavalry crossed the Chckahom-
inv in immense force. a short distance above
the Virginia Central railroad, making a rap
id advance towards McCall's division, en-
trenched on billy woodland across u swampy
rayino, about a mile in the rear Of Mechan-
icsyille.
The LIST Pa. rifles, Bucktals and Camp
bells Pa. batteries, were on duty, all of
whom, except one company. tell back behind
the breastworks and rifle pits, where the line
Of battle WAS drawn.
Co. X, of Bucktails, on duty beyond the
railroad, was surrounded, and the last known
of them they were trying to cut their way
thorough an immense force.
Their fate is unknown, but it is presumed
that the greater number are prisoners.
The enemy advanced down in the rear Of
Mechanicsvlle, on low, marshy ground,
where our forces were drawn up behind rifle
pits and earth works, on an eminence ON the
north side Of the ravine, where the conflict
became most terrible.
The rebels with most determined courage
attempted to push forward over the miry
ground, but bullets and grape fell among
them like hail, until, In the words of an Off
Ger, "they lay like flies on a bowl of sugar"
and withdrew.
Cannonading was kept up on both sides
until about 0 p. NJ, when the battle ceased.
Our forces were covered by earthworks and
suffered but slightly. Late in the afternoon
the enemy made charge with cavalry.
About one hundred Of them came rushing
down andattcmpted to cross the rayine, when
the horses became mired.
a squadron of our cavalry seeing the pc.
sition in which the enemy were placed, made
q charge down the hill, when the rebel cav
airy men abandoned their horses and fled.
The infantry fight was then renewed and
continued until about p. NJ, when q 70.
treat was ordered, very much against the will
of the Pennsylvania boys, who begged to be
allowed to defend their position, which they
felt confident they could hold. The outer
forces then commenced to fall back.
Porter's corps was some distance below
near DR.. Gainess residence.
Ut the fight next day, he states that the
cannonading was terrific, and tie musketry
can only be understood by those who have
heard the crash of immense trees in quick
succession.
Duryea's Zouaves were lying on the ground
two hours, while our batteries were Smelling
the woods over them.
Finally towards night the enemy attempt
cd to break the centre line in front Of Dur
yeas Zouayes, and the musketry firing be-.
came most terrific, lasting 20 or 80 minutes,
after which there was lull.
Shortly afterward an attempt was made to
break through our right, which was rcpuls-
ed.
Half nm hour later another attempt was
made on the left, with the same result.
The battle had then been raging for some
four hours, without any apparent change or
advantage on either side.
Reinlorcements of artillery and infantry
then came steadily along over the bridge,
marching through heat and dust over the
hill to the field Of battle.
The enemy then seemed to make their last
desperate and determined effort. and came
forcing our men back to the low ground be.
tween the hill and bridge, where they could
have been slaughtered by tens Of thousands
before they could have crossed that long mar
row bridge.
Wagons. artillery, ambulances and men
were hurrying toward the bridge.
A panic was almost inevitable, when u
strong guard was placed across the bridge.
At the time when the enemy had almost
reached the main hospital, one half mile
from the river, Meagher's Brigade Of Irish.
men came over the hill stripped to bare arms,
and were ordered to 90 to work.
They gave yell and went to work. and
the result was the enemy fell back to the
woods. and thus the matter stood up to ii
o'clock Sunday morning.
At dark an attack was made along the
front of the entire line, and renewed at 9 A.
NJ. in front Of Generals Hooker. Kearney and
Summers divisions, without material result.
Another correspondent speaking Of the
battle Of Friday says that twice all along the
front did the bloddy and determined attack
cling to our lines OF battle and our rifle pits
and rcdoubts.
Porter Numbered on them with fifty can
non. Summers Hookcr's and Ayrcs reaped
them with very death harvest.
Their loss in killed and wounded was hor-
ribe.
We but debate now IL our own dead,
wounded and missing equal those Of the Sew.
en- Pines or exceed theirs.
In the meantime, Notwithstanding the dis
proportion Of numbers, the Union line at
every point is about where 1t was In the
morning, and the heroes behind it arc in good
heart.