The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1862-07-16
The Battle on Monday

We take the following from the Rich
mond Erominer, 3Olh.
To give our readers an intelligent and
reliable statement OF the great battle Of
Monday evening between the Chckn.
hominy and James River, We mu,, ad
vert to the situation in which the other
great fight OF Friday last found the op-
posing forces.
1t will be rscolecied that, after his de.
feat at Cold Harbor, the enemy re,reated
10 the Richmond side OF the Cbickahomi
ny, and, leaving his fortified camp on the
south side Of this river, continued bis re
treat towards the James. During Sat
urday and Sunday our forces were bu.iIy
employed in "ieeling" for the fugitive
enemy. On Sunday morning the divis.
ions of Generals Hill auI Lones,ree,
crossed the Chickahominy, and were, du
ring the whole Of tho dav, moving in the
hunt for the enemy. The disposition
which was made OF our forces brouch,
General Longstreet on the enemy's front.
Immediately supported by General IIIlI's
division, consisting Of SIX Lri,ades. Tie
forces commanded by General Long
street were his old division, consisting Of
six brigades.
About four O'Clock Monday afternoon,
General Longs;reet having been called
away, tue command OF his division was
assumed 10y General A. p. IIdl, who,
with both divisiOns-that Of Longs,reet
and bis own-engaged the enemy at n
Liter hour in the evening.
The battle was thus fought under the
Immediate and sole command Of General
A. l.. Hill, in charge of both DIVISIONS
The position Of the enemy was abou, five
miles northeast Of Darbytown, on the
New Market road. The immediate scene
OF the battle was plain Of sedge pines,
IN the cover Of which the enemy's forces
were sklifulIy disposed.
10 advancing upon the enemy, bat,er
les OF sixteen heavy guns were opened
upon the advance colums Of Gen. HIll.-
Our troops pressing heroically forward,
had 10 sooner got within musket range,
than the enemy, forming several lines Of
battle, poured upon them from his heavy
masses a devouring fire Of mu.ketry. The
conflict became terriLIe |; the air being
filled with missiles Of dea,h, every mo
ment having It's peculiar sound Of terror,
and every spot it sight Of ghastly des
truclion and horror. 1t is impossible tha.
IN any Of the series of engagements
which have taken place within the pas,
few days and have tracked the lines Of
Richmond with frs and destruction.
there could have been moro desperate
lighting on the part Of our troops. Never
was a more glorious victory pucked from
more desperate and threatening circum.
stances. While exposed to the double
fire of the enemys batteries aud his mus
kerry we were unable TO contend with
him with artillery. But, although thus
unmatched, the heroic commana Of Gen
oral Hill pressed on with unquailing Wig.
or ard resis,less courage, driving the
enemy before them. This WAS accom-.
plished without artillery, there being but
one battery In General Hills command
on The spot, and that belonged to Long.
streets division, and could not be got
into position. Thus the fight continued
with nm ardor and devotion that few bat.
tie fields have ever illustrated. Step b,
step the enemy were driven back, bis
guns taken. and the ground he aban.
doned strewn with bis dead. BY half
past eight o'clock we had taken all his
cannon, aud, continuing to advance, had
driven him mile aud half from his
ground Of battle.
Our forces were still advancing upon
the rstrsating lines Of the snemy. II