The New York Herald Newspaper, June 12, 1862, Page 4

4 THE BATTLE OF FAIR OAKS. Another Account of the Two | « Days Fighting in Front of Richmond. THE PREVIOUS STORM AND ITS EFFECTS. THE ATTACK OF THE REBELS. Opening and Close of the Battle. SOMETHING FOR HISTORY. MeCleHan and the French Princes. OUR SICK SOLDIERS IN RICHMOND. THE REBEL WOUNDED, &e., &e., &e. INTRODUCTORY OPERATIONS. GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE BATTLE. HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF THR PoToM. Sex Mins From Riciamonp, Va., June 5, 1862. } The battle of Fair Oaks, fought. on the afternoon of Saturday, the last day of May, and the morning of Sun- day, the first day of June, was, without exception, the greatest battle of the war. Larger than that fought in front of Williamsburg, on this peninsula, on the 5th of May, it also surpassed in extent and importance the bat- tle of Pittsburg Landing in the West. The battle of Fair Oaks has clearly demonstrated the utter inability of the rebels to defeat the Union Army of the Potomac. It was the enemy’s battle, not ours. He chose his own time and place for the assault; formed his attacking lines and supporting columns of tho very flower of the rebel army, led by the most distinguished representatives of Southern chivalry, and threw them ‘with furious force and almost unprecedented pertinacity against the poorest division in our army. Afterghis sud- den dash it seemed as though the enomy might yet really be triumphant, because he had eaptured eight Pieces of artillery, bad driven back our advanced divi- sion in considerable disorder, and was pouring his flank- ing forces with their fearful enfilading fire down the right and left of General Keyes’ corps; but before the sun had set that evening tho botter portion of those troops, materially assisted by some of our most splendid soldiers | the instructions of the Gengral Commanding, and being had arrested the progress of the enemy, with fearful loss of life, while on the succeeding Sabbath morning he was | portant point. The distribution of the forces previous to atthe point ofthe bayonet from the ground he momentarily taken, and was signaily defeated. ‘THE RETREAT OF THE ENEMY TOWARDS RICHMOND. For the sake of continuity in the statement, it is proper to remark that when the enemy evacuated his proud position at Yorktown, just one month ago, it was | The Fifty-second New York, Colonel Dodge, was stationed his avowed intention to fall back to a new defensive lino, beyond the influence of our gunboats, within the borders of the Old Dominion. It was understood that this new defensive line would be formed near the low landa and marshes through which the Chickahominy river runs: The rebels had said, in peculiar parlance, that they weré ging to give usa “shucking” near the banks of the Chickahominy. When they had crossed it in their re- treat towards Richmend, they burned all tho bridges | body of the brigade, The Socond brigade, Genoral Wes- over it,#0 as to prevent a swift pursuit. Therefore, when our army reached that point It was absolutely no- essary for it to pause awhile for the purpose of con. strucing new bridges, as well for the passage of troopsand artillery as Yor the transportation of supplies. Although in | the Second of the One hundred and first Pennsylvania, some places at low water the stream was fordable, bridges were indispensible for the passage of the artil- lery and the transportation of those supplies. Several bridges were constructed, principally by the regiments | The Ninety-olghth New York, Colonel Dutton, was on the composing General Woodbury’s Engineer brigade. That | extreme left, and in order, from left to right, the cighty- ‘work consumed considerable time, of course. Indeed, I apprehend that the masses of the people scarcely fully | York, Colonel Hunt,and the Kighty-first New York, realize the innumerable difficulties connected with the | Lieutenant Colonel DeForest. The batteries under moving of an army of such magnitude as this, where it has ‘0 carry every article of subsistence for men and | in the encampment. horses along the country over which it marches. ‘THE FEARFUL STORM ON FRIDAY Las? ‘was & prelude to the battle of Fair Oaks on the | had been dug in the open field, and timber ia front had evening of Saturday and Sunday. On Friday afternoon | been and was still being cut down. This fallen timber ‘We eould seo in the convulsion of the elements the indica- | formed an obstacle to the enemy’s approach. tions of the furious storm, and those who were out of | intrenched camp, somewhat similar, balf a mile in the camp on other than the most pressing military business hurried beneath convenient shelter before it broke upon | Héintzelman’s corps was on the same sido of the Ch us. The clouds moved in stately grandeur across the | hominy, several miles behind. sky. It was magnificent tosee them; and situated as | army formed a continuation of the line, and was on the ‘we are, surroundeded‘by all the paraphernalia of warfare, it reminded some of us of large bodies of troops falling | remark, the disposition{of our troops has been considera- into position previous to an attack uponan enemy. At Jength, between four and five o'clock, the first drops of rain fell, large significent drops, and soon the rain came down in torrents. The air was highly charged with elec- tricity ,andgo the lightnings flashed and the thunder froll- ed. It was fearfully magnificent. Sometimes the first sharp rack of the thunder, followed by successive repetitions, scomed like the discharge of artillery. While the tem, (pest was opening the rebels wore firing witn artillery at @ Union regiment which they saw crossing am open | artillery, in a cultivated field im front of this position. ‘space to relievo nnother regiment on picket, and when ‘the sharp crack of the thunder was heard it was difficult « NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 1862.~TRIPLE SHEET. snd determine’ to bring forward about sixty thou- sand of bia best troops to the attack. Prisoners say that when the movement was initiated by the leadors, Some of the rebel officers rather remonstrated against it, for the reason, as they believed, that they never uid be able to accomplish their object, because their better policy would be to remain behind their works in the more immodiate vicinity of Richmond. But it was deliberately resolved to risk a desperate battle. The hopes of the rebellion were to agreat extent rested on and then the whole regiment broke in disorder and came pouring down tumultuously to the rear. That was al the service that regiment renaered that day. It seat- tered everywhere, and members of it, as wall as of other regiments, were seen wandering down towards Bot. tom’s Bridge during the whole aftornoon, Some went even further, and aye not returned to their eacamp- ment yet. General Weasels’ origade was also distributed in line of battle. The Ninety-sixth New York, Colonel Fatrman, was ordered to the front. The One Hundred and First Ponneylvania, Tajutenant Colonel Morris, followed speedily and took up ® position on tho right, while the Eighty-ffth Pennsylvania occupied the rifle pits on the left of the Richmond road,) the One Hundred and Third Pennsylvauia having previously gone far infront and molted away before the enflading fire which the ouemy bad fastened round it. General Palm brigade was likewise placed in post- tion, The Fighty-frat New York was sent to the left to deploy in the open field, the Ninety-eighth and Eighty fifth New York went into the rifle pits, and the Ninety. second New York, having on the immediate ground less than two hundred men, went off to the right. ‘THK BATTLE BRGUN. The enemy was seen coming down in tremendous force {m three separate lines. The first line would fire and fall, then the second and then the third, and by that time the front line had reloaded, advanced and was ready to fire again. Thus a continuous stream of death was poured upon our men. . At the first fre Lieutenant Colo- nel De Forest, the Major and several officers of the Righty-first New York, fell dead upon the ground. Lieu- tenant Colonel Wellman, of the Eighty-fifth, and Colonel Hunt, of the Ninety-second, were disabled; all the field officers of the One Hundred and Fourth were lost, and many of the officers, as well as scores of privates in other regiments, were killed and wounded. In the meantime our bat “ortes had opened fire on the enemy, and the rapid roll of musketry was doing not less execution in his ranks than in ours. General Nag- lee, and Colonel Bailey, Chief of Artillery in the division, who had been down to the Chickabominy superintending the construction of some bridges. shortly arrived. The General advanced to the front and exhorted his men to fight like heroes and stand their ground. General Casey wag also on the spot and continued tosend for reinforce- ments, which were furnished by General Keyes until he could spare no more without weakening the second line. The main portion of those troops held their ground for perhaps 9 couple of hours, while the enemy was still sweeping down like a torrent upon them, All did not stand, however, for the ranks wore being constantly thinned, a3 well by those who shamefully deserted their posts as by those who were shot down. In this just but necessary implication oMcers are largely included. the issue. Jeff. Davis hinself came out at the head of ‘the attacking column, and numorons private vehicles brought curious spectators from the rebel capital to see, assome who were captured have since informed us, “the Yankees drtven into the Chickahominy.”” DIFFIQULTING IN THX WAY OF ORTAINING ACCURATS INFORMA- on, . The roads were rendered so bad by the storm that the enemy did not get his attacking troops in line until near- ly noon. The point chosen for the attack was the main Richmond road, and also to its right and left, in front of General Keyes’ corps. This should bring me imme- diately to the consideration of a subject which bas alrea- dy been the cause of considerable conseration. It is General Keyes’ corps~-eapecially the conduct of General Casey's division. The first reports of the battle, pub- lished in other newspapers, have evidently done injustice to those troops. Let me first remarkfthat, as one individual can see so little of a battle, it is more difficult than most people imagine to obtain in detail strictly accurase information of what was done by the various divisions, brigades and regiments engaged. Troops and their commanders are terribly tenacious of honors now. Every one expects to receive full credit for what he may have done. I find: too, very little real magnanimity and modesty in the army. Each dosires to get ali the glory he can, and some are not over scrupulousas to how they get it. Some would even sacrifice the reputation of brother commanders in order to enhance their own. Generals are jealous of each other. There are some very honor- able exceptions, however. Still I am inclined to the opinion that, in tho large majority of cases, this spirit of jealousy which I have noticed arises not so much from feclings of malico as from a desire for justice, It is @x- ceedingly annoying to officers and soldiers to gee some reecive honorable mention, while others who did equally well, or better even, are not spoken of at all. T introduce these explanatory observations for the purpose of at- tracting attention to the difficulty in the way of getting accurate information, and what a dolicate task it is to cut and carve and polish the statemonts of various par- ties, who see the same thing , but in a different light, so that the truth will shine out clear and unquestioned. It is to this delicate task that I now address myself, thongh Ican hardly hope, even with the best intentions, to do in the strictest sense ‘equal and exact justice to all. The seply to those who endeavored to rally GENERAL CASRY'S DIVISION, the men was, *We are following our officers;” or, “Our General Casey’s division occupied the advanced post- | officers are killed, aud the regiment is eut to pieces, be- tion on the left of the Union tines, Remember, I do not desire to offer an apology for Casey—the Army of the Potomac needs no apologist. I only wish to explain how he came into that position. Gen. Naglee, commauding the first brigade in that division, having boon in the ad- vanee on the left, and his troops the first .tocross the Cbickahominy, in pushing forward to the front had had several skirmishes with the enemy. He was ordered di- reetly by General McCletlan to make areconnoissance to tho Seven Pines, on the Richmond road, and to Fair Oaks station, on the railroad. Having successfully carried out cause the rebels came down in tremendous force upon us!” ‘Then the guns in the redoubt snd two other pieces which were brought up poured in a destructive fire into the advancing enemy. The One Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania and Eleventh Maine fell back. fighting with three pieces of Captain Spratt’s battery, one of them ‘Deing left because the horses had been killed. The Fifty- fifth New York, under Lieutenant Colonel Thourot (Colo- ne! De Trobpiand being sick), was brouglit up by General ‘Naglee, placed on the right of the road, and, with the others, fought\ as best they-could for nearly an hour. Colonel Bailey, who went forward to giv rections for spiking the guns in caso it should be necessary to leave them, was shot dead, the ball passing through his head. Soon his Major (Van Valkenburg), who was attend- ing to a similar service, was also killed. General Naglee, in order to save two batteries which were on the right of the Richmond road, ordered them totherear. The prologues were so arranged that the gunnérs rotired firing with their pieces. At thesame time the guns in the redoubt were ordered to open with grape and canister, but the ®mmunition having been expended, the horses killed, and the supporting troops having retired, there was no alternative but to spike them. This was only partially accomplished, for subse- quently, when the redoubt was captured, two of tho guns were turned against us. It was then that some of our cannon were taken. GENERAL COUCH'S DIVISION, encamped halfa mile in the rear, bad in the meantime gotten fmto action. Captain Brady's battery and two regiments of General Abercrombie’s brigade had been detached before the battle to guard Fair Oaks station. In the beginningjof the action Gen. Key's had taken Gen. Peck’s brigade and placed it on the road connecting the Richmond road with the Charles City road, so as to guard our left flan. With this brigade and a portion of the remainder of Gen. Couch’s division Gen. Keycs formed his second line of battle. The Ninety-third Pennsylvama, Col. McCarter, was seut to the front,on the left of Gen. Ca- sey’6 position, and held his ground until compelied to fall back with the others. A part of Gen. Peck’s command bravely held the approaches to the Richmond road on the left, while one of hie regiments (the Sixty- second) had been sent to Gon. Couch at Fair Oaks station, and another (the Ninety-eighth) was away with Gou. Stoneuian. Gen. Devins’ brigade was also prepared for action. About one o’clock the Tenth Massachusetts, Col. Briggs, was led by Gen. Devins and placed in the rifle pits on the familiar with that front, he wag directed to hold that im- thebattle is important. The Eleventh Maine, Colonel Pjaisted; the 100th New York, Colonel Brown, and the 104th Pennsylvania, Colonel Davis, in the First brigade, were encamped just in advance of and on a line with the nine mile road, and between the turnpike and the railroad: on the same road beyond Fair Oaks station, The picket line in frontof the brigade extended from tho Richmond road round to the Chichahominy—a distance of about three miles. The Fifty-sixth New York, Colonel Van Wyck, was supporting the pickets, amd had bivouacked a little to the left of the railroad, and within eight hun- dred yards of the front of she picket line, which was about three-quarters of a mile in advance of the main Sels, was encamped on the left of theturapike in two columns. Te first column consisted of the Oue hund- dred and Third Pennsylvania, Major Gazzam, command. ing; the Ninety-sixth New York, Colonel Fairman, and Lieutenagt Colonel Morris, and the Fighty-fifth Peansy!. vania, Colonel Howell, commanding. The Third brigade, General Palmer, was stationed still furthor to the left. fifth New York, Colonel Belknap; Ninety-setond New Colonel Bailey were placed in proper positions The camp was being intrench, ed; a redoubt which had been thrown up contained three pieces of artillery, under Lieutenat Hart; rifle pjts Another Tear, was occupied by General Couch, while ral | right of Capt. McCarty’s battery ,and op the left of the Richmond road. The Thirty-sixth The remainder of the | New York moved up the road, and, filing to the right, three companies were placed in other side of the Chickahominy. But since then, let mo | the riflle pits while the remainiug five companies lay down in the open field in front of Captain Flood’s artil- lery. Soon afterwards the Tenth was moved forward to the fallen timber, from which it was soon driven back into the rifle pits, and subsequently taken by Gen" Keyes to the right. General Devins was wounded bya ball ia the thigh, and the Tenth regiment became con- siderably scattered. The First Long Island, Col. Adams, about the same time took up @ position atill further to the right, in the rifle pits in front ef Captain Miller's battery. Afterwards it removed towards the railroad to meet at advancing force, and, being flanked by a supe- bly changed, and we are prepared at any moment to mect the enemy again. THE BATTLE. The Fight on Saturday. GAPTURE OF ONR OF GENRKAL JOUNSON'S, AID, For two days at least quite a considerable force of the enemy had beon seen drawn up in line of battle, with On Saturday morning, the day the fight commenced, Colonel Hunt, general officer of the day, reported that sometimes for even artillery officera to distinguish be- } the railroad cars had been running all night. The fact tween the reports of the enemy's and of heaven’s artil- | was communicated to General Keyes. The enemy was Jery. Then the electricity in the air would frequently | evidently bringing up strong reinforcements from Rieh- ‘break out in such a manner as to sound exactly like the | mond prior to the attack. On that same Saturday mor- ring of musketry. Now and then there would bea | ning, Lieut. J. Banoll Washington, aid-de-camp to the tremendous burst of thunder, louder far than the report | rebel General Johnston, while looking for a branch road of the heaviest ordnance. Moraiiste, or rather religious | leading from the Nine Mile road tothe Ricnmond turn- enthusiasts, on the Northern side, would say that it was Jebovah pouring ont the vials of His ‘wrath upon the rebels, while those on the Southern sido ‘would argue that Heaven was manifesting its indignation et a Yankee invasion of Southern soil and an intended desecration of Southern homes. At ail events the storm continued to rage with great fury, the roin desceluied, the lightning flashed and the thunder roafed a great por. tion of the night; and several serious casualties, among thom a few deaths, were repurted in the morning. THR SWELLING OF THE CHICKAHOMINY. pike, was captured by‘our pickets and sent toGen. Keyes’ headquartore. TIME ENEMY APPEARING ON OUR FRONT. ‘The pickets also reported to General Casey that the enemy was showing himself in force in front. This had een a common thing for several days before. The One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania regiment, howover, utie der Major Gazzam, was immediately sent out to their snp- port. Soon some rebel shelis were thrown, and an oo- casional musket shot was heard in front. Presently videtto came dashing in and announced that the enemy ‘The immediate effect of this tremendous storm was to | Were moving in strong lines and heavy columns on our swell the uncertain currents of the Chickabominy, This river, lot me say, rises away up north of Richmond, and flows in a southeasterly direction, until it empties into the deeper and wider waters of the James. The Chickabominy is about « quarter of a mile wide at that point. The ‘de water extends up to somewhere between Jones’ and Long's bridges. ‘Chickahominy can scarcely be calicd a river, Its proper @esignation is a swamp, with sevoral channels running pickets. The working parties were recailed, and the division was immediately ordered under arms. Four pieces of artillery, under Captain Spratt, the One Hundred and Fourth Pennaylvania, the Ninety-xecond New York, Colonel Hunt, and the One Hundredth New York, Colonel Brown, were sent by General Casey about a quarter of a For several miles further the | mile ahead on the Richmond road to meet the advancing enemy. This was about noon, some of the men being at dinner and officers at lunch. When the sound of the through it. Its width varies at different points from two | revel artillery was heard—probably the signal 40 three hundred yards to aquarter or haifa mile. Jtig | gure for the general advance and attack—a akirted on both sides with trees,amd in some places is | Pleasing emotion was seen on the countenance completely overgrown with them, #0 that it ix smpos | f General Johnston's aid. General Keyes, who gible to see across, Bottorn’s Bridge is central point | Ws writing @ despatch, finished it immediately, because the Williamsburg and Richmond road crosses it as that place. Boar Swamp is adjacent on the right, and ‘White Oak Swamp on the left. All the meadow lands in that vicinity are marshy, and after a rain storm, like that we felt on Friday last, the waters in the Chick- ahominy vicinity. hori Mm) anticipated offect of the storm on Friday last, Chickahominy was said to be higher on Saturday and Sunday than it had ever been before, while the second storm, on Monday night, and the sub. sequent rains have swollen it still more, until to-day, as crossed, the “whole valley of the Chickahominy was gudmerged. ‘THe ENEMY DETERMINE TO ATTACK US. sent the young man off to General McClellan, and, from the indications, supporing that a demonstration might be made where the enemy had been repeatedly seen in forceon the right, and where General Johnston’s aid had been captured, gave orders for bis whole command to get several feet and overflow the lowlands inthe | “der arms, and rode off himself in that direction. He had proceeded but a short distance when he was informed that the enemy was appearhing not near Fair Oaks station, but further to our left. Tho sound of the musketry, which was now quite sharp in front, gave the direction of the firing, and he proceeded to superintend the dispo- sition of his command, DISPORITION OF THE FORCES. The 100th New York, 104th Pennsydvania and four A portion of our army having previously crossed the | companies of the Eleventh Maino were placed on the Swamp, it was at first believed, when the enemy had at- tacke! 1s, that the assault had been suggested after the orm I have describe. It was supposed that the enemy, bolioving that the bridges would be washed away, had concluded that by @ determined attack he would beable to destroy the whole left wing of the Union army. right of Captain Spratt’s battery, while the Fifty-eixth New York and Fifty-eecond Pennsylvania formed in line close by the places they occupied in the encampment: Two companies of the 103d Pennsylvania had been de. tached and sent, under Captain Gillespie, to the left of the Richmond road ip front, to moet some of the enemy who Subsequent information, however, shows that the | were appearing at that point. The Captain, who was movement had been planned previously. General Johnston, shortly prior to the attack, had made @ recovmoi-eauce in force, “ spied out’ our positions one of the ablest officers in the regimont, was killed; the remainder of the regiment under the Major, having many officers killed already, fell back @ short distance rior body of rebels, after losing nine officers killed and wounded ont of twenty-six engaged, was compelled to fall to the rear. THE REBRIS RUBHING ON. Our forces in front had now been hotly engaged for at least three hours with the fresh regiments of the enemy, which could be seen coming down in overpowering numbers, and the skirmishers pressing forward like a dense, impenetrable cloud. A few of the shells from one of our own batteries iu the rear had burst over the rifle pits. This had the effect of multiplying the disadvan. tages apd increasing the stampede among our men. General Naglee, about four o'clock, finding a few of the Fifty-sixth New York, and four companies of the Fleventh Maine, which had retired, placed them in a Slight depression im the ground between the Richmond road and the railroad. Colonel Van Wyck bad been car- ried from the field. it was thonght, severely wounded, though afterwards bis injuries, if avy, were found to be slight. The Bifty-*ixth and Eleventh were then near the First Long Island. They had been ‘there loss than half an hour when the fearful fire from the enemy, sweeping down on right and left, together with across fire from the redoubt which he had cap- ured, rendered it perfectly imposible for them tostand, and they retired in confusion. At this time a fragment of the One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania came along the road near where the First Long Island was fightingy but receiving @ deadly volley the remainder was soon seon retiring to the rear as quickly as possible. It was then that the First Long Island also retired to the second line, which formed General Couch’s defensible position. WEINTZELMAN AND KEARNEY, Meanwhile, when General McClellan was first informed of the affair, he telegraphed Generals Heintzeyman and Sumner to proceed to the support of General Keyes. General Heintzelman’s corps was already on that side of the Chickahominy , while General Sumner’s was on this. General Heintzelman had sent orders to General Kearney to get his division into action, Simultaneously with a atream of wagons and fugitives coming to the rear, came one of Heintzelman’s aide, who, dashing along at a tu- rious speed, stopped a moment and informed General Kearney that he had been a persoual witness of a most disgraceful scene; that he had been in front in the vicinity of Casey's line, heard a little firing, which he supposed to be the customary picket firing, and on going forward to witness it, beheld a well organized line of the enemy's troops issue from the woods and advance across the plain, that they delivered voliey after volley as they camo, and had driven General Casey's troops in confu- sion before them. General Kearney sent the Third Michigan regiment, Colonel Champlin, in General Berry's brigade, up the Richmond road, to take the enemy in flank on tho left, if ho continued te pursue General Casoy’s troops. This regiment was preceded by fifty sharpshooters, under Captain Judd. The Fifth Michigan, Colonel Terry, followed the Third, while the Second, Colo- nel Poo, was on picket, That regiment was ordered by General Berry v0 be concentrated and held in reserve for further orders. Two companies of the Seoond Michi- gan were sent, under Major Dillman, to take a position on the flank of the Thirty-seveuth New York, which was guarding the adjacent earthworks to the south and north. In accordance with General Heintzel- man’s instructions, messengers were also despatehed by Genera! Kearney to hasten up General Jameson's brigade, which was near the tote du pont at Bottom’s Bridge. Generals Heintzelman, Kearney and Berry , accompanied by membors of their staffs, proceeded immediately to the front, as Well to agsist in rallying the wavering lines of the other troaps as to direct the movements of their own now going into action, Generals Heintzelman and Kearney reached the field about three o'clock, and, with General Keyes and other generals present, used thelr per- sonal efforts to great advantage in inspiring our aoldicrs with confidence, At this time the enemy was still pour- ing in upon us their multiplying numbers, which were sweeping round to the right and left, as well as down the centre, and Gen. Couch’s command was boginning to manifest the unfavorable influence calculated to be caused by the demoralizing conduct of some of General Casey’s. Still it should not be forgotten that those sol- diers, for the mest part, fought as bravely as could pos- sibly be expected; that they wero comparatively raw troeps, and that they were being borne down by much more numerous forces. As soon as Gen. Kearney arrived on the field, Gen. Casey said to him in language as near as I can remember:—*General, the enemy have my late camp in front; if you ean recover it, the day will still be ours.” GENERAL BERRY’S BRIGADE. Then it was that Gen. Kearney, accompanied by Gen. Berry, led the gallant Third Michigan into action. It moved into the woods to the left, and at once engaged the enemy, not only checking his progress in that neigh- Dorhood, but compelling him to retire before the excel- lent aim and deadly fire of our Western soldiers. Pre- sently the Fifth Michigan, Col. Terry, came up, and was conducted by Gen. Berry to the relief of the Third, which was thon partially re- Neved, while the Fifth nobly continued the work which the Thira had so gallantly begun. Colonel Champ- lin was wounded in the hip, and some valuable officers algo fell upon the field. Colonel Poe had collected his re- giment from where it had been guarding passes to the White Oak Swamp, on the loft and rear, and was moving up tothe scene of conflict. Five companies wore led by Colonel Poe in person into action on the right of the Richmond road, and did excol- lent service, while three companies had been detached, by order of General Heintzelman, to form a line across the road and prevent the progress of tho fugitives. At the same time part of General Jameson’s command, which was moving up, was deployed for the’ same pur- pose. General Heintzelman had given ordors to drive them back at the point of the bayonet, and General Kearney, believe, had given instructions to artillery officers to fire on them. The instructions were not re- garded in the light of a positive order,and the artillery officers did not fire. Had they done so, the courso of Kearney would not haye been without precedent, al- though the circumstances, as subsequent information has developed them, would hardly justify such an extreme alternative. Georgey, Commander-in-Chief of the Hun- garian forces when Kossuth was Prosident, turned his artillery on'some of the fugitive Hungarian volunteers, and Marshal Valee pointed his guns at the timid column which was falling back when led to the assault of Tarra- gona, These measures were productive of good results. But, as I have already mentioned, I donbt that the cir- cumstances would warrant so harsh a course in the pre- sent instance. GENERAL JAMESON'S BRIGADB. General Jameson, at the head of bis fine command, having moved up the railroad as“far as Savage’s station, Captain McKeever, General Heintzelman’s Adjutant, in- structed him to leave that point with three regiments and move off to the left and up the Richmond road, while the Fourth regiment and the Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania, Colonel Campbell, should continue up the railroad and report to General Birney, who, it will be subsequently seen,had been previously ordered up the railroad. It must have been after five o’clock when General Jameson bad gotten his command on the field ready for action. By order of General Heintzelman, the Fighty-seventh New York, Colonel Dodge, was despatched to the right of the Richmond road to support General Peck, whose command, like all our forces on the field, was still actively engaged. The One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania, Colone! McKnight, filed off the Rich- mond road to the left to the edge of the woods, and moy~ ing up a pathway skirting it, but covered by the tim- ber, and, deploying to the left, joined the command of General Berry, which was doing effective service. Searcely had it secured its position in tho fallen timber before the Sixty-third Pennsylvania, Colonel Hays, ar- rived, and was placed on the right and left of the Rich, mond road in the same fallen timber. Now it was that one of the batteries in the rear again fired into some of our own men in the rifle pits. General Kearney, with his accustomed impotuosity, was seen dashing down the road to correct the error. Just as he was leav_ ing, the men in tho rifle pits wei fring in their rear. This strange proceeding arose from the fact that heavy squads of skirmishers were pressing towards them, prolonging the enemy’s line of battle on the right, while at the same time equally heavy masses of skirmishers were coming down in front and running round to the left. A regiment in the centre broke to the rear, General Kearney, endeavoring to rally them, exciaimed, “My boys, this is the wrong road to Richmond; the enemy are on the other side. Follow me!’’ and succeeded inre establishing them in action. At this time the enemy was steadily advancing, about two rebel brigades being secn in line, wiih the heads of columns appearing in the rear. Stragglers and others who availed themselves of opportunities to carry off the wounded—and there wero many such humane volunteers ‘at that period—were rallied by a number of our generals, and when the enemy came ont and defiantly plonted his battle fing beforethem, they held him in check for a time; but soon the rebei foree kept coming on like an avalanche. The Thirty-seventh New York, Colonel Hayman, which had’ been partly in reserve, was now orderd into vigorons action. The enemy met the ontset with determined courage. Supporting columns could be observed wheeling into line and bearing to the left, with the evident design of cutting a portion of our army off by the White Oak Swamp, while other forces were coming down on the right, in the direction of the rail- road. There was a general and determined move along the whole rebel line. The commands of Generals Berry and Jameson, ‘‘two stout Generals from the stout Stato of Maine,” were gradually moving forward, killing large numbers of the enemy, while some of the troops in General Keyes’ corps, which fought bravely, notwith. standing the implications against the whole command by reason of bad conduct of a few, aleo {killed hundreds of rebels, as the ground in front of their positions fully at, ested next day. Those two commands were moving orward like a machine, the left gradnally sweep’ round, the rebels retiring before it; when driven more upon our centre, the enemy came down with fearful fury, and our central force gave way. At this time Genera; Jameson, with a portion of one of his own regiments and yart of Colonel Poe's, charged on a body of rebels, but they were finally compelied to retire. Thus, in order to prevent being cut off, it was necessary for the left also to retire. Generals Jameson and Berry’s troops having dene tremendous execution among the enemy retired in splendid style, though they had lost quite a number of valuable officers. SEVERITY OF THE FIAE—DRAVERY OF GENERALS. Captain Smith, General Berry’s Assistant Adjutant General—a splendid young fellow, who distinguished himself by leading, while mounted on bis horse, one of the most brilliant charges in the battle of Williamsburg— was shot dead through the temples during the heat of this engagement. He was buried mear Mr. Savage's house, beside Captain Judd, of the Third Michigan, an- other valuable officer, who was killed while directin; the fire of the detachmont of Michigan Sharpshooters. Mmost every general engaged on our side had either received a wound himself or had his horse shot under him. Genorals Heintzelman, Keyon, Kearney, Couch, Jameson, Naglee, Peck and Wessels had one or more horsea shot, and the three last officers received slight scratches, which cannot be regarded otherwise than as miraculous excapes. All of them performed valuable services on the field, for which the appreciation of a dis- criminating public will reward thom. General Heintzel- man’s staff officers were active on that day. Perhaps the most enthusiastic and brilliant fellow among them is Lieutenant Hunt, a New Yorker, 1 believe, by birth, but eminently a Frenchman by habits and education. His doscription of the fight to the Prince de Joinville was highly graphic. General Kearney’s staff officers may congratulate themsolves that they survive the action. He does not hesitate to oxpose either himself or them. Moat people believe him to be inconsiderate in this respect. It will be remembered that two of his staf officers were killed at Williamsburg. Captain Pot. ter, General Jameson's Assistant Adjutant, was scarcely less distinguished for his services in the action than his accomplished General. His devotion to his commandor has herotofore induced him to refuse the coloneley of @ regiment, General Borry,as Ihave said, lost his gal- Jant and promising young adjutant. I also understand, though I cannot state with so much certainty, that Gen- eral Keyes’ staff officers andjthose of the generals under him were not loss gallant and valuable than thelr posi- tion demanded of them. Operations on the Right. "While the battlo is closing on the left, lot mo prooced to @ narration of the important events which have Glready transpired and are still transpiring om the right:— » AT FAIR OAKS STATION. Soon after the engagement commenced—in obedience wo instructions given by General Koyes—General Couch proceeded in person to Fair Oaks station, where General Abercombie and Genera Devins were, with detachments from their command. Fair Qaks is situated on the rail- read, about three-quarters of a mile from the junction of the Nine Mile road with the Richmona turnpike, which place is known as the Seven Pines. When the enemy was coming inan,impetuous ourrent down our centro, partof the column bore away tothe right in the direction of Fair Oaks station, When the First Long Island rogi- ment was in the rifle pits on the right of the Richmond road, the Twenty-third Pennsylvania, Colonel Neal, an? theSixty-first Pennsylvanis, Colonel Rippy, were stag tioned in the woods between the right of tho First Lon- yeland and the railroad, and tho United States Chasseurs, commanded by the gallant Colonel Cochrane, and the ‘Thirty-first Pennsylvania, Colonel Williams, were placed on the right of the ratlroad for its protection, while Cap- tain Brady’s battery was posted ins commanding post- tion, supported by these rogiments, to intercept the enemy on the right. Tne enemy was discovered in groat force behind ® belt of woods, moving down apparently towards Fair Oaks station. Our detachmonts immediately engaged them, and the contest was hot and heavy for some time, until our regiments—some of which were considerably cut up—were compelled to fall back. This they did, contesting the ground as they retired. The tempestu- ous columns of the enemy were now fast pressing down near the railroad, and separating those four regiments andthe battery from the remainder of General Keyes command. Perceiving how the tide of battle was flow- ing fast against us, General Couch had well nigh determined to cut his way through atevery cost, and rejoin the remainder of our forces. General Abercombi® however, an older soldier than General Couch, coun- selled otherwisg, and the younger Genoral, with his accustomed modesty, gracofully yielded to the sugges- tions of his senior in years, though bis junior in com- mand. But just at that most critical period in the Dattle, although they did not™know it, the point so severely pressed, as will be subsequently seen, was about being reinforced by.a portion of General Sumnor’s command. OPERATIONS OF GENERAL BIRNEY’S BRIGADE. It will have been perceived that at tho time General Kearney’s division was ordered to the front Genera! Heintzelman had sent one brigade of that division, General Birney’s, up the railroad to the support of General Keyes’ command. It appears, however, that while in motion General Birnoy was soon met by General Kearney, who directed him to man the rifle pits. The Fortieth New York was placed in them, and the Fourth Maine deployed og skirmishers to tho right of the Fortieth, on the railroad, while Captain Stur- giss, eral Kearney’s Chief of Stal, followed the line of the track with the Third Maine and Thirty-cighth New York. Presently, how- ®ver, im accordanco with instructions now given by Gen. Kearney, Gen. Birney halted the two regiments on the railroad, where, being directed to await further orders, he placed the Third Maine tn column of compa- nies on the railroad, and deployod the Thirty-oighth New York to the right as skirmishers. At half-past four, or @ quarter to five, Lieutenant Hunt camo with farther orders from Gon. Heintzelman for Gen. Birney to proceed up the railroad tothe support of Generals Couch and Casey, now sorely pressed. At this, time. the Fifty- seventh Pennsylvania, Col. Campbell, which had boon de- tached from Gen. Jameson’s brigade at Savae’s station, appeared on the railroad, andthe Colonel, being without special orders, joined Gen. Birney’s command. Having marched with his brigade and this regiment about a mile anda half further up, he found the First Long Island and other troops being driven back by the enemy on the left, while at the same time the enemy opened fire on his front. The flank of the First Long Islanders was about boing turned when the Fifty-seventh New York was im- mediately formed in line and placed on the left of that regiment. The Filty-sevonth was soon engaged; it ac- quitted itsclf splendidly, and in driving back the enemy from that point the dashing Colonel was wounded and the gallant Major killed. The remainder of the command was stationed in line of battle, the ex- tremo right regiment being across tho railroad. At this moment Captain Brady, of the artillery, in General Couch’s division, rode up and said, “General Couch has been cut off by the enemy; but he has found a road by which he can retreat, provided youcan hold this posi- tion.’” The General signified his ability and willingness to hold it. But now one of General Keyes’ aids camo with an order from General Hejntzeiman still urging General Birney to continue his course up the railroad. Leaving the Fifty-seventh engaged he went onto Fair Oaks station, where he found General Sedgwick already engaging the enemy. At this point Captain Hassler, of Genoral Jameson’s staff, came with orders from General Kearney directing Genoral Birney to retire immediately to the point from which be had proceeded. Hav- ing sent an aid to inform General Kearney of Gen. Heintzelman’s orders, and to ask whether, under the circumstances, he should obey the instructions of the division or the corps commander,j General Kearney re. peated his order to fall back, which was obeyed, and proper dispositions being made for the night, the brigade was joined on the right by General Sumner’s command. Thave given this record of General Birney's movements, because on the following morning he was placed unde" arrest by General Heintzelman for disobedience of orders. Arrival of General Sumner’s Command. I now return to the most important part of the day's operations, and the successful close of the conflict for the night. Having been ordered by Goneral McClellan early in the afternoon, soon after the action commenced, to cross his corps and proceed to the support of Heint- zelman and Keyes, General Sumner had his command immediately under arms, and it was soon on the road to the Uhickahominy. General Sedgwick’s division took the lead, followed by General Richardson’s. Tho roads were heavy and the travel necessarily difficult and slow. ‘The grapevine bridge over which he crossed, had been almost swept away by the sudden swelling of the swamp. It was almost impossible to bring over the artillery; the horses floundered and foll, and at first only Kirby’s battery of Napoleon guns were crossed. Whon passing Dr. Trent’s house Gen.’Sumner was mot by Gon, Abercombie'’s Quarter- master, who then told his tale of how Gen. Couch, with four regiments and a battery, had been separated on the right from the main body, was being pressed by aupe- rior numbers, and waa in need of immediate reinforce- ments. The column was pushed along as rapidly as possible, part of the time a portion of it going on the double quick. Gem Gorman’s brigade was in the ad- vanee. Arriving near the Adams House, not far from Fair Oaks station, the Union troops in that vicinity wore perceived in position, General Sumner made a most admirable disposition of his forces. GRNBRAL GORMAN’S BRIGADE was immediately placed in position to relieve the troops: already engaged. ‘The First Minnesota, Colonel Sully, which was first on the ground, arriving at twenty minutes past four o’clock, was formed, the right resting on Robert Courtney’s house and the left on the adjacent woods, The heavy lines and columns of the enemy, pre- ceded by a numerous body of skirmishers as before, ‘wore perceived infront, Soon the firing commenced, and tho First Minnesota having sustained the first of the fire, assisted by the battery, the other regiments in the Drigade speedily joined in the ight. On first coming up they were formed in three parallel lines, the Thirty-fourth New York, Colonel Suiter, in front; the Eighty-seeond New York, Colonel! H. W. Hudson, and the Fifteenth Massachu- setts, Lieutenant Colonel Kimball commanding—Colone| Ward, who was captured at Ball's Bluff, being at home for a soason—in the rear. Soon the Fifteenth Massachu- setts was detached to supporta battery. The Fighty. first, followed by the Thirty-fourth, wore then ordered forward, when they changed front, and with aright wheel moved forward through the woods and commenced driving back the enemy. Tho Fifteenth Massachusetts was withdrawn behind @ battery, and was not brought into action. GENERAL MAGRUD@R ATTRNPTS TO TARR A BATTERY, Whilo Lioutenant Kirby's battery was being placed in position the ensmy came out in force and made a despe- rate gbtemps to capture it. It was the same artiliory Company which Captain Ricketta commanded at Bud run when the pieces were captured. It was formerly the now rebel Genoral Magrudors battery. Hoe tly recognized the colors of the com- pany, and the prisoners we have captured say he swore he would have that battery. He ordered an immediate and desperate charge, The rebels came within twenty yards, when they poured ina destructive fire into our ranks, The fire and the effect for a few moments were terrific, The cannoneers were driven from their pieces; horses plunged and reared, while some fell in the traces, killed or wounded; others dashed off with caissons, but the generals present at this critical moment and exciting Scene dashed forward, swords in hand, the guonors Sprang forward algo, and, ‘quick as lightning,” munned thelr pieces, The supporting regiment, which had for ® moment wavered, though its Colonel and other valubable officers had fallen, now rallied, and they were greeted with a tremendous shower of fire, which caused them to fall back in great disorder. It was at that latest fire from the enemy that Colonel Riker, of the Sixty-second New York, waskilled, Ashe was advancing he said:—‘‘We have some cold steel te give them, boys,” and then he fell mortally woundod ie the body. ‘fhe Thirty-first Pennsylvania and the Chas- seurs were doing excellent service on the right, and had already performed their share in driving the enemy away from our artillery. Before our deadly fire the enemy foll back, and Goneral Magruder did not got nis battery. 4 BATTLE FLAG CAPTURED. The Ohio company of Colonel Cochrane’s Perceiving a small light flag carrred in the rebel ranks; and supposing it to be a white flag, by means of which the enemy intended to play their deceptive game of~ “Friends—don’t shoot, we are friends!’ sprang forward, delivered a deadly volley, and captured the Iittle flag. It Proved to be the battle flag of the Hampton Lagioa, of South Carolina, which was one of the organizations which suffered so severely at that point. During the action the One Hundred and Sixth Pennsy!vania, Colonel Morehead, and the Soventy-second Pennsylvania (Bax: ter’s Zouaves), were changed to diferent parts of the fleld as reserves. ORAND CHARGE AND CLOSE OF THE BATTLE FOR THE Moerr. ‘The enemy, however, was dnly checked momentarily; for soon fresh troops were brought out, and another rebel line was observed advancing. Then a portion ob Genoral Dana’s brigade was deployed onthe left of Gen eral Gorman’s, The Nineteonth Massachusetts, Colond Hincks, was away on picket, and the Forty-second New York, Colonel Charles, bad been left at theggrapevine briage, principally for the purpose of assisting in the passago of the arfillery. It_was the other two—the Twentioth Massachusetts, Colonel Lee, and the Seventh Michigan, Colonel Grosvener—which were then required to extend the line of battle on the left. Before those two regiments were fairly formed in tnete assigned position, they received a sudden volloy from the enemy, which was sufficient to test the mettle of the best troops in thé world. They still steadily advanced, however, and, just as they reached the rising ground is the open space, over which they were marching, the hoavy flanking columns of the enemy appeared in view, proudly pressing down in anticipated triumph te our left,’ The evening had now far advanced and the darkness must goon necessarily close the battle for the night. General Sumner determined that it should close victorious for us. To this end he ordered a determined charge along the whole line. Four regiments actively participated in this charge. The Seventh Michigan and Twentieth Massachusctts were on tho Jeft of the line, the Thirty- fourth and Eighty-second New York on the right, while the battery took up a favorable posi- tion on the right where it could manwuvre to advantags.. The Twentioth Massachusetts was commanded by Col. Lee and Major Revore, who had been captured at Balls’ Biuffs and released. The battery was commanded by three quite young and promising leutenants—Kirby, Woodruff and French, General Sumner placed himself, accompanied by his staff, in tho contro; General Sodg- wick took the right, and Generals Gorman and Dana their proper positions in the line. The enemy stood in deflant line of battle in the woods. Tho order was given to charge, and then the line advanced steadily, firing cautiously, while, as the ling wheeled a little to the right, to got nearer te the onemy, the battery whecled also, tho right piece rev maining as a pivot, while the other pieces moved forward, firing in splondid style. Those mancuvros, executed undor the severest fire, could scarcely have been per- formed more perfectly on drill. The enemy returned the fire at first with vigor, but whon our bayorots were fast approaching the skirting of the timber the rebels broke and ran, and the conflict was thus successfully closed for the night. The Fight on Sunday. ‘THE OPPOSING ARMY SLERPING WITIIIW PISFOL SHOT. Ineed not detail the order of the bivouac. Suffice 18 to say that General Richardson’s division im the centre was made to connect with GoneralSumner’s corps om the right and General Heintzelman’s corps on tho left. An order of the rebel General Anderson was found direct- {ng the troops to move during the night, appointing a rem- dezvous where the ammunition wagons would bo found, and instructing the commanding officer of each regiment tosee thatevery man in his command was furnished, with m piece of white cotton ,cloth, half a yard long, ‘the use of which would be explained hereafter.” Probably the enemy intended a night attack, but subse quently changed his plans. Some of the prisoners takes on Sunday had the eotton bands referred to fastened om their caps. Inthe meantime General Richardson's di- vision had been arriving, having experienced even more than equal difficulties in getting on the ground. After dark the troops bivouacked close te the rebel lines. Large bodies of either army actually slept within pistol shot of each other during the night. On the following morning the conflict was con. tinued. General Richardson’s division, General Birney’s brigade, of Kearney’s division, and General Sickles’ brigade, of General Hooker’s division, with two of the Now Jersey regiments, both brigades and regiments be- ing in General Hentzelman’s corps, were the troops which fought the battle on Sunday morning. Tho firing, I believe, began at different points simultancously. At allevents the tide of battle ran from left to right as before. GRYERAL HOOKER'S COMMAND. About seven o’clock, when the firing commenced, General Hooker , being ordered to the front, led the Fifth New Jersey, Colonel Starr, and the Sixth New Jersey, Colonel Mott, up the Williamsburg road, having previ- ously ordered General Sickles to follow with hig brigade. ‘The firig had already commenced on the right and was running down the line of the railroad. ‘The enemy was first found in a piece of woods close to the railroad. When putting his command inte action, to the right of the Seven Pines, Genoral Hooker came vpon General Birney’s brigade, undes command of the gallant Colonel Ward, drawn up is line of baattlo, and finding then that the Excelsios brigade had been ordered into action in another spot, he joined his regiments with those under Colonel Ward and assumed command. The New Jersey regiments were placed on the left, and Colonel Ward’s command, which now numbered Jess than a thousand men, were stationed on the right of those regiments, and on the loft of the railroad in the same order in which they had been placed on the previous night. Changing front forward on the right batalion to meet the enemy's fire, the command was soon actively engaged. GENERAL MIRNRY’S BRIGADR. The New Jersey regiments wero thinning the reve ranks, while another body of the enemy came down is regiments by the flank into the woods’ and commenced moving forward into line. As each revel regiment, or portion of a regiment, got into position it commencee firing. Bofore they wero fully formed, however, Colona ‘Ward, with the Thirty-cighth New York, under Major Baird; the Third Maine, Colonei Staples, and the Fortiet New York, Lieutenant Colonel Eagan—Col. Rielly having been relieved of the command the day previous—advancee in line, and his mon, with tremendous cheers, rushee through the woods driving the rebels pefore them Many fell on each sido, however. As the robels wery driven into the feld beyond, they caught a telling crost fire from the Fourth Maine, Colonel Walker, and Sevent® Massachusetts, Colonel Russell, which were further is advance near the railroad. The rebels were driven bo fore the point of the bayonet until they roached an ad vantageous position, where they offered a desperate ro sistance before they finally rotired. GENERAL SICKLES’ BRIGADE. In the meantime Gen. Sickles had brought the Exceb stor Brigade wp the Richmond road and placed it ie action. It was @ beautiful sight to see the regiments with colors flying, forming into line, The Second Excol, ior, Col. Hall, had just gotten into position near the Dreastworks, when, in obedionee to a subsequent ord: it proceeded jurther on the road,and filing to the let formed in line of battle on the edge of a belt of timber ‘The Third rogiment, Col. Taylor, followed and formed