The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-07-04


came upon the Peninsula The time has
been improved by Gen. Mcclellan in ma
king new and better disposition of his
troops = in procuring re-enforcements,
and in strengthening his lines with Sc
ries Of field works, which have proved
an eilectual safeguard against such as
saults as that from which Casey suffered
and furnished strong base of operations
for a further advance.
THE REBRLs FoRTTYrNd.
Meanwhile the rebels have also been
active, not disdaining to make earnest use
Of the weapons they have scornfully as
signed to Gen. Mcclellan They have
been busy with the shovel and pick, and
multiplying the Notifications guarding
Richmond, extending them nearer TO our
lines than before. Thus, along the front
of our position on the further side of the
Ohiokahominy double row Of earth
works have arisen, so near as to threaten
bringing matters to a dead lock by pre-
venting effective operations from either
Side, and 50 separated by belts of forests
that neither could act against the other.
Between these hostile earthworks is a
narrow space commanded alike by the
guns of BOTH forming the debateable
ground. between the two, which General
Mcclellan must command wholly before
any further progress could be made. II
has been the policy Of both armies to
persuade the other TO attack, as in this
wooded country the party advancing
does so under great disadvantages, and
necessarily ignorant of the enemy's dis
positions and the location and extent Of
his defensive works.
At first the rebels felt themselves
strong enoegh 10 assume the initiative,
but since the lesson received by them at
the battle Of the Seven Pines, they would
seem TO have abandoned the idea of dri-
wing us from our strongly guarded posi-
tions, and have made no organized effort
TO disodge us, though their assault on
one Of our principal works on Saturday
was supposed TO be preliminary to such
a movement
MOVEMENTS AGAINST OUR LETT WING.
On the rightof our forces on the Chick
| ahominy there have been no offensive
movements from either side, since the po-
sition was occupied by the troops Of Gen.
| Smith. Indeed, a very amicable inter-
! change Of ciVilities has continued there,
up 70 the last few days; when the stern
policy of war has put stop TO IT, On
the center and left of our left wing, how
ever, The rebels have been unceasing in
their efforts ut annoy ance; Smelling our
/ camps, shooting our pickets, or adganc-
ing against US with rcconnOitering par
! ties; which last compliment we have re-
turned in kind, though little attention
! has been paid to their rather harmless
efforts at breaking up our camps. None
of the cnemy's efforts have been suiii-
cient TO disturb the plan Of operations in
progress and finding them indisposed TO
more serious efforts, General Mcclellan,
having taken ample time for preparation
seems TO have determined on forward
| movement, partly 20 secure better camp
| ing ground for our men, and partly for
other purposes which will develop them
selves in due time.
THE COUNTRY before Us.
In order 10 make any further advance
up the Williamsburg road, and the rail-
! road il was necessary 20 drive the rebels
from the woods in front of ne, across the
/ oPen space beyond, aud out of the riile-
| pits on It's further side, exposed 20 the
danger Of fire from batteries Of uncer-
/ tain strength that might be hidden by
the wood, Owing TO the nature Of the
/ ground, our superiority in artillery could
be made Of little avail to us, and any
/ advantage gained must be by the direct
contact of the infantry forces contestng
the ground inch by inch aud hand 70
hand But Mcclellan knows his men.
williamsburg and Seven Pines have
/ shown with which army rests the supe-
riority in determination aud mettle.
rm ORDER no ADVANCE
On Wednesday the order came 10 adj
vance in this direction, and by seven in
the morning OF that day the corps Of
Hointzelman and sumner were under
arms. every preparation being made AZ
the same time Tor general engagement
should the movement provoke one. But
| the enemy showed no disposition TO bring
] matters Go an issue at this time. Their
/ main resistance was directed against the
| position held by the troops Of heinizel-
man, from Che railroad to the left along
the line OF the attack on the forces OF
I Gen. Casey. Here the battle ragged in a
series of detached skirmishes through me
day, Hookei Division being most heayi-
| ly engaged, aud suffering most severely
/ in the assault
rnE LINE on nTrLE.
AZ o'clock the brigades of this diyis-
ion were drawn up in Hoe of battle ON
che right OF the Williamsburg road, a
short distance beyond che Seven Pines