The anxiety of the public for several days to hear news of the army before Richmond is satisfied at last, by the publication of the details of the engagements on Thursday and Friday of last week.
General McClellan, it appears from the accounts published in the Northern papers, made a sudden and unexpected change in the position of his army on Wednesday of last week, throwing his left wing on James river, withdrawing his right from White House, and resting it upon the Richmond side of the Chickahominy.
Early as Wednesday the government stores at the White House station were put on board of transports and upon wagon trains and were quietly removed. The White House was soon after consumed by fire, but whether the flames were communicated by accident or an incendiary is not known.
The sudden and unexpected movement of the Federal army was not, it is stated, known to the Confederates until Thursday, when they resolved upon an attack. The fight that ensued is described at length by correspondents of Northern journals. We copy principally from the New York Herald's correspondence, adding a few extracts from the Tribune:
The First Day.
BATTLEFIELD NEAR MECHANICSVILLE, June 26, 1862. -- The right wing of the Potomac army has been the scene of a battle today of more than common duration and fierceness. ...
About noon the enemy made an attack upon Gen. Stoneman's forces in the vicinity of Hanover Court House, probably for the purpose of accomplishing an outflanking movement on the right, and to engage our attention in that direction.
Shortly afterward they commenced a vigorous cannonading from the works situated on an eminence opposite Mechanicsville, about one and a half miles distant; also from two batteries, one above and the other below. They were replied to by Campbell's Pennsylvania batteries on picket duty, one on the Mechanicsville road and the other from behind earthworks on the right of a grove.
About two o'clock this afternoon the rebels were seen advancing in large force across the Chickahominy, near the railroad, close by Mechanicsville, where Gen. McCall has been encamped since occupying a position on our front lines. Planting their batteries in good position on our rear, they opened fire. Quietly the batteries of this division were wheeled into place, and a vigorous response began. The roar of artillery was deafening, but soon the crack of volleys of musketry united in swelling the tumultuous roar of battle.
Our men were drawn up in line of battle directly facing the enemy. It was a bold piece of work, seeing that the enemy were manifestly largely superior to us in numbers. It was no determination or wish of the regiments constituting the Pennsylvania reserves to seek the protecting cover of woods or marshes, either of which they might have selected, but came out in square, open fight. The work soon waxed warm, as the enemy showed a disposition to accept the challenge to open combat -- an acceptance doubtless based, however, in full confidence in their capacity to come out first best in the fight.
Bucktails Surrounded.
The First Pennsylvania Rifles (Bucktails) were on picket duty as the enemy first marched on us, making a rapid advance through the intervening lowlands and forests. The first thing the Bucktails knew they were almost completely surrounded. They cut their way fairly out, but most of company K, who happened to be the first surrounded, were taken prisoners. The rest were soon in rifle pits, and they peppered the enemy with a sauciness, carrying with it a feeling of revenge. And they had their revenge. The rebels left as many dead on the field, shot by Bucktail rifles, as members of the regiment they bore away captive with them.
Heat of the Battle.
About six o'clock the battle raged with fiercest fury. advancing down to the rear of Mechanicsville, on a low, swampy piece of ground, where our men were drawn up behind earthworks and rifle pits, the conflict became indescribably terrific. With desperate courage the rebels attempted to spring forward over the marching ground, but they were mowed down without mercy.
A charge of cavalry was attempted about this time, but the horses, like the men, became mired. Some of our cavalry, seeing their condition, charged down the hill; the rebel equestrians left their horses and fled.
Disappointed in these attempts to win the day, the enemy attempted a flank movement. Now came the time of closest contest. Our men would not yield a rod from their position.
Gen. Morell's Division.
During the height of the cannonading, Gen. Morell's division arrived on the ground. They reached the scene of the engagement about six o'clock in the evening. With bold front the reinforcing division marched up in face of the flying shells, Gen. Morell and his staff leading the advancing column. Only one brigade was called into action -- the Second Brigade -- under command of General Griffin, who, only three hours before, had assumed the command by right of seniority over Colonel McQuade. The brigade came up on double quick, ready and eager to lend a helping hand in securing to our side the fortunes of this day.
The brigade was ordered to relieve the center of Gen. McCall's column. The Fourth Michigan, Col. Woodberry, and the Fourteenth New York Volunteers, Col. McQuade, formed in line of battle in front, taking the place of two of General McCall's regiments, while behind them, likewise drawn up in line of battle, were the Sixty-second Pennsylvania, Colonel Black, and the Ninth Massachusetts Regiment, Col. Cass.
Meantime, a battalion of Colonel Berdan's Sharpshooters, who had been ordered to reinforce General McCall's forces, arrived in the field under command of Lieut. Col. Ripley, and were formed in line of battle. Two companies, C, Captain Giroux, and G, Captain Drew, were on detached service with General McCall's division, and had previously been out as pickets and skirmishers.
These companies had been stationed by Col. Berdan two days previous in an anticipation of the enemy crossing at the point where they did actually do so. Their orders were not to fire until the enemy actually crossed in force, and then to retreat firing, in order to draw them until they reached the rifle pits and the detachments which had been previously placed for the purpose of giving the enemy a warm reception.
These orders were carried out to the letter. On the rebels appearing and crossing in force they were led on by the retreating Sharpshooters, who fired rapidly and fell back, until the rebels suddenly found themselves under the fore of our earthworks and rifle pits in which they (the Sharpshooters) had ensconced themselves.
The Sharpshooters, in executing this maneuver, had only two men wounded. Company G was subsequently detached to work with the artillery.
From the time of the arrival of the reinforcements, the firing continued without intermission until half-past nine o'clock. Such volleys of musketry, so sharp, quick and incessant, have never been surpassed in any battle of the present war. And the roar of artillery was tremendous, constant and deafening.
General Griffin's regiments each fired about twenty thousand rounds. General Griffin, in the hottest of the fire, rode along the lines, frequently unmindful of the shower of shot and shell. The position of each regiment was on the brow of a hill, which happily secured their comparative safety from the musketry of the enemy while our fire did great execution in the rebel ranks. This accounts for the small list of casualties sustained by this brigade.
During the progress of the engagement General Merrill was actively moving here and there, superintending the disposition of the brigades of his division to meet any contingency that might require their united services. Of course it will be understood that General Fitz John Porter, who is never so much at home as when supervising an exciting battle, was omnipresent.
McClellan on the Field.
During the most part of the firing, Gen. McClellan was on the field. His presence did much to inspirit the men, and they doubtless fought with more determined resistance than, perhaps, they would have done otherwise, considering the odds against them.
General McClellan expressed himself perfectly satisfied with the day's work, and complimented Generals MCCall and Morell in person for the handsome manner in which they had managed their men.
The boys had won the day and the praise of their commanders, and were satisfied.
Rebel Forces.
According to the statements of prisoners, the bulk of the enemy comprised Gen. Hill's division, mostly Georgia and South Carolina regiments. They had twenty thousand men in the action. It was the same party who annoyed Gen. Stoneman in the morning in the direction of Hanover Court House.
The Scene Tonight.
All our men are sleeping on their arms tonight. It is expected that the engagement will be renewed in the morning. Meantime, those who are not sleeping are attending to the wounded and dying who survive the day's slaughter.
From Fortress Monroe.[Correspondence of the Associated Press]
FORTRESS MONROE, June 30 -- The York river is being completely cleared of everything movable. Steamers and tugs are constantly arriving at Fortress Monroe, having in tow barges, schooners, &c.; Many arrived here last evening and during the night.