The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1862-07-09

pressing hard upon McCellan's rear, while
Magruder and Huger, on the Chieka-
hominy, held our right wing in the direc
ton Of New Bridge, with portion Of the
enemy in Sfront of them. This was the
supposed situation Of the armies up to
yesterday afternoon. 1t appears to be
conceded that the enemy successfully
Withdrew their forces from the position
beld by them on Thursday night, after
the capture Of MechanicsvilIe, leaving be
hind, as blind. some skirmishers aud a
battery, which, when charged upon by
the advance yesterday morning at day
light, was found to be empty Of men and
guss. A pursuit of three hours brought
our forces upon formidable battery Of
thirty guns at Gaines Mill, near the New
Kent Road. Here occurred our heaviest
loss. The breastworks were situated on
bluff, across mill dam, canal and
swamp, with rifle pits in front. Our troops
charged through and over all with a val.
or and determination I At swept every.
thing, clearing rifle pits and battery at
the poin, OF the bayonet. The troops
that did this splendid act Of galan,rv
were from North Carolina-lhe brigade
OF Gen. Pender. This was accomplished
through terrific voleys OF musketry, shell,
round shot, grape and canister, ths, piled
the ground with the valorous dead and
wounded.
We learn from Major John NJ. Daniel,
OF the Generals staff, serving with Gen
Hill in these battles, and who, about 4
O'Clock last evening, was obliged to leave
the field in consequence Of having had
his right arm shattered by n Mnie ball,
that at the time he left the field Hills
division, which had been engaged the
whole day, and victories throughout, was
engaged in terrible battle with the Gu
emy hear New Coal Harbor, and were
overmatched by large masses of the enc.
my. Just as the Major was wounded
several large bodies of troops were ap.
pearIng on the field, which were troops
Of Gen. Longs,reel's division. Gen. Jack
son was engaged on Gen. Hills left dur.
ing the day, but was also in time to Join
in the general engagement, which ensued
about five o'clock in the evening.
AT this hour tbs action became gen
era! for the first time on the Richmond
lines. No such collision Of numbers has
yet occurred in the history Of the war.-
1t is estimated that seventy five thousand
Confederate troops were engaged with
an equal, If not superior, force of the enc
my. The scenery Of the battle field is
described as awfuIly sublime, and i,s
sights of carnage as exceeding in glas,E.
ness the worst iInaginatons Of the hor
rors Of war.
Nightfall has caused the intermission
OF the terrible conflict. From the bes.
and most reliable Information we can Oh.
tain. the field was undecided, when the
action was intermitted 10 be resumed
this morning. The field of the imposing
battle, on which the grandest fortunes
ever contested awaits decision, is about
Twelve miles from the city of R,ch.
mond.
The enemys retreat was certainly no,
rout, as it has been described on the
street corners. lie left his ground a,
leisure, carrying off all his dead ard
wounded, leaving no marks of disorder
GU the route of his retreat but such AZ
are incidental, of course, to the move
msnts Of large masses.
There is occasion TO apprehend ,ha,
Mcclellan, in falling back on his present
Inc Of defence, has improved his position.
The advantages of bis present position
are mainly artificial, but they are consid
cred important and serious, although lie
gave up yesterday several positions Of
great natural advantage. especially ,ha,
at Mechanicsville, upon which he had ex.
pended every resource to make it impreg
nable.
1t is impossible to estimate The loss 10
yesterdays engagement. The only state
ments We can get Of the casualties of the
terrific battle Of the evening are vague
aud ghaslly messages that "lhe ground
is covered with dead" The spirit Of our
troops are undilnDisbsd. There was no
struggling but from excessive fatigue.
The regimen,s which seem 10 have
suffered the most, in the three days en-
gagements, were the l4th and 44lh
North Carolina, 4ih and l9lh Georgia,
aud the lst Louisiana. The Virginia
troops suffered severely, The lioh, no,