The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-06-12

and dstermined TO bring forward about sixty thou.
sand OF his best troops the attack Prisoners say
that when the movement initiated by the leaders
some Of the rebel officers rather demonstrated against
II, for the reason, they believed. that they never
would be able accomplish their object because their
better policy would be behind their works IN
the immediate vicinity of Richmond But II was
deliberately resolved to risk desperate battle Inc
hopes of the rebellion to great extent rested on
the issue. Jer Davis himself out at the head Of
the attacking column and numerous private vehicles
brought spectators from the rebel capita 10 see
as some who were captured have since informed US,
"ths Yankees driven into the Chiekahoriiny."
DIFFICULTIES IN 1Hx WAY or OBTAINING ACCURATE MFoRMA-
Tlos.
The roads were rendered so bad by the that the
enemy did not get attacking troops in line until
ly The point chosen for tho attack the main
Richmond road and also to its right and left in front OF
General Keyss' corps This should bring me imms-
datsly the consideration Of subject which has area
dy been the of considerable conservation. 1t is
General Keyes' corpsespsciay the conduct OF General
caseys division The first reports OF the battle, pub
shed in other newspapers, have evidently done injustice
to those troops.
Let me first romark1that individual can SEQ SO
little OF battle, il difficult than most people
imagine to obtain in detail strictly Information
Of what was done by the various divisions, brigades
and regiments engaged. Troops and their commanders
are terribly tenacious Of honors Every expects
to receive full credit what he may have done. nd
too, very little real magnanimity and modesy in the
army. Each desires to get all the glory he can and
some are not scrupulous to how they get it.
Some would sacrifice the reputation OF brother
commanders in order to enhance their own Generals
are jealous Of each other. There very honor
able exceptions, however. Still am inclined to the
hat fho nf nj
jealousy which have noticed arises not much from
feelings Of malice from desire for Justice. II is
ceeeingy annoying to officers and soldiers to
receive honorable mention while others who did equally
well or better even not spoken OF At all introduce
these explanatory observations for the purpose Of at
tracing attention to the difficulty in the way Of getting
accurate information and what delicate task it is to
cut and and polish the statements various par
ties, who see the thing but different light
that the truth will shine clear unquostioned. II
to this delicate task that address myself though
can hardly hope, with the best Intentions to do
in the strictest sense equa and exact justice to ALL"
GENERAL cAsxy's DIVISION.
General Casey's division occupied the advanced post
ton on the left Of the Union lines Remember do not
desire to offer apology FOR Casey-the Army Of the
Potomac needs apologis only wish 10 explain how
he came into that position. Gen. Naglee, commanding
the first brigade in that divison having been the ad
vance on the left and his troops the first to tho
Cbckahomny in pushing forward to the front had had
several skirmishes with tho enemy. He ordered d.
recty by General Mcclellan to make reconnaissance
the Seven Pines the Richmond road and Fair Oaks
station the railroad Having successfully carried out
the instructions Of the General Commanding being
familiar with that front h. was directed hold that
portant point The distribution Of the forces previous
the battle is important. Tho Eleventh Mane Colonel
Plais,ed the Tooth New York, Colonel Brown and the
10th Pennsylvania, Colonel Davis in the First Brigade
were encamped just in advance Of and line with the
nine mile road and between the turnpike and tho railroad
The Fifty New York Colonel Dodge was stationed
on the same road beyond Fair Oaks station The picket
line in front Of the brigade extended from tho Richmond
road round to the Chichahominy-a distance Of about
three miles. Tho Ffty-sixth New York, Colonel Van
Wyck supporting the pickets and had bivouacked
little to the left Of the railroad and within eight hum
dred yards Of the front Of the picket line, which
about thrsequarters Of milo in advance OF the main
body Of the brigade The Second brigade, General wcs
sells. encamped the left OF the turnpike in two
columns TIE frs: column consisted of tho One hund.
dred and Third Pennsylvania, Major Gazzam command
ing the Ninety sixth New York Colonel Fairman, and
the Second Of the One hundred and first Pennsylvania
Leutenapt Colonel Norris and the Eighty fifth Pensy
vana, Colonel Howell commanding The Third brigade
The Ninety eighth New York Colonel Du:ton was on the
extreme eft and in ORDER from let right the Eighty
fifth New York. Colonel Bsknap; Ninety-second New
York. Colonel Hunt, and the Eighty first New York.
Lieutenant Colonel DeForest The batteries under
Colonel Bailey were placed in proper positions
In the encampment. The camp was being intrench
ed; redoubt which had been thrown up contained
three pieces Of artillery under Leutenat HART rifle pits
had been dug in the open 6sld and timber in front had
been and was still being cut down. This fallen timber
formed an obstacle to the enemys approach Another
intrenched camp somewhat similar, half mile in the
rear, was occupied by General Couch, while General
Heinzemans corps the side Of the Chicka-
hominy, several miles behind The remainder OF the
army formed continuation of the line, and the
other side Of the Chiekahomny. But since then let mo
remark the dsposon.of troops has been considera
bly, changed, and prepared any moment meet
the enemy again.