Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-07-09

masked batteries but nothing Of the kind interrupted
our progress. teGmster or some mschi vons person
would occasionally report that We were attack ID IN 'front.'
which would produce temporary scar but beyond
this, nothing delayed the movement The soldiers re
garded as the carrying Of part Of necessary plan
the ory dissatisfaction expressed being at the leaving be-
hind OF SO many OF the sick and wounded
Plenty of provisions ard medicines were left for Them
however, and If they are permitted TO use them, ther
situation for some time TO come will be much better
there than with the army in the midst oil colnct and
alarm.
TIE APPROACH TO JAMES RIVER.
When an aid of General HcClel an rode back and re-
ported that the way was a open to James river thrill
Of relief ran through the whole line, and the sight OF
the green fields tkirrg s banks was indeed an oasis IN
the terrible desert Of suspense and apprehension through
which they had passed The teams were now put upon
lively ro in order 10 relieve the pressure upon that
portion still in the
General Mcclellan and staff rode ahead and took pos
session Of the old estate known as Malvern Hills Owned
by +. Dew, mile back from Turkey Island Benz.
1t s large, old fashioned estate, originally built by the
French and has il, IN front, an old earthTotk
constructed by General Washington during the revolu.
dOpary var. 1t has spacious yard shaded BY venera
be ems and other trees. ne view Of the river can
be had from this elevated position Gen. Mcclellan ez-
prsased the opinion that with brief time to prepare,
the position could be held against any force the enemy
can bring agsinst us.
Exhausted by long watching and fatigue, and covered
thickly with the dust of the road over which We lad
passed. many officers threw themselves upon the shady
and grassy lawn TO rect The soldiers alec, attracted by
the shady Trees surrounded the house. bvoucked in
the fields BY.
Gen. Mcclellan Immediately addressed himsM to the
task of preparing dispatches for the Government
Tx FIRE IN Our REAR
A. O'Clock, p N firing was heard in the direction
of White Oak Swan Pc whero It was supposed Ayers
was holding in check the Confederate force who were
attempting to cross. This continued for nearly two
hours when sudden and heavy firing began further 70
tho left in the direction OF CHARLES City Cross Roads
At this point an immense body OF fresh troops, with ar
iii ery aud cavalry, had made their appearance direct
from Richmond and engaging our batteries still
left TO guard the road
Orders were sent Immediately put the troops In line
Of battle and Generals Poriers and Keye's commands
were soou Oh the way up the hil returning from their
comfortable encau pnents beyond Malvern Hail. by ~
o'clock p M the road was hronged with these troopr,
with artillery and cavalry, fastening to resist the ad.
vance Of the enemy.
TIE fixing nov became more aud more rapid, aud was
evidently approaching line. The roar of cannon
was ncessant and the dust OF the contest ewep upward
and whIed in eddying clouds above the forest trees
which concealed friend and foe from view.
Members OF the staff and messengers hurriedly noun.
ed aud rode TO and fro with important orders TO the
commanding officers. The wagons we're drawn up on
the right OF the field as kind Of temporary breast.
work. and the troops disposed in line OF battle
a. the westward from which direction the enemy were
advancing.
THE GUSBOAIs BROUGHT INTO ACTION.
The firing now became incessant, the explosion Of
shells constant and terrific from both ines aud the
roar Of muskery mingled with the shouts and cheers
of the contendng forces If We could have seen
them and estimated their r6ngth or number, 1t would
have been some relief but they advancing, APP
pareny to within less than mile OF our position, IN
der cover Of woods 1t WAS very evident that our men
we're berg driven in, and that too, by IA overwhelming
Jog force. At this uncture two OF our gunboas the
Gsleua and Aroostook, moved forward some half
mile and opened FIRE upon the left With their "a pound
er the shells exploding in the edge OF the woods along
the line Of hills where supposed the enemy would
attempt 10 turn our left No doubt these terrific missiles
had an excellent t c, in lettering them from this en-
terprse and in resrding their advance. In so long
range there was danger that some Of might
be hit and signal station was established on the top
Il an old house. looking the Md, and also com
handing a view Of the river. The firing from the o.
ea vas directed in front by these signals The Jacob
B and also the Aroostook, fired several shells during
lhf last part OF the battle.
Meantime the contes. ragged with terrible fury along
the whole front and right Exploding shells filed the
air aud rid d shot screamed overhead. SO thick was
he cloud Of dust enyelopng the field 1t was impossible
except from the sound 10 determine which way the tide
Of ba tie embed hIued. Toe gunboas kept u2 adis'
charge OF their heavy shells upon the enemys position
Provost Marshal Porter meantime took charge OF the
disabled and sick soldiers, and conducted them 70 the
rear large number of straggers filed the road who
seemed TO have business in the Opposite direction from
that 10 which the enemy Was coming.
The Prince Dc JoiLville, with the Duke de Chartress
and the Count de- Paris took charge Of dispatches for
the Government, and Gen. Mcclellan accompanied them
as far a. the guDboat, J-coD Bell on board OF which
be babe them a ita adeu towards evening. TAe crew
nued the rigging and cheered as the General returned
TO headquarters.
The DAYS coDtes. wound up by dimiaundo of mus
kerry and by dark all firing, except an occasional Shot
had ceased 1t was too late obtain any list Of killed
and wounded in fact, TO learn dChlely the result oil
the fight. The Jacob Bel went down 10 City Point Or
dsripg up the souIhfsd aud all the other vessels lying
below.
Il should be borne in mind that the wide bottoms
along the river separate the gunboals in many places
some two miles from the forces operating the hills
The gunbOats Gaena, MAratauzl, AFoostook, haraika
AID Port Rpval byi and ought TO be able to
render val bio assistance TO the army until It can be
placed IN position operate The indications are that
the enemy will continue 10 harrass position, and give
the troops no rest day night, until they Rave been
dsodgsd or compelled 10 embark. should sfIirs reach
the later crisis where are the transports to receive
such en- army on board, with ts immense material OF
war; There are scarcely vessels enough now in the
James River take board the wounded and sick, to
say noting Of the srGy.
The Jacob Bell having returned from City Point
despatched about 10 o'clock P. NJ TO Fortress Monroe
with the Prince de JOlnEie ana companions Eho II was
carried dispatches 20 the War Department
When the steamer lei all quiet along the river,
and |; was supposed that forces holding their
position at Malvern Hills.
The results of this contest not known. The tight
was most determined ore on both sides.
Transports and steamers were proceeding up the
river among them the Wilson Small, Of the Sanitary
Commission All their vessels vii! be needed to remove
the sick and wounded.
SovEMESTs OF orr LIT WING.
Early in the morning OF Saturday our entire force
which mad been ergaged the day BEFORE left the east
eide Of the kahomny ard crossed over 10 the oppo.
site side The bridges four in number we're then blown
up, aud batteries planted on Trent Hill to command
the river below.
At 10 o'clock, A. NJ It vas discovered that the Con
fsdarates were crossing the river at New Bridge from
the west side and ascending Gaines Hill In large
numbers From this it inferred that they intended
TO move round towards Bottoms Bridge and cut of our
railroad and teepra phic communication. That they had