The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-07-29
BATTLE OF THE SEVEN PINES.
ZEN. JOHNST0N'S OFFICIAL REPORT

UeH. ~ |oDPef, -ddy ana inspector Ue8eTQts
] SIR-Before the 3Oth May had ascertaine,
from trusty scouts that Keys Corps was eneampee
on this side of the Chickahominy, near the viii
liamsburg road On that day Major General D
FL. Hill reported strong body Immediately il
his front On receiving this report, I determined
to attack them next morninS-hoping to be able
to defeat Keys Corps completely in its more ad
vanced position before it could be reinforced
Written orders were despatched to Major Gen
erals Hill, Huger and G. W. Smith. Gen. Long
street, being near my Headquarters, received
verbal instructions The receipt of the orders
was acknowledged. Gen. Hill, supported by the
Division Of Gen. Longstreet (who had the drec-
ton Of operations on the right was to advance
by the Williamsburg road, to attack the enemy in
front; Gen. Huger, with his Division, was to
move down the Charles City road in order to at
tack 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 or TO
cover Longstreets left. They were to move at
day break. Heavy and protracted 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 prevented the prompt
and punctuai movement of the troops. Those of
Smith, Hill and Longstreet were in position early
enough, however, to commence operations by
o'clock, \. Nj.
Major-General Longstreet, unwilling to make
partial attack instead Of the combined movement
which had been planned, waited from hour to
hour for Gen. Huger's Division. At length, at
o'clock, p. NJ, he determined to attack without
those troops. He accordingly commenced his ad-
vance at that hour opening the engagement with
artillery and skirmishers. 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
Division Of Gen. Smith, that might be on part
Of the field where could observe, aud be ready
to meet, any counter movements which the enemy's
General might make against our centre or left.
Owing to some peculiar condition of the atmos-
phere the sound Of the musketry did not reach
US. | consequently deferred giving the signal
for Gen. Smiths advance, till about o'clock, at
which time Ma or Jasper Whiting, of Gen
Smiths staff, whom [ had sent to learn the state
of affairs with Gen. Longstreets column, returned.
reporting that it was pressing on with vicor.
Smiths troops were at once moved forward
The principal attack was made bv Major Gen
Longstreet, with his own and Major Cen D. H.
Hills Dysion-the latter mostly in advance.
Hills blave troops, admirably commanded and
most gaantly led, forced their way through the
abatis, which formed the enemy's external de-
fences, and stormed their entertainments BY a
determined and irresistible rush. Such was the
manner in which the enemy'S first line was carried
The operation was repeated with the same sallan-
try and success as our troops pursued their vic
torious career through the enemy's successive
camps and entertainments At each new position
they encountered fresh troops belonging to it,
and renforcements brought on from the rear
Thas they had to repel repeated efforts to retake
works which they had carried. But their advance
was never successfully resisted.
Their onward movement was only STAYED bv
the coming of night. By night fail they had
forced their way to the Seven Pines," having
driven the enemy back more than two miles,
through their own camps and from series of en-
trenchments; and repealed every attempt to re-
capture them with great slaughter. The skill,
vigor, and decision with which these operations
we're conducted by Gen. Longstreet are worthy of
the highest praise. He was worthily seconded by
Major-Gen. Hill, of whose conduct and courage
he speaks in the highest terms.
Major-G General Smiths Division moved forward
at o'clock-Whiting Is three Brigades leading.
Their progress was impeded by the enemys Skin
mlshers, which, with their supports, were driven
back to the railroad At this point Whiting's
own and PettiSrew's brigades engaged superior
force of the enemy. Hoods, by my order, moved
on to cooperate with Longstreet. General Smith
was desired to hasten up with all the troops within
reach He brought up Hampton's and Hatton's
brgadcs in a few minutes.
The strength Of the enemy's position however.
enabled him to hold it until dark.
About sunset, being struck from nv horse, |
severely wounded by fragment of a shell, l was
carried from the field and Major Gen G. w. |
Smith succeeded to the command.
lie was prevented from resuminc his attack on |
the enemys position next MORNING by the dis
covery Of strong entertainments, not seen on the |
previous evening His Division bivouacked. on |
the night of the 3lst, within musket shot of the
entertainments which they were attacking when
darkness stayed the conflict The skill, energy
and resolution with which Major-General Smith |
directed the attack would have secured success if
1t could have been made an hour earlier
The troops of Longstreet and Hill passed the |
night of the 3lst the ground which they had
won The enemy we're strongly reinforced from
the north side of the Chickahominy on the
evening and night of the 3lst The troops en-
gagged 10y Gen. Smith were undoubtedly from the |
other side of the river
On the morning of the 1st of June, the enemy
attacked the Brigade Of Gen. Pickett, which was |
by that of Gen. Pryor. The attack
was vigorously repealed by these two brigades the
brunt Of the action falling on 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 even
ing quietly returned to their own camps
kaoEk 4 (,nn