The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-07-01
COMMENCEMENT OF THE BATTLE
AT RICHMOND.
From the Richmond Dispatch Of the 9Th


From the Richmond Dispatch Of the 9TH
Our city was startled, late yesterday evening, by
reports of heavy ordnance, and by one consent 1t
was universally announced that the Great Battle
had at last opened, and that the greatest and most
uomentous conf let of the age was fully inaugur
ated As far as we can ascertain at late hour
of night, il appears that our forces attacked the
enemy with unparalleled fury at Mechancsvile,
and from the suddenness of the attack, the enemy
were totally non-plussed and driven from three
large redoubs in rapid succession Selling the guns
and turning them with terrific effect upon the foe.
This accomplished our forces advanced aud cap
tured two lines of entertainments and fed-works,
taking everything before them in gallant style.
Cooperating with the movement the extreme
right and rear of the enemy, our Generals crossed
the Chickahominy at two points, viz: by the Mech
anicsville bridge and Meadow bridge attacking the
enemy with great dash and ardor, driving in their
outposts, and ascending the opposite hills, seized
the batteries erected thereon, and fully command
ing the future movements of forces in crossing
the stream. In doing this, the rapidity Of move
ment was such that the enemy was unpreparcd,
and lost monster battery, which has long annoyed
our troops to the right and left of the York River
Railroad. This achievement in itself Is Of meal
eulable value and is equivalent to the saving OF
five thousand lives. Gen Branch led the advance
down the Meadow Bridge road with brigade Of
North Carolinians, aud on crossing were Instantly
reinforced by other troops OF Gen. Hills division.
The numerous field works aud batteries opposed TO
their advance assailCd by men in the
coolest and most nonchalant style imaginable, and
while driving the heavy masses of Federal infan-
try before them, were ably seconded BY our heavy
guns which, laundering with terrific noise, threw
large shells thick and fast upon the encmy's cho-
sen positions and camps, thus preventing first
forces from being Overrowcrcd by the swarming
hordcs of McCellans hirclings. While these
brilliant movements were progressing In the neigh
borhood of Meadow Bridge, our troops beyond
the Mechanicsville Bridge, formed junction With
them, thus forming perfect Gordon with others
operating from the village of Mechanicsvillc it
self Our lioe being perfect, general advance
took place, but the brave Confcdcrates had not
progressed far ere they were encountered by the
Federals in great force and terrific fight ensued;
but onward pressed our infantry and artillery,
til at ?. NJ, when the heavy canuonading ceased.
1t was generally known that the enemy had been
driven fully three miles, having experienced great
loss in every shape, bat particularly in artillery
At Mechanicsville, the heaviest fighting is said
to have taken place on Wattss farm, but resulted
magnifcently to ua. All the heights leyond the
Chickuhominy are in possession, thus ensur-
ing the safe and speedy transportation Of troops
and muntions to the other sids
From the late hour at Which we write, it is i'm
possible to obtain particulars Of the sanguinary
gngement Of yesterday, bur the facts stated
substantially correct, while much more effect
ed by the forces engaged than The most sanguime
could have expected or predicted The enemy
were totally routed whenever they made stand
batteries, entertainments, feld-works, camps and
arms, we're captured with great rapidity, and
loss il much less than could have been Imagined
From FREDERICKs BURG--A gentleman re-
Gently from Fredericksburg informs US that Oh
OBJ IL
over the Nice-Consuis house. Was torn down BY
Yankee officers. What the cause for this outrage
our informant unable to learn, but imme-
dately upon it Mr. Gondrick the Vice Consul
demanded pass to go to Washington which was
refused. On Thursday he was put under arrest
and sent to Washington in that THIS
high-handcd act on the part of the Yankees was
strongly protested against by Mr.. Goodrich aud in
all probability it will arouse the temper Of John
Bul-Richn,ond Dispatch.
NEW SLAVE TRADE.-A gentleman direct
from Alexandria, Va, where the Y ankees have
possession informs us that two vessels left that
port one day last week loaded with slaves stolen
from the loyal citizens of Virginia, and doubtless
bound for st. Creix other West India
Island A vessel recently sailed from the York
river, where she arrived few days previous with
West India fruits, and by the cunning and
duplicity of the Yankee skipper and his crew
many slaves In the nelghborhOOd were induced to
go on board. As as load of these deluded
creatures obtained, the vessel drifted off, and
setting all SAIL despite the tears and cntreaes of
:he negroes, who too late discovered the trap in
which they were caught, bore them off as prizes
no doubt TO Yankee cupiGty and love of gain.
ARKANsAs.-A special despatch to the Mobile
Tribune from Grenada. Miss, dated the 23d says
that arrivals here from Memphis say that the re-
port of the defeat of Gen Curtis by Gen. Hind
man is generally credited there and at points
above Col Fitch, with two Indiana regiments
sent up White river to reinforce Curtis He
attacked our batteries at st. Charles 20 miles
above, with two gunboats and, landing his f rces
succeeded in capturing them by an attack in the
rear. \ hot shot from one of our batteries fired
the magazine of the Federal steamer Mound City
and blew her to atoms killing all but - ont of
lT5 men who were on board.
NISsIssIrPI.-Fedcralc cavalry in considerable
force appeared Saturday at Coldwater Depot, on
the Mississippi and Tennessee Railroad, twenty
miles above Memphis.
The cotton is being burned throug bout the up
per country BY the planters.
GEN. Jos. i. JoHNsT0s.-We are pleased to
be able to state, for the qualification of our read
srs, and especially for the army, and in order to
quiet some uniounded reports to the contrary
that Gen. Johnston is entirely out Of danger from
his battle wound and is rapdly recovering his full