, 1862-07-07
PERILOTS CHANGE OF MILITARY
BASE,
THE RETREAT.
BATTLE OF WHITE OAK
SWAMP.
THE RIVER At LAST REACHED
Especial Correspondence Cincinnati Commercial.I
JAMES RIVER, Va, Tuesday |
Evening, July 1st, 1861, {

Especial Correspondence Cincinnati Commercially
JAMES RIVER, Va, Tuesday |
Evening, July 1st, 1861. {
THE SITUATION.
You remember that the army wes pressing
hard upon Richmond. Every communica.
to the press assured you that it was not
strong enough to execnte the task For
weeks the symptoms Of insufhciency Of pow
er manilestly increased. But the army press
ed SO closely upon Richmond it could not be
withdrawn without great peril. Gen. Me-
Clr1lan WAS committed to "do all he could
with what he had, while he hoped for aid. It
the enemy did not reinforce he might accom-
plish his aim. So the work vas pressed,
Ehile the people clamored that It was sloT.
More}rs and SYKES divisions, less than rs oo0
stroug, was well posted on the left bank of
the chiekahominy, from Beaver Dan Creek to
a point below New Bridge. Several military
bridges formed the avenues OF communica-
tions betty Setn the two gortions OF the army
Of Smiths, BedgHick's and Richardson's
divisions, stretched In line OF battle from
Golding's on the banks Of the river, to
a poilt south of the Yorktown rail
road. The left wing, consisting Of
HookeF's, Kearney's and Couch's divisions,
considerably south Of the Williamsburg stage
road, On the border Of White Oak swamp.
The whole Inc was protected by strong
breastwoslss and redoubts. The necessary ex-
tent Of the line left but few troops for sup
Forts. Case5's, now Peck's sadly reduced
division, guarded Bottom Bridge, the rail way
bridge, and were assigned to other similar
duty. Our line of batt1e On the right bank Of
the Chlc6ahominy, as haEe inforned you,
pressed so close to the rebel lines that neither
could advance regiment outside of their re-
sEectiye breastH orks without provoking
! battle,
On Wednesday, June 25th, Gen. Mcclellan
made the first distinctly offensive movement,
By directing Gen. Hooker to take up an ad.
yanced position Oh Fair Oaks Farm, near the
Williamsburg road. It provoked sharp re-
| sjstance, which we oTefcau1e, and ACCOM-
| plished our object. It fs necessary to note
this fact particularly, because It bears strong
| II upon the question whether Gen Mcclellan
had then distinctly contemplated Changing
ting to attempt before; more 80 ROW thai
| we we're still nearer the enemy. It was pro
nourced an important achievement bl
Gen. Mcclellan himself, because It gayt
him advantages over the rebel position which
be had not enjoyed before. Some time du
ring the night, however, tidings were received
Of 4 movement of StonewaI Jackson on OIL
right wing, It was deemed hazardous K
maintain the advantages of the previous day
| ard the line vas orJefed to resume its old po
sition. Tuesday affernoon.the anticipated 1T
| tack upon our right wing was made, and
handsomely repalfed; but It WAS dtscoverc'
that It had not bean made By Jacksoa's CON
mand. Information Wzs received that jack
son WIS sweeping down the Pamuu6J, prob
ably to capture military stores at Whitehouse
to cut of our communications with our Hafe
laae, and menace our rear. Orders we're give
ct oEce to destroy all public properly a
# Hhitthouse and eTacuate that point, Matter