THE GREAT BATTLE: The Attack on Gen. Casey’s Position; GALLANT BAYONET CHARGE (6/3/1862)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 6/3/1862

[Homer_J_Simpson]

FIELD OF BATTLE BEFORE RICHMOND, Sunday A.M., June 1, 1862.

A battle before Richmond has at last put to the test the rebel boast as to what they would do with Gen. McCLELLAN's army when they should get it beyond the protection of the gunboats. Though the advantage of a sudden movement, against the weakest point in our lines, gave the enemy a temporary success, the final result has not been such as to afford encouragement to their disheartened and demoralized troops, or occasion any fears as to our ultimate possession of the rebel capital.

The attack commenced shortly before 1 o'clock on Saturday, on the left wing of the army, on the further or south side of the Chickahominy, where the advance position was held by the division of Gen. CASEY, much the weakest in the army, composed almost entirely of raw regiments, and reduced by disease to an effective force of some 6,000 men.

Was on the Williamsburgh Stage Road, within six or seven miles of Richmond, and on a line so extended at the front that the troops required to maintain picket guards of sufficient strength, made no slight draft on his weakened forces. The right of the line was held by his First Brigade, under Gen. H.M. NAGLEE, as brave and vigilant an officer as is to be found in the army of the Potomac. Gen. NAGLEE's pickets extended across the railroad (running parallel with the Williamsburgh road, about a mile to the right) to near the sixth mile-post from Richmond, and so on further to the right and a little to the rear until within a short distance of a point on the Chickahominy, where Gen. SUMNER had thrown a bridge across the stream, and was hourly expected

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

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Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4068030/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Scene of the Great Battle Before Richmond (map) – 2
The Great Battle: Full Particulars from Our Special Correspondent – 3-6
From the Mountain Department: Extraordinary March of Gen. Fremont Across the Shenandoah Mountains – 6
Gen. Banks’ Department: A Successful Reconnoissance from Front Royal – 6
Important from Harper’s Ferry: Gen. Sigel in Command of that Post – 6
From Gen. Halleck’s Army: A Brilliantly Successful Expedition – 7
From Hooker’s Division: The Excelsior Brigade – 7-8
News from Washington: New and Important Arrangement of Gen. McClellan’s Department – 8
Local Intelligence: Barnum’s Bouncing Babies – 9
Editorial: Our Army Before Richmond – 9
Editorial: How Much the Rebels Believe in Their Own Success – 9-10
Sigel in Virginia – 10
Arkansas Back o the Union – Good News from an Unexpected Quarter – 10
Elliott’s Iowa Cavalry at Booneville – 10-11
Grave Joking – 11
Editorial: The Tribune’s “Reverse before Richmond” – 11