GEN. M’CLELLAN’S ARMY: Details of Events to the Afternoon of the Fourth; The Battles which Followed the One at Gaines’ Hill (7/8/1862)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 7/8/1862

[Homer_J_Simpson]

HARRISON's BAR LANDING, JAMES RIVER, Friday, July 4, 1862.

The Army of the Potomac rests to-day, after six consecutive and connecting battles, after toils which few armies have ever endured, after a week of continual fighting and marching, leaving behind it thousands of brave men on hard-fought and well-contested battle-fields -- after all this, it rests this Independence Day by the side of the beautiful James, to recover strength and proudly tell and retell the story of the memorable movement so happily and yet so sadly accomplished. As I write, my ears catch the unwonted strains of the regimental bands, discoursing patriotic and martial music. Massed around are the solid columns of the great army, forgetful of the toils of the past in the memory of its glory, and the hope of future success. For the first time since last week Thursday, more than a week ago, there is opportunity to pause and collect the events of the week in a continuous story. You have already had full and careful accounts of the great battle of Friday, which strewed the north bank of the insignificant, swampy, pestilential Chickahominy Creek with thousands of the slain and the disabled. I shall, therefore, confine myself to a statement of the events connected with the great military movement, whereby a vast army, in the face of an enemy of superior numbers and intense activity, has changed its front and defeated every attempt at interference with the plan.

The great mass of the army, occupying the intrenchments extending for miles from the Chickahominy to the left, were not apprised until midnight of Friday last, after PORTER's hard-pressed corps had partially yielded to the overwhelming force of the enemy, of the intention of Gen. MCCLELLAN to change his base from the York to the James River.

[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

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Gen. M’Clellan’s Army: Details of Events to the Afternoon of the Fourth – 2-4
Battle of Charles City Court-House: The Most Desperate Conflict of the Week – 4
List of Casualties – 4-5
News from Fortress Monroe: Reinforcements on the Way to Gen. McClellan – 6
Our Fortress Monroe Correspondence: The Excitement Subsided – 6
Bombardment of Vicksburgh: The Two Fleets at Work, Above and Below – 6
Affairs in New-Mexico: Refusal of the Mexican Authorities to Allow the Texans to Pass Over their Territory – 6
The Army of the Potomac: Additional Lists of Casualties – 6-10
News from Washington: A Committee of Conference on the Treasury Note Bill – 10
Promotion from the Ranks – 10
Editorial: Grounds for Encouragement – 11
Editorial: Tranquility in Richmond – 11