Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-07-09
GU Stan0arb.
RALEIGH: SATURDAY,, JULY s, 1862.
The Great Battle,

The Great Battle.
At the time we write week has elapsed since
the commencement Of the great battle before Rich
mond, and yet fatal as the conflict has been to our
enemies, and damaging it has been to US in the
loss of our brave men, the end is not yet
The papers have contained much in regard to this
battle, yet the public have really but little informa-
ton of the particular stages of its progress and of
its details The future will no doubt reveal many
of the most darins instances of galantry known in
history, and the deeds of our heroes will live in
song when the actors have all passed away.
The press of Richmond has not been idle in COL
lecting the thrilling facts which have been devel
oped bu: the caution of the government has with
held from the public much important information
which it desires to know. Enough, however, is
known, to claim for the commanding general Lee
great skill in strategy-for the subordinate COM
manders great galantry and celebrity in the execu-
ton of his pans ard for our brave men, courage,
an endurance spirit Of selfsacrifice and patriot
ism, which covers the whole army with glory.
Even the enemy extorts from us the just need of
praise for the skill, bravery, and indomitahe per-
severance, in cause so despicable and under
circumstances affording so little hope of success,
which he has evinced. Driven from his strong po-
sitions, with heavy loss of men, cannon, NUM-
tons and all kinds of stores he at last accounts
still sitting down in White Oak Swamp like chafed
and worried bear where he deals the heaviest blows
to his antagonist at the point of giving up.
Our readers already have general idea of the
progress of the battle up to the period when Nc
CIeans retreating forces had all effected their pas
sage to the south or west bank of the Caickahomny
Mcclellan having pushed on his right to strong
position in White Oak Swamp, his left rested his
entertainments on the Williamsburg Road. So far
the attempts to dislodge him from these positions
have been Intellectual The rumors of the escape Of
part of his army down James River may be true,
but they need confirmation. Equally uncertain is
the rumor that he has been reinforced. The extern
sion of his line towards James River and the grad
ual contraction Of his left have no doubt given rise
to the idea of general retreat.
On Monday morning an artillery duel between
the contestants commenced, which lasted several
hours and resulted in beating back the enemy.
In the evening Gen. Longstreets division attacked
the enemy vigorously The battle lasted from till
o'clock, the enemy fighting with DESPERATION
The loss was very heavy on both sides, some esti-
mating our loss at 1900, and that of the enemy at
or 5000.
The fight was renewed on Tuesday, carly, contin-
ming most of the day. This is considered the Sc
verest fight during the battle
Beaten in the terrible onslaught Of our force on
Monday and Tuesday evenings, his retreat towards
James River has doubtless been accelerated but
the fight on Tuesday night shows that his force is
still large and that he is still strong in the neig Oh.
borhood of the Williamsburg Road
The following dispatches from our friend Crutch.
field the Petersburg Express which have been issued
by us in extras since last issue went to press,
together with additional details by the mails will
give the reader general idea of the progress Of
events:-
FIRST DISPATCH.
F1oht on Aonday-nnothcr battle expected on Tues
day-part of Nc Clellan's forces making their
a1uy to the River, dc.
STANDARD OFFICE, !
Tuesday, o'clock, P. NJ.
PETERSBURG July 1, 1862.
W. W. HOLDEN, ESQ.,
The latest reliable accounts from the Confederate
army represent that late on yesterday afternoon
the enemy was in position near White Oak Swamp
All the Roads to Chckahominy Were in our pos
observation-disclosures Division having position at Bot
TOMS Bridge. His forces we're in the rear of the
enemy driving him back. Late in the evening ouI
forces in his front were drawn up in two lines Of
battle for general action, which Mcclellan was en-
ileavorino to decline. The attack was made by
Gen. iLugers brigade in front and after short de-
sultory contest, the divisions OF Longstreet and
p. Hill were ordered up, and attacked the enemy
with fierceness and the action became general
which terminated in driving the enemy back nearly
two miles-loss being heavy on both sides. III
was thus forced into position where he will bt
forced to fight this morning. with every prospect o
the rout of his forces.
Ionpstreets division is reported badly cut up
particularly Anderson's brigade, of South Carolina
and Kemper's, of Virginia.
It's believed that portions of McClellans army
have made their way to James rlver' where unoe
cover of their gun-boats they hope to escape
Among the reported killed on yesterday, the nam
,fLt COL Jas. V. Scott, Of Petersburg, is men
:ioned. v.
SECOND DISPATCH.
STANDARD OFFICE, Tuesday o'clock, F. NJ
Still Further-sisnai, Complete, and Gloriou
Victory!
PETERSBURG, July l. o'clock, +. M.
W. W. HOLDEN, EsQ:-Posltlve information re
ceived here that the remnant OF McClelians arm
fed last night to James river, where, under cover
their gun-boats. portion embarked ON transport
and fled to Fortress Monroe.
Tie river banks are lined with stragglers, and tn
woods and swamps filled with them
Stonewall encountered separate column OF tn
enemy yesterday afternoon, utterly routing then
and taking thee entire batteries. Federal officer
captured yesterday afternoon report that McClella