The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1862-07-07
HEADQUARTERS, ARMY PoToMAC I
Tnrkpv Island IraIu 2


The following is an account of the battles
fought in front of Richmond on Sunday,
Monday and Tuesday, berg the fifth, sixth
and seventh days of the engagement:
On Sunday morning the corps of Gems.
Sumner and Helm zelman were lett in the
works at Fair Oaks with instructions TO
evacuate and protect the baggage and sup
ply trains on their way to James River
They had hardly left their position, and were
falling back on the Railroad and Williams
burg 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 hardly time TO place their men in posi-
ton 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, advanc-
ing in solid masses within short distance
of our artillery. The effect of our guns on
their rauks was fearful, killing and wound
ing them by hundreds. A. dark the enc
my was repu'sed, ard forced to aba ndon
their position. This battle took place about
ii miles above Savages Station.
Whilst the battle was in progress, other
important events were Transporting. The
raitroad bridge across the Chckahominy
was burned and train of twelve cars I'M
der full head of steam was run overboard d.
All the commissary and Quar,ermaster's
stores unable to be removed, we're commit
ted to the flames, together with a large
amount of ordnance stores. The large house
at the station and adjoining grounds, which
were filled with our sick and wounded,
NH Tuac~iu1nnssihIa To
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 enemys hands.
The troops which had fought the battle
of Sunday resreated under cover of night to
White Oak Swamp bridge, distance OF
about twelve miles, there TO await the ap-
proach of the enemy.
The disposition of troops on Monday, the
sixth, was as follows; Gen. Smiths divis-
ion, supported by Gen. Negley's brigade,
occupied the right of the bridge, while Gen.
Summers and Gen. Franklin's corps occu-
pied The left. Gen. Heintzelman's corps,
with Gen. McCall's division, was out on the
road 10 meet the enemy, who was approach
ing from Richmond. The enemy came up
boldly early in the morning, having been
heavily reinforced by the troops who had
fought the battle of Friday on the opposite
side of the Chickahominy.
About o'clock it became evident that
some portions of our lines must give way,
as the rebels were constantly throwing
fresh troops into the action. Our troops in
front of the bridge now fell back to within 81
miles of Turkey Island, when the fight was
shortly afterwards renewed aud continued
with the greatest determination on both
ho Ices hoo
on both sides.
During the day all the cattle and the
greater portion of transportation had safely
crossed Turkey Island bridge. Some of the
rear wagons had to be abandoned and fired
to make room for the passage of artillery.
The fight was renewed early on Tuesday
morning by the rebels. They evidently in
tended to crush our army. II lasted about
three hours, resulting in considerable loss
to both sides.
The enemy then retired, leaving the field
to cur troops. The rebels again advanced
about o'clock P. N. in considerable num-
| bers but retired after being shelled by the
gunboats and artillery for about two hours.
The loss of our army during these severe
| engagements is not known, but 900 is
considered to be as near an estimate as can
at present be given liz killed, wounded and
missing. Many OF those at present unac-
counted for may have struggled away
through the country, and may hereafter re-
| turn.
The loss of the enemy in killed must
have been very heavy, far exceeding that
of our army. We have taken about 700
prisoners, among whom are three Lieuten-
ants and one Major. The reported capture
of Gen. Magruder is probably a mistake.
The loss in field artillery is about thirty
pieces in seven days.
Gen. Reynolds and Capt. Kingsbury, of
his staff, were taken prisoners, as also was
Col. Stockton, of Michigan.
General Meade, of Penn, was severely
wounded. Gen. Burns was wounded in the
face. Gen. Sumner and Gen. Heintzelman
were both slightly wounded in the left arm,
but never left the field. Gen. Mccall was
seen to fall from his horse during the bat
tie, and was taken prisoner, and the extent
of his injuries is not known.