Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-07-03
The Events Before Richmond.

The following narrative from the cores
pondent Of the Philadelphia Press written
from Stoneman's division, Saturday afternoon,
containing some interesting incidents of the
two days preceding which have not appeared
in other accounts =
More than week ago, Gen. Mcclellan de-
termined to withdraw from his position on
the right at Mechanicsville, get out of the
swamp, get better under cover of his paral-
lels, prepare for any disaster, and cOncen-
trate his immense army for grand flank as
sault upon Richmond. hhis withdrawal was
carried in such cautious and quiet way that
it was not until Wednesday night last that the
enemy became aware of the important move
| ment. This was evident, from the feeling
| they endeavored to execute successfully on
our left, some days ago. Last Wednesday
Commodore Rogers ordered the Port Royal
to proceed down the James river to point
just above the mouth of the Chickahominy.
Here launches and small boats were to pro-
coed on shore and reconnoitre inland, until
the army piclcts were reached, so as to keep
up communication with fortress Monroe and
our government at Washington, in view of
the probable advance of the enemy upon our
| right.
Early on Thursday morning Gen. McCall's
| division, which was posted little below Me
chanicsyille, commenced retrograde move
ment toward the position held by Gen. Fitz
John Porter, in the vicinity of New Bridge.
Mccall had scarcely joined Porter before the
rebels-the divisions of Anderson, Branch,
and G. V. Smith, under the command of
" Stonewall' Thomas jefferson Jackson
pushed him hard and forced him to halt and
al, /
in excellent STYLE the Bucktails depoyed to
the right and left in front as skirmishers.
| Porters division came promptly to the sup
port of Mccall, and, fighting desperately, the
two divisions fell back slowly toward Savage's
station on the Richmond and York River rail-
road, when night came on and the battle
| ceased. Meanwhile Capt. Sawtelle, of Gen.
McClellan's staff, had succeeded in destroy
ing everything in the way of buildings at
| White House, and moving all the transports
| down the river, had the gunboats stationed so
as to command every approach.
On Friday the battle was renewed with
great fury by the rebels, but with different re-
Suits Mccall and Porter being reinforced by
most Of KeyeS' corps, making our defending
force foot up about 10000 men. The rebels
were in turn reinforced by Longstreet's divis-
ion and a division said to be improvised for
BeaureSaru. Inc cannOnaulnB lulleu after
about five hours fighting, and both armies
seemed to be recoiling for a desperate spring
at each other, when the rebel skirmishers,
finding no enemy east of them, changed front
and advanced some miles in front Of their
position.
Gen. StOneman now made a dash at them
with nearly seven thousand cavalry, includ-
ing Rushs Lancers, creating great havoc and
a real panic. After this, Stoneman craftily
wheeled about and covering the rear of our
army, as it passed over Bottoms Bridge and
the Long Bridge, followed them with his main
force, leaving sufficient cavalry to observe
the movements of the bamboozled enemy, as
he proceeded east. An hour later, and our
gunboats opened upon the enemy on the line
of the Pamunkey, near the White House.
| The old battle-ground was made to ring again
and again with our floating batteries. When
Gen. Stoneman heard this music he turned
his horses head toward the rebel capital, and
smiling, said, CAN is well; now for Rich
| mOnd !"
Gen. Mcclellan has been at work all day,
and, in advancing has driven the enemy back
at every point on the left and centre, with
great loss to them, while ours was compare
lively light. The transports, hospital ships,
and other vessels have all been ordered to
report at jamestown Island, inside of the isl
and, covered by our gunboats, should any en-
envy modest them. But of this there is no
fear. From this they may proceed to a high
er station on the river, as may be necessary
Gen. Casey's brave division did excellent SER
vice IN securing and transporting stores. We