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®l )t COcchlg CoflstitutionaUst
BY JAMES GARDNER.
. frum the Hie 5 mond Dispateh . July 1.
The Great Battle.
• CONTINUATION Os THE FIGHT.
TLe int»lligen? reader will understand, and per-
Lap 9 appreciate, tbe difficulties BtteudiD* an accu
rate compilation of all the incidents connected
with the operations of tbe armies around Kicb
inond for the past lire Oars. It >» • ll J , "*t impos
tible to afford in detail descriptions of the sev-r
--ul engagements which have shed such imperisba-
C:f lustre upon the arms of the Conlederacy, and
which hare finally resulted in the overthrow,
complete and disgraceful of tht hosts marshalled
under tha banner of sulyugation.
Os tbe important results which must mevita
i»j flow from our successes and tbe discomfiture
of tne Northern atnty under Mc.Clellan, it is
needless at this time to speculate. Soflice it to
say that Iro n the opening of the graDd ball on
Thursday afternoon down to the tour which wit
nessed the enemy m full retreat, the efforts of
< or forces were attended with unbroken success,
and at no time did the brave men upon whom
hang the hopes and tbe confidence oi the conn
try, falter or waver in their determination to
make the victory decisive. Mattery after battery
was stormed with, the most daring oisregaic of
: uman life, and the apparently impregnable pe
nnons of the enemy were cariied at the point of
•re bavonet with the most impetuous ardor.
' ever did men fight more bravely, and never was
valor more surely and signally iewaraed.
Our loss is heavy, both in officers and men.
The an! of Virginia, the grand old mother of
Stales, is enricmetl with the best blood of her
rufiermg Southern sisters, and from evety Slate
of the Confederacy the martyrs of liberty have
united in pourirg out the crimson tide as a rich
and imptriebable libation upon tbe attar of the
one great common cause. There is no discrimi*
nation to be made between the gallant men who
constitute tbe most magnificent army that was
ever arrayed m combat. As sons of the Coo
•ederecy they fought, and as sons of the Con led
eraev they conquered. If one corps distinguished
.'.self more than another in this, the greatest
Cattle ever foi ght on this continent, it wa- on ac«
couot of its position on the field.
Our reports thus far published are up to
.Saturday evening. Sunday skirmishing began
at an early hour and continued through the day
at different points along the line. The great
cattle of the day, however, took place in the
evening near the York liver Railroad, some
three miles fiom the battle-field of the Seven
fines. General Magruder commenced the attack
about fnui o'clock, by advancing upon the
Yankee entrenchments. The first line was taken
after a sharp conflict and the enemy driven to
another. Waiting only long enough to get the
artillery in posinon this also was stormed, ana
eo on until seven forts had been occupied, the
Yankees fleeing front each in wild confusion. —
Tbe firing continued until 10 o’clock in the
eight, when the battle ceased. In this brilliant
r.gbt the men of General Magruder’s division
won great honor and maintained the fighting re
putation given them on the Peninsula. The
Yankees fought desperately and contested the
ground closelv, hut they "could not stand the
fierce charges made upon them. The loss w - as
teaw to the enemy, one hundred and seventy
five Yankees wtre laid dead upob the held, and
eight hundred prisoners were taken Our loss
was hot heavy, although many a good men was
•niursd. ,
The advance of our men opnm the enemy te
described bv an eye'wimeae as eiciting in the ex
treme. From one fortification to another they
-usbed with an impetuosity that coaid not be
checked, la their advance several magazines
were exploded and an immense quantity of
Holes destroyed. Aims, baggage, overcoats,
knapsacks, caps and haversacks, were scattered
along the route ' n profusion. The latest accounts
ot yesterday lepresent the Yankee army cut in
twain aud trying to escape towards the James.
After destroy ing trie railroad an i telegraph lines
end driving the Yankees this side the Chicks
hominy, Jackson also crossed and is now pressing
hard upon them. Yesterday it was said that Gen
erals Longstreet and Hill were in position in
Charles City, and that tbe last avenue of escape
for the “grand army” is cut off General Magru
der had gone down to reinforoe General Long
street to assist in checking the retreat, while
Jackson and others are speedily driving them on.
The only alternative is a heavy fight near the
James river or an unconditional surrender of
McClellan's army.
While Magruder was thus successfully ‘‘push-
.eg the enemy to the wall,” on the south side of
■ It Cbickabominy, the redoubtable .Stuart was nut
ess succesful in frustrating the plane of the young
Napoleon on the north side. Dashing down to
tne White House, on the Parouukey, he succeded
v bagging about 2.o'>J of the grand Union arn. y
at that point, A number of these were brought
'o tne city during ta** day yesterday, and the
others, we understand, are en route hither. Os
:hi« number, there is a large spnnkiiDg of the
'foreign* element, representatives some of them of
the "Green Isle of Erin, 1 ’ and others of the Ger*
mac “Faderland.*’
OPERATIONS YESTERDAY.
Os operations yesterday there is little to be
ea.Q. They were not destitute of importance,
and their resuits were of a serious na
ture to the enemy. "The folds of the anaconda
are tightening aroudd him.” and it is very evi
dent that ibe “backbone” of the rebellion has
heen greatly strengthened. There was some
fighting, it is true, resulting more from efforts of
ice foe to cover his retreat than frrm any
certed plan for a regular fight. We think it will
require gr-ater geuius t£*n even McClellan
possesses to relieve the invading force from its
present unpleasant predicament.
Our troops are upon the retreat*
eg foe, who seems 7 ' demoralized,
-.■.pec:*..y rear of th".irmv
They ar<- to b- ■»•.••*» la every direr;.on
;Lrougfc the dense the Chickahcamy,
without guas or knapfeHra, and many of them
without hats, which indicates a thorough state of j
roafusion amongst them. As an evidence of this
we may state the fact that Dr. Tbos. Carpenter
and two companies succeeded in gathering up
upward* of fifty, wbo, Without any organization,
were waoderng about in apparent bewilderment!
were similarly captured, and durs
HBulhe day small squads of a di zen or more were
arriving in ihe city.
the day, a portion of the cavalrv of
HR. .Smart captured and destroyed several
transports on the Pam unkey river near West
Point. Thus are the means of escape’for ’he ene
my being cut off, so that, ia any view of the case,
mere seems to be iittie probability of their get
ting off in force.
Early io the de j ii wag with some de
gree u t p ausibiiity, that the forces of Gen. Jack.,
kod had succeeded so bagging some
tu ad red of the enemy; and although we hare
tio positive confirmation of the statement, we are
• Dclioad to think it correct hi the main. Cer
tain it is, that the vigilance of that distinguished
officer, as manifested in his Valley coirpaign
baa not been in the least related in his opera
tions on the Chickahomioy.
[ COL. L4MA&.
| aft our report of the engagement of Gen. Magru
\ der on .Sunday afternoon as published yesterday,
m we noticed the capture of Col. Lamar, of Georgia,
5 ufler receiving a severe woun i. We are gratified
| to fth'e to state that the gallant Colonel was
yesterday recaptured and brought to th# city. In
acd.ticn, some two hundred Yankees w*--? taken
At ;te same point.
the Gallant dead.
We learn with much regret that M.jor Austin
E. Smith, of Gen’i Whiting’s staff, died on Sun
day last in this city from tbe effects of a wound
received on Friday, while gallantly' leading ad
‘ assault against one’offhe enemy* henry batteries.
He was disabled by a fragment of shell which
(struck him in the shoulder, und amputation was
. resorted to, but he died shortly afterwards. Ma
; jur 8. (wh? was a son of ex«6i>vernor Smith. ) oc
! cupiea the position o? Nary Agent in San Fran
| cisco ucdtr Buchanan’s administration. He left
i California for Virginia after the State seceded,
! was arrested m New York and thrown intc Fort
Warren, where he remained until hi« exchange
was effected. Since his return to Virginia he has
! been among the most active in the defence of his
! native soil.
HUKSdiTs OF WAR
! In addition to several hundred Confederate sol*
dter? who lay wounded on the battle held yesier*
day, and of whose situation notice was given the
: Government authorities,there remained at a point
one and a half miles from I>r. Gaines’ farm, the
sceoe of the former conflict (which is the same
distance beyond New Bridge, where a Hospital
' l ad beeu established, 263 badly wounded Yutkee
j prisoners, like our own soldiers without a guard,
jno partite to wait on them or provisions to eat.
{ Four of their own Surgeons attended them. Sixty
of their dead lay unburied m their midst, and
' the stench had beguu to be awful. All of
them were suffering greatly for want of beip. A
! short distance from the above hospital was a col
; lec» on of i ur own wounded, quite as had off a?
\ we hare previously suited.
m thi 2; v hmobd (Va ) Viepatx h of July i
ANOTHER SEVERE FIGHT ON MONDAY.
j We continue m our issue of this morning such
; matters as we bare been enabled to collate, con*
neefed with the brilliant exploits ol tbe Confed
erate army around Richmond. History has no
record of such a succession of triumphs as has
been vouchsafed to the atm? of the South in these
desperate and deadly encounters. Throughout
all tine they must stand without parallel in the
annals of warfare, and will give to the Southern
character a position tor cool intrepidity, daring
valor, and persistent endurance, that would have
been creditable to tbe Roman Legion oi the Old
Guard of Napoleon. For six days have they
wrestled wi»h the storu of battle with the most
unflinching fortitude, ami iu every contest have
; wrenched from the hands of ihe unwill'rg North"
i men the meed of victory.
MONDAY’S OPERATIONS.
On Monday, about 10 o’clock A. M., there was
j an artillery duel between Mott’s celebrated Fed-
I eral battery and the batteries attached to Gen.
j L). 11. Hili’sdivision* Both occupied command*
iug positions on opposite sides of a creek. In tbe
; course of au honr the enemy were repulsed, Jeav
:mg three of their tine guns od the field Skir
! Rushers were then advanced beyond tht creeK.
( ihe cavalry fallowed, and on reach rig the other
fcide went forward in advance and took position
<>n the hill on which Mott’s batterv bad been
stationed. Discovering the enemy in force to
their right, and batteries being placed ic posi
tion behind some houses, the cavalry fall back
across tbe stream. After a short time tbe Yau
kee batteries opened agaiD from the same poei
tion, our batteries reply’ng, and tbe fight con
tinued till night. At dark, a fatigued party was
detailed to repair tbe bridge, the enemy continu
ing to throw canister and shell across the bridge
till afur midnight, preventing the fatigu*
Aoat acc9tnp'K*a:t\g anything.
About 2 o'clock A. M the enemy retired, hav
ing bueceededed in carrying ofi two of the pieces
ot Mott’s battery which bad beer previously cap„
tured by our troops, bat wnich had
not been removed, from the fact that the»e was
no bridge, and the infantry could n>t be carried
over. /
One fine Parrott gun fell into our hands, and a
number of horses and mules, some with artillery
harness on. The bouses bebuni which ibe Fed
eral batteries had been placed were found, upon
1 examination, to be perforated with our shot, evi
dentJy showing that the enemy had lost heavily
at their batteries In the morrmg the bridge
was speedily the forces of Hill and
\ Jackson were of tb? foe The
! j result of the first dash was a priz* of 200 prison
ers. This does not include eitaer rpt sick or
’ wounded in the hospital which he-e fell into our
possession Ii was thought that by the entrgy
, of Jackson and Hill, acting in with Long
r street aud Magruder, at leest the whole rear
guard of the grand army would be captured by
* nigbt'a 1 of yesterday
p On Monday afternoon a severe fight came off
, near the intersection of the Darby town uDd
r Charles City roads. About four o’c cJr. the
j division of Gee. Longstreet came up ith the
I enemy at that point, who were in strong force
f and position, and a battle, fierce and desper
ate, ensued. The enemy are represented to have
’ j resisted the valorous onsets ot our troops with
r i more desperate determ. nation and greater brav
, I ery than in any other of the series of engage
r ! ments which have occured since the opening of >
( tße grand ball on Their pieces
were admirably served, and during the Whole
! engagement, which Jested from 4 o'clock until
. ! 9, they straggled w,th the energy of deapera
| tion. So fierce was the fire of thei' artillery
.and small aims, that three successive at
tempts were made by our forces be;ore ihe ene
, Imy were finally dislodged from their position.
, : Around their pieces a severe hacd-toaband
. ! tight occnrred api they were only driven back
'at the point bayonet by the resistless
; charge of our Southern soidiery. Our artillery
ammunition having been exhaus:ed jmmedi
; ately after their entreMhments were carried,
! prevented the rout a complete one.
Our troops, worn down by hard
• marching and heavy remained during
I the night in the captured entrenchments, from
j whence they renewed the pursuit of the retreat
! iug fje at day dawn, yesterday morning
j The losses on both sides in this battle were
very heavy. An eye witness informs us that the
i held wt-' laterally strewn with the dead ar.d
wounded of the contending parties.
Hard as was the struggle, and heavy «j.s our
loss unquestionably was the victory rested with
our troops, and adds another to the ser»es of hr.',*
liant successes th-tft have crowned tee Coufedera !
ate arms around Rich mood.
The numbers killed and wounded in this fight
are variously estimated—gome estimates placing
our loss as high as 1,.*>00, and the of the ene
my at from 5,M00 to .7,000. These figures seem
almost incredible, but that the loss is very great,
as we have already stated, cannot be den:ecs
yk&tkrdaf's operations.
The fighting was renewed again in the early
part of the day yesterday, and continued almost
without intermission until late in the evening.
Up to two o’clock p. m., cur foroes had pressed
the envrny back a d stance of over five miles, and
were pouring into their rear guard a most fatal
and destructive fire. Their ranks were being
terribly thinned, but still they maintained their
organization, and were covering the retreat of
their grand armv with commendable zeal. Such
seems to be the discipline or desperation of their
forces that ft is scarcely possifc le to effect a com
plete rout. Whatever may hare been the con.
elusions arrived at on account of ibeir successive
defeats for the first two or three days of this long
and bloody conflict, they are cerctuolj now con
testing the ground with an that be
tokens either thorough discipline oi utter des
peration. But their prestige is gone, anrf though
many of ibetr nember? may succeed io making j
AUGUSTA, GA.. WEDNESDAY MORNING, JUYL 9 . 1862.
their escape the whole NoHh must feel and ac
knowledge the mortification of a crushing and
overwhelming defeat.*
It was impossible far us to learn the entire re
suhs of yesterday's operations. aWe can only
assure our readers that they are not less success
fui than have been the previous efforts of ru«*
brave treops, and the night closed with the Union
forces still retreating, and our ;*wn steadily and
sorely pressing them tc the wall. The supposi-*
tion.siil is that they are endeavoring to fotce
their way to James River, and that their on'y
hope is that transports wilj he in readiness to
receive at least a portion of their army.—
'fakiDg this t'iw of Ur* case thousands of
them are likely to leave their bones to bleach
jon the hillsides and lowlands of Virginia.—
Large numbers will doubtless find their way
/to Richmond, to be fed and fattened at the
| expense of the-Goverm^ apt whose subjugation
j they have sought t accomplish. One hdn
| dred and fifty Yankee prisoners, mostly
j Pennsylvanians, of rVackhc’s division, which
; bring* up the rear of the Federal forces, ivt>»
captured yesterday a. -:u;r,g a little after Funrise,
and brought to this city under charge of Captain
• William F. Plane, of h* *itn Georgia tegioient.
I linong the prisoners art i=*vjr&l officers. A dia
, patch fell into the hauvS of General Hill, from
« General Kearney, whict » cm to have been adt
; dressed to General Franal n, requesting him to
send two t,to hit relief,to assist in
/repelling Magruder.
been on the stream, immediately opposite Gen
eral llill, and the courier coming forward with
the dispatch, and seeing the same guns m posi
tion rode down the bill slid was captured by a
private in the 12th Alabama r girnent. K:* horse
is now ridden by Captai.. Plane, who bad pre®
viously lost his own. We le*rn that so far from
being broken down or depressed in spirits by
the terrible hardships of toe last few days, our
troops are in better t*pirit«and more eager for the
fray than ever.
At 11 o’clock las; night we received from the
battle field the following bditional particulars of
the operations yesterday day before.
FIGHT AT FRAZERS FARM.
Our forces having pursued the enemy during
Sunday and part of Monday, came up with the
main body at Frazer’s ;urm f about fifteen miles
from the city. Generals Longatreet and A. P.
Hill were advancing to the right, and Gen. Huger
by our left, when about thfV# o’clock on Monday
scouts announced that the foe were m strong
force r, camp, and all things prepared to receive
us. Pushing forward on be Darby town (Charles
City; road to the right, it seamed in be evidently
a part of the plan that Huger'a advance on the
left should be made sunn *;.ne<>'isly.
About 3 P. M. Longstreei advanced upon the
enemy and drove in thei: dense body of skir*-
inisbers, supported as they were by a large force
of artillery Huger did not arrive in time, for it
was reported he bad been engaged with the ene
j mv, and consequently delayed. Out attack ou
| the right proved eminent v successful, and after
! much ha»d fighting our t» ;»s found themselves
lin the enemy's camp, facir..: the whole division
of Sumner, and Hooker, a"d Kearney, supported
to the right and left of tbi toad, by not less
than thirty pieces of art.fi . tv. -Fronting and in
the midst of the c xp, also, artillery
was . stationed, and \\ attained a very
heavy fire upon our o iraane, bnt wbeu
our infantry had ‘hem->e Wes in the
edge of the timber to the J ♦ of the enemy, their
fire was ho destructive
; back: OdrlrmTerv and par
! ticularly the Maryland Sompany, worked their
pieces so fast and accurately, that every horse
of the f»e wa slaughtered and their artillery
stationary. When the infantry and artillery
suniultaneonsly advanced upon the mas
ses the carnage proved frightful, the enemy
rushed from the field into the woods in the
greatest confusion. Their general did everything
possible to retrieve their Josses, but the meD
could not be prevailed upon to stand; hence in
the wildest manner, they threw away arms and
accoutrements, abandoned to our hands not less
than seventeen fine field ptect of small
arms and stores. •
It is reported that duriDg the fight Geo. Hook
er was killed cq the field, Gen'l Kearney wound
ed, and Oen’l ''uinuer taken prisoner. Their
whole loss is estimated at 5000, killed, wounded
and prisoners; our casualties are not yet known,
but it is assorted by competent authority that
it will not amonot to more than one-tenth that
of the enemy. From all accounts we are com*
pelied to say that bofji artillery be
haved as they always do—magnificently, the Fed*
eral artillery assailed by our mm with
such fury that they were unable to endure the
fire Throe brigades of Division—
(Wilcox’s, Pryor's and Feathe"stone's,) mantaint>
ed their reputation, and added to the laurels won
on the field of glory. Among the brigades w hicb
were present or participated jc the fight, we may
mention Pender’s, Archer’s, Field'*and Branch’*.
Os Gen'l Hager’s engagement in the morning,
and which delayed his junction with Longstreet,
we have not as yet ascertained anything definite.
Tuesday Afternoon —There has been a terrific
tight progressing since morn, about one and a
baif miles from Frazer's house. The enemy are
making a determined stand here, being supported
| by numerous batteries, posted in very string
j positions, aDd of formidable character. Our men
j are succeeding inch by inch in driving the enemy
j from.all points. This :s the hardest engagement i
that has yet occurred, and roust have greit ie*
suits. The loss on both sides must prove fearful.
; Longstreet, Hill, McLaws, Magruder, and others,
are hotly engaged, and it is expected that by 6
P. >l. the enemy will have been entirely routed.
I The greatest enthusiasm prevails, and shells are
j hying in all directions over the country lor miles.
picektt’k brigade.
j This gallant brigade was engaged again »n
Monday evening, as we- )ea*-n from a member
of the 16tb, Colonel Wither’* regiment. It be
haved with more than its usual gallantry. We
have not been able to understand the exact
number of wounded and killed in either ibe
oth. 38tb, Pith, or 28th regiments composing
it; but our informant, who is a m-mber of the
IBih, represents ,it as necessarily very large.
Among ibe wounded is Adjtutant McCulloch,
of the 16 b, who has distinguished himself
v! bout being inured on the field of Maoassas,
! Wriliamsbflrg, the Ist of J-'ne, on, Friday isst,
aad seemed to bear a charmed life. lie feil
wounded most painfully in the arm. 8 • cut
up is this regiment by the four battles in
which it has been engaged that it is now com-,
manded by Captain Holland, of the D&n
vUle Blues, tfie second ranking captain in the
regiment.
COL. R. E. WITHERS
The many friends of this gallant officer will
be glad to learn that well grounded hopes
of his recovery are entertained.
CAPTAIN WALL.
We learn that this cool and Christian officer,
upon whom devolved the command of the 38th
Virginia regiment, after the fall of Col. Withers,
received so severe a wound that amputation oi
bis l*g was made above the knee. He is now at
the American Hotel, and bear-* his sufferings with
the courage of a soldier and the submissive for
titude of a Christian who feels that he has dis
charged bis duty.
DEATH OP A GALLANT OFFICES.
Among the many gallant soldiers whose spirits
w:nged their flights upward id the fierce contest
which ensued between the patriot atd the aboli
tion forces on Monday evening on the Charles
City road, the memory of none will oe cherished
with more Jond regret by those whe knew him
white living than that of Joseph V Scott. I’ent.
Col. of the Sd Regiment Virginia Infantry, who
was struck by a 9be’l and instantly killed on that
memorable occasion, while gallantly leading Ms
men in a charge on a battery o! the enemy.
THE WOUNDED COMMITTEE.
Thezeai and sell-sacrificing devotion of the
“Committee for our Wounded,” is worthy of the
highest commendation. Day and night here they
labored assiduously to promote the woifaie an dal
leviate the suffering of ourjbrave. but unfortunate
wounded. From the beginning of the fight their
exertions have been unr.nng, and doubtless many
a valuable lie has been spared by their timely
attention.
THE HOBPITALB.
lly the bedside of the wounded, at aii hours,
are to be found the ladtes of Richmond, soothiog
the pains and ministering to;tbe wants of our suf
fering heroes. With patriotic devotion they
have given themselves to this fiabor of affection,
and- the tender care and gentle kindness of these
angels of mercy contribute materially to the
the foe. The ladies of this city will ever be
gratefully remembered by the gallant spirits
from every State who have had < ccaEion to - ecu
py the hospitals of Richmond.
YANKEE PRISONERS.
About four hundred captured i’askees were
brought into this city yesterday. Among the
Dumber was Major General George A. McCall, U.
8- A., the next in command to McMe’San. This
officer on bis arrival w**s conducted before Gen
eral Winder, and paroled to stay within the lime
its embraced m the area covered by the Spota
wood Hoots. It is understood that con
tinue there till the quarters now beprepared
on 18th B.reel are ready tor -the rcc< / >n of all
the abolition officers. We are not eoally ad
vised as to the circumstances attend >g his cap
ture, but it is understood that be rode ancon*
sciously into the line of our pickets at an early,
hour morning and was immediately
seized by them.
In addition to the prisoners enumerated above,
two squids—one of 150 and one of .350—arrived
last night. About 1,000 Yankees were brought
n yesterday, and more were on the way
The “Enquirer,” in its account of the fight,
says:
President Davis was on the fie d Curing the
day, and made a narrow escape, we understand,
from injury, which migut possibly have proven
fatal. He had taken position in a house near the
scene, when word was sent him by Gen. Lee to
leave it at once, as it was threatened with danger.
He had scarcely complied with the advice before
the house was literally riadied with shell from
the enemy’s batteries.
Prisoners state that on Monday evening
McClellan addressed his troops m an animated
strain, conjurng them “ for God’s sake and
the sake of their country and the old flag
around which so many fond recollections cl us.,
tered, t > join in one more last struggle to reach
our gunboats on the James river. I have been
frustrated in all my plans against Richmond.
We must cut our way to the river, and then I
shall await reinforcements. Ido not give up the
hope of yet *'* Richmond 'J heir fight
ing subseonectly would say b’« wind* were not
without effect, though eventually to Pule pur
p se.
Late yesterday evening the enemy’s gunboats
opened in the direction of onr position, but with
out any material results. Heavy firiug occurred
«4» *>,«. '» LtUvflT *.«it t**
many foolish rumors.
LETTER FROM,MR SELKIRK
We have been permitted >y the Executive Com
mittee of the Georgia Relief and Hospital Asso
ention to publish the following letter from Mr.
Selkirk (the General Agent of that Association),•
which contains Borne details of great interest at
the present crisis.
Richmond, Va., June
Kev. IF. U. Potter , On . Sec. dbr., Augusta :
DeakSir Yesterday, 1 fai led to write you. I
was on the field nearly all day, partly with J>r.
Steiner. A very severe affair, productive of no
decisive rtsuit, Rridty evening and yesterday
(Saturday) morning, caused a loss in Toomb’s
aud Anderson’s brigade of abou f 000 killed and
wouuded. The division (field; hospital was a
perfect shamble.
In storming a portion of the enemy’s ir.treaph
rnents, which were fora while taken by the 7:li
aDd 6th Georgia Regiments, but from which,
through lack of support, they had to -et-eat,
Colonel Lamar ana Lieutenant Colonel Jofifip
were wounded and taken prisoners. Major Ma- i
gruder, of the some regiment was wounded in the !
face Several company fficers wen also sevtrely :
wounded
I brought off Captain A. Butler, of c ompany ;
B, Bth Georgia, shot through the breast, the bail
coming out at the back and pa*e; og through a por
tion ut the lung, ile is now ;n the Hub street
hospital. Our hospita's are full to overflowing.
In thy battle our men fought wi s h desperation.
In Thufsdav’s Friday's flgbr, the ground was
piled with dead and dying. There is no telling j
the loss at present. Trains .are coming in on t
both roads, crowded with the wounded. We are j
doing all we can. Mr. W. is at one depot, and
Mr. N. at another, arranging and sorting, aDd
hastening them forward. It was 2 a. m., last j
night, before I got *o bed ; and now, at 10 a. m., j
long trains of litters are passing my office, going j
along with the wounded to the various hospitals j
—the carriages are mainly in the fitld.
I have just itceived a letter hom Dr. Caraak,
an agent of the Association, dated at Staunton
the 26th. He says he will get through at Staun
ton by Monday, (3'>th,) but does not say where
he will go then. He had fallen in with and re
lieved portions of 12tb, 21st, (list and 22d Geor*
gia Regiments, and ascertained that we have no
Georgians farther on in the Valiev. They had
all been sent to-Staunton, Cbar’ioiteSTilie and
Lynchburg.
Dr. Camak was doing t;l he could to aid them,
and 1 have no doubt that many will have reason
to thank him lor his exertions in ibeir behaif.
Mr. Newberry and Mr. Williams, officers o. the j
association, fc*ve been very assiduous in the cause
here. Tney h*ve rendered good service at tfie i
various depots—thtiv business habits enabling
them to act whilst uiauv oihirs talk Bed sacks .
are about our greatest want at present, also pil
low socks; we have cases. Air. Royal I have !
placed as cie:k a: the Ist Loepitah He got the I
sugar.
Whilst on the field yesterday, an Aid of Gcd’i
Lee reported the General as saying that he not
only baa never seen such fighting as that of cur
troops, but that he had never even read of it.
I send reports of Ist, 2d, 3d and 4 4 b hospitals,
all up to ves erday even.ng.
Yankee prisoners are pouring in: amongst
them are three stands of Yankee colors. After
I left last nigut, the 7th and Bth Georgia took |
the battery which they were forced to give up j
m the morning. God willing, our hu- j
manly speak.ng, is certain.
Yours Ac. S. i
sir The New York papers are greatly ex- :
ercised at the recent sodden and mysterious rign !
of Abraham Lincoln to West Point, N. Y., in
company with General Pope, of iialleck a army—
the man who did not capture H> to 20,000 of
Beauregard's army. Abraham, t is surmised,
has gone to seefr ccnso.atlor from a ve'la'.n Gen- j
VOL. 14,—N0 2
> I THE telegraph its use by the fedee.
i-L COMHTHDER
The following letter trom P»rter Spring ,
perintendent of construction of O', if «■
, telegraph hots, gives an interesting "account 2
the set vices of the Morae telegraph to the sr|tv
and of Gen. McClellan ’a use of it:
iron . tne Lancaster, Penn n K ; , rf ,
U. Si Miuiaat- Tbligrafh H*ADq *s ,
Dsp’t Per- mac. Gaiucs'Dill, ’ .
1 7 mdes trom Kicoinond, Jun*. Sh )
: From the time the army of the Potomac ht
lien
I graph has never for m hour been allowed to ™.
Imam in, the tea-. iieloie reaching his new
I headquarters, Gen. McCtellaa almost invaiiabie
j learns that tbe wire won the advance • that a:-
: ollice has already been opened at tne pointer
: ignated before e left his oia camp, aid the
I communication •<> the War Department
■ | Washington it -pet. ! t him. In several in"
I stances, when the army . Lau matched fifteen
J miles in one «» , tie telegraph had react ed ; v
new quarters ohiursiu UTan.-e ~ ‘
treopsansob ‘ • main* tew nays loc
position, win ate i.-siu -o ateiy run trot
VcClcliati's i *• d latter* to tile hradquart'
1 all C'.tnmaude .' divisions, thereby p ..viug th*
entire Svctrc >K*- uotiy occupied by our troop
under his in * control. Assistance like this
is surely vain oto oat glorious cause, and f air.
happy to say * lu.iy appreciated by the gen*
eral.
i Situtd.iv tirev, is to the evacuation ot York*
! | loan, Gcu. »1> • 'ellau ordered tue to run a wire
1 | imo our butte < Vo. u, in order to ewe him telt
geaphia coma umcatton trout his heaaquart 1 .
; which were distant about one and a halt ta''
. This balwry l£ d halt a mile in trout ot General
r. I Heinixleman, and Within half a mile ot a ioi g
r hha o ot rebel batteries. The office at battery N<
it was to oe located under ground, in a bomb*
, p r ooi anang "hi, to order to save tbe precious
1 tile ot the him ‘utator, who would be in his hoie
t hetore dayure. lt next morning, t was tuiorraec
by Gen. Ueint. einan’s aida tnat u was a verv
hazardous ex; nnieD!; that trom tbe point wfit
' tbe line inusi i mss the held' tne rebel office! 1
| could be heaid distinctly giving command; tt, ; .
! I tbe rebel pickets were within *.» yams et ns, ant.
, if we attorn; .ed to diatribute poles with'oar
1 wagon we a ,iu be bred upon. Ot these facts I
1 intonned all sen. Regardless ot danger they
1 unanimously ctvd tor the extension. Forlu
. uately„ibat -t was dark, and prompt It at ?
I F. SI. we we u readiness to cotnmeuiv
1 lions.
After caul ring ai! hands to work quietly, i
; j detailed the '*ll u> toiiows. Cosgrove, B > -ver
I Gie.ner, auc icGuire to dig holes; Hole, Keller,
: Benedict am ats > distil bine poles on the'
: shou.aeis, w had to carry tfctui lull a mile
John Tiyer .'Sled, as guard; hit uuty was to
waleh the tl 1 ihe retie gucS, aud tiqtifv the
uieu who w * king ana could uot see, when
to tall on It ".1 could uie rebels beat us .
open. Thus*ur all Wa- quiet in the aeceeb q-;ut*
tors. Scare * ur opeiauona connui .cud
' wnen a comp u ' ti.,tn General Magiuar- tashe
| shape "I a s -s sent tis. Through the ti e
; ly nonet re. trom .ur guard, Mr ‘fryer,
! lust be has mi" .me’ .1; wi'ti v
' tail WWICOBs, ' ' .' !•> We "
I drop. Itcaa.*n jtyo , t yaiOsottie, o st, but
]Jd no llama- J '
- Alter;, Vii-jpe-iG ..M folios*. .
: cession, until we completed oui task, which,
1 owing 10 loss ot time in dodging, occupied fully
i bve hours. A cumber ot these missiles fell
'within thirty feet of us, showing eotclusivelv
, that tbe rebel pickets hud discovered cur opera
! lions, and were directing tbe tire ot their artil
. 1 lery. We have preserved pieces ot a shell which
.. knocked doa u a pole hebiud us, which had uot
; | been tredeii Bve minutes before tbe shot w»*
i Bred. The line was run through a soft cornfield,
; aud iiwas amusing next day, atier the evaccu-
I lion, when we retained to this field, to see the
lileuke picturee ot Tryer, Cosgrove, 'and several
j other 1, umeiy portrayed in the mud, and wh.ch
ino ar Ist in Ihe world could excel, 'fhev wer- nt
..nee recognized by all hands, and 1 premised to
giveyou the particulars.
Tie telegraph has been called upon to perform
a still mote mysterious wonder. For sometime
past I have been ordered by Colonel Eckert (our
sup.rinlendeat of military lelegrapus) to trv a
telegraphic experiment from a balloon. Saturdu
; morning, when we heard that a great battle mu*’
j be ktugnt, l'rofessor howe notified me that I
I shot Id extend the wire to his bailoon, and we
I wuud try it. In one hour we hud brought tbe
j "iff a mile and a half, and I was ready to ascend
w*th the Professor. The battle bad commenced.
! Vv h,u it bad reached its zenith, Professor I.owe
i fiDd myseit, with the telegraph, had leached an
! altitlde of 2.00 J feet. With the aid of good
1 glass b, we were enabled to view the whole affair
| between these powerml contending armies. As
I the fight progressed, haste obsei vutions. were
made by the pro'essor and given to me verbullv.
; all of which I immediately torwarded to General
I McClellao and division commanders, through the
agency of the obedient field instrument which
stood by lur side in the bottom ol the car. 0c»
casionilly a masked rebel haitery would open 1.4
our bnve fellows,
' In met cases tbe occupants of the balloon
j wouldiulorm our artillerists ot its position, and
the ne:t shot or two would, in every case, silence
j the maiktd and annoying customer. For hours,
, aud unit quite dark, we remained in the air, the
j teiegrajh keeping op constant communication
j with suoia point. From the balloon to Fortress
Monroe a distance of over one hundred miles,
this wirs Worked beautifully. A uumoer of mes
sages wire sent and leceiveu between these two
poni'4, -nd had it no: been tor the trem-ndous
rush of iusiness on the wire I should have tcle
graphecyou directly from tbe balloon, while the
battle was raging. .Sunday morning at daybreak
we agan ascended. Early in tbe morning tbs
battle vas renewed, and 'with more fierceness
than th- day before. Incessant firing of musket
ry and irtillery was kept up until noon, when I
had theexireme pleasure of announcing by tele*
! graph koin tbe balloon that »e could sec tbe
enemy retreating rapidly toward Hicfimond. At
j this time we could see firing on James River to
•he le.t of Richmond, distsnee from the balloon.
. (some said) ti'teen miles. This tire was ot short
| du ration
: The striets of Richmond in the morning pres
| vented a deserted appearance, but very tew pec*
! pig to he seen in the streets. During the after*
; noon and evening of Sunday, nothing of inter*
| est transpired beyond the temovaj c>f the rebel
j dead and wounded, all of which we could dis-
I tioctiv see trom the balloon. Every available
machine that had wheels was brought into re-
I quisitioa lor this purpose. From the acene of
I battle into the city of Richmond, the road was
1 literally liaed with ambulances, wagons and carts
I conveying the dead and wounded. About twi-
I light we saw campfires innumerable around the
| city; smoke issued from all their hospitals and
barracks, which showed us to a certainty that tbe
1 mam bodvof their army had fallen back to Rich
! moud. Monday morning we made several as
; reasions, and found a small fcrce near the last
; scene of action, and thousand* of troops marc h.
;ng cut from the citv, so you may look momenta
rily for a report of another severe battle.
A bill to repeal the "Personal Liberty Law" of
Wisconsin was passed by the Assembly of that
J State, Ot the 19th uit., by a vote of 51 aves to 25