The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-07-15

CHalp reconnaissance, foWe'eT, nau iouu'
another, and soon our tremendous lane
feet was sailing down two roads, and ou
long artillery train of $50 guns, anc
equipments were lum mbering after then
with furious but orderly speed. So per
feet was the Though to an un
practIced eye it would have seemed the
confusion of Babel-tllat the roads were
block AIDED but two or three times. The
topography Of the country had now be.
come such that infantry could march
through the woods in para llel lines or
both sides Of the trains, while White Oak
swamp fortunately projected our flanks
from cavalry.
BATTLE AT WHITE OAK SWAMP.
AT about ten o'clock Gen. Nc Clellan
pushed to the river, communicating with
Commodore Rodgers. and had the gun.
boat fleet posted TO aid us against the en-
envy. The case was desperate, but il
was relief to ach the river where we
could turn at bay with our rear protected
by the James River, and Aanks partially
covered by gunboats. Tidings, howev-
er, had been received that the enemy was
pushing swiftly upon us in several col.
umns Of immens nse numbers, apparently
determined to crush us, or drive us into
the river that night. They opened fierce
iy with shell upon Smiths division at
White Oak Bridge. Alter burning down
the house Of good secessonist and
breaking bis leg, the enemy extended his
line Of fire and soon engaged our entire
rear guard, striking at Slocum, who was
guarding against flank moyemen! de-
signed to cut our column in twain.
Long before this our vanguard had de-
bouched from the road into the field be
fore Turkey Bend, and our reserve aruil.
cry was powerfully posted on Malvern
Hill, a magnificent bluff covering Har.
din's Landing, where our guuboats were
cruising. Here was glorious prospect,
Though our gallant fellows were bravely
holding the fierce enemy at bay to cover
the swiftly escaping trains, it was clear
our troubles were not ended. We had
again deceived the enemy by going to
Turkey Bend. He had imagined we
were marching to Newmarket destined
to point op Cliff Bottom road near Fort
Darling. 1t was not FAR away, and tie
enemy was massing his troops upon Us
on tie left, and on our new front-tor
when we arrived At Malvern Hill. the
wings OF the army so organized We're re,
yersed, Reyes taking the right, Porter's
corps The lell-as We faced Richmond.
Our line now described great arc and
there was fighting around three fourths
of the perimeler.
Gen. Mcclellan who hal already com
municated with the gunboats, returned
from The front 10 Malvern Hills, which
were made his battle headquarters. and
dispositions for final emergency were
made. Fitz John Porter was marched
from the valley under the hill 10 his post
on the western crest of lhe hill. where he
could rake the plains towards Richm ond.
Our splendid artillery was picturesquely
poised in ian shape at salient points and
It's supports We're dispersed in admirable
cover IN holiows between unduations Of
the bluff Powerful concentrating bat.
teries were also poised IN the centre, so
that, 10 use the language Of Colonel
Sweilzer. we II clothe this Hill in sheets
Of fame before they take it." Ii was a
magnificent spec tacle, You see. friends,
how desperate was the hour, The loar
Of combat grew Tremendous as The alter
noon wore away, There was no time
then nor afterwards, TO ascertain dispesi
lions Of particular organizations. They
were thrown together wherever cmsrgen-
cy demanded White Oak Bridge, the
Quaker road. Charles City road. the
banks Of Turkey Creek. were enveloped
in smoke and flame mon and lead crash
ed through forests aud men like de-
slroving pestleuce a masked battery
which had opened from tie swamp IN
der Malvern Hill, began to prove iucon.
venient 10 Porter Il plowed and crash.
ed through some Of our wagons and lis
turbel groups of officers in the splendid
groves Of Malvern mansion. The gan
boats Galena, anchored on the opposite
side Of Turkey Island. and the Aros;oo
cruising n, he head Of the island, opened
their ports and plunged their awful met
al into the rebel cover with Titanic force.
Towards sunset the earth quiyered with
the terrific conclusion Of artillery, and
huge explosions. The vast aerial auli-
torium seemed convulsel wilh the com,
motion Of frighful sounds, Shells raced
like dark metcoTs slhwart the horizon,
crossing each other M eccentric angles.
exploding INFO deadly mon hail aud fan r
taslic puts Of smoke. until ether was
displaced by vas, cloud Of white fumes.
through which even the fierce blaze Of
q setting summers sun could but grimly
penetrate. The (orms of smoker masked
warriors. the CLEAN of muskets on the
plains where soldiers were disengaged,
tho artistic order OF battle on Malvern
Hill, the wild career Of wilder horsemen
plnnging to and from across the field
formed a scene Of exciting grandeur In
the forest. whore ewes did not penetrate.
there was nothing bat lhc eShjlmrating
and eNhausting spasm Of battle. Baleiul
fires blazed among he trees, an / death
struck many shining marks Our hag
gard men stood there with grand cour-
age. fighting more like creatures Of l1fti-
or mould than men. Wearicd aud ieded.
an1 bupurv on1 tl,irsty hasat h., al,,os,