Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-06-16

and the heavy losses we have experienced
the engagement which opened at gray dawn
this morning and spent its fury in little over
an hour, shoald take its place among the bat
ties Of the war; but viewed in its relations to
the whole campaign, it is, perhaps, hardly
more than grand Reconnaissance, however.
which has cost US not less than five or six
thousand killed and wounded.
The object Of the action was to force the
passage of the Chickahominy, on the north
side of which, and covering the roads to
richmond, the rebels had planted themselves
IN fortified line. What we have done is to
feet this line by a vigorous attack, in which,
though gaining some temporary successes,
and at one or two points actually carrying the
enemy's works, we have on the whole, reach
ed the conclusion that any victory that could
here be won must cost too much in its pur-
chase. do not say this as speaking with
any authority, but only as recording the gen
cral conviction of the army Such conYic-
ton, however, when the common judgment
OF such men as have to-day led their lines
against the enemy, is apt to be of itself au-
thorlty, and hence think | may safely pre-
diet that there will be no reneaUI of the assault
on tie tines Of tie ChicLuIoueiay; then we must
look to the resources of strategy to plant this
army in a position where, being at less of
disadvantage, its valor will have better
promise of adequate reward.
BEFORE THE BATTLE.
Coal Harbor being secured by the action of
Wednesday, Gen. Grant determined to give
battle the day following, tor the purpose of
essaying the passage of the Chickahominv.
Accordingly, during the night, Hancock's
corps, which, by the previous withdrawal of
the Sixth Corps, held the right of the line
was moved and took position on the extreme
left; and early On Thursday the headquarters
of Gems. Grant and Meade, which had been
in the rear Of the right, were transferred to
the rear of the left and established at Coal
Harbor. 1t had, as have said, been design
ed to give battle on Thursday; bat Hancock
was compelled to fight his corps into position,
and his formation was not completed until
afternoon. The attack was then ordered for
) O'clock in the afternoon; but thunder
storm as heavy as that which swelled the
Chickahominy on the day before Fair Oaks,
set in, and the order had to be counter
manded.
The hour of attack was then fixed for 4:3O
o'clock this morning. Had Gen Lee, under
these circumstances, emulated the conduct of
that Union General whose chief glory is to be
thought well Of by the rebels, and planted
his army astraddle of the Chickahominy, as
Mcclellan did, the storm which swelled that
stream yesterday afternoon might have given
Gen. Grant an opportunity which you may
depend upon it he would have improved
But while the rebels praise Mcclellan they do
not initiate him. bee had his entire force
north of the Chickahominy, and the only re-
suit of the delay in attack caused by the rise
IN the river was to give theseneniy, -who.had
by this.time discoyeredth the disposition of our
troops, the hours of night during which to
perfect his defensive preparations.
TIE SITUATION AT 4 A. NJ, FRIDAY.
In saddle at o'clock in the morning, the
gray light of dawn is struggling through a
thick envelope Of clouds, and a light batter
ing rain is falling. Our men still lie behind
their breastworks, worn out with the work of
the night; the rebels, too, lie behind their
entertainments, and only the slecpIess pickets
peer with wary eyes forward through the
dusk of the woods. All is still as the grave |
yet i'll thirty minutes the storm of battle will |
burst forth along Il stretch Of six miles, !
There is but time to take a glance at the |
lines. Here on the left wing of the army is
the corps of Hancock (the ,2d;) connecting
with him on the right, and forming the left
centre, is WriSht's, (the 9th J then Smiths,
(the ISth,) which holds the centre; next |
comes WaTen's, (the 5th,) which forms the
right centre and then Burnside's, (the 9th,) |
which holds the extreme right. Our line
runs almost parallel with the Chickahominv, |
and from one and half to two and half !
miles north of it. On the left wing we APP
proach nearest the river, OH the right we are
somewhat refused. Hancock, holding the
left wing rests across the Dispatch Station
road, (that is, the road leading from Coal
Harbor to Dispatch Station y our right is
across the Tolopatomoy. The rebel front is
formed Immediately in front of the Chicka-
hominy, in three lines, 1.-TWO lines of battle
and slirmish lme,) on an irregular line to
conform with the woods and ridges and |
swamps of the ground. Between the two ar
mics Is low, swampy region, whose dark |
hollOws will soon be lit up with the fires of |
death. Suddenly from behind the rude para
pet there is an upstarting, a noiseleSs spring |
ing to arms, the muttled commands of officers |
forming the line. The attack was ordered |
for 4:3O, and it may have been five minutes |
after that, or it may have been ten minutes, |
but it certainly was not later than 4:45 when
the whole line is in motion. Shirmishers are
thrown out, and presently meet the enemy's |
plckets, as we learn by the smart fusilade YOU
hear our artillery opens, the rebels respond,
and in moment the deadly conflicts Joined.
TIE MINI les OF HISTORY.
The metaphysicians say that time is.naught,
is but a category of.thought, and 1 think it
must be So for into ten mortal minutes this
morning was crowded an age of action. Ten
minutes Of the Pigment men call time, and
yet that scant space decided battle! There
are a thousand details ten thousand episodes,
but the essential matter is this, that the first
rush of advance carried our whole front but
up against line of works, which we were
unable to break through, or, breaking
through unable to hold. Conceive of this in
the large-the fierce onslaught amid deafen-
ing yolleys of musketry and the thunder of
artillery, and the mad yell of battle, and see
the ranks mown down, and the lines break
here and there, and the sullen obstinate re-
treat, every inch contested and we shall then
be able to descend to some of the points of
action as they individualize themselves along
the line.
THE LEFT--HANCoCKS CORPS.
Hancock held the left of the whole line of
battle; and his three divisions, Barlow held
the extreme left of the army, that of Gibbon
was drawn on the right of Barlow's, while
Birney's division was held in reserve. Of the
four brigades of Barlow's division, Brooks had
the left and Miles the right-each brigade in
double line of battle. Smith, commanding
the Irish Brigade, was placed in support.
The leftwas protected by refusing 1.-THE Sd
brigade being disposed so as to cover that
flank.
The formation of Gibbons division on the
right of Barlow was similar. Tyler's brigade
81. lheavy artillery holding the right, Smiths
the centre and Owens the left-McKean in
2 rear of Tyler's centre, in two lines. On Han
cocks line there were but few places where
artillery could he used with effect