The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-07-09
corresgondehco Of the philaaelpba inqpHer
A WEEK OF BATTLES.
The Dali y Fig hit.
THE GRAED FLANK nOFBMENT.
OUR ARMY VICrORfOUs IN Ev-
EnY ENGAGEMENTS.
TunEr BEsD, July 2 1862.

serves, Win such fclnlofceMthts - evuAa 1
be sent up without weakening the other |
wing, that portion Of the army fell back I
ia regular order, presenting an unbroken !
line 70 the enemy who, warned by their |
terrible experience Of Thursday and FRI
day, for some time kept at respectful
distance, but as they discovered by the
absence Of our pickcts, that our troops
were in motion, they construed il into a
retreat, and began to cheer and follow
| after us.
This discovery took place on Saturday,
| and the Rebels were beWildered and con-
! fused in their efforts TO unravel the mys-
I terry which surrounded the entire move
ment. They sent down batteries on the
right bank Of the Chickahominy SO az to
command all the bridges, and posted
heavy bodies Of troops on all the roads
leading TO them. This was done with
the expectation that our troops would be
obliged 10 retreat across to the White
House by the same route that they had
advanced, and the Rebel hordes were in
high glee 1T the promised capture Of the
entire Yankee army.
But while Rebel Maj Generals were
ia Council, their Division Commanders
sending hurried dispatches, announcing
the disappearance Of the right wing Of
McClcllan's army, that willy and saga
cious soldier was executing movement
which is destined TO emblazon his name
among the brightest in the scroll Of mill
itary fame. Slowly and silently the flank
movement was begun in accordance with
the plan matured days before.
This plan was no more or less than TO
remove the entire army with its baggage,
equipments, artillery, stores and siege
guns from the low unhealthy swamps,
: where disease was thinning his ranks, to
! the high grounds on the James River,
covered with magnificent farms, where
t the cool and bracing summer winds have
I full play. For once IN the history of the
: war, the. enemy was kept in ignorance of
= Gen. McClellan's plans, although it is
possible that they were aware that some
movement was on foot.
On Saturday morning the Rebels de-
termined TO recall their immense forces
from beyond the Chickahominy, and
: having for the first time penetrated the
: grand design Of Mcclellan, they COM
> menced rapidly moving after our troops,
at the same time they threw large bodies
of baffled soldiery upon the right Of their
s line so as to be in position to advance
4 between us and the James River.
Cautiously at first, and then boldly,
the Rebels came out from their lines, on
= Saturday, and moved towards Savage's
n Station, which, on Friday night had been
Y occupied by General Mcclellan for his
. headquarters At this point large force
was still stationed, for the purpose oil
~ holding the Rebels in check, which they
succeeded in doing all through Saturday
u night, and until late on Sunday morning
The rear Of summers column had halted
here, and were ordered to destroy such
ammunition and stores as would be likely
i to fall into the hands of the enemy
&c The locomotive "Speedwell" was linked
TO twelve freight cars filled with ord.
nance stores and ammunition, and, tru,
to her name, was soon on the way TO Tho
Chickahominy Bridge, with two hundred
pounds of steam on the valve and th,
water below the lowest guage. The traiE
n was arranged with fuses, so as 20 explod,
l. upon reaching the bridge, and, without
living soul on board, she sped on hel
mighty emand. In a few minuiesa an ex
u plosion was heard that shook the eartl
# for miles, and, as the huge volume O.
o smoke rolled away, load was lifted Of
= the hearts of all that 80 much yaluabl,
ammunition as we had accumulated Their,
could not be turned against ourselves
4. Shortly after the explosion the enemy
4 seemed to be aware Of the cause and de.
o sign, as they advanced rapidly upon us
l. General Sumner had anticipated the at
a tack, and had posted his troops in all di
h rections 10 await the foe. AS they ad.
8 yanced through the woods, on the nortl
"a and west of the station, they emerged
q into an immense open field of one hun
: bred acres, which until trampled by ou
10 troops, was a splendid wheat field. Her,
i the battle ragged intensely all day, oul
il brave men holding the enemy at bay anG
d repulsing them with heavy loss. Gener
= al Sedgwick stationed a battery of 10
pound brass Napoleons south of the rail
q road so as to command both II aud tn
d road lately leading TO Porter's position
"a This poured yolley after yolley OF grapl
"a and canister, until the enemy literally
] lay in piles in every direction,
4. AT this point the enemy made DIES
i perato onset on Burns Brigade, in over
IA whclming numbers, but were driven bacl
]
"a tackled Bakers Fire Zouayes, who wer
= stationed in the very post Of danger
p The Zouaves opened on them with heavl
il fire. which staggered the enemy, VIII
.e reeled and fell back, but again advance,
Ia with a strong reinforcement in the rear
re shouting and yelling like fiends Grad
/. ually oyerpoWered by numbers the L0u
M ayes fell back until they were supporter
If by the gallant New York Sixty ninth.
These brave veterans attacked th
l. Rebels with such impetuosity that tn
m Joined regiments drove the Rebels bac
over the railroad nearly TO Fair Oak
+ Station, distance of over two miles
,r Captain Megonigal, Of Co. b (Weccaoo
n Engine) fell dead at the first fire, Will
" cheerlngon his men. He was shot throug
\ the head
h. BY this time the work Of destruction
l. Of the stores and the ammunition wa
l. successfully accomplished, and order
id were given TO our wearied and undaunt
ed troops TO follow in the steps Of th
main army. Surgeon Tripler had mad
at the best disposition possible Of on
10 wounded az the hospitals at this poin
who were unable TO be transported, an
he detailed several surgeons 10 renal
I'd and take charge OF them.
90 All through Sunday night our Eau
guard marched TO the left with the enem
following and evincing disposition I
harass them. But our men were cool an
rs calm, and marched as If on parade Hay
a ing crossed the bridge over white Oal,
e. swamp, II was blown up, thus checkin
q H. .Na q 4