The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-07-04
Great Battle at Richmond.

The last few days have been full of ankle
ty and apprehension to the people of the
North. The vague and unsatisfactory ru-
mors that came over tee wires on Monday
respecting battle which was being fought
before Richmond thrilled the country like an
electric shock; and particularly so as those
rumors pointed to an abandonment of our
position before the rebel capital, which of
course at this distance and with no particu-
lars, was construed into repulse. We are
most happy to believe ard write that though
our army has been attacked by the combined
forces Of Johnston, Beauregard and Jackson,
the indications are that We have suffered no
defeat or even repulse, but on the contrary
Gen Mcclellan has, in the face of this power
eul enemy, by mastery piece of strategy,
completely changed the front of his army and
successfully occupied position on the James
river, and between that ard the Chickahomi-
ny. By throwing his right wing completely
round and making it the left wing of the ar
my, resting upon the James river, Gen Nc
Clellan is enabled to cooperate with the gun
boat fotilla on the latter river. This seems
to have been his object, and by the advices
which We now have he seems to have accom-
plished this end, not however without des-
perate fighting and heavy losses. Telegraph
ic communication with The army being el.iile-
ly cut off by rebels the details ofthese series of
battles will necessarily come in slowly. One
account says that our losses in killed and
wounded on Thursday and Friday were 1900;
We believe they will prove greater than this
even, as the right wing fought with great
courage and tenacity with an enemy of great
ly superior numbers. For aught we know,
the battle was continued Sunday and Mon
day; most likely the fighting did not cease
last week. 1t is great and desperate strug-
gle. Thousands Of our brave troops will
shed their blood before this terrible conflict
is over. Vermont's gallant sons have been
engaged, and although they were not in the
right wing where the brunt of the battle
came on Thursday and Friday, yet they did
good service and bravely sustained the name
for true courage which they so dearly ac-
quired at Lees Mills. One correspondent
says-"Smith's division on the further side
of the Chickahominy was attacked during
Friday, and his brave Vermont boys and the
33d New York, with the help of Ayre's bat
terry, repealed the assault with great slaugh-
ter"
Thus is the great battle at Richmond, so
long pending, and for which such prepare
tons have been made, being fought. We
give elsewhere digest of the details as they
have come to hand to the utmost that our
columns will hold, being received at a late
hour. Under the circumstances we think
there is great reason for encouragement
There is good reason to believe that Beaure.
regard with large part of his army from,
Corinth, and Jackson's army from the Shen.
andoah valley, have united with the rebel ar
my at Richmond; and if Gen Mcclellan has
not only held his own against such odds, bu,
changed his position so as to get the cooper.
alton of the sunboats, We consider the fall of
Richmond sure thing. May God speed the
day!