THE GREAT BATTLE: The Retreat of the Rebels on Sunday a Rout; Collecting the Wounded and Burying the Dead (6/5/1862)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 6/5/1862

[Homer_J_Simpson]

BATTLE-FIELD, Tuesday, June 3, 1862

All the wounded have been removed to the hospitals and properly cared for by the surgeons in attendance. Many of the wounded rebels, including a Colonel, two Captains, and a large number of privates, were left behind in the old huts and houses, on and in the vicinity of the battle-field. Every rebel I have conversed with, expressed their surprise at the kind treatment they have received at our hands. They say their officers tell them we hang or shoot all prisoners brought in; they say, also, if the people of Richmond only knew the truth, they would hoist again the old flag over the State-house.

The terrible battles of Saturday and Sunday so disastrous to the Confederates, have converted even the most rigid Secessionists to the belief of the hopelessness of holding Richmond. They have no faith left now in their ability to defend it. The flower of their army was led against our weakest point, and reaped instead of victory, ignoble defeat.

The contrabands whom I mentioned in my last letter was driving a stage which we captured, say that not more than seven regiments are between here and Richmond at the present time. They say the rebels threw away their guns, knapsacks and accroutrements in their rapid flight on Sunday, back to Richmond. Their officers strove to rally their scattered fragments, and press the runaways to fight, stating they had whipped us, and begging them not to desert at the moment of victory; but the men had been urged to many an unequal combat before, with the same story, and refused to obey.

The fall of Richmond will take place without another battle. The rebel ranks, composed mostly of concepts, lack that feeling of desperation and spirit of determination

[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

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4068576/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Balloon View of the Approaches to Richmond and Rebel Defences – 1
The Great Battle: Further Details from Our Special Correspondents – 2-3
From the Corinth Army: Important Dispatch from Gen. Halleck – 3-5
Department of the Shenandoah: Reports of the Movements of the Rebel Force Under Jackson – 5
From Gen. Banks’ Army: Effects of the Retreat Throughout the Shenandoah Valley – 5-6
News from Washington: The Instructions of the Secretary of War to the Military Governor of North Carolina – 6
Barnum’s Baby Show: Prizes Awarded to All Sorts and Kinds – 6
Editorial: Rout of Beauregard’s Army – The Splendid Movement of Gen. Pope – 6-7
Editorial: The Rationale of Rebel Desperation – 7
Recognized at Last – 7-8
Editorial: Our Inland Coastwise Channels – 8
Emancipating the Slaves of Rebels – 8
The Women of Winchester – 8
Beauregard Curtailed – 8
Our Representatives from Hayti and Liberia – 8

[georgiarat]

At this point the North did not know that Johnson had been wounded. The also were supremely confident that the Confederates were going to abandon Richmond. By the end of June things change so dramatically in the East.

[Stosh]

It’s nice to see that even 150 years ago the New York Times was better at cheerleading than insightful reporting.

[Stosh]

Following the ebb and flow of the war on a day-to-day basis is interesting in its own right, but those selections often include other interesting stuff.

Like if you can’t get satellite photos, at least it’s nice to have sketches from aerial observation by hot air balloon!

And I was really intrigued by the results of Barnum’s baby contest, where Charles Shaw took the highest prize for fattest baby, and “baby No. 16” won the “oddities” category, as “a little chap with hair”.

[Vermont Lt]

“. .. The fall of Richmond will take place without another battle.”

It only took nearly three years and a few more battles for this to be true.

[Al B.]

At this point the North did not know that Johnson had been wounded. The also were supremely confident that the Confederates were going to abandon Richmond. By the end of June things change so dramatically in the East.

Yup, Johnston was out because of his wounds and replaced by some dude named R.E. Lee. Things were about to change.

[M Kehoe]

+1

5.56mm

[Homer_J_Simpson]

I’m glad you caught the baby contest item. I keep an eye peeled for items of interest that are not necessarily war-related. The base ball coverage is another example.

[rxh4n1]

Interesting little piece “The women of Winchester”. Rebel cavalry riding under the black flag and citizens throwing hand grenades from windows at Union soldiers. Fake, lying news is a NYT tradition.