The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1862-07-10

plan of operations. Gen. Mccall At 3
O'Clock, opened a fire of artillery on
the enemy who vigorously responded.
until our forces gradually retired before
them as if retreating, but maintaining
their ranks in good order, crossing a
bridge over n creek on their way, de
stroying it behind them, compelling
the enemy to wait the slow conslrnc.
tion of new passage way in the fire
of our opposing artillery and heavy
musketry fire from the Ninth Massa-
chnsetts.r
Dividing here, our troops continue
their retreat over two separate roads.
burning behind them such Commissary
stores as they could not carry, which,
fortunately, was of small account. Az
the removal of all notable property
across the Chickahominy had previous.
ly been ordered. Following close af-
ter Porter's men. the rebels continued
to advance, until they came upon a
piece of woods in which they seemed
to hesitate to follow, hating for some
time before showing themselves again.
But, without ~aiting for them, our
troops still fell back, until near the
Chickahrminy, at Woodbury's Bridge,
where they halted in the open country,
which there spreads out into broad
fields and fertile pastures.
HEIGHTH OF THE ENGAGEMENT.
Quickly the dispositions for battle
were made, the division being drawn
up in line of battle, the batteries plant.
ed in the most eligible positions, and
every preparation for holding the
ground at any cost, in accordance with
the orders received from the Comman.
derin Chief. 1t was now near noon,
and our troops had taken fresh courage
for effort from the hour or two for rest
and retreshment which they had en-
joyed. Then the enemy were reported
t" be again advancing; they opened
lire on our men from the woods skirt
ing the plain in which the latter were
posted.
First commencing with the usual
picket skirmishing. and then swelling
into the roar of the artillery duel, the
struggle opened between the advanced
guard of the two armies, until by or
4 O'Clock in the afternoon the battle
ragged fiercely all along the lines, until
within an honr or two of sunset, when
the storm luled for time, and then
the rebels, who had been meanwhile
reinforced, came on with fresh viyOr la
the assault. They were soon met with
equal determination by Porter's men,
aided now by the reinforcements that
had come to them from the corps of
Franklin, Sumner and Keyes: from the
former Slocum's Divisi III, from Sum
ner the Brigades of French, and the
Irish boys under Meagher, and from
the farther reserved corps of Keyes,
the Brigade of Palmer, which had
done good service in the fight of Wed
nes,lay on the left. Desperately and
determinedly did the rebels press for
ward, but as desperately were they met
and driven, gaining nothing further
that night of the promise of their morn
ing advance. Not until after O'Clock
did the men find rest, which, we may
be sure, came not unwelcomed to such
of the men as hal passed through the
struggle, commencing early in the af,
ternoon of the previous day.
Most opportnnely was the arrival oi
reinforcements that evening, for our
troops, hard pressed by superior num-
bers, were in danger of being driven
further back than was intended, and
the first SYMPTOMS of disorder were
showing themselves in the hasty f1igh,
of teamsiers and lockers on, the stray
CLING soldiers in the crowd being driv.
en- back from Woodbury's bridge by
the strong guard who kept watch over
it with their bayonets.
AFTER THE BATTLE.
And so the sun went down upon tha,
battlefield strewn with the bruised and
mangled forms.of what have once beer
men, of what were still men, though
shorn of their full proportion, and bid
den tn 90 manned and halting through
life. But though the night had settled
down upon the earth, and wearied mei
were sleeping 50 peacefully, even in the
midst of death, rest did not come fo
all, for there was still vigilant wa,cl
to be kept upon the movements of tn,
enemy, and the nearby work of remov
ing the dead anil providing for tn,
wounded. And early in the morning
at two O'clock, all were disturbed b,
the sound of sharp firing coming from
the direction of the left, where the enc
my were amusing themselves with :
night attack on the positions of Sum
ner, Hooker and Kearney, with no re
suit that ! learn of. Smiths Division
directly opposite Woodbnry's bridge
on the further side of the Chickahomi
nv, were also attacked during the da.
of Friday, his brave Vermont boys an'
the thirty third New York, with th
help of Ayres' and other batteries re
pelling the assault with great slaughter
THE Loss.
:, And who can estimate our loss, whel
none but an Omnip"tent eve can, il
the confusion of the first hours tfa
follow the engagement search ont tn
fate of all who appear not with thel
comrades as they gather with their REG
iment at night? 1t will surely excee
3 thousand, and hope not pass III
1900, but few days more will tel
while, meanwhile, the list must swe
greatly, for the battle is not yet full
endel Strategy or no strategy thor