The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-07-11

ton OF new passage way in the fire of our
opposing artillery and heavy musketry fire
from the Ninth Massachusetts.
Dividing here, our troops continued their
retreat over two separate roads, burning
behind them such commissary stores as they
could not carry, which fortunately was of
small account, as the removal of all porta.
ole property across the Chickahominy had
previously been ordered. Following close
after POrter's men, the rebels continued to
advance, until they came upon piece of
woods, in which they seemed to hesitate to
follow, hating for Some time before showing
themselves again. But, without waiting
for them, our troops still fell back, until
near the Chickahominy, at Woodbury. 8
Bridge, where they halted in the open
country which there spreads out into broad
fields and fertile pastures.
HEIGnTH OF THE EXCITEMENT.
Quickly the dispositions for battle were
made, the division being drawn up in line
of battle, the batteries planted in the most
eligible positions, and every preparation for
holding the ground at any cost, in accord
ance with the orders received from the
Commander in Chief. 1t was now near
noon, and our troops had taken fresh cour-
age for effort from the hour or two for rest
and rsfreshment which they had enjoyed.
Then the enemy were reported to be again
advancing; they opened fire upon our men
from the woods skirting the plain in which
the latter were posted.
First commencing with the usual picket
skirmishing, and then swelling into the roar
of the artillery duel, the struggle opened
between the advanced guard of the two ars
mics, until by three or four o'clock in the
afternoon the battle ragged fercely all along
the lines, until within an hour or two of
sunset, when the storm lulled for time, and
then the rebels, who had been meanwhile
reinforced, came on with fresh vigor to the
assault. They were soon met with equal
determination By Porter's men, aided now
By the reinforcements that had come to
them from the corps of Franklin, Sumner,
and Keys; from the former Slocum's diviss
ion, from Sumner the brigades Of French,
and the Irish boys under Meagher; and from
the further reserved corps of Keyes, the
brigade of Palmer, which had done good
service in the fight Of Wednesday on the
left. Desperately and determinedy did the
rebels press forward, but as desperately and
determinedly were they met and driven,
gaining nothing farther that night of the
| promise of their morning advance. Not
until after nine O'Clock did the men find rest,
which, we may be sure, came not unwel
coined to such of the men as had passed
through the struggle, commencing early in
the afternoon of the previous day.
Most opportunity was the arrival Of the
reinforcements that evening, for our troops,
hard pressed by superior numbers, were 10
danger OF being driven farther back than
was intended, and the first symptoms of
disorder were showing themselves in the
hasty flight of transfers and lookers-oD, the
struggling soldiers in the crowd being turn.
ed back from Woodbury's bridge by the
strong guard who kept watch over it with
their bayonets.
AFTER THE BATTLE.
And so the sun went down upon that
battle field strewn with the bruised and
mangled forms of what once have been men,
Of what were still men, though shorn of their
full proportions, and hidden to go manned
aud halting through life. But though the
night bad settled down upon the earth, and
wearied men were sleeping so peacefully,
even in the midst of death, rest did not come
to all, for there was still vigilant watch to
be kept upon the movements of the enemy,
and the near by work of removing the dead
and providing for the wounded. And early
in the morning, at o'clock, all were dis
turbed by the sound of sharp firing coming
from the direction of the left, where the
enemy were amusing themselves with fight
on the positions of Sumner, Hooker, and
Kearney, with no result that 1 learn Of
Smiths division, directly opposite Wood
bury's bridge, on the farther side of the
Chickahomny, 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, repellipg
the assault with great slaughter.
THE LOSS.
And who can estimate our loss, when none
but an Onnipotent eye can, in the confusion
of the first hours that follow the engage
meDt, search out the fate of all who appear
not with their comrades as they gather with
their regiments at night? 1t will surely
exceed thousand, and l hope not pass
fifteen hundred; but few days more will
tell; while, meanwhile, the list must swell
greatly, for the battle is not yet fully ended
Strategy or 20 strategy, there must still be-
desperate fighting, even though the rebels
should play into Cur hands TO the end, as
they are reported to have done today in
seeking to possess themselves of the commu-
nications with White House, little think
ing, probably, how far advanced were the
preparations for changing to a new and
better base Oh the James River, where our
gunhoats can afford Us full! protection, and
we shall have but single flank to guard.
| Core pondence OF the New York Herald, 9th
BEGINNING OF THE GENERAL ENGAGEMENT.
Between three and four o'clock the gene
raj engagement began. The taking DO note
OF time, except from its loss, is ordinarily
true. There is no taking note of time,
however, in the excitement of battle. was
never so astonished as when looked at my
watch and saw it was seven o'clock. There
had been three hours and more of fierce and
determined battle; it seemed less than one
hour. The ear was full of the roar of can.