Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-07-16

Hope on-Hope ever, then below
Be of thy life part.
THE GREAT BATTLE BEFORE RICHMOND.
Full and Graphic Account.
The following account of the great fight be
fore Richmond is from correspondent of the
Philadelphia Press, and is dated July 4th:
No point in all the former front of the army
was more eagerly watched or strongly guarded
than Mechanicsville. On-numerous occasions
L have told you of its Importance. The enemy
we're equally with US aware of the great FEEDER
nj advantage the possession OF Mechanic sville
gave, and General McC Clellan had long ago re-
solved to make use of their anxiety ioI its re-
possession in order to secure the safety of the
movement across to the james river. Certain
indications of attempt at crossing were,
therefore, hailed with delight, and every
means resorted to to blind the reLels as to our
real wishes, but at the same time to get them
over. Union and Secession coquetted long at
that pass, but Union at length triumphed, and
on Thursday afternoon, June 26, at 2 O'Clock,
the enemy threw their bridge across the stream
and the first ranks cautiously passed it. The
news Of this was. of course, instantly tele-
grspbed to General Mcclellan, and ten mn-
vtes afterwards the extreme left of the army
was on the march to White Oak swamp and
the James river. The great movement had
commenced.
Finding the ground not near so hotly con-
tested as they had expected the rebels threw
vast numbers across the stream, in order the
more quickly to bear down our opposition. a
brigade of General McCall's Pennsylvania
Reserves met them and bravely fought them
for hours against body of troops ten times
their number. TLey fell back, however, as no
bravery could withstand the torrent, until they
came upon the balance of the Reserve d1vi-
a{n fxrn brtn nd brin ,,f( III
Porter's corps, commanded by General Mar
tindale. This was most welcome aid to the
jadcd troops who sought it. Rife pits and
some slight entertainments also proved an ad-
dtional means of defence, and Colonel Sim
mons regiment, the 5th, with Colonel Jack
sons 9th, were the first to rush upon the foe.
Here the rebel advance, which had been made
for two miles, was checked, and brilliant
charges soon broke their columns A few
moments more and the gallant Reserves were
driving Secession pel nell into the Chcka-
hominy. At dusk they rested on their arms
the yictors of the field, few artillery shots
being the only sound of war, and in the silence
of evening proceeded to the sorrowful task of
burying the dead. Every regiment of the
corps was terribly decimated. Colonel Sim
mons lay dead upon the field, where he and
his regiment had so immortalized themselves.
Dead and wounded, Federal and rebel, lay all
about, and with saddened hearts the brave
Pennsy lvanians proceeded to the task before
them, placing each loved companion, who had
that day sealed his patriotism with his blood,
in the rude but honored grave of the soldier
Rebel watch-fi fires surrounded them, and the
distant tramp of rebel reinforcements could
constantly be heard. No man passed that
night in other mien than sorrow.
However, at two O'Clock on Friday morning,
June q, these brave troops, who were effec-
tually checking the rebel advance at the 'sSev-
en- Miles to Richmond crossroads, received
orders to retreat. With great reluctance they
started down the road to Gaines Mill, four
miles distant, knowing as they did SO, that
they were leaving position in which they
could hold at bay hundred thousand men.
Slowly they came, making very short marches
and very long halts, their way lighted by
vast pile OF burning knapsacks, left behind by
General Porter. The enemy soon discovered
the retreat and poured along after, thousands
TO the rear, filling up the space which the ad
vancing front left vacant. They deployed in
TO the fields, skirmished on all sides, and
spread out as far as the river would allow
them on the one hand or our harrassing caval-
ry on the other. The Federal plan seemed to
be to give the rebels as much annoyance as
possible firing cannon at them as far as pos
sibie from their crossing places at Mechanics
vie
1t being well understood that this was TO be
our course OF operations, by nine on the morn
Ing OF Friday the rebels had come down to
and were in full possession of DR.. Gaines
house and all the neighboring highlands.
Here the Grapevine bridge crosses the Chick
ahominy river, deboucbing in the midst of
General Smiths forces on the Federal side Of
the stream, and if the enemy were to change
Their minds and come across il, or, by sending
detachment across, were o attack General
Smith and make junction with their own
met 49,. l. tl.,t
II would jeopardze the whole army. So Gen.
Slocum's division ordered out at an early
hour 10 guard this bridge. They marched 10
the Hat at the extreme end, and Gen. New
TONS brigade crossed, the others biyouacking.
When General Newton had passed through
the trees bordering the river, he saw the enc
my in full force on the hills above, and imme-
dlately returned to report his observation.
The division lay there until noon, when it
was ordered TO return towards camp, but one
brigade was subsequently wheeled about whilst
on the homeward road, and again halted on
the fiat.
AT noon canonading commenced, from one
side OF the river TO the other. Gen. Smiths
batteries had several huge columtiads mount
ed, which played with splendid accuracy upon
The rebels surrounding the Doctors house.
Every Federal gun which could be brought to
bear was fred at them, and their artillery, OF
which they seemed to have but few throwing
she'll, endeavored, but without effect, to si
ienee these terrible batteries. General Por-
Ter. too, whose troops were now the opposing !