THE ARMY IN MOTION.

withdrawing the army from Virginia. The war could still be successfully maintained on Virginia soil for twenty years."

477

French cavalry tactics, he had studied at the Polytechnic School, and fought with the French army, as a volunteer, in Africa. His gallantry in the Mexican war, where he lost an arm, had gained him a high reputation. Subsequently resigning his commission, and visiting Europe a second time, he was present as an aid to a French general, on the field of Solferino. On the breaking out of the rebellion he returned home, was appointed a

In the new organization of the army of the Potomac, on its entrance upon active service in the Peninsula, the corps commanders were Generals Stoneman, Heintzelman, Keyes, Fitz John Porter, and Franklin. Of these, with the exception of the last, we have already presented brief biograph-brigadier-general of volunteers, served ical accounts. William Buell Franklin, a with spirit before Washington, and was native of Pennsylvania, graduated at now attached to the army corps of GenWest Point in 1839, served in the en- eral Heintzelman on the peninsula. gineer corps, in which he discharged In the grand movement of the army many and important duties, was honor- from White House, on the 19th of May, ably distinguished in Mexico, and like the left wing, formed of the corps of Genhis associates just named, had been ap-eral Keyes and Heintzelman led the way pointed brigadier-general of volunteers toward the Chickahominy at Bottom's on the opening of the war. Prominent among the other commanders was Brigadier-General George Stoneman, a native of the State of New York, a graduate of West Point of 1846, when he was commissioned in the 1st Dragoons. He had seen much active service on the western portion of the continent in California, New Mexico and Texas, and had been in command of Fort Brown, in the last mentioned State, when General Twiggs was basely surrendering the public property. Captain Stoneman resisted this act of treason, and brought off his command to the north. He then served in Virginia, was appointed brigadier-general of volunteers, and was placed in the army of the Potomac at the head of the cavalry service. In future movements on the Peninsula, immediately after the fall of Yorktown, we shall find him taking the lead.

Among the division commanders, one of the most noticeable for zeal and impetuosity, was General Philip Kearney, a native of New York, who, without entering West Point, had been appointed at the age of 22, in 1837, to a lieutenancy in the 2d dragoons. Commissioned to Europe to make observations on the

bridge; the centre, General Sumner's corps, followed the line of the railway, and the right, embracing the corps of Franklin and Porter, pursued a course to the north-west. General Stoneman, with his cavalry, was, as usual, in the advance. He found the bridge crossing the Chickahominy partly destroyed, and the enemy not in force to make any serious resistance to the passage of the river. Leaving the bridge to be repaired by the engineer corps, he then reconnoitered the country above, on the left bank of the stream, preparatory to the advance of the right wing. On the 20th the centre and left were at the Chickahominy, in the vicinity of the railway bridge, and the next day the right encamped at Coal Harbor, where General McClellan established his headquarters, six miles to the north-west, and about three miles from the river by the road to New Bridge. On the 25th of May the corps of General Keyes and Heintzelman had crossed the river while on the right an important reconnoissance, followed by the capture of the place, had been pushed to Mechanicsville, a small village near the Chickahominy, about five miles west of Coal Harbor, and as many miles

tance across between railway and river being about three miles. To secure the communication between the two wings, a large number of the troops skilled in such labors, particularly the 11th Maine regiment, were actively engaged in building bridges across the Chickahominy, which separated the two portions of the army. The labors in this service were excessive, and pursued under peculiar difficulties, from the uncertain nature of the stream, liable to sudden increase from rains, and always embarrassing from the swamps and quicksands in which the structure must be built. The weather was bad, the roads muddy in proportion, and the water was, for the season, unusually high in the river. Everything, however, was pushed on diligently, and the army waited only the completion of the bridges for a perfect coöoperation of the whole army to bring the enemy to a decisive engagement.

In view of this expected event, General McClellan, on the 25th, issued a

distant from Richmond, on the road to Hanover Court House. The Confederates had also been attacked at their camp at New Bridge, where, on the 24th, a brilliant raid was made across the river, by a portion of Colonel Woodbury's 4th Michigan regiment, which, coming unexpectedly upon the 5th Louisiana regiment, inflicted a heavy loss upon them. The corps of General Keyes on the left held the advance beyond the Chickahominy, being encamped on both sides of the railway, in the vicinity of Seven Pines and Fair Oaks, and the corps of Heintzelman was in their rear, also along the railway, in the neighborhood of Savage's station. In the advance, in this quarter, General Casey, of Rhode Island -a West Point graduate of the class of 1826, distinguished as an infantry officer in the Mexican war, and other duties of the service, and author of a system of Infantry Tactics-held the front with his division, about 4,000 men, nearly all raw troops. His force was stationed, the last week in May, in the immediate pre-general order enjoining the troops beyond sence of the enemy, within six miles of Richmond, his pickets extending to within five miles of that city. His headquarters were at Seven Pines, at the junction of the Williamsburg road, running parallel with the railway, a short distance south of it, and another known as the Nine Mile road, taking an oblique north-westerly course to the railway, crossing it near Fair Oaks, and thence pursuing its way to a road connecting New Bridge, on the Chickahominy, with Richmond. The distance from Seven Pines to the capital by this cross road gave it its name. In front, and on the left, were close forests sheltering the enemy, to the right was the river, in the rear the extended White Oak swamp. General Couch's division of Keyes' Corps was next behind on the railway. A line of pickets was extended across the narrow angle made by the railway and the river, the general lines of the left and right wings of the army, to the vicinity of New Bridge, the dis

the Chickahominy to be ready for battle
at a moment's notice, and making various
provisions for efficiency in the field. "In
the approaching battle, the general com-
manding trusts that the troops will pre-
serve the discipline which he has been so
anxious to enforce, and which they have
so generally observed. He calls upon
all the officers and soldiers to obey
promptly and intelligently all orders
they may receive; let them bear in mind
that the army of the Potomac has never
yet been checked, and let them preserve
in battle perfect coolness and confidence,
the sure forerunners of success.
must keep well together, throw away no
shots, but aim carefully and low, and
above all things, rely upon the bayonet.
Commanders of regiments are reminded
of the great responsibility that rests up-
on them upon their coolness, judgment,
and discretion the destinies of their regi-
ments and success of the day will
depend."

They

BATTLE NEAR HANOVER.

479

Whilst these preparations were being ers. Colonel Gore, meanwhile, with the made, the enemy showing a disposition 22d Massachusetts, had taken up several to encroach on the right wing, and hundred feet of the Virginia Central threaten the communications with the railway in the vicinity. It was about York river, General Morell's division of this time that a body of the enemy came Fitz John Porter's corps was sent out at up by the railway from Richmond, and dawn of the 27th, on an expedition to cut were stationed at a point to take the off the enemy between Richmond and Union force in the rear, where they enHanover Court House, fifteen miles dis- countered General Martindale with Coltant, where it was understood a consider- onel Robert's 2d Maine, and Colonel able rebel force of North Carolina troops Stryker's 44th New York regiments, was stationed, commanded by General with which, and Colonel Johnson's 25th Branch, who had fled from Newbern on New York regiment, which was sum the capture of that place by General moned from the previous battle field, a Burnside. It was also intended to break sharp engagement ensued. The Union up the communication by the Virginia troops in this encounter were again Central and Fredericksburg railroad. closely pressed, when the return of the Rain was falling heavily when the expe- regiments of General Butterfield, who dition started, but at ten o'clock in the were thrown vigorously upon the flank forenoon, when the troops were well ad- of the enemy, again changed the fortunes vanced on the road, they were marching of the day. The enemy, repulsed a under a burning sun. There was some second time, fled. The way being now skirmishing on the way, and about noon clear, a body of cavalry went forward to the advanced guard, composed of a troop the Fredericksburg railway, and destroyof cavalry, Colonel Johnson's 25th New ed the bridge over the South Anna, and York infantry, and a section of artillery, a large quantity of stores at Ashland. came up with a body of the enemy whom The Union losses in these engagements they pursued to a point at the intersec- were 53 killed, and 296 wounded and tion of two main roads, about three miles missing. The total Confederate loss, indistant from Hanover Court House. cluding a large number of prisoners Here, a stand being made by the enemy taken who were brought within the Union with artillery, they were pressed by Col- lines, was estimated at 1,500. Hanover onel Johnson, who being overpowered by Court House was occupied by the Union a body from the woods on his flank, lost troops that night. The next day they some prisoners. Reinforcements coming rejoined their companions on the Chickup, however, the action was continued, ahominy. the enemy, from their advantages of num- General McClellan, who had not lost ber and position, still expecting the vic- sight of General McDowell's forces statory, when General Butterfield brought tioned at Fredericksburg, was on the up Colonel Lansing's 17th, supported by point, at last, of receiving aid from this Colonel Week's 12th New York, Colonel quarter by an overland march of the McLane's 83d Pennsylvania, supported corps, when the movement, for which by Colonel Stockton's 16th Michigan, on preparations had been made, was intertheir flank. The unexpected onset of rupted by the bold dash of "Stonewall" this force was speedily followed by the Jackson upon the separate command of flight of the enemy who, abandoning General Banks, and the rapid pursuit of their two field pieces, were, by order of that officer to the Potomac. It was the General Porter, who had now come upon intention of the Confederate General the ground, pursued to Hanover Court Johnston, that Jackson should divert reHouse, and many of them taken prison-inforcements from McClellan by threat

country. "Throughout all the night," says General Keyes, in his report, "there was raging a storm, the like of which I cannot remember. Torrents of rain drenched the earth. The thunder bolts rolled and fell without intermission, and the heavens flashed with a perpetual blaze of lightning. From their beds of mud, and the peltings of this storm, the 4th corps rose to fight the battle of the 31st of May."

With this additional embarrassment to the Union movements, the roads converted into mud, the swamps flooded, and the river threatened with an unusual rise, it appeared a simple piece of strat

To return to the army before Richmond. Hardly had General Porter and the brave troops of his corps returned from Hanover Court House, where, during their brief stay, General McClel-egy to destroy the exposed wing of the lan had ridden to congratulate them on their achievements, when the right bank of the Chickahominy became the scene of one of the most determined struggles of the war. The action known as the battle of Seven Pines or Fair Oaks, from the localities at two important stages of the conflict, its commencement and its close, was fought between the rebel army under General Johnston, embracing the divisions of Generals D. H. Hill, Longstreet, Huger, and Smith, and the corps of Keyes and Heintzelman, with a portion of that of General Sumner. It was thus brought about. General Johnston perceiving the advance of General Casey's division, which we have described, at and beyond Seven Pines, and apparently supposing the corps of General Keyes, to which it belonged, the only one which had yet crossed the Chickahominy, thought, by massing his forces in one furious onset, to break their lines, and destroy this section of the Union army before a junction was made, by the completion of the bridges, with the troops on the other side of the stream. The plan seemed to possess additional feasibility when, at the very time it was being determined upon, on the afternoon of the 30th of May, and following night, the region was visited by one of the most furious summer rain storms known to the

divided army. Accordingly, orders were
given by General Johnston to his several
division commanders, and preparations
were made to move to the assault at
daybreak of the 31st of May. General
Hill, supported by the division of Gen-
eral Longstreet, was to advance by the
Williamsburg road to attack in front,
General Huger was to move down the
lower Charles City road, to attack in
flank, while General Smith was to march
to the junction of the New Bridge road
and the Nine Mile road above, to be in
readiness either to fall on Keyes' right
flank or to cover Longstreet's left. With
the facility of the communications from
Richmond, and the roads thus command-
ing the Union position, had this plan of
attack been effectively carried out, back-
ed, as it was, by a greatly superior force,
it could hardly have failed of entire suc-
cess. The heavy rains, however, which
aided the effort in one way, hindered it
in another. If reinforcements could not
be readily brought across the river to
the Union lines, neither could the enemy
take the field as early as was intended.
The divisions of Smith, Hill, and Long-
street, however, were in position to com-
mence operations by eight a. M.
eral Huger, entangled with his artillery
in the mud and swamps, was not at hand,
and General Longstreet, who had the

Gen

BATTLE AT SEVEN PINES.

direction of operations on the right, was unwilling to go into action without his coöperation, so the attack was deferred till early in the afternoon.

481

the attack in force, crowding on all sides upon Gen. Casey's division of little more than 4,000, with a force estimated by him at 35,000. The regiment sent to the supOn the other side, meanwhile, General port of the pickets was driven in with Keyes had been no idle observer of considerable loss, and came down the events. Cautiously watching the enemy road in some confusion. "The enemy,' before and around him, he was anxiously says General Casey, "now attacked me looking to his defences, and the line of in large force on the centre and both communication with the right wing of the wings, and a brisk fire of musketry exUnion army, by the bridges across the tended along the two opposing lines; Chickahominy. Expecting an attack, he my artillery, in the meantime, throwing listened eagerly to the first reports of in- canister into their ranks with great effect. dications of a hostile movement, which Perceiving, at length, that the enemy were brought him on the morning of the were threatening me upon both wings, 31st. It was reported from the front for want of reinforcements, which had that cars had been heard during the been repeatedly asked for, and that his night coming out from Richmond, and column still pressed on, I then, in order about eleven o'clock in the forenoon, to save my artillery, ordered a charge of Lieutenant Washington, an aid of Gen- bayonets by the four supporting regiments eral Johnston, evidently reconnoitering of the centre, which was executed in a the ground, was taken prisoner by the most gallant and successful manner, unadvanced Union pickets. About the der the immediate direction of Brigadier same time two shells were thrown into General Naglee, commanding 1st brigade, the Union camp, and a considerable body the enemy being driven back. When of the enemy was reported approaching. the charge had ceased, but not until the General Casey immediately ordered his troops had reached the edge of the woods, division under arms, called in his men at the most terrible fire of musketry comwork on the abattis and rifle pits; the menced that I have ever witnessed. The artillery was harnessed up, and every enemy again advanced in force, and the preparation made for action. The 103d flanks having been again severely threatPennsylvania regiment was advanced to ened, a retreat to the works became nesupport the pickets. Spratt's battery cessary. To be brief, the rifle pits were was placed in front with powerful infan- retained until they were almost enveloped try supports, the 104th Pennsylvania, by the enemy-the troops, with some 11th Maine, the 92d and 100th New exceptions, fighting with spirit and galYork regiments. This was the first or lantry. The troops then retreated to outer line of defence. A second was the second line, in possession of General formed about a third of a mile in the Couch's division. Two pieces of artillery rear, at the redoubt and earthworks were placed in the road between the two which were in process of construction by lines, which did good execution upon the the division to hold their advanced posi- advancing foe. On my arrival at the tion. Captain Bates' battery, command- second line, I succeeded in rallying a ed by Lieutenant Hart, was placed in the portion of my division, and, with the asredoubt, Regan's battery on the right, sistance of General Kearney, who had and Fitch's battery in the rear. The line just arrived at the head of one of the was held by Pennsylvania and New brigades of his division, attempted to reYork regiments. When these disposi- gain possession of my works, but it was tions were completed, about twenty min- found impracticable. The troops of Genutes to one o'clock, the enemy commencederal Couch's division were driven back.