Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-07-02
THE BATTLE BEFORE RICHMOND.

w
ing narrative of events before Richmond last
Thursday and Friday
In FRoNr OF RICHMOND, June 26.-The
regiments of Rockers division received Or
deFS Tuesday night to fold their blankets and
provide their haycrsacks for movement for
ward at seven the next morning. The whole
division was drawn up at the hour specified in
line of battle, and at eight the attack com
menced. The line. composed of the LIST Mas
sachusetts regiment, deplOyed as skirmishers,
advanced across an open field in front OF the
woods which the rebels occupied. The rebel
pickets were driven in, when the first was re-
inforced by Growers brigade and two others,
driving the rebels out of the woods, of which
our troops took possession. The fighting con-
tinued irregularly, but with great execution
our side, till nearly one o'clock,
when the whole line advanced to take the
rebel rifle pits. They were received by
voley of musketry, which was promptly re-
turned. Volley after volley followed in rapid
succession, by regiments and brigades when
the rebels made bayonet charge fixing their
guns in position and starting towards our men
at double quick. The LIST and llth Massa-
chusetts and the 26th Pennsylvania stood
ready to receive them. On came the rebels
yelling like pack Of devels, towards our
brave boys who were in line of battle When
the enemy arrived in front, and alarmed
at the firm front, and courage of our
soldiers, they broke line and retreated
in great disorder. On their heels were the
Union troops who drove them at the point of
the bayOnet first into their own rife pits, and
then to the shelter of the woods beyond. The
enemy fell in heaps before this glorious
charge the ground being covered with the
fallen rebels. Their loss is not known; but
from 10 to 100 of killed and wounded fell into
our hands. Our men occupied their rifle pits
tilthey reinforced by Gen. Sickles. The
nineteenth Massachusetts exposed to a
heavy fire, and lost sixty men. The loss in
the other regiments was less serious.
THE LATER BATTLEs-FIRsT DAY.
BATTLE FIELD, June 27th.-The battle of
yesterday lasted from two O'Clock to nine p.
M. Our loss, considering the time and fierce
ness of the battle, is small-two hundred kill
ed, wounded and missing being the present
estimate. There is reason to believe the loss
of the enemy is double that number. About
six o'clock the battle ragged with the fiercest
fury. In the rear Of Mechanicsville our men
were drawn up behind earthworks and rifle
pits, where the conflict was indescrib-
ably terrific. With desperate courage
the rebels attempted to spring forward over
the muddy ground, but they were moved
down without mercy. During the height Of
the cannonading Gen. Morells division arriv-
ed on the ground. They reached the scene
of the engagement about six o'clock in the
evening. With bold front the reinforcing di-
vision marched up in the face Of the flying
shells, Gen. M0reiL and his staff leading the
advancing column. Only one brigade was
called into action-the second brigade-under
command of Gen. Griffin. The brigade came
up on double quick, ready and eager to lend
Il helping hand in securing to our side the
fortunes OF the day. The brigade was order
ed to relieve the center of Gen. McCallS col
umn The 4th Michigan, Col. Woodbury.,
and 18th New York volunteers, Col. Nc
Quade, formed in line of battle In front,
taking the place of two of Gen. McCall's regi-
nents, while behind them, likewise drawn up
in line of battle, were the cd Pennsylvania,
Col. Black, and 9th Massachusetts regiment,
Col. Cass.
Meantime battalion of Colonel Berdans
sharpshooters, who had also been ordered to
reinforce Gen. McCalPs forces, arrived on
she field under command of Lieut. Col. Rip
hey, and were formed in line of battle. Two
conPanies-C, Capt. Giroux, and G, Capt.
Drew, were on detached service with General
McCalfs division, and had previously been
out as pIckets and skirInishers. These COM
panie5 had been stationed by Col. Borden two
days previous in anticipation of the enemy
crossing at the point where they did actually
do So Their orders were not TO fire until the
enemy actually crossed in force, and then to
retreat firing, in order to draw them on until
they reached the rifle pits and intrenchments
which had been previously placed for the pur-
pose OF giving the enemy warm reception.
Those orders were carried out to the letter.
On the rebels appearing and crossing in force
they were led on by the retreating sharpshoot-
ers, who fired rapidly and fell back, until the
rebels suddenly found themselves under the
fire of our earthworks and the rifle pits
From the time of the arrival of these Rein
torcements, the firing continued without in
Permission till - O'Clock. The roar of ar
tillery was constant and deafening. The men
fought with sublime courage. Gen Griffin
rode along the line under the shower of shot
and shell, expressing his pride and satistac-
ton with their conduct. Gen. Mcclellan was
on the field during part Of the fight, and
complimented the troops for their handsome
bearing. The enemy had 100000 men in the
action, mostly Georgia and South Carolina
troops. Our men slept on their arms that
night.
THE BATTLE ON FRIDAY.
IN THE FIELD, June u, 10 p. M.-Of to-
days fighting no definite results can be given.
Should all the floating rumors be credited,
whole regiments would be recorded as no
more, and entire brgades be swept out of be-
ing. 1t is certain that to-days battle has been
one Of the tercest fought in front of the con-
tederate capital Many officers lie cold in
clay uO-hlgnt, having nerolcally fallen at the
head Of their commands. Soldiers, ambitious
Of shoulder-straps and cheyons, have reaped
the richest reward of the ambitious patriot
death in defence Of their country. Our loss
is estimated at 1900 killed wounded and miss
ing.
Shortly after the close of Thursdays fight
came an order from Gen. Mcclellan to Gen
Fitz John Porter, directing the withdrawal of
his corps to a position two miles this side of
Gaines mill, the ground we now occupy. AT
three o'clock, A. NJ, the moving back Of the
corps, who had been sleeping on their arms
all night, began. Gen. Mccall, in accord
ance with his instructions, opened with his
artillery on the enemy. The latter thought
this renewal of the preceding days fight,
and returned vigorous response from their
guns Shot and shell few in antagonistic d-
rcctions with dangerous liveiness. Gradual
ly Gen. McCall's troops withdrew, which the
enemy naturally installing for victory on
their side, made them follow on in hot haste.
Of course our rear column yielded the ground
slowly, the more to make the enemy believe
mat they were being beaten. Meantime Gen.
sykes division led the retreating column.
followed by Gen. Morrilrs division
Inc trst artillery firing came from the
woods west Of Gen. Morris's headonarters
ms was quickly followed by cannonading
nm tl,,, srn4 n.