Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1862-07-02
Great Battle Before Richmond.
TWO DAYS, FIGHTING
''Terrif fic Engagement.
Enemy Moved Down by Thousands
OUR COLUMNS STAND FIRM



The Tribune has issued an extra, dat
cd battle field, giving an accoun. Of two
days desperate fighting. A company
of Bucktail Rifles were surrounded and
captured on the retreat Of our right wing.
Over $4,000 men were engaged. All
the civilians were ordered away from
White House, etc.
I Tribune EGra IA severe and
most determined battle was fought on
the right wing on Thursday and Friday,
which is claimed by some of our officers
as successful strategic movement, into
which the enemy bad unwillingly been
drawn and which will soon result in the
capture Of Richmond and the entire rebel
army. ..a
The attack was made by the enemy
in immense force, who crossed the Chick
ahominy near the railroad above Mechan-
icsyille, Tuesday afternoon, and fought
desperately, but were unable to drive our
men a single rod, though the enemy
were ten to one. The only forces engag-
ed that day was McCalrs division. The
battle lasted from, two till nine P. NJ,
when the division was ordered back
Gen. Mcclellan was on the field and ex
pressed himself satisfied with the result.
Thursday about noon the enemy made
an attack upon Gen. Stoneman's force in
the vicinity of Hanover Court House,
probably for the purpose Of accomplish
inc an outhanking movement on the
right and to engage our attention in that
direction. Shortly afterwards they com
monccd a vigorous canConading from
their works on an eminence opposite
MechaniosviIle and about mile and n
half distant; also from two batteries. one
above and the other below. They were
replied to by Campbell's Pennsylvania
batteries on picket duty, one on the Ne
Gainesville road and another from be-
hind the carthworks at the right of the
grove. About two o'clock ia the after
noon the enemy's infantry and sqpadrons
of cavalry crossed the Chickahominy in
immense force short distance above the
Virginia Central Railroad.
Gen. McCall's division, who were
entreanched on billy woodland across a
swamp rayine about mile in the rear of
Mechanicsvi!le, the First Pennsylvania
Rifles, Bucktals and CampbelPs Penn
sylyania Battery were on picket duty, all
of whom except one company fell back
behind the breastworks and rifle pits
where line of battle was drawn up
Company X, of BacktaiIs, were on pick
ct duty beyond the railroad surrounded
by the enemy, and the last that was
known Of them, they were trying to cut
their way through. It is presumed the
greater portion were taken prisoners
The enemy advanced down at the rear of
Mechnnicsville. on low marshy ground
to where our forces were drawn up be-
hind rifle pits and earthworks on an emf
nence on the noftherly side Of the ravino,
where the conflict became more terrible.
The rebels with most determined cour-
age attempted to press forward over miry
ground, but the bullets and grape shot
fell among them like bail, moving them
down. This continued till dark, when
they withdrew. The cannonading was
kept up on both sides until about nine
o'clock, A. NJ, when the battle ceased.
Our forces were covered by eartbwerks
and suffered but slightly. Late in the
afternoon the enemy made a charge with
cavalry, about 100 Of them came rushing
down, and attempted to cross the rayine,
when the horses became mired. A
squadron of our cavalry seeing their pc
sition made charge down the hill. when
the cavalrymen abandoned their horses
and fed
The infantry fight was then renewed,
and, according to the statement of my in
ormant, Surgeon Humphrey, Of tho
Pennsylvania Bucktail regiment,a rotreat
was ordered very mnch against the will of
the Pennsylvania boys, who begged to
be allowed to hold their position. The
outer forces then began to fall back. Of
the next days battle, the correspondent
says:
The cannonading and musketry were
terrific. Duryee's gallant Zouayes were
lying upon the ground for two hours,
while our batteries were shelliug the
works over them. Finally towards night
the enemy attempted to break the Eine in
front Of Duryee's Zouaves. The musket-
ny gring became terrific, lasting twenty
or thirty minutes.
Shortly afterwards an attempt was
made to break through the fight which
was repulsed, and half an hour later an
other attempt was made on the left with
the same result. The battle had then
been raging for some hours without any
apparent change on either side, re-en-
forcements Of artillery and infantry then
came steadily along over the bridge TO
the field. The enemy then seemed to
make their last desperate determined ef
fort. and came forcing our rnen back into