'o it titumbia -gpg.
c - OLVMBIA: Pk- -
SATURDAt, JUNE' 7;‘.18e.4.-
• A ar4he aUention of the reader is directed
to the advertisement of Dr. ltarkley's Family
ltediciner4rte found in another Column of
'this paper:''t • * •
• New Books, • •
Txts.Srommls.l4.raci.os Casa BOX.
By Wilkie.Collius. nuladelphia: T. B. Peterson 3:
Anyileasant ki story at we have met with for many
a day. Wilkie Collins has established hit reputation
,by the ' , Deitel Secret," the "Woman in White" and
otherWrias which have stamped bin name amongst
the foremost writers of fiction of the day. The Stolen
nook is n Christmas story, Unpretentious in design,
and plain and straight-forward in °lettermen. It is
...imply a tale told without effort at fine writing. and
consenuent'y voi4 rt(lwatiLdie.?' The interest is kept
Up.as P.IF ;tee other works of the author. without flag
to the end. It is genial as one of Dickens , Chnstmas
storied, nd leaves with the render the same kindly
feeling. The price is but twenty-five cents, and it may
be found at Messrs. &o'er Er. Ale Donald's Bookstoze,
'4veF the vq45%. *-
tti
Trig Two P alau flatiron. By George Augustus Sala,
Philadelphia: T. U. Peterson do Bros.
Sala. la hiethrournty Pee North," and his collected
sketches, from Household Words. establi-hed a repute
tton which his .atchitiods failure "The Seven So. of
Mammon" k„eterottlier detracted from than added to.—
Bat in a previous work of minor pretennott -- , TheTwo
Prima Donnas'—he has certainly exttibited every
gaol lity of the tinermisful story teller. We Ilene Lave
ibis work. jest issued by Messrs. Petersen. It-is a
opark'ing tale in Sala's beet style— alicto-t the perfec
tion of tight Writing. We have read it with pleasure,
and heartily reeemmend lt. Price twehty-five cents,
t Saylor & McDonald's.
PM - MOONS . Pillt a Intrat♦ COrNTRIFCIT D ET ECTOR.—
Tee Zone nWaiver of the Detector gave- a I.' Of SI
new-counterfeits circulated since the t-a-atte of :he num
ber of May I. Among. These we final the following
described:
Farmers , Bank of Lire aster 1011 altered - from
7g.—rig cattle in antenna On right, dog guarding a Iti.y
near centre; maid wear water le't. but told siekle tat
Ler feet. Zills alattriou.—eil 'urge build tad. people. &c.
'Pit. I. one of the be-t Detectors tad-tied, and may
slwayi be had at Saylor & MeDonald
GnvEsne FAArnen.—The June number 14 :t tined one
a id we enu cord:any re. ommentl the pubhea.ion
0,0 °Nils very best llt kuut.
FALVCR A:11, GARDEN:CR hove received the
Former tint tZ•trdeoer for Jone—a Inca excellc-ot
non t her of thl. , a.t.caraltle rtsltryitorol monthly. Every
Cornier of Petio-y . lvania should have it.
-ELY's JOUR :I-U.—Mr. N. W. Greene has
undertaken the sale of the ''Journal of Al
fred Ely," who was taken prisoner at Bull
Itun,• and confined for a long time at Rich
mond: he frill canvass the , town for sub
scribers, and will deliver the work at the
publisher's retail price. The book cannot
Fail to prove interestink, trcttirig its it does
of the st4erldgeor oltr brave Soldiers, the
companions of , the attihor in his protracted
imprisonment,- who have fallen' int 4 - the
hands of the rebels. Mr. Greene should be
successful in the sale of this book. •
- Mr. Greene will also canvass' . the neigh
borhood for subscriber's to . "Parson Brown
'low's Book," about being issued by Geo. W.
Childs, l'hilada. This work will command
'an immense sale.' Saylor S. Manx - laid .nre
the 'regular agents for Columbia, and Mr.
Graineivill solicit' subscribers in their name
• in tho borough.
A PAPER FRall SCCESSIA.—Wu have been
indulged with a sight of a number of the
Christian. Banner, a L'aiun paper printed
at Fredericksburg, ya:, sent home by Lieut.
Evans, which is certainly an asronisbing9pe
cimen of typography. It is printed on a
coarse mulatto colored paper, such as -witS
Probably used for wrappers in. the. naftaY
Union days. The paper was' discontinued
'when the'rebelliOn hrok'a oat in May, 1861,
and the publication *as ri-cosurnenced in
just a year frosi. that dato, after the stars
•and stripes again wavod•over the rebel 'city.
The editor hating eihanstod his stack of
white imiCeris com'pellod to use the dingy
substitute of the present number.
mon W . /atm.—We have had another
high river from the steady rain of Wednes
day and Thursday. The creeks above have
Leen very high, and we hear of considerable
damage. The Penna. Railroad bridge over
the Swatara, at Middletown, was so injured
on Thursday as to interfere with the run
ning of the trains—the rimount of the dam
age; however.'we have not learned. A large
quantity of timber and lumber was swept
out of the creek, and our river vras covered
thickly, on Thursday afternoon, with drift
—boards, loge, oars and whole platforcr.e of
rafts: There mast , havet Veen a general
clearing of the shores above this point. The
river is still (Friday morning) very fqil,
lcut 'at a stand. The water will proba : bly
aubs:de as rapidly as it rose. At present
the current is too strong for boats to cross at
this place. We have not learned whether
any damage has been sustained on the ca
nals.
exit Sonoot, 13othoiscs.—lt has been fur
some time in contemplation by the Direc
tors of this School District to place our bo
rough in the front rank of intelligent and
progressive communities—at least so far as
the possession of first class Inchonl buildings
van contribute to that standing. For a num
lier of years the surplus of taxec over the
expenditures of the District has 'been con
siderable. and the accumulatiOn—at present
a very respectable sum—is destined to fur
reish us with a building (or buildings, as
May be hereafter determined) which shall
stfl*Cril the best accommodation fur' our pub
lic schools. Careful examination and in
quiry have been made as to the best public
4chool hoildiogs erected in other towns and
cities, and we believe that it is the intention
of our directors to take advantage of every
experience in perfecting their plans before
proceeding to build. Wo•bave said that a
very Ffangsurne fund has accoraulated,
which t will, in a Measure, defray the con
templated erpeasest but not entirely. A
large sum will still he regained from the
tax-payers of the borough: money which
they will consider well expended—if judi.
tic k usly applied, and to the best advantage.
We would ask the School Board, however,
whether an entirely new building, as pro
jected, is necessary? It is not as a sugges
tion that we call their attention to the
"Washington Institute," fur we know that
'the "parcliaa'e df . that building and its fine
grounds has' been in contemplation. But
we would-respectfully ask the board to neigh
well the advantages and disadvantages of
the twoproPosed investments of the people's
money. Oti ode , hard. a new building,
erected expressly for our- public schools,
would probably be more •completely conve
nient than the "Institute."' although the
latter was considered, when planned and
bulk: a model- educational establishment.—
The locatiob - of the new - building must ne
eessarily be more 'easily seniesible than that
tba Institute. The school ,ar prc?-
_. •
would clirtainly - affirr.l greater cc
commodation4han the old. Per contra, the
"Washington Institute" can' be purchased
for little over half the coney required for
:the "High School," Th; giclunds•are much
more extensive than can be fetal - dim a more
central locality; 'atrit is believed that even
if additional echo& accommodation be-re
quired, the entire , purchase and the neces
sary improvements can be made at a smaller
outlay than - will be required for an entirety
new erectiu.
To these arguments, pro and con, we
should give little 'heed, were it not for the
potent item of comparative cost. This, in
these days of taxation is an importunate
reasoner. With us, were onerous taxation
not to enter into the question, the alterna
tive °flaying two or but one handsome and
creditable school edifice in our town would
not puzzle us long. An improvement of the
kind in question should receive 'our ready
affirmative vote. But we think under the
circumstances, it would become the Board
to give the matter careful consideration,
taking every argument into account before
committing themselves lo either course.—
We recognize ibeneeessiti for increased and
improved accommodations for our" public
schools:and hope when the improvement
shall 'be made it may be' Uteri:J(l7,h; but we
trust if will be made after due consideration
and withed° of every intcvast of the people
and tax-payers. 'Tire Ptiblie Grath:id Corn
pony will ddubtless part with (he ;Washing
ton Institute on vary ircr:donable terms, and
if the citizens can bb well served'at a mod
erate cost by the purchase, we hope that
this May be our future MO Santo!: "
theie will probably . boa difference of
opinion on the question, we'offe - r our cul
utnns as a medium for its discussion.
OCR Bob's WITH McCi.m.t..tx.—There have
been many anxious hearts in Columbia since
the announcement of the late terrible battle
on the Chickahomminy,in which our boys are
supposed to have been engaged. The first
despatches mentioned Keyes' Corps as one
of the three taking part in the struggle.—
It is known that our boys are under Keyes,
and the first thought of all was of them.—
When farther particulars stated that Couch's
Division had supported Casey's the anxiety
was increased. Our friends. are in the 23d
and Gist Regirnaiis, Couch's Division, and
the published lists of killed and 'Founded
have been - anxiously eh:timed f'ur familiar
nnmee: thus Tur we can find none, happily,
and we are encouraged "to hope that our
braveTellews have been . srare.d. It will be
almost' Miraeitlmis, cliall they have come
ottt of tlftie Cerra& cirnaie unscathed. The
Gist regiment 'halts' Colon,'., Malin: and a
large number or °Mora 'of lower'gride; 'acid
the 231 suffered severely also in both elti;ers
and men. We have no doubt of the bearing
of our men, awl shall anxiously dwait 'par
ticulars. Hour town is spared OtEerliioiliti
ing than such as all must .Fear for the'gal
litit deed of our army, of'whatever'sectiOn,
after AbiS first battle in which our Coluta
bians, in any thinsiderable numbers, bait:,
met the enemy, wo shall he indoctlfavtired,
and, we trust, thinkful.
Since writing the above Capt. Haldeman
has been heard from. lie writes that all our
Columbiads are safe, lho - ugh . they passed
through the thickest of the fight, with dis
tinguished honor. Of Capt. Ilaldeman's com
pany, John Shorrick, of Washington, was
shot through the body and left on the field—
ho is either dead or a prisoners. Madison
Moss, of Wrightsville, was shot through the
mouth and left on the field—prubabli a
prisoner. Jas. Shenberger of Wrightsville,
was hurt by a shell, but nut seriously. Our
bravo follows, beaded by their gallant Cup
, tain, fought like heroes, and it must rejoice
every heart to know that they came safely
through the awful day. The 23d Regi
men t lost in killed wounded and missing,
303 uteri: . The correspondence of the city
dailies give the highest praise to Cul. Neill
and his command. We will give the par
ticulars next wrek.
Our boys with Lieut. B. F. Haldeman,
Co. P, Gist Regiment are safe. This reg,i
atnnt also stood the brunt of the battle, and
*as almost annihilate!. Oar brave fellows
fought intrepidly, and covered themselves
with honor. '
Our Army Correspondence
NORTH EDISTO, S. C., May 23, 18G2
DEAR Ben—We have abandoned Otter
Island; we are en-route for Charleston—ex
pect to be there' within ten days from this
date. A steamer was sent for us, but it
was too small to carry more than three
companies. Companies F, II and K were
to remain until th 3 steamer returned.—
Fearing that we might too late, we decided to
take the "overland roote," and not be far
behind in event'of a fight. We boated, tve
waded, we swam, and then marched the
whole night, and astonished our comrades
who had gone by steamer at our appearance
early in the morning—on'y two hours after
their own arrival. We are now pleasantly
encamped on the southern bank of the North
Edisto river; the 97th and 55th Pennsylva
nia along Side of us. Troops and munitions
of ' slrar from Porti Royal - and Beaufort are
pouring in, and by to-morrow evening full
ten thousand men will bq here, ready to
cross and take up the line of march to
Charleston. A few days mar:thing, and a
few days fighting, and that inf6ital hot bed
of secession will be ours. Our boys are de
termined to take it, and if our officers will
I but give us a chance wo will wipe it out.
We expect the four companies of our Regi
ment - stationed on Hilton Head Island up
to' night. When the '4sth is together it
numbere 980 men, and is the large3t by far
of any regiment in this corps, and t uning I
I am much mistaken, well be able to do some
terrific fighting. We expect to garrison
Charleston, and would like you to visit us
and take dinner at the Mills House, which
is to be our headquarters. Oar boys are all
in fine'spirita and eager to advance—expect
to take the lead,.and mean to keep it' too.
Wagner, Strickler and Bookman wore left
behind, sick; all the rest of Companilf. are
on band for the sport; Michael Collins be
came sick on the march but is again well,
and says that he is bound to help take
Charleston. The old man is all right". We
are to go forward - with three dayr rations
• •
and sixty cartridges per man. Probably
ere this reaches you, the teligraplt will have
tniiviced thelidl of Oharlustrly. 4 ? .
Ouf letters may still be diricledlo Otter
Island'--they will follow the regiment if di
rected-to the 45th . Regiment, Penbuylvania
Volunteers, via Pint Royal. S. el:whether
the Otter Island is inserted or omitted.
Politic; are becoming somewhat interest
ing to the soldiers. We see by the papers
that a large number of the Honie Guards
are anxious fc.r uomination. as Surveyor
General and Auditor General, &c. A move
is on in the different regiments to place
sdlaiere isnomidation for the various offices,
to rebuke the Home Guard and ignore Loco-
Foco or Republican Conventional nomina
tions. The name of Lieut.-C . Ol. Duchman,
, _
of Lancaster cdutt.ty t ?.s being passed round
in connection With fhe office' of Surveyor
General, and the name seems to meet with
great favor. Col. Duchman is a worthy
man and a good of with the support of
80,000 soldit3r voters, he wilrcertainly be
able to overcome the strongest llome Guard
Candidate. &Tali fur Col. Duchman!
Won't you join us?
Bean soup is ready, consequently I close
Yours, &c.
lIEADQ's IST BRIGADE, MCCALL'S DIVISION,
CAMP NEAR FREDERICKSBURG. VA., -
➢lay 29th, 1802.
pssa Srv . :—As the columns of your paper
have - beet; neglected by the "FARMER" and
"911DERLY," of our company, I tbought
would pen a-few lines to make up lost time.
On Sunday last we received marching orders
but, after striking our tents and packing our
knapsacks, the order was countermr9ded;
on' Monday we received orders again, and
in less time than it takes me to write this
we were on the march across the Rappahan
nock. On entering the Secesh town (Fred
' ericksburg) our band struck up the good old
"Star Spangled Banner:" the sweet strains
of that patriotic tune were much despised by
the few remaining inhabitants. The ladies, if
so they may be called, thronged the side
walks and were very much disgusted at the
appearance of so many Yankees; all imagin
able insults were cast upon us by these
pious but loud-mouthed rebel ladies, but
little did we care about their insulting lan
guage.
A circumstance occurred yesterday, which,
at one time, threatened to become serious.
As the Ist Penna. Cavalry was passing up
Princess Ann St., a widow lady named Mary
Richard, waved a black flag at them from
tbo second story window of her house. A
squad of the Bucktails and the sth, standing
near by, witnessed the performance of the
woman and immediately procured a Union
Plag'and nailed it directly in front of the
vindp7 where she was sitting. This aggra-
vated her so much that she appeared with
a brace of pistols in her hand and threatened
to shoot the man that put it there. A paper
LieuterMut. of Co'y B, 14th Brooklyn, whose
syrap4ihies are evidenkly with 'our enemies,
tore our glorious standard down and flung
it in the ttreet;"the erowd of soldiers, nearly
one htindred in number, put it up again and
after: 'cheerio, 'fur - our triumph asked the
"or any othe'r ban," to pull it
down again; it is uuneecssar' to say no one
made the attempt.
It is hero tha:t' Gen. Geo. Washington's
mother sleeps I paid a visit tothe
unfinished monument Which marks the spot.
From appearonoes it shows that the Rebels
used the monument f.) ; -: r. target. 4. fatal
disease must have prevailed among the Reb
els here.'l visited the old cemeitirY in which
about one hundred are buried, and aLout
five hundred in Potters-field near by; a
great contrast truly, to bury 'poeytrospi in
Potters-field and the syealthier clash in a
cemetery, although all fighting fur the same
. .
cause.
I must close by yet saying that Camp. K
is in the best of health and spirits (not ar
dent). If you think this worthy of a notice
in your columns, you will oblige
Yours, &c., COMP. K, :STU.
WAR NEWS!
=WILY naronizamm.
Great Battle before Richmond.
Terrible Slaughter—Repulse of Casey's Di
' vision—The Rebels Finally Defeated and
Repulsed with Heavy Loss—Capture of
Gen. Pettigrew and many Prisoners—Splen
did Dayonet Charges.
Wsswiscror, June I.—The following de
patch was received atthe War Departmen
this afternoon from the
FrELD or BATTLE,
*l2 o'clock, June 1.
Iron. E. M. Slanicn,:Secretari of War:
• We have had n'desperate battle, in which
the corps of Sumner, Reintielman 'and Keyes
inavesbeen' engaged against greatly atperior
numbers. Yesterday, at 1 o'clock, tfic,
ene
my 'inking luivaneage of 'a terrible 'Arm
which had flooded 'the valley of the Chick
ahominy, attacked our troops on the right
bank of that stream, General Case.yfs Di
vision, which was in the first line, gave way
unaccountably and d iecrei tab ly. This caused
a temporary confusion'. dating Which" eh&
and baggage were lost, bat •If eintzelnian and
Kearney most gallantly brought up' their
troops, which checked the enemy. At the
same time, however, Gen. Sumner succeeded
by great' exertions in 'bringing tickles Gen
erale Sedgvrick and Richardson's Divisions,
who drove back the enemy at the point of
the bayonet, covering the ground with hie
dead. This morning the enemy attempted
to renew the conflict, but was every Where
repulsed:
We have taken many prisoners, among
whom are General Pettigrew and Col. Long.
Our lose is heavy, but that of the enemy
must have been enormous.
With the exception of Casey's Division
our men bohaved splendidly. Several fine
boyonet charges hive been made. The Sec
ond Excelsior made two to-day.
(Signed) ' G. B. McCum.ssr,
Major general Commanding.
A Balloon .4=24mM:sauce of the Battle Field
—A Telegraphic Station Established In the
Air! ' "
WASITINGTON. JUDI! I.—From despatches
from before Richmond to-day we learn that
during the whole of the battle of this morn
ing Professor Lowe's balloon was overlook
ing the terrific scene from en altitude of
about two thousand feet. •
Telegraphic ormuurnication from the bal
loon to General 24qclellan, in direct :cora
intmication with the military wires. was
successfully toairitainer "' Mr. Park Spring,
of PbOadelphis,-actingas Operate?. •Suety
movement of the Enemy seas £l.vfous, and in-.
stanily reported.
'fttie is believed to be th 9 first i time in
winch a balloon reconnoisseo4lms ben
suetiessftillj made during a' and cer
tainlY iris the first time in which a tele
graphifi sitr.gon has been established in the
4ir to rep 6;:, the movements of the enemy
and the pikress of a battle. the advan
tage to General McClellan must have been
immense. .
•I • . • - t.
Particulars of the - Fight of Saturday and
Sunday—The Result of the Two Days'
Fight—The Union Arms Yictorious.
IIEADQUARTERS OF GENERAL MCCLELLAN,
Junitl, P. M.
Two days of the battle of Rieh&ond have
been fought, on both of which oar troops
have been victorious." The' lose on both
sides is hoittly: Tim battle - wltropebe4 by
the enemy making an attack on Gett.'Catley,'s
Division, encamped near Seven
,Pines, on
the turnpike leading over Bottom's Bridge
and within seven miles - of Richmond. he
attack was made about 1 o'clock en Satur
day afternoon by General Hill's Division,
composed of five Rebel brigades, lbe-troops
being for the most part from Virginia, South
Carolina and Georgia.
The fight here was disastrous. Gereral
Casey,'s troops were forced to retire before
toiperior nutt,bers, leaving all their camp
equitnige and two batteries. Colonel Bailey
in endeavoring to save his batteries, was
killed. Some of the troops in this division,
from New York and eennsylvanin, behaved
very badly. Many of the officers were killed
and will:ad ... 9i in endeavoring, to rally their
men.
Genera; Ileintzleman, on ascertaining the
re-ailt, ordered forward a portion of the di-
Sisinns Generals IS.earney and Hooter to
re:mit) the' ay. •
Gen. Kearney's men on being brought
into a etinn, clutrgerw h"th e - litiY eVd. v.
big . the Rebels before Viotti' like sheep and
regaining all the lost ground—abouchalf a
mile—when, night coming on, operations
were brought to a close.
Gen. Stunner's two divisions—Sedgyvick's
and Richardson's--crossed the 'Chickaltorn
iny about three o'clock on Saturday after
noon, taking a position on Gen. Minted'
man's right. Here they encountered Gene.
Longstreet's Rains' and Huger's Divisions,
the flower of the Rebel army.
The fighting was desperate, every foot of
the ground being hotly contested, hut our
soldiers were too much fur them. The en
emy would stand manfully, at a distance of
sixty yards, and receive the lire of our troops
but they were afraid of the bayonet, and in
every instance that our men charged they
were victorious.
These two divisions did nobly, driving the
Rebels at every 'mild until &ark. The ene
my's loss here was very 'whey, Many of
them being killed by the bayonet. •
General Pettigrew, of South Carolina, was
taken prisdner, tuid we have about firg hun
dred other prisoners, among whom are sev
eral prominent officers.
On Sunday, es soon as it was da 4 ylight,
the fight was renewed by General Sumner
with marked success, lasting nearly p the
whole day.
The rebels were driven nt every point
with heavy loss.
The ground gained by General Sumner
was about two and a half
Gen. Ileintzelman on Sunday morning, re
took the ground lost the day before by 'Gen.
Casey.
Our loss in the two days' engagements, in
killed and wounded, will amount to about
3,000.
Four separate charges with the bayonet
were made during yesterday. In one in
stance the enemy were driven a.mile, during
which 173 were killed by the bayonet alone.
Lieut. Washington, an aid to General J.
Johnston, was taken prisoner.
The enemy's dead, left on the field,
amount to over 12,00.
General lloward was wounded twice in
the arm.
Colonel Miller, of the Eighty-first Penn
sylvania and Culonel Rippee, of Pittsburg,
were killed.
Cul. Campbell, of Pennsylvania, was
wounded in the thigh.
A great number were missing who will
probably return, having strayed away. All
of the enemy's killed and most of his wound
ed fell into our hands.
The country in which the battle was
fought is gwatupy, with thick underbrush.
' Most or the fighting' was in the woods.
Owing to the nature of the ground very
little artillery was used.
Both balluens were up nearly all day.
Yesterday all the troops left Richmond.
and marched out in the direction of the bat•
tle-field bringing forward ammunition and '
supplies. - • • • • '
The wounded were immediately put aboard
the cars and sent to the White House.
General McClellan arrived on the'batt.l9-
field on Saturday evening, 'where he hies re
mained ever since, directing all the Move
ments in person. His presence among the
troops had a great effect.
Reheat of the Rebels to Richmond.
GEN. MCCLELLAN'S IIEADQUA P.TERS,
June 2nd, 1862.
The rebel officers, unable to rally their
troops this morning, have retreated back to
wards Richmond.
Our men have moved forward to Fair
Oak, which is five miles from the city.
Jeff. Davis arid Governor Letcher were
both at the fight yesterday.
The dead are now being gathered and
buried.
THE WAIT BATTLE NEAR RICHMOND.
THE REPULSE OF CASEY'S DIVISION
TUE NAMES OF KILLED AND WOUNDED DECKERS
HEADQUARTERS OF GENERAL CASEY,
Seven Pioes, Va., May 31, 1862.
The advance division of the Army of the
Potoinac on the left, under the command of
Brigadier General Silas Casey, were attack
ed to-day by an overwhelming force of the
oneraY, cod drivel} back a distance of two
•
• Premonitory symptoms of an attack had
shown"themselves forAvvo' days previous.
and it was generally the opinion, in camp,
that the enemy coptemplatett 'such a move
ment. • ' ••• '•
Yesterday the enemy :and° a reconnois
sance in' fathe, 'and' fearned exactly the posi
tion of our line of pickets, as well as the lo
cation of our camp, and made their prepara
tions accordingly.
,At the time 'the attack was made Gen.
Casey's out-poste were ' , within *about live
miles of Richmond near Fairoak Station.—
The position was gained by the reconnois
sance made by general Nagley on Saturday,
the 24th idet.; and• our General had orders
to hold the position at all hazards.'
The'rebel Generals undoubtedly nrAe the
attack in order to prevent es from complet
ing fortifications which we were building.
and also to feel onr strength and learn our
exact position. The outposts of our pickets
were less than a mile from the geaer§l en
campment, and vely closo to the pickers of
the enemy.
In conversing with our pickets I learn
that they itould;.distinctly see an ;unusual
commoticein' the rebel camp this morning,
and . evidietliriparatrobi for an attack, and
say they immedialebi sent word to division
headquarters of the fact, but the enemy had
attacked and driven in our pickets before
the different briedes had etarted to sera:lt
They ',rare also told by a rebel officer, cap
tared in the 4 - oroing, that the enemy Aon
templated aliffek in the afternoon, sad
that they would slfrlve us back before night,
all of which •prcivaiviCe.
About one' o'clock 14 enemy fired three
ehells into our camp, cite after the other, at
thidtvOls of about a''rdlinte, which was,
probably, a signal to theii forces that every
thing was in readiness; and which caused
no nu:easiness in our camp from the fre
quency of its occurrence of late. Within a
few minutes 'they came upon our pickets
unawares and attacked them with great vig
or and a lorgeloice. '
Our pickets were either killed, captured,
or driven in very quickly, and - the enemy
advanced as rapidly as possible upon our
camp. In the meantime, the regiments of
the different brigades had fallen into line in
anticipation of an order to that effect, which
soon arrived, and at once were Off in double
quick to the scene of conflict. '
General Casey's camp was situated in an
open corn-field, about a mile square, sur
rounded on all sides by a belt of woods, and
his pickets were posted through these woods,
when they were met by our forces coming
to their. support, and .hero tho severest fight
ing lock place.
The musketry firing at this time surpass
ed anything of the kind I ever hitnessed,
and it seemed as if whole brigades were fir
ing at sae instant. Our men fought
with great bravery, mowing down the enemy
at every' dischdrge, but the vacant places
were immediately filled from their appa•
rently numberless reserves.
I omitted to mention that General Casey
had thrown up in the centre of this open
field, nearly to completion, quite a respecta
ble sized fort, franked 'on•either side by
trenches, or rifle-pits, extending nearly
across it, and which our men were at work
upon when the firing commenced. These
were at once occupied try our riflemen as the
firing grew nearer, white batteries II and A,
of the nisi. New York Artillery, command
ed by Cap,taln Sp,ratt and Lieutenant Bart,
were stationed in frost of this fort. They
did great execution till the enemy were
right upon them, when what' was left of
them were obliged to withdrtiiv, taking with
them what they eoyld of their killed and
wounded, hut lot:W.4lg eqvcral of their guns
in the hands of the enemy. • •
The most terrible of the fighting occurred
just as the enemy lied got through the
woods, and where our reserves were drawn
up to receive them. The most desperate
courage was displayed hereupon both sides,
our regiments charging repeatedly upon the
enemy, driving them back for a while, when
they would again, in turn, get the upper
band and drive us before them.
'The loss upon both sides 4l this point
must have been fearful, as every inch of
grotind*was &pitted in the most desperate
manner, and was only gained by overwhol
mingnembers, and by passing over the bod
ies of our dead and wounded soldiers.
Our batteries at this time e we'r'e pouring
into the rebel ranks a pdrfect shower of
grape and canister, mowing them down in
winrows, but still they steadily, step by
step, advanced, till our lines commenced
giving why: when they charged upon our
batteries, and succeeded in capturing seven
guns,' which we were unable to remove,
owing to the horses having been killed.
The enemy were now in possession of our
camp, and had turned our own guns upon
our retreating columns, while the infantry
continued to follow them up as closely as
possible. Our mon, although compelled to
fallback, ' did so without any symptoms of
a panic, but till quire hastily.
The enemy captured everything belonging
to Casefo division, excppting what they had
on their tacks, leaving them without a tent
or a blanket to cover them. The supply of
commissary stores was very light, in camp,
and qU the baggage wagons and officers'
baggage had been sent to the rear, two days
before, so thal our loss tills principally
upon the men. wlio had Icahn the effects in
their tents. The attack was • made so sud
denly and ttne.v.neetedly that at this time
(six o'clock P. M.), while the light is still
going on, and all is confusion, it is impossi
ble to give the exact position which each
regiment held in the engagement.
Tll2 rosinos OF 01;1; 1111.1000 /IEFoRn TILE
The position of the different brigades be
fore the engagement, was as Ibli . ows:' Ode:
Naglee's brigade, consisting of the
Ono Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania,
Col. W. W. 11. Davis;
Eleventh Maine, Lieut. Col. Palmsteed;
Fifty-sixth New York, Col. C. 11. Van
Wyck;
Eifty-second Pennsylvania, Cul. J. C.
Dodge;
One Hundredth New York, Col. J. M.
Brown, were on the right of the Williams
burg and Richmond stage road, and extend
ed across the rail-track some distance.
The Second Brigade, under command of
Gen. Wessels. consisting of the
Eighty-fifth Pennsylvania, Col. T. B. 11.
Hotwell;
One Hundred and First Pennsylvania,
Col. T. It. Vilson;
One ilundred and Third Pennsylvania,
Col. M. 11. Lehman:
Ninety-Sith New York, Col. J. Fairman,
occupied the centre, and guarded the turn
pike, while the Third Brigade, General J.
N. Palmer. commonding,.consisting of the
Eighty-first New York, I.dieutenant Colo
nel De Forest; "
Fifty-fifth New York. Col. T. S. Belknap;
Ninety-second New Fork; Lieutenant Col
onel Anderson•
Ninety-eighth New York, Lieut. Cul. Dur
kee, were on the left of the shad; and joined
the pickets of (yen. Pouch's division. It is
impossible, at this time, to give any reliable
account of the number of killed and wound
ed in Casey's division.
These regiments are mostly composed of
comparatively new troops, and have been
reduced very much from sickness since they
have been on the Peninsula. The whole di
vision could not have numbered more than
six thousand effective men, while the force
of the enemy was from thirty to fifty thous
and.
The officers all, as far as I could learn,
behaved in the most gallant manner, and
their loss is large. General Casey was in
the thickest of the fight, and was reported
wounded; but I afterward learned that he
escaped unhurt. Gon. Palmer is reported
killed, and it is generally believed to be
true, as be was io the thickest of the fight,
and could not be found. lie may have been
wounded and token prisoner. Gen. Nagleo
had his clothes riddled by bullets, but
escaped, almost miraculously, without any
serious wounds. General Wessels is re
ported wounded.
Casey'. division fell back to the Seven
Pines, where the division of General Couch
was Own up behind rifle pits.
Th 3 battle raged fiercely here for a time,
when'Oeki. Couch fell back, with considera
ble lee's, it shaft' distance, but finally sue
mind in milking 4 successful stand till the
arrival of thinfoxcersents from Gen. !hint
zelmn`q, whose troops were pouring in on
fhe iltilroa'd as I left the 'field, and, I learn,
succeeded jointly in checking the enemy and
retaking part of the ground lost during the
day. What the casualties were in Couch's
division it is impossible to learn 11l the time
of writing; ta ai is near dark, and those
whose statements can be relied hpon are
still on the field. I learn that Peck and
Devens's brigades were actively engaged,
and suffered considerable loss, but can learn
nothing reliable from the balance.
About four o'clock world was sent to gen.
Sumner to bring up his corps, which were
encamped beyond the Chickabouniay. They
crossed the bridge built by his troops; about
three miles above Bottom's Bridge, and des
ignated by the name of -the Grapevine
bridge. The last or,thenur crossed about
seven o'clock, and maTChea directly to the
Mont, where they will baxpaq,for whatever
may transpire in the morning,
It is impossible to fix accurately upon the
number of our killed, wounded and missing
to-night, but I should judge they will reach
six or seven hundred.
The loss of the enemy must have been
very heavy, as they received the concen
trated fire of our batteries for a considerable
time, besides the deadly volley poured into
them by our infantry.
A large number of our killed arid wound
ed must have fallen into their hands. The
object of the enemy, in my opinion;wa.s to
make a strong reconnoissance, in °raer to feel
our position, and, if successful, to driverus
back as far as possible. 11 such was the
object of the movements it was eminently
successful, as far as the events of to-day are
concerned. but what will transpire to-mor
row remains to be seen.
From a prisoner I learn that the advance
of the enemy consisted of Mississippi and
North Carolina troops, under the command
of go . n9ral Ithodes, and supported by 50,Q00
men.
As the troops under Generals Ileintzel.
man aed Su'inner 'were seen coming up the
railroad and turnpike at double quick, every
ono seemed to feel relieved, and .FeLt sure
that now the day seas ours, and that the en
emy, although ierolioririft successful, would
soon be driven 'back beyond our former
lines. A.
As night approached the field prespitecl
a dreadful appearance. Long lines of am
bulances could be seen cociieyiiig the dead
and wounded from the field, while those that
could not obtain conveyances wire being
carried by their comrades.
Most of the wounded officers were carried
back to the house occupied by Gen. lleint
zelman, where their wounds were dressed,
and every attention paid to make them com
fortable, while all the outhouses and tents
getused as hospitals for those unable to
get in the house.
Our surgeons did their utmost to mitigate
their sufferings. Among our surgeons whom
I noticed as being very busy, were Drs.
Iloven, Simpson, Brown, David and Smith.
About . c . ark, a train, consisting of six or
seven cars, was loaded with woudded and
started fur the White House, where they ar
rived about ten o'clock, and the wounded
carried on board the steamers prepared for
the purpose. The steamers were provided
with every convenierice and luxury for the
wounded, with kind and faithful female
nurses. _
One cause of the disaster to Gen. Casey's
Division was owing to the g;reat number of
officers sick and unfit for duty. Some of
the regiments went into action with only
ono field officer, and very few of the compa
nies contained their full complement of
officers.
Thi division has suffered more from sick
ness than any other On the Peninsula.; from
the facts of its being composed of troops
raised last, some of the regiments in fact
having been in the field but a few days,
while the other divisions had had rin oppor
tunity while encamped around Washington,
to got in a measure a;:clitneted and accustom
ed to camp life.
It must be allowed that the rebels fought
with great bravery, and their loss must have
been very severe. They again succeeded
in playing the old dodge upon our troops,
by displaying a flag of truce till they got
within good range, and then pouring in up•
on them a deadly volley.
They succeeded in this way at one time
in completely Silericing the fire of our bat
teries.
The following are the killed and wounded
officers of the Pennsylvania pegiments en•
gaged in the fight:
KILLED.
Col. James Miller, Slat Regiment
Col. Oliver 11. itippee, Gist do
Ni 01.7 N DED
Col. W. W. 11. Davis,lo4th Regt., in the arm
Major John M. Gries, do, in thigh.
Capt. Orum, Co. B, do, in fuot.
Lieut. Kephart, Co. B, do, do.
Capt. W. F. Walter, Co. 11, do,
Capt. Robt. M. Lee, 81st Regiment, in knee.
Lieut. Horace Leo, do, mortally.
Lieut. Geo. Wood, 723 d do, slightly.
Capt. Geo. Hooker, Co. B, 85th Regiment,
In the arm.
Col. Howell, 85th Regiment, wounded and
missing
pestnnant colonel Purviance, 85th Regi
ment, wounded in kg.
Lieut. J. A. Smith, Co. B. 85th Regiment.
Second 'Lieut. John W. Atchinson, co. A,
85th Regirsint, slightly.
Lieut. Hamilton, Co. IL 85th Regiment.
Corporal Robert W. Criswell, 85th Rog%
Private Wm. Scott, do.
Private John A. McMillin, do.
Private Robert. 11. Myers; do.
Col. T. A. Rowley, 102 d Regiment, slightly.
Lieut.-Col. Morris, 101st Regiment, slightly.
Lieutenant Gaylord, do- r -
Private Abner Young, do.
Mnjor John Ely, 23d Regiment, fractal.° of
right log.
Adjutant Theo. R. Boggs, 233 Regiment,
severely.
Captain Edwin Palmer, 23d Regiment, in
left leg.
Capt. Wm. Wallace, 23d Regiment.
Major Gazzam. 1034 Regiment.
Capt. Davis, 52d Regiment, lost an arm.
Capt. Chamberlain. 521 Regiment.
Lieut. Weidersaul. 52d Regiment.
Capt. Leonard, 52d Regiment.
Lieut. Bellatine, 59th Regiment, seriously.
Capt. Linnard, 52d Regiment, not seriously.
Major Heard. 101st Regiment.
Lieut. J. P. W. Ransom, 104th Regiment.
Private Wm. Howard, Co. B, 85th Regi
ment.
1 1 1 831 GREAT VICTORY!
Full Details of the Second Day's Fight—
The Rebels Driven Back at Every Point
with Creel Stauglder—Twelve Hundred of
their Dead Left on the Field—incidents of
the Hattie Field.
8.1.27 LE FIELD, Monday, June 2.
The rebel army still occupid the camps of
Casey's and Couch's Divisions on , Sunday
morning. with a strong picket force guard
ing the road facing Snead's house and the
vrheat field where our earthworks were
thrown np, extending from our extreme left
to the railroad, near Fair Oak Station. The
distance from the point where our earth
works Wei° located to the edge of the wood
could not have been more than four hundred
yards. This position 'the rebels held until
day dawned on Sunday morning.
To our right, on the other; side of the rail
road, the Division's of Generals Richardson
and Sedgwick were found; in' a semi -circle,
with their left resting on General Hookdr's
right, at the railroad, and their left flan; ing
the enemy. These divisions were epmposed
of parts of the brigades of Generalliutini,
General French. General T. F. Meagher,
with four batteries of artillery.
General Hooker's division was camped in
the wood fronting Snead's house, on the
Williamsburg road, occupying the centre,
and a little in advance of our right and left
wings. On our left the remaining portions
of Couch's and Casey's Divisions rested,
with reserves of fresh troops extending to
our extreme left, near the middle road, un
der General Keyes.
General Heintzelman was on the ground
at the front as soon as day dawned, accom
panied by two Aids. General Moker met
him, and.the two Generale sat down tithe
foot of a tree behind our. breastworks„ ar
ranging a plan for the day's proceedings.
Gene. Jameson, Keyes and Sickles arrived
at the front soon after, and the fight on Sat
urday was talked over as one of no particu
lar advantage to the enemy, as they concert-,
trated their main force upon this portion of
our frontlines, and the effect was more dii
name's:l to "them. Their loss in killed ijt
SxtrirdaY's fight exceeded ours two to one,
of their nainber wounded it is in:tpossl
to form an sp..Ectsto. Several of their men
brought in as prisoners gave their lose in
killed and wounded upwards of three thous
and. They made a desperate attack, ii - fct
true, and gained considerable grpt,z9d, be
sides a large number of guns, eilinps,'ecratri
age, &c., as trophies, which they immediately
sent to Richmond to dazzle the eyes of its
pent-up inhabitants, who doubtless secretly
wish to see the city fall into the hands of
McClellan.
rreparalions for the Batik ox Sandal.
General' Ileintzleman, at six A. M., order
ed a reconnoissanee to be made by a small
force on the left of the wood and to the right-,-
'toward the railroad. A lieutenant, with
'two cavalrymen, crossed 'Over the wheat
field behind Snead's house, and was about
to penetrate the wood near the
Williupis
burg road, when the enemfripiCkets ap
peared at his front. He immediatery turned
back and reported to General Heintzlema.n
the close proximity of the enemy. •
In the mean time the other parties sent
out Cattle' in and reported the enemy in
great fume in front of our right and left
flanks.
General Heintzleman then ordered out
Generarillitker's Division—part of which
had been left to guard the camp, and a cer
tain pokitikh on our extreme left. The regi
ments General Hooker brought on the field
were the five , rekiiiiimts comprising the Ex
celsior Brigade, under eornmand of General
D. E. Sickles, and the Fifth 111111 Sixth New
Jersey Regiments; General Heintz lemon
having resolved to utio'f ,i;ic enemy, and
drive them from the woo..
The Batik
It was about a quarter of seven when
General fleiutzleman ordered General Hook.
er to attack the Rebels in frtint and drive
them from the woods. The Excelsior Brig. :
ade marched oat fro.n tlzeir . cmup.in the
woods. to the I'rillivm3burg.road, the New
Jersey Fifth and Sixth following. Tuts Ex
celsior • Brigade filed in the wheat-field in
front of our earth-works, to the right of the
road, while the two regiments of New Jersey
troop took a position to the left. As the
Second Regiment, Excelsior Brigade, was
forming in position to the front of the wood,
the Rebels opened a rapid and heavy feri.
upon it, killing two or three privates and
wounding six. Among those wounded at
the first tire of the Rebels waq Lieutenant
Lawrie (formerly an aid to General Sickles),
and Captain Nolan.
The fire of the enemy immediately became
simultaneous along their entire line.
The New Jersey troops fought splendidly,
loading and firing without flinching from
their position. General Sickles' regiments
did great execution, advancing at every fire
upon the Rebels masked by the wood. 11ow.-_
ever, it was plainly to be seen the enemy ha.e t
every advantage, and it was resolved to clear
the woods at the point of the bayonet.
General Sickles rode along the front of the
men, in the midst of an iron hail which the.
Rebels poured in, and gave orders for the
Second Regiment, Col. G. B. Hall, to chargs
bayonets. No sooner was the order given
than the men fixed bayonets. Colonel Hall
gallantly led the charge—one of the most
brilliant ever made in any battle. Not a man
shirked or straggled from the ranks.
The Rebels presented o. strong front to the
gleaming bayonets of our men, not a hun
dred yards distant:
As the Second advanced on the double
quick cheering and shunting, the Rebels
held back their fire until our men were
hardly one hundred feet from their line,
when they poured a murderous volley into
the ranks of the Second. I t proved two low,
and few were killed or wounded.
Immediately after the Rebels fired th is
volley they broke ranks and lied through tho
wood. A few of their bravest remained to
resist our passage, but they were soon mow
ed down by the steel front of the galinut
Second Excelsior.
Major Herbert, of the Eighth Alabama
Regiment, was taken prisoner at this time.
Ills horse had been shot under him, and as,
he fell ho received a shot in his side. lle
sprang to his feet, however, almost instantly,
and seeing several of our men in front of
him, mistook them for some of his own regi
ment.
"Rally once more, boys!" he cried, but
they corrected his mistake by presenting
their bayonets and demanding him to Fur ,
render, which ho did with all the grace and•
finish that an origional Secessionist, as he
Afterwards informed me he was, could du
under the circumstances. The Rebels made
two or three attempts to flank us on the left,
alter retreating from their centre, but wore
beat back with great 10,ss, our troops pursu
ing them fur nearly two miles.
Richardson's Brigade, before the enemy's
centre gave way, had a hard fight; the
ground was hotly contested by the Rebels.
The Fourth and Fifth Excelsior Regiments
were' sent to supp ort one of Richardson's
batteries, but be:fore the battery got in fair
working order L:ln enemy.' began. show
signs of ti ret . reat.' The Rqbal °Meets could
be heard distinctly, urging the men to fight,
but they would run away. The Irish Brig
ade fought splendidly, and routed the Rebels
at the point of the bayonet.
None of our f , rces un the left flank par
ticipated in the fight. The Rebels were de.7
feated and drivel, kick by hooker's and
Richardson's Divisions.
Advance parties scoured tho woods on
both sides of the Richmond road, and suc
ceeded in capturing nearly two hundred of
the Rebels, among, them three Lieutenants.
At eleven o'clock the firing on both sides
ceased. The Rebels had fallen back to be
, yond our original lines, leaving guards sta
tioned to watch our advance and also to
bring their wounded off the field.
The enemy were driven from every posi
tion the occupied by our troops. The main
column rested a mile in advance of their po
sition at the commencement of the fight.
At about 12 o'clock Gen. McClellan rode
up to the front, accompanied by his Staff
and body-guard, and met General Tleintzel
man seated at the foot of a tree. Little Mae
democratically seated himself at the side 4'
Ileintzelman, on the ground, when hie Staff
grouped themselves, resting on stumps of
trees and logs. There. was the Prince de
Joinville, Count do Paris, and the Duo de
Chartres, forming a select group of three,
conversing quite animatedly in French, and
the other members of MeClellan'a Staff-join
ing in with a little English.
"They fight on Sunday always," said the
Dec de Chartres, alluding to the Rebels.
Gen. McClellan had been seated probably
a half an hour, conversing with Gen. Ileint
aelutan, when Gen. Rooker rode up from the
extreme advanced line gained that morning,
and as he was dismounting from his horse
Gen. 'McClellan - rose from his sent, and, ad
vencing, shook' him warmly by the hand,
and nongt's.ttliated him and but noble division
in terms of the highest praise. A lon g con
versation toOrpracti between them. It was
plainly seen that no flintier advance was to
be made that day, as no troops were ordered
op to the fronts. ' ' • ' •
At a little after one o'clock Geo. McClel
lan mounted hie horse and rcd& iilorik the
lines of his troopr, back sthd ftirtit,'untir all
the soldiers had a good opportunity . of see
ing him. Napoleon was nriverAucet.Ted' by
his enthusiastic . troops with' greater. maw
testations of delight than was McClellan by
his army, showing that" be ".:TiblisiataP•Alte
confidence as well as the hearts of hill men.