The Portland daily press., 1862-07-08
The Great Battle Before Richmond.

The Great Battle Before Richmond.
Now that the clouds are rising from the
bloody fields before Richmond, from the con-
fused and contradictory statements which have
kept our people in a state of intense excite
ment for ten days past, we can begin to form
some estimate of the character and magnitude
of the terrible conflict. From all we have
been able to CLEAN, the army of Gen. McClel-
Ian, on Thursday the 26th ult., was stretched
across the Peninsula, on both sides of the Chick
ahominy, making line, according to some es-
timates of nearly so miles,, His right rested
at Mechanicsville, while York river was the
base of his operations, and his left rested on
the James River. The Chickahominy runs
nearly in the centre of the peninsula 1t seems
now to have been Gen. McClellan's plan, prior
to the battle, to abandon all the territory north
of the Chickahominy, as being of no strategic
importance, remove his stores, and change his
base from the York to the James river. where
he could have the effective cooperation of our
gunboats, and preclude the danger of a success
full thanking movement, on the part of the en-
emy And the commencement of the execu-
ton Of this plan, undoubtedly precpitated the
rebel attack. The successful execution Of the
daring plan, to change fronts in the face of the
enemy, was not a retreat, for our brave men
fought like tigers as they retired, which they
did in order and in obedience to orders. The
Secretary of War says this movement is the
hest that Mcclellan has DONE Reinforcements
are now pouring in, and we may soon hear of
fighting nearer Richmond
From various sources, principally from the
correspondence of the Boston papers, we col
lect the following account of the five DAVIS
battle:
POSITION OF THE TWO ARMIES
On Thursday morning our right was at Me-
chanicsyile. Our pickets consisted of Eighth
Illinois cavalry, Col. Farnsworth-that athletic.
robust Colonel, formerly member of Congress !:
six companies OF the Pennsylvania Bucktail
Regiment, so called because each man wears
the white tuff of bucks tai--sturdv noun
taineers, who first at Dransville exhibited
their prowess: and several companies of Penn
sylvania Reserves.
To the east of Mechanicsville was General
McCall's Division, composed wholly of Penn
sylvanians. About mile from Mechanicsyille
east Is Beaver Dam Creek. a little insignificant
stream emptying into the Chickahominy.-
Mccall was encamped on the west side of this
stream: Gen. Griffin. with a brigade. was north
OF Mccall; and General Martindale. with
brigade. was still farther NORTH on the road
which You have marked down as running due
east from Mechanicsville. Between Beaver
Dam Brook and New Bridge were the remain
der OF Porter's Division, Summers Division
and Franklin's. The other divisions of the
army were upon the other side of the Chicka-
hominy. This line of McClellan's was about
ten miles long-not on straight line that
portion south or west of the Chickahominy be-
ing nearly Mt right angles with the stream
while the divisions north were nearly parallel
TO it,
The rebels of course stood face to face with
us-Dr. Lewis's hill being their strong point.
now many there were of them is only mat
ter OF conjecture; but they were thick every
where-hanging around in masses. like bees
upon their hives on a sunny summer day.
Before noticing any movement let us 90
down to Seven Pines and White Oak Swami.
and take look. II is big swamp. impassable
to armies. 1t is mile wide Beyond II. south
Is beautiful farming country. traversed by
roads, which we will travel by-and-by II is 8
or Z miles from this swamp to James river
the nearest point where Fort Darling. upon the
southern bluff. keeps watch and ward against
the Monitor and Galena. Mcclellan had no
troops south of the swamp. Rebel cavalry
watched all the roads i'm that direction. and
rebel infantry lay in the woods and wheat fields
toward Richmond, and rebel batteries loom
upon the hilocks and elevations, a mile or two
out from the rebel capital.
THE REBEL ADVANCE.
II is Thursday morning, 10 o'clock. Thew
dettes on the Hanover road discover rebel
skirmishers advancing at a quick pace. followed
by rank upon rank. 1t is Gen Hills Division.
They crossed at Meadow Bridge, and at the
Central Railroad, and indeed along the stream.
which up there Is fordable at any point. The
Bucktails, who have watched the forces upon
the mountains, moved into position TO support
our pickets on the Ashland road. but not being
aware OF their movement to get in our rear.
were nearly surrounded before they were aware
Oh tne rapid advance of the enemy ON the
Hanover road. Gen. Hill had swept his divi
sion round upon our flank, and was threaten
ing the entire right wing. ThcBucktails. I'M
daunted. gave the foe in front volley. loaded
again, wheeled. fired upon the rebel cavalry in
their rear, and cut their way out. falling back
upon Gen. Mccall, along the road running par
allel with the Chickahominy
THE FIRST BATTLE
Remember that we are at Beaver Dam Crook
Mccall is nearest the Chckahominy: then
the first brigade of General Morrilrs Division.
commanded by Gen. Martindsle; then the I'd
brigade, commanded by Gen. Griffin. which
as has been stated. makes line reaching across
the road running due east from Mechanics
VILE There is quite an extensive forest east
OF Mechancsville. through which the Buck-
tails refreated, and in which the rebel General
formed his lines, having been reinforced.
lie hesitated about advancing. It was near
ly three O'Clock before the engagement began
The artillery opened, about thirty pieces ON
each side. II was mainly an artillery fight.
and lasted till nearly nine O'clock terrific
cannonade, represented by those who witnessed
IL as of indescribable grandeur
in Gen. Grifin's brigade were the 9th Mas
sachusetts, Col. Cass. the 4th Michigan. Col.
Woodbury., and the 14th New York. Col
McQuade. and the ed Pennsylvania. / have
a Observation-Disclosures of this brigade---jts splen
did performance in the skirmish near FalTs
Church. when the rebels occupied Munson's
Hill. They were equal TO the present occa-
sion. The rebels advanced upon this BRIGADE
with the intention ofbreaking the centre. They
were signally repulsed. Then they turned ali
their strength upon McCalrs division and
were also driven back This ended the fight
for the day, the rebels retreating to the thick
woods at Mechanicsville, and our forces living
down upon the field.
THE SECOND BATTLE.
Before fighting the second battle let us look
at the roads in the rear and our means of get
ting across the Chickahominy to the remainder
OF the army, If we are worsted. or If we have A
plan in view to get into Richmond by another
direction than that at Meadow Bridge The
road to White House, as we have seen crosses
New Bridge. 1t runs northeast. Close nv
New Bridge, on the east side of this road l.
the house of Mr.. f. b. Gaines. Almost in