The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-07-15
BATTLE AT RICHMOND,
Peril0us Change Of Military Base
Especial Correspondence Gin. Commercial ]
JAMES River, VIRGINIA, TuEspAy)
Evening, July lst, 1862. J
THE SITUATION

Evening, July lSty ACoS. }
THE SITUATION.
You remember that the army wa!
pressing hard upon Richmond. Every
communication to the press assured yor
that it was not strong enough to execute
the task. For weeks the symptoms o
insufliciency of power manifestly increas
ed. But the army pressed SO closely
upon Richmond it could not be with
drawn without great peril. Gen. Nc
Clellan was committed to do all be
could" with what he had, while he hop.
ed for aid. Ii the enemy did not rein.
force he might accomplish his aim. So
the work was pressed, while the people
! clamored that it was slow. The right
wing, consisting of McCall's, MorelI's
and Sykes divisions, less than $4,000
strong, was well posted on the left bank
of the Chickabominy, from Beaver Dam
Greek TO point below New Bridge
Several military bridges formed the ave-
nues Of communication between the two
portions of the army separated by the
river. The center consisting OF Smith s,
Sedgwick's and Richardson's divisions,
stretched in line Of battle from Golding' 5
on the banks Of the river, to point south
of the Yorktown railroad. Phe left wing,
consisting of Hooker's, Kearney's and
COUGHS divisions. stretched from Rich
ardson's left to point considerably
south of the Williamsburg stage road,
on the border of White Oak swamp. The
whole line was protected by strong
breastworks and redoubts. The neces
sary extent of the line left but few troops,
for supports. Casey's, now Peck's sad
ly reduced division, guarded Bottom
B~idge, the railway bridge, and were as
signed to other similar duty. Our line
Il battle on the right bank OF the Chick
ahomny. as have Informed you, press
ed so close TO the rebel lines that neither
could advance regiment outside Of their
respective breastworks without provoking
battle.
!. On Wednesday, June 25th, Gen Ne,
Clellau made the first distinctly offensive
movement. BY directing Gen. Hooker to
take up an advanced position on Fair
Oaks Farm, near the Williamsburg road
II provoked a sharp resistance, which we
overcome, and accomplished our object Il
is necessary to note this fact particularly,
because it bears strongly upon the qnes-
tion whether Gen. Nc cClellan had then
distinctly contemplated changing base
Of opel atious 10 James River--a perilous
thing TO attempt before more so now
that we were still nearer the enemy. Ii
was pronounced IAN important achieve
ment" by Gen. Mcclellan himself, be-
cause it gave him advantages over the
rebel position which he had not enjoyed
before. Some time during the night,
however, filings were received OF a
movement of Sgonewall Jackson on our
right wing. 1t was deemed hazardous
to malulaln the advantages OF the previ
Gus day, and the line was ordered 10 re-
sumo its old position. Tuesday after
noon the anticipated attack upon our
right wing was made, and hand
somey repused but il was discovered
thai il had not been made by Jackson 5
Information was received
that Jackson was sweeping down the
Pamunky, probably 10 capture military
stores al The White House, to cut off our
communication with our water base, and
menace our rear. Orders were given at
once 10 destroy all public property al the
White House aud eyacuale that point
Matters began 10 assume a critical APP
pearanee, and danger eliminated in tho
disaster Of Friday. II was then fully de-
lermined to "change the base OF opera
tons to james RIVER" u seems TO me
tAis arcs compulsory. The enemy bad turn
ed our ght, evidently outnumbering us
in great disproporlion, was too strong in
front Eor us 10 break through. aud WAS
in position to crush us in front aud rear
and, perhaps, intending to strike on
our lefl flank. Apparently his army was
numerous enough Tor that grand comb-
nation. The great retrogade movement
was ieally begun Friday evening, by the
transfer Of headquarters from Trents
Bluffs 10 Savage Station, but the grand
exodus did not commence until Saturday,
and did not swell into full proportions
till nightlall of that day. The history Of
that movement will follow in due course.
Tie reader beng supposed to be IA.
miliar with the war map. will now follow
the course pursued by the army. In or.
der TO preserve the morale Of The army
as far as possible. and obtain supplies Of
ammunition and subsistence. il was de-
teFmined 10 carry through all The wagons
loaded, and the the ambulance train
making mighty caravan--vastly in
creased by artillery trains. There was
but one narrow road TO pursue Ii struck
almost due south from the William burg
road. through White Oak Swamp to the
Charles City road, into which il debouch
ed about eight miles from Turkey Bend,
in James River. The course then lay
up the latter road towards Richmond.
where il struck little south west by the
Quaker road. which terminated in New
Market road. leading from Richmond
The river was but a short distance south.
and Malvern Hill--a beautiful, lofty bluff
overlooking the river and commanding
the surrounding country. being our goal.
Although thara was hut n sinula rnad -