The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1862-07-05
War News of the Week.
E,,r Crx McCLEiIAy's ARMY.

difficulties 3Esssa ID e fahsee wsb ki il .S g!
transmission of correct information, SC
that. with what little ineligible news
that does come through. there is so large
an admixture of palpable fiction, that i
is diffca', TO decide what to believe.
In our last we gave brief account Of
the movement on Wednesday, Goth, Or
McClellan's left, by which he advanced
his line halt mile, and got his troops on
dry ground.
On Thursday there were more import
ant movements and heavier fighting. At
8 in the moruiuE an attack was made by
the enemy on Gen. Stoneman's cavalry, at
Hanover c. H., ten miles north OF flch-
mond The attack then extended south
ward to a point opposite Mechanicsville,
and was repealed by Campbeiis Pennsyl-
vania batteries aud the Bucktail ri1e-.-
One company Of the Bncktalls; who were
west of the railroad on picket duty, was
cut Of, and taken prisoners.
About 9 O'Clock p NJ on Thursday, the
enemy crossed the Cbickahominy in large
force moving in the direction of Mechan
icsville, (Which is seven miles north of
Richmond) and made a furious attack on
Gen McCall's division, ION Our right and
north of the Clickahominy) The attack
lasted until o'clock P NJ, out our men
were not driven a rod. The rebels fought
on open ground while our men fought in
intreuchments. so tia, our loss was trifiing
compared with theirs. At one time the
enemy undertook to push across some
boagy ground in the rear of Mechanics
Vile to reach our entertainments, and
were moved down in heaps. The horses
of their cavalry became mired, and were
abandoned by the men as they were re
pulsed This ended the operations on
Thursday.
Friday morning, at 2 o'clock, General
Mcclellan, in accordance it is said with a
plan previously formed, withdrew Gen
McCalrs division and indeed all our
troops that were north of the Chickaho-
miny to the south of that stream, thus
shortening his line to the right some
movement Was, to abandon the whole of
his right and rear from the Chick hominy
to the White House to the enemy, if in |
deed, in the movement at Hanover c. II. |
on Thursday morniag the enemy did not
gain this At all events, simultaneously
with this contraction of his right wing
Gen. Mcclellan ordered all the stores
wounded, sick, &c, at White House 10 be
placed on transports ready to leave for
York river, and by Saturday that impor-
tant depot was abandoned, all it contained
atioat on York river, the White House
itself in flames, and its smouldering ruins
in possession of large force Of rebel
cavalry.
The enemy encouraged by, or not salts
fed with, the result of their attack on
Thursday, renewed it with vigor Fri
day. They first attacked our centre, op
posite Duryea Zouaves, and were repulsed
then made a like attempt against our left
and we're repulsed; then gathering appa-
rently in desperate effort, made another
furious attack, mot said whether on left,
centre, or rght) and forced our men
buck 10 low ground between the hill aud
b-idge, when rush of teams men, &c,
WAS made towards the bridge, upon which
they would have been slaughtered in
thousands; but a strong guard was placed
on the bridge, and the meE kept their
ground. At this time Gen. Meaghers
lrishmcn We're ordered up and they went
In with coats off and sleeves rolled up
driving the enemy back to the woods
And thus matters stood up to ii o'clock
Saturday 2Sth
The slaughter on both sides, during these
two days was heavy-2O00 to 5000 on our
side and that OF tn: enemy must have
beer double.
so far there seems certainly nothing in
all this fighting that looks like a reverse
on our side. But Whist people don't appear
to understand is why, after thus repulsing
every attack of the enemy, Gen. McClel-
Ian should Withdraw has risht wing from
beyond the C!,ickahomnv and abandon
the whole country to the white House, &c.
That the movement was not forced upon
him i apparent from the fact that rs early
a. Monday June 23) before any of these
att rcks were made. he had ordered the
preliminary steps for changing his line
and abandoning his depot at the White
House The solution of the mystery is in
the word strategy" The object of the
movement, says correspondent on the
&. I'll
Divisions into close connection with the
rest of the army, In fact, changing the
front OF the whole of our forces, with our
center and left pressing Immediately on
Richmond itself. which would be done, it
was expected. Saturday. 1t was virtual
surrender or vacating of long line OF
defense before kept up to Merhanicsville,
IN order 20 have the whole force within
more Elective distance. Also. TO allow
the rebels to follow up, and If possible, u
DIg them.
Gen. MeClellan's base, by these move
ments, is changed from the White House
TO James river, his left now resting on
tie river
OF the thrilling events subsequent to
Saturday noon and up To TUESDAY even
ing. (tiIe latest date receved) the reports
are still too imperfect and confused to
enable as to give an ineligible account.
1t is apparent, however, that Ger McCle- |
Ian proceeded without stopping in the !
work commenced on Thursday, OF with
drawing entirely from the llne lie then &C.