The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-07-04
miles to his rear, in the vicinity of DR. Gaines
house, was the main body of Gen Porter's

miles to his rear, in the vicinity of DR. Gaines
house, was the main body of Gen Porters
troops.
On Thursday they came, taking advantage
apparently of our occupation, with the move.
ment OF the day previous on the left. Cross
ing the river IN strong force, under cover OF
heavy fire from their batteries on the OPP
loslte side, the enemy pressed down the road
against the position of Gen Mccall, first at
lacking his lst brigade, consisting OF the
Bucktails, and the 9TH, Sth, 9Th and 10Th
Pennsylvania regiments. These troops were
soon reinforced by the six regiments forming
the other two brigades of the division, and
from their strong position behind the swampy
ravine of Beaver Dam Creek, held there
superior force of the enemy at bay from the
time of attack until the going down of the
sun, at near 8 o'clock. From their rife-pits
and earthworks McCall's brave men held the
advancing rebels in check for near four hours,
when they were reinforced by the brigades of
Porter's corps, and the fight continued three
hours longer, the rebels being repulsed with
heavy loss, our troops under the protection
of earthworks suffering less. The loss of this
days fight was summed up at some 800.
That night an order came from Gen Nc
Clcllan for Gen Porter to withdraw his for
ces gradually to a point near Meadows
Bridge. After few hours sleep upon their
arms, our troops were aroused, and, in &C
cordance with the plan of operations, Gen
Mccall, at 3 o'clock, opened fire of artille-
ry on the enemy, who vigorously responded
until our forces began gradually to retire be-
fore them as # retreating, but maintaining
THAR ranks in good order, crossing bridge
over creek on the way. destroying it behind
them, compelling the enemy to wait the slow
construction of new passage-way in the fire
of our opposing artillery and heavy musketry
fire from the 9th Massachusetts. Dividing
here our troops continued their retreat over
two separate roads, burning behind them
such commissary stores as they could not
carry, which, fortunately, We're of small ac-
count, as the removal of all portable property
across the Chickahominy had previously been
ordered Following close after Porters men,
the rebels continued to advance, until they
came upon piece of woods, in which they
seemed to hesitate to follow, hating for some
time before showing themselves again. But,
without waiting for them, our troops still fell
back, until near the Chickahominy at Wood
bury's Bridge, where they halted in the open
country, which there spreads out into broad
fields and fertile pastures.
First commencing with the usual picket
skirmishing, and then swelling into the roar
of the artillery duel, the struggle opened be-
tween the advanced guard of the two armies,
until by three or four o'clock in the after
noon the battle ragged fiercely all along the
lines, until within an hour or two of sunset,
when the storm luled for time, and then
the reLels, who had been meanwhile reinfor-
ced, came on with fresh vigor to the assault.
They were soon met with equal determination
by Porter's men, aided now Ivy reinforce
ments that had come to them from the corps
of Franklin, Sumner and Reyes; from the
former Slocum's division, from Sumner the
brigades of French, and the Irish boys under
Meagher, and from the further reserved corps
of Reyes, the brigade of Palmer, which had
done good service in the fight of Wednesday
on the left. Desperately and determinedly
I did the rebels press forward, but as desper-
atey and determinedly were they met and
driven, gaining nothing further that night OF
the promise of their morning advance. Not
until after o'clock did the men find lest
which, we may be sure, came not unwelcomed
to such of the men as had passed through the
struggle, commencing early in the afternoon
of the previous day. Most opportune was
ing, for our troops. hard pressed by superior
numbers were in danger of being driven fur
Their back than was intended, and the frs
symptoms of disorder were showing them
selves in the hasty flight of teamsters ant
iookers-on, the struggling soldiers in thu
crowd being turned back from Woodbury.
bridge by the strong guard who kept watch
over it with their bayonets.
Early in the morning, at . clock, all wer'
disturbed by the sound of sharp firing com
ing from the direction of the left, where tn
enemy were amusing themselves with nigh
attack on the positions of Summer Hooke
and Kearney, with no result that learn OF
Smiths division, directly opposite Wood
buryS bridge, on the further side of tn
Chicahoninv, were also attacked during TIL
day of Friday. his Vermont boys and the 33
New York, with the help of Ayers and othe
batteries, repellng the assault with grea
slaughter.
And who can estimate our loss, when non
but all omnipotent eye can, in the confusion
of the first hours that follow the engagement
search out the fate of all who appear not wit,
their comrades as they gather with their rcgi
ments at night? 1t will surely exceed thou
sand, and hope not pass 1900; but fe,
DAYS more will tell, while, meanwhile, the lis
must swell greatly. for the battle is not vet full
ly ended. Strategy or no strategy, there mus
: still be desperate fighting, even though tn
rebels should play into our hands to the enc
as they are reported to have done to-day i
seeking to possess themselves of the commu
nications with White House, little thinking
probably. how far advanced were the prepare
tons for changing to new and better base 0
the James river, where our gunboats can affor
, US full protection. and We shall have but sir
gle flank to guard.
TERRIBLE FIGHTING BY GEN. PoRTERs ME,
The fighting, especially on Friday, is sal
a to have been terrible The rebels had over
whelming forces, and as soon as they met on
t repulse, they returned doubly strong. The
4 came in such dense masses that the shell an
grape poured into them made great gaps i
+ then lines, which were Immediately filled W
S and they moved forward most determined!
: Their artillery was so poorly served that tn
damage to our ranks was light in proportion
They still moved on, ard exchanged shower
of MIME balls but when Gen. Porter ordere
+ bayonet charge, they retreated in doubl,
!. quick, though he pursued them but sho
u distance. The enemy again rallied and al
! preached our lines, when the same terribl
5 slaughter ensued. This time their artiller