The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-07-04
Great Battle at Richmond.
Attack on our Right by Jack>on.> An.
my.

DESPERATE FiGIlTING-lNCONFLETEA CO0INl>.
The New York Tribune isssed an ey,ra.
Monday morning, with a dispatch dated Bat,
tie Field, Sunday morning. The disps.r1
states that severe and most determined
battle was fought on our right wing, Thurs
day and Friday. 1t is claimed By some a.
cur officers as successful strategic move
ment, into Which the enemy were unwilling
y drawn, and which will soon result in tie
capture Of Richmond and the entire rebel A.
my.
The attack VA. made by the enemy in IN
men>e force. They crossed the Chickaham-
iny near the railroad above Mechan;csril-.
thursday afternoon. They fought deSper-
a'ely. but were unable 10 drive our men
~iRg,e rod, Though their strength was ten to
our one. The only force engaged tina. d1y
was Metals division. TIE battle LASTED
from o'clock til 9 p. m. when he diy;s-
ION was ordered back. Gen Mcclellan was
on the field, expressing himself satisfied VII
the result.
The following is digest of the Tribunes
report OF the Two DAYS battls, which the co.,
respondent states Is necessarily imperfect.
ATTACH EY TIE REBELS.
On Thursday noon the enemy made an =
tack on Gen Stoneman's forces In The ,icir;-
X Of Hanover Court House. Shortly after
wards they commenced vigorous cannorad-
M from their works on an eminence nrpo-
size MechanicSville, also from two batteries.
one above and the other below. They were
T, pied 20 by Campbell's PENNSYLVANIA bat
,elieS, one on Mechanicsrlle road. the Other
ron: earthworks at the right of the grove.
bout :. p. II. the enemv's infantry and
squadrons of cavalry crossed the Chickahon-
,ny n immense force short distance above
the Virginia Central railroad, making Tap
III advance towards McCall's division. which
was en'reno he'd on hilly woodland across 4
swampy rayine, about one mile in the rear Of
Mechariesyille. The lst PENNSYLVANIA rifles,
~Buek;ails,' and Campbell's Pennsrlran.a
battery. were on picket duty, all of whom e1-
eept ore company fell back behind the
breastworks and life pits where our line 81
battle was drawn up.
Company X, of the Buchtails, being On
picket duty beyond the railroad. were sur
rounded. and the last known of them. they
were irving 10 cut their way through an IN
mensely superior force. Their fate is not
known. but It is presumed that the greater
portion are prisoners.
The enemy advanced down in the rear 81
MeehanlcSvilie on low marshy ground, 10
where our forces We're drawn up behind II
liz pits and earthworks on an en.inence On
Il northerly side of the ravine. where the
conflict became most terrible. The rthtis,
with most determined courage, attempted 10
press forward over miry ground; but bullets
and grape fell among them Ike hail-Stoues'
until. in the words Of an officer. They Lax
like flies on bowl of sugar. and withdrew.
The cannonading was kept up on both sides
until about 8 p. m, when the battle ceased.
Our forces were covered by earthworks and
suffered but slightly.
Late in the afternoon the enemy made =
charge with cavalry. About 100 Of them
came rushing down and attempted 10 cross
the ravine, when their horses became mirel.
y squadron of our cavalry, seeing the posi-
ton in which the enemy were placed, mace
4 charge down The hill, when the rebel cay
airy men abandoned their horses and fed
The infantry fight was then renewed and
continued until a. m. when a retreat was
ordered. very much against the viii Of Tie
PennSy lvania boys. who begged 10 be allowed
10 defend their position, which they felt coz
fident they could hold. The outer forces b.
gan 10 fall back. Porter's corps were some
distance below, near DIR Gains residence
THE ATTACH RENEWED On FRIDAY
OF the fight on the second day, tFrldayl
Il is stated that the cannonading was terrific
and the mushttry can only be understood 10y
those who have heard the crash of immense
trees in quick succession. Duryea's Lo1aFt'
were lying upon the ground two hours, ~h'-e
our batteries were shelling The wood oFtF
them.
Finally, toward night. the enemy attempt
ed 10 break our centre line in front OF pai-
yeas Zouaves, and the musketry firing b.
came most terrific, lasting 20 or 30 minutes
after which there was a lull. Shortly ALTER
ward an attempt was made TO break through
our right, which was repulsed. Han a.
hour later another attempt Was made on ii-5
left, with the same result. The battle haH
then been raging fer some four hours VIII
out any apparent change or advantage on e,
Their side. Rein forcements of artillery ana
infantry then came steadily along over the
bridge, marching through heat and dust or
er the hill. to the field of battle. The enemy
then seemed to make their last desperate and
determined effort, and came near forcing OH