Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1862-07-08
BEGINNING Ofthe Battle Before
Richmond.

mond:
THE TROOPS FIRST AssAILED.
The troops frs. assailed we're doing
picket duty, and were SO unfortunate as
10 have two Of their companies surrounded
and one Of them, company X, is made
prisoners the Captain Of the company
escaping to tell the story From their rifle
pits and earthworks McCalPs brave men
held the advancing rebels 10 check for four
hours, when they were reinforced BY the
brigades Of Porter's corps, and the fight
continued three houis longer, the rebels
being repulsed with heavy loss, our troops
under the protection of earthworks suffer-
ing less, the loss of this days fighting beiog
summed up at some 800.
That night an oider came from General
Mcclellan for Gen. Porter to withdraw bis
forces gradually to point near Meadows
Bridge. After few hours sleep upon
their arms, our troops were aroused, and,
in accordance with the plan of operations,
Gen. Mccall, at O'clock, opened fire of
artillery en- the enemy, who vigorously
responded, until our forces began gradually
10 retire before them as if retreating. but
maintaining their ranks in good order,
crossing bridge over creek on the way
destroying it behind them, compelling the
enemy to wait the slcw construction IF
passage way in the fire of our opposing
artillery and heavy musket FIRE from the
Ninth Massachusetts,.
Dividing here, our troops continued
their ret eat over two separate roads, burn
ing behind them such cummissary stores
as they could not carry, which, fortunately
was Of small account, as the removal of all
portable property across the Chickahominy
had previously been ordered Following
close otter POrter's men. the rebels contin-
ued to advance, until they came upon
piece Of woods, in which they seemed to
hesitate to follow, hating for some time
before showing themselves ag-in. But
without waiting for them, our troops still
fell back, until near the Chick ahominy, at
Woodbury's Bridge, where they hauled in
the open country, which there spreads out
into beautiful broad fields and fertile pas-
lures.
HEIGHT OF THE EXCITEMENT.
Quickly the dispositions for battle were
made, the division being drawn up 10 line
of battle, the batteries planted in the most
eligible positions, and every preparation
for holding the ground al any cost, in ac-
c0rdanee with tins orders received fr, N the
Commander in Chief. 1t was neer noon.
ard our troops had taken fresh courage for
effort from the hour or two of rest and
refreshment which they had enjoyed. Then
the enemy were reported to be again ad-
vancing; they opened fire on our men from
the woods skirting the plain in which the
latter were posted.
First commencing with the usual pi.ket
skirmlshiny, and then swelling into the
roar Of the artillery duel, the struggle
opened between the advance guard of the
two armies, until by CT o'clock in the
afternoon the battle ragged fiereely allaIopg
the lines, until within an hour or two Of
sunset, when the storm lulled for a time.
and then the rebels, who had been mean
while reinforced, came on with fresh yigor
70 the assault. They were soon met with
equal determination by Pcrter's men. aided
by the reinforcemonts that had come to
them from the corps Of franklin, Summer.
end Keys; from the former Slucum's
division; rom Summers the brigades Of
French and Irish boys under Meaeber.
and from the further reserved coTps of
Reyes, the brigade Of Palmer, which had
done good service in the fight on Wednes.
day on the left.
Desperately and determinedly did the
rebels press forward, but as desperately
and determinedly were they met and driven
gaining nothing further that night than
the promise of their morning advance.
Not until O'Clock did the men find rest
which, we may be sure. came not unwel>
coined 10 such Of the men as had raised
through the struggle, commencing early ir
the afternoon OF the previous dav.
Most OPPORTUNITY was the arrival Of the
reintorcemeuts that evening, for our troops
hard pressed by superior numbers, were
IN danger Of being driven further back
than was intended, and the first symptoms
OF disorder were showing themselves in the
hasty Hight OF teamsiers and lookers-Op.
the struggling soldiers in the crowd being
turned back from Woodbury's Bridge by
the strong guard who kept watch over it
with their bayunets.
AFTER THE BATTLE
And 30 the SUI went down unon that
battlefield strewn with the bruised and
mangled forms Of what once had been men
OF what we're still msO, though sborn Of
their tnli proportions, and bIdden to 20
MANNED and halnng through life. But
the night had settled down upon the earth.
and wearied men were sleeping SO peace
fully, even in the midst Of death, rest did
not come to all. for there was still q yiri-
liant watch to be kept upon the movements
Of the enemy, and the nearby work of re.
moving the dead and providing for the
wounded. Aad early IN the moi n ing. at .
O'Clock, all we're disturbed by the sound of
shari firing canning from the direction Of
OF the lett, ~hsre the enemy were amusing
themselves with night on the positions of
Nh ,nka apI
result that l can l9arn of. Smiths division
directly opposite WOodbury's Bridge, on
tho farther side of the CnicIa 1oHiny were
also attacked during the day OF Friday, his
brave Vermont boys and the Thirty third
New York, with the help of Ayres' and
other batteries, repelliug the assault with
great slaughter.
THE LOSS.
And who can estimate our loss, when
none but the Onni2otent eve can. in the
confusion Of the first hours that follow the
engagement, search out the fate of all who
appear not with their comrades ae they
IN their regiments at night? twill surely
exceed tno1san |, and hope not pass the
800 but few days more will tell while.
meanwhile, the list must swell greatly, for
the BATHS is not fully ended. Strategy or
NJ strategy, there must still be desperate
fighting, even though the rebels should
play in to our hands to the end, as they
are reported tn have done to day in seek
ing to possess themselves of the commuai-
cations with White House, little thinking.
probably, how far advanced were the pres
paratlons for changing to a new and better
base on the James River, where our gun
boats can afford US full protection, and We
shall have but single flank to guard.
Evacuation OF James Island.
We have news by the arrival Of the Man.
tanZas FROM Port ROYAL Yesterday, that