The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-07-05


verely.
Major Russell of the regulars, q kinsman of
Gen. Mcclellan, and Col. Pratte, of the N. Y.
9Th, are killed. Also Lieut.. Coils. Black and
Swartzer. -.
Our loss in officers is very marked. Indeed
the disposition in numbers was so extraordinary
ana the obstinacy Of our troops so unyielding,
tnat our losses were inevitably large.
The artillery in both Porter's and Smiths di.
visions piled the rebels in heaps. Their fire
was terribly effective.
NEW YoRK, June so.-The New York Herald's
special dated the goth, states our killed,
wounded and missing that day reached 1900.
The object of the movement was to bring Por.
ter's and other Divisions into more close con-
nection with the rest of the army-in fact chang.
Ing the front of the whole of our forces with our
center and left, press Immediately on Richmond
itself, which would be done, it was expected on
Saturday. 1t was virtual surrender or vaca.
ton OF long line of defences, heretofore kept
up to Nechanicsville, in order to have the whole
torce within more effectual distance. Also to
allow the rebels to follow up and if possible bag
them, Mcclellan ordered Porter to withdraw to
within two miles this side of Gaines Mills early
on Friday morning, which was done, the enemy
following up, thinking they had gained victory
lighting as they went, crossing the Chickahomi-
ny, and reached the position designated for their
occupation.
The rebels followed in great force and by 8
O'Clock p. NJ. there was general and heavy en-
gagement here lasting until o'clock, when .
lull took place, but the rebels again renewed the
battle with greater ferocity, having been rein
forced. Our men stood the unequal contest like
heroes, and did, fearful execution. Our forces
we're increased by Gems. Slocum's, Palmer's
French's and Mesgher's brigades The rebels
were badly beaten. Meaghers brigade went in
to the battle with coats off and sleeves rolled
up, fighting like tigers.
The ground which Gen. Mcclellan ordered
Gen. Porter to occupy aud hold, was occupied
and held in the first part of the day, Gen. Por-
ter's corps only contending against the rebels,
but subsequently reinforcements swelled the
number
New York, June 30.-The Philadelphia In.
quircr states that soldiers by the State of Maine
report when they left the White House, Thurs
day, it was believed that the advance guard
Jackson had driven in our pickets five miles off
the White House. The main body was 10 miles
in the rear, and Union regiment and all the
sick at the White House able to bear arms were
at once ordered out Word was sent to Caseys
division and all the trees on the Pamunkey river
were cut down to give play to the batteries of
the gunboats.- All the stores and munitions sent
| on board the transports which anchored out in
the stream under the protection of the gunboats.
The rebels had 10000 men under Gems. Lee,
| Hill, Anderson and Branch
Among the killed are Col. Give, 22d Mass,
| and Col Roberts, Isl Michigan.
PHILADELPHIA, June S0.-The following is the
conclusion of the Baltimore Americans &C
count of recent affairs before Richmond:
! WASHINGTON, June 80.
Since closing my letter from the White House
I find myself in Washington city, and in pos.
session of most reliable information from the
White House and other points on the Peninsu.
Ia, nearly day later than is contained in my
letter.
It appears that telegraph communication be
tween the White House and Gen. Mcclellan was
unbroken until near o'clock on Saturday, and
then the wires were cut IL miles out. Tuns
tails station, four miles out, was in our posses
session until o'clock p. H., at which hour the
operator at the White House heard strange
signal coming over the wires. On going to the
instrument, be was heralded with what the Un
ion soldiers call the rebel national salute, "Say
o you Yankee" This was the signal given 70,
q final evacuation, when portion of the infan
in waiting for them.
The last of the transports moved off by steam
tugs, and a few articles scattered about OF
shore, even some damaged hay fred. The whole
was of small value, and thus Of many millions o.
property here few days ago, perhaps not
IS, 900 worth was destroyed; in the midst of this
the White House was fred and entirely con
sumed.
i The enemy made his appearance in consider
able force at about o'clock Saturday evening
and although he neither found bread for men OF
hay for beast, was welcomed with showers O.
grape shot from the three gunboats, which were
ranged along in front of the landing The re
bells were supposed to be $4,000 strong.
The cavalry at the White House guarded the
departure of the last wagons and horses, which
J moved at the final evacuation and joined the
: forces of Gen. Stoneman, who were lowering il
the:vicinity all day. After seeing their trains
off and securing their entire safety, Gen. Stone
man with the entire force moved off in a direc
ton that am not at liberty to state.
Gen. Casey reports that he lost not man mol
. did be leave soul behind, not even contraband
At 10 o'clock Saturday morning Col. ingalls,
and Capt. Lantette were before Yorktown with
an immense army of vessels and steamers OF
their way to the new base of operations or
James river They would doubtless move dowr
! Immediately to Fortress Monroe and await tn,
instructions of Gen. Mcclellan. A number ar,
already up the James river under the protection
of the gunboats.
Stree an early hour on Saturday morning
Mcclellan has been deprived Of telegraphi
communion with Washington. he abandone,
it's use several hours before it was cut, doubles
being fearful that the enemy might, by placing
, magnet on the wires, read his orders Direc
, communication with Gen. Mcclellan is bein,
opened by the gunboats up the mouth of tn
Chickahominy.
PHILADELPHIA, June 3o.-The Bsltimor
American arrives at the following conclusions
The object of Gen. Mcclellan was to abandon
the White House and draw the right wing o
his army across the Chickahominy, which h
has accomplished with but little loss in comparl
son with the punishment bestowed on the enem
Gen. Mcclellan has also strengthened his pos
ton by contracting his lines and changing hi
base of operations to the James river wher
: he will have the cooperation of the gunboats
: and if the enemy attempt to intercept hi
supplies by making dash on James river, the