■^ - -5™- Tin: V>^^ \)AVS' i> . \ r!;n\^ oi' \:v'\vn\-^i )\ll'ilt,ii FlUiy lllL Oii ■\ 1 B. - -■-■■T^-T.-irs ^ ■ ■jrr . -I'll \' \ <. > I THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES IN FRONT OF RICHMOND. AN OUTLINE NARRATIVE OF THE SERIES OF ENGAGEMENTS WHICH OPENED AT MECHANICSVILLE, NEAR RICHMOND, ON THURS- DAY, JUNE 26, 1862, AND RESULTED IN THE DEFEAT AND RETREAT OF THE NORTHERN ARMY UNDER MAJOR-GENERAL M'CLELLAN. COMPILED FROM THE DETAILED ACCOUNTS OF THE NEWSPAPER PRESS. KICHMOND, YA. WEST AN]J JOHNSTON, No. 145 Main Street. 1862. Evans 4 Cogswell, Printers, No. 3 Broad Street, Charleston, S. C. int rLvnti^^ \_>vi.i.i-v»iiv/i Grr^^t^S-f •^^-:-. PUBLISHERS' NOTICE. After the most bloody and important struggle that has ever taken place upon the Continent of America, the people of the Confederate States, whose sons and kindred were the victors, have marked, with some surprise and disappointment, that no full and accurate account of the battles has been published in the South. The lack of so desirable a record is due to the exclusion from the lines of our armies of those whose province it has hitherto been to chronicle the events of the war. Yet many detached and interesting narratives of the several en- gagements have, from time to time, found their way into the Southern newspapers. To group together these fragmentary accounts, so as to present, as nearly as possible, under the cir- cumstances, a complete and connected narrative of the suc- (Jessive actions, is the object of this pamphlet. It has been suggested to the publishers, that, in the absence of a more detailed and pretentious history of the fighting, such a com- pilation would be acceptable to the public. • THE SEVEN DAYS^ BATTLES m FRONT OF RICHMOND. The bloody checks which the Northern army, in its memo- rable advance up the Peninsula toward Richmond, had re- ceived at Williamsburg and the Seven Pines, had taught General McClellan the desperate character of the conflict, without which he could never hope to reach, in triumph, the capital of the Confederate States. Accordingly, after the battle of the Seven Pines his movements became exceedingly circum- spect, and, although his army already largely outnumbered that which defended the beleaguered citj', he kept calling con- stantly and urgently on his government for reinforcements. On Wednesday, June 25, his army numbered, judging from the most authentic statements that are available, between one hun- dred and twenty-five thousand and one hundred and thirty thousand effective men. With this immense force he was cau- tiously pushing forward his lines. Meantime it had been de- termined by the Confedei-ate generals to attack the invading host in their fortified positions, and, to co-operate in this grand movement, the bulk of the Confederate forces which had re- cently cleai'ed the invaders out of the Valley of Virginia, Avere rapidly and quietly drawn toAvard Eichmond, in order to flank McClellan's left. A brief reference to the situation of the opposing armies will here be necessary to enable the reader to understand the subse- quent movements. If you will take a map of Virginia, and run your eye along the line of the Virginia Central railroad until it crosses th€ Chickahominy at the i)oint designated as the Meadow bridge, you will be in the vicinit}^ of the position occupied by the extreme right of the Federal army. Tracing from this position a semicircular line, Avhich crosses the Chickahominy in the neighborhood of the "New bridge," and then the York Eiver railroad fiirther on, you arrive at a point southeast of Eichmond, but a comparatively short dis- tance fi'om the James river, where rests the Federal left. To be a little more explicit, spread your lingers so that their tips will form as near as possible the arc of a circle. Imagine Richmond as situatiul ujion your wrist; the outer edge of the thumb as the Central railroad; the inner edge as the Mochan- icsville turnpike; the first finger as the Kine ilile or New Bridge road; the second as the Williamsburg turni)iUe, running nearly parallel with the York Kiver railroad; the third as the Charles Cit}' turnpike (which runs to the southward of the White Oak swamp), and the fourth as the Darbytown road. Commanding these several avenues were the forces of McClol- lan. Our own ti"Oops, Avith the exception of Jackson's corps, occupied a similar, but, of course, smaller circle, immediately around I'iclimond, the heaviest body being on the centre, south of the York IJiver railroad. Such Avas the situation previous to Thursday, the 2Gth ol June. The j)lan of battle then developed was: first, to make a vigorous flank movement upon the enemy's extreme right, which was within a mile or tAVO of the Central railroad; secondly, as soon as they fell back to the next road beloAV, our divisions there posted Avere to advance across the Chicka- liominy, change front, and, in co-operation Avith Jackson, Avho Avas to make a detour, and attack the Federals in flank and rear, driA'c them still farther on; and, finally, Avhen th.ey had reached a certain point, now knoAvn as "the triangle," em- braced betAvecn the Charles City, JSTcav Market and Quaker roads, all of Avhich intersect, these scA^eral ap])roacbes Avere to be possessed by our forces — the enemj' to be thus hemmed in, and compelled either to starve, capitulate, or fight his Avay out with tremendous odds, and topographical advantages against him. How so excellent a plan CA'entually hap})ened to fail, at least partially, in the execution, Avill presently appear. THURSDAY, JUNE TAVENTY-SIXTII — OPENING OF THE BATTLE — THE CAPTURE OF MECIIANICSVILLE. Thursday' came, clear but Avarm. At three o'clock, a. m., Major-Gencral Jackson took up his line of march from Ashland, and ])roceeding doAvn the country between the Chickahominy and l^imunkey rivers, he uncovered the front of Jirigadier-Gen- eral Branch J^y driving ofl' the enemy collected on the north bank of the (yliickaliominy river, at the point where it is crossed by the Brook turnpike; General Jii'anch, avIio Avas on the south bank, then crossed the ri\'^er and Avhecled to the right, doAvn its northern bank. Proceeding in that direction, General Branch, in like manner, uncovered, at MeadoAV bridge, the front of Major-General A. P. Hill, who immediately crossed. The three columns noAV proceeded im echelon — General Jackson in advance and on the extreme left, Brigadier-General Branch (avIio was now merged with General A. P. Hill) in the centre, and Gen- eral A. P. Hill on the right, immediately on the river. Jackson bearing away from the Chiekahominy in this part of the march, so as to gain ground toward the Pamunkey, marched to the left of Mechanicsville, while Cieneral Hill, keeping well to the Chiekahominy, approached that village and engaged the enemy there. The road was narrow, uneven, muddy and impeded, and when the bridge had been crossed, it became necessary to ascend a hill bare of trees or other obstructions, and all the while our gallant fellows were exposed to a plunging fire of shell, grape, round shot and canister from the Federal batter- ies; yet the column moved on steadily, in files of fours, closing up their ranks as soon as they Avere thinned, with a sublime resolution, toward the fortifications, Avhich, after an obstinate fight of two hours and a half, were carried in magnificent style, and their guns immediately turned upon the retreating foe. This occurred about half-past seven or eight in the evening. The cannonade was, perhaps, the most furious and incessant that had been kept up for so long a time since the beginning of the war. But the Mechanicsville entrenchments were ours, and, though with heavy loss, at a smaller sacrifice of life than had been feared, and the enemj^ had fallen. back to BUyson's mills, farther down the Chiekahominy. THE ASSAULT UPON ELLYSON's MILLS. The enemy's battery of sixteen guns was to the right, or southeast of the Mechanicsville road, about a mile and a half distant, and was situated on a rise of ground in the vicinity of Ellyson's mills, defended by epaulments supported by rifle pits. Beaver creek, about twelve feet wide and waist deep, ran along the front and left flank of the enemy's position, while from the creek to the batter}^ Avas covered with abalrtis. The position was most formidable. The assault was made by Pender's brigade, of A. P. Hill's division, on the right, and by Ripley's brigade on the right in front. General Pender's brigade had been thrown out in ad- vance in observation of the enemy's left, when Eipley's brigade coming up, Cieneral D. H. Hill ordered two of General Eipley's regiments — the Forty-fourth Georgia and the First North Car- olina — to operate on the right with General Pender, while the Forty-eighth Georgia and the Third North Carolina remained in front. General Lee then ordered the battery to be charged. The attempt was made. They all moved forward to the attack together. They cleared the rifle pits and gained the creek, within one hundred j^ai'ds of the battery; but there was still the creek and abattis to cross. The fire of shot, shell, canister and musketry from the enemy's works was, meanwhile, murder- ous. The Forty-fourth Georgia and First North Carolina were heavily cut up and thrown into confusion, owing to the heavy 8 loss of officers. General Pender's brigade Avas likewise re- pulsed from the batteries with severe loss. At this juncture, while the troops were holding this position, Ehett's battery, of D. H. Hill's division, succeeded in crossing the broken bridge over the Chickahominy, and took position on the high ground immediately in front of the enemy's batteries, and opened a steady and destructive fire over the heads of our troops, with telling effect upon the enemy's infantry, almost silencing their fire, and drawing the fire of their batteries from our own infantry upon thoraselves, with the loss of a number of men and horses, lleinforced then by Bondurant's battery and one of General A. P. Hill's batteries, a steady fire was continued, while our infantry held their position about three hundred yards fi'om the enemy's batteries, until half- past nine o'clock, p. M., when the enemy's batteries ceased fii-ing. At ten o'clock, p. m., our batteries ceased also. During the night, at about twelve o'clock, the enemy abandoned some of his batteries, burning platforms, etc. FRIDAY, JUNE TWENTY-SEVENTH — STORMING OF GAINEs' MILL. Early the next morning, being Friday, Generals Gregg and Pryor, of Longstreet's corps, turned the enemy's left flank, and carried, with the bayonet, what guns still remained in their batteries, in the front and to the right of Mechanicsville. It is said by many that this w^as the proper movement to have been made on the evening previous. And blame is attached to the order given to storm the work in front wuth an entirely inadequate force. In the meantime the grand advance en echelon ac-ain bejran. The troops of D. II. Hill, having all joined their proper divis- ions, marched by the Mechanicsville road to join Jack.son. The junction was made at Bethesda church — Jackson coming from Ashland. Both corps then proceeded to Cold Harbor — Hill in front. Longstreet proceeded by the right of EUyson'e mills toward Dr. Gainer' iarm, and A. P. Hill in the same direction, on the left of Longstreet. At this point they came upon the enemy, strongly posted on high and advantageous ground. The line of battle formed was as follows: Longstreet on the right, resting on the Chiclvahominy swamp; A. P. Hill on his left; then AVhiting, then Ewcll, then Jackson (the two latter under Jackson's command), then D. H. Hill on the left of the line — the line extending in the form of a crescent beyond Now Cold Harbor, south toward Baker's mills. At about twelvo o'clock, m., the batteries of D. II. Hill, con- sisting of Hardaway's, Carter's, Bondurant's, Ilhett's, Peyton's and Clarke's, under command of Majors Pierson and Jones, were massed on our left. Captain Bondurant advanced to the front, and took position near the powerful batteries of the ene- my's artillery. But it was soon found impossible to hold the position. He was overpowered and silenced. Other batteries soon, however, came forward successively to the front of the infantry, about three hundred 3-ards in rear of Bondurant's position. Hardaway took up the fight with rifled guns. The object was to draw the attention of the enemy from Long- street's contemplated attack. At about half-past three o'clock, p. M., Longstreet commenced firing and driving the enemy down the Chickahominy. Hardaway then ceased firing, and the other divisions on the left of Longstreet successive!}- took up the fight; the enemy retreating, and being driven back to-, ward D. H. Hill's artillery, on our left. The artillery being*^ reinforced by a section of a Baltimore battery, from Jackson's division, Avitli English Blakely guns, ojiened a furious fire on the enemy at about five o'clock, p. m. At four o'clock, p. m., of Friday, the enemy had reached Gaines' mill, one of their strongest defences, and here, an hour later, the bloodiest con- test occurred that had been witnessed during the campaign. Men who had gone through Manassas, Williamsburg, and the Seven Pines, declared they had never seen war before. AVithout a knowledge of the ground, but little conception can be formed of the diflSculties of the attack upon Gaines' mill. Emerging from the woods, the road leads to the loft and then to the right round Gaines' house, when the whole countr^j, for the area of some two miles, is an open, unbroken succession of undulating hills. Standing at the north door of Gaines' house, tlic whole country to the right, for the distance of one mile, is a gradual slope toward a creek, through which the main road runs up an open hill and then winds to the right. In front, to the left, are orchards and gullej-s, running gradually to a deep creek. Di- rectly in front, for the distance of a mile, the ground is ftlmost table land, suddenlj- dipping to the deep creek mentioned above, being faced b}- a timber-covered hill fronting all the table land. Bej'ond this timber-covered hill, the country is again open, and a perfect plateau, a fi;irm-housc and outhouses occupying the centre, the main road mentioned winding to the right and through all the Federal camps. To the left and rear of the second mentioned farm, a road comes in upon the flat lands, joining the main road mentioned. Thus, to recapitulate, ex- • cept the deep creek and timber-covered hill beyond it, the whole country, as seen from the north door of Gaines' house, is unbroken, open, undulating, and table land, the right forming a descent to the wood-covered creek, the left being dips and gullies, with dense timber still farther to the left; the front being for the most part table land. But to the southeast Of Gaines' house is a large tract of timber, commanding all ad- vances upon the main road, and in this McClellan and McCall had posted a strong body of skirmishers, with artillery, to annoy our flank and rear when advancing on their camps on 10 the higli grounds, if we did so by the main road or over the table hinds to the north. It now being three o'clock, p. m., and the head of our column in view of the Federal camps, fxeneral Pryor was sent forward with his brigade to drive awaj' the heavj- mass of skirmishers posted to our rear to annoy the advance. This being accom- plished with great success, and with little loss to us, Pryor returned and awaited orders. Meanwhile the Federals, from their camps and several positions on the high grounds, swept the whole face of tlie country with their numerous artillery, which would have annihilated our entire force if not screened in the dips of the land and in gullies to our left. Advancing cautiously but rajtidly in the skirt of woods, and in the dips to the left, Wilcox and Pryor deployed their men into line of bat- tle — Featherstone being in the rear — and suddenly a])itearing on the plateau facing the timber-covered hill, rushed down into the wide gully, crossed it, clambered over all the felled timber, stormed the timber breastworks beyond it, and began the ascent of the hill, under a terrific fire of sharpshooters, and an incessant discharge of grape and canister, from pieces posted on the brow of the hill and from batteries in their camps to the right on the high flat lands. Such a position was never Btormed before. In descending into the deep ci-eek, the in- fantry and artillery fire that assailed the three brigades "vvas most +errific. Twenty-six pieces Avere thundering at them, and a ';t hailstorm of lead fell thick and fast around them. Vilcox's regiments wavered — down the General rushed, sword in hand, and threatened to behead the first ■^sitated. Pryor steadily advanced, but slowly ; and ^hat the three brigades had stormed the position, hill through timber and over felled trees, Feath- • in advance. Quickly the Federals withdrew 1 took up a fresh position to assail the three cing in perfect line of battle from the woods i" ateau. Officei'S had no horses, all wei-e shot — ' ! *^hcd on foot, sword in hand — regiments were . ■ ^ captains, and companies by sergeants, yet on- '^ ">d, with yells and colors flying, and backward, A~ i; fell, the Federals, their men tumbling every iiioment in scores. Eut what a sight met the eyes of these three gallarit brigades ! In front stood Federal camps, stretch- ing to the northeast for miles! Drawn up in line of battle were more than three full divisions, commanded by McCall, Porter, Sedgwick, etc. — banners darkened the air — artillery vomited forth incessant volleys of grape, canister and shell — heavy masses were moving on our left through the woods to flank us ! Yet onward canie Wilcox to the right, Pryor to the loft, and Featherstone in the centre — one grand, matchless line of battle — almost consumed by exploits of the day — yet onward 11 they advanced to the heart of the Federal position, and when the enemy had fairly succeeded in almost flanking us on the left, great commotion is heard in the woods ! volleys upon vol- leys are heard in rapid succession, which are recognized and cheered h}' our men — " It is Jackson I" they shout, " on their right and rear !" Yes; two or three brigades of Jackson's army have flanked the enemy, and are getting in the rear ! Now the fighting was bitter and terrific. Worked up to madness, Wil- cox, Featherstone and Pryor dash forward at a run,*hnd drive the enemy with irresistible fury — to our left emerge Hood's Texan brigade, "Whiting's comes after, and Pender follows I The line is now complete, and "forward" rings from one end of the lino to the other, and the Yankees, over thirty thousand strong, begin to retreat ! Wheeling their artillery from the front, the Federals turn part of it to break our left, and save their retreat. Tho very earth shakes at the roar I JYot one piece of ours has yet opened ! all has been done ivith the bullet and bayonet, and onward press our troops through camps upon camps, capturing guns, stores, arms, clothing, etc. Yet, like bloodhounds on the trail, the six brigades sweep everything before them, presenting an unbroken, solid front, and, closing in upon the enemy, keep up an incessant succession of volleys upon their confused masses, and unerringly slaughtering thiiin by hundreds and thousands I There was ,but' 6ne /^ chargej" and from the moment the word of command was given — *ffi*' bayonets; forward !" — our advance was never stoj^pcd, despite the awful reception which met it. It is true that one or two regiments became confused in passing over the deep ditch, abattis and timber earthwork — it is also true that several slipped from the ranks and ran to the rear, but in many cases these were wounded men ; but the total nun\ber of " stragglers" would not amount to more than one hundred. This is strictly true, and redounds to our immortal honor. These facts are true of Wilcox's, Pr^^or's and Featherstone's brigades, who formed our right, and we are positive that, from the composi- tion of Whiting's, Hood's and Pender's brigades, who flanked the enemy and formed our left, they never could be made to falter, for Whiting had the Eleventh, Sixteenth and Second Mississippi, and two other regiments. Hood had four Tex- and one Georgia regiment, and the material of Pender'-- mand was equally as good as any, and greatly distinguished itself These were the troops mostly engaged and that suflered most. But "where is Jackson?" ask all. He has travelled fast, and is heading the retreating foe, and as night closes in, all is anxiety for intelligence from him. It is now about seven o'clock, r. M., and just as the rout of the enem}' is complete — just as the last volleys are sounding in the enemy's rear, the distant and rapid discharges of cannon tell that Jackson has 12 fallen upon the retreating column. Far in the night his troops hung upon the enemy, and for miles upon miles are dead, wounded, jirisoners, wagons, cannon, etc., scattered in inextri- cable confusion upon the road. Thus, for four hours, did our inferior force, unaided by a single piece of artillery, withstand over thirty thousand of the enemy, assisted by twenty-six pieces of artillery I Every arm of the service was well represented in the Federal line — cavalry Avere there in force, and, when our men emerged from the Avoods, attempted to charge, but the three brigades on the right, and Jackson's three brigades on the left, closed up ranks and poured sucli deadly volleys upon the horsemen, that they left the ground in confusion and entirely for their infantry to decide the day. McCall's, Porter's and Sedgwick's "crack" divisions tnelted away beibre our advance. McClellan, pris- oners say, repeatcdl}' was present, and directed movements; but, when the tiiree brigades to our left emerged from the woods, such confusion and havoc ensued that he gave orders to retreat, and escaped as best he could. The cannon and arms captured in this battle were numerous, and of veiy superior workmanship. The twent^'-six pieces were most beautiful, while immense piles of guns could be seen on Bvery hand — many scarcely having the manulUcturer's "finish" even tarnished. The enemj' seemed quite willing to thr-ow them away on the slightest pretext — dozens being Ibund with loads still undischarged. The number of small arms cap- tured was not less than fifteen thousand, of every calibre and every make. The field pieces taken were principally Napoleon, Parrot and Blakely (English) guns. We have captured large quantities of army wagons, tents, equipments, shoes. Clothing in abundance was scattered about, and immense piles of new uniforms were found untouched. Ever}- conceivable article of clothing was found in these divisional camps, and came quite apropos to our needy soldier}^, scores of whom took a cool balh, and changed old for new under-clothing, many articles being of costly material, and quite imiqiie. The amount of ammunition found was considerable, and proved of very superior quality and manufacture. While the storming of Gaines' mill Avas in progress, a fight was raging at Cold Harbor, a short distance to the left, in which the enemy wei-e driven ott" with great carnage. At tliis point, the gay, dashing, intrepid General Wheat was instantl}' killed by a ball through the brain. At a latef hour of the evening one of his compatriots, General Ilood, of the Texas brigade, dashed into a Yankee camp and took a thousand prisoners. And so, with Jackson and 8tuart pushing on toward the Pa- niunkey to intercept the enemy's retreat to West Point, should it be attempted, and McClellan with his main body retiring toward the south (or Kichniond) side of the Chickahominy 13 before our victorious troops, the second day was brought to an end. All of the enemy's dead and wounded on the previous day, with few exceptions, had been carried off; and they managed also to remove a large number from the field in this running engagement. As they retired, they set fire to immense quanti- ties of their commissary stores, spiked their cannon, destroj-ed tents and smashed up all of the wagons they could not run off. Our forces captured several fine batteries, consisting in all of eighteen rifled cannon, and several minor pieces of artillery. The enemy now occupied a singular position : one portion of his army on the south side of the Chickahominy, fronted Eich- mond, and was confronted by General Magruder — the other portion on the north side, had turned their backs on Eichmond, and fronted destruction in the persons of Lee, Longstreet, Jack- son and the Hills. These last were, therefore, advancing on Eichmond with their bachs to the city; such was the position into which General Lee had forced McClellan. The position which the latter here occupied, however, was one of great strength. THE FIGHTING ON SATURDAY, JUNE TWENTY-EIGHTH. The right wing of McClellan's army, after crossing the Chickahomin}^ on Friday night at the Grapevine bridge, felf back down the Williamsburg road, towai-d the White Oak swamp. On Saturdaj^, the 28th, General Toombs attacked a portion of the enemy's left« wing, strongly posted on a hill, and sup- ported with artillery, near the Chickahominy, about a mile east ©f the New Bridge road. About eleven o'clock, Moody's bat- tery opened fire upon the entrenchments of the enemy, located just bej^ond Garnett's farm. The battery fired some ten or fifteen minutes, and meanwhile a body of infantry, consisting of the Seventh and Eighth Georgia regiments, moved up under cover of the fire from the field pieces. The Eighth, in advance, charged across a ravine and up a hill, beyond which the Yankee entrenchments lay. They gained the first line of works and took possession of them; but, it is proper to state, this was unoccupied at the time by the Yankees. The fire of the enemy was murderous, and as soon as our men reached the brow of the hill, rapid volleys of grape, canister, and musketry were poured into them. It was found almost impossible to proceed farther, but the attempt would have been made had not orders been received to fall back, Avhich was done in good order, still under fire. The loss in the Seventh is reported at seventy odd men killed, wounded and missing. In the Eighth, upward of eighty. Colonel Lamar, of the Eighth, was severely wounded in the groin, and fell into the hands of the enemy. Lieutenant- 14 Colonel Towers was captured, but uninjured. The Yankees were completely hidden boliind their works, and did not Ruflfer much, ap]jarently. We took a captain, lieutenant, and some five or bix privates — the Yankee picket force at the point. Later a flaj^ of truce was granted to take away our dead and wounded. The remainder of Saturday was mai-ked by the cajiture of the Fourth New Jersey (Stockton's) regiment, the Eleventh Penn83-]vania, and the famous "Bucktails," with their regimen- tal standards; l)y rapid and wholly successful movements of Jackson and Stuart, between the (^hickahominy and the Pa- munkey, taking tlie Y''ork Iliver railroad, and cutting off McClellan's eomniunication with his transports and destroying his line of telegra])h. At this time high ho])es were enter- tained of speedily destroying or capturing the entire army otf Mc(/lellan. The York Eiver railroad, it will be ren\embered, runs in an easterly direction, intersecting the (Miickahoniiiiy about ten miles from the cit3^ South of the railroad is the WilliTimsburg road, connecting with the Nine Mile road at Seven Pines. The former road connects with the New Bridge road, which turns off and crosses the Chickahominy. From Seven Pines, where the Nine Mile road joins the upper one, the road is known as the old Williamsburg road, and crosses the Chickahominy at Bottom's bridge. With the bearing of these localities in his mind, the reader will readily understand how it was that the enemy was driven from his original strongh-olds on the north Bide of the CMiicka- hominj', and how, at the time of Friday's battle, he had been compelled to surrender the posse8Hion;'^|! the Fredericksburg and Central railroads, and had been prea.«ed''to a position where he was cut oft" from the principal avenues oCknppl}" and cscajic: The disposition of our forces was such as^cut off" all commu- nication between McClellan's army and tlie White House, on, the Pamunkey river; he had been driven completely from his northern lines of defences; and it was supposed that he would be unable to extricate himself fr<)inir,his position without a vic- tory or a capitulation. In front of him, with the Chicka- hominy, which he had crossed, in his rear, were the divisions of Generals Long^reet, Magruder and linger, and, in the situ- ation as it existed Saturda}' night, all hojics of his escape were thought to be impossible. THB BATTLE OK SAVAGE STATION, SUNDAY, JUNE TWKNTYrJfmE. Six miles fron\ Ilichmond, on the Y^ork Piver road, the enemy were in foi'ce on Saturday night. During the night our pickets heard them busilj' at work hammering, sawing, etc. The rumble of cannon cai'riages was also constantly audible. Sun- da.y, about noon, our troops advanced in the direction of the 15 works, which were found deserted. Their entrenchments were found to be formidable and elaborate. That immediately across the railroad, at the six mile post, which had been supposed to be a light earthwork, designed to sweep the railroad, turned out to be an immense embrasured fortification, extending for hundreds of yards on either side of the track, and capable of protecting ten thousand men. Within this Avork were found great quantities of fixed ammunition, which had apparently been prepared for i-emoval, and then deserted. All the cannon, as at other entrenchments, had been carried off. . ■ After passing this batter}-, our forces (;autiou8ly pushed'their way down the railroad and to the right, in the direction of the Seven Pines. At three o'clock a dense column of smoke was seen to iss!(^e from the Avoods, iwo miles in advance of the bat- tery and ha^lf a mile to the right of the railroad. iChe smoke was found to proceed from a perfect mountain of the enemy's • commissar}' stoi-es, which they had fired and desei'ted. The pile was at least thirtj' feet high, with a base sixty feet in breadth, consisting of sugar, coffee and bacon, butter, prepared meat, vegetables, etc. The fire had so far enveloped the heap as to destroy the value of its contents. The field and woods around this spot was covered wi,tb'M-ery description of cloth- ing and camp equipage. Blue gfeaticoats. lined the earth like leaves in Valambrosa. No indiieation was wanting that the enemy had left this encampment in haste and disorder. About one o'clock, a. m., Sunday morning, our pickets down the Nine Mile road were fiercel}' attacked by the eneni}-, and a severe and lively fight ensued. The enemy was oa'JiJily driven back with loss — manj' prisoners falling in tOui'thands. Many of the Federals threw down their arms an'd surrendered volun- tai'ily. Sunday morning, about six or seven o'clock, another fierce,.^icket fight occurred. La^'e.f in the daj^ the enemy were again encountered upon the YoKlt River railroad, near a place called Savage's Station; the troops engaged on our side being the division of Genei^al McLaws, consisting of Generals Kershaw and Senimes' brig- ades, supported by General Griffith's brigade from Magruder's division. The Federals were found to be strongly entrenched, and as soon as our skirmishers came in view, they were opened upon with a furious cannonade from a park of field pieces. Kemper's batter}' now went to the front, and for thi^e hours ' the battle raged hotly, when the discomfited Yan-kiees again resumed their back track. It was during this fight that Gen- eral Griffith, of Mississippi, one of the heroes of Leesburg (where he coninia.Trded the Eighteenth Mississippi on the fall of Colonel Burt), was killed by the fi-agment of a shell, which mangled one of his legs. He was the only general officer killed on our side during the whole of that bloody week. Owing to a most unfortunate accident, much of our success h:- 16 was marred. Our own troops, being mistaken for the enemy, ■were fired into by the T\vent3'-first Missis.^ippi regiment, as was Jenkins' South Carolina regiment at Manassas, by rein- forcements in the rear. During the pursuit the railroad Mer- rimac was far in advance of our men, and was vigorously shelling the enemy at every turn. Al)out sundown, Stinda}', General Magruder's division came up with the rear of the enem}', and engaged a portion of his forces for about an hour and a half After passing the enemy's camp, on the York Kiver railroad, our troops pushed after the enemy, and came up M'jth him on the Williamsburg road, a mile east of the Seven Pines, opposite Mr. AVilliain Setlgwick's farm. The enemy were posted in a thick piece of pines north of the Williamsburg road, behind entrenchments of great strength and elaborate finish. The llichmond Howitzer bat- talion began the fight by shelling the woods. From the direc- tion of the railroad, Kershaw's brigade and other troops marched down the Williamsburg road, and dashed into the woods by a flank movenient to the left. Here the fight raged furiously, until darkness put an end to the contest. Our men laid on their arms, with the design of renewing the battle with the retux'u of daylight. While Magruder was thus successfully " pushing the enemy to the wall " on the south side of the Chickahominy, the re- doubtable Stuart was not less successful on the north side. Dashing down to the White House on the Pamunkey, he suc- ceeded in capturing an immense quantity of supplies, fixed am- munition, rifled ordnance, railway machinery and locomotives, wagon trains, a balloon and its apparatus of inflation, quarter- master's stores, etc., with one thousand five hundred prisoners, besides burning seventeen large transports at the wharves. During Sundaj', the mortifying fact became known to our generals that McClellan had in a measure succeeded in eluding us, and that, having massed his entire force on the Richmond side of the Chickahomin}', he was retreating toward the James river — having stolen a march of twelve hours on General Huger, who had been placed in a position on his flank, to watch his movemcTits. THE BATTLE ON MONDAY, JUNE THIRTIETH. By daybreak on Monday morning, the pursuit was actively resumed. D. H. Hill, Whiting and Ewell, under command of Jackson, crossed the Chickahominy b}- the Grapevine bridge, and followed the enemy on their track by the Williamsburg road and Savage Station. Longstroet, A. P. Hill, Huger and Magruder pursued the enemy by the (Jharlcs City road, Avith the intention of cutting them oft". At the White Oak swamp, our left wing came upon the Yankee forces at about eleven 17 o'clock, A. M. But they had crossed the sti-eam, and burnt the bridge behind them. Their artillery was also posted in immense numbers, commanding both the bridge and the road. General Jackson, with Major Crutchfield, chief of his artillery, and the several captains of D. H. Hill's artillery, hav- ing reconnoitred the position of the Cnemy, ordered forward the whole of D. H. Hill's artillery, under Colonel Crutchfield. Under cover of the hill on the left, or north bank of the White Oak swamp, our artillerj^ was brought forward, thrown rapidly upon the crest of the hill, and suddenly opened fire upon the encni3''s batteries, with twenty-six field pieces in seven batter- ies. This was at about twelve o'clock, M. A tremendous fire was kept up from the batteries on both sides — the enemy hav- ing in position neai* fifty pieces. During this time, one or more of the enemy's caissons was exploded, while they sutfered with a heavy loss of men and horses. The cneni}' then fell back 'some distance behind a skirt of woods, abandoning three of their guns on the field, and there, hidden from sight, renewed the fight at long range, which, with their Parrot guns, gave them great advantage. The fight of ai'tillery, nevertheless, continued with great spirit and determination, until night closed the scene. The casualties on both sides in this fight were very heavy. Indeed, this is said to have been probably the heaviest fight of field artillery which has taken j)lace during the war. About four o'clock Mondaj' afternoon, General Longstreet having been called away, the command of his division was as- sumed b}' General A. P. Hill, who, with both divisions — that of Longstreet and his own — engaged the cnem^^ at a later hour in the evening. The battle was thus fought under the immediate and sole commaifd of General A. P. Hill, in charge of both divis- ions. The position of the enemy was about five miles north- east of Darby town, on the JS^ew Market road. The immediate scene of the battle was a plain of sedge pines, in the cover of which the enemy'.s forces were skili'ully disposed. In advancing upon the enemy, batteries of sixteen heavy guns were opened upon the advance columns of General Hill. Our troops, pressing heroically forward, had no sooner got within musket rang3g^,»than the enemy, forming several lines of battle, poured upon them from his heav}' masses a devouring fire of musketry. The confiict became terrible; the air being tilled with missiles of death, every moment having its peculiar sound of terror, and every spot its sight of ghastly destruction and horror. Never was a more glorious victor}' ])lucked from more desperate and threatening circumstances. While exposed to the double fire of the enemy's batteries and his musketr}', we were unable to contend with liim with artillery. But, although thus unmatched, the heroic command of General Hill pressed on with unquailing vigor and a resistless courage, driving the Pf^r 18 enemy before them. Tliis was accomplished Avithout artillery, there boiiiff but one batter}' in General Hill's eonimand on the spot, and that belonged to Longstreet's division, and could not be got into ]»osition. Thus the fight continued with an ardor and devotion that few battle-fields have ever illustrated. Step by stc]) the enemy were driven back, his guns taken, and the ground be abaiidoned strewn with his dead. By half-past eight o'clock we had taken all his cannon, and, continuing to ad- vance, had driven him a mile and a half from his ground of battle. Our forces were still advancing upon the retreating lines of the enemy. It was now about half-past nine o'clock, and very dark. Suddenly, as if it had burst t'rom the heavens, a sheet of fire enveloped the front of our advance. The enemy had made another stand to receive us, anil from the black masses of his forces, it was evident that it had been heavily reinforced, and that another whole corps d'armee had been brought up to contest the fortunes of the night. Line after line of battle was formed. It was evident that his heaviest columns were now being thrown against Hill's small com- mand, and it might have been supposed that he would only be satisfied with its annihilation. The loss here on our side was terrible'. ^ The situation being evidentl}' hopeless for an}^ further pur- suit of the fugitive enemy, who had now brought up such overwhelming forces, (.reneral Hill retired slowly. At this mo- ment, seeing their adversary retire, the most vociferous cheers arose along the whole Yankee line. They were taken up in the distance by the masses which for miles and miles beyond were supporting McClellan's front. It was a moment Avhen the heart of the stoutest commander might have been appalled. General Hill's situation Avas now as desperate as it well could be, and required a courage and presence of mind to retrieve it, Avhich the circumstances which surrounded him were not well calculated to inspire. His command had fought for five or six hours without reinforcements. All his reserves had been brought up in the action. Wilcox's brigade, which had been almost annihilated, was reforming in the rear. Hiding rapidly to the position of this brigade, General Hill brought them, by great exertions, up to the front to check the advance of this now confident, cheering enemy. Catching the spirit of their commander, the brave but jaded men moved up to the front, rcpl^Mug to the enemy's cheers with shouts and yells. At this demonstration, which the enemy, no doubt, supposed signified heavy reinforcements, he stopped his advance. It was now al)0ut half-])ast ten o'clock in the night. The enemy had been arrested; and the figlit — one of the most remarkable, long- contested and gallant ones that has yet occurred on our lines — was concluded with the achievement of the field under the most trying circumstances, which the enemy, with the most over- 19 powering numbers brought up to reinforce hira, had not suc- ceeded in reclaiming. The battle of Monday night was fought exclusivel}' by Gen- eral A. P. Hill and the forces under his command. Cfeneral Magruder's division did not come up until eleven o'clock at night, after the fight had been concluded. B}^ orders from General Lee, Magrnder moved upon and occupied the battle ground; General Hill's command being in a condition of pros- tration from their long and toilsome fight, and suffering in killed and wounded, that it Avas pi-ojier the}^ should be relieved by the occupation of the battle ground b}' a fresh corps d' armee. In the long and bitter conflict which General Hill had sustain- ed with the enemy, he had driven him about a mile and a half; and, at the conclusion of the battle, although he had retired somewhat, he still held the ground from which, in the early part of the action, he had driven the enemy. President Davis was on the field during the day, and made a narrow escape from injur}^ which might jiossiblj" have proven fatal. He had taken position in a house near the scene, when word was sent him b}' General Lee to leave it at once, as it was threatened with danger. He had scarcely complied with the advice before the house was literally riddled with shell from the enemy's batteries. Prisoners state that on Monday evening McClellan addressed his troops in an animated strain, conjuring them "for God's sake, and the sake of their country, and the old flag around which so many fond recollections cluster, to join in one more last struggle to reach our gunboats on the James river. I have been frustrated in all- my plans against Pichmond. We must cut our way to the river, and then I shall await reinforcements. I do not give up the hope of yet capturing Pichmond." Their fighting subsecpicnti}' showed that his words were not without eftect. Luring the night the enemy retreated again down the Quaker road toward Malvern hill, about a half mile within the intersection of the JS^ew Market, or Piver road, and the Quaker road. Here he took strong position on this hill, about two miles and a half from his gunboats on the James river. This closed the scene of Monday, , ^^ THE BATTLE OP TUESDAY, JULY FIRST. The army of McClellan was now getting into the triangle formed by the three roads already* alluded to, and in which it was hoped that he would be entrapped. It was in this area that the great battle of Tuesday took place. All of our forces, however, failed to be in position in the right time, and those in the rear, who were to cut him off and hem him in, allowed the game to slip from tl\cir hands and cfuietl}^ make his escape, which he subsequently did by roads easil}' traceable on the map. 20 McClelliiii, in maUiiii^ liis wa}- in all liaste. but in good order, to the waters of James river, had reached on Tiie.sda}', July 1, u point about sixteen miles below liichmond, ami two miles above Turkey island, where it was determined to make a stand, with the purpose of elfectuall}- coverint; the retreat of the main body to their gunboats. Tlie ground whs admirably eliosen. An elevated plateau of twelve hundred 3-ards in length and three hundred and fifty yards width, lay between a skirt of woods, dark and dense, and a plantation dwelling, which will be known in the official reports as "Crew's house," Avith its surrounding buildings. TJj)on the crest of a gentle slope in front of this country seat the Yankees planted four lieavy bat- teries, commanding the plateau, and every square yard ol' it, to the woods. On Tuesday morning D. II. llill's division, on the i-ight of Jackson, Whiting, Ewell and Jackson's own division on the left (Jackson couunanding tiie three latter divisions), crossed the White Oak bridge, and took uji their position in this order on the left of our line, at about three o'clock, p. M. D. H. Hill's artillery was sent to tlie rear to rest. Longstreet, A. P. Hill, Magruder and linger, on our right wing, pushed down the Long Bridge road in pursuit, and took position on the left and front of the enemy, under fire of all his artillery on land and water. About four o'clock in the afternoon, the skirmishers of our pursuing column, on emerging from the wood, Avere met by the lire of the enemy, and fell back to report to the commanding general, Magruder, whose division, embracing the brigades of Howell Cobb, Toombs, Wright and Armistead, Avas in the adA'^ance. T\v(j batteries of light artillery, Grimes' and the Second Eichmond UoAvitzcrs, were immediately ordered to take position in the cleared field, some fifty yards from the edge of the forest, and to open fire u])()n the enemy's batteries, Avhile the infantry Avere drawn up under cover of the Avoods, to be pushed across the field at the proper moment. Grimes' battery ■was throAvn into hopeless disorder by the killing of three of its horses and the Avounding of several others in the act of taking its ground, and never did get into position; Avhcreupon, the Purcel.l battery, Captain Pegram, Avas ordered to replace it. The HoAvitzers and Captain Pegrani's A^eterans at once opened a furious cannonade on the Yankees, firing Avith great steadi- ■fiess and effect, but so desolating avhs the rain, of shot, shell and spherical-case showered upon them by the enemy's guns, Avhich had obtained the exact range, that they AverC^gi-eatly cut up in a shoi't time and had to be Avithdi-awn. At the same moment, a column of not more than six hundred Confederate troops, Avljij^tiJi, had moved with Avonderl'ul ]n'ecision and celerity across'^wiC* plateau, to a ])oint Avithin one hundre(Land fifty yards of the Yankee batt'ories, were compelled to retire with heavy loss and 21 in some disorder. The Letcher Artillery, of six pieces, under command of Captain Davidson, was now ordered to the spot till then occupied by the Purccll batter}^, and getting their guns quickly in place, despite the withering tempest of flame and iron, commenced to serve them with the utmost efficiency, firing twelve or fifteen discharges to the minute, while a second column of infantry advanced through the cleared space at double-qnick to storm the terrible batteries of the foe. The fire was now ajipalling, and to add to the horrors of the scene, the gunboats of the enemy in the river began to throw the most tremendous projectiles into the field. The column moved on nearer and yet nearer, its ranks thinned at ever}' moment, and lost to sight in the thick curtain of smoke which overs])rcad the crimsoned battle-ground. But once again the whii-lwind of death threw the advancing mass of gallant men into inextrica- ble disorder, and the}' retired. Still the Letcher Artillery held its ground. A brave lieutenant and two. of the men had been killed at their pieces, nineteen others had fallen wounded by their side, and the horses Avere piled around them in heaps, a caisson had exploded, yet thei^* fire was kept up as steadily as if theyhad been firing a holid^ay' salute. An hour and a half or more had now passed since the opening of the battle, and a third column upon the centre moved onward to the Yankee guns. The dark mass so6n. disappeared in the cloud which enveloped all objects, and't'h©i|gh it lo»t ptron^th and solidity at ever}' step, in the brave fellows who fell struck b}- the hurtling missiles that strewed the air, it still gained the slope where stood the enerfiy's batteries, but only to be driven back, as liad been their comrades before them. Meanwhile the indomitable Jackson had assailed the eneni}' Avith great enei'gy on the right of their positjjp|fj"a^nd soon drove them from the field. The dusk of evenfiig, deepening into darkness, favored the retreat of the Yankees, who succeeded in carrying off their pieces, though with a loss in.kjHed and wounded equal to, if not greater than our own. V^ .. i,ji Thus closed the -ferrible battle of the 1st of July. The battle- field and the region round about, seemed as if \he lightnings of heaven had scatlied and blasted it. The forest shows in the splintered bi-anchei^tof a thousand trees, the fearful havoc of the artiller}-; the houses are riddled, the fences utterl}^ demolished, the eaVth itself plowed up in many places for j'ards; here stands a dismantled caisson, there a broken gun-carriage; thick and man}- are tlie graves, the sods over which 3-et bear the marks of the blood of their occupants; on the plateau, across whose surface for hours the utmost fury of the battle raged, the tender corn' that had grown up as high as the knee betraj's no sign of having ever "laughed and sung" in the breeze of early . summer; everything, in short, but the blue heaven above, speaks of the carnival of death which was there 22 80 frightfully celebrated. About a. quarter of a mile from the field stands on the roadside tlie house occupied b}- CJeneral Lee as his iieail-quarters during the battle. The weather-boarding and the shingled roof exhibit abundant evidences of the terrible nature of the cannonade. The elongated shells thrown b}' the gunboats were most fearful projectiles, measuring twenty-two inches in length b}' eight in diameter. It is remarkable that, as far as we know, the onlj' damage done by them was to the enemy. Not having the proper range, the gunners so elevated their pieces as to let these messengers of death fall mostly among the ranks of their own men. The effect of one which burst near Crew's house was indescribably fatal. It struck a gun of one of the batteries, shattering it into fragments, and by the explosion, which followed insLantancousi}', seven men standing near the piece were killed in the twinkling of an eye. They fell without the movement of a muscle, in the verj' atti- tudes the}' occupied the moment before, stiffening at once into the stony fixednCvSH of death.. One, indeed, was almost blown into annihilation ; but another Avas seen still grasping the lan- 3'ard of the gun; j'et another, belonging to an infantry regi- ment, held in his hand the ramrojd Avith which he was driving home the load in his Belgian rifle; while a fourtli, with clench- ed lips, retained in his mouth the little portion of the cartridge he had just bitten off. The fact^s.-of the victims even still ex- pressed the emotions which aniih«^f^ih'' 23 The Westover plantation, long the seat of tlic distinguished family of Byrds, and at present owned b}^ Mr. John Selden, adjoins Berkeley on the east, the dwelling-houses being some four miles apart. Charles City Court-house is between eight and ten miles east of the latter place. It is not to be sn^jposed the enemy selected these plantations as the scene of liis last great stand without good reasons. The first and most apparent of these is, that the Westover landing is, perhaps, the very best on James river; and the stream, for miles up and down, being broad and deep, affords both excellent sea room and ancliorage for his gunboats and transports. But this is by no means the only advantage of the position. On the west of Berkeley are innumerable impassable ravines, running from near the Charles City road, on the north, to James river, making a successful attack from that quarter next to impossible. Within a quarter of a mile of where these ravines begin, Herring Run creek crosses the Charles City road, and running in a southeasterly direction, skirts, on the north and east, the plantations of Berkeley and Westover, and empties into James river at Uie .extreme eastern boundary of the latter. The Avholc course of this creek is one impassable morass, while along its northern and eastern banks extend the heights of Kvelinton — along range of hills that overlook the Westover and Berkeley estates, and which offer eligible positions for heavy guns. It will be seen that, protected on the south by the river and his gun- boats, on the west by impassable ravines, and on the north and east by Herring creek and the heights of Evelinton, the encm^y's position presents but one pregnable point — the piece of level country northwest of Westover, from a quarter to a half mile in width, Ij'ing between the head of the ravines and the point where Herring creek crosses the Charles City road. - But it required only a verj' brief period for the enemy, with his im- mense I'esourcea of men and machinery, to obstruct by art this 011I3" iii^tural entrance to his stronghold. Already it was within range of his gunboats, and of his siege guns planted on the Evelinton hills; another day saw it strewn with felled timber and bristling with field batteries. The James river was soon covered, .with the transports and gunboats of the enemy, and McClellan, secure in his "new base of operations," vigoi'ousl}^ began the work of infusing courage and confidence among his beaten and demoralized troops. On the 4th of July he issued the following address, which, consid- ering the events immediately preceding, is* certainly a rather remarkable document : , HEAD-QUARffeRS ArMY OF THE PoTOMAC, Camp near Harrison's Landing, July 4, 1862. , Soldiers of the Army of the Potomac ! Your achievements of the past ten days have illusti'ated the valor and endurance of 24 the American soldier. Attacked by superior forces, and with- out liopcp of reinforcements, you have succeeded in chan<:;inir your base of operations by a flank movement, ahva3-s regarded as the most liazardous of military operations. You have saved all your L!;uns exce]tt a few lost in battJe, taking in return guns and coloi-s from the enemy. Upon 3'our march you have been assailed, da}'^ after day, with desperate fury, by men of the same race and nation skil- f^illy massed and led. Under every disadvantage of number, and necessarily of ])Osition also, 3'ou have in every conflict beaten back your foes with enormous slaughter. Your conduct ranks you among the celebrated armies of history. None will now question what each of you may alwaj's, with pride, say : " 7 belonged to the Army of the Potomac." You have reached this new base complete in organization and unimpaired in spirit. The enemy may at any lime attack you — we are prepared to meet them. 1 have personally estab- lished your lines. Let them come, and we will convert their repulse into a final defeat. Your government is strengthening you with the resources of' a great peojtle. On this, our nation's birthda}', we declare to our foes, who are rebels against the best interests of mankind, that this army shall enter the capital of the so-called Confed- eracy; that our National Constitution shall ])revail, and that the Union, which can alone insure internal peace and external security to each state, must and shall be preserved, cost what it may, in time, treasure jind blood. Geo. B. McClellan, Major-General Commanding. This narrative cannot be better concluded than b^- the repro- duction of the following general orders of General Lee, in reference to the battle. These orders give an official and prob- ably the most trustworthy summary of the results that can now be had, and afford a striking contrast to the address of General McClellan : Head-quarters in the Field, [General Orders, JSfo. 75.] July 7, 1802. The General commanding, profoundly grateful to the only Giver of all victory for the signal success with which he has blessed our arms, tenders his warmest thanks and congratula- tions to the arm}'- by whose valor such splendid results have been achieved. 'On Thursday, June 20, the powerful and thoroughly equipped army of the enem}- was entrenched in works vast in extent and most formidable in character, within sight of our capital. To-day the remains of tliat confident and threatening host lie upon the banks of James river, thirty miles from Eichmond, 25 seeking to recover, under the protection of his gunboats, from the effects of a scries of disastrous defeats. The battle beginning on the afternoon of the 26th Jnne, above Mechanicsville, continued until the night of July 1, with only- such intervals as were necessar}' to pursue and overtake the flying foe. His strong entrenchments and obstinate resistance were overcome, and our army swept ret-istlessly down the north side of tlje Chickahoniinj', until it reached the rear of the enemy, and broke his communication with the York, capturing or causing the destruction of many valuable stores, and, by the decisive battle of Friday, forcing the enemy from his line of powerful fortifications on the south side of the Chicka- hominy, and driving him to a pi-ecipitate retreat. This victo- rious arm}' pursued, as rapidly as the obstructions placed by the enemy in his rear would permit, three times overtaking his flying column, and as often driving him with slaughter from the field, leaving his numerous dead and wounded in our hands in every conflict. The immediate fruits of our success are the relief of Rich- mond from a state of siege, the rout of the great army that so long menaced its safety, man}^ thousand prisoners, including ofiicers of liigh rank, the capture or destruction of stores to the value of millions, and the acquisition of thousands of arms, and fifty-one pieces of superior artillery. Tlie service rendered to the country in this short but events- fill period can scarcely be estimated, and the general command- ing cannot adequately express his admiration of the courage, endurance and soldierl}^ conduct of the officers and men en- gaged. These brilliant results have cost us many brave men; but while we mourn the loss of our gallant dead, let us not forget that they died nobly in defence of their countr^^'s freedom, and have linked their memor}- Avith an event that will live for ever in the hearts of a grateful peo])le. Soldiers! Your countrj' will thank you for the heroic con- duct you have displayed — conduct Avorthy of men engaged in a cause so just and sacred, and deserving a nation's gratitude and praise. • By command of General Lee. R. H. Chilton, A, A. General. A REVIEW OF THE BATTLE, AND ITS RESULTS. The following clear and impartial review of the conduct and results of the battles is taken from the columns of the Rich- mond Examiner of Tuesday, July 8 : We have now reached a period at which we may calculate 26 • tho value of the result of the great Ijaltlo of Eichmond, and make a summar}'- review of the grand diorama of events thai have so recently passed before our eyes. We propose to do this in a historical spirit, without reference to the mean objects of personal compliment or personal deti-action, anxious onl}' to interpret with justice and intelligence the events of the past week, and to define the result of one of the gravest incidents that has yet occurred in the history of the war. The general estimation of the battle of Richmond, expressed in a 8]jirit of candor, would he that it was a most excellent plan, inditferentl}' executed in the field. The work of the closet was good. The design was comprehensive and saga- cious; and calculations upon which it was based Avero nicely ari-anged; but its execution, unfortunately, was full of fiaws, which, to some degree, have marred the results of our victory, or reduced them below public expectation. Eeviewing the situation of the two armies at the commencement of the action, the advantage was entirely our own, the fact being that the plan of McCMellan was as defectiVe as our own was excellent. He had divided his army on the two sides of the Chicitiihominy, and operating apparently with the design of half eiroipnvallat- ing Kichmond — which was exceedingly foolish, considrehend the terrible sublimity of a great battle with field pieces. Tho uproar was incessant and deafening for hours. At times it seemed as if fifty guns explotled simultaneouslj-, and then i-an ofi" at intervals into s])lcndid file firing — if I may apply in- i'antiy descriptive terms to cannonading. But no language can describe its awful grandeur. Tho enemy at last essaj'od a combined movement. Meantime our force had been strength- ened by Griflith's brigade, which increased tho volume of infantry fire, and Martindale's ^bi-igadc came up to be ready for emergencies. Their infantry fire had entirely subsided, and it was obvious that they were withdrawing under cover of their artillery. Our own batteries, which had opened in full cry at the start, had not slackened an instant. Comprehending the situation fully now, the cannoneers plied themselves with 35 tremendous energy to punish the retreating foe. We hiive no sure metms to determine how many Avere slaughtered. Our loss was eighty killed, and less than one hundred and fifty wounded. General McClellan was not in the battle, but was at General Porter's head-quarters until it terminated. It was now ascertained from prisoners that Stonewall Jack- son had not joined Lee. Hence it was inferred that he was sweeping down the banks of the Pamunkey, to seize the public property and to cut off our retreat in that direction. General Stoneman's command was moved swiftly down to watch opera- tions there, and orders were issued for the removal or destruc- tion of all public stores at the White House. The situation, apparently placid on the surface, developed a troubled under- current. General McClellan directed General McCall to fall back and take up a new position in front of our military bridges, to resist an attack which was anticipated next day (Friday). It was thought if the enemy was not successfully repulsed, he could bo drawn across our bridges upon our own terms, where he could be roughly handled. The command was given to General Fitz John Porter, who controlled the troops already mentioned, supported by a powerful train of artillery — regular and volunteer. Meantime all the trains and equipage of the right wing were withdrawn to Trent's bluff, on the right bank of the river, during the night, and our wounded were conveyed to the hospital at Savage St'ition — to be de- serted, alas ! to the cnem}'. All these facts indicated dangei*. But other evidences of it were not wanting. By daylight Friday morning General McCall had fallen back to the rear of Gaines' mill, and in front of Woodburj^'s bridge, where he was posted — his left joining the right of Butterfield's bi'igade, resting in the woods and near the swamps of Chicka- hominy. Morell Avas on his right, in the centre, and General Sykes, commanding five thousand regulars, and Duryea's Zou- aves, held the extreme right — the line occupying crests of hills near the New Kent road, some distance east by south of Gaines' mill. A portion of the position was good, but judici- ous generalship might have found a better, and especially it might have been amended by posting tiie left flank upon a swamp, which was impassable beyond peradventure. Besides, the line Avas so disposed that it was next to impossible to use our artillery. Nothing definite had j-et been heard of the eneni}^, but it. was assumed that he would. appear stronger than yesterday. Accordingly, General Slocum's division, about eight thousand strong, Avas moved across the river to support J^orter, although it Avas deemed hazardous in consequence of a pending attack along our whole front. But there Avas no alternative ; General McClellan had only so much material, and it was imperative that he should use it according to unavoidable necessity. 36 BATTLK OF GAlNEs' MILL, FHIDAV, JUNE TWENTY-SF.VENTH. Tlie buttle opened about one o'clock by skirmishing, ])artieu- lurly in front of dlriffith's briirudc, near the mill, and by an artillery attack from the battery planted in the orchard near the Gaines' house. The enemy felt our position rnjiidly, and alon^i; the whole line at the same time, showin*; that he was in full force. By two o'clock there had been several conflicts between opposing regiments, without any particular result, save that our men steadily maintained their line. About this time General (Iriflith's brigade, whose front was covered by Berden's Hhar])shootcr.s, advanced througii to the edge of the woods toward tiaines' mill, and made the tirst important open- ing of the battle. The enemy at once replied. The Ninth Massachusetts, Golonol Cass, a strong and bravo regiment, with the Fourth Michigan and Fourteenth New York, had the prin- cipal position. Tlic Sixty-second Pennsj-lvania took position on the extreme right, where tlic enemy a])]ieared very strong. Weeden's Rhode Islatul battery, from position in rear of the woods, plied shell and solid shot with accuracy and effect. This was the earliest collision between our forces and the enemy. The action immediately began with vigor on the extreme right, held by General Sykes' division, composed of General Warner's, Colonel Buchanan's and Colonel Chapman's brigades. These brigades supported Weed's, Edwards' and Tidball's bat- teries — all regulai-s. The enemy attacked very fiercely, charging repeatedly, but were as often repulsed. The enemy delayed their assault upon our left for some time. A brilliant episode occurred on the left of Martindale's brigade, where the Thir- teenth New York, and the fire proof and scarred veterans of the Second Maine were postedj^ A brigade of Alabamians moved up over the crest of a hill in splendid style; even, ready and resolute, with arms at right shoulder shift, ready for a charge. " Up and at them," was the word along our line, and the two regiments which had lain concealed in the low growth of timber in the valle}' sprang to their feet, and one ])iercing, terrible volley of death-dealing Minnies was poured into the ranks of the confident enemy. The hill was cleared as though swept by a hurricane. One of the regiments left their colors and battle flag upon the field. The regimental color was so- cured by ('olonel lioberts, of the Second Maine, and the battle flag by Captain Sullivan, of the Thirteenth New York, who followed the retreating enemy and secured it. Captain Sulli- van found the field literally covered with the rebel dead ; there being over eighty near the spot where the colors lell. At three o clock the action had become general along the Avhole line. Stonewall Jackson's column had formed a Junction with Lee, and soon attacked our right with gi-eat vigor and ])ertinacity, but he met a galling fire from Edwards', Martin's and Weeden's 37 batteries, wliicli sent him reeling back in disorder. Again he gathered his columns, supported them by fresh troops, again advanced, extending his lines as if to flank our right, and re- newed the attack with greater ferocity than ever, to be again repulsed with terrible slaughter. Sj'kes' regulars and Warren's brigade, in which are the DarA'ea Zouaves and Bendix's Tenth New York regiment, played a brilliant part in this portion of the engagement — the Zouaves especially fighting with a desper- ation and tenacit}" ordy to be expected from such superior men. They suffered largel3% their peculiar uniform being the especial mark of ten thousand rebel soldiers. The tactics of the enemy were soon made apparent. It Acas in mas.sing troops and making sudden onslaughts on this and then on that portion of our columns, by which he expected to break them somewhere, and defeat if not rout us. His next movement was against our centre. Part of Jackson's column, reinforced by a large body from Hill's division, now made a desperate onset against the centre. Here the conflict was long and bloody, and raged for nearly two hours with great violence. The columns surged backward and forward, first one yielding and then the other. An idea of the great magnitude of this portion of the fight may be obtained, when I say that this part of the line was successively reinforced by McCall's reserves — the brigades of General Newton, Colo- nel Bartlett and Colonel Taylor, of Slocum's division — and it Avas not until the last fresh brigade was hurled against them that they were beaten back. In this part of the engage- ment we took about fifty prisoners, who said that in just that part of the engagement the entire foi'ce of Lonstreet's and Hill's divisions and a part of Jackson's column partici])ated. Probably the most desperate fighting of the day took place upon this part of our lines and at this time. Here it was that we suffered our heaviest losses, and the field pi-escnted a most sanguinary hue. ' The fighting was done principally by mus- ketry — a thick pine woods intervening between our batteries and the eneni}', preventing the former getting the range of the latter. Many of our regiments suffered here to the extent of one-third of their men. The Sixty-second Pennsylvania, of (rriffin's brigade, met an overwhelming force of the enemy, who took them on the flank, and, after a desperate resistance, they succeeded in repulsing the regiment, killing the colonel, Samuel W. Black, and wounding Lieutenant-Colonel Sweitzcr. The regiment broke and retreated, and was the first to come off the field in disorder — the tnen frightened and panic-stricken at the death of their beloved colonel. The regiment was not re- formed. Finding he could not force our centre, the enemy gradually threw his columns against our left, pressing Martindale's right wing very hard, where he met a gallant resistance from the 38 Twentj'-second Massachusetts and Second Maine rcijinicnts — as brave veterans as ever shouldered a musket. 8ud(kMily. the everlasting roar of musketry increased in volume toward the extreme left, and the conflict seemed to grow fiercer than at any previous time. This was about six o'clock; and as I galloped over the fjeld I looked back and around u]ion the most sublime scene that the fierce grandeur and terril)le reality of war ever portrayed. The thousand continuous volleys of mus- ketr}^ seemed mingled in the grand roar of a great cataract, while the louder and deeper discharge of artillery hounded forth over those hills and down the valley with a volume that seemed to shake the earth beneath us. The canojiy of smoke was so thick that the sun was gloomily red in the heavens, while the clouds of dust in the rear, caused hy the commotion of advancing and retreating squadrons of cavalry, was stifling and blinding to a distressing degree. One hour and a half our left line withstood this terrible shock of battle. Though deci- mated at every discharge, losing heavily in officers, and with an overwhelming force in front, they still continued to fight. Lino officers w^ere stricken down by scores and men by the hundred. They thus saw it was in vain to longer continue. The right was giving away rapidly, and black crowds of retreat- ing men could be seen making their way toward the river, they having cut their Avay through the o])posing host which assailed them in fi-ont, in flank and in rear, and fell back upon the river, crossing upon the remains of Enjerson's bridge, which had been blown up by our forces during the fight, 'Und gathered together their scattered colunuis in the camj) of Smith's division. A part of the brigade liad been withdrawn by the right flank, and w-ith them General Butler, who, notwithstanding the thousand dangers that he risked, escaped unharmed — one bullet having passed through the rim of his hat and another bent his sword double. When the left gave way, the centre, and finally the j'ight, was also pressed back, and the retreating columns soon became mingled into one black mass of troops. The infantr}' supports having fallen back, Allen's, Weeden's, Hart's and Edwards' batteries were left exposed. AVhen the order to fall back reached the middle hospital, one of the three houses, about equidistant from each other, on the road to Woodbury's bridge, quite a stampede took place among the stragglers who luid thei-e congregated, most of them being men who had been detailed to bring in the wounded from their regiments and wdio had failed to return. They made a rush for the bridge, followed by some of the troojis, but before they reached the last hospital near the end of the bridge, they were speedily and summarily checked. About seven o'clock Meaghei-'s and French's bi-igades crossed the bi-idge and advanced at double- quick up the hill, forming in line of b;illle beyond the ]io.s])ital, and s\voo])ing up the sti'agglers with a round turn. In almost 39 less time than it takes to write it, a scene of indescribable ex- citement, of mingled confusion and direful disorder, had been obliterated ; yes, literall}'' crushed, and comparative order re- stored out of almost chaos b}' the prompt, energetic and fearless action of brave officei'S. As the rushing and retreating tide began to pour precipitately toward the bridge, a dozen officers in my own sight drew their sabres and pistols, placed them- selves in front of the straggling crowd, and ever}- device that physical and mental nature could invent, rallied and formed column after column of men from the broken mass that swept over the plain. Probably the greatest carnage of this bloody day was produced by the incessant discharges of double-shotted canister from the bronze Napoleons of Martin's battery. He had taken np a position in the hollow between two small hills. The enemy advanced from the opposite side in solid column, on double-quick, with arms at right shoulder shift, not being able to see the battery until the}' reached the crest of the hilly within one hundred yards of it, when Martin opened a bitter surprise upon tliem, sweeping them from the field like chaff before a storm. Twice again they formed and advanced, their officers behaving splendidly, but it was useless; Martin's fierce leaden rain being too terrible to withstand. The advance of the fresh troops having checked the enem3^,and night com- ing on, the conflict ceased, and both parties quietly lay on their arms. Calamity brooded over all. Few had opportunit}' to rest, not man}- could find wherewith to appease hunger, and mind as well as body Avas afflicted. Both were jaded and reduced. Losses we were obliged to estimate. Official reports, there Avere none. Of material, Fitz John Porter's command lost twenty pieces of artilleiy, and the arms, with accoutrements, which belonged to men Avho were lost. Of dead, wounded and missing there were seven thousand or upward. It is claimed that the battle was badly managed. This is no time tor criticism; besides, the data is not absolutel}^ reliable. It is certain that we Avere beaten in strategy and grand tactics. We were beaten. It was a melancholy satisfaction to know that Ave occupied the field of battle after the conflict Avas ended. We had about thirty thousand men engaged — perhaps thirty- five thousand. The enem}- had four divisions employed, besides •lackson's admirable army of forty thousand or thirty-five thousand disciplined troops. THE RETREAT TO THE RIVER. There Avas but one extremely perilous alternatiA'e. The arniA' must fall back on James riA-er. A hope Avas entertained that tlic enemy Avould be deeeiA^ed into the belief that Ave de- signed to fall back to the White House. Preparations were 40 accordingly b^gun. Porter's command crossed the river with- out opposition. During the night our bridges were blown u]i, ami the cross- ings were barricaded and defended. Ke^'es' lino, which was on the extreme left, i-esting upon White Oak swamp, was pro- longed, and our artillery and transi)()rtation trains wore ordered to prepare to move forward. That night General Casey was also directed to destroy all public property at the "White House that could not be removed, and to ti-ansport the sick and wounded to a place of safety; to retire himself, and ri'join the arni}^ on James river. Friday night was thus actively and mournfully jiassed, but it was telicity itself compared with those of Saturday, Sunday; Mondu}' and Tuesdaj^. Saturday morning loomed u^ion us hotlj' and cheerlessl}'. Until nine o'clock not the sound of a hostile gun disturbed the dread silence. About nine o'clock this anxiety was relieved b}- an awful cannonade opened upon Smith's position from two forts in Garnctt's field, a batter3' at Fitz John Porter's old position, and another below it on the left bank of the Chick- uhominy, raking his entrenchments and compelling him to abandon the strongest natural position on our whole line. The fire was terrible. I can describe its lines fairly b}' com])aring it with the right lines and angles of a chess board. Smith fell back to the woods, a few hundred yards, and threw uj) breast- works out of range, l^he enemy, content with his success, ceased firing, and quiet was not disturbed again that day. The silence of the enemy was explained to me that night; a dis- patch had been sent l>y Jackson to Magruder, -who remained in command in front of Richmond, expressed thus : " Be quiet. Everything is w^orking as well as we could desire!" Ominous words ! I now proceed to Savage Station. I shall not attempt to describe the sombre picture of gloom, confusion and distress which oppressed me there. I found officers endeavoring to fight off the true meaning. Anxiety at head-quarters was too apparent to one who luul studied that branch of the army too sharjdy to be deluded by thin masks. The wretched spectacle of mangled men from yesterday's battle, the wearied, haggard and smoke-begrimed faces of men Avho had fought ^^esterday, were concomitants of every field, yd they formed the sombre coloring of the ominous picture before me. Then there were hundreds wdi* had straggled from the field,, sprawled upon every space where there was a shadow of a leaf to protect them from a broiling sun; a hui-ry and tumult of Avagons and artillery trains, endless almost, rushing down the roads toward the new base, moving with a sort of orderly confusion almost as distressing as panic itself But I venture that few of all that liastening throng, excepting old officers, understood the misfortune. Endless streams of artillery ti'ains, wagons and 41 funeral ambulances poured down the roads from all the camps, and plunged into the narrow funnel which was our only hope of escape. And now the exquisite truth flashed upon me. It was absolutely necessary for the salvation of the army and the cause that our wounded and mangled braves, who lay moaning ill physical agony in our hospitals, should be deserted and left in the hands of the enemy. At daylight General McClellan was on the road. Thousands of cattle, of wagons, and our immense train of artilkny, inter- mingled Avith infantry, and great troops of cavalry, choked up the "narrow road already. General Sumner's, Ilointzclraau's and Franklin's corps, under Sumner's command, had been left to guard tlie rear, witli orders to fall back at daylight and hold the enemy in check till night. A noble arni}^ for sacrifice, and some, oh^ how many, must fall to save the rest. The very slightest movement from the front was critical. At no point along the line were we more than three-fourths of a mile from the eneni}-^, and in front of Sedgewick's line they were not over six hundred yards distant. The slightest vibratioVi at any point was apt to thrill the rebel lines from centre to wings; but, fortunately, by skilful secrec}', column after column was marched to the rear. Toward noon the line had retired several miles, and rested behind Savage Station, to destroy the public l^roperty which had accumulated there. A locomotive on the railway was started swiftly down the road, with a train of cars, and soon plunged madl}' into the Chiokahominy, a mangled wreck. The match was applied to stores of every descri))tion, and ammunition was exjiloded, until nothing was left to ap- pease the rebel appetite for prey. Destruction was coiuplete, and the ruins were more touchingljMlesolate amitl the mangled victims of war's ruthlessness, who laid on the hillside mourning the departure of friends with whom they had bravely fought. The advance column and all the mighty train luul now been swallowed in the maw of the drear}- forest. It swept onward, onward, fast and furious, like an avalanche. Every hour of silence behind was ominous, but hours were precious to us. Pioneer bands Avere rushing along in front, clearing and repair- ing our single road; reconnoissance officers were seeking new routes for a haven of rest and safety. The enemy was in the real-, pressing on with fearful power. He could press down, flankward, to our front, cutting off our retreat. Would such be our fate'/ The vanguard had passed White Oak bridge, and had rise^u to a fine defensive post flanked by White Oak swamp, wherg'part of the train at least could rest. Head-quarters, whi?;h had tan-ied near the bridge, were now moved two miles beyond. Keyes' corps was forward. Sykes was guarding our flanks; Morell was moving behind Keyes; Fitz John Porter stood guard around the camp. Day was wearing away. An awful "tumult in rear, as if the elements were contending, had 42 been movinesti- lential lead through the forests, fiweejiing scores ot' bravo sol- diei's into the valley of the shadow of death. Nothing struck me so keenly during all that gloomy day and more desolate night as the thinly-disguised uneasiness of those to whom the country- had entrusted its fate. It was well that soldiers who carry muskets did not read the agony traced upon the face of that leader whom they had learned to love. A lew in that gloomy bivouac folded their arms to sleep, l)ut most were too exhausted to enjoy that blessed relief Tliat dreadful tumult, but a few short miles in the distance, raged till long after the whip])oorwill had conimenced his ]ilaintive song. THK BATTLE OF SAyACiE STATION. - Morning beamed upon us again lirilliantly, but hotly. The cnem^' had not 3'ct appeared in our front. Sumner had l)rought off his splendid command. Franklin was posted strongly on the south bank of White Oak creek, Keintzelman was on his left, Kejes' coi-ps was moving swiftly to James river, down the Charles City and Quaker roads, Porter and part of Sumner's corps were following rapidly. The enemy first attacked at Oi"chard Station, Jiear Fair Oaks, in the morning, but were soon driven off. At about noon the}'' returned in heavy force from the front of Ivichmond, Avhile a strong column was thrown across the Chickahominy, at Alexander's bridge, near the rail- way crossing. They first a])peared in the edge of the woods south of Trent's, and opened on our column on the Williams- burg rOad with shell. At the same time thej'' trained a heavy gun upon our line from the bridge they had just crossed. They still seemed deluded with the belief that General ]\Ic('lellan intended to reti'eat to the Pamunkey, and all day long they had marched heavy columns from their cam]is in front of Rich- mond, across New bridge, to strengthen Jackson still more. Ha]jp3' delusion. The first shells exploded around and over the hospitals at Savage Station, but it is just to say it was not intentional. They next opened upon a clustt-r of officers, including Sumner, Scdgewick, Jlichardson, Burns, and their stafPs, missing them fortunately, but covering them with dust. Our own batiteries were now in full clamor, and both sides handled their guns skilfully. The object of the enemy seemed to be to break our right centre, and consequently Jiui'ns' brigade was the recipient of the principal share of their favor. As the afternoon wore away the combatants drew closer together, and the conflict be- 43 came one of the gharpest of the battles on Virginia soil. Two companies of one regiment stampeded. Croneral Burns flung himself across their track, waved his bullet-shattered hat, ex- postuhited, exhorted, entreated, threatened, imprecated, under a storm of lead, and at last, throwing his hat, in agony and despair, upon the ground, begged them to rally once more, and preserve them and him from disgrace. The last appeal touched them. The men Avheeled with alacrity, and fought like heroes until the carnage ceased. Our trains liad now passed White Oak bridge. Such an achievement, in such order, under the circumstances, might well be regarded wonderful. The retreat was most ably con- ducted. Until this day (Monday) the enemy seems constantly to have operated upon the supposition that our army was in- tending to retire to the Pamunkey. They had been deluded into tliis belief by the Seventeenth New York and Eighteenth Massachusetts regiments, together with part of the First, Sec- ond and Sixth regular cavalry, which had been sent out to Old Church on Thursday morning to impress the enemy with that notion. {Par parcnthrse — they retired safely to Yorktown, and are" now at Malvern hill.) But our true object must now have become apparent, and it was vitally necessary to get the trains through before the enemy could push columns down the Charles City, Central and New Market roads. But until eight o'clock in the morning we had no knowledge of any but the Quaker road to the point at which Ave now aimed— Hardin's landing and Malvern hill, in Turkey bend. Sharp reconnois- sance, however, had found another, and soon our tremendous land fleet Avas sailing down two roads, and our long artillery train of two hundred and fifty guns, and equipments, were lumbering after them with furious but orderly speed. BATTLE OF WIIITK OAK SWAMP. About ton o'clock General McClellan pushed to the river, communicating with Commodore Rodgers, and had the gun- boat fleet posted to aid us against the'enemy. The cause was des]icrate, but it Avas a relief to reach the river Avhere avc could turn at bav, Avith our rear protected liy the James and flanks partially covered by gunboats. Tidings, hoAvever, had been received that the enemy Avas pushing rapidly upon us in several columns of immense numbers, apparently determined to crush us or drive us into the river that night. They opened fiercely Avith shell upon Smith's division at White Oak bridge. Long before this Our vanguard had debouched from the road into tlie field before Turkey bend, and our reserve artillery Avas powerfully posted on Malvern hill — a magnificent bluff", cover- ing Hardin's landing, Avhere our gunboats Avere cruising. Here Avas a glorious prospect. Though our gallant felloAvs Avere 44 bravely holding the fierce enemy at bay to cover the swiftly escaping trains, it was clear our troubles were not ended We had again deceived the enemy by going to Turkey bend. He had imagined we were marciiing to New Market, destined to a point on C'lift' Jiottoin road, near Fort Darling. It was not far away, and tlie enemy was massing his troops upon us on the left and on our new front — for when we arrived at Malvern hill the wings of the army, as organized, were reversed — Keyes taking the right, Porter's corps the left — as we faced l^ch- mond. Our line now described a great arc, and there Avas fighting around three-fourths of the perimeter. Gen. McClel- lan, who had already communicated with the gunboats, re- turned from the front to Malvern hill, which was made his battle head-quarters, and dispositions for a final emergency were made. Fitz John Porter was marched from the valley under the hill to his position on the western crest of the hill, where he could rake the plains toward Richmond. Our splen- did artillery was picturesquel}- poised in fan shape at salient points, and its supports were disposed in admirable cover in hollows between undulations of the biufl^'. Powerful concen- trating batteries were also posted in tiie centre, so that, to use the language of Colonel Switzer, "we'll clothe this hill in sheets of flame before they take it." It was a n\agnificent spectacle. The roar of combat grew tremendous as the after- noon wore away. There was no time then nor afterward to ascertain dispositions of particular organizations. They were thrown together wherever emergency demanded. AVhito Oak bridge, the Quaker road, Charles City road and the banks of Turkey creek were enveloped in flame ; iron and lead crushing through forests and men like a destroying pestilence. A mask- ed battery, which had opened from the swamp under Malvern hill, begun to prove inconvenient to Porter. It ])lowed and crashed through some of our v^'agons, and disturbed groups of officei's in the splendid groves of Malvern mansion. The gunboat (lalena, anchored on the opposite side of Tur- key island, and the Arostook, cruising at the head of the island, opened their ports, and plunged their awful metal into the rebel cover Avith Titanic force. Toward sunset the earth (piivered with the terrific concussion of artillery and huge ex])losion8. The vast tcrial auditorium seemed convulsed with the com- motion of frightful sounds. Shells raceil, like dark meteors athwart 'the horizon, crossing each otlicr at eccentric angles, exploding into deadly iron hail. The forms of smoke-masked warriors; the gleam of muskets on the plains where soldiers were disengaged; the artistic order of battle on Malvern hill; the wild career of wilder horsemen plunging to and fro and across the field, formed a scene of exciting grandeur. In the forest, where eyes did not penetrate, there was nothing but the cxhilirating and exhausting spasm of battle. Baleful fires 45 blazed among the trees, and death struck many shining marks. Our haggard men stood there with grand courage. Wearied and jaded and hungry and thirsty, beset by almost countless foes, they cheered and fought, and charged into the very jaws of death, until veteran soldiers fairly wept at their devotion. Oh ! friends, could you realize the afflictions of the past live days, 3'ou could almost shed tears of blood. Oh ! my friends, it is horrible I horrible! to see this proud army so wi-etchedly pressed upon every side, destrui^tion threatening wherever we turn ; scarce a hope of extrication save that which is born of despair. Would to God such days )iad passed away for ever. Oh, my countiymen, you cannot comprehend the toils and trials of your devoted soldiers — conflict not simply with sol- dier}' — but contention against insidious thirst, craving appetite, enfeebling heat, overj^owering fatigue — and after fighting and marching, and privations by day and suffering b}- night, and fighting by daj's succeeding nights of fighting and harrassing vigils, against fresh forces hurled upon them in overpowering masses, till exhausted nature almost sank beneath such fearful visitations, to be pressed to the imminent verge of despair, was almost too much for human nature to endure. The soil of Virginia is now sacred. It is bathed with the reddest blood of this broad land. Every rood of it, from upper Chickahominy to the base of Malvern hill, is crimsoned with blood. The dark forests — fitting canopy for such woful sacri- fice — echo with the wails of wounded and dying men. There is a bloody corpse in every copse, and mangled soldiers in every thicket of that ensanjruined field. ■. .■:* I