From the Richmond Examiner, 6/4/1864, p. 1, col. 5

FROM GENERAL LEE'S ARMY.

BATTLE-FIELD, NEAR GAINES' MILL, June 3 – 5 P. M. – Heth's division participated with Ewell in the fight yesterday, capturing over two hundred prisoners. Among his wounded was Brigadier-General Kirkland, slightly.

The battle opened at sunrise this morning about ten miles below Richmond, extending from the Mechanicsville road to McClellan's bridge, making the line of battle over seven miles long, the enemy making the attack.

The heaviest fighting is reported in Rodes', Kershaw's and Hoke's front, who gallantly repulsed every assault of the enemy.

Our loss is very slight, not over five hundred in killed and wounded. That of the enemy is fully six thousand, some estimate it as high as ten thousand.

The enemy at one time broke through Breckinridge's division, capturing three pieces of artillery. Finnegan, however, quickly came up, recapturing the artillery and taking one piece from the enemy. Breckinridge loss probably two hundred prisoners.

The heaviest fighting was up to 11 o'clock, since then there has been heavy cannonading and incessant skirmishing.

Generals Law and Finnegan slightly wounded. The latter did not leave the field.

• Prev
• Next