G'l . 2'^6C Duke University Libraries The seven days' Conf Pam #610 \ THE w 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. CHARLESTON: STKAM-POWKR PKESSE8 OF EVXxs It COGSWELL, .3^Broad and 103 East Bay StreeU. 1862. •% PUBLISHERS' NOTICE. After the most bloody and important struggle that has ever taken jihuo 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 man}' 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- cessiye 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. ^% ^ x \ THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES IN FKONT OF RICHMOND. The bloody checks which the Northern army, in its memo- rable advance up the Peninsula toward Eichmond, had re- ceived at Williamsburg and the Seven Pines, had taught General ^fcClellan the desperate character of the conflict, without which ho could never hope to reach, in triumph, the capital of the Confederate States. Accordingly, after the battle of the Seven Pines bis movements became exceedingly circum- spect, and, although his army already largely outnumbered tiiat which defended the beleaguered city, 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. AVith this immense force he was cau- tiously pushing forward his lines. Meantime it had been de- termined by the Confederate 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 iiad re- cently cleared the invaders out of the Valley of Virginia, were ra])idl3- and quietly drawn toward Eichmond, in order to flank McClellan's loft. A brief reference to the situation of the opposing armies will here be necessary to enable the reader to understand the subse- quent movements, it' yon will take a map of Virginia, and run , your eye along the line of the Virginia Central railroad until it crosses the Chickahominy at the point designated as £he Meadow bridge, j-ou will be in the vicinUy of the position occupied by tlio extreme ri^Jtt of the Federal armj'. Tracing from this ]josition a semicircular line, Avhich crosses the Chickahonuny in the neighborhood of the "New bridge," and then the York ni\-C'r railroad farther on, you arrive at a ^oint southeast ofl^iohmond, but a comparatively short dis- tance from the James river, whore rests the Federal left. To be a little more onficit, spread your fingers so that their tips will form as neaT^as possible the arc of a circle. Imagine Eiclmioiul as situated upon your wrist; the outer edj^e of the tluiinb as the (^entral railroad; the inner edied a similar, but, of course, smaller circle, immediately around Richmond, the heaviest body being on the centre, south of the York Hivcr railroad. Such was the situation ]-)revious to Thursda}-, the 2(3th of June. The phwi of battle tlien developetl was: tirst, to make a vi<^orou8 flank movement upon the enenn's extreme riu;ht, which was within a mile or two of the Central railroad; secondl}-, as soon as they fell back to the next road below, our divisions there ])0sted were to advance across the Chicka- honiiny, change front, and, in co-o])eration with Jackson, who ■was to make a detour, and attack the Federals in flank and rear, drive them still farther on; and, finally, when they had reached a certain point, now known as " the triangle, " em- braced between the ('harles City, JS'ew Market and Quaker roads, all ol' which intersect, these several a])i)roaches were to be possessed by our forces — the enemy to be thus hemmed in, and compelled either to starve, cai)itulate, or fight his way out with tremendous odds, and topographical advantages against him. How so excellent a ])lan eventually happened to fail, at least partially, in the execution, will presently appear. THUaSDAY, JUNK TWKNTY-SIXTM — OPKNINU OF TIIK BATTLE — TUB CAl'TUllE OF MECIIANICSVII-LK. Thursda}' came, clear but warm. At three o'clock, A. M., Majoi'-(Jcnei-al Jackson took up his line of march from Ashland, ami ])rocec(iing down the counti-y between the ('hickahominy and I\unuiikcy rivers, he uncovered the front of Brigadier-(ien- cral Branch by driving off the enemy collected on the north bank of the (/hickahoniiny river, at the |)oint where it is crossed by the Brook turnpike; (Jeneral Branch, who was on the south bank, then crossed the river and wlu-eled to the right, down its northern bank. Proceeding in that direction. (Jenei-al Branch, in like manner, uncovcreil, at J\readow bridge, the front of Major-CJcneral A. P. Ilill, who immediately crossed. The throe columns now |)roceeded^rt echelon — (Jeneral Jackson in advance and on the extreme lefl, Brigadier-tJeneral Branch (who was now mei-ged with General A. P. Jlill) in the centre, and Gen- eral A. V. Hill on tlio ri<]^ht, immodiatcly on the river. Jackson bearing away from the Cliickahominy in this part of the march» flo as to gain ground toward tiie Pamunkey. marched to tho left of Moclianicsville, while (Joneral Hill, keeping well to the Chickahominy, approached that village and engaged the enemy there. The road was narrow, uneven, muddy and impeded^ and when tho bridge had been crossed, it became necessary to- ascend a hill bare of trees or other obstructions, and all the while our gallant follows w^ere exposed to a plunging fire or shell, grapo, round shot and canister from the Federal batter- ies; yet (lio column moved on steadil}', in files of fours, closing; up their ranks as soon as they were thinned, with a sublime- resolution, toward the fortifications, which, 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 luid been ke|>t u]i for so long a time since the beginning of the war. But tlie Mechanicsville entrenchments were ours,. and, though with lieav}* loss, at a smaller sacrifice of life than had been feared, and the enemy had fallen back to Ellyson's mills, farther down the Chickahominy. THE ASSAULT UPON ELLYSON's MILLS. The enemy's batter^' of sixteen guns was to the right, or Bouthoast 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 b^' opaulments supported by rifle pits. Beaver crook, 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 battery was covered with abattis. The position was most f'ormidal)le. The assault was made by Pender's brigade, of A. P. HilTs division, on the right, and by Ripley's brigade on the right iiii front. General Pender's brigade had been thrown out in ad- vance in observation of the enem^^'s left, \vhen Ripley's brigade coming uji. (ieneral D. H. Hill ordered two of General Kipley's regiments — the P\irty-fourth Georgia and the First North Car- olina — to o])orate on the right with General Pender, while the Forty-eighth Georgia and the Third North Carolina remained in front, (ioncral 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 yards of the battery; but there was stilt tho creek and abattis to cross. The fire of shot, shell, canister and musketry from tho enemy's works was, meanwhile, murder- ous. The b\»rty-fourth Georgia and Fii'st North (■arolina were heavily cut up and thrown into confusion, owing to the heavy loss of officer!?' General Pender's brigade was likewise re- pulsed from the batteries with .severe loss. At tills juncture, while the troops were holding this position, Ehett'.'^ hatter}', of D. H. Hill's division, succeeded in crossing the l)rokon bridge over the (.'hickahoininy, and took i)osition on the high grouiul iuinuMliately in front of the enemy's hatteries, and opened a steady and destructive fire over the heads of our troops, with telling eft'ect upon the enemy's infantry, almost silencing their fire, and drawing the fire of their hatteries from our own int'antry upon themselves, with the loss of a number of men and horses. Reinforced then b}' 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 liundred 3'ards from the enemy's batteries, until half- past nine o'clock, p. M., when the enemy's batteries ceased firing. 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 'iWENTY-SEVENTII — STORMING OF GAINES' MILL. Early the next morning, being Friday, Generals Gregg and Pryor, of Longsti-ect's corps, turned the enemy's left flank, and cari-ied, 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 was the ])roper movement to have been made on the evening previous. And blame is attached to the order given to storm the work in front Avith an entirely inadequate force. In the meantime the grand advance en echelon again began. The troops of D. II. Hill, having all joined their proper divis- ions, marched by the Mechanicsville road to join Jackson.. The junction was made at Bethesda church— Jackson coming from Ashland, lioth corps then proceeded to ('old Harbor — Hill in front. Longstreet proceeded by the right of Ellyson's mills toward i)r. Gaines' farm, 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 ('hickahominy swamp ; A. P. Hill on his lelt; then Whiting, then 10 well, then Jackson (the two latter under Jackson's command), then D. II. Hill on the left of the Jiiic — the line extending in the form of a crescent beyond New Cold Harbor, south toward Baker's mills. At about twelve o'clock, m., the batteries of 1). 11. Hill, con- sisting (»f Hardaway's, Carter's, Bondurant's, iihett'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- 9 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 tiie infantr}-, about three hundred yards in rear of Bonduraiit"s position. Hardaway took up the fight with rifled nuns. The object was to draw the attention of the encnij' from Long- street's contemplated attack. At about half-past three o'clock, p. M., Longstreet commenced firing and driving the enemy down the i'hickahominy. Hardaway then ceased tiring, and the other divisions on the left of Longstreet successively took up the fight; the enemy retreating, and being driven back to- ward 1). H. Hill's artillcr}*, on our left. The artillery being reinforced by a section of a Ballimorc battery, from Jackson s division, with English Blakely guns, o])ened a furious fire on the enemy at about five o'clock, p. m. At four o'clock, r. 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 flic campaign. Men who had gone through Manassas, Williamsl)urg, and tlie Seven Pines, declared they had never seen war before. Without a knowledge of the ground, but little conception can be formed of the ditticulties of the attack upon Gaines' mill. Emerging from the woods, the road leads to the left and then to the right round Gaines' house, when the whole country, for the area of some two miles, is an open, unbroken succession of undulating hills. Standing at the north door of Gaines' house, the whole country to the right, for the distance of one mile, is a gradual slope toward a creek, thi'ough which the main road runs up an open hill and then winds to the riglit. In front, to the left, arc orchards and gulleys, running gradually to a decj) creek. Di- rectly in front, for the distance of a mile, the ground is almost table land, suddenly dipping to the deep creek mentione. m.. and the head of our cohnnn in view of the Federal camps, (tcnei-al Pn'or was sent forward with his brigade to drive away the heavy mass of skirmishers posiL-d to our rear to annoy the advance. This being accom- plished with great success, and with little loss to us, Pr^'or returned and awaited orders. Meanwhile the Federals, from theii" camps and several positions on the high grounds, swept the whole face of the country with theii- numerous ai'tillery, which would have annihilated our entire foi'ce if not screened in the dips of the land and in gullies to our left. Advancing cautiously but ra])idly in the skirt of woods, and in the dips to the left, Wilcox and l^iyor deployed their men into line of hat- tie — Featlierstone being in the rear — and suddenly ajipearing 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 jiieces ])osted on the brow of the hill and fron; batteries in their camps to the right on the high flat lands. Such a position was never Btormed before. Jn descending into the deej) creek, the in- fantry and artillery fire that assailed the three brigades was most terrific. Twenty-six pieces were thundering at them, and a perfect hailstorm of lead fell thick and fast around them. One of Wilcox's regiments wavered — down the (ieneral rushed, furiousl}', sword in hand, and threatened to behead the first maJi that hesitated. Pryor steadily advanced, hut slowly; and b}' the time that the three brigades had stormed the ])osition, passed up the hill through timber and over felled trees, l*'eath- erstone was far in advance. (Quickly the Federals withdrew their ])ieces, and took up a fresh position to assail the three brigades, advancing in ])erfect line of battle from the woods and upon the ])lateau. Otficcrs had no horses, all were shot — brigiidiers marched on foot, sword in hand— ^regiments were commanded by ca))tain8, and companies by sergeants, yet on- ward they rushed, with yells and colors flying, and backward, still backwai'd, fell the Federals, their men tumbling every moment in scores. But what a sight met the eyes of those three gallant brigades ! In front stood Federal camps, stretch- ing to the northeast i'or miles! Drawn up in line of battle ■were more than three lull divisions, commanded by J\IcCall, Porter, Sedgwick, etc. — i)anners darkened the air — artillery vomited forth incessant volleys of grape, canister and shell — lieavy masses were moving on our left through the woods to flank us ! Yet onward came Wilcox to the right, Pi-yor to the left, and Featlierstone in the centre — one grand, matchless line of battle — almost consumed by exploits of the day — yet onward * 11 they advanced to tlie heart of the Federal jiosition, and when the •enemy had fairly succeeded in ahnost liunkinjr us on tlie left, great commotion is heard in the woods! vollej-s upon vol- le3'8 are heard in rapid succession, which are recognized and cheered b}' our men — " It is Jackson I" they slioiit, "on tlieir right and rear I" Yes; two or three brigades of JaeUson's army have flanked tlie enemy, and are getting in the rear I Now the fighting was bitter and terrific. Worked up to madness. Wil- cox, Featherstone and Prjor dash forward at a run, and 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 com|)lete, and '-forward'' rings from one end of the line to the other, and the Yankees, over thirty thousand strong, begin to retreat I Wheeling their artilK-ry from the front, the Federals turn part of it to break our leit. and save their retreat. The very earth shakes at the roar! Not one piece of ours has yet opened! all has been done with 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 tlie enemy, keep up an incessant succession of volleys upon their confused masses, and unerringly slaughtering them by hundreds and thousands! There was but one '• cliarge," and from the moment the word of command was given — "tix bayonets; forward !" — our advance was never sto])])ed, despite the awful reception which met it. It is true that one or two regiments became confused in passing over the deep ditch, abaitis and timber earthwork — it is also true that sijveral sli])ped fioni the ranks and ran to the rear, but in many cases these were wounded men ; but the total number of" straj:glers" 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, Pryor's and Featherstone's brig.ades. 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, the^' never could be made to falter, for Whiting had the Eleventh, Sixteenth and Second Missi.ssij)pi, and two other regiments. Hood had four Texan and one (xcorgia regiment, and the material of Pender'.s com- mand was equally as good as any. and greatly distinguished itself These were the troops mostly engaged and that suffered 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 iiim. It is now about seven o'clock, p. M.. and just as the rout of the enemy 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 fallen upon the retreating column. Far in the night his troops liang upon the encni}^, and for miles upon miles are dead, wounded, prisoners, wagons, cannon, etc., scattered in inextri- cable confusion upon the road. Titus, for four hours, did our inferior force, tinaiiled by a siiKjle piece of artillery, withstand over thirty thousand of the enemy, assisted by twenty-six pieces of artillery I li^ver}' arm of the service was well represented in the Federal line — cavalry were there in force, and, when our men emerged from the woods, attempted to charge, but the three brigades on the right, and Jackson's tliree brigades on the left, closed up ranks and poured such deadly volle3-s upon tlie horsemen, that they left the ground in confusion and entirely for their infantry to decide the day. ^IcCall's, Porter's and Sedgwick's " crack" divisions melted away before our advance. .McClellan, pris- oners say, repeatedly was present, and directed movements; but, when the three 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 cajitured in this battle "were numerous, and of very superior workmanship. The twenty-six pieces were most beautiful, while immense piles of guns could be seen on every hand — many scarcely having the manufacturer's "finish" even tarnished. The enemy seemed quite Avilling to throw them away on tlie sliglitest pretext — dozens being found with loads still undischarged. The number of small ai'ms cap- tured was not less than tifteen thousand, of every calibre and eveiy make. The field pieces taken were jn'incipally Napoleon, Parrcft 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. Every conceivable article of clothing was found in these divisional camps, and came quite apropos to our needy soldiery, scores of whom took a cool bath, and changed old for new under-clothing, many articles being of costly material, and quite unique. The amount of ammunition found was considerable, and proved of very sujDerior quality and manufacture. While the storming of Gaines' mill was in progress, a fight w'as raging at Cold Harbor, a short distance to the left, in which the enemy were driven otf with great carnage. At this point, the gay, dashing, intrejjid tJcneral Wheat was jnstantly killed by a ball through the brain. At a later hour of the evening one of his compatriots, General Hood, of the Texas brigade, dashed into a Yankee cam]) and took a thousand ])ris(;ners. And so, with Jackson and Stuart ])ushing on toward the Pa- munkey to intercept the enemy's retreat to West Point, should it be attempted, and McClellan with his main body retiring toward the south (or KichmondJ side of the Chickahominy 13 before our victorious troops, the second day was brought to an end. 411 of the enemy's dead and wounded on the previous day, with few exceptions, had been carried off; and tlio}- 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, destroyed 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 Rich- mond, and was confronted by General Magruder — tlie other portion on the north side, had turned their backs on Richmond, and fronted destruction in the persons of Lee, Longstreet, Jack- son and the Hills. These last were, therefore, advancing on Richmond with their backs 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 OX SATURDAY, JUNE ' TWENTY-EIGHTH. The right wing of McClellan's army, after crossing the Chickahominy on" Friday night at the Grapevine bridge, fell back down the AVilliamsburg road, toward the White Oak swamp. On Saturday, 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 of the New Bridge road. About eleven o'clock, Moody's bat- tery opened fire upon the entrenchments of the enemy, located just beyond Garnett's farm. The battery fired some ten or fifteen niinutes, and meanwhile a bodj' 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 \ankee 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, which 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 liamar, of the Eighth, was severely wounded in the groin, and fell into the hands of the enemy. Lieutenant- 14 Colonel ToweiTS was cajitiired, hut uninjuroil. The Yankees wore completely hiciden lieliind their woi-ks, and did not suffer much, apparently. We took a (iqitain, lieutenant, and eome five or six privates — the YanUee picket force at the point. Later a fla^ of truce was granted to take away our dead and wounded. Tiie remainder of Saturday was marked by the eaptiire of the Fourth New Jerse}' (Stockton's) rei^iment, the Eleventh Pennsylvania, and the famous "Rucktaiis," with their regimen- tal standards; hy rapid and wiiolly successful movements of Jackson and Stuart, between tlie Chickaiiominy and the Pa- niunkey, takiui; tlie York River raih-oud. and cuttiiiLC off McCiellan's communication witii his transports and destroy in<^ his line of telei;;rapli. At this time hiijh iiopes were enter- tained of speedily (lestroyintj: or cajHurini^ the entire army ofMc(Mellan. The York Hiver raiii-oad. it will he renicmliered, runs in an eastei'ly direction, intersecting^ the Chickaiiominy about ten miles from the city. South of the railroad is the Williamsburg road, connecting with the Nine Mile road at Seven Pines. The former road connects with the New Bi-idge road, which turns off and crosses the Chickaiiominy. From Seven Pines, where the Nine .Mile road joins the upper one, the road is known as the ohl Williamsburg road, and crosses the Chickaiiominy at Bottom's bridge. With the beai'ing of these localities in his mind, the reader will I'Oiidil}" understand how it was that the encni}' was driven from his original strongholds on the noi'tli side of the Chicka- homiti}'. and how, at the time of Friday's battle, he had been compelled to surrender the ])Ossession of the Fredericksburg and (.'entral raili'oads, and had been pressed to a position where he was cut off' from the principal avenues of su])pl3- and escape. The disposition of our forces was such as to cut off' all commu- nication between McCiellan's arm}- and the White House, on the Panuink(.'y river ; he had been driven completely from his northern lines of defences; and it was supposed that he would be unable to extricate himself from his position without a vic- tory or a ca])itulation< In front of him, with the Chieka- hominy, \vhich he had crossed, iti his rear, were the divisions of (xenerals Longstreet, Magruder and linger, and, in the situ- ation as it existed Saturdu}' night, all linprs of bis esca|ie were thought to be impossible. TlIK BATTLE OF SAVAOK STATION, .SU.NDAY, JUNE TWENTY-NINE. Six miles fi-om Richmond, on the York River road, the enemy were in force on Saturday night. Uuring the night our pickets heard them busily at work hammering, sawing, etc. The rumble of cannon carriages was also constantl}' audible. Sun- day, about noon, our troops advanced in the direction of the # 15 works, which were found deserted. Their entrencliments were found to bo Ibrmidahlo and elaborate. That immediately across the railroad, at the six mile post, which had been supposed to be a lii;ht earthwoi-k, desiage. Blue greatcoats lined the earth like leaves in Valambi-osa. No indication was wanting that the enemy had left this encampment in haste and disorder. About one o'clock, a. m., Sundaj' morning, our pickets down the Nine Mile road were fiei'cely attacked by the enemy, and a severe and lively fight ensued. The enem}' was easily driven back with loss — many ])risoners falling in our hands. Many of the Federals threw down their arms and surrendered volun- tarily. Sunday morning, about six or seven o'clock, another fierce picket fight occurred. Later in the day the enemj' were again encountered upon the York Iviver railroad, near a place called Savage's Station; the troo])s engaged on our side l)eing the division of General McJjaws, consisting of Generals Kershaw and Semmes' brig- ades, sujtported by General (Tritfith's brigade from Magruder's division. The Federals were found to be strongly i-ntrenched, and as soon as our skirmishers came in view, they wei-e opened upon with a furious cannonade from a park of field pieces. Ki-mper's battery now went to the front, and for three hours the battle raged hotly, w^hen the discomfited Yankees again resumed their back track. It was during this fight that Gen- eral Griffith, of Mississippi, one of the heroes of Leesburg (where he commanded the Eighteenth Mississij)pi on the fall of Colonel Burt), was killed by the fi-agment of a shell, which mangled one of his legs. lie 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 16 was marred. Oar own troops, iH'iiij^ mistaken for the enemy, were HihhI into by the Tweiity-tii-st Mississi])pi ro«i;iment, 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 enem}- at every turn. About sundown. Sunday, General Magruder's division came up with the rear of the enemj', and engaged a portion of his forces for about an hour and a half After ]iassing the enemy's eanip, on the York River railroad, our troops pushed after the enemy, and came u]) Avith him on the Williamsburg road, a mile cast of the Seven Pines, opposite Mr. William Sedgwick's farm. Tlie enemy were posted in a thick piece of pines north of tiie AVilliamsbiirg road, behind entrenchments of great strength and eIal)orate rinish. The Richmond Howitzer bat- talion i)egan 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 tiank movement to the left. Here the fight raged furiously, until darkness ])ut an end to the contest. Our men laid on their arms, with the design of renewing the battle with the return of daylight. While Magruder was thus successfully " pushing the enemy to the wall " on the south side of the Chickabominy, the re- doul)table Stuart was not less succcs.sful on the north side. ])ashing down to the White House on the Pamunkey, he suc- ceeded in capturing an immense quantity of su]i])lies, fixed am- munition, rifled ordnance, railway macbineiy and locomotives, wagoli trains, a balloon and its apjiaratus ot' inflation, (piarter- master's stores, etc., with one thousand five hundred ])ris()nei*s, besides buiMiing seventeen large transports at the wharves. During Sunday, the moi'titying fact became known to our generals that McClellan hatl in a measure succeeded in eluding us, and that, having massed his entire force on the Richmond side of the Chickabominy, he was retreating toward the James river — having stolen a march of twelve hours on General linger, who liad been placed in a position on his flank, to watch his movements. THE BATTLK ON MONDAY, JUNE THIRTIETH. By daybreak on Monda}- morning, the pursuit was actively resumed. D. JI. Hill, Whiting and Ewell, under command of Jackson, crossed the Chickabominy by the (Jrajicvine bridge, and followed the enemy on their track by the Williamsburg road and Savage Station. Longstreet, A. P. Hill, linger and Magi'uder pursued the enemy by the Charles City road, with the intention of cutting them ott". At the White Oak swamp, our left wing came upon the Yankee forces at about eleven 17 o'clock, A. M. But tliey had crossed the stream, and burnt the bridge behind them. Their artillery -vvas also posted in immense numbers, commanding both the bridge and the road, (xcneral Jackson, with Major Crutchtield, chief of his nrtillcry, and the several captains of D. H. Hill's artillery, hav- ing reconnoitred the position of the enemy, ordered forward the whole of D. H. IliU's artiliery. nndcr Colonel C'rutchficld. Under cover of the hill on the left, or north bank of the AVhite Oak swam)t, our artillery was brought Ibrward, thrown rapidly upon the ci-est of the hill, and suddenly opened lire upon the enemy's batteries, with twentj'-six field pieces in seven batter- ies. This was at about twelve o'clock, m. A tremendous fire was kept n]i from the batteries on both sides — the enemy hav- ing in |)osition near fifty pieces. During this time, one or more of the enemy's caissons was exploded, while they suffered with a heavy loss of men and horses. The enemy 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 artillery, nevertlieless, continued with great spirit and determination, until night closed the scene. The casualties on both sides in this tiglU were very heavy. Indeed, thi« is said to have been probably the heaviest fight of field artillery which has taken place during the war. About four o'clock Monday afternoon, General Longstreet having been called awa}', the command of his division was as- sumed bj' General A. P. Hill, who, with both divisions — that of Longstreet and his own — engaged the enemy at a later hour in the evening. The battle was thus fought under the immediate and sole command of General A. P. Hill, in charge of both divis- ions. The ])osition of the enemy was about five miles north- east of Darbytown, on the New Market road. The immediate ecene of the battle was a plain of sedge pines, in the cover of which the enemy's forces were skilfully 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 range, tlum the enemy, forming several lines of battle, poured upon them from his heav}- masses a devouring fire of musketry. The conflict became terrible; the ai)- being filled with missiles of death, every moment having its peculiar sound of terror, and everj- spot its sight of ghastly destruction and horror. Never was a more glorious victory })lucked from more desperate and thi-eatening circumstances. AVhiie exposed to the double tire of the enemy's battei'ies and his musketiy, we were unable to contend with him with artillery. But, although thus unmatched, the heroic command of (General Hill pressed on with unquailing vigor and a resistless courage, driving the Li 18 enemy before them. This was accomplished without artillery, thcrcbcing but one battery in General Hill's command on the spot, and that belonged to Longsl reel's division, and could not be ijot into position. Thus the fi'^ht continued with an ardor and devotion that low hattle-fickls have ever illustrated. Step "by stc]) the enemy were driven back, his guns taken, and the ground he abaiidoned strewn with his dead, l^v 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 liall-past nine o'clock, and very dark. Suddenly, as if it had burst from the heavens, a. «heet of fire enveloped the front of our advance. The enemy had made another stand to receive us, and 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 afler line of battle was formed. It was evident that his heaviest eolunins 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 teri-ible. The situation being evidently hopeless for any further pur- suit of the fugitive enemy, who had now brought up such overwhelming furccs, trcnoral Hill retired slowly. At this mo- ment, seeing their advcrsar}^ retire, the most vociferous cheers arose along the Avhole Yankee line. The}' were taken up in the ■distance by the masses which for miles and miles beyond were supporting McClellan's front. It was a luoment when the heart of the stoutest commander might have been aj^palled. General Hill's situation was now as desperate as it well could be, and required a courage and presence of mind to retrieve it, which the circumstances which surrounded him were not well calculated to inspii*e. His command had fought for five or six hours without reinforcements. All his reserves had been brought up \\\ the action. Wilcox's brigade, which had been almost annihilated, was reforming in the rear. Eiding ra])idly to the position of this brigade, General Hill brought tluMn, by o-reat 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, replying to the enem^-'s cheers with shouts and yells. At this demonstration, which the enemy, no doubt, supposed signified heav}^ reinforcements, he stopped his advance. It was now about half-past ten o'clock in the night. The enemy had been arrested; and the fight — 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 powerini^ numbers brought up to reinforce him, had not suc- ceeded in reclaim inp;. The battle of ]\Ionday night was fought exclusively by Gen- eral A. P. llill and the Ibrccs under his command. General Magruder's division did not come up until eleven o'clock at night, after the fight had been concluded. By orders from General Lee, Magrtidor 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 sulfcring in killed and wounded, that it was proper the}'' should be relieved by the occupation of the battle ground by a fresh corps (V armee. In the long and bitter conflict wi)ich (Tcneral Hill had sustain- ed with tlie 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 injury, which might possibly have proven fatal. Lie had taken jjosition in a house near the scene, when word was sent him by 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 ti-oops 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 Richmond. 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 subsequently showed that his words were not without effect. Luring the night the enemy retreated again down the Quaker road toward Malvern hill, about a half mile within the intersection of the New 3Iarket, 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 OF 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 entrajiped. It was in this area that the great battle of Tuesday took place. All of our forces, however, failed to be in position in tl)e rigiit time, and those in the rear, who were to cut him off and hem him in, allowed the game to slip from their hands and quietlj' make his escape, which he subsequently did by roads easil}'^ traceable on the map. 20 McCIcllan, in making his way in all haste, bjit in s:ood order, to the waters of Janaes river, had reached on Tuesday, July 1, a point abont Sixteen miles below Kichmond, and two miles above Turkey island, where it was determined to make a stand, with the purpose of effectually coverini^ the retreat of the main body to their irunboats. The ground was admirably chosen. An elevated plateau of twelve hundred yards in length and tlirec hundred and fifty yards width, lay betAveen a skirt of woods, dark and dense, and a ])lantation erations. You have saved all your guns except a few lost in battle, taking in return gun« and colors from the enemy. Upon your marcli you have been assailed, da}' after day, with desperate fury, by men of tlie same race and nation skil- fully massed and led. Under every disadvantage of number, and necessarily of position also, you have in ever}' 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 always, Avith pride, say : " 1 belonged to tlie Army of the Potomac." You have reached this new base complete in organization and unimpaired in spirit. The enemy may at any time attack you — we are prepared to meet them. 1 have personally estab- lished your lines. Let them come, and wo will convort their repulse into a final defeat. '• Your government is strengthening you with the resources of a great people. On this, our nation's birthday, Ave declare to our foes, Avho 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 prevail, and that the Union, Avliich can alone insure internal peace and external security to each state, must and shall be preserved, cost what it may, in time, treasure and blood. Geo. B. McClellan, Major-General Commanding. This narrative cannot be better concluded than by the repro- duction of the following general orders of General liCe, in reference to the battle. These orders give an official and jirob- ably the most trustworthy summary of the results that can noAV be had, and afford a striking contrast to the address of General McClellan : Head-quarters in the Field, IGeneral Orders, No. 75.] July 7, 1862. ■ The General commanding, profoundly grateful to the oidy Giver of all victory for the signal success Avith Avhich he has blessed our arms, tenders his warmest thanks and congratula- tions to the army by Avhose valor such splendid results have been achieved. On Thursday, June 2G, the powerful and thoroughly equipped army of the enemy Avas entrenched in Avorks vast in extent and most formidable in character, Avithin sight of our capital. To-day the remains of that confident and threatening host lie upon the banks of James river, thirty miles from Richmond, 26 seekinui; to recover, iindcr the protection of liis gunboats, from the effects. of a series of disastrous defeats. The battle begiiuiiiii^ on the afternoon of the 2Gtli June, above Mechanicsville, "continued until the night of July 1, with only such intervals as were necessar}- to pursue and overtake tho flying foe. His strong entrenchments and obstinate resistance were overcome, and our arm}^ swept rei^istlessly down the north side of the Chickahoniin}-, until it reached the rear of the enemy, and broke his communication with tho York, capturing or causing the destruction of many valuable stores, and, by tho decisive battle of Friday, forcing the enemy from bis line of powerful fortifications on the south side of the Chicka- lAmin}^ and driving him to a precipitate retreat. This victo- rious army pursued, as ra]iidiy as the obstructions placed by the enemy in his roar 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 Ivich- mond from a state of siege, the rout of the great army that so long menaced its safety, many thousand prisoners, including officers of high 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. The service rendered to the country in this short but event- ful period can scarcely be estimated, and the general command- ing cannot adequately express his admiration of the courage, endurance and soldierly conduct of the officers and men en- gaged. Those 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 country's freedom, and have linked their memory with an event that will live for ever in the hearts of agratoful people. Soldiers! Your country will thank you for the heroic con- duct you have displayed — conduct worthy of men engaged in a cause so just and sacred, and deserving a nation's gratitude and praise. By command of Greneral Lee. R. II. Chilton, A. A. General A RKVIEW OF THE HATTLE, AND ITS RESULTS. The following clear and impartial review of tho conduct and results of the battles is taken from the columns of the Rich- mond Kxaminer of Tuesday, July 8 : We have now reached a period at which we may calculate 20 the value of the result of the i^reat battle of Richmond, and make a summary review of the grand diorama of events that have so recently passed before our ej'es. We propose to do this in a historical spirit, without reference to the mean objects of ])ersonal compliment or jiersonal detraction, anxious only to intei'))ret with justice and intelli<;cnce the events of the j)ast week, and to define the I'csult of one of the i^ravest incidents tliat has 3'et occurred in the history of tlie war. The general estimation of the battle of Richmond, expressed in a S])irit of candor, would be that it was a most excellent plan, indiflPerentl}" executed in the field. The work of tho closet was good. The design was cOm])rehensive and saga- cious; and calculations upon which it was based were iiiee!y arranged ; but its execution, unfortunately, was full of flaws, which, to some degree, have marred the results of'our victory, or reduced them below public expectation. Reviewijig 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 McClellan was as defective as our own was excellent. He had divided his army on the two sides of the Chickahominy, and o]ierating apparently with the design of half circumvallat- ing Jiichmond — which Avas exceedingly foolish, considering the size and situation of this city — he had spread out his forces to an extent that impaired the faculty of concentration, and had made a weak and dangerous extension of his lines. It will be observed that the attack was made on our side by a rear and flank movement at the same time, intending to crush the enemy successively along the whole extent of his lines, from Mechaiiicsville to liis batteries on the south side of the Chickahominy, and on that side of the river to fall upon him with the whole weight of our forces, with the expectation of putting him to a general rout. A most remarkable feature of all tho battles ivhich attended the general line of movement we hav'e described is, that at no time were more than twenty thousand Confederates actually engaged with the enemy. After the first demonstration in force on the enemy's extreme right, he retired from Mechan- icsville and we pursued. AVhcn, by this retiring movement, he had concentrated, as he supposed, sufiicient iroops to contest a decisive field with us, we fell upon him with one division at a time. The consequence of imperfect attacks was that the eneni}' was never crushed, though he was always defeated. It is not unreasonable to su])]iose, in view of what was accom- plished by piecemeal, that if, at any critical time, several divis- ions had been thrown ujion the enemy, he would have been routed, demoralization would have ensued, and the result of our victor}-- been fully and summarilj- accomplished. By the desperate valor of our troops and the conspicuous exertions of General Ambrose P. Hill, whose division was in 27 the extreme advance, and was en£!;aG;cd successively at Elly- Bon's mills, Cold Harbor, and Frazier's farm, eacli of the fields was hiirnalized by tbe success of our arms. But, with the remarkable and liard-fought field iit Frazier's farm, our con- gratulations must sto]). The brilliant chain of victories is broken here. After all that had been achieved, and all that had been expended' in the toil and blood of three days' tii^htin!;;, we had failed to cut off the enemy's retreat to the river, and to accomplish the most important condition for the completion of our victory. The whole army of McClellan had passed alonii; our rijLjht wing, and had been permitted, as it were, to slip through our fingers. There is nothing in the subsequent opera- tions of our forces to repair the effects of this fatal i)lunder. At Malvern hill the result to us was deplorable in the amount of our loss, and negative as to any advantages gained over the enemy. VVc are unwilling, however, to dwell with any pertinacity upon errors which have diminished the fruits of our victory, or even upon such staring and enormous blunders as gave to a defeated enem}' open egress to the strongest places of i-efuge he could have desired, as long as we may congratulate our- selves that the result of the battle of Richmond, as a whole, is a success to the Confedcrac}-, and a most grateful relief to the long-pent up anxieties of the people of the South. We have raised; at least for a time, the siege of Richmond; we have the moral effect of, at least, three distinct victories ; and we have taken from the defeated enemy a rich and splendid prize, in stores, artillery and prisoners. So far, the result of the battle of Richmond is pleasing and grateful to the country. The mixture of disappointment is in the undeniable fact that McClellan and his army still exist, when we might easily have destro^-ed both. The ^.'orthern newspapers claim that the movements of McClellan from the Chickahominy river were purely strategic. Up to the first decisive stage in the series of engagements — Cold Harbor — there were certainly plain strategic designs in his backward movement. Hi»i retirement from Mechanicsvillo was probably voluntary, and intended to concentrate his troops lower down, where he might fight with the advantages of numbers and his own selection of position. At Eil3-son's mills he had a strong position, which was contested with des])erato obstinacy and taken by desperate valor. Continuing his re- treat, however, he fixed the decisive field at Cold Harbor, where he had massed his troops and brought up to action his trusted regiments of old United States regulars. He was at- tacked by (ieneral Hill's division in advance, anil at this critic.il juncture is to be found the most doubtful ])redicament in which the fortunes of the long and elaborate contest ai-ound Rich- mond ever .steed. Had McClellan won the day here, his right 28 Avin^ would have been in advance upon Eichmond, ami Ids strato^'V would have been brilliantly succesHful. Tlie turninjj point of the battle was when KwcH's division ajipeared anmiig the trees baek of the fork of tiie roads and the liou^se whieh constitute the loealit}'^ of (7)hJ IIarl)or. The rest of Jackson's army, and a part, we believe, of (rcneral Tjongstreet's division, apjieared on the field some time after this, nnd the battle was gained. IJavinc: been pushed from his strongholds north of the Chickahominy, the enemy made a stroni;- attempt to retrieve his disasters by renewin;^ a concentration of his troo])8 at I'^ra- zier's farm. Here, however, the result was less doubtful than at Cold Harbor, tor here it was that General Ambrose P. Hill, commandintij his own division and that of Lonulsed. 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 posted. A brigade of Alabamians moved uj) over the crest of a hill in splendid style; even, ready and resolute, with arms at right shoulder shift, ready lor a charge. " Up and at them," was the word along our line, and the two regiments Avhich had lain concealed in the low growth of timber in the valley spi-ang to their feet, and one piercing, terrible volley of death-dealing Minnies was poured into the ranks of the confident enem3^ The hill was cleared as though swept b}' a hurricane. One of the regiments left their colors and battle flag upon the field. The regimental color was so- cured by ('olonel lloberts, of the Second Maine, and the battle flag by Captain Sullivan, of the Thirteenth New Yoi-k, who followed the I'eti'cating enemy and secured it. Captain Sulli- van found the field literally covered with the rebel dead; there being over eight}' near the spot where the colors fell. At three o clock the action had become general along the whole line. Stonewall Jackson's column had formed a junction Mith Leo, and soon attacked our i-ight with great vigoi- and ])ertinacity, but he met a galling fire from Edwards', Martin's and Weeden's 37 batteries, Avhicli sent him rcclini; back in disorder. Again he gathered his oohimns, supported thcin by fresh troops, again advanced, extending his lines as if to flank our right, and re- newed the attack witli greater ferocity than ever, to he again re})ulsed witii terrible slangliter. S3-kes' regulars and AVarren's brigade, in which are the Duryea Zouaves and Bendix's Tenth New York regiment, plaj^ed a brilliant part in this portion of the engagement — the Zouaves esjiocially fighting with a desper- ation and tenacity only to l)c expected i'rom such superior men. They suffered largely, their ])eculiar uniform being the especial mark of ten thousand rebel soldiers. The tactics of the enemy were soon made apparent. It was in massing 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 j'iclding and then the otlkcr. 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 b}' McCall's reserves — the brigades of General Newton, Colo- nel Bartlett and Colonel Taylor, of Slocum's division — and it was not until the last fi'esh brigade was hurled against them that they w^ere 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 force of Lonstreet's and Ilill's divisions and a part of Jackson's column participated. 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 suftcred our heaviest losses, and the field presented a most sanguinary hue. The fighting was done principally by mu.s- ketry — a thick pine woods intervening between our battei-ics and the enemj*, preventing the former getting the range of the latter. Many of our regiments suftcred here to the extent of one-thirtl of their men. The Sixty-second Pennsj-lvania, of Griftin'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 Sweitzer. The reginient broke and retreated, and was the first to come off the field in disorder — the men frightened and j)anic-stricken at the death of their beloved colonel. The regiment was not re- formed. Finding he could not force our centre, the enemy graduallj-- threw his columns against our left, ])ressing Martindalc's right wing very hard, where he met a gallant resistance from ti\e 38 Twenty-second Massachusetts and Second Maine regiments — as brave veterans as ever shouldered a musket. Suddenly, the evciiustini:; 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 field I looked back and around upon the most s;iblime scene that the fierce grandeur and terrible realit}' of wnr ever porti'ayed. The thousand continuous volleys of mus- ketry seemed mingled in the grand roar of a great cataract, while the louder and deeper discharge of artillery bounded forth over those hills and down the valley Avith a volume that seemed to shake the earth beneath us. The canop}' of smoke was so thick that the sun was gloomily red in the heavens, while the clouds of dust in the rear, caused b}' 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. Line officers were 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 Tnen could be seen making their Avay toward the river, they having cut their way through the opposing host which assailed them in front, in flank and in rear, and fell bade ui)on the river, crossing upon the remains of Emerson's bridge, which had been blown up by our forces during the fight, and gathered together their scattered columns in the camp of Smith's division. A part of the brigade bad been withdrawn by the right flank, and with 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 final!}' the right, was also pressed back, and the retreating columns soon became mingled into one black mass of troops. The inlantry supports having fallen back, Allen's, Weeden's, Hart's and Edwards' batteries were left exposed. When the order to fall back reached the middle hos])ital, one of the (liree houses, about equi; trains, it was clear our troubles were not ended We liiul anal II deceived the enemy by goin<^ to Turkey bend. lie had iniau;ined we were marchin<; to Xew Market, destined to a point on Cliff Bottom road, near Fort Darling. It was not far away, and the 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 Rich- mond. Our lino now described a great arc, and there was fighting around three-fourths of the. perimeter. Gen. ^IcCMel- 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 picturesquely poised in fan shape at salient points, and its supports were disposed in admirable cover in hollows between undulations of the bluff. Powerful concen- trating batteries were also posted in the centre, so that, to use the language of Colonel Switzer, " we '11 clothe this hill in sheets of ilame before they take it." It was a magnificent 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 thi'own together wherever emergency demaniled. "White Oak bridge, the Quaker road, Charles City road and the banks of Turkeycreek were enveloped in flame j iron and lead crushing through forests and men like a destroying pestilence. A mask- ed batter}', which had opened from the swamp under Malvern hill, begun to prove inconvenient to Porter. It plowed and crashed through some of our wagons, and disturbed groups of officers in the splendid groves of Malvern mansion. The gunboat Galena, 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 with Titanic force. Toward sunset the earth quivered with the terrific concussion of artiller}' and huge explosions. The vast icrial auditorium seemed convulsed with the 'com- motion of frightful sounds. .Shells racetl. like dark meteors athwart the horizon, crossing each other 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 wikJer 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 gi-and courage. Wearied and jaded and hungry and thirsty, beset by almost countless foes, they cheered anil fought, and charged into the very jaws of death, until veteran soldiers ftiirl}'- wept at their devotion. Oh I friends, could you realize the afflictions of the past five days, you could almost shed tears of blood. Oh ! my friends, it is horrible ! horrible ! to see this proud army so wretchedly pressed upon every side, destruction threatening wherever we turn ; scarce a hope of extrication save that which is born of despair. Would to God such days had passed away for ever. Oh, my countrymen, you cannot comprehend the toils and trials of your devoted" soldiers — conflict not sim])ly with sol- diery — hut contention against insidious thirst, craving appetite, enfeebling heat, overjiowering fatigue — and after lighting and marching, and privations b}^ day and sufl'ering by night, and fighting by days succeeding nights of fighting and harrassing vigilS; against fresh forces hurled upon them in over])()\vering masses, till exhausted nature almost sank beneath such fearful visitations, to be pressed to the imminent verge of despair, was almost loo 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 ensanijuined field. .:^ / t£ \ *9 d- I / pH83