Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-07-05
The Great Battle.


The Great Battle.
At the time we write, a week has elapsed since
the commencement Of the great battle before Rich
m,nd. and vet fatal as the conflict has been to our
enemies, and damaging it has been to us in the
loss of our brave men, the end is not yet.
The papers have contained much in regard to this
hattie vet the public have really but little informa
ton of the particular stages of its progress and of
its details The future will no doubt reveal many
Of the most daring instances of gallantry known in
history, and the deeds of our heroes will live in
s,Dc. when the actors have all passed away.
The press of Richmond has not been idle in COL
Letting the thrilling facts which have been dcvcl-
cped. but the caution of the government has with
held from the public much important information
which it desires to know. Enough, however, is
known. 10 claim for the commanding general Lee
great skill in strategy-for the subordinate COM
manderS great gallantry and celebrity in the execu-
ton Of his plans and Tor cur brave men, courage,
an endurance, a spirit Of selfsacrce and patriot
ISM which covers the who.c army with glory
Even the enemy EFFORTS from us the just need of
praise FOR the skill, bravery and indomltabe per-
circumstances afforling so little hope of success,
which he has eviuccd. Driven from his strong po-
sitions with heavy loss of men, cannon, NUM-
items and all kinds stores, he at last accounts
still sitting down in White Oak Swamp like a chafed
and worried bear, where he deals the heaviest blows
to his antagonist at the point of giving up.
Our readers already have a general idea of the
progress of the battle up to the period when Nc
Celans retreating forces had all effected their pas
sage to the south or west bank of the Chickahomny.
Mcclellan having pushed on his right to a strong
position in White Oak Swamp, his left rested on his
entertainments on the Williamsburg Road. So far
the attempts 20 dislodgc him from these positions
have been Intellectual. The rumorS Of the escape of
part Of his army down James River may bc true,
but they need confirmation. Equally uncertain is
the rumor that he has been reinforced. The extern
son of his line towards James River and the grad
ual contraction of his left have no doubt given rise
to the idea of general retreat.
On Monday morning artillery duel between
the contestants commenced, which lasted several
hours and resulted in beating back the enemy.
In the evening Gen. Longstreets division attacked
the enemy vigorously. The battle lasted from till
o'clock, tho enemy fighting with DESPERATION
The loss very heavy both sides, some esti-
mating our loss at l,5O0 and that of the enemy at
4 or 5000.
The fight was renewed on Tuesday early, contn-
uing most Of the day. THIS is considered the Sc
vcrest fight during the battle.
Beaten in the terrible onslaught Of our force on
Monday and Tuesday evenings, his retreat towards
James River has doubtless been accelerated but
the fight Tuesday night shows that his force is
still large and that he is still strong in the neigh
borhood of the Williamsburg Road.
The following dispatches from friend Crutch
fedOfthe Petersburg Express which have been issued
by US in extras since our last issue went to press
together with additional details by the mails. will
give the reader a general idea of the progress of
events:-
FIRST DISPATCH.
FyhtOn Ionday-another6 attle expected on Tues
day-part of NcCleLLGRS forces making their
Uay to the Eirer, dc.
STANDARD OFFICE,
Tuesday, 2 o'clock, p. NJ.
PETERSBURG, July 1, 1862
VI. W. HOLDEN, Esq
The latest reliable accounts from the Confeds rate
army represent that late yesterday afterri oon,
the enemy was in position near White Oak Swh mp.
Al the Roads to Chickahominy Were in OUT pos
sesSion-Jackson's Division having position al Bot
toms Bridge. His forces in the rear Of the
enemy driving him back. Late in the evening our
forces in his front were drawn up in two limos of
battle for general action, which Mcclellan wasSen-
deavOring to decline. The attack was made by
Gen. Hugers brigade in front and after short d.
Sultory contest, the divisions of Longsreet and AZ
P. Hill were ordered up, and attacked the enemy
with fierceness and the action became general,
which terminated in driving the enemy back nearly
two miles-oss being heavy on both sides. He
was thus forced into a position where he will be
forced to fight this morning. with every prospect Of
the rout of his forces.
LOngstreets division is reported badly cut up,
Particularly Andersons brigade of South Carolina
and kemper's Of Virginia.
1t Is believed that portions of McClellan's army
have made their way to James river, where under
cover of their gun-boats they hope to escape
Among the reported killed on yesterday, the name
d 1t Col JAS V. Scott, of Petersburg, is men,
:!Oned. C.
SECOND DISPATCH.
STANDARD OFFICE, Tuesday o'clock, P. NJ.