Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-06-04

fremomtory symptoms Of an attack had
shown themselves for two DAYS previous
ana 1t was generally the opinion in camp that
the enemy contemplated such movement.
Yesterday the enemy made a reconnaissance
IN force, and learned exactly the position of
our line Of picketS. us well as the location of
our camp, and made their preparations ac-
cordngiy AT the time the attack was made
Gen. CaSey'S outpoStS were within about five
miles of Richmond near Fairoak station.
The position was gained by the reconnois-
sance made by Gen. Negley on Saturday, the
oath inst, and our general had orders to hold
the position at all hazards.
About one o'clock the enemy fred three
shells into our camp, one after the other, at
intervals OF about minute, which was, prob
ably, signal to their forces that everything
was in readiness, and which caused no un-
easness in our camp from the frequency of
its occurrence q late. Within a few min
utes they came upon our pickets uawares,
and attacked them with great vigor and Il
large force. Our picketS were either killed
| captured, or driven in very quickly, and the
| enemy advanced as rapidly as possible upon
our camp. In the meantime the regiments of
the different brigades had fallen into line in
anticipation Of an order to that effect, which
soon arrived, and at once were off in double
! quick to the scene of conflict
| Gen. CaSey's camp was situated in an open
contleld, about mile square, surrounded on
all sides by bolt of woods, and his pickets
were posted through these woods in front of
him distance OF nearly mile. In very
short time after the firing commenced the en-
envy had driven our pickets clear through these
| woods, when they were met by our forces
coming to their support, and here the severest
fighting took place.
The loss upon both sides at this point must
have been fearful, as every inch of ground
was disputed in the most desperate manner.
and was only gained by overwhelming num-
bers, and by passing over the bodies of our
dead and wounded soldiers. Our batteries at
this time were pouring into the rebel ranks a
perfect shower Of grape and canister, moving
them down in winrOws, but still they steadily,
step by step, advanced till our lines com
menced to give way, when they charged upon
our batteries, and succeeded in capturing sew
en- guns, which we were unable to remove,
owing to the horses having been killed.
The enemy were now in possession of our
camp and had turned our own guns .1pon our
retreating columns, while the infantry con-
tnued to follow them up as closely as posi-
bic. Our men, although compelled to fall
back did SO without any symptoms of panic
but sull quite hastily The enemy captured
everything belonging to Casey's division ex.
cepting what they had on their backs. leavine
them without tent or a blanket to cove
them. The supply of commissary stores wa
very hight III camp, and all the baggage wag
ons and Officers baggage had been sent to tn
rear two days before, so that our loss fall
, principally upon the men, who had left al
their effects in their tents.
Gen. CaSey's whole division could not hay
. numbered more than six thousand effectiv
I men, while the whole force of the enemy wa
t from thirty to fifty thousand. The officers all
as far as l could learn, behaved in the mos
gallant manner, and their loss is large Gen
casey was III the thickest of the fight. ant
was reported wounded: but I atterward,
/ learned that he escaped unhurt. Gen. Pal
lner Is reported killed, and it is generally be
heNed to be true, as he was in the thckest o.
1 the hight, and could not be found He ma,
= nave been wounded ndtaken prisoner. Gen
f Magic had his clothes riddled by bullets, bu
escaped, almost miraculously. without anv Sc.
rlous wounds. General Vessels is reported
= wounded
Casey's division fell back to the Seven
Pines, where the division of Gen. Couch was
drawn up behind rifle pits. The battle ragged
merely here Tor time, when Gen. Couch fell
back, with considerable loss, Il short distance.
but finally succeeded in making a successful
stand I'LL the arrival of renforcements from
Gen. Heintzelman. whose troops were pouring
IN on the railroad as l left the field, and. /
learn, succeeded Jointly in checking tine enc
my and retaking part of the ground lost dur
ing tile day. What the casualties were i'm
COUGHS division it is impossible to learn at
the time OF writing, as it is near dark and
those whose statements can be relied upon are
sun on the field. l learn that Peck and Dew
ems brlgadeS were actively engaged and suf-
tered considerable loss, but can learn nothing
reliable from the balance.
About four O'clock word was sent to Gen.
sumner TO bring up his corps, which were en-
caihped beyond the Chichahominy They
| crossed the bridge built by his troops about
three miles above Bottoms bridge and des;o-
mated by the name of the Grapevine BRIDGE
: Inc last OF them crossed about seven O'clock
d ana marched directly to the front. where they
n VIII be ready for whatever NAV transnire II
the morning 1t is impossible to fix accurate
> ~ upon the number of our killed. wounde,
q and missing tonight, but l should Judge the,
d will reach six or seven hundred.
The 10th Massachusetts, Col. Briggs. wa
. in the fight, Saturday. Col Briggs wa
- wounded in the leg. Captains Miller an
: Newell were also among the wounded. Tbi
: regiment and the 92d New York. report saw.
~ were badly cut up, especially companies 7
= f. and H. OF the Massachusetts 10TH Butw
= have no authentic account of the actual stat
of the case.
OF the officers in Gen. Casey's division n,
= positively wounded, Col. c. II. Van Wick
is the Doth New York regiment seems to hay
met WIN the most narrow escape bein
struck by spent shell, which doubled up h
ID sword-sheath, and severely bruised his To-
= knee. Had the shell been nearer its initi
velocity, the colonel would have lost nair
IL limbs OF essential service IN n man of IL. -,