Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-07-04

what aerward proved be the field Of the days con
test was reached. 1t will he from this that six
hours we're consumed in the backward march from the
scene Of ne preceding days contests distance alto
Rcther Of less than six miles The time occupied shows
the Judioious slowness Of our retreat.
oUR ORDERS.
From Gen. Mcclellan the order Gen. Porter was to
draw up his men in line n battle IN this field, plant his
ground any condition Gen Porter essayed to carry
OUT this command and he did In the end most
fully.
THE HsEMY OPENS riRE--ouR OPENING RESPONSE
IL was known II the enemy continued their pursuit
Il must be nom the direction Of Gaines Mills Accord
ngly line Of pickets formed in the wood in our
rear. Everything remained very tranquil for over an
hour. An occasional crack " muskefy In the woods
told Of the enemy being still near Pretty they be-
came more frequent At length there volley and
the roar N artillery Both proceeded from the enemy
They had opened fro upon us. Three shells in quick
succession came whzzug through the trees in front "
the house used A. Gen. Motelrs headquarters.
The hrst artillery firing came from the woods Of
Gen. Morclrs headquaftets This was auickly folio ed
by cannonadng from the roads on the right Our bat
tetes bazed away in return. IL evident the enemy
was gathered IN strong forces in these woods and
determined TO hold them. Boldly aud steadily, like
veterans Of the battlefield men pushed up these
woods and hedinto them Nolley after yolley made,
and yet no seeming impression made and no yield.
ing u the enemy.
Our firing brought down the rebels, it is true, by
scores the shelter Of the trees even protection
or them, but fast fell another filled the vacancy
And so was on side. Our boys gradually up
TO the woods and then into them. For nearly hour
uccssant fire kept IN at these two points Atlength
our men withdrew in hopes TO draw the enemy The
Withdrawal took place ne Il compulsory on account Of
the 'igor Of the enemy firing.
Between and O'Clock the general engagement be-
gan
RESPITE.
respite comes. And the result Of the short en-
gagement is partially revealed Bodies Of the slain lay
about in every direction Borne strctchers aud pros
trato IN moving Ambulanccs and on the ground
covered with blood and every wound incident 10 the bat
uchcld Dwellings and barnes aud sheds are converted
into temporary hospitals
RENEwAL or rHH rioHr
nH u H..
the enemy had been reinforced. They were holder in
their demonstration, and now come rushing from the
wood Our men were ready meet them and again
there was desperate hghting-this time desperate
than before No battle ever more earnestly fought
Officers and men acquitted themselves with great gal
Az one time our columns pushed the enemy from their
position, aud the latter came back with overwhelming
force on our troops Our gave way but Tor a mo.
ment With yell and bound they would dash again
atthe enemy.
ARRrvAL or REINFORCEMENT
II was evident that the enemy had been reinforced.-
The freshness aud yigor N their fighting showed it, and
inc statement OF prisoners confirmed IT, They greatly
outnumbce ed us. Ouly remained 10 prevent
defeat and that was asking for endorsements They were
asked Tor and given no dot know the exact order Of
their coming but before the days work ended there had
come aoro's the thckahominy to our aid General Slo-
cum division and Generals Palmer, French and Meagh-
ers hgadcs besides two three deputatons Of caval
~ The first arrivals gave new impetus to the struggle
The fw men, like those they aided and relieved fought
with che courage and desperation Of old and well trained
troops General Meaghels men went into the fight with
coats OIL and sleeves rolled up, and fought with the fierce
ness Of tigers. All " General Palmers men wore straw
hats They made thes hats visible in the thickest Of
the night heir utility mark as night advanced
and the air grew darker am afraid lost more than one
poor fellows life. Duryea's Zouaves, too we're alike
conspicuous on account of their uniforms They fought
as dd all the regulars under General Sykes-with an un
daunted courage
CLOSE or THE DAYS WORK
The sun went down in brightness and beauty It's de
parting rays shed their twilight hues upon the contest Of
carnage still going on. 1t was hafpast nine O'Clock
when the firing ceased and the days work of battle was
over We compekodHe enemy 10 rcfreaf and held the
ground zee told 10 hod Tho closing firing was be-
tween the enemy and Gen. smiths division on our left
rliH STRENGTH oP OUR FORCES.
In the fore part Of the day only Gen Porers corps
was engaged on our side. His troops with the rein
oroomcnts coming aftcrwatd, must have swelled
our numbers to about orty-hve thousand men. know
this much, that the lltt New York vounteera ith Mich
lgan b1d fennsylyania 9th Massachusetts "a Maine
lst and 10Th Michigan, 25ih and 18Th New York 18th
YORK 36th New York 10Th and 18th regulars. and 9th
cavalry fought splendidly, did all the regiments en-
gagged
THE REBEL TROOPS
On the rebel side il is estimated fully 60 900 men
took part IN the action. General Leeis known 70 have
been IN command, and under him Gems Hill Anderson
and Branch As IN nearly every we'll contested battle
heretofore our men had Ia contend against great odds
and yet they came of victorious.
This account, it will be seen, is only up TO
Friday night. The battle was renewed next
day, and at our latest advces was still pro-
crossing.