Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-07-09

The Great Battle-the Situation-the Result.
We had hoped to be able to-day to present our
readers with full account of the results of the great
victory over Mcclellan and of the capture or total
rout of the Grand Army" but the incoherent and
contradictory rumors daily received, leave US near
ly as barren of authentic information as we were at
our last issue. The battles of Monday, the Both of
June, and Tuesday the LIST of July, as the facts
slowly come out, seem to have been the most dsas-
trous to both sides, Of any that had taken place
Tuesdays contest, especially, while it was marked
by the most intrepid valor on the part of the Con-
federate troops, was at the same time sgnalized as
the occasion of the most deadly havoc among our
troops OF any during the entire war. The enemy
was posted in an almost impregnable position, with
fifty to eighty Of his best guns to bear upon the as.
sallants in front who advanced to the attack Of
course the order to attack him in tina. position was
oocyed by our gallant troops, but it was the knell
OF death to thousands. 1t would seem that many
of the charges ordered during the progress of this
battle were given without the advantage or precau-
ton of reconnoisances, and hence the havoc among
our men, We learn that heavy censure rests upon
of our chief commanders, for the wanton reck-
lessncss of life exhibited especially in the Tues
days fight. commander may be daring and
courageous but he is unfit for his position who
necessarily exposes the lives of his men, In few
hours after this deadly charge the intrepid Jackson
moved upon the enemy's flank and drove him from
his position with small loss. The next morning,
Mcclellan was re:reating.
Since Tuesday the LIST, there has been no regular
battle Mcclellan has been slowly moving towards
the river and only detachments of his forces have
been attacked and captured.
Various statements are made in regard to the
condition and position of McClelan's forces. 1t
to be quite certain that he has kept up con-
slant communication with the gun boats on James
rver,.although it has been understood that We have
had forces there to intercept and prevent all such
communication. lie has managed his retreat with
evident Skill massing his forces saving most of his
cannon, and sending in advance of him what stores
he could preserve, and his wounded in wagons
These said to be on James river in large num-
bers as seen from the South SIDE
The rumor that large part of his force had
reached the river and gone down in transports to
Fortress Monroe, we believe wholly unfounded-
The river below City Point is said to be full of gun
boats and transports. The former are doubtless en-
ployed in affordng a cover to those who have
reached the river while the latter have brought
his wounded.
The Examiner appears to be confident that a
large force of the enemy is still surrounded by our
forces in Charles City County. though there were
rumors that the most of McClellan's forces had
reached Westover on the river. Rumors at Peters
burg of fighting on the river seem not to be well
founded.
The prevalent opinion seems to be that Mcclellan
though badly whipped, is not yet conquered, and
that he will entrench himself on the river and await
rcinforcements. The idea is, he will then try his
luck by movement the South side of James
river. Our commanders are on the alert, and it
would seem that attack on the.South side is an
tcipated, we learn large force has been ordered
to Petersburg.
The losses of Mcclellan must be immense in
killed. wounded, prisoners, cannon, small arms all
kinds of stores and equipments, but our readers
will pardon US we not specific in our Details
which We dare not attempt because of our utter
inability to arrive at the truth. Before Christmas
we hope to be able to relieve the general anxiety to
know all about these matters, which the govern
ment fails to give officially to the public.
The Latest News.
There is but little longer to doubt that Nc.
Clellan has effected his escape to James River with
the remainder of his force, amounting to about
5000 men, with portion of his cannon and stores
1t appears also that he has been reinforced strong
ly, making his army about 100, 900 men.
He is entrenching on the river at the confluence
of the Chickahominy and James rivers, under cover
of the gunboats Ills position is very strong one.
1t was expected that he would be attacked on Sat-
urdry last, the divisions of Jackson Longstreet
and A. P. Hill were near him. But no attack has
yet been made nor does it appear that ordinary pru.
dence would allow an attack under such circum.
stances. Having failed to cut off his retreat when
according to rumor he was entirely in our power,
and when every attack upon his batteries was at
tended with severe oss it could hardly be the part
OF wisdom to attack him in his present position,
when so little be gained at the risk of so great
loss.
His present position is about 30 miles below Rich.
mond by water, and some 80 miles, perhaps by
land and supported by his gunboats in both rivers.
We have seen no official statement yet of the ex.
tent of our captures in cannon, small arms, priso-