Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1862-07-12
The War News.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoroNAc,
Turkey Island, July 2, 1852.

nv ioiio" t.SS'ouG vi Tile
battles fought Ill front of Richmond on
Sunday, NJ 'nday and Tuesday, being
the fifth, sixth and seventh days OF the
engagement: On Sunday morning,
the corps Of Generals Sumner aud
Franklin were left in the works at Fair
| Oaks with instructions to eyacu:ite and
protect the baggage ami supply trains
OH their way to James river.
They had hardly left their position,
and We're falling back on the railroad
and Williamsburg turnpike, when the
rebels discovered this movement, and
immediately started i'll pursuit with the
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 two O'Clock, which was prompt
~ met by our men. The battle lasted
until dark, during which the enemy
suffered terribly, advancing III solid
mass to within short distance of our
artillery. The effect of our guns upon
their ranks was fearful, killing and
woundlny them by hundreds. AT dark
the enemy were repulsed and forced
to abandon their position. This bat
tie took place about one and half
miles above Savage Station.
Whilst this battle was in progress.
other important events were transpl-
ring. The Railroad bridge across the
Chlckahomlny was burned, and a train
of twelve cars under full head of
steam was run overheard All the
commi>sarv aud quartermaster's stores
unable to be moved, were committed to
the flames, together with large
amount of ordnance sores. The large
house at the station, aud the adjoining
grounds. which were filled with our
sick and wounded, whom it was i'm
possible to get away, were left under
the care OF our surgeons, With ali the
necessaries ut hand for their comfort.
They numbered abon. 100, 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, distance Of about
twelve miles, to await the approach of
the enemy. The dispositions Of the
troops Oh Monday, the sixth day Of the
battle, was as follows: s
Gen. Smiths DIVISION, supported by
Gen. Nagley's Brigade, occupied the
right OF the bridge, winnie ,ie,ls. Sum
ner and F,anklln's corps occupied the
left. Gen. Htinlzelnfan' corps, with
Gen. McCaii's DIVISION, was ont on
the road to meet the enemy who was
approaching from Richmond. .s--4 -,
F!le enemy cam" up boldly early in
the morning, having peen Heavily re-
lnforced oy the trob ps VINO hal tua ,,ht
the battle OF t'rll4y, Oh tAe opposite
side OF the Cnlckahoniny. About 3
o'clock it became evident that some
portion of our lines must give way, AS
the rebels were constantly throwing
fresh troops into action.
Our troops in front Of the bridge
now fell back to within three and "a
halt miles Of Turkey Island, where the
lighting wa, shortly aIterw ards renewed
and continued. with the greatest de-
Lefll1l laLlon on 0Csn SlttS.
Daring the day the cattle and the
greater portion of the transportation
mad safely crossed Turkey Island
bridge. Some of the rear wagons had
to be abandoned and fired, to make
room tor the passage Of artillery.
/ The night WAS renewed early on Tues
day morning oy the rebels, they evil
dentl = ilfsehs;,os To crash our array
1t lasted about three heirs, rvSsstiisr
III considerable loss or both Sides
/ The enemy then retired, leaving the
| leld to our troops.
The rebels again alvaEced about
three O'Clock p. IN. in considerable NUN
bers, but retired after being shellcd by
the gunboats and artillery for abont
two hours, without coming near enough
. for muSkctry to become engaged.
The loss OF orr army dari,lg these
seven engagements Is not known, but
| 10000 Is considered to be rs near an
estimate As can at present be given in
killed, wounded and MISSING NJ nv
Of those at present unaccoulted for
may have straggled away through the
country, ana may hereafter return.
The loss OF the ei,e.ny in killed must
| have been very heavy, far exceeding
that of our army. We have taken
about 700 prisoners, among whom are
three lleuteIIants and one major. The
reported capture Of Gen. Nj ruler is
probably a mistake.
The loss III the field artillery is about
thirty pieces, during the seven days.
Gen. Reynolds, alrt Capt. King>bary,
OF his staff, were taken prisoners, as
also Col. Stockton, OF Michigan.
Gen. Mead., OF Pennsylvania, was
severely wounded Gen. Barns was
wounded in the face; Gtn.oulnner and
Gen. HelntzleInan were both slightly
- Il L i-Lxi