was the immediate goal of the army. Although the single road was a narrow funnel for such a mighty torrent of trains and men, fortunately it was smooth and dry, and had the advantage of passing through White Oak Swamp, which might in some degree be relied upon to protect the flanks. There was great danger that the enemy might cut us off by moving columns down the Charles City, Central, or New Market roads, or all three, but these chances were necessarily accepted. General McClellan acted upon the supposition that the enemy would not guess his determination until he was able to defeat their movements. At all events, he considered that it was the only hopeful course, because the enemy was watching for him on the left bank of the Chickahominy. The division of General Smith occupied, on the extreme right, a line of breast works and redoubts, which partly commanded New Bridge and Old Town, now held by the enemy. At seven o'clock P. M. of the 27th, a Georgia brigade, under Toombs, attacked the position, but were repulsed after an hour's hard struggle. At eight o'clock the next morning, Colonel Lamar, of the Seventh Georgia, led a new attack upon the redoubt at Golding's farm, but with no better success. General Smith obstinately maintained his ground, while arrangements were being made to start the trains with all that could be carried to James River. The amount of stores that could be saved was not large, and immense quantities were destroyed by fire, particularly at Fair Oaks, and many car-loads of ammunition were sunk in the river. Some wounded soldiers had been hurried off by cars to White House, until the morning of the 28th, when the enemy were reported at Dispatch Station. The railroad bridge was then destroyed, and the wounded notified to make for James River as best they could. Those who could walk limped away, and those who could not (about 2,500) were left to the enemy, a flag being displayed over the hospital, which was established at Savage's, a station on the railroad, about midway between Fair Oaks and the river. Thus passed away Saturday, the 28th, the enemy, whose chief force was massed on the left bank of the Chickahominy, being apparently uncertain what course McClellan would next pursue.

General Franklin was ordered to hold his position on the Chickahominy until the trains had passed. He did so, and at daylight_on Sunday, the 29th, fell back, following the train. At 3 A. M. on Sunday, Heintzelman, having relieved the outposts, obeyed the order to abandon the redoubts, and fell back from Savage's to White Oak Swamp. Keyes's Corps had, on the previous day, moved off across the White Oak Swamp, to cover the right flank and form the advance of the army in the retreat. Sumner left the front at daylight of the 29th, had a sharp engagement at Peach Orchard with a body of the enemy advancing from Richmond along the Williamsburg road, in which the latter was signally repulsed, and in the afternoon joined Franklin at Savage's. Here, at 4 P. M., the two corps were overtaken by the main rebel force, which, having fathomed the intention of McClellan, had rebuilt the bridges destroyed by Porter, crossed the Chickahominy, and followed rapidly on the traces of the retreating army. A severe battle, lasting until nightfall, ensued, in which the rebels were again checked, and the Federal troops remained in possession of the field.