The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-04-11
BURLINGTON WEEKLY HAWK-EYE.

HAWK-EYE.
across to his support. This was not done, how
ever, until after the attack commenced. Re
ports continued to come in Of the approach Of
the enemy. The division WAS called out and
formed, the working men called in, and prepar-
atoms made to meet the coming attack. Two
lines of battle was formed-one in the riAe-pits,
and another about one-thrd Of mile in advance
composed of Eve or six regiments and four
pieces Of artillery. regiment had previously
been sent ont to support the pickets About 20
minutes to l o'clock the enemy commenced the
attack in force, supposed to amount to about 49,.
600 men. attacking in front and on both TANKS.
After fighting for some time, the enemy contin-
ung to come on in forcs, the forces in front fell
back to the rife-pite and fought there until
nearly surrounded. Requirements had been
promised, and Gen. Casey had selected the posi-
ton to which they we're to be assigned but no
re'enforcements came up to his position until
just before he was forced to fall back from his
second line, when q single regiment arrived
After three hours fighting the division fell back
from Its second line, with loss Of ,4S3 in kill
ed wound and missing. In course of an hour
after Casey's division had been driven back, the
remainder OF our forces were swept back from q
mile and half to two miles from Casey's 6rst
line, when the enemy were checked and the
fighting cessed for the day.
During the battle Gen. Sumner, whoie corps
was on the left bank of the Chickahominy, was
ordered by Gen. Mcclellan to hold his force in
readiness to cross. Gen. Sumner not only did that
but at once called out his forces and moved them
until the heads. the olumns were at tie bridges
ready to cross, thereby saving between one and
two hours. When the order came to cross be
Immediately moved bis forces in the direction of
the field of battle, came up with and engaged the
enemy, and relieved the pressure upon the troops
engaged upon his left
ROUTE OF FAIR OAKS
The next day, the Let Of June, the enemy at
tackled Gen. Sumner at Fair Oaks. General
Hooker, who had been ordered forward the day
before by Gen. Heintzelman with one half of his
division, hearing the firing Of the enemy upon
Gen. Summers forces, proceeded at once 10 that
direction and engaged the enemy. Ina short
time the enemy were repulaed, and fell back in
confusion. There was no communication between
the forces under Gen Sumner and those under
Gen. Heintzelman (Hooker's) but each fought as
he deemed best under the circumstances. Gen.
Nc Cgelldn ,cas Nth the main part Of the army o.,
the left bank of the Gtickahominy. after TIL
fighting scds ooer he came across to tie right banA
of the riuer.
HooKER's Reconnaissance.
On the morning of Monday, Gen. Heintzelmar
| ordered Gen. Hooker to make a reconnaissance
in force, which he did, advancing to within fou'
miles of Richmond, meeting with no resistance
except little from the enemy's pickets. Upor
being informed by Gen. Heintzelman of what b.
had done, Gen. Mcclellan ordered the troops to
be recalled and occupy the position that hat
been held by Casey's division.
The officers engaged in that battle, who hav'
been examined, testify that the army could hau
pushed right on to the City of Richmond NTH It'll
resistance; that the enemy we're very much bro
ken and demoralized, throwing away arms
clothing. &C., that might impede their fight
Gen. Mcclellan seems to have contemplated al
immediate movement upon Richmond, for, tn
day after the battle, June 2, he writes to tn
Secretary of War:
1.-THE enemy attacked in force and with grea
spirit yesterday morning, but are everywher
most signaIly repulsed with great loss. Gu
troops charged frequently on both days, an
uniformly broke the enemy. The result lie, ths
our left is within four miles of Richmond.
only wait for the river to fall to cross With th
rest of the force and make general attack
Should find them holding firm in very stron
position, may wait for what troops can brin
up from Fort Monroe. But the morale of m
troops is now such that can venture much.
do not fear for odds against me. The victory
complete, and all credit is due to the gallantr
of Our officers and men,"
The movement was not made, however, 9
Gen. Mcclellan states, because of the high stag
of water and the bad roads.
MORE REIsFoRcExENTs.
| On the 9Th of June, McCalrs division of Ger
McDowell's corps was ordered to join the arm
on the peninsula. On the Sth of June, Geners
Mcclellan telegraphs: II shall be in perfet
readiness to move forward and take Richmon
the moment that Mccall reaches here and tn
ground will admit the passage of artillery" o
the 10th or l1th of June McCall's troops com
menced arriving at the White House.
i Preparations continued to be made in Wash
ington to send down by land from Frederick
burg the remainder of Gen. McDowell's corp
be being directed to cooperate fully with Ger
Mcclellan, but retaining an Independent com
mand. This does not appear to have been
accordance with Gen. McClellan's wishes; for 0
the 10th of June, he telegraphs to the Secretar
of War:
sit ought to be distinctly understood thu
Mcdowell and his troops are completely unde
nv control received telegram from him n
questing that McCall's division might be place
80 as to Join him Immediately upon his arrivals
That request does not breathe the proper spirl
whatever troops come to me must be disposed
so as to do the most good. do not feel that
= such circumstances as those in which am no
placed, Gen. Mcdowell should wish the gener'
F., interest to be sacrificed for the purpose of il
creasiug his command. If I cannot fully Co
troll all his troops want none Of them, b.
2 would prefer to fight the battle with what! hay
and let others be responsible for the results
On the 18th of June, Gen. Mcclellan tel
graphs to the Secretary of War that he has Re
: ceiveived information from deserters to the
feet that troops have left Richmond to reinfor.
Jackson; that the movement commenced on II
Stb: and that if reinforcements have gone
e Jackson, they are probably not less than 10
e 900 men; that he cannot vouch fer the truth
= the statement, but that it seems pretty certa
5 THAT it is believed in Richmond and among Il
rebel troops. To this the President replies,
. the same day, that the information is corrobor
J, ted by a dispatch from Gen. King at Frede
l. joksburg. and remarks: eff this is true, 1t