some distance for the purpose of hoisting more shot into her turret; which being done, the fight was immediately recommenced. The Merrimac soon appeared to be in a disabled condition, and gradually worked away towards the batteries at Sewall's Point. As afterward ascertained, the heavy iron prow, projecting six feet from the stem of the Merrimac, was so wrenched by the concussion against the side of the Monitor, that the timbers of the frame were started, causing the vessel to leak badly. It is not known that the shot of the Monitor penetrated the sides of her opponent; but it has been reported and denied that the timbers behind the iron plating were shattered by the tremendous force of the blows. The Merrimac received some injury, and loss of life was incurred from the shot of the Minnesota. During the fight, the first officer of the Monitor, Capt. A. H. Worden, took his station in the pilothouse, and directed the firing by signals to the First Lieutenant, S. Dana Greene, by whom the guns were trained and fired. One of the last shots of the Merrimac struck the pilot-house near the aperture through which Capt. Worden was looking at the instant. The blow, which was so heavy as to break one of the great wrought-iron beams of the pilot-house, stunned this officer, seriously injuring his eyes and face. On the retiring of the Merrimac, the second officer took charge of the vessel, knowing that another shot striking the pilot-house would be likely to complete its destruction, and render the vessel unmanageable by disabling the steering apparatus; and acting under orders which restricted the Monitor to a defensive course, except so far as might be necessary to protect the Minnesota, declined to pursue the Merrimac, and remained by the Minnesota. On the 7th President Lincoln arrived at Fortress Monroe, and after examining the fortress and the camp at Newport News, urged a movement on Norfolk, which had already been reported as abandoned in consequence of the advance of the army of the Potomac up the peninsula. An expedition was accordingly organized, under the direction of Maj.-Gen. Wool, which embarked at Fortress Monroe during the night of the 9th of May, and landed at Willoughby's Point, a short distance from the Rip Raps and eight miles from Norfolk, at daylight on the 10th. The force consisted of the 10th New York, Col. Bendix; 20th do., Col. Weber; 99th do.; 1st Delaware, Col. Andrews; 16th Massachusetts, Col. Wyman; 58th Pennsylvania, Col. Bailey; a battalion of mounted rifles, and a company of 4th regular artillery. Gens. Mansfield and Weber proceeded over a good road on the direct route to Norfolk, but finding the bridge over Tanner's Creek on fire, and a small force of the enemy on the opposite side with three small howitzers, a march of eight miles was then made by the Princess Anne road, around the head of the creek to Norfolk. The defences of the city were found to have been abandoned. At the limits of the city Gen. Wool was met at half-past four in the afternoon by the mayor and a committee of the council, who surrendered it. He immediately took possession, and appointed Brig.-Gen. Vielé military governor, with directions to see that the citizens were protected in "all their civil rights.". The troops bivouacked on the field outside of the limits of the city for the night. About four o'clock the next morning a bright light was observed from Fortress Monroe, in the direction of Craney Island, which was supposed at first to be a signal of some description from the Confederate iron-clad steamer Merrimac or Virginia. It was closely watched by the officers of the picket boats, as well as by the various naval vessels of the fleet, and precisely at halfpast four o'clock an explosion took place, which made the earth tremble for miles around. In the midst of the bright flames that shot up through the distant blaze, the timber and iron of the monster steamer could be seen flying through the air, while immense volumes of smoke rose up, and for a time obscured every thing. No doubt was entertained that the Merrimac had ceased to exist, and had doubtless been abandoned by the crew. A naval reconnoissance was immediately sent out toward Norfolk. The fortifications on Craney Island were found to have been abandoned. On the main front of the island, commanding the approaches by the river channel, the works were casemated. Nine of these casemates were finished, in each of which were nine or ten-inch guns, principally Dahlgrens, and the work of erecting five more casemates was in progress at the time of the evacuation, in one of which a gun was mounted. The whole number of guns mounted was thirty-nine, of which two were Parrotts and a number rifled Dahlgrens. There were also about six guns in the works which had not been mounted. None of them had been removed. On the line of the river leading from Craney Island to Norfolk there were not less than six heavy earthworks, mounting in all about sixtynine cannon, all of which were in position, except those that were in the works near the Naval Hospital. These had been taken to Richmond. Not far above Craney Island was the river barricade. Although the river is here nearly a mile wide, a line of piles had been driven from shore to shore, with the exception of an opening in the centre of the channel for vessels to pass in and out. Here were two steam pile-drivers which had been used for this work, and near the opening was moored the hulk of the old frigate United States, which it was proposed to sink in case Federal vessels should have succeeded in passing the fortifications. Immediately commanding this river barricade was a casemated battery, forming a half circle, and mounting eleven heavy guns. On the opposite bank of the river was another battery, with two or three other small works, before old Fort Norfolk on one side of the river, and the Naval Asylum batteries on the other, were reached. In addition to the amount of ammunition left in the sheds of the batteries, the magazines, of which there was a great number, were well filled. The amount of powder in the magazines was estimated at five thousand pounds, and the fixed ammunition could be enumerated by the cargo. All the workshops, storehouses, and other buildings at the Gosport navy yard were burned, and the dry dock had also been partially blown up with powder on the night after Norfolk was surrendered. While this was taking place, another party was engaged in burning the shipping and steamboats in the harbor. There is no doubt this vast sacrifice was permitted by the Confederate Government, only to enable it to summon to Richmond the troops in and about Norfolk under Gen. Huger. They were about eighteen thousand in number. At the same time when this movement was made on Norfolk, steps were taken to open the blockade of James river. On the 8th of May the gunboats Galena (iron clad), Aroostook, and Port Royal started up the river, and were successful in silencing the batteries at its mouth and on its banks. They were subsequently joined by the Monitor and Naugatuck, and on the 18th were repulsed by a heavy battery at Drury's Bluff, about eight miles below Richmond. The blockade of the river below that point was raised. Meantime the army of Gen. McClellan was advancing toward Richmond. On the 8th of May the advance was beyond Williamsburg, on the 11th it was at Barnhamsville, on the 13th at New Kent Court House, and on the 15th at the White House. This was the point where the railroad from West Point to Richmond crossed the Pamunkey river. It took its name from a fine building, once the property of Gen. Washington, but now of his heirs. The railroad was in good order, and locomotives and cars, brought on the transports, were immediately placed on the track. It was intended that the supplies of the army, as it advanced, should be taken over this road. The Pamunkey river, at the White House, was of sufficient depth to float large vessels, and an immense amount of stores was there collected. A reconnoissance was made on the 16th by one of the smaller gunboats, with two companies of infantry under Major Willard, and one section of Ayres' battery, up the Pamunkey river, a distance of twenty-five miles, to a point known as Russell's Landing. A steamboat, a propeller, and fifteen small schooners were found in flames upon their arrival. Most of these vessels were loaded with corn. On the same day the Confederate troops, consisting chiefly of a corps of observation, were driven over the Chickahominy on the main road to Richmond, at Bottom's Bridge, which was burned. When the Federal troops arrived within a half mile of the bridge, a brisk fire of artillery from the opposite side opened upon, them. The Confederate army had now retreated across the Chickahominy, determined beyond that river to dispute the possession of Richmond. The Chickahominy river is formed by the junction of Horsepen Branch, Rocky Branch, North Run, and Brook Run, near Meadow Bridge, five miles directly north of Richmond. All these streams, and several others too small to have names, rise within ten miles northwest of Richmond, in a rough, unfertile country, exceedingly broken and unfit for cultivation. Meadow Bridge is nearly north of Richmond, five miles in a direct line by railroad, and is the outlet of a considerable swamp, and the place of crossing for Meadow Bridge road and the Virginia Central and Louisa railroad. The stream at this bridge is an insignificant brook, receiving another creek from the Richmond side, a short distance below. Less than two miles from Meadow Bridge is the bridge of the Mechanicsville turnpike, four and one half miles from the Confederate capital and fifteen from Hanover Court House. Two miles further on, it receives a small creek with the name of Brandy Run, and from this point it grows considerably wider, more sluggish, with swampy shores at intervals, and low banks often overflowed. Near this place is a small bridge, and a road crosses, but little used. Four miles from Mechanicsville turnpike bridge is New Bridge, in a direct line northeast from the city six miles, and seven and a half miles by the road. Four miles farther, and directly east from the city, is a military bridge. From this bridge three miles farther to Bottom's Bridge the banks of the stream are quite swampy, but it is still of no considerable size, although several creeks have emptied their wa ters into it. A mile before reaching Bottom's Bridge it is crossed by the Richmond and York River railroad, running to White House and West Point. The course of the river from its source is east-southeast, so that it is constantly leaving Richmond, and at Bottom's Bridge is fif teen miles away from the city. Its nearest point is at Mechanicsville bridge. The bank of the stream on the north side is for the most part rolling bluffs, covered with forests, with an occasional opening, where can be seen finely situated plantations. Upon the south side of the stream, and from one to two miles from the bank, a considerable bluff extends the entire distance to the vicinity of the lower military bridge. This bluff is highest opposite New Bridge, where a point of it is known as Lewis Hill. A road runs along on the brow of this hill, and there are some very fine residences situated upon it, which, as it is only some three or four miles, at most, from the city, are very desirable locations. Other bridges were constructed by orders of Gen. McClellan. The soil along the York River railroad is of too pliable a nature to admit of the transportation of heavy guns, or, in fact, any others, at the time of severe rains. The same may be said of all the localities between the Chickahominy and Richmond. After the passage of a hundred teams it becomes necessary to construct new roads. Some days passed in bringing up the rear of the army, in making preparations to cross the Chickahominy, and in securing the conveyance of the supplies for the army. The railroad from the White House became the base for this purpose, and was kept open until the 25th of June. Meantime the Federal army was diminishing in numbers, while the Confederates were gathering troops by every method they could devise. Prisoners were taken, who belonged to regiments which had opposed Gen. Burnside in North Carolina. And Norfolk had been sacrificed to send her troops to Richmond. The conscription act, passed by the Confederate Congress in April, made every man between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five years a soldier. The new levies were now collecting before Richmond. On the evening of the 21st Gen. McClellan sent the following despatch to the War Department: "I have just returned from Bottom's Bridge; have examined the country on the other side, and made a reconnoissance on the heels of theenemy, who probably did not like the skirmish of yesterday. The bridge will be repaired by to-morrow morning, and others constructed. All the camps have advanced to-day." On the next day the troops began to cross both at Bottom's Bridge and at the railroad bridge, and took up a position one and a half miles beyond. Reconnoissances made during the day gave no assurance that the Confederates were in any considerable force near at hand, but led to the impression that it was their purpose to make a stand in a selected position near Richmond. On the next day, the 23d, the advance was within seven miles of Richmond. The Confederates were at the same time attacked with shells on the opposite side of the river near New Bridge. This was followed up on the next day with more skirmishing. During these days, since the army had reached the river, the unusual quantity of rain that fell had rendered the roads almost impassable for artillery, at the same time it had greatly retarded the construction of the numerous bridges which Gen. McClellan wished to build over the Chickahominy. There were two principal objects now before the commander-in-chief: one was to capture Richmond, and the other to secure supplies for his army For this latter purpose, it was necessary for him to be prepared to defend the railroad against every attack upon it. The Confederate general, Johnston, by having possession of the bridges over the river on the north of Richmond, could at any moment throw a force over and attack Gen. McClellan's line of supplies. The river therefore was necessarily made passable to the Federal army at all times, to enable the commander to mass his troops on either side as might be necessary. While arrangements were making to render the position of the Army of the Potomac safe and secure its successful advance upon Richmond, Gen. McClellan began to look anxiously for the expected cooperation of Gen. McDowell. It was evident that the retreat of the enemy could be made but very little farther. The campaign had ripened for the battle, and the conflict must be near at hand. The enemy had always declared that Richmond would never be captured so long as any men were left to defend it. They had shown their willingness to wait, and no one believed they would retire within the defences of Richmond until they were forced to do it by the disastrous issue of a battle. On the 17th of May, the War Department sent the following instructions to Gen. McClellan. Unfortunately the reënforcements spoken of therein, were destined never to arrive: WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON CITY, D. C., May 17, 1862. Maj.-Gen. George B. McClellan, Commanding } Army of the Potomac before Richmond: forcements, has been received and carefully considerYour despatch to the President, asking for reëned. The President is not willing to uncover the capital entirely, and it is believed that even if this were prudent, it would require more time to effect a junction between your army and that of the Rappahanthan by a land march. nock, by the way of the Potomac and York rivers, In order, therefore, to increase the strength of the attack upon Richmond at the earliest possible moment, Gen. McDowell has been ordered to march upon that himself always in position to cover the capital from all city by the shortest route. He is ordered-keeping possible attack-so to operate as to put his left wing in communication with your right, and you are instructed to cooperate so as to establish this communication as soon as possible. By extending your right wing to the north of Richmond, it is believed that this communication can be safely established, either north or south of the Pamunkey river. In any event, you will be able to prevent the main body of the enemy's forces from leaving Richmond and falling in overwith between thirty-five and forty thousand men. whelming force upon Gen. McDowell. He will move A copy of the instructions to Maj.-Gen. McDowell is with this. The specific task assigned to his com mand has been to provide against any danger to the forcements, he is sent forward to cooperate in the recapital of the nation. At your earnest call for reën. duction of Richmond, but charged, in attempting this, not to uncover the city of Washington, and you will give no orders either before or after your junction, which can keep him out of position to cover this city. You and he will communicate with each other by telegraph or otherwise as frequently as may be necessary for efficient cooperation. When Gen. McDowell is in position on your right, his supplies must be drawn from West Point, and you will instruct your staff officers to be prepared to supply him by that route. The President directs that Gen. McDowell retain the command of the Department of the Rappahannock, and of the forces with which he moves forward. By order of the President. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. On the 26th, an order was given for a movement, the design of which was to open a communication with Gen. McDowell, as well as to scatter a force known to be collecting near Hanover Court House to threaten the right of Gen. McClellan and his communications. 27th, the division of Gen. Morrell, of Gen. Por About four o'clock on the morning of the ter's corps, commenced its march in a heavy rain which had continued all night. It turned off from the road to New Bridge, and took that to Hanover Court House. The whole column marched fifteen miles steadily, with great rapidity, and with very little straggling. Soon after noon the enemy's pickets were met and driven in. This was near the railroad and about four miles from the Court House. The advance, consisting of Gen. Martindale's brigade, composed in part of the 18th and 22d Massachusetts, 2d Maine, and 25th New York, had met the enemy in considerable force. The latter regiment suffered severely by the enemy on either flank, until the artillery opened its fire. This continued for half an hour, when the arrival of Gen. Butterfield's brigade soon settled the affair. After an advance of a mile farther the Federal force halted. During this halt the enemy marched so as to flank it and made an attack upon its left, when a severe battle ensued, which finally resulted near sundown in driving the enemy from the field. The Federals, in both contests, had fifty-four killed and one hundred and ninety-four wounded and missing. The loss was chiefly in the 25th New York. The Confederate force was estimated at eight thousand, and wounded prisoners were taken to the hospitals belonging to fourteen different regiments. Their loss was between two and three hundred killed and wounded, and about five hundred taken prisoners. The expedition was under the command of Gen. Porter. The battle was near Peak's Station, on the Virginia Central Railroad. Fredericksburg, the headquarters of Gen. McDowell, was distant about forty-five miles, and his advance was at Bowling Green, distant only fifteen miles. This was the moment for the junction of the two armies. Prince de Joinville thus speaks of the actions of this hour: "It needed only an effort of the will; the two armies were united, and the possession of Rich mond certain! Alas! this effort was not made; I cannot recall those fatal moments without a real sinking of the heart. Seated in an orchard in the bivouac of Porter, amid the joyous excitement which follows a successful conflict, I saw the Fifth cavalry bring in whole companies of Confederate prisoners, with arms and baggage, their officers at their head. But neither the glad confidence of the Federals nor the discouragement of their enemies deceived me, and I asked myself how many of these gallant young men who surrounded me, relating their exploits of the day before, would pay with their lives for the fatal error which was on the point of being committed. Not only did not the two armies unite, but the order came from Washington to burn the bridges which had been seized. This was the clearest way of saying to the Army of the Potomac and to its chief that in no case could they count on the support of the armies of upper Virginia." Gen. McClellan, in his testimony before the court-martial at Washington in the case of Gen. McDowell on December 10, said: "I have no doubt, for it has ever been my opinion, that the Army of the Potomac would have taken Richmond, had not the corps of Gen. McDowell been separated from it. It is also my opinion that had the command of Gen. McDowell joined the Army of the Potomac in the month of May, by way of Hanover Court House from Freder icksburg, we would have had Richmond in & week after the junction. I do not hold Gen. McDowell responsible for a failure to join with me on any occasion. I believe that anwers the question." The principal bridge burned was the one over the South Anna River. The report of the destruction of this bridge, made from the army at the time says: "It cuts off the communication by railroad between Richmond and the forces under Gen. Jackson." On the 29th the expedition returned to its original camp. CHAPTER XVIII. Junction of Gen. Shields with Gen. McDowell-Both ordered to the Shenandoah Valley-March of Gen. Fremont to the same point-Previous advance of Gen. Banks up the Shenandoah-Position of the Forces-Advance of Gen. Jackson down the Valley-Attack at Front Royal-Retreat of Gen. Banks-Excitement in the Northern States-Gen Jackson falls back-Pursuit by Gens. Fremont and Shields-Battle at Cross Keys-Battle at Port Republic-Advance of Gen. Heath. THE explanation of this failure on the part of Gen. McDowell to cooperate with the army of Gen. McClellan at this critical moment, involves a statement of the military operations which had been taking place in the Department of the Potomac, the Mountain Department, and the Department of the Shenandoah, and which culminated at this time. On the Confederate side, the de sign of these military operations was not only to prevent this junction of Gen. McDowell with Gen. McClellan, but also to prevent any reënforcement whatever to the latter. In this last object they were also partly successful. The corps of Gen. McDowell was not allow ed to embark for Fortress Monroe with the other forces of Gen. McClellan by order of the President, as has been stated. The Department of the Rappahannock created soon after, and WAR DEPARTMENT, To Maj. Gen. McDowell, Commanding Department of the rebel forces. Gen. McClellan will be furnished with a copy of these instructions, and will be directed to hold himself in readiness to establish communication with your left and to prevent the main body of the enemy's army from leaving Richmond and throwing itself upon your coled. A copy of his instructions in regard to the em umn before a junction between the two armies is effect. ployment of your forces is annexed. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. A few days previously a small force had crossed over to Fredericsburg by order of Gen. McDowell, but the main body of his corps remained at Falmouth, where it could sustain the advance if necessary. The enemy had retired only a short distance from the town. So far as related to numbers, the division of Gen. Shields was not needed by Gen. McDowell; but the soldiers of the former had been on many a hard field, while those of the latter had hardly stood the shock of battle. The division of Gen. Shields, just from a march of one hundred and ten miles, was appointed to take the advance upon the enemy. This division consisted of the following brigades: first brigade, Gen. Kimball, 4th and 8th Ohio, 14th Indiana, and 7th Virginia; second brigade, Gen. Terry, 7th, 29th, and 66th Ohio, and 7th Indiana; third brigade, Gen. Tyler 5th Ohio, 1st Virginia, 84th and 110th Pennsylvania; fourth brigade, Col. Carroll acting brig.-gen., 7th and 62d Ohio, 13th Indiana, and 39th Illinois. On Saturday evening, May 24, the order was received for the division of Gen. Shields and other forces, to fall back. The following was the order: Maj.-Gen. McDowell: WASHINGTON, May 24, 1862. Gen. Fremont has been ordered, by telegraph, to move to Franklin and Harrisonburg, to relieve Gen. forces. You are instructed, laying aside for the presBanks, and capture or destroy Jackson and Ewell's ent the movement on Richmond, to put twenty thousand men in motion at once for the Shenandoah, moving on the line, or in advance of the line, of the Manassas Gap railroad. Your object will be to capture the force of Jackson and Ewell, either in coöperation with Gen. Fremont, or, in case want of supplies or transportation interfered with his movement, it is believed that the force which you move will be sufficient to accomplish the object alone. The information thus far received here makes it probable that, if the enemy operates actively against Gen. Banks, you will not be able to count upon much assistance from him, but may have even to release him. Reports received this moment are that Banks is fighting with Ewell, eight miles ABRAHAM LINCOLN. from Harper's Ferry. |