The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-07-01
THE LAST sanctuary FIGHTS
The Battles Of Thursday, Fri
day and Saturday,
&C., &C.. 60.
THE FIRST DAY.

LII HltSI LA ~
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BATTLE FIELD MAR MEcHAMcsvrLLE, juno 20, 1852.
Tho right wing Of the Potomac army has been the
OF battle to-day Of moro than duration
and nercsness The result has only the carrying
out to fuller confirmation the remark of General McCel
lan-that the Army Of the Potomac has never yet sus
tanned . check. We have beaten the encmy and
a glorious victory is ours Our loss, consider
ing the time we were engaged Is small.
about two hundred killed. wounded and missing being
the present estimate There every reason to believe
that the loss OF the enemy than double ours and
that Notwithstanding they had noarly twice many
man in the action
The enemy made the attack. demonstration had been
looked for from them for several days. hence
men were in readiness-and when they otherwise
rope the attack About two O'Clock this afternoon
the rebels advancing large force the
Chckahominy, the railroad, close by Mechanics
vile, whore General Mccall has been encamped since
occupying position our front lines Planting their
batteries in good position rear, they
opened IRE. Quietly the batteries OF this
division wheeled into place, and vigorous re-
Spouse began. The roar OF artillery was deasening but
the crack OF voeys Of musketry united In swelling
the tumultuous roar OF the battle.
GENERAL McALL's BoLDynss
Our men were drawn up line OF battle directly facing
the enemy. 1t q bold pieco OF work. seeing
that the enemy manifestly largely superior
70 In numbers. 1t was no determination
or wish OF the regiments constituting the Pennsylvania
reserves 10 seek the protecting OF woods
Marshes either OF which they might have selected but
como out in square, open fight Ths work soon waved
warm as the enemy showed disposition to accept the
challenge to open combat-an acceptance, doubtless
based however, full confidence in their capacity to
come GU, first best In the fight.
THE BucKTAns SURROUNDED.
The First Pennsylvania Rifles (Bucktails)
on picket duty the enemy first marched
on VI, making . rapid advance through tho
intervening lowlands and forests. The fra,
thing tho Bucktais knew they were almoss
completely surrounded Seeing the position they were
in and having disposition to 80 to Richmond In ad
vance the grand army they set themselves at work
vigorously to get out Of the difficulty. It easy
job but they did more toward accomplishing their pur
posethan ten rebel regiments similarly situated could have
DONE They their way fairly out but mos. Of company
K who happened be the frat surrounded taken
prisoners. The rest were in rifle pits and they
peppsred the enemy with sauciness carrying with 1t
feeling Of revenge. And they had their revenge The
rebes left as many dead the neld shot by Buckta
rifles az members OF the regiment they bore away cap
tive with them.
HEAT or TnE BATTLE.
About six o'clock the battle ragged with fercsst fury
Advancing down at the rear q Mschanicsvs, on low
swampy pice OF ground, where our men vera
drawn up behind carthworks and rife pits, the
conflict became indsscribably terrific With dss-
perats courage, the rebels attempted 70 spring
forward over the mrchng ground, but they
were moved down without mercy In their wallowngs
In the mire.
A charge Of cavalry was attempted about this time.
but the horses, like the men, became mred. Some Of
our cavalry seeing their condition charged down the h
the rebel equestans left their horses and their
heels
Disappointed In these attempts 70 win the day tho
enemy attempted q flank movement Now came the
time OF closest contest Our would not yield rod
from their position.
GENERAL nosELL's DIVISION RESCUE
During the height Of the cannonadng General horels
division arrived the ground. They reached the
scene OF the engagement about six O'Clock in the
ing with bold the reinforcing division marched
up in fass OF the flying shells, General Moreli and his
stan leading the advancing column. Only one brigade
was called into acton-the Second brgadeundsr com
mand Of General Griffin, who only three hours before
had assumed the command by right Of seniority over
Colonel McQuade. The brigade up on double quick
ready and eager to lend helping hand In securing 70
eur side the fortunes Of the day.
Tho brigade was ordered relieve the centre OF Gene
val McCas column The Fourth Michigan, Colonel
woodbury., and Fourteenth New York Volunteers, Col
McQuads, formed in line Of battle in front, taking
the place OF two OF General Mccalls regiments while
behind them, likewise drawn up in line OF battle, wsro
tho sixty second Pennsylvania, Colonel Black and
Ninth Massachusetts, regiment Colonel csss.
Meantime q battalion OF Colonel Berdan's Sharp
hooters who had also been ordered reinforce
McCaps forces arrived the Geld under command or
Lieutenant Colonel Ripley, and were formed in line
of battle Two companiss-C, Captain Giroux, and
g. Captain Drew, we're detached service with General
Mccas DIVISION aud had previously been picke,s
and skiroisbss These companies had been stationed
BY Colonel Borden two days previous in patton
the enemy crossing a the point where they did actually
do 90 Their orders to fire until the enemy &C
uay crossed 10 force then 10 retreat firing In order
20 draw them on until they reached tue ride pits and IN
.ranchmsnts which had been previously placed for the
nprposs or giving the enomy reception. These
oraers we're carried out TO the letter On the rebels
.,rsarng and crossing In force they were led
an bv the rstreating sharpsnooters, who nrsl
cad RAPIDLY and fell back, until the ro5ot
49, ro,aa sn.----,--- $50 80 - IN