Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-07-02
Important w ar News.
Received by Tuesday Evenings Mail
GREAT BATTLE BEFORE TIE CITY
OF RICHMOND.
GALLANTRY OF THE PA. RESERVE.
OUR ARMY VICTORIOUS.


By last nights mail we have the inte lligence
of severe and most determined battle on the
right wing OF our army, on Thursday and Fri
day last, and is claimed as a successful stra-
tegic movement, which secures the capture
of Richmond beyond a doubt.
The attack was made by the enemy in i'm
mense force, who crossed the Chicahominy
the railroad above Mechanicsvile, on
Thursday afternoon. The rebels fought des-
perately, but were unable to drive our men a
single rod, though the enemy were ten to our
one. The only force engaged that day was
McCall's division, the battle lasting from two
O'Clock till nine P. NJ, when the division was
ordered back. Gen. Mcclellan was on the
field, and expressed himself satisfied with the
result. 1t is stated that our killed, wounded
and missing was about 1900. The object of
the movement was to bring Gen. Porter's and
other divisions into close connection with the
rest of the army-in fact changing the front of
the whole of our forces, with our centre and
left pressing Immediately on Richmond itself.
1t was a virtual surrender or vacating of a
long line of defence heretofore kept up to
Mechanicsville. in order to have the whole
force within more effective distance also,
to allow the rebels to follow, and, if possible,
to bag them.
Gen. Mcclellan ordered Gen. Porter to with
draw two miles this sides of Gaines Mills
early on Friday morning, which was done, the
enemy following ,and thinking they had gained
the victory.
Our troops slowly moved back in order,
fighting as they went, crossing the Chickahom
my, and reached the position designed for
their occupation by Gen. Mcclellan.
The rebels followed in great force, and by
three o'clock in the afternoon general and
heavy engagement occurred here, lasting till
seven O'Clock, when lull took place, but the
rebels again renewed it with greater ferocity,
having been reinforced.
Our brave men stood the unequal contest,
like heroes, and the shell, grape, and musket
did fearful havoc. Our forces were increased
by Gen. Slocum's, Palmer's, French's, and
Meagher's Brigades, and the rebels were bea-
ten badly. Meagher's brigade went into the
battle with their coats off, and sleeves rolled
up fighting like tigers.
The ground which General Mcclellan or
dered Gen. Porter to occupy and hold, was
occupied and held. In the first part of the
day, General Porter's corps alone contended
against the rebels, but subsequently reinforce
ments swelled our numbers TO forty five thou
sand men. The rebels had sixty thousand un-
der Generals Lee, Hill, Anderson and Branch.
md
derly manner, the retreat being covered by
the 1st, I'd and 5th Pennsylvania Reserves,
who promptly returned the fire of the the reb-
els, who were following.
These portions of the two armies are now
face to face, and they may at any moment
commence anew the engagement. During
the fight, one company of the 1st Pennsylva-
MIA Bncktail reserve regiment entirely
surrounded, and all We're taken prisoners.
Some few, however, managed to escape, but
were compelled to leave their dead and woun-
ded comrades in the hands of the enemy.
Among the wounded in this regiment is
Capt. E. A. Irwin who managed to escape.
Col Taggart. Lieut.. Hartshorn and Lieut..
Welsh of Clearfed CO., and Jewett of Go. D,
were also wounded and in the hands of the
rebels,
This Tegiment covered themselves with glo-
ry, winning from their officers the highest
need of praise. From early in the afternoon
until this morning they were actively engaged
in the thickest of the fight.
The Pennsylvania Reserves are deserving,
too, of their well earned praise. Through
out all the fight they stood their ground
against an unequal force, and in front of
CALLING fire. Their conduct on this occasion
does honor to the Keystone State.
The above is considered great strategic
by which the enemy were drawn
out of their intrenchments and who, finding
our right wing rather feeble advanced upon
the White House. 1t appears, however that
NJ cClelIan had evacuated the White House
previously and threw the whole of his army
across the Chickahominy, leaving only some
gunboats to engaged the rebels as they ap-
preached.
This appears to be a strange movement, but,
perhaps, correct one, and if successful, will
enable Gen. Mcclellan to establish his base
of operations on the James river. What the
result of the whole movement is has not, as
yet, transpired-but we anticipate the taking
of Richmond, and the entire rout Of the rebel
army.
We are indebted to our neighbors of the
Republican for the following dispatch:
PHILADELHHIA, July 1st 1862.
To d. W. MooRE.-The news of yesterday
was incorrect. The morning papers, do not
claim that r Richmond has been taken. | see