The Progress of the Campaign
The roar of artillery is still ringing in our ears as we sit down to record the tremendous slaughter that has ever taken place on this continent -- a slaughter as far exceeding that of Thursday the 12th, as the slaughter of Thursday the 12th surpassed every other field of carnage.
The battle commenced yesterday morning for the possession of the Grape Vine, or, as it is sometimes called McClellan's, bridge over the Chickahominy. it is the same by which McClellan withdrew his troops when they were defeated in the double battle of Cold Harbor and Gaines' Mill. Had Grant succeeded in obtaining possession of this bridge he might have passed the Chickahominy and established himself in McClellan's old fastness of this side. It was the object of General Lee to prevent him, and accordingly took possession and fortified the position formerly held by McClellan. The ground on which the battle was fought was the same with that on which the battle of '62 was fought. But the positions were reversed, we holding McClellan's and Grant holding Lee's. According to the accounts of prisoners Grant on the night of Thursday caused a quart of whisky to be distributed to each of the soldiers, and about four o'clock yesterday morning, having primed them well for the work, commenced an assault upon our works. repulsed again and again, with unprecedented slaughter, he constantly renewed the attack with fresh troops, sending his men up in columns ten deep, and, in great part, so drunk that they knew not what they were about, and pressed on with the most reckless audacity. Nothing could exceed the coolness with which they were received by our troops, who, standing behind their breastworks and suffering but little, shot them down by thousands, with as much deliberation as though they were firing at so many marks. At one o'clock the action ceased along the whole line, our troops having repulsed the enemy, who left several thousand behind him, dead or wounded, on the field. Gen. lee afterwards rode over to the field, and declared that the slaughter far exceeded that of the 12th of May. Many of the Yankees were so drunk that they tumbled over our breastworks, and were either killed or made prisoners; others after firing their guns could not reload them. In a word, the drama of the 12th of May was repeated to the letter. our lines were considerably advanced in consequence of our success yesterday. Doubtless the enemy will seek to drive us back, and that another general battle may ensue. We have not heard how many prisoners and guns were taken. In a battle of this sort, where it is the object of .... to be denied? his appearance at the ... of the troops in a charge or his unnecesary exposure at any time, can effect no position good, while it might result in irretrievable... Instead of stimulating the men ...