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took place from the right, left, and centre, but, on the two latter points, operations were nothing more than a fierce and artistic artillery duello, in which the enemy were decidedly worsted.
Their artillery, bearing upon Garnett's and Christian's farms, were particularly active, and seemed anxious for a response.
This was not long in forthcoming, and they were accordingly shelled from their several positions with much ease and with evident loss.
They repeatedly returned to the charge, however, yet our artillery received them with such accuracy as to drive them, pell mell, into the woods, and causing the abandonment of camps to the right of the Mechanicsville bridge.
An artillery duel also took place upon the York River Railroad, between six and seven miles from the city, at which place also the enemy were endeavoring to erect breastworks in the woods.
Being informed of this, some pieces of the First Virginia artillery proceeded within shelling distance, and, by superior execution, silenced the enemy's guns and stopped their excavations.
But the most serious and important transaction at our lines yesterday took place on the Williams-burgh road.
The enemy, advancing their lines, suddenly fell upon our pickets, and, owing to superior numbers, drove them in upon our supports.
The advance of the enemy was composed of Sickles's and another brigade.
Informed of the state of things, the First Louisiana was sent forward to reconnoitre and find the enemy's force, position, and intentions; but to do this their journey lay across a large open field, and while advancing the cowardly enemy screened his forces in the thicket, and having caught the gallant First Louisiana in ambuscade, delivered a murderous fire, which struck down dozens of the valiant fellows.
But not dismayed at this reception and their heavy loss, the brave men instantly dressed their line, dashed at Sickles's hirelings with their bayonets, and routed them.
Still opposed to greater numbers than their own, the First Louisiana was quickly supported, we are informed, by the Third, Fourth, and Twenty-second Georgia regiments, of Wright's brigade, who held a large force of the enemy at bay for two hours before our forces were got into position, and appalled the enemy by their formidable front.
Except in the First Louisiana, we hear of few casualties, and this arose from the fact that they were the victims of a trap laid by the Yankees, and were too heroic to fall back when discovering it. Col. Shivers, Major Nellegan, and many men were wounded, Lieut. Gilmore and some others being killed.
This loss arose purely from an esprit du corps, which prompted them to remain and stand fast, though opposed by vastly superior numbers.
It is said, however, that when the Louisiana closed their broken ranks and charged upon the enemy's masses, that it was so terrible that they gave way in disorder.
This conduct is perhaps akin to that which extracted the expression of Gen. Bosquet when witnessing the brilliant and famous charge of the English Light Brigade at Balaklava, namely: “That is magnificent, but is not war.”
The conduct of the Louisianians and Georgians is highly spoken of; nothing can detract from their superior qualities as soldiers and patriots, but an excess of bravery characterizes their movements.
The loss of the Louisianians is reported at fourteen officers and two hundred men killed and wounded, but this we believe is much of an exaggeration.
Subsequent to this brilliant but unfortunate transaction, an artillery force was moved to the front, and a fierce conflict ensued, completely silencing the Yankee batteries in the woods, which had advanced to occupy the disputed ground.
Captain Huger's battery, we are informed, was conspicuous in the affairs of the day at the right, and retired from the fray with much honor and little loss.
The best evidence of their success is in the fact that the enemy retired and did not reply.
Our pickets were particularly successful yesterday in capturing intruders upon our lines, and effected important seizures.
Among others, we may mention the arrival in our midst of two women, who were discovered endeavoring to penetrate our lines, evidently for no praiseworthy intention.
These women are of low caste, and would pass very well, in time of peace, for mother and daughter; but, as it proves, they are perfect strangers to each other as to relationship, but are evidently leagued together in some clandestine enterprise, and neither can give any satisfactory account of their vocations or residencc.
Their mysterious appearance at our outposts yesterday was more than sufficient to warrant arrest, and their answers give good evidence of treasonable intention.
It is generally expected that operations of great moment will take place to-day, but whether the severe skirmishes of yesterday will culminate in a general action is a point impossible to determine; but should this be the case, we are fully sure that all our preparations will result in brilliant victory, despite the traps, ambuscades, and petty cunning of the enemy, evinced on many occasions as on yesterday.
As Gen. McClellan may claim the severe skirmish of yesterday as another “Federal victory,” we will simply say that the brave Louisianians were opposed to no less than seven Yankee regiments, as the following prisoners captured by them testify; for, in addition to the seizure of Capt. James McKernan, of the Seventh New-Jersey, there are also the following visitors to Libby's warehouse: One sergeant, two corporals, two musicians, six privates — in all, twelve prisoners--part of Sickles's Excelsior brigade, Seventh New-Jersey, Nineteenth Massachusetts, Second New-York, and Fifth New-Jersey, taken at the old battle-ground of the Seven Pines. Three were wounded.
--Richmond Examiner, June 26.
