Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1862-07-02

the low ground between the hill and tho
bridge where they could have been
slaughtered by tens Of thousands before
they have crossed that long narrow
bridge--wag artillery, ambulances,
and men were hurrying towards the
bridge and q panic was almost inevitable,
when strong guard was placed across
the bridge at the time when the enemy
had almost reached the main hospital
half mile from the river. Tlos. Fran
els Meagher's Irishmcn came over the
hill, stripped to the bare arms and were
ordered to go in.
They gave yell and went to work
and the result was THAT the enemy fell
back to the woods. and thus matters
stood up to / o'clock yesterday, Sunday
morning.
At dark an attack was made alsng the
front of the entire line aud was renewed
at twoA.M, in front Of Generals Hook
er, Kearney, and Sumner, without mater
ial result.
Another correspondent says Of Fridays
battle, twice all along the front did the
rebels attack our lines. our rifle pits and
rcdoubts. Porter, with fifty cannon,
aud Summers, Hookers, Ayers guns
moved them with death harvest; their
loss in killed and wounded wns horrible,
Under date of Friday, Midnight, tho
same correspondent says ten guns were
taken from us bv n sudden flank attack
covered I,y the thick smoke which hung
around.
Count de Paris captured rebel major
who belonged to Jackson's army. He
said he had been in the Valley of the
Shenandoah all winter and came here
yesterday with part of Jackson's army;
the rest arrived this morning. The whole
Of it was here He said that in the ct
tack of our right the rebels had from
60, 900 to $4,000 troops. This will ex-
plain the enormous fire under which our
men were borne down and swept away,
precisely as some of the regiments were
swept away at the Seven Pines.
Yesterday the Pennsylvania reserve
drove the attacking regiments of Jackson's
command. To-day they were overpow-
cred by the same troops re-enforced.--
Styles regulars were called mp, and PROV
ed unequal to the task of stopping them,
and Slocum's command had to be added
to them.
The Count do Paris testifes TO the no
markably good conduct of all the regi-
ments that sustained the unequal attack
on Porter. They gave way indeed, but
none of them ran. Their losses are
enormous.
The regular 18th infantre is nearly
annihilated. Almost every officer in it
is killed or wounded.
The 18th also suffered severely. Maj.
Rosselle of the regulars, kinsman Of
Gen. Mcclellan is killed. Col Pratt of
n Y regiment is also killed an 1t Coils.
Black and Swetzer. Our loss in officers
is very markep; indeed the dsproportion
in numbers was SO extraordinary and the
obstinacy Of our troops SO unyielving,
that. our losses. were inevitably large; the
artillery in both Porter's and Smiths di
visions killed the enemy in heaps; tho
fire was terribly effective.
New YNRK, June, so.
Mcclellan ordered Porter to withdraw
to two miles this side of Games Mills on
Friday morning, which was done, the en-
envy following up thinking they had
gained victory over our troops. who
were slowly moving back in order, fight
ing as they went, crossing the Chcka-
hominy, and reached the position desig-
mated for their occupat on. The rebels
followed in great force, and by three
there was general and heavy engage
ment here, lasting till seven O'clock, when
a uII took place, but The rebels again re-
newed it with greater ferocity, having
been reinforced. Our men stood the un-
equal contest like heroes and did fearful
execution.
Our forces were increased by Gems.
SIocum's Paimer's, Frencl's aud Meagh-
cr's brigades, md the rebels were badly
beaten. Meagher's brigade went. into
the battle with their coats off and their
sleeves rolled up, fighting like tigers.
The ground which Gen. Mcclellan
told Gen. Porter 10 occ ipy and hold, was
occupied ard held. In. tho first part Of
the day Gen. Porter's corps only contest
ed against the rebels, but subsequently
endorsements swelled the number to
$4,000. The rebels had 10000 men
under Generals Lee, Hill, Anderson, and
Branch.