Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1862-04-25
LATEST FROM THE SOUTH.
From the Baltimore Republicdn, April 81
The Battle on the Peninsula.

! From the Petersburg Express, april ls.
| Intelligence reached this city at an carly
hour yesterday morning, that an engagement
OF some severity had taken place on the Pc
ninsula on Wednesday afternoon, in which
| l0,o 900 men were engaged, 1000 on each side.
The fight is said to have been spirited, and
continued from three until seven o'clock, p.
NJ, when night closed upon the conflict At
the time of this writing we are without the
full particulars.
1t is known that the 18th North Carolina.
regiment was engaged, and the gallant young
Colonel of that regiment, Robert NJ. McKin-
ney, was killed while oravely leading his men
into the fray.
The fight occurred at Lees Mills, and was
commenced by the invaders, who attempted
to drive our forces from that point.
| They have long desired to obtain posses
sion of this mill, as it is not only a strong
position, but the mill itself furnishes provi-
sions to considerable extent for our troops.
Col. Mckinney, whose death we record with
sincere regret, was young gentleman Of tho
rough military attainments, handsome fea-
lures, commanding person, and was widely
known and beloved. He was native of
Lynchburg, Va, where his parents still re-
side.
After the above was in type, we received
despatch from Richmond, giving further par
ticulars of the fight on Wednesday. This
despatch will be found in another column
We infer that the fight was of much greater
magnitude than at first supposed.
1t lasted from 81 A. NJ, until in the even
ing, instead of from to P. NJ, as stated
above. The enemy must have intended gem
eral movement, as they opened furious bonn
bardment all along our lines, but were
"splendidly repulsed, - to use the language
of the telegraph.
They next waded a creek and essayed to
force Gen. Cobbs position between Lees and
Wynne's Mills, and succeeded in gaining a
momentary advantage, but were again quick
ly driven back with heavy loss. Our casual
ties were not large, and there is every reason
for qualification at the result.
The fight will not end here, unless McClel-
Ian has received the impression from the re-
pulse that the road to Richmond via the pc
ninsula is equally as difficult road to travel
as was that via Manassas last summer.
But even should this be his impression, the
North will never excuse him for retiring after
an exploit of but one day, and with only
5000 men engaged. He must try again and
bring his 100, 900 into action, before the pop
ular clamor Of the Yankee nation will be sat
isfed.
| STILL LATER.
We saw gentlemen last evening who had
conversed with two or three officers attached
to the 18th North Carolina regiment, and who
were in the fight on Wednesday. From them
we get few additional particulars.
II is stated by one that the l5th North Car
DINA had been in line of battle for several
hours during the day, expecting an attack !;
but the enemy not appearing, they were Or
dered to stack arms and prepare for dinner.
While enjoying their repast, couple of Yam
| nix Ja1 I'll, -.
narrow stream, which was believed to be un-
fordable, and thus GLIDING our pickes came
suddenly upon the camp. The long roll was
: sounded immediately, and the men rushed to
their arms, drying the enemy back into the
creek killing all Of both companies, except
eight, who were taken prisoners.
1t is stated that it was during this charge
that Col. Mckinney was killed. the bullet
striking him at the top Of the forehead and
passing through his head He died instantly
, Another statement represents that the regi-
ment was drawn up in lire of hattie, and the
} Colonel discovering that one wing of his re-
giment appeared to falter, rushed in that di-
rection with his cap off, waving his men to
follow. This singled him out as prominent
mark for the enemy's sharpshooters, and he
fell MORALLY wounded. The enemy, hearing
the firing, appeared in large numbers on tho
opposite banks of the river, and the fight
then became general, the 9th North Carroll
ma, the 10th Georgia, and the End Louisiana
being actively engaged.
The fight lasted from 3 p NJ. until I, and
: not from A. NJ. until 7, as stated in our tel
egraphic despatch.
Gen. Howell Cobb commanded, and il is
stated that the troops under his command
were handled with consummate skill.
f One report says that the enemy must have
had an entire brigade engaged, and that the
river and the bills beyond were literally COW
cred with their dead and wounded. We took
: several prisoners, who made various state
ments as to their numbers, &C., but we could
not hear what they were.
IL is stated that General Cobbs adiutant
received a severe wound in the leg, and that
some 20 or more of the 18th North Carolina
: were killed, but we have been unable to as
certain their names. 1t is the almost universal
feeling that there must be general engage
ment on the peninsula to-day or tomorrow.
FURTHER PARTICULARS.
We understand that the 18th North Caro-
lima bore the brunt Of the fight some half hour
, or more before the Louisiana and Georgia
regiments came to their aid. They had been
in the rife pits for two days, hourly expecting
a fight, with but little food, and no opportu-
ties for sleep, and had retired for dinner but
half hour before the enemy made his APP
, pearanee.
When attacked they fought with great gall
lantry, and suffered considerably, as the fol-
lowing list Of casualties will show / killed
. "a wounded, and 81 missing. OF the wound
ed, two had died yesterday, before our jnfor-
mant left, and some twenty others il is
! thought will die We were unable to learn
the names Of any Of the killed, wounded or
missing.
From The Day Book.
A gentleman who was witness of the en-
gagenent nj Lees farm on the peninsula on
T Wednesday last, gives it as his opinion that
at least 500 of the Federals were killed and
wounded on that occasion. lie says the en-
envy commenced the engagement by picket
hiring at long range, which they kept up for
a considerable time.
They then advanced in force and attacked
the centre of our column, which they forced,
and got possession of one Of our batteries, at
which there were some rife pits. At this time
they were carrying all before them, but just
T then another regiment Of ours arrived on the
ground, and put them to fight over marsh,
by which most Of them had advanced.
II was during their fight over this marsh
that such terrible execution was done them.