The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-07-10


- taroos his bridge the rebels had thrown up
n series of entertainments on the conAiahuiihs
heiohts beyond, under the cover OF Whieti tne3
attempted on Monday, the 23d lnst'' 70 tlio%
two new bridges across the stream ~ ".iioH
effort they met with Determines opPoo.'ion
From opr forces. and a heavy thunder storm
cona;o, IN that night, compelled them to deslst
tba work they had striven to continue under
the csyer of the darkness. These symptoms OF
or attack revealing the purpose of the enemy
Gen. Mccall was directed to withdraw mile
down the road to strong position on Beaver
Dam Greek, of
This was 10 be the line Of battle in case OF
an attack, and further opposition to the iopeiS
attempting to cross, was stopped a9' ioi 81 az
egic reasons, it was desired that they shoulu ei
feet passage. ....;.,. .a,.,,,o,-o
,,,0rentJv' Of our occupation, with the move
1,Sl,t he day previous on the lett Crossing
az river in strong force, under cover OF
baovv fire from their batteries on the opposite
side the enemy pressed down the road against
.Ln nosition of Gen. Mccall first attacking his
FIRST brigade. consisting Of the Bucktails; 9th,
Sh. 9th and 10th Pennsylvania regiments
These troops were soon reinforced by the SIX
regiments forming the other two brgades OF
the division, and from their strong position be :
held the greatly superior force Of the enemy at
bav from the time of attack until the going down
of the sun, at near 9 o'clock.
The troops first assaiIed were the Pennsylya-
MIA Bucktais, who were doing picket duty and
were 40 unfortunate as 10 leave two OF their
comnanies surrounded, and one of them-com-
many ks made prisoners, the captain OF me
COMPANY, Capt Irving, escaping to tell the
otorv From their. ride pits and earthworks
bald al rHDels
in check for near four hours, when they We're
reinforced by the brigades of Porter's corps,
and the fight continued three houes longer, the
Tebels being repulsed with heavy loss, our
moons under the protection Of earthworks sur
ferino less. The loss of this days fight being
summed up at some 3OO.
That nigbt an order came from Gen. McClel-
Ian for Gen Porter to withdraw his forces grad
ually to point scar Meadows Bridge. After
few hours sleep upon their arms, our troops
wore aroused and in accordance with the plan
of oneratiens, Gen. Mccall, at o'clock ,opened a
FIRE of artillery on the enemy who vigorously
demanded, until our forces began gradually to
retire before them as if retreating, but main
tanning their ranks in good order, crossing a
bridge over a creek on tie way, destroying it
behind them. compelling the enemy to wait the
allow construction of new passagr-way in the
fire of our opposing artillery aud heavy musket
hre from the 9th Massachusetts.
Dividing here, our troops continued their re-
treat over two separate roads, burning behind
them such commissary stores rs they could not
carry, which, fortunately, was of small account
as the removal of portable property across the
Chickahominy had previously bean erdered.-
Following close after PoIter's men, the recels
continued TO advance until they came upon 6
niece of woods, in which they seemed to hest
tate to follow, hating for some time before
showing themselves again. But, without wait
ing for them cur troops still fell back, unit
near the Chickahominy at Woodbury's Bridge
where they halted in the open country, WhicI
there spreads out iuto broad fields and fertile
pastures.
Quickly the dispositions FOR battle were
made. the division being drawn up in line, o
battle, the batteries planted in the most eligi-
bic positions and every preparation for hold
ing the ground at any cost, in accordance will
the orders received from the coInmaSderi in
chief It was now near noon, and our troops
had taken fresh courage for effort from Tx
hour or two for rest and refreshment they haC
enjoyed. Then the enemy were reported to b.
egain advancing they opened fire on our mel
from the woods skirting the plain Ill which thu
latter weresposted.
First commencing with the usual pickle
diminishing, and then swelling to the roar O
the artillery duel, the struggle opened betweeI
the advanced guard of the two armies, until b,
three or four O'clock in the afternoon the battt
ragged fercely all along the lines, until within
an hour or two OF sunset, when the stoEm lull
ed for time, and then the rebels, who ha'
been meanwhile reinforced came on with fres
vigor to the assault. They were soon ME
with equal determination by Porter's men, aid
ed now by the reinfotcements that had come t
them from the corps Of F4ankin, Sumner AM
Keys. from the former, Slocums division. fror
Simmer the brigades of French and the Iris
boys under Meagher, and from the further rt
served corps of Keys, the brigade Of Palmer
which had done good servise in the fight c
Wednesday on the left. Desperately and De
termipedly did the rebels press forward but a
desperately and deaerminedly were they me
and driven gaining nothing further that nigh
of the promise OF their morning advance
Not until nine o'clock did the men find rest
which, we may be sure, came not unwelcome'
to such Of the men as had passed through tn
struggle, commenGiHg early in the afternoon o
the previous day.
Most OPPORTUNITY was the arrival of tAe re
Inducements that evening, for our troops, har
pressed by superior numbers, were in danger Q
being driven further back than was intended
and the first symptoms of disorder were show
ing themselves in the hasty fight of teamsteI
and lookers-on, the struggling soldiers ~ tn
crowd being turned back from Woodbury.
Bridge by the strong guard who kept watc
over it with their bayoDets.
And so the sun went down upau the battle
field strswn with the bruised and mangle
forms of what have once been men, of VIVA
were still men, thesgh shorn of their full pro
portions, and hidden to 60 manned and haItint
through life But though the night had settles
down upon the earth, and wearied men wer
sleeping so peacefully, even IN the midst o
death rest did not come to all for there wa
still a vigiIant watch tObe kept upon the move
ment Of the enemy, and the nearby work O
removing the dead and providing for the woun
ded, and early in the morning, at two O'Clock
all were disturbed by the sound of sharp tiiin
coming from the direction of the left, where til
enemy were amusing themselves with nigh
attack upon the positions of Sumner, Hooke
and Kearney with no result that / learn Of
Smiths division, directly opposite Woodbury.
Bridge on the further side of the Chickahomi
nv. were also attacked during the day of Fri
day, his brave Vermont boys and the SD New
York, with tae help Of Ayres' and other batter
les. zepelliDg the assault with great slaugh-
ser. 5Fs
And who can estimate our loss, when non
but an Omnipotent eye can, in the confus
ION of the first hours that follow the engage
,nent search out the fate of all who appeal
not withthsir comrades as they gather with thei
regiments at night? 1t viii surely exceed
thousand, and hope not pass thu l,50Q bu
few more days viii tell, while, meanwhile
the list must swell greatly, fer the battle is 10
yet fully ended. Strategy or no strategy, Their
must shll be desperate fighting, even though
the rebels should play into our hands to tb
end, as they are reported to have done to-da.
in seeking to possess themselves of the com
municatiopE with the WhitehoUse, little think
inc probably, how far advanced we're the prep
arations for changing to new and better bas
ou the James River, where our gunboats cal
afford us full protection, and we shall have bu
single flank to guard.
The following list includes most of the regi,
n.ents principally sngagedin the battle Of Thurs
day and Friday on the right. Beside the reg.
ulars mentioned in our account of the battle
were the following troops from the differen
States
NEW YORK.