Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-07-10

The City Point was burned this morn
ing by the ganboats, thus destroying
. the shelter for the Rebel sharp-shooters
James River is filed with transport
vessels and steamers, and over twenty
gunboats in the vicinity of Harrison's
Landing.
Rebel prisoners state their loss al
10000, while ours will not exceed lo.-
600. The Rebels had over 200. 600
troops engaged.
HEADQUARTERS Army OF PoToNAc,
l.Ff 'TURKEr ISLAND, July 8.
The following Is an account Of the
battles fought in front Of Richmond, on
Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, being
the fifth, sixth and seventh days Of the
engagement.
On Sunday morning the corps o.
Gen. Sumner and Gen. Franklin were
left in the works Of Fair Oaks, with in.
structions to evacuate and protect the
baggage andeuppiy trains on their
way to James river. ''
They had hardly left their position,
and were falling back on the railroad
and Williamsburg turnpike, when the
Rebels discovered the movement, and
Immediately started in pursuit with
their whole force.
So rapidly did the Rebels approach
that our officers had barely time to
place their men in position to receive
them before they were upon them.
The enemy advanced to the attack
about 2 O'Clock, which was promptly
met by our men.
The battle lasted until dark. during
which the enemy suffered terribly, ad.
vancing in solid mass to within a short
distance of our artillery.
The effect Of our guns upon their
rsnks was fearful-killing and wound.
ing them by hundreds. At dark the
enemy was repulsed and forced to
abandon their position.
This battle took place about one
and half miles aboYe Savage Station.
Whilst this battle was in progress other
important events were transpiring.
The railroad bridge across the
Chickahominy was burned. and train
of twelve cars, under a full head OF
steam, was run overheard.
All the Commissary and Quarter
master stores unable to be moved were
committed to the flames, together with
large amount of ordinance stores.
The large house at the station and
the adjoining grounds. which were
filed with sick and wounded, whom it
were impossible to get away, were left
under the care of our surgeons, with
all the necessaries at hand for their
comfort.
They numbered about 700. and are
now in the enemy's hands. The
troops which had fought the battle Of
Sunday retreated. under cover Of the
night, to White Oak Swamp Bridge, a
distance of about twelve miles, there to
await the approach Of the enemy.
The disposition of the troops on
Monday, the sixth day of battle, was
as follows: Gen. Smiths division. sup
ported by Gen. Negley's brigade. oc-
cupied the right of the bridge. while
Gen. Summers and Gen. Franklin's
division occupied the left. ~
Gen. Heintzelman's corps, with Gen.
McCall's Division. was ordered out on
the road to meet the enemy, who was
approaching from Richmond.
The enemy came up boldly early in
the afternoon, having been heavily re-
enforced by the troops who had fought
the battle Of Friday on the opposite
side Of the ChickahomiDy.
About 8 o'clock it became evident
that some portion Of our lines must
give way, as the Rebels were constant
ly throwing fresh troops into action.
Our troops in front Of the bridge
now fell back to within three and a
half miles of Turkey Island. where the
fight was shortly afterwards renewed
and continued with the greatest deter
mination on both sides.
The loss on Monday was very heavy
on both sides. During the day all the
cattle and the greater portion Of the
transportation had safely crossed Tar
key Island bridge.
Some Of the rear wagons had to be
abandoned and fred, to make room for
the passage of artillery.
The fight was renewed early on
Tuesday morning by the Rebels; they
evidently intended to crush our army.
It lasted about three houys, resulting
in considerable loss to both sides.
The enemy then RETIRED leaving the
field to our troops. The Rebels again
advanced about 8 O'Clock P. h.. in
numbers, but retired by
being shelled BY the guabosts and srti-
Iery for about two hours, without COM
ing Rear enough for musketry to be-
come engaged.
The loss of our army during these
seven engagements is not known, but
&c, 900 is considered TO be as near an
as can at preseHt be given in
killed, wesnded and missing.
Many oftbose at present unaccount-
ID for may have struggled away
through the eosntry, and may here {
lfter returp. The loss Of the enemy in
Lilled must have been very heavy-far 7
exceeding that Of our army. b
. We,have taken about 700 prisoners, /
lmong whom are three Lieutenants j