Santa Fe gazette. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1859-1864, 1862-06-28
Tn, Brilliant Battle ofwnlIamsburr.

Tho battle Of Williamsburg must become hsto
rical. OF all our battles it was the best con
teCted and the hardest won The opposing
forces engaged were very nearly equal Infantry
cavalry and artillery did each its share of the
work. The losses upan both sides equalled those
Of the Allies and Russians at the terrible battle Of
Alma The whole contest demonstrated the
superiority of American soldiers, who are officers
and pryates at once over the unintelligent troops
Of other countries. The result proved the wisdom
Of McUlelIan's long discipline Of his army. The
severity of the conflict the luctuating fortunes Of
the day; the unrivaled bravery Of our troops; the
desperate yOlor Of the rebels the continual arrivals
Of renorcements upon both sides; the daring
charges; the determined and steady resistOnces;
the skilluli manoouyres and evoutiOHs, and the
final irresistible dash of IIancOcks brigade, make
up a narrative matchess in its thrilling interest.
On tho morning of the evacuation Of York
town, General StOneman, with his corps Of cavalry
pursued and harassed the rotreating enemy. The
infantry followed closely, aud during q dreadful
storm Of rain, with no shelter, fires or food, our
army bvouacked that night before the line Of reb
Ell intrenchments which defended Williamsburg
| The next morning at half past seven o'clock, our
forces advanced to the attack. They were located
in an immense forest, beyond which was space a
mile wide, cleared by Telling the trees SO as to
obstruct our progress and give free range to the
rebel artillery. This was the battle field to which
our troops approached by three conYergDg roads,
On the opposite side of this cleared space was the
rebel Fort Magrudor, its crest half mile long,
lanked by rodoubs, and defended in front by
| rifle pits. The day was stormy and dismal. The
rain fell in torrents, as if nature were weeping
over the coming contest. The scene was set, the
stage cleared, and The actors began their work.
The First Massachusetts depOyed in front Of our
lines as skirmishers. The Second New Hamp.
shire cleared the edge of the forest of the enemys
sharpshooters. Our artillery opened upon the
rebe fort, which replied with terrific effect, but
which was sieuced before nine o'clock, and did
not again resume until late in the aiternoon.-
REGIMENT by reaiment our soldiers debouched
from the forest and formed in line of BATTLE The
Of musketry and the roar Of artillery lusilade
became general and the play at last fairly began
The battle was succession Of desperate
charges. Our troops attacked and were attacked
in turn, Rifle pits redoubts and batteries were
captared and recaptured. The onemy'5 plan of
battle vas to turn our left flank 0ur troops,
under General Patterson firmly resisted this
endeayor beating back the enemy holding their
ground oqainst the eDemyy reinforcenents, and
onlv retiring to obtain ammunition and rotako
tho position they had left. On our right centre
the forces of General Hooker held the enemy firm
" in check but against such odds that Gen.
Hooker sent to Gen. leintzelman for reinforce
ments, which were supplied from Pecks brigade
On our extreme right Hancocks brigade pushed
forward and captured two ntrenchments. lIeint.
zelman's and Summers corps were now Joined in
lne of battle. and our entire front seemed sheet
of living flame. so rapid and incessant were the
DISCHARGES of cannon and musketry. The rebel
line was equally busy at work. Brigade after
brigade. recalled from Johnston's retreating army
swelled their ranks and animated their courage
Tho forts and redoubts ronod shot and she'll, and
covered the rebel advance The rain beat
heavily upon the Geld like storm Of hail. The
branches and tons of trees lopped off by balls
crashed down upon our soldiers. The propnd
was deem with mud and red with gore The
sbr;eks pr the wounded and DIVING rang ont terri.
hlv sbrill above the thunlers Of artillery. Our
soldier, weoried and outnumbered. BEGAN to rive
ground slowly 6obtinO to the lost but still hopinr
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