June 10, 1862.

Maj. Gen. G. B. McClellan, Commanding Department of Virginia, before Richmond: For the third time I am ordered to join you, and hope this time to get through. In view of the remarks made with reference to my leaving you and not joining you before, by your friends, and of something I have heard as coming from you on that subject, I wish to say I go with the greatest satisfaction, and hope to arrive with my main body in time to be of service. McCall goes in advance by water. I will be with you in ten days with the remainder by Fredericksburg. IRVIN MCDOWELL, Major-General Commanding. On the 12th, he again wrote, as follows: HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK, MANASSAS, June 12, 1862.

Maj. Gen. G. B. McClellan, Commanding Department of Virginia, before Richmond: The delay of Maj.-Gen. Banks to relieve the division of my command in the valley beyond the time I had calculated on, will prevent my joining you with the remainder of the troops I am to take below at as early a day as I named. My third division (McCall's) is now on the way. Please do me the favor to so place it that it may be in a position to join the others as they come down from Fredericksburg. IRVIN MCDOWELL, Major-General Commanding. Contrary to the expectation of both, the division of Gen. McCall was the only one of Gen. McDowell's corps which subsequently reached the army of the Potomac.

On the next day after the battle of Fair Oaks, above described, Gen. McClellan recovered without resistance the stations of Fair Oaks and Seven Pines, and the two armies were once more in the same position as before.

On the 2d of June President Davis issued the following address to the Confederate army:

EXECUTIVE OFFICE, June 2, 1862.

To the Army of Richmond: I render to you my grateful acknowledgments for the gallantry and good conduct you displayed in the battles of the 31st of May, and the 1st instant, and with pride and pleasure recognize the steadiness and intrepidity with which you attacked the enemy in po: sition, captured his advanced intrenchments, several batteries of artillery, and many standards, and every. where drove them from the open field.

At a part of your operations it was my fortune to be present. On no other occasion have I witnessed more of calmness and good order than you exhibited while advancing into the very jaws of death, and nothing could exceed the prowess with which you closed upon the enemy when a sheet of fire was blazing in your

faces.

In the renewed struggle in which you are on the eve of engaging, I ask and can desire but a continuance of the same conduct which now attracts the admiration and pride of the loved ones you have left at home.

You are fighting for all that is dearest to men; and, though opposed to a foe who disregards many of the usages of civilized war, your humanity to the wounded and the prisoners was the fit and crowning glory to your valor.

Defenders of a just cause, may God have you in His holy keeping! JEFFERSON DAVIS.

Gen. McClellan now set to work to complete in a substantial manner the bridges across the Chickahominy and put the two wings of his army in communication with each other in spite of any inundations. Entrenchments were then thrown up along the whole line. The right wing, consisting of the divisions of Gens. McCall, Morrell, and Sykes, was posted on the

left bank of the Chickahominy from Beaver Dam Creek to a point below New Bridge. The centre, consisting of Gens. Smith's, Sedgwick's, and Richardson's divisions, was stretched in a line from Golding on the right bank of the river to a point south of the York river railroad. The left wing, consisting of Gens. Hooker's, Kearney's, and Couch's divisions, extended from the left of Gen. Richardson's posi sion to a point considerably south of the Wiliamsburg stage road, on the borders of White Oak swamp. The Confederate line pressed so close to the Federal line on the right bank of the river that neither could advance a regiment provoking a contest. In this position the two outside their respective breast works without armies remained until near the close of the month.

The demonstration in the rear of the Federal army had convinced the commanding general that a change of position might become necessary, and some vessels loaded with ammunition, provisions, and other supplies were wisely sent to James river near City Point, but no further steps for this purpose were taken.

On Wednesday, the 25th of June, the first movement on the part of Gen. McClellan was made. This consisted in directing Gen. Hooker to take up an advanced position of a mile on Fair Oaks farm, near the Williamsburg road leading directly to Richmond. It was calculat ed that this movement might be followed by a general resistance on the part of the Confederates, which would renew the battle of Fair Oaks, and by the advantage of the bridges the whole army could be concentrated. If the battle was not renewed then it would be one step in advance toward Richmond. The ground Gen. Hooker was ordered to occupy was taken, lost and retaken with a loss of from four to five hundred men. He was ably supported by Brig.-Gens. Grover and Sickles. During the ensuing night information was received that Gen. Jackson, returned from the Shenandoah Valley, was in force near Hanover Court House, This indicated that the Confederate army had now been concentrated, and the object of Gen. Jackson in that position was to attack the Federal communications, and cut them off by seiz ing the York river railway in their rear. The advance upon Richmond could not therefore be further prosecuted by the diminished forces of the Federal army. Gen. Hooker was consequently recalled from his advanced position on the next day.

It appears that on the 25th a council of all the Confederate generals was held at Richmond. Gens. Lee, Baldwin, Jackson, A. P. Hill, D. IL Hill, Huger, Longstreet, Branch, Wise, Anderson, Whiting, Ripley, and Magruder were present. It was determined that Gen. Jackson should move upon the right flank of the Federal army, and if Gen. McDowell remained inactive in his position near Fredericksburg, then a general and simultaneous attack was to be made upon the whole line of Gen. McClellan.

A demonstration along the Richmond road made at that time by Gen. McDowell would have rendered the flank march of Gen. Jackson entirely impracticable. This demonstration was feared by Gen. Lee; but he was unaware that it had then been determined at Washington to concentrate the corps of Gen. McDowell with the other forces before Washington and form the army of Virginia under Gen. Pope. The order for that purpose was issued on the 27th, at Washington, the 2nd day after the council of officers at Richmond; and thus prevented entirely the movement feared by Gen. Lee. (See page 126.)

On the 26th Gen. Jackson reached Ashland, there to commence his flanking operations. His advanced guard drove in the little Federal force posted there and pushed on without loss of time to Hanover Court House, where he threw forward Gen. Branch's brigade between the Chickahominy and the Pamunkey rivers to establish a junction with Gen. Hill, who was to cross the former stream at Meadow Bridge. It was the movement of Gen. Hill's troops, seen pouring out of Richmond by the Federal army, in the direction where Gen. Jackson was known to be, which convinced them of the serious work at hand on their right. Gen. D. H. Hill began his offensive operations about 1 P. M. by an attack upon Mechanicsville and met with a brave resistance. Gen. McCall's Pennsylvania reserves were stationed there supported by Gen. Morrell and Gen. Sykes, and strongly intrenched for defence. Storming attacks were made again and again with fury, and were as often repelled with a cool determination. In vain Gen. D. H. Hill sent his aids in quest of Gen. Branch. The latter did not arrive until night, when the conflict had ended.

At this time eight divisions of the Federal army were on the right bank of the Chickahominy occupying entrenchments fronting Richmond. Before these troops lay the mass of the Confederate army also in entrenched positions. Upon the left bank of the river connected by numerous bridges was Gen. FitzJohn Porter with two divisions and Gen. Sykes' regulars. It was against this latter force that the Confederate attack was made. Two separate armies of great force were thus about to attack Gen. McClellan, and his position was extremely critical. If he concentrated on the left bank of the Chickahominy, he abandoned the attempt to capture Richmond, and risked a disastrous retreat upon the White House and Yorktown with the entire Confederate army in pursuit, and where he could hope for no support. If he moved to the right bank of the river, he risked the cutting off of his communications with the White House by the enemy, who might seize the railroad over which his supplies came. He would then be forced to open new communications with James river, and move at once in that direction. There he would receive the support of the navy, and if reenforced could operate against Richmond or

Petersburg, the fall of the latter place involving the fall of the former. This latter movement had been thought of some time previous, and transports, with a prudent foresight, had been sent to the James river. It was now determined upon. The distance from Fair Oaks to the James river was about seventeen miles. A single road only existed by which the baggage and stores could be moved. This was exposed in front to the enemy, who, by several roads radiating from Richmond, could throw a considerable force at once upon different points. The activity with which this movement was performed was such that it was nearly completed before it was anticipated by the enemy.

During the night in which Gen. D. H. Hill was held in check at Mechanicsville, the whole of Gen. Porter's baggage was sent over to the right bank of the river and united with the long train which was to set out on the evening of the 27th for James river. At the same time orders were given to reship or destroy all the stores along the railroad to White House and to evacuate that depot. This duty was assigned to Gen. Stoneman with a flying column. He was also ordered to delay the advance of the enemy and to fall back after the execution of these orders on Yorktown. All this was successfully done.

For the next day, Friday, the 27th, the orders to Gen. McCall on the extreme right were to fall back on the bridges thrown across the Chickahominy at Gaines's Mill. Joining the other troops of Gen. Porter's corps, consisting of the division of Gen. Morrell and the regulars of Gen. Sykes, their duty was to make a stand in front of the bridges in order to give the army time to execute its general movement. Gen. Porter, with this force, was not to cross the bridges until evening, and then to destroy them. The manner in which these orders were executed will now appear.

Scarcely had the morning of the 27th dawned, when the Confederate forces, under Gen. D. H. Hill, that had been held in check the previous evening, opened a tremendous fire of artillery upon the front of Gen. McCall, who, upon seeing the brigade of Gen. Branch, ordered on the previous day to support Gen. Hill, advancing to attack his right, began to fall back, fighting, further down the stream. This secured the crossing of the Chickahominy at Mechanicsville to the Confederates, and the first reënforcements ordered from their main body during the night, consisting of the veteran corps of Gen. Longstreet, and the division of Gen. A. P. Hill, now arrived. An order to advance was now given all along the Confederate line, except the right wing under Gen. Magruder, which now confronted Gen. McClellan on the right bank of the Chickahominy. The divisions of Gens. A. P. Hill, Anderson, and Whiting formed the centre, and moved toward Coal Harbor, while Gens. Jackson, D. H. Hill, and Longstreet formed the left nearer the Pamunkey river. Apprehensions were still entertained by Gen.

Lee of the approach of Gen. McDowell, and it was not until he received reliable intelligence of the latter's inactivity that he resolved upon a general attack. As soon, therefore, as he was informed that Gen. Jackson had reached Coal Harbor, steps were taken for an immediate attack on the retiring corps of Gen. Porter, which was supposed to be the mass of Gen. McClellan's army, and which had taken up the position it was ordered to hold on the left bank before the bridges. The Confederate attack was opened by the columns of Gen. D. H. Hill, Anderson, and Pickett. These brave masses rushed with "thundering hurrahs upon the musketry of Gen. Porter's corps, and whole ranks went down under the terrible fire that met them. After a fierce struggle the Confederate troops began to give way, and at length all orders and encouragements were vain. They were falling back in the greatest disorder. Immediately Gen. Cobb appeared on the field with his legion, and the 19th North Carolina, and 14th Virginia, and renewed the attack, but all their efforts were in vain. Broken to pieces and disorganized, the fragments of that legion came rolling back from the charge. The 19th North Carolina lost eight standard bearers, and most of their officers were either killed or wounded. The shattered regiments of Gens. Hill and Anderson were again led up, but their foes quietly and coolly held out against every attack that was made. During this moment of success for the Federal army, Gen. McClellan hastened to throw upon the left bank all the troops not absolutely necessary to guard the lines in front of Richmond. It was nearly night when some of the divisions reached the river, and at this time the Confederate left and reserves had been brought up. The weight of their attack was made on the Federal left, where the troops had sustained an unequal fight all day, and were worn out, having fired almost their last cartridge. The left gave way and disbanded. This disorder extended until it reached the centre of the Federal lines, which fell back in increasing confusion, until the fresh brigades of Gens. Meagher and French were met. The vigorous shouts of these troops, and the placing a few guns anew in battery and opening fire served to check the enemy, who paused at this final determination, and darkness closed the contest at Gaines's Mill.

The left wing, under Gen. Porter, subsequently supported from the main body, had accomplished the purpose of holding the Confederates in check, and that night the train of five thousand wagons, the seige train, a herd of twenty-five hundred oxen, and other material was in motion for James river. During the night the troops of Gen. McClellan repassed the bridges of the Chickahominy in perfect order, destroying them after they had passed. The field of battle, with the dead, and those most seriously wounded, a few guns and some prisoners, was abandoned. The corps of Gen. Keyes in the advance toward James river took

possession of the road across the White Oak Swamp, and the principal lines of communication by which the Federal army could be annoyed by their enemies.

Meantime the Confederate officers and men supposed, from the manner in which the day closed, leaving them in possession of the field of battle and its spoils, that Gen. McClellan was completely cut off from his base of retreat. The capture or destruction of the entire Federal army was regarded as certain. The rejoicing bordered on frenzy. Their demonstration on the 28th was made to the White House, where the immense stores which were expected to fall into their hands were found to have been destroyed, and nothing but ruins remained. The burial of the dead, and the care for the wounded, and repose for the troops, and uncertainty as to the position of the Federal army, caused the day to pass without any movement of the Confederate troops. The mass of them were now on the left bank of the Chickahominy, over which the bridges had been destroyed, while Gen. McClellan's army united was on the right bank. Time now was worth everything to them. Before they could be attacked, however, it was necessary for the Confederate force to rebuild the bridges, or to fall back some distance to the Mechanicsville bridge. It was not until the reports of the state of affairs at the White House were made in the afternoon of the 28th, and the statements of prisoners, that Gen. Lee comprehended the real movements of Gen. McClellan, and that he was on his way to James river to form a junction with the fleet. The twelve brigades of Gens. D. H. Hill and Longstreet were instantly put in motion to give the death blow to the enemy, whom they supposed now to be flying.

The position of Gen. McClellan on Saturday night was such that the Confederate officers, who were unaware of his design, were confident of his capture. Having abandoned, and, as they supposed, been driven from all his strongholds on the north side of the Chickahominy, cut off from all communication with his supplies at the White House, and with the Chickahominy in his rear, and the divisions of Gens. Longstreet, Magruder, and Huger in his front, all hopes of his escape were thought to be impossible.

The morning of the 29th was spent by Gen. McClellan's troops in destroying all that could not be carried away from the camps. A complete railroad train, locomotive, tender and cars, which had been left on the track, was sent headlong over the broken bridge into the river. Nothing was left but three siege guns which could not be moved.

The corps of Gens. Sumner and Franklin had been left in the works at Fair Oaks with instructions to evacuate and protect the baggage and supply trains on their way to the river. Hardly had they commenced to fall back on the railroad and Williamsburg turnpike, when the enemy, perceiving the movement, pressed forward, giving the former barely time to place

their men in position. The attack was commenced by the Confederates about two o'clock P. M., about one mile and a half above Savage's Station, and the conflict continued until near night. The enemy, advancing in solid masses to within a short distance of the artillery, suffered severely and were repulsed. During the night Gens. Sumner and Franklin fell back to White Oak Swamp bridge.

Gens.

On the morning of Monday, the 30th of June, all the troops and all the trains were in safety beyond White Oak bridge, which presented a new obstacle to the Confederates. Gens. Sumner and Franklin were left to act as a rear guard, and hold the passage of the White Oak Swamp, whilst Gens. Heintzelman, with the divisions of Gens. Hooker, Kearny, Sedgwick, and McCall, were placed at the point of intersection of the roads leading from Richmond, called Charles City cross roads. These move ments protected the trains until they arrived the James river, precisely at the time when the transports with provisions and ammunition and hospital stores arrived from Fortress Monroe. The advance of the Confederate force was actively resumed early in the morning. D. H. Hill, Whiting, and Ewell, under the command of Gen. Jackson, crossed the Chickahominy by the Grapevine bridge, and followed the Federal retreat by the Williamsburg road and Savage's Station. Gens. Longstreet, A. P. Hill, Iluger, and Magruder took the Charles City road with the intention of cutting off the Federal retreat. At the White Oak Swamp the left wing under Gen. Jackson came up with the Federal force under Gens. Franklin and Sumner, about 11 A. M. They had crossed the stream and burned the bridge behind them. An artillery fire was opened upon both sides, which continued with great severity and destruction until night. The result of this battle was to prevent the further advance of the enemy in this direction, which was the single line of road over which the trains had passed.

Late on the same day, a battle was fought between the forces under Gen. Heintzelman and the main force of the enemy, which attempted to advance by the Charles City road to cut off the retreat. This force was led by Gens. Longstreet, A. P. Hill, and Huger. The former, however, being called away, the command devolved upon Gen. Hill. As the masses advanced upon the Federal batteries of heavy guns they were received with such a destructive fire of artillery and musketry as threw them into disorder. Gen. Lee sent all his disposable troops to the rescue, but the Federal fire was so terrible as to disconcert the coolest veterans. Whole ranks of the Confederate troops were hurled to the ground. Says an actor in the conflict, "The thunder of the cannon, the cracking of the musketry from thousands of combatants, mingled with the screams of the wounded and the dying, were terrific to the ear and to the imagination." The conflict thus continued within a narrow space for hours, and not a foot

of ground was won by the Confederates. Night was close at hand. The Federal lines were strengthened and the confidence of the Confederate general began to falter. The losses of his exhausted and worn out troops in attempting to storm the batteries were terrible. Orders were given to Gen. Jackson to cover the retreat in case the army should have to fall back, and directions were sent to Richmond to get all the public property ready for removal. The Federal forces, perceiving the confusion, began step by step to press forward. The posture of affairs at this time is thus related by a Confed erate officer: "The enemy, noticing our confu sion, now advanced, with the cry, Onward to Richmond!' Yes, along the whole hostile front rang the shout, Onward to Richmond!' Many old soldiers who had served in distant Missouri and on the plains of Arkansas wept in the bitterness of their souls like children. Of what avail had it been to us that our best blood had flowed for six long days?-of what avail all our unceasing and exhaustless endu rance? Everything, everything seemed lost, and a general depression came over all our hearts. Batteries dashed past in headlong flight; ammunition, hospital and supply wagers rushed along, and swept the troops away with them from the battle field. In vain the most frantic exertion, entreaty and self-sacritice of the staff officers! The troops had lost their foot-hold, and all was over with the Southern Confederacy.

"In this moment of desperation Gen. A. P. Hill came up with a few regiments he had managed to rally, but the enemy was continualy pressing nearer and nearer; louder and louder their shouts, and the watchword, On to Rich mond!' could be heard. Cavalry officers sprang from their saddles and rushed into the ranks of the infantry regiments, now deprived of their proper officers. Gen. Hill seized the standard of the Fourth North Carolina regi ment, which he had formerly commanded, and shouted to the soldiers, 'If you will not fol low me, I will perish alone.' Upon this a num ber of officers dashed forward to cover their beloved general with their bodies; the soldiers hastily rallied, and the cry Lead on, Hill; head your old North Carolina boys! rose over the field. And now Hill charged forward with this mass he had thus worked up to the wildest enthusiasm. The enemy halted when they saw these columns, in flight a moment before, now advancing to the attack, and Hill burst upon his late pursuers like a famished lion. A fear ful hand to hand conflict now ensued, for there was no time to load and fire. The ferocity with which this combat was waged was in credible. It was useless to beg the exasperated men for quarter; there was no moderation, no pity, no compassion in that bloody work of bayonet and knife. The son sank dying at his father's feet; the father forgot that he had a child-a dying child; the brother did not see that a brother was expiring a few paces from