The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1862-07-03
The eREAT BATTtE.
TERRIBLE FIGHTS OF MONDAY
AND TUESDAY,
ugso,sM OF OUR TRooPs-THEIR SPIRITS
BUOYANT.
Critical SIT tuation OF the Yankee
Forces.
&c.
&C.,

own Nnu Tue eueuy toiVeS NNNuiasVn w Wd-
courage the hope that the grand army OF McCiel-
Ian Is completely discounted. The determined
stands made by the Federal forces on Monday and
Tuesday wcre only the last desperate struggles
against ignominious capture utter annihilation
Their condition II one Of desperation. aud il is but
natural .ha, ,hey should struggle with energy to
avert the fate that awaits them.
MONDAY AFTERSooS's FIGHT.
We have already laid before our readers such ac-
counts of the desperate and determined fight Of
Monday evening as we were enabled to gather from
the most authentic sources. An active participant
in that memorable engagemen, has furnished a de-
tailed account Of the part borne by the division OF
Gen A. 7. I'M in this struggle. This division went
into the fight about half past O'Clock r H., md
was actively engaged from that time until its Close
after o o'clock AT night.
The nth Virginia Regiment, Fields Brigade, Col.
Bsockenbrough commanding. was deployed as skin
ui.hsrs, three hundred yards to the right, separat
ing them from the balance Of the brigade, which
WAS ordered forward The regiment was then with
drawn skrmishers. and placed in the rear of the
division, which was advancing rapidly to the field
in regular line of battle. After advancing in this
order for some distance, they were thrown out upon
the left through heavy tract of woods-emerging
from which they encountered n strong force of the
enemy, who threw themselves upon the ground and
awaited the approach OF tho regiment When with
in hundred and fifty yards of this body, which,
we learn, was partly composed of the 57th N. Y
regiment. most murdsrous and destructive fire
was opened upon them and il is believed that not
less than seventy Eve of Men fell from the first
volley, This. as might have been expected, pro-
dueed some confusion in the regiment, and they
fell back 10 the woods. holly pursued by the exul
tant foe. Many of tho regiment il is believed, wcie
captured in this woods, as at roll call ext morning
but fifty were present to respond to their names
out OF $50 that went into the fight.
On hill. Obliq'nIy to the right of Gen Hills ad
vance, was posted battery Of some twelve pieces
which had been twice captured during the afternoon
hy-our forces under Gen. Longstreet, but recaptur
ed hy the enemy. This battery, the brigade
of Gen. Felds-reduced in numbers and worn out
with fatigue from their participation in every gen
ers engagement since Tlursday-was ordered TO
charge. With spirit and alaerity they responded
TO the order and with close rank and steady step
they moved forward to its execution. In their mp
proach to the battery, they fired three or four
rounds, and then engaged the enemy with the bayo-
net. Here the struggle was bloody and determined
but after most obstinate resistance, tho enemy
driven from his pieces, and pressed back some
two hundred yards in haud-to hand engagement.
This charge made by three regimen,s-the nth,
53l and Goth Virginia.
The other brisades of the division coming up to
the support of Fields, finding the enemy routed.
commenced cheering vociferously. The Federal
General Mccall. hearing this cheering, and mis-.
taking the source from whence il came, rode up
ani s.tI SHurrp hny I m laJ hall
the battery. Hold on for short time and rein
iorcements vAil be up to sustain your lie was
accompanied by Major Biddle, his Adjutant- Cen
era Major Williams, aaotiler aid and two cou-s
riers. Suspecting that hs had. perhaps made mis-
take he asked what regiment it was that held the
battery. An officer present replied, the 47th Vir
gsia On obtaining this information, Majors Viii
liams and Bi,lde and the two couriers wheeled
about 'and endeavored to effect their escape. They
were fired upon, and Major Biddle shot through the
head and killed instantly. The others, far is
known, escaped without injury. Gen. Mccall.
being in advance Of his party, was brought to
stand 10y u private in the 47th regiment, who
drew his gun upon him aud demanded his surren-
der His sword WIS received by Major Mayo
The General was particularly socitous that no
indgnity should be offered him, when lie wes EN-
pl,a,cally assured by Major Mayo that he had not
fallen into the hands Of soldiery nnacquainted
with the ussges of civilized warfare. Under IN
escort, Mccall was then sent to Gen. Hill
Abont o'clock the brigade Of Gen Anders son
was advanced to tha front and drawn up in liue OF
battle. Several vollcys were fired into the woods
where the enemy had takcn shelter. which had the
ecAto disperse them. and the fight closed for the
evening. During the engagement Gen. Anderson
was knocked from his horse by the fragment Of a
shell striking him the side of the head. He was
missed after the fight was ended, and 1t WAS feared
that he bad been captured; but on Tuesday morn
ing he came in toerably well, but considerably
bruised about the head
TUESDAYS OPERATIONS.
During the forenoon of Tuesday there was no.
regular engagement, but much desuItory firing
along the whole extent Of the retreaing and ad
vancing lines. In the afternoon, about y o'clock
brisk fight was commenced the right Of the left
wing Of our army, Jackson's corps then situated
convenient to DR.. Pondexter's farm, on the vii
liamsburg road and directly opposite Turkey Island
creek. The character of the country here is slight
ly undulaing, the intervening ground between the
hoilgereut parties consisting Of open, cultivated
fields, whilst the extremes are dense woods Of
heavy timber and tbck underground. From the
situation occupied by our troops. the enemy was
discovered in large fcrce deploying their troops.
aud placing their artillery in position. Bodies of
skirmishers were thrown out from our column with
view to test the disposition Of the enemy This
required but a short time to accomplishs az brisk
fire was soon opened upon them. Oar artillery
then opened ire upon the batteries Of the enemy
which had the effect to produce another artillery
duel, lasting for one hour and hail. both parties
serviog their pieces with decided skill and alacrty.
H~ayybodes If infantry were advanced to the
support Of our artillery, and general fight ensued,
which resulted In the repuIse and temporary with
drswai OF the enemy but, ultimately rallying 4nd
bringing TO their aid battery on tbc. right thew
opened fierce oblique fre on the left Heak Of our
forces then in action. This Ere, which was exc@s.
sively severe, was continued without intermisssou
and responded to with spirit by our own artillery
until O'Clock +. NJ
An intcrmission Of some half hour then oc.
Cured during which time, according to the repre-
sentatIon Of prisoners subsequently, captured. the
enemy at this point were heavily reinforced, when
the night wss again renewed, our centre and right
of iii's becoming engaged. For three successive
hours there " ~ kept up one unbroken roar OF ar
tilefy and naskesry. which, fos 10 Aerce intensity
exceeded anything that has occurred In the whojs
series Of bloody battles around Richmond The
very earth srsmblod beneath the dssisnine and In.
eessant pssls. Notwithstanding the satisss and
well nigh exhausted condition of our men. from
their almost superhumaa isbors of tbs previous slx
days. they sntsssd this Asht with an ardos and
readinsm. plainly indicating thsir unchaa aesble
dsssF'niassioa - cengvss ~ a.. Abesa 81 " u
sei'e, our artillery ceased Ariss. hsvisg e2setn.
alIy silsnsed the bsttsriss n The enesay. fhls.