The Hillsborough recorder., 1863-01-14

then resumed his march, and after some in.
considerable skirmishes took position on
the south bank of the Chickahominy, with
in five miles of Richmond.
Acting upon the policy Of contracting
our lines. which had now been generally
adopted. Pensacola and Norfolk were both
evacuated on The 10th of May, Gen. Bragg
uniting his troops with those of Beaure-
gard. and Gen. Huger consolidating his
with the army before Richmond.
AZ this time the intelligence of the de-
struction OF the Virginia burst upon the
people Of Richmond like clap of thunder
from cloudess sky. A distressing gun
boot panic was the consequence. While
this skurry was still going on the Monitor,
Galena and two other gunboals steamed up
the river, and on the 18th Of, May attacked
Drewry's Bluff.
SIN the meantime the Legislature of Vir-
ginia and the citizens Of Richmond had pass
ed resolutions urging the Confederate Co.
yernment to defend the city to the last ex-
tremity. After vigorous defence of sew
eral hours the gunboats were repulsed at
Drewry's Bluff and three of them crippled.
Richmond tor the time was safe. The next
events of Importance we're Jackson's victo-
ries over the enemy in the Valley on the Cd
and 25th May, and his recspture Of Win
chester on the latter day.
On the slst of May occurred the great
battle of the Seven Pines. in which the YAM
KEGS were defeated and driven from their
camps with loxs of over 10, 600 killed and
wounded. This was the first great shock
Mcclellan had received since his appear
ance before Richmond, and he did not seem
ever afterwards to have recovered from its
stunning effect. The number Of our killed
and wounded was also great, perhaps a.
mounting to 1000.
Gen. X. E. Lee, appointed BY the Press
ident on the l3th Of March Commanding
General of the armies of the Confederacy,
General Johnston being disabled BY his
wound.) assumed the immediate command
OF the army Of Virginia.
In the early part Of JaEe military opera
tions were carried on with great activity
~ the South and West. In the first week
OF that month the Yankees experienced
. severe repulse on James Island, near
Charleston. and began the siege Of Vicks-
burg.
On the 9th Memphis was evacuated BY
our forces, and Gen. Jackson, by the help Of
brave old Eweli, gained smother great vic
tory at Por, Republic over Shields, Mil
ROY, Banks and Fremont. From this time
until the 25th of June skirmlshing was Of
daily occurrence on the lines in front Of
Richmond.
On the 25th the enemy attacked orr
right on the Williamsburg Road, about two
miles On the city side OF the Battle field Of
Seven Pines. The skirmsh was severe, and
the advantage remained with the enemy.
The Linealn Government having become
alarmed hy the sictnry Of Jackson at Port
Republic, recalled Mcdowell from FreJe-
ricksburg to protect the Federal capitol.
This left Gen. Jackson free to wheel down
BY rapid movement, the best Of the war, on
the enemy's right, and enabled our generals
to take the offensive instead Of standing a
siege as otherwise they would have been
forced to do.
On the 25th Gen. Jackson arrived AZ Ash
land. and the next morning moved in the
Of the enemy's right at Mechan>
icsyille. Ii was calculated that he would
arrive at the place in time to cooperate
with Gen. A. p. Hill, who crossed the
Chickahominy at the Meadow Bridges al
three o'clock P. NJ, on the Goth, to begin
the attack on the enemy.
The results and details Of the battle Of
this and succeeding six days are too per-
fectly known 10 every Southern reader TO
require particular mention At this day.
The enemy was driven successively from
Mechanicsyil!e. Elyson's Mill, Cold Har-
bsur, Savage Station, Fuzzle''s Farm and
Hill, and. but for the tremendous
rains Of the night succeeding the last battle,
the beaten and demoralized remnant Of his
army would have been cut to pieces or driv-
- into the river on the next day. lie fled