The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-09-06
The Battle of ChantilIy.

The following account oil the Dattic OF Cn;ln-
lilly, Va, three miles in the rear of Center
vile, fought on Monday night last, and in which
Gems. Kearney and Stevens fell, is from the
New York Tribune's correspondent:
Gen Reno's Division had been posted during
the day, to observe the rebel movements. The
approach of the enemy was ascertained in the
afternoon, and Gen kearney was ordered to
advance to Reno's support The enemy were
attempting to turn our right flank, and in or
der to move more rapidly had left their artille-
ry behind them, and were advancing over the
fields.
Their movement threatened both flank and
rear, and, if successful, would probably have
placed them at Fairfax Court House, and once
more broken Pope's communication with WASH
ington, They attacked Gen Reno about
O'Clock in the afternoon. The engagement be-
tween him and the rebels continued for about
an hour before the arrival of acknowledgements
Gen Reno had posted his troops with his
right resting against wood. Gen Stevens's
division was upon the left, Reno himself hold
ing the right. After the line of battle was
formed, the enemy attempted 10 turn Gen.
Reno's left flank Gen. Stevens, to anticipate
and prevent this movement, advanced at the
head of his division to the attack.
The enemy were posted in a corn field, and
on the further side of it partially protected by
the woods. In the centre of the field was
ravine, into which Gen. Stevens advanced. As
he was leading his column. some distance be-
fore reaching the enemy's line, he was shot
dead by bullet through the head His troops
disheartened by his loss, and undoubtedly out
numbered, fell back in considerable disorder.
Gen. Reno found himselfat this period with
out any support upon his left, with his troops
mostly out of ammunition, while the enemy
were approaching in heavy force upon the left
flank, and threatening 20 turn his position and
cut his forces in two ,
1t was at this juncture that Gen Kearney
arrived upon the field. The night was very
dark, the rain falling very heavily, with a ter
rible storm of thunder and lightning. 1t was
nearly impossible to discover at once the ex-
act position Of the enemy. On the exposed
lett flank of Gen Reno they were supposed to
be advancing, and Con. Kearney detaching
one brigade to the left, rode forward to make
a reconnaissance in person.
He wrs told that there were no troops Of
ours in front of the position which Gen. Stew
ems had hold, and that through the Gap the
rebels were rapidly advancing; but, disre-
gardng or disbelieving the information, went
forward, accompanied only by an orderly. and
coming suddenly upon the rebel advance, was
shot dead.
His death remained unknown until the fol-
lowing morning, but as did not return to his
command, and was supposed to be "A prisoner.
Gen. Birney took coI9mand of the division and
arranged the order of battle.
Gen. Reno had at this time withdrawn en-
tirely from the fight and Gen. Birney found
the enemy in front of him considerably to the
Ieft of Rcno's original position, and even
threatened to turn his own left flank. Gen.
Robinson's brigade, with Grahams battery,
LIST United States, was ordered to the left.
Gen Blrney's brigade constituted the reserve,
also slrengthenedby Randolphs battery, which
opened on the enemy with yigor and effect.
Gen. Birney formed his line of battle in front
and on the centre with his own brigade, con-
sisting of seven regiments. A musketry fire
was opened on both sides, and continued with
great sharpness for perhaps half an hour. The
eDemy's line being unsustained by artillery,
was greatly shaken by the cannonade from
our side, and by the heaviness of the infantry
fire.
Gen. Brney, as soon as he perceived indi-
cations of the enemy's unsteadiness in his
front, ordered the 40th-known as the Mozart
Regiment-and LIST New York, both command
ed by Col. Egan, and the Scott Life Guards
3Sth New York-Col Ward, to advance in
bayonet charge.
These three regiments moved across the
cornfield, down the ravine. and up the opposite
slope, with the greatest gallantry and deter
mination, and almost instantly broke the rebel
line and put them to fight. They were pur-
sued by the fire of our artillery, but owing to
the darkness and the storm, pursuit by infant
ry for any distance was impossible.
Our troops occupied the position from which
the enemy had been driven, Gen. Berry's re-
serve brigade holding the ground all night.
Our dead were buried, and the wounded car
ried off the ground. Some prisoners were Ia
ken from the enemy. Among them were the
Adjutant General of Gen. Jones, and his Chief
of Ordnance.
Our loss in killed and wounded i'm Gen. Biz.
ney's command was about 200.
The enemy's forces consisted of parts of the
divisions of Gems. Jackson, Ewel and Hill,
numbering from 10000 to 1900.
The battle was fought upon our side after
Kearney's arrival entirely by Birney's brigade.
Gen. Birneys conduct was distinguished by
great skill and galantry. With less than 5000
troops he restored the fortunes of fight in
which greater numbers on our side had already
been worsted, and then by his admirable dispo-
sition of his troops, and their steadiness and
courage, drove three times his own strength
from the field and held it the night.
The 101st New York was exposed during
the fight, and lost heavily in killed and woun-
ded.
Gen. Renos loss is not accurately known,
but is supposed to be about 1000. The enemy
being without artillery, our troops suffered but
little in comparison with their loss.