The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-07-09
BEFORE RICHMOND
A SHK-DAYS FIGHT.
Our Estimated Loss 10000

the battles before Richmond, continuing,
as they did, through the whole of six
days; we have endeavored to give results
as far as We understand them. We copy
most of the following from the Tribune
of Saturday, the 9TH:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToMAc,
TURKEY ISLAND. July 2, 1862.
The following is an account of the bat
ties fought in front of Richmond on Sun
day, Monday, and Tuesday, being the
9TH, 9th, and 7th days of the engagement.
On Sunday morning, the corps of Gen.
Sumner and Gen. Franklin were left in
the works at Fair Oaks, with instructions
to evacuate and protect the baggage aud
supply trains on their way to James Riv-
er. They had hardly left their position,
and were falling back on the railroad and
Williamsburg turnpike, when the Rebels
discovered the movement, aDd immedi-
ately started in pursuit with their 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 2 o'clock.
which was promptly met by our men.
The baltic lasted until dark, during which
the enemy suffered terribly, advancing in
solid mass to within q short distance of
our artillery. The effect of our guns
upon their ranks was fearful. killing and
wounding them by hundreds. At dark
the enemy were repulsed and forced to
abandon their position. This battle took
place about mile and a half above Saw
ages Station. While this battle was in
progress, other important events were
Transporting. The railroad bridge across
the Chickahominy was burned, and a
train of II cars, under a full head of
steam, was run overheard. All the com.
mlasary and Quartermaster stores unable
TO be moved were committed to the flames,
together with large amount Of ordnance
stores. The large house at the station
aud the adjoining grounds, which we're
filled with our sick and wounded. whom
it was impossible to get away, were 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 enemy's hands. The troops which
had fought the battle of Sunday retreated
under the cover of the night to White
Oak Swamp bridge, distance of about
Il miles, there to await the approach of
the enemy. The disposition of the troops
on Monday, ,he 9th day Of the battle
was as follows Gen. Smiths Division,
supported by Gen. NegIey's Brigade, oc-
cupied tie right of the bridge, while Gen.
Summers and Gen. Franklin's corps occu-
pied the left. Gen. Hentzleman's corps,
with Gen. McCall's Division was out on
the road to meet the enemy who was
approaching from Richmond. The enemy
came up boldly early in the forenoon,
having been heavily re-enforced by the
troops who had fought the battle on Fri
day on the opposite side of the Chicka-
Lominy. At about 8 o'clock, it became
evident that some portion of our lines
must give way, as the Rebels were con-
stantly throwing fresh troops into action.
Our troops in front Of the bridge now fell
back to within 81 miles of Turkey Island,
when the fight was shortly afterward
renewed, and continued with the greatest
determination on both sides. The loss,
en- Monday, was very heavy on both sides.
During the day, all the cattle, and a
greater portion Of the trans portation had
safely crossed Turkey Island bridge
Some of the rear wagons had to be aban-
doned and fired, to make room for the
passage of the artillery The fight was
renewed early on Tuesday morning by the
Rebels, they evidently intending to crush
our army. 1t lasted about three hours,
resulting in considerable loss to both
sides. The enemy then retired, leaving
the field to our troops The Rebels
again advanced at about 3 O'Clock in the
afternoon in considerable numbers, but
retired after being shelled by the gun
boats and artillery for about two hours,
without coming near enough for musketry
to become engaged. The loss of cur army
during this seven days engagement is
not known, but 10000 is considered to
be as near an estimate as can at present
be given in killed, wounded and missing.
Many of these at present uuaccounted
for may have struggled away through the
country, and may hereafter return. 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 lieuteu-
ant-colonels and one major The loss in
field artillery is about 80 pieces during
the seven days. Gen. Reynolds, and
Capt. Kingsbury of his staff, were taken
prisoners, as also Col Stocton of Michi-