Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-06-09

uIes Of HistOry--The Loss of our Key |
P0sltlOn.-Rebels Nisht AItIck.
The New York Times Of Tues daT con-
tains six column letter from its able
war correspondent William Swinton, de.
failing the events OF the great battle on
Friday, from which we make extracts be.
low.
The object Of the action was to force the
passage Of the eChiokshOminy, on the north
side Of which, and covering the roads to
Richmond, the rebels had planted them
serves in fortified line. What we have
done is to feel this line by vigorous at
tack, in which, thoug5 gaming some tempo
rsry success, and a. one or Two point 30
tusllycsrrying theeuemy's W0Fk we have,
on the whole, Eesched the conclusion that
any victory that could here be won must
cost too much in its purchase. / .hink l
may safety predict that there will be no
renewal of the assault on the Ii Of
the Chiekshominy that we must lcok to
the resources Of strategy to plant this ar
my in posi- ion where, being at less Of
disadvantage, its valor will have better
promise of adequate reward.
The engagement, therefore, Mr.. Swim
ton concludes, though judging from the
amount Of the lOs', it might be styled
battle. was merely q Reconnaissance in
force.
Mr.. SEintOn ably reviews the progress
of operations from the crossing Of the
Psmunky to the battle; the formation Of
our line Dorth and south from Hanover
Curt House to TotopOiamOy creek; the
movement to the left flank on Tuesday
night, by which Wright and Hancock,
marching from Hanover C. e., effected a
junction with Badly Smith, marching from
White House, at Cold Harbor; and the
engagement at Cold Hsrbor on WedDes-
dsy, by which we ssined that very i'm
portsnt strstegeticsl point. He explains
that the value 4 Cold Harbor consists of
its being the centre Of all roads rsdisting
both toward Richmond and toward White
House.
At four A. n Friday, Hancock cc,upiei
the left wing resting on Dispatch Station.
Next is Wright, next Smith, next Warren,
next Burnside, who forms the extreme
right, resting on TOtOpotamo creek.
The rebel front is formed Immediately
in front Of the Chicksheminy, in three
lines, 1.-TWO lines Of battle and skirmish
line }, on an irregular line TO conform with
the woods and ridges and swamps Of the
ground. Bstween the two armies is q
low, swampy region, VIII GO dark hol
lows will soon be lit up with the fires Of
death. Suddenly from behind the rude
psrspet there is sn upstsrting, q nOiseless
Sprin ging to arms, the muffi I'd commands
Of officers forming the line. The attack
WAS ordered for 4:30, and it may have
been 10 minutes later, but it certainly Was
not later than 40 when Ii e who'll line Is in
motion. Skirmishers are throWR-s.st and
PRESENTLY meet the enemy's piekets. as y 9
learn by the smart fusilade you hear hearId nn, p
artillery opens. the IeSslf8 Act IS ioins
The metsphy sicisns say that time is
naught, is but q category thoughts and
think Il must be 80, for Ia ten mortal
minutes this morning was crowded an age
|
men call time, and yet that soant space
decided battle. There are q thousand
details, ten thousand episodes but the es-
ssntial matter g this, that thst first rush
Of advance carried Cur whole front butt up
against line Of works, which we were
unsble to break through, or, breaking
through, were unable to hold. Conceive
Of this in the lsrge-the fierce onslaught
amid desfening VOlleys Of muskefry and
the thunder OF artillery, and the wild, mad
ell # battle, and see the ranks moWn
down, and the lines break here and there,
and the sulleD, obstinate retreat, every
inch contested, and we shall then be able
to descend to Iome of the points o. action
as they individuslize themselves along the
line.
THE LERT-HASOoCK's CORPS.
Hancock he'd the left Of the whole line
of battle; and Of his three divisions, that
| Of Barlow held the extreme left OF the
army, that Of Gibboni WAS drawn on the
right Of Barlow, while Birney's division
was held in reserve. OF the four brigsdes
| Of Bsrlow's division, Brooks had the left
and Miles the right-e5ch brigade in
| double line Of battle. Smith, commanding
the Irish B, igsde, was placed in support.
The left was protected by refusing 1.-THE
Third Brigade being disposed 80 as to
cover that flank.
The formation Of Gibbons division on
the right of Barlow was similar, Tyler's
brigade (heaVy artillery holding the
right, Smiths the center ard Ovens the
lsft-McKesn in rear Of Tyler's center, in
two lines. On Hancocks line there we're
but few places where artillery could be
used with effect.
The advance Of Barrow and Gibbons is
detailed in full, but has already been pub
lished. Barlow charged half mile through
woods and across openings under severe
FIRE up to the enemy's works. They got
over inIo the enemy's psrapet, capturing
his guns, -four light l9 p1unders,) his
colors, aid Eve or six hundred prisoners,
about 500 Of whom we're secured by prompt.
ly passing them to the rear. TIE storm.
ing column, in fact. were just turning the
ensmy's guns on the retresting rebels,
when powerful reinforcements On the
second rebel line appeared advancing.
Being in advance Of the whole line Of
battle snd exposed to en6lading fire, hsv-
ing lost two brigade commanders, Brooks
and Byrnes, and being overwhelmed with
numbers, they fell back, not, however, as
far as their original position, and en-
trenched, being in some places only about
fifty yards from the enemy.
Matters went very much in the same
way with Gibbons. He advanced stimuli
tsneOusly, much impeded, however, by
swamp, chsrged the rebel l.Works, fell back,