Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-07-31
the battle of the seven Pines--Gencsnf Johpstop's
flfsinanl Report: -.
RIcHMoxD, June 24th, 1852


R1cHMoSD June 9Th 1852
Genl s. CoorER 4djt and IDspr Gen'l:-
sIR-Befora ths sOth May had ascertained from rusy
Chckabominy neat The Williamsburg road. On that day
Msior General g. Hill reported strong body immediate
In his front On receiving this report determined to
attack them next MIR ing-hopng TO beabe to defeat
Keys Corps completely in us more advanced poslon De
ed to Msior Generals Hill Euger and G. ". Smith. Cen
Lopgstreet, being Headquarters received verbal
Gen HILL supported by the Division of Gen. Iongstreet
(who had the direction Of operations on The Igh was to
advance the Williamsburg road t. ats OK the enemy in
'front.' General Huaer with his Division was to down
the Charles City road in Ter to attack in flank the troops
who might be engaged Lorgstreet, unless he
found in his front force enough occupy his Division:
General Smith to march to the junction OF The New
Bridge road ard the Nine Mile road, to be in readiness
either to fall on Keys right flank to Iongstreets
left. They to move at dayhresk Heavy and pro-
the stream offhs Chckabomny increase the probability
of having to deal with other troops than those OF
movement of the troop7 7ho.e of Smith, Hill and Long
street were in position early enough however t" c0m
Major General Long street unwilling TO make partial at
tack, instead of tha combined vemen which had been
Sion At length at o'clock P. ~, he determined to at
advance at that hou opening the engagement arti.
lery and skirrr hers BY o'clock, IT hec9me close and
In the mean time had placed myself on the lett of the
force employed this attack with the Division Of General
Smith, that nigh be part of the field where coud
which tie enemys General might make against
or left Owing peculiar copd ton of the atmos
phere the sound of the mus kerry did not reach u.s.
seoueny deferred giving the signal Gen. Smiths cd.
vance, ill about O'clock at which time Major Jasper
state Of affairs with Gen Ioigsreess column returned
porting that it pressing with gor. Smith troops
were at moved forward.
The principal ack made by M8ior General Lorg-
street. with his and Major General d. Il Bills DiVi-
sonhe latter mostly in advance Bits brave troops, ad-
mirably commsrded and most CALAMITY led. forced their
way through the abts which formed the enemys exer-
nal offences and stormed thar entrenchmens by deter
Snlh he
the enemy's frat line carried The operation
peaed with the gallantry ard troops
pursued their victorious through the enemy
cessive camps aCd entertainments At each position
they encountered sh trooos belonging to it. and reu
forcements brouaht On from the rear. Thus they had to
repe reoestcd IF rts retake works which they had
ried. But their advance successfully resisted
of night BY night fall they had forced their way the
Seven Pi1e. having driven the enemy back than
entertainments and repealed attempt to recapturc
them With great slaughter. The skin yigor ard decisor
with which these operations conducted by Gen. Long
street worthy Of the highest praise He worhiy
seconded by Maj r General Hill OF whose conduct and
con aRe he speaks in tn" highest terms.
Major General Smiths Division moved forward at fou
ociockWhnugs three brigades leaing. Their progress
sur ports, driven back nairoad point
Writings own and Pettigrews Brigade engaged superi
cooperate with Longs.reet. Cen smith was desired t
hasten mp with al the troops wi hin reach. He brought ~
Hampton's and i4atton's Brigades in few Minutes
The strength OF the enemys position however, enables
him to hold it unti! dark
wounded b. fragment of she'll carried from TIL
field and Major General g. W. Smith succeeded the
, mand.
He ezened from resuming his attack on the enc
my position next morning by the discovery Of stron
vision bivouaced the night of the st. within muske
shot OF the entrenchmepts which they attacking
resolution with which Ma General Smith directed the
tack would ave secured it could have beer
made an hour earlier.
The troops of Icngsreet Hill passel the night of tn
3lst the ground which they had The enemy
rony reinforced from the north side of the Chckahomip
on the evening and night of the lst The troops
by Cen Smith undoubtedly from the other side Of tn
river
On the morning the june the enemy attacked
the Brigade of Cen Pickett which supported by tina
these two Brig des the hru of the action falling
Pickett This was the last demonstration made by the
envy
Cur troops employed the residue of the day in securing
and bearing oil the captured artillery small aud othe
property aud IN the evening quietly returned to their
We took ten pieces of artillery elk thousand (6Oo)
kesone garrison flag, and four regimental coor beside
a large quantity of tents and camp equipage.
Major General Lorgstreet reports the loss in his
Major General c. w. smith reports his loss ct Us
Total 4,28:
That of the enemy is stated IN their own ewspapers t.
eVe ten Thousand estimate which doubt
Had Hej General HuQers Division been in position enc
ready fer action when those of Smith Longstreet and Hi
moved an satisfied tn Keys corps would have been
destroyed instead OF being merely defeated* Had it gone
into action even O'clock the victory would have beer
much more complete
Major Generals Smith and Long speak high terms
Of their superior and staff officers
to the attention of tAe
ca'ly to the manner in which Brigader Generals Whiting
AID T. Anderson and Colonies Jenkins and Kemper aud
Hampton, exercising commands above their grades and
BrigsdIer General Rhodes mentioned.
This, and tbs captured coors will be delivered by Maj
a. II. Cole, of my staff.
have been prevented, ly feebeness from making thi
report and still too weak make any but We
ry mpe: feet
Several hundred prisoners taken hut have recev
ed no report of the number.
Your o6eGient servant
[SigDed) J. F.. JOHNSTON, General.