The National tribune., 1898-09-01
Porter's Corps.

Early this morning leaving Gen. Barnard
with directions for posting the troops as they
arrived, be had gone down the river on the
gunboat Galena from HaXall's to select a
position whereon his retreat should defni-
lively terminate.
Jacllson's Corps, consisting of his own,
with Writings, ID. II. Hill's, and Ewell's
Divisions, came in the rebel advance down
the Quaker road, whereon our army had
mainly emerged from the swamp; while
Magruder, with most of Huger's Division,
advancing on the direct roads from Richmond,
menaced and soon assailed our left.
LongstTeet's and a. =. Hill's Divisions,
having had the heaviest of the fighting thus
far, and been badly cut up, were held in re-
serve by Lee in the rear of Jackson, and were
not brought into action. 1t is none the less
true, however, that the entire Army of Viz
ginia was present, engaged in or supporting
the attack and animated by a sanguine con-
fdence that its results could differ only in
being more decisive from those of the recent
bloody conflicts. But much time was con-
snmed In getting into position and brin ging
up the artillery necessary to respond to our
heavy and well-placed batteries, SO as to
cover the advance OF assaulting columns OF
infantry.
Jackson, at 3 p. m., pushed forward d. H.
Hill's Division on his right, and Writings
on his left, with part of Ewell's in the center
holding his own division in reserve; Huger
simultaneously advancing on their right
with Magruder's three divisions on his right
under general orders to break our lines by a
concentricf fire of artillery, and then - charge
with yell " on our entire front with columns
of infantry, which, however torn and thinned
l, fro -
fenses, as they did in the final assault at
Galnes's Mill, and drive our fugitive army
into the James far more hurriedly than
Porter's wing had been driven across the
Chickahominy.
GALLANT CHARGES.
The infantry attack, after a brief cannon
ade, was made accordingly, aud for the most
part with great intrepidity. Though the
carnage was fearful, some ground was gained
by Magruder on our left, where Kershaw's 5
and Senmes's Brigades, Of McLaws's Diyis-
ion, charged through dense wood, nearly up
TO our guns as did those OF Wright, Malone,
and Anderson, still farther TO their right,
aud Barksdale, nearer to the center; while ID.
II. Hill, with Jackson's foremost division,
charged on Couch's and Griflin's Divisions,
holding our advance on the right.
Being unsupported, however, by the gen.
eneral advance which had been ordered, Hill
was hurled back with heavy loss, though
Ewell's and Jackson's own divisions had
meantime been sent forward to his aid, as
A. 7. HIPS Division was brought up by
Longstreet TO the aid Of Magruder.
Porter, with Sykess and Morell's Divis-
ions, held our left, with Couch's Division
next, then Kearny and Hooker, forming
Heintzelman's Corps; next TO these, Sedg-
wick and Richardson, under Sumner, with
Smith and Slocum, under Franklin, on our
right, while McCalPs shattered Pennsyl-
vania Reserves and our cavalry were posted
| IN tie rear, near the river.
Batteries above batteries along the brow of
the hill rendered the attack little less than
madness, on any other presumption than
that our men were towards, who, if reso-
lutely charged, would inevitably run.
Apart from the great strength of our posi-
tion, we had more men than the rebels, and
many mere and heavier guns; and then the
battle opened too late IN the day TO Justify a
rational hope of success, the main assault
| being made, after very considerable pause
ior preparation, so late as 6 p. m, yet it was
made with such desperation-the sheltering
woods enabling the rebels to form their col
umns Of assault within few hundred yards
of our batteries, emerging on full run, and
rushing upon our lines in utter recklessness
OF their whitening fre-that Sickles's Bri-
gade, Of Hooker's Division, and Meagher's,
of Richardson's Division, were ordered up TO
the support of Porter and Couch, who held
our right 'front.' which Jackson was charging:
but not one Of our guns was even temporarily
captured or seriously imperiled through
out the fight, wherein the losses of the rebels
must have been at least treble our own.
Jackson reports the loss of his corps (com-
prising his own, Ewell's, Writings, and D.
II. Hill's Divisions) in this fight: 377 killed,
LAG wounded, SO missing; total, 2,162.
Magruder thinks his loss will not exceed
$500 killed and wounded out of 26, 600 or
%, 900 under his orders. Brig. Gen. Ransom
reports the losses in his brigade at 499 out Of