The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-07-21
COMMUNICATIONS.
lFrom our Regular Correspondent
Letter from the 7th Regiment.

Co. K, 7TH Me. VoLs- CAMP NEAR
HARRIsoN's LANDING, July Sth. 1862.
To the Editor Of the Press:
We have had hard time. Icannot attempt
at this time to describe our retreat, but will
give you the outline of our operations, reserv-
ing details for future occasion.
On the 23d ultimo, our right wing was at
tackled and thrown back on the line of Me-
chanicsville and Hanover. The former place,
you win remember, was taken by our brigade
after sharp combat, on the 26th OF May. By
A o'clock, P. NJ, the right wing had fallen back
so near our camp on the south side of the
Chickahomny, that we could hear the volley
and see the smoke rising above the trees; at
dark the firing ceased, and the night was quiet;
but in the morning the action commenced in
earnest, and continued through the forenoon
At u o'clock the enemy had gained possession
Of Gaines Hill, and were there within shelling
range of our camp. They at once began send
ing cast-iron compliments to us, but, our guns
being heavier and of longer range, were soon
silenced. At 8 p. NJ, they commenced an at
tack on our front and shelled our camp until
dark. We replied with twenty wel-served
field guns, and for time things were lively,
assure you. During the night nothing Of note
occurred except the movement of heavy col
umns Of troops in various directions.
On this day the loss in the regiment was
slight: Corporal Scott W. Norcross received
severe wound on the shoulder, and was sent
TO the depot for wounded at Sayage's station.
I'm Cat 4bn Ill
1890 p. NJ when a smart artillery engage
ment began, doing no damage to our regiment
except wounding two men slightly. At
O'Clock, the enemy had secured possession of
two important points, which we were not
strong enough to retake, and we at once
saw that we must fall back. We then began
to destroy everything which could not be re-
moved, tents, rations, munitions, baggage, &C.,
leaving nothing whatever to go as trophies to
Richmond; this complete, we retired slowly
and in perfect order towards the James river.
Ats O'Clock on Sunday morning, our divi-
sion (Smith's) was ordered to cover the re-
treat Of the army. When three miles from
Savage's station, Capt. Cochrane of our COM
pany, who had been feeble for several days,
became SO i'll that DIR. Hunter ordered an am
bulance for him, and he was taken along with
the regiment, and after reaching James River
was sent to Hygeia Hospital at Fortress Mon
roe, as were all the sick and wounded saved
on the retreat. Lieut.. E. d. johnson then as
sumed command of the Company. Before
reaching Savages station the enemy came up
and cQmmenc-1 furious attack, but we drove
themtr hack tn heavy loss. At the station
was large amount of stores, ammunition and
tents; the railroad having been already des-
troyed we could not remove them, and were
7 forced to burn everything. At Savage's sta
ton were 365 sick and wounded soldiers, all
so i'll or so badly wounded, that they could not
be removed. We left surgeons, hospital stores
and tents sufficient for them, and sorrowfully
abandoned them to the mercies of the foe
Among them was Corporal Norcross, before
mentioned, and Eugene Sullivan of our Com
pany. We marched all that night, and at day
light crossed White Oak Swamp. We then
halted until the other divisions of the army,
with their trains could get out of our way
AT II O'Clock M. the enemy came on to us,
and began cannonade of two hundred Shells
per minute. We had terrible contest. One
of our batteries was silenced Immediately but
being promptly supported by the reserve artil-
lery, we held them at bay until after dark, and
then resumed our retreat. The loss among
the infantry of the division was light; the 7th,
lucky as ever, did not lose a man that day and
night, but the batteries suffered severely.
We marched throughout the night, and at
daylight Tuesday, July LIST, reached the James
River, six miles above here. At A. M. we
marched back to the front and waited an at
tack, but we did not get chance at them that
day, but the division ON our left, and nearer
the river, had a heavy battle, in which the
gunboats participated, routing the enemy with
terrible carnage. Wednesday, at O'Clock A.
NJ, we took up our line of march, and at
O'Clock it came on to rain, and continued to
fall heavily until l p. NJ, at which time we
reached Harrison landing near City Point, the
wettest and muddiest set of fellows you ever
saw. The whole army came in during the
day, and Gen. Mcclellan in person established
the line of the new position. On the Sd inst
we moved to the front about two miles, and
are now throwing up strong field works. We
have already mounted 20 heavy seige guns in
this division, and am told that works are be-
ing extended along our entire front. Our no.