Litchfield enquirer., 1862-06-05
The War News.

The nest interesting, and by far tho most im- portaat news of the week is the report of the two days fighting before Richmond on Saturday and Sunday last. The details of the engage nents will be found elsewhere in our issue of this week. It appears from them that the ene- my, finding themselves gradually being hemmed in by Gsn1 Mcclellan, who with his grand army was gradually approaching nearer and nearer to the fated capital, and, as one rebel newspaper expressed it, was slowly but surely advancing with the spads, found it necessary to make bold dash or onset upon the advan cing forces, hoping by making the attack upon our front ranks with superior force to turn our flank and and drive us back from the position VIC had ta- ken. In this the enemy seemed at first to be successful Taking advantage of heavy rain storm, which had swollen the banks of the Chick ahominy and had cut of our advanced division tGen. Caseys) frsm the main army, he threw himsslfin ovsrpowsring force upon that division, and succeeded after hard and severe resistance in forcing back our troops, with heavy loss on both sides in killed, wounded and prisoners ta- ken. All accounts agree in stating that even in this first snset our troops, both officers and men, behaved with the greatest bravery. Notwith- standing the regiments of this division were for the nest part composed of new troops, and were greatly weakened by loss of numbers through disease and death, they fought with the strongest determination. contending the ground inch by inch with the enemy, until officer after officer had fallen, and rank after rank moved down by the marderous fire, when they were finally con- psllsd to retire before the overwhelming force of the enemy. In this division, Brig. Gen. Yves. cells commanded the brigade upon the centre, and we are glad to see escaped unhurt.
 But the ensmys triumph, such as it was, vas but short-lived. Ere Saturday closed the rebels were already held in check by endorsements from our main army, and on Sunday, as soon as it was light, the fight was renewed by Gen. Sedgwick, Richardson, Sumner and Heintzleman, who " drove the enemy back at the point of the bayonet." As the result of this days fighting, we have about 500 prisoners including rebel general and several prominent officers, the ground lost by Gen. Casey was rsgained and an advance of two and half miles beyond our for ner lines obtained. Our loss in killed and wounded amounts to about 5000. while the sne- mys must be much greater. Gen. Mcclellan arrived on the battle field on Saturday evening and remained during the battle of Sunday, di- rscting all the movements in person. His pres ence among the troops is said to have had most splendid effect. Our fsrcss are now with in Arss miles of Richmond, and the telegraph may at any moment announce our occupation of that oitY.
 From the Shenandoah, we have the rumor at least, that Jackson was also defeated at Win chester, on Sunday, by Gen. Fremont, and was retreating towards Snicker's Ferry. From New Orleans, accounts represent Gen. Butler as ac- complaining al that can be done to qusll the re- bslious element and foster the growing Union sentiment in that uneasy city. From North Carolina ws have the most favorable intelligence respecting the returning loyal sentiment of the people. aad we may lock for the voluntary re- turn of that State to the Union, at no distant day. From Arkansas, intelligence reaches us to the effect that Gen. Mitchell has penetrated to the center and now holds the capital of that State, and shat secession is about "played out" in that quarter. From Gen. Halleck also favor able news is reported, and the pursuit of the en- smy who lately ran away from Oorinth has al ready commenced.
 ks ws survey the whole field, We have ample cause Cor coAgratllatien from the events of the weeks, and can easily believe that the next few days are pregnant with the most glorious victo- siss and results.