The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-07-17
BATTLE OF GAINES HILL.
Graphic Account of the Fights
OF Thursday and Friday, 26th
and 21th June, before Rich
nnOnl.


The following graphic and connected
narrative of the terrible struggles of
Thursday and Friday, the 26th and 9th
davs of June,-the same in which the
Pennsylvania Reserves fought so gallant
ly and efficiently, but were, nevertheless,
so terribly cut UPS from the war cor
respondence Of the New York Times
Although necessarily somewhat condensed
for our columns, we think it, in the main,
as full and accurate as any account that
has come under our observation -
| THE POSITION.
At the time the enemy first made their
appearance to our pickets on the right,
which was on the Goth, our force at Me-
chanicsville consisted of the Sth Illinois
Cavalry, Col. Farnsworth six companies
of the Bucktail Regiment, under COM
mand of Major Stone and five companies
of Pennsylvania Reserves. This force
was distributed about the town, also on
the road leading to Richmond, the road
leading to Ashland, and the road leading
to Hanover. The videtteS were keeping
| special watch on the Hanover road.
! The Pennsylvania Reserves were guard
ing the Richmond road, and having re-
ceived timely information of the near ap-
proach of the enemy, returned to camp
before the rebels could get between them
and it. They performed their part gal
lantly, and defended the riie-pits to the
| last moment.
At 10 A. NJ on Thursday, the Goth,
videttes on the Hanover road came into
Mechanicsyille with the intelligence that
the enemy was approaching the town from
the direction of Hanover. Three compa-
Gies of the Bucktail Regiment Immediate
Iy moved out to a distance of II miles
on the road indicated, in order to support
the pickets already there. The strength
of the enemy was not then known, neither
could it be ascertained that he intended
anything beyond reconnaissance.
THE ENEMY's ADVANCE.
No sooner had the reinforcements
reached their destination than it was dis
covered that the rebels were advancing in
considerable force from the direction of
Hanover, they evidently having crossed
| the railroad at Meadow Bird ge. The de-
| sign Of the rebels to turn our right could
not now be doubted, and as it was clear
that our small force would be insufficient
to meet the attack, General Reynolds sent
back to General MCali for reinforce
| ments.
Meantime, and before the reinforce
ments could arrive, the enemy had pushed
steadily onward, and was fast closing in
upon Major Stones force. The small
command, however, was drawn up in line,
ready to receive the rebels, and was deter
mined to do its utmost, even if it lost the
life of every man. The cavalry took theil
position in the rear of the infantry, and
remained at their posts until it was evi,
dent that the superior number of the reb
els would ultimately drive us, when they
retired farther to the rear, but still within
supporting distance of the infantry. On
ward came thegebel columns, and firmly
stood our small force to combat them
When the rebels had approached within
firing distance, Major Stone gave the com
manG to fire, and a voliey was poured into
the enemy's rauks, which told with terri
bic effect At this fire rebel major wa:
seen to fall.
The enemy returned the fire, and push
ed his cavalry to our right, in order t.
surround our men. They at last succeeded
in getting round to the rear, which
circumstance placed our men in an ex
ceedingly critical position. Major Stone
observing the importance of imme
diate action, rode up to his men, ant
shouted, 'Shall we fight or surrender 2
"FIght" was the hearty response of th'
Bucktails and, after giving one mor'
volley to the rebels in front, wheeled
charged through the cavalry in the rear
and gained piece of woods, where the,
took temporary refuge. Here they wcr
again surrounded, and again they cut thei
way through the rebel cavalry, and pro
ceededin direction toward Gen. II Call.
camp.
TIE LINE OF DEFENCE.
The space between the Chickahomin,
and the lower road, the small stream an
the upper road, and an open field for som
distance on the right of the upper road
formed our line of defence. The left wa
held by M'Call's division, including tn
Bucktails that fell back from Mechanics
vile the centre by Ger. Griffin's brigade
We had ritie-pit on each side Of TIL