The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-04-17
The BATTLES 0FTHE PENINSULA.
McClellan's Official Report Of the
Seven Days Battles.
The Splendid Fighting Of the Army
81 e = Of the Potomac.

the reports of all the subordinate COM
manders, 1 submit the following very brief
narrative of the operations of this army
since the 25th ultimo:
On the oath of June received infor-
nation that appeared entitled to some
credit, that General Jackson was at Fred
erick's Hall with his entire force, consist
ing of his own division with those of Ewell
and Whiting, and that his intention was
to attack our right flank and rear in order
to cut off our communication with the
White House, and to throw the right wing
of the army into the Chickahominy. For
tunately, 1 had few days before provided
against this contingency by ordering
number Of transports to the James River,
loaded with commissary, quartermaster,
and ordnance supplies. l, therefore, felt
free to watch the enemy closely, await
events, and act according to circumstances,
feeling sure that if cut off from the Pa
munkey, I could gain the James River for
rear base. ,.r .... ga.... -..
1 placed General Stoneman in COM
mand of the cavalry on the right, entrust-
ing to his charge the picket duty towards
Hanover Court House, to give the earliest
possible information of an advance of the
enemy from that direction. ''.'.
On the 25th General Heintzelman was
directed to drive in the enemy's pickets
from the woods in his front, in order to
give us command of the closed fields still
further in advance. This was CALAMITY and
handsomely done, under a stubborn resis-
lance, the brunt of the fighting falling up
on the division of Hooker. Just as the
new line was gained, was called from the
field by intelligence which tended strongly
to confirm the belief that Jackson was re-
ally approaching. a 1.t.,. . ...,. odd.
I Immediately repaired to the camp of
Gen. Fitz John Porter, commanding on
the right of the Ohickahominy, to obtain
further information and arrange the move
ments for the morrow. On my arrival
found that there was strong probability
of Jackson's advancing, although not
certainty of it. therefore determined to
leave our heavy guns in battery and to re-
tain McCall's division in it's strong position
on Beaver Dam Greek, near Mechanics
vile, posting merely small outposts to watch
the crossing near Meadow Bridge and Me-
chanicsville, and to give Mccall immedi-
ate notice of the enemy's approach. Por-
ters remaining troops were to be held in
reserve, ready to act according to circum-
stances The centre and left of the army
were also to be held in readiness to repulse
any attack, or to move to the assistance of
the right. ...--.[,....
had long before been determined to
hold the position of Bever Dam Creek in
the event of being attacked on that side,
for the reasons that the position was in
trinsically very strong one, was less'lia-
BILE to be turned on either flank than any
position in advance of it, and brought the
| army in a more concentrated and manage
able condition. The natural strength of
| the position had been somewhat increased
by slight rifle pits and telling little tim
Der in front of it with the exception of
epaulments for artillery near Gains and
Hogans houses, to act against the enemy's
batteries on the right bank of the Chicka-
hominy, there were no other artificial de-
fences on the left bank of that stream.
Our position on the right bank of the riv-
er had been rendered reasonably secure
againt assault by telling timber and the con-
struction of slight earthworks. Measures
had already been taken to secure the pas
sage of White Oak Swamp.
The right wing, under the command of
Fitz John Porter, consisted of the divis-
ions of Morell, Sykes and Mccall, with
large part of the cavalry reserve. He had
ten heavy guns in the battery on the banks
of the Chickahominy.
Such was the state of affairs Oh the
morning of June 81. was by that time
satisfied that l had to deal with at least
double my numbers; but so great aoas
may confidence in the conduct Of Tie off,
GERS and The brarery, discipline and devo-
ton Of my men, that Ifeh contented cala'a-
ly to aWoit the bursting Of The coming
storm, ready to profit By any fault Of The
enema, and sure that 1 aCOuld e.ctricdte
the a1mey from any difficulty in aohich 1t
niqht become involved. No other course
was open to me, for my information in re-
gard to the movements of the enemy was
too meagre to enable me to take decided
course.
l had not long to wait. During the
afternoon of the Goth, the enemy crossed,
in several columns, in the vicinity of Me-
chanicsville and Meadow Bridge, and at
tackled Mccall in his position at Beaver
Dam Creek. His repeated efforts were
constantly repulsed, with but little loss on
our side, but with great slaughter on the
part of the enemy. The contest ceased
here about nine P. NJ, the enemy leaving
us in full possession OF every part of the
field of battle. During the action Mccall
was supported by the brigades of Martin
dale and Griffin, of the division of Morell.
While this was going on, there were some
sharp affairs of pickets on the centre and
left, but nothing of serious nature.
By this time had certain information
that Jackson was rapidly advancing, in
strong force, from Hanover Court House,
and that his advance guard had probably
participated in the battle of Beaver Dam
Greek. This rendered that position unten-
able. 1 therefore determined to still fur
ther concentrate the army by withdraw
ing Porter's command to position near
Gaines Mill, where he could rest both his
TANKS on the Chickahominy, and cover the
most important bridges over that stream.
The wagons and heavy guns were with
drawn during the night, the troops falling
back to their new position early in the
| ,noruinr Tho opo,nu ottaoEpd SoUmOurS