Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-07-16
The S5apoaFo).
/. THE GREAT ATfLE.

THE GREAT RATfhh'
We compile from the Richmond papers the ,o''
lowing facts, to give our readersas correct an a'"
~ th progress of the battle or series Of battles as
possible;
GEOGRAPHY or THE COUNTRY.
The Chickahomlny is stream rather ABOVE t'e
dignity Of n creek, and not fully up to that OF
river, which meanders through the tlde'water Jus.
trict of James river in line generally parafei 10
the James. at mean distance Of ten or Twelve mics
from that ,iver until it (the Chickahom'ny) reaches
the lower end of Charles City county, when Is 40
,uptlv turns souhwardly and empties INTO the James
Il Is the northern boundary Of both Henrico and
Charles City. It's skirted generally 10y woe low
lands, and in some parts considerable swamps.-
McClellan's army had part Of it, crossed to the
South side of the Ch;ckahominy, and we're fortihed
on the Williamsburg road, and adjacent to 1t, to
within seven miles of Richmond--the point wnere
the battle OF Seven Pines occurred. The enemy was
also strongly posted for many miles on the NORM
hank the heights of which were fortified with great
energy and skill from Meadow Bridge, his extreme
right, to some two miles below Bottoms BrtoSe,
distance of about twenty mill
Meadow Bridge is G3 miles from and North OF the
CITY, and at that point the Central Railroad crosses
the Chickahominy The enemy were posted on the
heights beyond The York River Railroad crosses
the Chickahominy about ten miles from Richmond,
and about that distance below Meadow Bridge. Me-
GAINESVILLE is mile beyond the Chickahomlny' SIX
miles from Richmond, and some two or three m'les
below Meadow Bridge. Other points when nave
become famous in the battles are IN this oroer FL
lysons MILL Beaver Dam, Powhite, or Hosans farm,
and Coal Harbor-all on the North bank, and cove
ring distance of some twelve miles.
On the South side, and South Of the York River
Railroad are the following roads so often referred
to in the narrative given now well as Ill the bat
tie of the Seven Pines. The Williamsburg road,
which connects with the New Bridge and N;ne-Mlle
roads at and near Seven Pines, crosses the ChcSa-
homny at Bottoms Bridge. The New Bridge road
crosses the Chickahoniny about eight miles IRON
the city. Meadow Bridge is North, and the route OF
our victories being from thence down the southeast
line pursued on the Chckahominy, is brought up at
Bottoms Bridge, due East Of the city.
BRIEF REVIEW OF THE FIRST FOUR DAYS
On Thursday at three clock Major-General Jack
son took up his line of march from Ashland, and
proceeding down the country between the Chlcka-
hominy and Pamunry rivers, he uncovered the front
Of Brig Gen. Branch by driving off the enemy col
ected on the North bank of the Chickahonny river,
at the point where it is crossed by the Brook Turn
pike; Gen. Branch who was on the South bank,
then crossed the river and wheeled 20 the right,
down its northern bank. Proceeding in that direc-
tion Gen. Branch IN like manner. uncovered at
Meadow Bridge, the front of Maj Gen. A. P. Hill,
who Immediately crossed The three columns now
proceeded en- echelon-Gen. jackson in advance and
on the extreme left, Brig Gen. Branch (who was
now merged with Gen. A. P. Hili,) in the centre
and Gen. A. P Hill on the right, immediately on
the river. jackson, bearing away from the Chick
ahoniny in this part Of the march, so as 10 gain
ground towards the Pamunky, marched to the left
OF Mechanicsville, while Gen. Hill, keeping well to
the Chckahominy, approached that village and en-.
gagged the enemy there The military talent exhb-
tied by Gen. Hill in this approach and assault is
worthy of great c0mmendation and has won imper
ishable lonors for that gallant young officer while
the courage ardor and tr:nneSs of his officers and
men in the assault of the enemy S earthworAs at e.
lyson's Mill have reflected the greatest glory upon
the Confederate army Driven from the immediate
locality oil MechanlcSvc, the enemy retreateil du-
ring the night down the river to Powhite swamp,
and night closed the operations Of Thursday
As soon as Gen. Hill cleared the road at Mechan.
icSvle, Gen. Longstrcets corps Gnrmee, consisting
of his veteran division otthe Old Guard of the Army
of the Potomac. and Gen. D. Fl. Hills division, de
bouched from the woods on the South side of the
Chickahominy, and crossed that river at Mechanics
vile. The position of our army on Friday night
may be described as forming, with the Chichahom-
my, acute angle: our left still in advance under
Gen. Jackson, lying over towards the Pamunky
General Hill occupying Mechanicsville and the cen.
tire, and Gen. Longstreet with Gen. D. H. Hill, COM
posing our right, lying Immediately the Chicha.
hominy.
Friday morning the general advance en- eeaelon
again began; Gen. Jackson in advance and far to
the left, gradually converging to the Chickahom;ny
again; General A. P. Hill in the centre, and bearing
towards new Coal Harbor; Gen. Longstreet and
Gen. d. ID. Hill coming down the Chicaahominy to
New Bridge. Arrived at Hogan's house, near New
Bridge, Gen. Lee awaited the contamination of his
magnificent strategy-courier after courier arrived
informing him of the approach of each division.
AS soon as Jacksons arrival at Coal Harbor was an.
nounced, Gen. Lee and Gen. Longstreet, accompa
MED by their respective staffs rode by Gaines Mill
and halted at New Coal Harbor-here thew Joined
Gen. A. P. Hill. Soon the welcome sound of Jack
sons guns announced bis arrival and that the battl,
had begun
The enemy now occupied singular position one
portion OF his army on the South size of the Chick
ahomny, frOnted Richmond, and was confronted by
Gen. Masruder-the other portion on the North
side, had turned their backs on Richmond, ani
fronted destruction in the persons of Lee, Long
street, jackson, and the Hills
These last were therefore advancing on Rch,non,
with their backs to the city, such was the position
into which Gen. Lee had forced Mcclellan Tn.
position which the latter here occupied however
was one Of great strength.
jackson having begun the contest, it was taker
mp by Gen. A. P Hill in the centre, and bv ID. II
Hill on the left Longstreet, in reserve, supporte,
immediately the centre under Gen. A. p. Hill
From the beginning Of the conflict, jackson PRESSED
up and d. Ill. Hill down the Chickahoniny Ou
wings were thus approaching each other, while ou
centre was driving the enemy back upon the river
from four o'clock until eight the battle ragged with
display OF the utmost daring and inrepdity OF
the part Of the Confederate army The enemy'
lines were finally broken and his strong position.
al carried and night covered the retreat of McCel
iahs broken and routed columns to the South sid
Diane Chickahomlny. This retreat to the Rchmon,
sue OIL the river was continued through Frida,
nasns and tine morning of Saturday. Closel;
S Gasnea and pressed by army, he held his fort
neu camp on the South side of the Chickahomin
curing Saturday bat evacuated it during the nigh
James river. '@--'''o .''''' "" "'u
The operations srau Of our army since Sunday
ing nave oeen principally on the Richmond side
the Chlckahomlny on Sunday, however Jackso
commanded Bottoms Bridge, and thoush unable +