Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1862-07-05
FROM GENERAL McCLELI.NN'S
ARMY.
SEVERE BATTLE IN FRONT OF RICH
MOND.
Successful StraEcsic Movement.
Tho Rebel Army Entrapped.
Tile FaN 9f Richmo0d Certain.
New YORK, June so.

NEW ORK, June so.
An extra has just been issued here, with
dispatches dated on the battle field, on Sun
day morning.
The dispatches states that severe and
most determined battle was fought on the
right wing on Thursday and Friday, which
is claimed by some of our officers as a sue
cesstul strategetic movement, driving the
enemy Immediately into Il trap which will
soon capture Richmond and the entire rebel
army.
The attack was made by the rebels in i'm
mcnsc force who crossed the Chickahominy'
near the railroad above Mcchanicsvillo on
Thursday afternoon.
The rebels fought desperately, but were
unable to drive our men Il single rod, though
the enemy were ten to our one. The only
force engaged that day was McCalls division.
The battle lasting from two o'clock till
nine =. NJ, when the division was ordered
! back.
General Mcclellan was on the field, and
expressed himself satisfied with the result
Another report is also published, dated
June 27th, which states that our killed.
wounded and missing will number twelve
hundred.
The object of the movement was to bring
| General Portcrs and other Divisions into
close connection with the rest of the army,
in fact changing the front or the whole of
our forces, with our centre and left pressing
Immediately on Richmond itself, which
could be done and was expected on Satur-
day. Ii was virtual surrender or VaCating
of long line of defence, heretofore kept
up, to Mechanicsyillc, in order to have the
whole force within IA more effective distance,
also to allow the rebels TO follow up and, if,
possible, TO bag them.
General Mcclellan ordered General Porter
to withdraw to two miles this side of Gaines
Mills early on Friday morning, which was
done, the enemy following and thinking they
had gained the victory, our troops slowly
moving back in order, fighting as they went
crossing the Chickahominy, and reached the
position designed for their occupation by
General Mcclellan, the rebels followed in
great force, and by three O'clock in the after
noon general and heavy engagement occur
red here lasting till seven o'clock when lul
took place but the rebels again renewed il
II with greater ferocity having been rcinior
ced Our brave men stood the unequal
contest like heroes, and the shell, grape anC
musketry did fearful havoc. Our force:
were increased by Generals SlocGms, Pal
mer's, French's and Meagher's brigades, ano
the rebels were beaten badly. Meagher's bri
gade went into the battle with their coat,
off, and sleeves rolled up to fight like tigers
The ground which Gen. Mcclellan ordered
t Gen. Porter to occupy and hold, was occu
, pied and held in the first part of the day
Gen. Porter's corps only contended agains
the rebels, but subsequently reinforcement
swelled our numbers to 45,0O0 The rsbel
had 10000 under Generals Lee, Hill Ander
: son and Branch.
r Among the killed are Colonel Black an,
c Lieutenant Colonel Sweitzer, of the $50
| Pennsylvania, Colonel Cane, of the ~,
1 Massachusetts,, Colonel Roberts, of the is
c Michigan, Col. MQuade and Lieut. -Colone
/, Skellen, OF the l4th New York, and Majo
c Patterson, Of the 62d Penn. ylyania