HIGHLY IMPORTANT: A Reliable History of Events Before Richmond from Our Special Correspondents (7/3/1862)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 7/3/1862

[Homer_J_Simpson]

ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, ON THE JAMES RIVER, Monday Evening, June 30, 1862.

Events of the gravest character have transpired within the last five days, touching the condition and prospects of the army on the Peninsula. Acting under the necessity which the Commanding General has long foreseen, the widely-extended lines of the army, with its miles of well-constructed defences, stretching almost from the James River on the left' to, and beyond the Chickahominy on the right, have been abandoned, and the army before Richmond has fallen back to a more practicable line of defence and attack, upon the James River. Hither the grand army, with its immense artillery and wagon train; its Commissary and Quartermaster's stores; its ammunition; its cattle-drove, of 2,540 head; in fact, its entire materiel, horse, foot and dragoons, bag and baggage, have been transferred. This manoeuvre, however -- one of the most difficult and dangerous for a commander to execute in the face of the enemy -- has been accomplished safely, though under circumstances of difficulty and trial which would have taxed the genius of a Napoleon. The army has been engaged in constant conflict with the enemy for six days, during which their highest energies have been taxed to the uttermost. We have had no moment of repose -- no opportunity scarcely to properly care for the wounded and to bury the dead. The enemy have closely watched every movement, and, with an army more than double that of our own, have had the ability to constantly launch fresh troops upon our rear, an advantage which they have been quick to discover, and remorseless in improving. Their perfect knowledge of the roads, paths and bridges, and the topography of the country, which had taken us time to learn, has placed an

[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/4075592/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Highly Important: A Reliable History of Events Before Richmond from our Special Correspondents – 2-3
The Battle of Gaines’ Hill: Full Details of the Desperate Battle of Friday – 4-5
List of Casualties – 5-6
Important from the Mississippi: Destruction of the Last of the Rebel Gunboats – 6
The New Call for Troops: Military Feeling in the City – 6-7
News from Washington: Passage of the Treasury Note Bill in the Senate – 7
Editorial: The News from Richmond – The New Call for Volunteers – 7-8
Editorial: Push on Reinforcements! – 8
The Fourth of July South – 8
Release of Mr. Fulton – 8
The Best Joke of the Season – 8

[Al B.]

Looks like reality had finally set in by July 3rd for a series of battles that had started 7 days earlier. Thanks again for all you effort in posting these.