The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-04-17

Hill (the left Of the position); next Couch,
with one brigade of Peck's division in re-
serve; next Sedgwick, then Mccall, Hook
er, Kearney, Slocufn, Neaglee's brigade,
Richardson and Smith. During the actions
which ensued at Turkey Bridge, on the
Newmarket road (Glendale), and at White
Oak Swamp, changes were made in this
disposition. t3"" 81"
The result of the various actions on the
S0th, during which our whole line was at
tackled, was that the enemy was every
where repulsed, except in his attack upon
McCall's division, which, hard pressed by
greatly superior numbers, and having lost
three of it's general officers, broke and lost
most of its artillery. The gallant conduct
of their comrades near by, especially Hook
er's division, retrieved that mishap, and
rendered it impossible for the enemy to
reap any advantages from it.
When the battle commenced in the af-
ternoon sa,o that in The faces and bear
ing Of the men achich satisfied me that ace
acere sure Of victory The attack was
made upon our left and left centre, and
the brunt of it was borne by Porter's corps
Gncluding Hunts reserve artillery and
Tyler's heavy guns) and COUGHS division,
reinforced by the brigades of Sickles and
Meagher. 1t was desperate, brave and
determined; but so destructive was the
fire of our numerous artillery, so heroic
the conduct of our infantry, and so admit
rable the dispositions of Porter, that no
troops could have carried the position.
Late in the evening the enemy fell back,
thoroughly beaten, with dreadful slaughter
So completely was he crushed and so great
were his losses that he has not since ven
tured to attack us.
Previous to the battle of Malvern, had
fully consulted with Commodore Rogers,
and with him made a hasty reconnaissance
of the positions Of the river. The diff
Guilty of passing our transports above City
Point was so great that determined to
fall back upon the position now occupied
by the army-a position, too, much less
extensive than that of Malvern, and there
fore permitting me to give the men the
rest they so much needed. Accordingly
the army fell back during the night of
the LIST and I'd of July, reaching the place
at an early hour on the I'd. On the Sd
the troops were placed essentially in their
present positions.
To the calm judgment of history and
the future leave the task of pronouncing
upon this movement, confident that its GER
dict aciN be that no such difficult Increment
acas eoe,' more successfully erecMed; that
no army ever fought more repeatedly, he
roically and successfully against such great
odds; that no men Of any race eoe'' dis
played greater discipline, endurance, pa
thence and chee,7atzness unde, such hard
Ships
My mind cannot coin expressions of
thanks and admiration warm enough or
intense enough to do justice to my feelings
towards the army am so proud to COM
mand. TO n,y cOunt1.ynaen l confidently
commit them, convinced they aciW erer
honor every brdre man aU1O serred during
those seren historic days aciM the Army
Of the Potomac. Upon whatever field it
may hereafter be called upon to act, ask
that it may never lose it's name, but may
ever be known as the Army of the Po-
tomac-a name which it never has nor
never will disgrace.
1t is not my purpose to make mention
OF distinguished services. 1he names OF
those who deserve well of their country
would swell this report to too great di-
mansions. 1 will simply call attention to
the invaluable services rendered by the
artillery, and say that it's performances
have fully justified my anticipations, and
prove it to be our policy to cherish andin-
crease that arm of the service.
l cannot conclude the report without
expressing my thanks to the gallant and
accomplished Commodore John Rogers for
the valuable assistance rendered the army
in various ways, but especially by the fire
of portion of the flotilla upon the flank
of the enemy attacking Malvern Hill on
the 3Oth of June and 1st of July. Their
fire was excellent, and produced very
beneficial results.
I am, General, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
GEO. B. MCCLELLAN.
Major General Commanding.
Brig. Gen. L. THOMAS, Adj. Gen.