FROM GEN. M’CLELLAN’S ARMY: Editorial Correspondence of the New-York Times; Everything Ready for the Great Struggle (6/24/1862)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 6/24/1862

[Homer_J_Simpson]

CAMP BEFORE RICHMOND, Thursday Night, June 19, 1862.

I thought yesterday that a light was inevitable to-day. Everything seemed ready for it, and, in point of fact, we escaped it last evening by the skin of our teeth. At about 6 o'clock in the evening a regiment was sent in to the swampy ground below the Williamsburgh Road, to see if it was practicable for artillery. It was a Massachusetts Regiment, under Col. WYMAN, and had with it two pieces of artillery. Three rebel regiments came out to meet it, and quite a sharp engagement followed, which lasted for nearly an hour. By this time we had lost 17 in killed, 28 wounded and 24 missing, whose names were forwarded to you this afternoon. The loss of the enemy is not known, but a South Carolina Sergeant, who was wounded and taken, represents it as having been very heavy, in consequence of the fire of our artillery. As Col. WYMAN's orders were to run no risk of bringing on a general engagement, reinforcements were not sent to him, and he withdrew. The object of the reconnoissance was accomplished.

An hour previous, the rebels opposite one of our advanced positions heard loud cheering in our camp, and assuming it to arise from MCCLELLAN's presence, they sent forward a regiment to fire upon any body of officers they might discover. They drove in some of our outer pickets, but coming upon the picket reserves, were speedily driven back, leaving two dead upon the field.

These were the only incidents of the day, but they made a very decided commotion through the camps, in consequence of the general belief that everything is ready on both sides for a decisive battle.

[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/4073323/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

[Homer_J_Simpson]

From Gen. M’Clellan’s Army: Editorial Correspondence of the New-York Times – 2-4
Important from Corinth: Beauregard and Staff Certainly Gone to Richmond – 4
The War in the Southwest: Late and Interesting Reports from Memphis – 4
Important from Charleston: A Bloody Battle Fought on James Island on Monday Last – 4-5
News from Washington: Final Passage of the Tax Bill Through Both Houses – 5-6
Editorial: The Situation Before Richmond – Fight or Flight? – 6-7
Capture of Rebel Generals – 7
Editorial: The President and Slavery – 7
The Snag in the Mississippi – 7-8
Editorial: Another Stroke at the Slave Traffic – 8
News from Fortress Monroe: Warm Weather – 8
Amusements – 8