Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-07-04


Gen. McClellan's new position on james
river is lower down, and consequently farther
from Richmond than the first reports led us
to suppose. A letter from fort Monroe dated
July l, says: =
''On Sunday evening, the army lay up and
down James river, its left some half dozen
miles below fort Darling, and its right extend
ing down opposite City Point, enjoying the
protection Of the gunboats. which were ranged
up and down the river. The loss since the
first attack on Thursday is supposed to have
been about 1000. The base has been chang
ed to Harrison's Bar, which is about ten
miles below City Point, on the opposite side
of the river"
Another letter gives the most ineligible
account we have seen Of the withdrawal ofth
whole army to James river. Previous reports
told US nothing of the movements of the left
wing. This letter says the main body of
the army fell back by way Of Savage's
Station. A large quantity of stores was
destroyed at Fair Oaks on Saturday night,
and at twelve o'clock that night the
transportation train was sent forward
from Savage's station, and all the wound
ed who could walk were sent also. Nc
Clcllan left at three O'Clock Sunday morning,
having ordered Gen. Smith to hold his posi-
ton on the Clickahominy until the train
could get well ahead. The letter says:
AT about daylight on Sunday morning,
Gen. Smith began to retire over the same
road that the transportation train had taken.
Gems. Sumner, keyes and Heintzleman, also
began TO bring their forces round so as to
make their front extend at right angles with
the rear Of the wagon train. As soon as the
enemy discerned the movement, he began to
close in but did not press hard until later in
the day. By noon, all our artillery. eXcept
that which was required to protect the rear of
the retiring column, also our wagons. had ar
rived at Charles City. Gen. McCals division
came next. Then followed other divisions in
regular order, General Hooker and kearnev
bringing up the rear and covering the retreat.
On two or three occasions the rebels made at
tempts to flank Hooker aud Kearney, but they
were unsuccessful each time The retreat
was conducted in perfect order
The main body of the army was now at
Charles City, distant from James river, by
one road six miles, and by another fifteen
miles. NcCleHan'S object lcas to reach James
rirer at point opposite Turkey Bend. Dur
ing the day the 6th Illinois cavalry had been
sent over the road fifteen miles in length,
which ran through dense woods in a circultous
manner to ascertain if it was clear They
reported favorably, and at about dark train
OF transportation wagons, preceded by the
Sth Illinois cavalry, commenced moving to-
ward James river. Keyes' corps brought up
the rear of this column. The column reached
point two miles west of Carriers Landing at
an early hour Monday morning, without
accident and without meeting the enemy.
bn ctbo rh lit.6
mOnd, was not so free from the rebels. In
the morning a squad of cavalry was sent out
to reconnoiter, and found the enemy in pos
session Of the road at point five miles from
James river. He did not know their strength,
but concluded it was not great. AT O'Clock
in the morning, the pickets brought word that
Il squadron of rebel cavalry was coming down
this road towards tine Charles City road. We
sent up two pieces of artillery and planted
them in a concealed position, so as to COM
mand the range of the road upon which the
cavalry was approaching. When they had
come sufficiently near a volley of canister
was poured into their column, which caused
them to retreat in most pricipitate manner,
A number were killed and several wounded.
Gen. Martndaes brigade then marched up
and occupied the ground at the point where
the two roads meet. At about the time the
column moved on the fifteen mile road toward
vision and a large amount of artillery were
sent forward to open the way on the upper
road. This they succeeded in doing after
having several slight skirmishes with the
rebels. They were obliged to move cautious
~, however, and did not reach Turkey Bend
till after the column that took the long route
had reached the point near Carriers Landing.
a train of wagons was then sent forward on
the six-mile route, and was followed by in
fintry.
Gen. Mcclellan arrived at Turkey Bend on
Monday morning Several gunboats, includ-
ing the Monitor and Galena, were lying in
James river, off Turkey Bend, prepared to
shell the rebels should they attack McClel-
lan's force. At Carriers Landing the gun
boat Stepping Stones was lying at the wharf
receiving on board the wounded who had
walked from Savage's Station. The ground
in the vicinity Of the landing was covered with
sick and wounded soldiers. Carriers Landing
j, !hree miles above City Point, and about
twenty-five miles from Richmond. Turkey
Bend is eight miles above Carriers Landing"
One account says, the way for this portion
of the army was cut through the swamp to
Charles City road. The right wing under
Porter and Slocum, or most of it, appears to
have taken a route further south. They all
made the passage safely, losing but one gun
ana one wagon. Some other guns may have
been abandoned or lost before they started.
The rebels will of course claim that they at.
tackled and beat McClellans army, captured
its camps and entertainments, and drove #
away from Richmond down the Jamo.
river. But in this claim there is goo(
deal more Boosting than reality His chang,
of position was made in accordance with
previously formed purpose. 1t is howeye
probable that so much hard fighting in con
ncction with it was not expected. The ne,
position of the army has been secured, an
maintained successfully. A despatch fror
Gen. Mcclellan to the war department, date
"Wednesday afternoon, gives assurance c