Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-07-09

lowers. Some of the suffers became so panic
! stricken as to sell out their stocks at bali
price, and FASTENED on board the boat, whilst
some determined to hold on and take the
| chances.
The steamers and tugs we're all in early re-
QUESTION, and were moving down the river
with long trains of transports in tow. The
vessels nearest the landing were also stored
inii OF commlssary stores and munitions, and
| moved out in the stream. The immense piles
OF boxes of crackers, barrels of pork, and 9TH
er stores along the landing, were again cover
ed ovei with bales of bay, so as to be ready, at
moments notice, to apply the torch for their
destruction, ii it should become necessary.
There was also great copmotion among the
| crowds of contrabands, who-have been found
most efficient laborerS, and who have been
| used to great advantage in the commisSary and
muntion departments. They soon understood
| that danger was apprehended, and on being
assured by Colonel Ingalls, that they would
not be left behind to meet the vengeance of
their masters, went to work with renewed en-
| ergy. Stores and munitions everywhere dis
| appeared from the landings with great rapidi-
| ty aud were being packed on the wharf boats
and vessels contiguous. The wives and chill
| dren of the contrabands also soon made their
! appearance and with bundles and babies took
| position on the canal boats they were float
| ed out in the stream. During the afternoon
! the panic increased until half past three o.
clock, and the steamers and tugs were busily
engaged in towing down the transports.
At three O'Clock dispatch was received
from Headquarters in substance as follows
ssWe have been driving the enemy before us
on the left wing for the past half hour. Cheers
are heard all along the lines" This the
signal for new change in the programme.
| All the government valuables, and the prop
| erty OF the officers was taken on the mail boat
| and placed on board the steamer Cammonico,
and the order given for the departure of the
mail boat, which left for Fortress Monroe, ta-
king with her in tow two heavily | ,den steam
ers, with directions for them to be dropped at
West Point. Two of the large hospital steam
ers filled with sick and wounded, also left a
bout the same time, and moved majestically
down the river. The steamer Commodore was
still left at the wharf, to receive any new ar
| rivals from the battle field, and the Daniel
Webster and the Elm City, devoted to the
same service, soon after arrived. 1t was also
announced that Gen. Stoneman, with 5000
cavalry and artillery, was within six miles of
the White House, to protect the work of evac-
uation If 9 dash should be made by the enemy
in that direction.
The scene presented on the river was an in
terestIng one. Ten miles below the White
House, about 200 brigs, barques and schoon-
ers were at anchor, with any quantity of
nal boats, loaded with implements of war,
commissary and subsistence stores. On the
whole route down, steamers and tugs were
passed, having large numbers of vessels in tow,
and at West Point, forty Diles below White
House, not less than 800 vessels were at an
Choir, whilst the numerous steamers and tugs
which had brought them down. were prepa-
ring to start up tor several hundred still up
the river.
About O'Clock Friday evening numbers o.
wounded commenced arriving from the front
of the lines, with few of the most intelligent
n | m of Sin no
Those engaged in. the repulse of Stonewa
Jackson represent it to be most disastrous.
He came down on them expecting surprise,
but found them all momentarly expecting
him having been informed by Mcclellan two
days previous that he was coming. Instead
of sur prise, the enemy received the first shot,
and after two hours fight retreated in confu-
sion. The wounded repre- sent it to have been
a most terrific encounter, the enemy coming
from Richmond in such dense masses, that
the she'll and grape poured into them as they
advanced, making great gaps in their lines,
which were Immediately filled up, but they NOV
ed forward most determinedly. They still NOV
ed on and exchanged showers of balls, which
were destructive on both sides; but when
Gen. Porter ordered bayonet charge they
retreated in double quick. They again raj
lied second time, when some terrible slaugh-
ter ensued. This time, their artillery being
better served, was more effective. On coming
driven back further still. This twice fought
over battle ground was now literally strewn
with the dead and dying. Gen. Porter then
a second time fell back to his position, and
waited an hour for the enemy to renew the
assault. They finally came in increased
numbers, having been largely reinforced, and
were again received with shell and grape,
causing great chasms in their ranks. A third
time the enemy bore down most bravely and
determinedy our lines, and this conflict
was the most severely contested of the whole
but when the bayonet was brought to bear,
they fell back and were pressed towards Rich
mond fully mile beyond our original lines.
Again the fourth time Gen. Porter fell back to
his first position, when an order received
from Gen. Mcclellan to continue his retrogade
movement slowly and in order. As soon as it
became apparent to the enemy that it was the
purpose of Gen. Porter to retire they pushed
forward again boldly and bravey, when they
were checked by the entire Reserve force,
consisting of the New York 9Th and 10th, and
two other regiments, under Col. Warren, act
ing Brigadier General. This fresh force held
the enemy in check, while the force which had
previously born the brunt of the battle, moved
steadily back and in good order. The enemy
made fierce attack on the reserve, but can
non we're posted at various points of the route
by which they were retiring towards the Chick
ahominy, which occasionally poured in shot
and shell among them, and checked their
movements, and enabled the troops to move
back In the most admirable order.
At one time IN this retrograde movement
the reserve force of Gen. Syke charged on
the enemy with the bayonet, and drove MIN
back mile. In this charge the gallant New
York 5th and 10th drew forth the plaudits oi
the army by their steadiness and bravery, III
which they, however, lost about 100 OF their
number. Cheers went up along our whole
at al MT d.