The New York Herald Newspaper, June 3, 1862, Page 3

THE BATTLE FIELD ‘What McClellan Had to Contend oh NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 1862.—-TRIPLE SHEET. | D IN FRONT wp 2h Tie Oe iad [et ‘PLANTATIONS ORCHARDS —. MANO YORK IV RA AANA AAAI ARRAN ‘With---The Rebel L'efences at Richmond--The Scene and Sunday, May 1 and June 1, 1862 OF RICHMOND. of Battle on Saturday PINE. FOREST OPEN COUNTRY i RAH "FARMS LARGE Fi eANGE DS OF WHEAT AND CORN IN EXCELRSNT GROWTB \ H e-VEN PINES eee See Tenth Page for an Additional Map and the Latest News. Wf the river there ts am abropt turning to the right, re” weanling along reach, at the apparent end of which we taw a white Bouse ena hill. A number of rebel troops Were seen wear the house. They consisted of both in- lantry end cavairy. A mound of earth appeared in full view, but we wore anabie to ascertain, even with the ald Wf glaeses, whotber or not amy guns were mounted on it. While we were locking a lange white fag was hoisted = @lese to the house. This was soon withdrawn and a red Gag sudstituted, and waved defiantly et us. About a mile ep the river a schooner was anchored in ‘the amiddle of the stream, which at that place narrowed ecuriderabiy, 00 as to cantly admit ef musketry reaching ws from both banks. On our port side the banks were ‘igh and precipitous, But to the starboard it was low ‘and marshy, and not likely to hatber aconcealed enemy. ‘We had nearly reached the schooner when a number of {Wom Wereseen on the shore, on ‘our port side, skulking among some houses, and soon avvolley of musketry was inte the Greur de Lien. Two bullets took ‘ qffect on‘her smokestack, bruising the paint and glancing tem. The Cour de'Lion was-at this time 90 near in shore Wem tho branches of the trees pearly touched her maste- returned the fire with afusilade of musketry. Im. | jmetiatesy-eur sblitery tweive-pounder smooth bore, was | "Brought in position by Master's Mate Lawrence, who has | extempesized a gan’s crew of contrabands, and a dose of ‘G@hrapae! was seat amongst the evemy. This was foliowed wep dy the Corur de Lion, with her thirty-pounder rifled ‘Dahigren sher twetve-pounder brass Dahigren and atwelve , Pounder smooth bore. ‘The firing now became brisk. bat ‘was continued on our side-alone. The enemy did not 4 veply with his mesketry, and he seems to have had so Jertiiery. ‘The houses on shore were completely riddled ‘@ point blank range, for they were not more than three *Bandredvyards off. One shell from our guns burst in one “af the houses farther back, and soon s wreath of smoke ‘was seen aecending from the chimney. The materials fer @ocking. wo supplied, however, were rather hard ef 4i- he Geer de Léon had now gone ahead of us, when beth | ‘svenecls rounded, with bows pointed down the river, | Which made the Stepping Stones ahead once more, in ‘this orderave rewrned, after.a brisk canponade, lasting cmeasly balf.an dour. | 4a we emerged from the mouth of the river the surgeon of ‘the Galena came promptly on board with lint, ban- ages, kc. ;*out on finding that there was pebody burt, he cen roturmed to bis own vessel. 7 THE MORNING OF THE BATTLE. Our Mpecial Army Despatches ‘Baroxn me Cmcxasomwmr, May 31, 1862. ‘Me Creat Batile Imminent—The Army under Orders Move— Phe Sick sent back to the Rear—Sizty Rownds of Caririages to Buch Man—Three Days’ Rations Cooked— Knapracks te be Left Réhind— Seen frem Camp with the Naked Byo--The Enemy Fire, de. Orders have boen for some time issued to the division @f General Smith, and doubtless to ether divisions, to be prepared to move at a moment’s notice. ‘The details of the order leave ne dowkt that we are at last about to strike premptiy and decwively. All the Gick and disabled were sent a4 once to the rear; three Gayo’ rations wore immediately distributer and cooked; Sixty rounds of cartridges were proviaed for each man ; Rnapsacks were Inid aside and not to be carried on the march, and every man wns ordered to look to bie mus, Kkot, that it be in prime condition and fit for immediate service. ‘Thus we remained at seven P. M. of Monday, ¢.:¢ 26th ‘and an expression of concern sits upon the counter:anco, of all—officers, soldiers and civilians, The expectation ‘was that the order to march might have beon issued hat night, and the morning find us within shelling a’is- tance of Richmond, or engaged in the most sangui Dattle of modern times upon the plains before the city General McClellan's headquarters were not more than a mile from the margin of tho Chickahominy, and each @ivision of the army was within hailing distance of the ether, The pomtoons were ready for instant embark. mens, Lhe cavalcy berges wore saddled. as if their ridern were on the eve of mounting, and all the ¢amps wore that unsettied and restless guise which iseharacteristic Of those whe expected to be emtenanted tm afew more minutes. ‘The pidkets of the First brigade, Smith's division, had Dut jestreturned from the arduous wigits of the night, when they were commanded by the istrepid Major, for- merly Oongrossman,and Judge Charles H. Larraby, of Wisconsin, to be on the alert. His previous watch com- Prised twenty-four hours, and his picket consisted of Ubree hundred men. These were thrown to the very brink of the stream, and during the night they could hear the opposite pickets conversing in the edge of the weolls. At sundown on sunday tho rear brigades and divisions of our army joined the advance, and ‘baving encamped, thousands of our men aod officers rushed pell-mell to the Chickahominy, in ‘order tocatch a ‘glimpse of ‘the rebels. Several thou ‘sand'of them assembled in this way in full view of the rebels, who imagined that we were about to ford the stream in foros. They accordingly fired three shells asreminders that they were not napping. The first passed directly over the heads of our pickets, the second ‘struck a few feet in front of them, and the third burst shortly after leaving the gun. The second shell was picked up by a lad, and found ¢o be filled with bullets -imbedded in hard sulphur. Two shells were fired at us ‘this morning without effect; but we have heard all day discharges of siege picces in the direction of Bottom’s SBridge. Indeed, our position is now peculiar. Weare up with ‘the enemy and there is no retreat; our outposts are -within shouting distance and our, cannon menace theirs. From a hill in the rear I saw the spires of Richmond to- day with the naked cye; but im the sweep of fields be ‘tween those spires and us the supremacy of loyalty or violence is pet to be established. Suvew Pures, May 31, 1962. ive Miles from Richmond—Railroad Communication— How About the Quariermaster's Department }—Skirm- tshing—A Heavy Storm, dc. ‘Only five miles! Just as far from Richmond as a man om the'battery would be from Central Park. But the |, path is not paved, nor do the cara run. Here are the rails, however, and the line, perhaps, will soon be open. ‘What singular freak induced the rebel leaders to spare ‘this railroad .will:remaim «mystery. Was “property” superior to “patriotism,” when this matter was consid. ered? Wore tho ‘‘directora’’ listened to? Are the stock- holders influential in:the rebel Cabinet? What else could iit tee that leaves to the Yankee invaders so admira- ble @ means of transportation? With our depot at Whitehouse, now nearly twenty miles behind us, and the-poads cut 4nto ® succession of ditches all the way, we shonld have been bethered to supply the army by ordinary means. But here we findan admirably con- structed railroad all the way from Whitehouse to camp, ‘and but little injured; and, preste, one locometive does the wors.of a million mules, and the locomotive can be relied wpon, and the mules can’t. Alas for delinquents im the Commissaryjand Quartermasters Departments | Lat them look to themselves. Sow no longer can their shortcomings be put to the score of bad roads ead impossible teams; no lenger can the mud be relied upon 40 explain every difficulty, Ne‘more cam the fine pretext of “aggons in the way’ explain the absence from camp of all shat is neceasary to sustain life, ‘Yesterday, at ten o'clock in the morning, a party ox the onemy attacked and drove in our pickets, but were driven back and the line re-established. There was more or lens skirmishing between the pickets all day. Our loas was’ seven killed. Wa know the enemy to have had seven killed, and suppose him to have had more, as he gone rally manages to conceal the greater part of his loss. One of our killed was J. J. Beach, of Richmond township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania. From the ap. Poarance of his person when recovered he was supposed tohave been barbarously mutilated, and it is said in @ mp that one of the soldier's comrades saw one of the emmy beat out this man’s braine after he had fallen, ‘Wayoonld not find the soldier who saw shia, ang was told that no credit could be placed upon his assertion. ‘When our mon were driven back Beach was missed, and when our men recovered their original ground he was found dead, all the upper part of the skull crashed to fragments, and the brain ali out. No one can say withasy certainty how the wound was inflicted, ‘It may bave been received from one of the enemy’s ex- plosive rife balls, and as there was no other wound, he may bave‘been hit in the first place with the but of a musket. Yesterday afternoon we were visited %y & hurricane and thunder storm of a terrific description, which lasted Vbrough tho night, and left our camp leeking very mach like the day after the deluge. Last-evoning the thunderstorm, having travelled north, ‘Durst over another portion of our emmy, and exceeded in violence any battle of the elements withia the memory of the oldest F. F. V. in Hanover county. It seemed as if the artillery of heaven was mustered over the camps of the contending armies, to show bow puny are the im- ventions of our artilleriste by comparison. Torrents of rain descended, flooding the earth and beating through the canvas tents most uncomfortably. Hour after hour @i4 the black thunder clouds march and countermarch over our heads, launching incessantly the most terrific ‘bolts, and pouring out vials of electric wrath. The storm lasted until nearly midnight. Frederick Otersen, @ private in Captain Hoxamer’s battory of light artillery, @ fine looking young German, who was enlisted in Hoboken for the New Jersey artillery, was killed ey lightning while sleeping im his tent in a wheat field at Mechanicsville. Two others, lying by his ‘oide in the tent, were unharmed. Colonel Caleb Pratt, who distinguished himself in the ‘dattle of West Point, has been strongly recommended by ‘the officers of the division for @ Brigadier Goneralsbip, His regiment, the New York Thirty-first, is one of the Pluckiest in the army, and have been admirably disc, plined and handled by their Colonel. Lieutenant Oliver Walton, of Company D, First Massa- ehusetis Volunteors, was tried by a court martial and sentenced ‘‘to be dismissed the service of the United States,” for ‘‘cowardice and misbehaviour before the enemy.” By Genera) Order No. 131, Lieutenant George A. Custer, of the Fifth regular cavalry, was appointed Acting Aid on Genera! MoClellan’s staf. Camp at Tyuxr’s Hovme, Va., May 81, 1962. Phe Camp Before the Fight—An Incident ata Dres Pa- rade—An Officer Disgraced and Punished—The Fight to Come—An Order to Move—The Stoadiness of owr Men—A Reba Officer of High Rank Captured—A General Bn- gagement Commenced, dc. We returned to this piace yesterday, having been sent forward twe days before, as a reserve to General Porter in case of neod. The glorious results of his expedition thrilled the hearts of our troops with exultation, which they manif by deafening cheers. On returning to camp hero hilarity was the order of the day, Hurdle racing was participated in by the crack steeds of some of the fleld officers, the prize being a hand. some leopard skin, the offering of General T. F. Meagher, for the winner. A tremendous crowd was present on the occasion, An occurrence of this kind is mentioned in the absence of any news to show the spirit of joyousness pervading our gallant ar- my in the face of the enemy. The nonchalance and sang froid of our men in the face of & vast force has never beon excelled by the French, the gayest troops who live, Your correspondent has seen our wounded and sick sol- diers burlesque a dress parade amid the heartiest Jaugh- ter from the more seriously disabled of their comrades. An interesting speotacie was exhibited in a dress ‘Parade this morning. It will be recollected that Major General H. 8. Sandford, United States Minister at Bel. givm, presented through Governor Ramsey, of Minnesota, abattery of stool rifled six pounder guns of exquisite finish and suitably inveribed to this regiment for gallant condueg at Bull run and\Ball’s Bluff, and asa mark of hig appreoiat'on of their gen.wal eMeioncy in camp and field. In obedience to orders ‘rom Governor Ramsey the official annoncemens of th4 AMlendi@ Uontimondal tq the bravery and efficiency of the regiment was published to them this morning, causing a modest. but gratefu; blush ef satisfaction upom the countenances of this noble Dody of our citizen soldiery. A scene quite in contrast to the above cocurred in pre- nence of the forces bere assembied a day or two ago. Captain Wm. Oswald, of West Troy, N. Y., Thirty-fourth New York Volunteer Militia, Company A, having been tried by a genoral court martial for insubordination end inciting to mutiny im theface of the enemy, was found guilty of the specifications and charges. The sentence in substance was that he should be deprived of his command and publicly disgraced, have bis sword broken before his men and suffer one year’s imprison- ment m the District of Columbia jail. Any intercourse with the degraded man by any one connected with the army was strictly forbidden im the General Order. The effect of the enforcement of the sentence will be power- ful, tonding to show that strict military rule makes no ‘exception with rank or file in its penalties. How long we shall remain in our present posi- tion dt t* impossible to tell. The time cannot be tong, however. The general battle oxpocted Must begin shortly, or the enemy retire from their present position and choose another ‘last ditch.’’ ‘This we do not believe they will do. The possession of the capital of the so called Confederate States is of too much importance in the influence it will exert upon the opinions of their present sympathizers in the Old World ,.of the likelihood of the ultimate success of the rebellion, to be surrendered without a struggle of a des- porate character, Let this be taken from them, and the confidence of the strongest advocates of their cause im the Old World will be at an end. Their most desperate dofence will be im vain, for they cannot stand against us. We may have, and I believe will have, s denperate fight here, and our loss may be heavy, but there can be ne doubt of our victory. We shall conquer, be the cost what it may. ‘Thore was eonsiderable cannonading on the left yester- day. Arumor in camp givos General Couch another batch of secesh prisoners. We have no means of verify- ing or contradicting the rumor. ‘The heaviest cannouading we have yet heard is pro. gressing steadily, baving opened about an honr ago. Our forees are doubtless engaged with the enemy. ‘We have just now (two o'clock P. M.), received orders to move forward, The heavy firing of the morning had sharpened the appetites of the boys, and their teeth were sharp set for a hearty meal of rebels. We were formed in Hine in Jess than ten minutes after the order was pro- mulgated, and im fifteen well on the march. Frem this post it really appeared as if our forces were to suffer a defeat, or at lexst ® repulse, as the firing beeanie 90 did- tinet that a narrow belt of woods only appeared to sepa. rate usfrom the combatants. Yet nota sign of panic wos visible in the faces or movements of our men, but ‘ail moved with that steadiness they would exhibit on a dreas parade. A prisoner of no mean rank or family has just been captured by ® company ef cavalry scouts towards our loft. His name is Lieutenant Washington, Aid-de Camp to General Johnston, Doubtless be iss distant relative of the immortal Father of his Country. “Oh, shame where is thy biushi” Lieutenant Cushing, of General Samners’ staff, recognized the prisoner as a Wert Point classmate. A private was captured along with Lieutenant ‘Washington, The Aid-de-Camp having papers of im. portance on his person was immediately sent to the headquarters of the General commanding the army, ‘The engagement on the lines to-day is a general one extending from right to left; although not mere tian two-thirds, if so many, of our forces 8F9 Gigaged with the enemy. poe ‘The first attack was on the left—it is suppesed on Casey's division—and extending about twelve o'clock along the entire a There bas, no doubt, been one of the bloodiest battles on record, judging from the volleys of muskotry and the frequent discharges of field ordnance. Ibave just learned thas the left of the enemy haa been hat phroush thé dntire front ling of adhnen, ae ah Bo doubt is entertained but that our present force is ade. quate to put to flight the enemy and capture Richmond upaided by the reserves. ‘The firing has nearly ceased, leaving no doubt tobe entertained that eur forces have whipped the rebels at every point, If they are kept well in retreat I trust to date my next from Richmond, Gen. Smith has completely whipped the enemy on the loft of their line, and driven them almost {nto tho eavi- rons of Richmond. Hoavy reinforcements are being sent to the right of our line in order to make a cul de sae for the enemy. It would be no matter of surprise to hear of the evacuation of Richmond by the enemy, our occupation of the same, or their complete rout and sur. render very soon. ‘The frvits of General Porter’s victory still continue to flow in. Besides the capture of Mrs. Lee and her two daughters, a large train of rebet transportation wagons have just passed, @rawn by matchless teams of mules. They wereled by the Quartermaster’s Sergeant. of the Duryea Zouaves,ef New York, Porter's division. THE ORDER OF BATTLE. On Monday last, the 26th ult., the following order was issued and read te ail the regiments througheut the corps:— GEWERAL ORDERS—NO, 128. ‘HeapquaRrens, Any oF tim Potou Ac, Camp Near Coat Hannon, Va., May 25, 1862. } 1. Upon advancing beyond the Chickahoming the troops will go prepared for battle at a moment’s notice, and will be entirely unincumbered, with tne exeeption ofambulanees. All vebicles will be left on the eastern side of the Chickahominy, and carefully parked. The men will leave their kaapsacks, packed, with the wa- gous, and will carry thre e days’ rations in their haver- sacks. The arms will be put in perfect order before the troops march, and a careful inspection made of them, as woll as of the cartridge boxes, which, in all cases, will contain at least forty rounds. Twenty additional rounds ‘will be carried by the men in their poekets. Command. ers of batteries will seo that their limber and caissen boxes are filled to their utmost capacity. Commanders of army corps will devote their personal atteation to the fulfilment of these orders, and will personally see that the proper arrangements are made for parking and pro- perly guarding the trains and surplus baggage, taking all the steps necessary to insure their being brought promptly to the front when seeded. They will also take steps to prevent ambu- lances from interfering with the movement’ of any troops, These vehicles must follow in therear of all the troops moving by the same road. Sufficient guards and staff officers will be detailed 0 carry out these dors. SS will be \peulech march to their respective rignde’ and ata moment's warning, but will not cross the Chickahomtny until thoy are sent for. All quartermasters and ordnance officers are to romain with their traing, 2. In the approaching battle the General Command. Ing trusts that the t preserve the discipline which he ne bes oun etry, cn hy have #0 generally o'y |. He calls upon all the of- ficers and soldir$ to obey promptly and intelligently all ‘iat they may receive. Tal them bear in mind that the Army of the Potemac bas never yet been checked. Let them preserve in battle perfect coolness and confidence, the sure forerunners of success. They must keep well tegether, throw away no shots, but aim carefully and low, and, above all things, rely upon the bayonet. Commandéra of regiments are re. minded of the groat responsibility that reste upen them. Upon their coolness, judgment and discretion the desti- nies of their regiments and success of the day will de- pend, By command of Major General MOULELLAN, M Wasaawa, Asnigiont Adjutant Generql, Ok alten Hh daw 28 IT THE OPENING OF THE BATTLE. General Casey’s Division Driven Back—The Bag- gage Wagons Sent to the Rear Two Days Before, Therefore were Not Captured— Only Seven Guns Taken by the Rebele— Our Troops Only Six Thousand Fieapqo.rrens OF Gexerat ca} ‘Szven Pixss, Va., May 31, 1802. ‘The advance division of the Army of the Potomae, om the left, under the command of Brigadior General Silos Casey, were attacked to-day by an overwhelming force of the enemy and driven back a distance of two miles. Premonitory symptoms of an attack bad shown them. seives for two days previous, and it was generally the opinion, in camp, that the enemy contemplated such @ 4 RECOMNOMBANCE BY THE ENEMY. aR Yesterday the enemy made a reconnoissance in foree, and learned exactly the position of eur line of pickets, as well as the location of our camp, and made their pre- parations accordingly. ‘THE POSITION OF OUR FORGE AT THE TIME OF ATTACK. At the the time the attack was made General Casey's: Outposts were within about five miles of Kichmend, near Fairoak station. The position was gained by the Feconnoissance made by General Negley on Saturday, the 24th inst., and our general had orders to hold the position at all hazards. ‘TEE ORJRCT OF THE ATTACK. Nie ‘The rebel generals undoubtedly made the at. tack in order te prevent us from com- pleting the fortifications which we were building, and also to fee) our strength and learn eur exact pesi- tien. The outposts of our pickets were leas than a mile from the general encampment,and very close te the pickets of the enemy. THR PICKETS SEXD WORD OF THE ADVANCE OF THE KEMEA, Ta conversing with our pickets I learn that they could distinctly see an unusual commotien in the rebel camp (hia morning, and evident preparations for an attack and say they immediately sent word to division bead. quarters of the fact, but the enemy had attacked and driven in our pickets before the diferent brigades hed a GIVES NOTICE OF THE ATTACK. ‘They were also told by a rebel officer, captured in the morning, that the enemy contemplated an attack in the afternoon, and that they would drive us back before night, all of which proved true, a> ‘A RANE QUELL APPRARS. ‘About one o'clock the enemy fired three shells inte our camp, one after the ether, at Intervals of abouta minute, which was, probably, ® signal to their forces that everything was in readiness, and which caused no uneasiness in our eamp from the frequency of its oceur- rence of late, Withina fow minutes they came upon our pickets unawares, and attacked them with great vigor force. ore OUR PICKETS DRIVEN 1. Our pickets were either killed, captured or driven in very quickly, and the enemy advanced as rapidly a: possible upon our camp. In the meantime the regiments of the different brigeded tad fallen into line ty {OONTINUED ON TENTH PAGER P