Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-08-02
THE BATTLE OF THE SEVEN PINE5-GEN.
JOHNSTON'S OFFICIAL REPORT.

trusty scouts, that Keys corps was encamped on
this side of the Chickahoniny, near the Williams
burg road On that day Maj. Gen. d. Fl. Hill re-
ported strong body Immediately in his front. On
receiving this report, | determined to attack them
next morning-hOping to be able to defeat Keys
corps completely in It's more advanced position be-
fore it could be reinforced. Written orders were
despatched to Maj Gems. Hill, Huger and G. W.
Smith. Gen. Longstreet being near my headquar-
ters received verbal instructions. The receipt Of
the orders was acknowledged. Gen. Ill., SUP ported
by the division of Gen. LOngStreet (whO had the
direction of operations on the right was to advance
by the Williamsburg road, to attack the enemy in
front; Gen. Huger with his division, to move
down the Charles City road, in order to attack in
flank the troops who might be engaged with Hill
and Longstreet unless he found in his front force
enough to occupy his division Gen. Smith was to
march to the junction of the New Bridge road and
the Nine Mile road, to be in readiness either to fall
on Keys right flank to cover Longstreet's left
They were to move at daybreak. Heavy and pro-
tracted rains during the afternoon and night, by
swelling the stream Of the Chickahominy, increased
the probability of our having to deal with other
troops than those Of Keys The same cause pre-
vented the prompt and punctual movement Of the
troops. Those of Smith, Hill and Longstreet were
in position early enough, however, to commence op
eratons by s o'clock, A. NJ.
MAJ Gen. Longstreet, unwilling 20 make partial
attack, instead of the combined movement which had
been planned waited from hour to hour for Gen.
Hugcr's division. At length at o'clock, p. NJ, he
determined to attack without those troops lie ac-
cordngly commenced his advance at that hour,
opening the engagement with artillery and skrmsh-
ers. By o'clock, it became close and heavy.
In the meantime had placed myself on the left
Of the force employed in this attack with the divs
ion Of Gen. Smith, that might be part of the
field where could observe and be ready to meet
any counter movements which the enemys General
might make against centre or left. Owing to
some peculiar condition OF the atmosphere the sound
of the muSkctry did not reach us. | consequently
deferred giving the signal for Gen. Smiths advance
till about o'clock. at which time Maj. Jasper Viii
ting of Gen. Smiths staff whom | had sent to
learn the state Of affairs with Gen. Longstrects COL
umn, returned, reporting that it pressing on
with vigor. Smiths troops were at once moved for
ward
The principal attack was made by Major General
Longstrect with his own and Maj. Gen. d. II. Hills
divsion-the latter mostly in advance. Hills brave
troops, admirably commanded and most calamity
led, forced their way through the ablttis, which
formed the enemy'S external defenres, ard stormed
their entertainments by a determined and irresistible
rush Such was the manner in which the encmy's
first line carried. The operation was repeated
with the same gallantry and success as our troops
pursued their victorious career through the enemy's
successive camps and entertainments At each new
position they encountered fresh troops belonging to
it, and renf0rcements brought on from the rear
Thus they had to repcl repeated efforts to retake
works which they had carried. But their advance
was never successfully resisted
Their onward movement was only STAYED by the
coming of night By night fall they had forced
their way to the "Seven Pines" having driven the
enemy back moro than 3 miles through their own
camps and from a series of entertainments and re-
PEELED every attempt to recapture tnemwith great
slaughter. The skill vigor and decision with which
these operations were conducted by Gen. LonsStrcct
are worthy Of the highest praise. He was worthily
seconded by Maj. Gen. Hill, of whose conduct ana
courage he speaks in the highest terms.
Maj. Gen. Smiths division moved forward at 4
o',ock-Whitng's three brlgades leading. Their
progress impcded by the enemys SkirnisherS,
which with their supports, driven back 70 the
railroad. At this point, Writings own, and Petit
Crews brigade, engaged a superior force Of the en-
cmy. hoods, by my order moved on TO cooperate
with LOngstrcct. Gen. Smith desired to hasten
up with all the troops within reach. He brought
up llampton's aud uatton's brigades in few min
utes
The strength Of the enemys position, however,
enabled him to hold it until dark.
About sunset, being struck from my horse, Sc
verey wounded by fragment of a SHE'LL | was car
ried from the field, and Maj. Gen. q. w. Smith
succeeded to the command.
lie was prevented from reSuming his attack the
enenys position next morning, by the discovery Of
strong entertainments not seen on the previous eve
ming. His division biyouacked, on the night of the
2lSt within musket shot of the entertainments
which they attacking when darkness stayed
the conflict The skill, energy and resolution with
which Mayor General Smith directed the attack,
would have secured success if it could have been
made an hour earlier.
The troops of Longstreet and Hill passed the night
Of the 3 Is: on the ground which they had won.-
The enemy were strongly reinforced from the north
side Of the ChckahomIny the evening and night
of the 3lst The troops engaged by Gen. Smith
were undoubtedly from the other side OF the river
On the morning Of the LIST Of June. the enemy at
tackled the brigade of Gen. Pickett which was sup
ported by that of Gen. Pryor. The attack was
vigorously repealed by these two brigades, the brunt
of the action falling Gen. Pickett This was the
last demonstration made by the enemy.
Our troops employed the residue of the day in
securing and bearing off the captured artillery,
small arms and other property and IN the evening
quietly returned to their camps.
We took ten pieces of artillery, 5000 muskcts-
one garrison flag, and four regmenta coors besides
a large quantity of tents and camp cqulpage.
Maj. Gen. Longstreet reports the loss IN his com
mand AS being about 5000
Maj. Gen. e. w. Smith reports his loss at 1888
Total 4,288
That of the enemy is stated in their own newspa-
pers to have exceeded 10, OOO-an estimate which is
no doubt short of the truth.
Had Maj. Gen. Huger's division been in position
and ready for action when those OF Smith, Long
street and Hill moved, l satisfied that Keys
COTpS WOulu nave Oeen ueSLrOIeu, ihStcdd vi oeHS
merely defeated* Had it gone into action even at
4 o'clock, the victory would have been much more
complete
Maj Gems. Smith and Longstreet speak in high
terms of the conduct of their superior and staff OIL
GERS
beg leave to ask the attention of the Govern
ment especially to the manner in which Brig. Gems
Whiting and T. Ii. Anderson, and Coils. Jenkins,
Kemper and Hampton, exercising commands above
their grades, and Brig. Gen. Rhodes are mentioned
This and the captured colors, will be delivered by
Maj. A. Ii. Cole. Of my staff
have been prevented by feebleness from making
this report sooner, and am still too weak to make
any but very imperfect one.
Several hundred prisoners were TAKEN but have
received no report Of the number.