The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1862-07-10


PoroNAc, TuRkEY ISLAND, July 2, 1862.
The following is one account of the
battles fought in front of Richmond on
Sunday. Monday and Tuesday, being
the 5th, 9th and 7th days of the en-
gagement:
On Sunday morning the corps of
Gen. Sumner and Gen. Franklin were
left in the works at Fair Oaks, with in
structions TO evacuate and protect the
baggage and supply trains on their
way to James River. They had hardly
left their position, and were falling
back on the railroad and Williamsburg
turnpike, when the rebels discovered
the movement and Immediately started
in pursuit with their whole force. So
rapidly did the rebels approach that
ouL 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 promptly
met by our men. The battle lasted
until dark, during which the enemy
suffered terribly. Advancing in solid
mass to within 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 was repulsed and
forced to abandon their position. This
battle took place about one and half
miles from Savage's Station.
While this battle was in progress,
other important events were transpir.
ing. The railroad bridge across the
Chickahominy was burned, and train
of twelve cars under a full head of
steam was run overheard. All the
commissary and quartermaster's stores,
unable to be moved, were committed
to the flames, together with a large
amount of ordnance stores. The large
house at the station and the adjoining
grounds, which were filled with sick
and wounded, whom it was impossible
to get away, were left under the care
of our surgeons, with all necessaries at
hand for their comfort. They num-
bered about 700, and are now in the
enemy's hands.
The troops which had fought the
battle of Sunday retired under cover
of the night to White Oak swamp
bridge, distance of about twelve
miles, there to await the advance of the
enemy. The disposition of the troops
on Monday, the sixth day of the battle
was as follows:
Gen. Smiths division, supported by
Gen. Naglee's brigade, occupied by the
the right of the bridge, while General
Summers and General Franklin's corps
occupied the left, Gen. Heintzelman's
corps, with Gen. Nc Call's division, was
OH the road TO meet the enemy, who
was approaching from Richmond. The
enemy came up boldly early in the
morning, having been heavily rein
forced by the troops who had fought
the battle of Friday on the opposite
side of the Chickahominy.
About three o'clock it was evident
that some portion Of our line must give
way, as the rebels wero constantly
throwing fresh troops into action. Our
troops in front Of the bridge now fell
back to within three and half miles
of Turkey Island, where the fight was
shortly afterwards renewed and con-
timed with the greatest determination
on both sides.
The loss on Monday was very heavy
on both sides.
During the day all the cattle and the
greater portion of the 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 Tues.
day morning by the rebels, they evi.
IDENTIFY intended to crush our army. II
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 about 8
o'clock p. M, in considerable numbers,
but retired after being shelled by the
gunbOats and artillery for two hours,
without coming near enough for mus
kerry to be engaged.
The loss of our army during these
seven engagements is not known, but
10000 is considered to he as near an
estimate as can at present be given in
killed wounded and missing. Many of
those at present unaccounted for may
have stragggled 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 seven hundred
prisoners, among whom are three lieu
tenants and one Major. The reported
capture of General Magruder is proba-
bly, mistake. The loss in field artil-
lery is about thirty pieces during the
seven days.
Gen. Reynolds and Capt. Kingsbury
of his staff were taken prisoners, as
also Col. Stockton of Michigan.
Gen. Meade of PENNSYLVANIA was
severely wounded. Gen. Burns was
wounded in the face. Gen. Sumner
and General 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
battle, and was taken prisoner. The
extent of his injuries is not known.
Gen. Goslin of the 54th Pennsylvania
regiment was killed. Capt. Gamble of