Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1862-07-05

again covered over with bales Of hay 30 rs
to be ready ut n moments notice to apply
the torch for their destruction if it should
become necessary.
There was also great commotion among
the crowds of contfabands, who have been
found most efficient laborers, and who have
been used to great advantage in the COM
missary and mttnition departments They
soon understood that danger was apprehcn-
ded, and on being assured by Col. Ingalls,
that they would not DC left behind to meet
the vengeance of their masters, went to work
with renewed energy. Stores md munitions
everywhere disappeared from the landings
with great rapidity, and were being packed
on the wharf boats and vessels contiguous.
The wives and children of the contrabaDds
also soon made their appearance, and with
bundles and babies took position on the
canal boats as they were foatcd out in the
stream.
The mail steamer, which should have left
for Fortress Monroe at seven o'clock in the
morning, was ordered to be detained and
at nine O'Clock a despatch was received that
Il general battle was progressing along the
whole line, the enemy having renewed the
attempt to flank Gen. Portcr's position on
the right wing. At eleven o'clock a second
despatch announced that Gen. Porter had
driven the enemy before him anG rcpulsed
them three times with terrific slaughter, and
was then ordered by Gen. Mcclellan to fall
back. This despatch was a signal for re-
newed energy i'll the work of evacuation,
and all the Quartermastcr's papers and val
uables, and the chests of the Paymasters
were brought on board the mail boat
THE PANIC CHECKED.
During the afternoon the panic increased
until half past three o'clock, and the steam.
ers and tugs were busily engaged in towing
down the transports. At three o'clock Q
despatch was received from headquarters
in substance as follows -
"We hare been drieing tic enemy before N
on the LJt wi"gJor tic past haJ' hour. Chep,
are heard all along the lines"
This was the signal for new change il
the programme. All the Government valu
ables and the property of the officers wa
taken off of the mail-boat and placed OF
board the steamer Camonico, and the orde
given for the departure of the mail-boat
which left at three O'Clock for Fortres
Monroe, taking with her in tow two heavil,
laden steamers, with directions for them t.
be dropped at West Point.
Ny CONCLUSIONS.
From the foregoing | think have con
Mcclellan, long before the battle on Friday
was to abandon the White House, and ais
draw in his right wing ocross the Chicku
hominy That he has accomplished thi
most mastery movement with but little los
in comparison with his punishment of tn
enemy there can be no doubt, and that II
has strengthened his position by recon
structing his lines, and changing the base &
his operations to the James river, is equal
sclf-Cyident. There he will have the &C
operation of the gunboats, and if the cnem
attempt to interrupt his supply vessels b
making a dash on the James river they wi
meet with prompt punishment from tn
gunboats, and so weaken their forces in tror
that the city will fall into his posscssio
f with but slight struggle. Although "hor
may be father to the thought" | woul
wager big apple that General Mcclellan
in possession of Richmonk by the Sunda
next. Yours, &c, c. G. +.
END OF THE WHITE HOUSE.
In the midst of this closing scene of II
beautiful Chckahominy region, regret I
, have to state that some vandal set fire to Il
, White House, and it was entirely consumed
This doubtless arose from the ridculol
teachings of Il recent grave Senatorial dcba
on this little cottage.
. THE TRANSPORTS.
At ten o'clock, on Sunday morning, CO
) Ingalls, and Captain Sawtcllc were hcfo
Yorktown with an immense convoy of We
sells and steamers on their way to the nc
c base of operations on the james river.