Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-07-18
THE BArTLEoFwHrTE OAK SWAMP.

A correspondent Of tho Philadelphia Inquir-
er gives these interesting particulars of the
battle of White Oak Swamp:
/ "Havng crossed the bridge over white Oak Swamp
Il blown up, thus checking the advance Of the enc
my. On Monday morning the enemy began the attack
on rear, having rebuilt the bridge They in
immtnsc force following the road we had come
1t became apparent that the enemy intended 70
precpiiate themselves upon with all his force In
view Of this Sedgwick stationed the lcft Of the
road just below the bridge and Fanklns division, with
a pyi.o v, anlll ulN'l',i, " Wy % - III
ers division the Central road, and Nchafdsons
division soross the Charles City road all three leading
About O'Clock the enemy we're discovered advancing
along all these roads in immense force the clouds " dust
along the line Of approach being distinctly visible. At
this time the fire terrific, coming from every quar-
ter Of the compass the effort evidently being TO surround
US, and either cut us to pieces or drive US into the river
All this the result Of their dcuson with regard TO
movement, they perssting in believing q was re-.
treat while, in fact II deliberate aud successful
strategic movement The rebels fought with despeta-
ton hoping to detach our divisions ana crush mem IN
detail Gen Mcclellan everywhere through the
fight directing ronorcements TO be sent wherever the
front seemed weakest Gen. Mccall with the Fensyya-
MIA reserves stationed in the ot the several
points held by the andets named and within sup
porting distance OF them all.
At o'clock in the afternoon dispatches were received
At headquarters that the enemy were being sncccssaly
repuscd at all points, with the exception Of Gen kcar-
neys who reported that the enemy were TOO strong for
him. and were forcing him from bus position Word vas
Immediately sent Gen. Mccall 10 advance 10 his
lief which his men did On the dOubc-quck, nutwith-
standing their previous fatigue and exhaustion. They
engaged la the hiokest Of the fight, which
grew hotter every moment brought fresh troops from
Richmond replace those whom brave reserves
lCyeling with terrible rapdity. The tide Of battle
cbbed and flowed the plain Tor nearly hour with
uncertain result. At this time Gen. Mccall aud his
staff gaopped toward the front ince his brave troops
10 stronger exerous. when he 10 fall from his
horse, MORALLY wounded in the breast His staff gath
cred around him and begged 10 be allowed 10 bear his
body to place Of quiet and safety No. said he, let
me die on the field aud iu the monetary confusion
which the fall Of their beloved leader made, his division
slowly driven back. Almost the time. Capt
II J. Bid1le, Aid 10 Gen. Mccall, murtaly wound
ed Stl the contest ragged mady, the efforts Of his
men TO reach him being almost fanuc In this desperate
charge the loss Of lie both sides exceeded anything
that had occurred since the cont ~ commenced The
dead lay In piles A. high IS tents Among the slain
were Lieuts. j. II. Kuhn and w NJ Watmough Gen.
Meade severely wounded in the abdomen, and Gen
Reynolds taken prisoner. 1t is since ascettaned
that he is unhurt in Richmond.
At this juucturc word dispatched to Cen Sumner
that assistance required by Gen. kearney, aud hi,
men Immediately advanced the crit cal position on the
As they up tired troops fell back, and the ava
auche Of hristng steel upon the rebels who fairly
reeled with the shock shook oil their pierced
bodies like clods from their keen lances This broke The
rebel advance and they fell back into confusion aud re
treated
At this time the rebels had brought up a battery be
tween the river and New Market road with the design
Smelling position. The guuboats Galena and Aroos
took, which had been lying quiet but Keen spectators
the battle, unable TO fire for fear Of iuIuuug men
were at length signallcd from station shure To M
direction IN which they might send their fearful missiles
This they did with uuerrng aim and the effect pro
dgious The retreat Of the rebels increased 10 run
the run enlarged 10 skcdaddle Of the most approve
Themselves for the night best they could after the try
ing scenes through which they had passed