Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-07-12
rbe Sfaaease.
THE GREAT BATTLE.


possible;
GEOGRAPHY or TIE COUNTRY.
Tho rI,ickahonrry Is a stresu rather above the
dignity of a creek, and not fully up to that of
river which mearders through the tide-water dis
trict of jams river in line generally parallel to
the James at eSn distance of ten or twelve miles
from that river, until il he Chickahominy) reaches
the lower end of Charles City county, when it ab-
Iuptly turns soethwardly and empes into the James
1t is the ncrthern boundary OF both Henrico and
Charles City 1t is skirted generally by wide low
lands and IN some parts considerable swampst-
AcClelans army had, part of it. crossed to the
South side of the Chckahominy and were fortified
on the Williamsburg road, and adjacent to it to
within seven miles Of Richmond-the point where
the battle OF Seven Pines occurred The enemy was
also strongly posted for many miles on the North
bank, the heights of which were fortified with great
energy and skill from Meadow Bridge, his extreme
right to some two miles below Bottoms Bridge, a
distance Of about twenty miles.
Meadow Bridge is CT miles from and North of the
city, and at that point the Central Railroad crosses
the Chckahominy. The enemy were posted on the
heights beyond. The York River II 'ilroad crosses
the ChickahOminy about ten miles from Richmond
and about that distance below Meadow Bridge. Me
gainesville is mile beyond the ChckahOminy, six
miles from Richmond and some two or three miles
below Meadow Bridge Other points which have
become famous in the battles in this order: Ell
lyson's Mill, Beaver DAM Powhte, or l1ogan's farm
and Coal Harbor-all on the North bank, and cove
ring distance of some twelve miles.
On the South side, and South of the York River
Railroad the following roads SO often referred
to in the narrative given now as well in the bat
tie of the Seven Pines. The Williamsburg road,
which connects with the New Bridge and N:ne-Milc
roads at and Seven Pines, crosses the Chicka-
honiRy at Bottoms Bridge. The New Bridge road
crosses the Chickdhuniny about eight miles from
the city. Meadow Bridge is North and the route of
our victories being from thence down the southeast
line pursued on the ChickahOminy, is brought up at
Bottoms Bridge, due East of the city.
BRIEF REVIEW OF THE FIRST FOUR DAYS
On Thursday at three O'CLOCK Major General jack
son took up his line of march from Ashland and
proceeding down the country between the Chicka-
hOniny and PamUnN rivers, he uncovered the front
OF Brig. Gen. Branch by driving off the enemy col
lected on the North bank Of the Chickahonny river,
at the point where 1t is crossed by the Brook Turn
pike; Gen. Branch, who the South bank,
then crossed the river aui wheeled 20 the right
down its northern bank. Proceeding in that direc-
ton ten. Branch, like manner uncovered.
Meadow Bridge, the front OF Maj Gen. \. P. Hill,
who immediately crossed. The three columns
proceeded en- echetoH-Gen. jackson i'll advance and
on the extreme left, Brig. Gen. Branch (who was
now merged with Gen. A =. HILL ia the centre,
and Gen. A P. Hill on the right immediately on
the river. jackson, bearing away from the Chick
ahOminy in this part Of the march, so as to gain
of Mechancsville, while Gen. Hill, keeping well to
the Chickahoniny, approached that village and en-
gagged the enemy there. The military talent exhI5-
tied by Gen. Hill in this approach aud assault is
worthy OF great Communications, and has won Imper-
ishabe honors for that gallant Young officer while
the courage, ardor and tIr:nuc>s OF ms officers and
in the assault Of the enemy'S earthworkS at FL
lySonS MILL have reflected the greatest glory upon
the Confederate army. Driven fiuin the Immediate
locality oil MechancSvIlIe, the enemy retreated du
ring the night down the river to POwinte swamp,
and night closed the operations of Thurs lay.
As soon as Gen. Hill clear d the rnli at Mechan-
icsvlle, Gen LongStreet's corps darmee consisting
of his veteran division of the Old Guard of the Army
OF the Potomac, and Gen. ID. II. Hills DIVISION de-
houched from the woods on the South side of the
ChickahOminy, and crossed that river at Mechanics
vile. The position of army on Friday night
may be described as forming, with the Chichahom-
my, acute angle: our left still in advance under
Gen. jackson, lying over towards the Pamunky;
General Hill occupying Mechanicsvie and the cen
tire, and Gen. LongStreet with Gen. ID. II. Ill., COM
posing our right lying Immediately on the Chicka-
hominy.
Friday morning the general advance q, echeLon
again began; Gen. jackson in advance and far to
the left, gradually converging to the Chickahominy
again; General A. P. Hill in the centre and bearing
towards new Coal Harbor; Gen. LongStreet and
Gen. ID. H. Hill coming down the Chickahominy to
New Bridge. Arrived at Iogan'S house, near New
magnificent Strategy-courer after courier arrived
informing him of the approach of each division.
As soon Jacksons arrival at Coal llarbor was an
nounced, Gen. Lee and Gen. LOngstreet accompa-
MED by their respective STATS rode by Gaines Mill
and halted at New Coal Harbor-here they Joined
Gen. A. P. Hill. Soon the welcome sound of Jack
sons guns announced his arrival and that the battle
had begun.
The enemy now occupied a singular position; one
portion of his army on the South size Of the Chick.
ahominy, frOnted Richmond, and was confronted by
Gen Magruder-the other portion on the North
side, had turned their backs Richmond and
tronted destruction in the persons of Lee, Long
street, Jackson, and the Hills.
These last were therefore advancing on Richmond
with their backs to the city, such the position
into which Gen. Lee had forced Mcclellan The
position which the latter here occupied however
was one of great strength.
jackson having begun the contest it was taken
up by Gen. a. P. Hill in the centre, aud by ID. H.
Hill on the left LOngStreet in reserve supported
Immediately the ceptrc under Gen A. p. HILL
From the beginning Of the conflict, Jackson pressed
up and d. H. Hill down the Cnickahominy. Our
wings were thus approaching each other, while our
centre was driving the enemy back upon the river
From four o'clock until eight the battle ragged with
display of the utmost daring and intrepdity on
the part of the Confederate army. The encmy's
lines were finally broken and MS strong positions
all carried and night covered the retreat of McCIe
lans broken and r0ated columns 20 the South side
of the Chickahominy THIS retreat to The Richmond
side OF the river continued through Friday
night, and the morning Of Saturday. Closely
watched and pressed by army, he held his fort-
hed camp on the South side ii the Chckahomny
during Saturday, but evacuated it during the night,
and resumed his retreat, taking direction towards
James river
The operations of our army since Sunday morn
ing have been principally on the Riclhnond side of
the Chickahominy on Sunday, however, jackson
commanded Bottoms Bridge, AMI though unable to
cross 1t because it under range of the guns of
the enemy, prevented its use by the enemy, while
he built himself another mile above, where he
ming, leaving Gen. Stuarts cavalry on the North
side.
The retreat which began from the North SIDE on
Friday MI hit ON Yesterday chan..nh -. 49,.