CHAP. LV.]

ITS PERILOUS POSITION.

399

mass of the army to cross to the north of the Chickahominy, to sweep down the river on that side, and threaten McClellan's communications with York River. It was perceived that he must either retreat, or give battle out of his intrenchments..

Position of McClellan at this time.

McClellan had now to determine what he would do. The peninsular campaign had culminated in the withdrawal of Hooker from his advance. The bridges over the Chickahominy gave opportunity to throw either wing to the assistance of the other. But it was very clear that the communications with White House could no longer be safely held,

He resolves on a change of base.

and since the capture of Norfolk and the destruction of the Merrimack, James River had been opened. Some transports had already found their way to City Point.

If McClellan concentrated on the north bank of the Chickahominy, it was a public abandonment, of the capture of Richmond; it implied a disastrous and unsupported retreat to Yorktown. If he concentrated on the south bank, he lost his communications with White House, and must execute the perilous operation of a change of base by a flank movement. It was seventeen miles from Fair Oaks to James River; there was only one road on which the movement could be executed, and that was exposed to many roads radiating from Richmond.

Mode in which it

plished.

The movement to James River being determined upon, the mode of its execution admitted of little was to be accom- choice. The right wing, on the farther side of the Chickahominy, must oppose the best resistance it could to the enemy; its trains must be sent over the bridges across that stream. It was not to be expected that that wing should gain a victory; all that it was called upon to do was to resist stoutly. The trains,

once over and well on their way on the opposite-the south-side toward James River, the right wing must slowly follow them, passing the bridges, which then must be destroyed. The only bridges in possession of the Confederates were ten miles above, at Mechanicsville; they therefore would have to make a long march to go round by that way. With the start so secured, the national army might retreat securely to James River, and there come under shelter of the gun-boats which had already reached Harrison's Landing.

Military critics have regarded the execution of this movement-for, as we are now to see, it was executed—as a very brilliant operation. But the historian can not for get that it was not for the purpose of exhibiting the spec tacle of a retreat, no matter how splendid it might be, that the Army of the Potomac had advanced to the Chickahominy.

The campaign now instituted by Lee against McClel lan may be conveniently divided according

The seven days'

campaign. to days. They are as follows:

Assault at Mechanicsville.

The first Day, Thursday, June 26th. Mechanicsville. -The Confederate General A. P. Hill was ordered to cross to the north side of the Chickahominy and move on Mechanicsville. Longstreet and D. H. Hill were to support him. It was expected that Jackson would arrive in time to join them. They

CHAP. LV.]

noon,

BATTLE OF MECHANICSVILLE.

401

were to sweep down to the York River Railroad. Hill waited for Jackson until nearly three o'clock in the afterand then determined to act without him. The national advance retired to a stronger position about a mile distant, across Beaver Dam Creek. As it was very formidable in front, the Confederates attempted to turn it first on the right, then on the left, but at both points met with a disastrous repulse, their loss being about 1500. The second Day, Friday, June 27th. Battle of the Chickahominy.—At daybreak Jackson was crossing Beaver Dam Creek, some distance up that stream, and coming down toward the national right. The bridges at Mechanicsville were soon repaired, and the Confederate troops, finding their enemy gone, followed after them. D. H. Hill bore to the left to unite with Jackson; A. P. Hill and Longstreet kept near the Chickahominy.

Battle of the Chick

ahominy.

On the national side, McClellan was withdrawing his trains to the south bank of the Chickahominy. Before daybreak he had sent as many guns and wagons as pos sible over that river, and prepared to retire the troops to a position on its north bank stretching round the bridges, so that their flanks would be secure. In his opinion it was not advisable to bring them across, as that would have enabled Jackson to interrupt the proposed retreat by passing the Chickahominy at some of the lower bridges before the national army, with its trains, could reach Malvern. Porter's train crossed successfully over the bridges, and had joined the trains of the troops on the south side in their movement to James River. The upper bridge, New Bridge, had been destroyed. Stoneman had been sent with a column of cavalry to evacuate the dépôt at White House, and to destroy there, and along the York River Railroad, whatever could not be removed. The greater part of the heavy guns and wagons having thus П.-С с

CHAP. LV.]

BATTLE OF THE CHICKAHOMINY.

403

been removed, the delicate operation of withdrawing the troops which had been engaged at Mechanicsville was commenced about dawn. They were retired about five miles, to Gaines's Mill.

Position of the national forces.

The new position occupied by Porter was an arc of a circle, covering the approaches to the bridges which connected the right wing with the troops on the opposite side of the river. The troops were arranged in two parallel lines, those which had been engaged on the day before being in the rear of the first. They were all in position by noon. They were to defend the bridges in their rear, to cross them in the evening, and then to destroy them.

federates.

Shortly after noon the Confederates were discovered Advance of the Con- approaching in force under A. P. Hill, and very soon the firing became heavy. The ground over which they were advancing was an open field, about a quarter of a mile wide, traversed by a stream, the sides of which were morasses. Hill crossed the plain and the swamp, but was repulsed when he attempted to ascend the hill beyond, on which the national troops were posted. At 2 P.M. Porter asked for re-enforcements, and Slocum's division was sent across the river to him. At 3 the engagement became so severe that the second line and reserves had to be moved forward to sustain the first against repeated and desperate assaults.

The contest on the left was for a strip of woods running almost at right angles to the Chickahominy. The Confederates charged up to this wood several times, but were driven back with heavy loss, notwithstanding that Longstreet had advanced to the aid of Hill. The national loss also was very great, and the troops, most of whom had been under arms more than two days, were becoming exhausted.