The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-06-12
The Fight ON Sunday.

THE OPPOSING ARMY SLEEPING WITHIN PISTOL SHOT.
Insed not detail the order OF the bivouac. Suffice 10
say that General Richardson's division in the centre
was made to connect with General Summers corps %
the right and General Hentzeimans corps the lsft
An order Of the rebel General Anderson found direct
ing the troops during the night appointing
devious where the ammunition wagons would DO found
and instrucng the commanding officer OF each regiment
to SEQ that every In his command furnished
with . piece Of white cotton cloth, half . yard
long, "the OF which would be explained hereafter"
Probably the enemy intended night attack but subse
quenty changed his plans Some Of the prisoners taken
on Sunday had the cotton bands referred 10 fastened
their caps. In the meantime General Richardson d.
vision had bcen arriving having experienced more
than equal difficulties in getting on tho ground.
After dark the troops bivouackcd close u
the rebel lines. Large bodies OF either army
actually slept within pistol shot Of each other during the
night On the following morning the conflict was con-
nued General Richardson's division, General Birneys
brigade, OF Kearney's division, and General sickcs'
Brigade Of General Hooker's DIVISION with two OF the
Now Jersey regiments, both brgades and regiments be-
ing in General Hentzelman's corps, were the troops
which fought tho battle on Sunday morning Tho firing
believe, began at different points simultaneously. AZ
ali events the tide OF battle from left to right
before.
GENERAL HooKERs COMMAND.
About seven o'clock when the firing commenced
General Hooker being ordered to the 'front.' led the Firth
New Jersey Colonel Starr, and the Sixth Now Jersey.
Colonel Mott, up the Williamsburg road, having previ
ously ordered General sickles to follow with hia
brigade. The firing had already commenced on the
right and was running down the line Of the railroad
The enemy was first found in piece Of woods close
to the railroad. When putting his command int
action, 10 tho right OF the Seven Pines Genord
Hooker came upon General Birney's brigade, undss
command Of the gallant Colonel Ward, drawn up II
limo OF baattlc, and finding then that the Excesios
brigade had been ordered into action in another spot
he joined his regiments with those under Colonel Ward
and assumed command. The New Jersey regiments
were placed on tho left, and Colonel Wards command
which now numbered less than thousand men, wcr
sta toned on the right Of those regiments the
left OF the railroad the order in which they had
boon placed on the previous night Changing front
forward the right battalion TO meet tho snsmys Are
the command soon actively engaged.
GENERAL mRsEr's HRroADx.
The New Jersey regiments were thinning the reoa
ranks, while another body Of the enemy down In
regiments by the flank into the woods and commenced
moving forward into line. As each rebel regiment Of
portion Of regiment, got into position II commenced
firing Before they fully formed however, Colond
Ward, with the Thirty-cghth New York. under Major
Baird the Third Maine Colonel Staples and the Fortieth
NEW Llcutcnsnt Soonel Ehgan-JOl hieuy having
been relieved Of the command the day
in line, and his mon, with tremendous cheers, rushes
through ths woods driving the rebels before them
Many fell each side, however. As the rebes wers
driven into the field beyond they caught telling
IRE from the Fourth Manc Colonel Walker, and Seventh
Massachusetts,, Colonel Russell, which were further il
advance near the railroad. The rebels were driven DO
fore the point OF the bayonet until they reached adj
vantagsous position. whers they offered desperate
sistance bssors they finally retired.
GENERAL mcKLEs' RRcAps
In the meantime Gen. sicklcs had brought the Excel
s,or Brigade up the Richmond road and placed IL 10
action 1t was . beautiful sight TO see the regiments
with colors flying forming into line. The Second Exoo
sisr Col Hail. had just gotten into position near the
brsastworIs when, in obedience TO subsequent order
/. proceeded further the road and filing to tho led
formed In limo Of battle the edge Of belt Of timber
The Third regiment, Col. Taylor, followed aud formed