, 1862-07-03
THE FIGHT BEFORE
4 CHMOND.
The Terrific Battles Of Thurs
day and Friday.
The Morale Of the Movement
HEAVY LOSS OF FEDERAL OFFICERS.
Tributary Mention, Hospitals, Etc.


d.
Saturday, juno 2s, 1861
Tie army Of tic Potomac has no longer need
to complain OF Inactivity: for the comparative
quiet OF the past month has given place 70
three days OF as desperate, dettrmioed.An6
bloody work as the fiercest ciamor for active
movemt nts could desire. Though the contest
is not yet decided, the result, thus far, in its
all that could be desired. We have no
greet victory to report, no long list Of tro-
phica 10 record, aud the movement Of an army
may present the indications Of 4 reverse, bnt
to those who have been familiar with the DO
siticu Of things here, ard the plan OF opera
a new aud morc hopeful aspect, for an appaf.
int retreat has really brought us practically
nearer 10 Richmond than We have been at auY
time befory. military maneuver, among
the most difficult Of any when performed il
face Of an enemy, has been successfully accom-
piished, and, withforces concentrated upon a
new base we arc prepared TO operate more
efficiently than ever against an enemy divided
aid weakened in the wild pursuit Of m i'm
cylrary success. He has been tempted 70 },s
ruin; and if mistake not the signs Of the
times, his joy will be turned into mourning,
and that ere many days. Il is vain to be
ten perate, and I may seem oTer-hopeful in
the midst Of apparent disaster, but the cam-
paiyn here ut last assumes shapes and consist.
cEcy to me, and Mcclellan appears more CON.
pie1ejy the master Of his position than at any
time before.
REBEL PLANS.
It was soon apparent, after Fair Oaks, that
the rebel attack upon our left wing hid in
dueed s change Of programme, and what the
new plan has been think to-day is showing.
Up to that time our left wing was the weak
point, and to that the chief efforts of the enc
my were directed, but with the Withdrawal OF
our main body to the south side Of the Chick
alolniny, the right wing, with its exposed line
Of communication between the river and
Hl'itehouse, has been the point inviting at
tack and though the rebels have apparently
bee cLicHy concerned with efforts against
our LETT wing, there have not been wanting
signs and evidence thst their real purpose was
directed against the right, whose exposed
situation must have been fully revealed to
them by the bold dash Of Stuart's cavalry
across Our rear.
During the advance of our pickets in front
OF Hooker's position on Wednesday, the reb-
els showed signs of lack OF inclination OF
ability to oppose any very decided opposition
to our advance, and the new ground was
gained with far less effort than could be ex-
pe:ted. Instead Of seeking to drive US from
our new position. as SO many expected they
would on Thursday, the rebels turned in an
other direction, and crossing il large force at
Meadow Bridge, one Of the upper bridges oa
the Chfckabominy, near. MechanicsTille, fell
upon our troops in that vicinity in oYerwhelm-
ing force, in an effort to pass around our right
wirg and eeyer our line Of Communication
with the Palnunky, little thinking that WAS
precisely what We wished them to Undertake,
if disposed TO attack US at all.
POSITION OF OUR FORCES oS,TuE RIGHT.
The troops remaining on that side of the
Chickahominy were the corps Of Gen Porter,
consisting Of Gen. Mortlls division. aud the
regulars under Sykes, and the division Of Nc
~ at,+ has fxon,
reinforced, consisting in all Of some 25 900
men, force entirely Inadequate to defend the
country between the Chicka1Dminy and the
Pamu1ky against such force as the enemy
might bring against them. but one as lurge as
could wisely be spared from the main body OF
the army.
In the advance here Tas the division Of Gen.
Mccall which has been posted within about
three miles Of Meadow Bridge Two miles to
bis rear, in the vicinity Of Dr. Gaines house,
WAS the main body Of Gen. Porter's troops,
consisting Of the nrigades Of Moren, Martin
| 9. 8. infantry, 1sr q. s. cavalry. I'd i. 8. At.
| tillery, Sd q. g. artillery, 18th q. s. infantry.
18th g. s. infautry, 9Th q. 8. Infantry, 5th U.
S. cavalry, I'd q. s. Infantry, -lth Z. s, infan.
| try, and the Sd q. s. Infantry.
MOVEMENTS OF TIE EEBELS.
| During last week, the emery opposite this
| position on the other side Of the Chickahom
| my nave Reeh very quiet, D11 IL has been ap'
parent to those skilled in warfare, that the
| ouietneEs has been the repose Of the tiger pre-
/ pairing for his spring. Secretly and Silently
! the enemy had thrown bridge across the
swamp short distance below MechanicsE1ile
| neas1y opposite the position held by Gen
| Mccall, 80 hidden by the tees and under
growth along the Chickahou5uy, that its ex
istence was not suspected Until an adven
t9rous scouting party CAME Upon it fa1
| nights einee-
Across this bridge the rebel had thrown ~
| series of Entertainments On the commanding
heights beyond, under the cover Of which thej
attempted on Monday, the 223l inst, to throw
two new bridges aero s. the Stream, 10 whicl
effort they met with Determined opposition
| from our forces, and heavf thunder storm
coming On that night, coEpeled them to de
sist the work they had strE en- to continue
under the cover OF the darkness. These symp
toms Of an attack revealing the purpose Of til
enemy, Gen. Mccall Vas directed to Hithd1aV
! mile down the road to stpng position OF
Beaver Dam Greek.
This was to be the line of aattle in case O
an attack, and further opposition to the rebel
attempting to cross was STOPPED, as, for strat
egic reasons, 1t was desired 11as they shoult
| effect a passage.
THE FIGHT CoMMKrCED.
On Thursday they came, taking advantage
apparently, OF onT occupation With the move
| ment Of the day previous on tie left. Crossint
the river IN strong force, under cover Of
heaR} TIRE from their batteIiaQQ the upposft