, 1862-07-03

back, add was pressed towards Richmond
fully q mile beyond our original lines
Again, for the fourth time, General Porter
fell buck to his first position, when an order
was received from General Mcclellan to con
tlnge his retrograde movement slowly and in
order. 30 soon as it became apparent to the
enemy that It Vas the purpose Of General Por-
ter to retire the enemy again pushed forward
most boldly and braTeiy when their advance
we Has checked By the entire reserve force con-
sist1ng of the New York. 5th. Lieut.. Colonel
Dnryea, the New York 10th, Colonel Benedix,
and TWO other regiments under command Of
Colonel Warren, acting Brigadier General and
the entlre force Of regulars under Major Gene
1al sykes. This fresh force held the enemy in
check whilst the force which had previously
bore the brunt Of the battle moved steadily
nack and In good order, carrying with them
their Wo5n'ed and dead.
The enemy mnde q fierce attack On the re-
serve, hus cannon were posted OF various
points Of the fouts By which they were retir-
ing towards the Chickahominy, which ocea-
: s1onaHy poured in shot and shell upon them,
ano checked their movements and enabled the
troops to fal back in the most admirable Or
der. At one time III this retrog grade movement
the reserve force Of General sykes charged Oh
back nearly mile. In this charge the gallant
New York 5th and Colonel Benedix's New
1prE 1Vth drew forth the plaudits Of the army
py their steadiness and bravery. in which they
however lost about 3 hundred Of their num-
=bers, whose bodies 1t was necessary 10 leave
on the field Cheers went 10 along our whole
:ilnt at this gallant repulse, which was at
three O'Clock IN the afternoon, and the enemy
did not gainIenew tie attack during the bal
ance Of the evening but turned his columns:
down towards the Whltehonse, which seemed
to be the haven Of all his hopes. The divls.
Ion Of the enemy dispatched in this direction
Was estimated at from twenty to thirty thou
SAND, eavaitys artillery: and infautty.. They:
started down at three d clock Friday afternoon.
;':s, .: 7 Last OF TEE WHITE HOUSE; =:
| On Saturday morning The work Of e7acua-
ton at the n ldteAopse had been nearly ca1n-
Rletsd, and allhongh there Was stin a number
| Of: Vesses befofe The landing, there was 81
abun1a Of steamers Il readiness to move
OF Wtth them ataNy moment :72E
s. AT nine O'clock a train of cars started out
[ ,for headquarters, but had not been gone more
than an hour before 1t returned, reporting the
+ enemy to be approaching Dispateh Station,
Rhleh is eleven miles from; the Whiteaouse.
| This. however, is supposed to! be p nistake,
! as telegraphic Communication through to Gen.
t Mcclellan vas continued up to eleven o'clock
at which time the mail boat started for Fort
| resi-: Monroe.
| stTc1y proven that the object Of Gen. AfcCIel;
Ian, long before the battle on Friday, was to
| abandon the Whitehouse, and also draw in bis
right wing across the Chiekahominy. That
| lie has accomplished this most mastery move.
| ment with but little loss in comparison with
his punishment Of the enemy there can be nc
doubt, and that be has Strengthened his posi-,
tion By constructing his Lines and changino
bis base Of operations to the James River. i:
| equally self evident. There be will have The
cooperation Of the gun5oats, aud if the enc
my attempt to interrupt his supply vessels by
making dash on the James River they viii
meet Y ith prompt punishment from the gun.
| boats, and SO yFeaken their forces in front that
the city will fall into his possession with bu
q slight struggle. Although shope may be
father to the thought" I would wager biz
apple that Gen. Mcclellan is in possession O.
Richmond by Sunday next.
Yours, &C., c. IF.