The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-07-09


the road, just below Che bridge. and
Franklin's Division, wish portion OF
Smiths Division ON the right Kearney's
Division was thrown across the New
market road Hookers Division across
the Central road, and Richardson's Divis-
ion across Charles City road, all three
leading down from Richmond.
About two O'Clock the enemy was dis
covered advancing ell along these roads
in immense force the clouds Of dust
along the lines OF the approach being dis
tinctly visible At this time the firing
was terrific, coming from every quarter Of
evidently being TO surround as, and
either cut us 10 pieces or drive us into
the river. All this was the result Of their
delusion with rogard.to our movements
they perssting in believing II was a re-
treat, while, in fact, IL was a deliberate
and successful strategic movement
The Rebels fought with desperation,
hopiBg to detach or divisions and crush
them in detail General Mcclellan was
everywhere through Che Fight, directing
reinforcements TO be sent wherever the
front seemed weakest General Mccall,
with the Pennsylvania reserves, was sta
toned in the rear Of the several points
held by the commanders named, and
within supporting distances Of them all.
At four o'clock in the afternoon des-
patches were received at headquarters,
that the enemy were being successfully
repulsed at all points, with the exception
of General Kearney's, who reported that
the enemy were too strong for him, and
were forcing him from his position.
Word was Immediately sent TO Gen
Mccall, to advance to his relief, which
his men did on the double quick, not
withstanding their previous fatigue and
exhaustion. They were soon engaged in
the thickest Of the fight, which grew hot
Ter, as every moment brought fresh troops
from Richmond to replace those whom
our brave reserves were leveling with
terrible rapidity.
The tide Of battle ebbed and flowed
over the plain for nearly an hour with
uncertain result, At this time General
Mccall and his staff galloped towards
the front TO incite his brave troops to
stronger exerions, when he was seen 10
fall from his horse MORALLY wounded in
the breast.
His staff gathered around him, and
begged 20 be allowed to bear his body to
place Of quiet and safety. "No" said
he, +" let me die on the field, and in the
momentary confusion which the fall OF
, their beloved leader made his division
was slowly driven back, Almost at the
f same time, Captain H. j Biddle, aid TO
! General Mccall was mortally wounded
, Still the contest ragged more madly
the efforts Of his men TO reach him being
almost frantic. In this desperate charge
8 the loss Of life on both sides exceeded
I anything that has occurred since the
Q contest commenced. The dead lay in
piles as high as tents. Among the slain
, were Lieutenants j. IL. Kuhn and w NJ
) Watmough General Meade was Revere
r iy wounded in the abdomen, and Gsneral
Q Reynolds was taken prisoner. 1t is GucC
ascertained that he is unhurt in Rich
, mond.
! At this juncture word was despatched
5 to General Sumner that assistance wal
4 required by General Kearney, and hii
5 men Immediately advanced 10 the criti
E cal position on the double-quick, will
{ their bayonets fixed at the charge. Al
? they came up our tired troops fell back
7 and the avalanche Of bris,ling steel wa
I. upon the Rebels, who fairly reeled will
! the shock as our men shook of thei
b pierced bodies like clods from their keei
= lances. This broke the Rebel advance
and they fell back into confusion an'
reiterated.
: At this time the Rebels had brough
e up battery between.the river and New
G Market hoad, with the design of Smelling
d our position. The gunboats Galena ant
Q Aroostook, which had been lying quiet
n but keen spectators OF the battle, unabl
Q TO fire for fear Of iniuring our men, wer
a at length signalled from station OF
r shore as to the direction in which the,
/. might send their fearful missiles.
b This they did with unerring aim, ant
i the effect was prodigious The retrea
Il Of the Rebels increased TO a run, and Tia
c run enlarged TO a skedaddle of the mos
c approved stampede, and our brave bu
exhausted troops arranged themselye
y for the night as best they could afte
. the trying scenes through which the.
}. had passed.