Litchfield enquirer., 1862-07-24
GEN. McCLELLAN,s RETREAT


A correspondent of the Philadelphia Press,
who dates from steamer John A. Warner, on the
James river, writes
The capture Of Richmond from this position
will very likely be tedious operation, recurring
great skill and an overwhelm force. The FEEDER.
al army has twenty -fye miles of rebel country to
overcome, and it may take as long time as it
did to cross the Peninsula from White House to
Mechanicsville.-On May 18th we entered White
House a month passed, and we were just cap
turing that burned up town on the Cbickahomi-
ny; second month, and we were just where the
former left us--still before Richmond, but no
nearer its capture.
Recurring to the events of the past few days.
the most prolific imagination cannot realize
true view of the great retreat. and pen.plctures
avail very little IN its description In Mondays
fight the Reserves fought like tigers against the
enemy, and when they retreated, literally cut TO
pieces. from the field, Gen. Mccall was left be-
hind wounded, and no doubt, q few moments more
saw him prisoner to the enemy. Gen. Rey-
nolds was also taken, but am glad to say, il
uniniured. Gen. Meade, though badly wounded
was borne from the Geld by his troops. General
Seymour now commands the remnant of that
dne division, once the pride of Pennsylvania.
A rumor prevailed when the Warner left, that
long and heavy cannonading had been heard in
q northeasterly direction from our position, and
there were strong hopes that Gen. Pope and his
brave army were coming upon the rear of the re-
bells. Should this be the case, the rebel army is
lost. -. se
INCIDENTS OF TIE RETREAT
Still the enemy pressed us, and through al
that night the jaded army with its baggage. had
to be urged on. A vast herd of cattle passed Us
early on Monday morning, and, just after it, .
drove Of thousand rebel prisoners. started
early and again witnessed Sundays fearful
scenes. - ~ I'll
Wounded and sick limped along. manya one
lying down to sleep his last sleep under the
grateful shade of the roadside woods. The same
confusion Of wagons, and soldiers, and cannon,
and the paraphenalia of war, blocked the pas
sage; and, in addition to the rebels laundering
behind2us, and the long, weary, dusty day before,
hunger and thirst began to stare us in the face
Thousands had thrown away their haversacks,
containing all their food, and not a bite could
they procure. Not stream or spring could
be found anywhere to quench the thirst Of the
poor soldiers. They lay on the ground drinking
from bitches filed with mud and filth. Wells
dug with their hands sometimes furnished q
scant supply. ..,..,.,. .t.g.. ..t...,t
But it was one-tenth enough for the army !;
horses died from thirst, and were left lying where
for water, water though above it sounded loudly
the voices of the officers, who urged every one
forward. Monday was far more terrible than
Sunday. Hunger and thirst came to the aid of
Secession, in tho infection of deep and painful
wounds upon the Union army. @ .
. At one o'clock on Monday came in sight of
the James river, away off in tho distance, its
muddy current swiftly coursing between its low
banks How many hailed with delight that glo-
rious river which betokened the end of our wea-
ry, terrible journey!
The hilltop was lined with gazers who feas-
ted their eyes with the sight of the glorious
stream. The halt we made, however, was We
ry short one, and after dusty march of four
miles we reached Turkey Landing, on the river
Here witnessed the most frantic glee on the
part of the troops. Soldiers would rush down
the hillside and plunge into the stream in per-
feet frenzy of delight. Many whose thirst had
been most excruciating for hours before, stand
ing neck deep in the water drank to their hearts
content. The horses, too, we're relieved their
wants were cared for, and the hungry soldiers
were the only ones left who were still in worse
misery than the army generally.