The Memphis union appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-07-04
THE Snip CANAL QUESTION IN
CONGRESS-
THE 81

NEW YORK, June 30.-The New York Tribune
has issued an extra, dated Battle field" Civ
ing an account of two days desperate fighting.
A company of Bucktails was surrounded and
captured. Retreat of our right wing. Over
l25,000 men engaged. All civilians ordered
away from the White House. The following
is the account:
ga severe and most determined battle was
fought on the right wing Thursday and Friday,
which is claimed by some of our officers a
successful strategetic movement into which the
enemy had been unWittingly drawn, and
which will soon result in the capture of Rich
mond and the entire rebel army. the attack
was made by the enemy in immense force, who
crossed the Chickahominy near the railroad
above Mechanicsville, on Thursday afternoon,
and fought desperately, but were unable to
drive our boys single rod, though they were
ten to our one. The only force engaged that
day was McCalrs division-the battle lasting
from till 8 P. M, when the division was or
dered back.
Gen Mcclellan was on the field, expressing
himself satisfied with the result
ADDITIONAL.
Thursday about noon the enemy made an
attack upon Gen. Stoneman's forces, in the
vicinity Of Hanover Court House, propably
for the purpose of accomplishing an outhank-
ing movement on the right and to engage
our attention in that direction, shortly after
wards they commenced vigorous cannonading
from their works on an eminence opposite
Mechanicsville, about one and half miles dis
I mt; also, from two batteries-one above and
the other below. They were replied to by
Campbelps Pennsylvania batteries on picket
duty on the Mechahicsville road, and another
from behind earthworks at the right of a
grove.
hOfnk . Nha srfoY So, a
squadrons of cavalry crossed the Chickahom-
my in immense force a short distance above
the Virginia Central Railroad, making rapid
advance toward Gen. McCalrs division, who
were intrenched on 8 hilly woodland across q
swamp ravine, about a mile In the rear of
Mschaniclville. The First Pennsylvania Rifles
(Buckt Iils) and Oampbelrs Pennsylvania bat
terry were on picket DUTY, all of whom, except
one company, fell back behind the breast
wsrks and rihe-pits, where line Of battle was
drawn up. Company X, of the Bucktails,
surrounded by the enemy, and the last that
was known of them they were trying to cut
their way through. 1t is presumed the greater
portion were taken prisoners.
The enemy advanced down at the rear OF
Mechanicsville, on low marshy ground, to
where our forces were drawn up behind rifle
pits and earthworks TO an eminence on the
north side OF the ravlne, where the conflict be-
came most terrible. The rebels, with the most
determined courage, attempted to press for
ward over the miry ground, but the bullets
and grapeshot fell among them like hail, liter
ally moving them down. This continued
till dark, when they withdrew. The cannon
aiding was kept upon both sides until about 6
o'clock P. NJ, when the battle ceases.
Our forces were covered by earthw and
suffered slightly. .
Late in the afternoon the enemy made i
charge with cavalry. About hundred O
them came rushing down and attempted K
cross the ravine, where the horses becam,
mired A squadron of our cavalry seeing thei
position, made a charge down the hill, wheI
the csvalrymen abandoned their horses ANT
fed. The infantry fight was then renewed
and, according to the statement of my inform
ant, Surgeon Humphrey, of the Pennsylvani
Bucktail Regiment continued until about
p NJ, when q retreat was ordered, very mue
against the viii Of the Pennsylvania boy
who begged to be allowed to hold their positio
The outer forces then began to fall back. POI
ter's corps was some distance below d
Gaines residence.
Of next days battle, correspondent say
the cannonading and musketry was terrif
= DurYee's gallant ZouaYes wers lying upon Il