Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1862-06-06
War News.
The Battle Of Ghickahominy.

the left wing Of the army. on the further OF
south side OF tie Chick abominy. where the
advanced position was held by the DIVISION
Of General Casey. much the weakest in the
army. Il was composed almost entirely Of
new regiments, and reduced by disease TO an
effective force Of somo 5000 men. Shortly
alter noon the guard attack commenced.
Gen. Cs.ey's pickets being driven In all
along the front after o spirited resistance,
the rebels advancing IN iorcs along three
roads. tbs Williamsburg road to our lett,
tho railroad In the center, and the Nine
Mill road. as IL Is called. on the right.
The yigor With which the enemy pressed
forward TO attack, indicated confidence Of
SUPERIOR strength. A battalion OF two reg.
imeats pressed against Gen. Naglee on the
right, another fell on Gen. Wassell at the
center, and . third on Gen. Palmer 10 the
left, pouring In at once Gre hot and heavy.
and advancing with great resolution ia the
iacs OF . steady hre oi canister and grape
from the guns In front. and shell from thoss
further 10 tho river. moving down their
ranks In all directions Terribly the ten.
pest ragged. the air almost growing thick
with musket balls. Oficer alter officer fell
and were borne from tho field wounded men.
The men dropped 10y scores. aud the usual
number OF weak jointed ones were falling 10
the rear, but In spite OF the rapi thinning
Of their ranks the regiments generally held
their ground until the enemy -ucceclod IN
In rushing around on the left iank aud
poured In an eniladipg Ere from tina, diree-
ton. against which ride pits we're no pro.
L.. -. a. ~
with which they entered the fight were near.
ly exhausted, and no more vas q, hand.
In tho meantime one OF Gen. COUGHS
brigades. commanded by Gen. hbercrombie,
who ordered up the supper, Of Gen. Saslee
on the right, Gen. Deyens Of the -ame sus.
tanning Gen. Wasscll on the centre, and
Gen Peck with the remaining brigade sup.
ported Gen. Paimer's on the lett. When
Gen. Casey's troops wers forced % give way,
the rebels fell on these brigade. Of COUGHS
division who disputed every inch OF ground
until sustained by Gen. Kearney, pressing
up the Williamsburg road with reinforce.
ment. 10 meet them, supported by a division
81 Gen. Hooker in the rear. Pressing rap
idly forward, Gen. Kcirney advanced along
the Williamsburg road 10 within . short
distance Of our original position, where he
bivouaeked for the night in 'front.' Of the en-.
envy.
Il WAS along this Williamsburg road ,ha.
the main attack WAS made. and here our
troops were forced back for half o mile or
more before the arrival Of Gen. lleiniTle-
mans corps. The feeble brigad-s Of Casey's
division, averaging lee. than 800 men. were
completely broken up. Many II not most
are killed. wounded or missing. and the
private. were scattered through the woods
along the road.
Our ba,ierie. suffered heavily, Col. Bailey
being killed and eigh, guns lost.
Flushed with their seeming victory ofSat-
/ urday, tho rebels awoss with confidence on
Sunday to follow up their movements, sure
! OF driving Us thi, time 10 the Chickahomi.
ny. and beyond But they bad made tho
unfortunate mistake OF estimating our re-
served strength by the weakness OF our al.
vance. Most bitterly did they pay for thi,
mistake. Pressing eagerly forward. with
confidence Of victory, they were met by tho
trained troops Of llein,rleman and Sumner.
whose unyielding columns checked their
fierce assault, turning the tide Of battle sy-
cry where against them. and forcing them
q. the point Of the bayone. on toward Rich
mond.
\ 1t was their turn now to break and run.
and their losses OF the Sabbath leli them ll!.
I tie cause OF rejoicing over the 'raing gain
| Of Saturday. Severely did the rebels suffer
on Thu, a. well rs on the previous day from
! the we'll directed fro OF our artillery. filling
the ground with tho slain. Terrible also 10
them were the repeated charges Of our solid
column. pressing them back step by step to
tho las, point OF endurance, when they
broke and run inglonou'ly. leaving behind
,hem many OF their men and oihcers, rs we'll
rs privates, our prisoners.
Our loss in the two days engagement in
killed and wounded will amount TO three
thousand, and . great number OF missing.
who will probably return, having sHayei
away.
All the enemy. killed and mos. Of their
wounded fell into our hands.
The country 10 which the battle WAS
fought Is swampy. with thick underbrush,
and most OF the lighting VAS IN the woods.
Owing TO the nature Of the ground, very
little artillery was used.
Both balloons were up nearly all day yes
terday.
All tho troops left Richmond and marched
out in the direction OF the battle.
Four separate charges with the bayones
were made during yesterday. In one IN.
stance the enemy were driven mile. during
which 10 rebels were killed by the bayonet
alone. Lieut.. Washington. aid 10 General
johnson. was taken prisoner.
The enemy's dead left on the field amount
to over 100.
Gen. Howard was wounded twice IN tho
arm.
HEADQUARTERS AMY or Po:ox,c,l
June ,.
As all the wounded and many Of the dead
have been taken TO the White House by rail.
road, !, is impossible to obtain lis, OF their
names.
The rebel officer. werc unable TO rally their
troops this morning. They reireaiei tow.
srds Richmond.
Our men have moved forward TO Fair
Oak, five miles from the city.
Jea. Dsvi. and Gov. Leteher were both
ct thu fight yesterday.
headquarters. Monday. Q y. VI. Gen.
Hooker made reconnaissance on Williams
burg turnpike to within Tour miles OF Rich
mpnd, without meeting the enemy In iorce'
their picket, KEEP, in sight but rvtrea'ed on
hi. approach. u,,
Every one feels .anguine Of the fall OF the
rebel capitol when our troops ai'anec Tor
an engagement.
The fight Of SATURDAY and Sunday seals
the late Of that city. They threw the main
body Of the army. composed OF their best
tr5p.. on our leli wing with q view OF
crushing IL. They were defeated after two
day. hard Sighting and forced u retreat.
coRrSrn LyAcuATED.