Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-07-10

We find the following in the Richmond Examiner OF
the I'd and publish it in connection with latest tel
egraphic dispatches in order to bring up in detail the
progress of The complete 1ou of the great army OF the
North which had been threatening Richmond for many
weeks 1t will be seen that Mcclellan has been COM
pletey routed
Continuation Of the Enemy's Retreat.
The last accounts which published yesterday of
McClellans situation afforded another display Of the
energy Of this commander and the deXerIy OF his re-
treat Tuesday morning had given unmistakable ndi-
cations that his paramount anxiety was to secure bis
retreat and to extricate himself from position in
which, cut off from any source OF supplies, he would
be compelled to captuate or to fight under the certain
ty of an overwhelming defeat.
There is no doubt that the enemy far has managed
his retreat with great spirit and judgment, and that
late as Tuesday evening the stand be made near the
Charles CITY road WAS the occasion of hard and crlt
cal engagement The ranks of the fugitive enemy had
maintained their organization and were covering the
rear of their retreat with zeal that must have been
inspired either by excellent discipline extreme despe
ration.
Sire tie enemy has left his fortified camp on the
south side Of the ChickahOmny, taking up his line OF
retreat towards the James river he has been favored by
country consisting of dense wood and swamp, which
has afforded him cover, and which is Ill adapted for
military operations The difficulty has been to find the
eremy in this intricate country which favorable to
his retreat.
THE BATTLE OF TUESDAY EVENING.
We have Intelligence OF the battle OF Tuesday
evening, which, despite the dstrust which yesterday
prevailed in the streets, shows that the enemy again
discounted and pushed from the field of battle and that
another addition made to daily succession Of
victories although purchase With difficulty and at great
cost of life.
The enemy bad succeeded in obtaining a strong po
sition with line of batteries on the crest of the hill
where he was posted. He attacked by Jackson on
his right flank and Magruder On lie centre-Long-
CTR held in he lines
not fully engaged until about six O'Clock the
ing from which hour until about ten the battle ragged
with unexampIed fury Magruder's division is report
ed to have been terribly cut up, portion of his
mand having suffered in attack made IN very made
quate force on one of the enemys batteries which
supported by two heavy brgades. jackson had sue
ceeded, after conflict of several hours, in taking all Of
the enemys batteries bis 'front.' consisting eghteen
guns and the action closed with our advance in posses
sion of the battle fed.
Our loss is reported to be large the onset at the bat
teries in which they taken and reaken, but finally
remained in possession having been furious and pro-
tracted. AS the enemy fell back however their less
on every occasion of their retiring, terrible. Our
reserves not brought into action, which the
fact that the enemy worsed and the ground gained
which he had long contested The Yankee are said
to have fought furously and with unexpected spirit
| THE SITUATION YESTERDAY MoRNING-THE ENEMY
WITHIN TWO MILES OF THE RIVER.
Yesterday morning 1t was perceived that the enemy
retreat, and up to Ii o'clock there lad been renewal
Of the fight
The situation, it then Stood represents the enemy
tO't1n t1co miles Of the lUer, and that the shells of his
gunbCats falling within advance lines. A
large number of transports were in the river at different
points, among them the Vanderbilt, and it appears to
be probable that these forces portion of Burnsides
command The rumors, however, Of the enemy's oper-
ations on the river are vague and contradictory.
The direction which McCelan's retreat to the river
has al ;c u, NooI- Ett1o 6;4-
Point on the opposite bank of the river and where
bend OF the stream makes a neck of land At
the time Of this writing, however hear stated that
be has been driven below this point Of contact with the
river, which, if correct, will be fortunate news.
THE MOVEMENTS YEsTERDAY-THE
ENVY ENCLosED BY OUR LIsEs-DrsPERATE SITUATION OF
THE ENEMY.
We have accounts of the position of our lines yester-
day, which may recommend to readers as reIia
bic, and which give the important Intelligence that The
main body of the enemys forces has been cut of from
the river and has again been enveoped by our lines.
On Tuesday evening the enepfys position, when the
engagement took place. was south OF the Quaker road,
not far from the house of Hr Gathrght. 1t is suppo-
I'd that, in the night. the enemy had attempted to
treat to the river in the direction Of Turkey island but
finding the ground bad, and his progress impe3ed by
swamp, had turned towards Curl Neck beyond which
his columns bad been pushed, hoping to make some
landings higher up the river From this direction the
main body of the forces has been driven back and is
now enclosed by our lines.
names
of which have frequently occurred lin the accounts of
the progress of the contest south Of the Chickahomny
the Long Bridge the New Market and the Quaker roads
will show that they enclose triangular space In this
space it appears from the best accounts have, and
willing to trust to readers, about fifty thousand
of the enemy have been enclosed, troops command
ing tie three roads, and cutting them entirely of from
communication with the river.
The triangular space referred TO is piece Of low
land, heavily tim6ered with thick undergrowtk-a por
ton of the Curl Neck estate, owned by Mr. William
Allen. 1t IS known as a swamp although the ground
has not always that character. 1t is ground, hoWev-
err that in weather catches all the ran and is read
! lily converted into morass
Up to four O'Clock yesterday evening there bad been
but little fighting Of Importance the rain adding to
the discomfort OF the enemy and the embarrassment Of
bis situation which by this time must be extreme and
terrible on account of scarcity of provisions
1t is considered not improbable that portion of Nc
Celans forces succeeded Tuesday night in toing their
way to the river in the vicinity of Turkey island The
bulk however, OF his diminished and scattered Forces
at least to the amount Of forty or fifty thousand men,
still held in check and cut eff from communication with
the river.
The sheling of the enemys ggnboats is reported to
have continued with but little interruption since Tues
day, but to have done US no considerable damage the
shells falling quite often within the enemys lines as
our own.
MIsCELLANEOUs-THE W0UNDED-OUR LOSS, ETC.
Owing to the number of wounded requiring hospital
room and the number of prisoners being brought in
daily from the lines, the city becoming very crowded
We would suggest that there are tents in town and that
the islands in James river falls would make most excel
lent camping grounds where, owing 10 the rapidity oil
the river the prisoners could be guarded BY compara
lively small number Of sentnels This disposition of
the aDkee prisoners would afford more room for our
wounded, and would place at their disposal number OF
factories and large buildings now used as prisons
We have it On the authority of those who assisted