The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-04-28

ne chickahomny tho night II the battle q 0aine
sss sSs Yes ss rsn 'h
" And when did the retreat 70 the James river com.
@encef A. thnk the trains commenced moving that
.. We're you with the right or left wing Of the army
during the battle Gaines hnlf A. ON the right
bank Of the river ss Dr. ents house, - The most Gen.
AVN you give us concise statement Of the retreat
Of the army TO the James river Including the oa.ses
as the retreat-tne movement 10 the James rver-was
determined upon, gave orders for improving the cross
with an escort OF cavalry 70 the James rive, bring
back the best Information about the roads Inc trains
S@ 70 Sn,s ssn ON on S morning Of
and the great trouble TO handle that immense mass
Of wagons tried TO get them out OF the way the nst
thing We had only road practicable for the trains
aud troops 20 alter leaving White Oak swamp. As
the wagons were well out Of the way sumner,
Franklin and Hentzelman ordered TO take position
savages station, and hold II until night. In tho
the commands OF Reyes and Porter push
cd tho White Oak swamp in order 70 gain posses
sion OF tho roads coming in from Richmond between tho
White Oak swamp and tho James river, and cover the
further movement of the trains. Sumner and Franklin
were attacked at Savages Station and after severe con-
test repnsed the enemy After night they crossed the
White Oak swamp. think the whole command got over
ing day and night The troops placed in position
from White Oak swamp 10 tho vicinity Of Malvern Hill TO
cover the movement, They were attacked 10 the after
noon at several points along tho line-at White Oak
swamp mainly by artillery But at Nelson's farm the
most attack by the enemy made and
the lighting there continued until after dark The dvk
sions that were most warmly engaged were those OF
Hooker, Kearny aud Mccall while. still further on the
left, pretty serious attack was made by the Wise Ls
gion, think-General Wises command The enemy
again repIsed al points. During the night the
army was concentrated upon Malvern Hill portion OF
the trains were at Hayas, and the rest at Harrisons
Bar. Early in the morning the troops placed In pc
son at Malvern Hill, and they attacked early in
the afternoon. Tho serious effort OF the enemy
about the left Of position no attack being made on
right Wher0I 0ppr0neneivo OF H.. deter
mined, even after signal repulse or the enemy, TO
withdraw from Malvern Hill and 80 to Harrisons Bar,
mainly tho first was, that the position
rather too extensive for the number Of men;
the second the necessity OF getting below City Point
bank Of the river the opinion OF the naval
officers that could upon getting supplies
a ar p n Sss % ns
bic position for tho gunboas the ground on either bank
being completely swept by their fire. steps taken at
once TO strengthen the position Some little time after
we reached Harrisons bar occupied point on the
other side, which was intrenched and gave q
debouche on the south bank Of the river.
Gaines MILL not thought necessary 70 destroy the
baggage OF the army, and were not orders given to that
eect A. have recollection OF any order being
given. certain amount Of property was destroyed At
some Of the railway stations.
Of the sps no ora', given lot n' az
1:vssy.s recsslseisSSA 81 anu sueA order. ~.
Y. By whom was the battle OF Savages Station foughr
DID yourself direct the movements Of the troops or
given general orders for the Of the troops,
but the lighting done under the direct orders OF the
corps commanders.
hghng directed the day after the battle at Savagos Sta
tionr A. gave the general orders, and each corps was
commanded by its own commander
O. who selected the positions and directed the move
ents OF the troops al the battle Of Malvern HIP A.
sesed the positions general pay that is, rode over
the whole position in the morning. indicating the dit
commanders the approximate positions they were
occupy There were parts Of the position nearer our
4 hpk nd nv land
General Humphrey. More or less change was made BY
every corps commander from the general position that
had selected.
O. Al what hour In tho morning you the ned
ut the time Of the battle Of Malvern Ill., and at what
time dd you eaveY A. was on the ground very shortly
after and occapaea some me- tout y
the arternoonl should think somewhere about two or
half past o'cockand was over the whole position
o. Had the fighting commenced In the morning before
you lefts A. No, Sir; no enemy In sight.
Al what point Of points were you from ~ me you
ters near Haxalls house.
O. We're you down to the river, on board the gun
during any part OF that day between the time you
left the cid and your return 10 tS A. do not remem
ber 1t Is possible may have been, as my camp was d.
o. How far was the gunboat from Haxallss A. There
were generally some ganboals In the immediate vicinity
O How far was tina. from whore the heaviest fighting
during the day2 A. From Haxas to the point whore
the heaviest lighting was suppose was two miles and
nall or three miles, Ihcre were parts oi our inc tna
within hair mile, probably, less than thas, Of
the headquarters.
O. Had the lighting ceased when you went back TO the
field in the afternoon, or was still In progress A. Sill
in progress Inc most serious fighting sods after wes
upon the ground he second ffms.
O. To what points the field did you 60 your 70
turn A. went over neary she whole held com
menccd near the iet' ~ mousse tnas was tnere ane
then around by the positions oil General summer
and General Heintzeman TO those on TIE exreme t1gh Al
dpprehenaos ore for ne extreme rghf fet no concerf
for the left aud centre.
q Dd you remain on INC neio curing the REMAINDER
the battey A. came back TO headquarters Just about
dark
O. The troops were withdrawn that night TO Harrison
Barr A. Yes.
O. We're they withdrawn In pursuance OF q genera
order or nv direction OF the corps Commanders II
nursuance of a general order
ryuo w,Tupprw rur AMY rpox THE pryrNsut
n Was The army vtbdrawn from The peninsula in nc
,ordanc. with vonr opin,ony A n was not
a. WIZ did Won moi annrove OF ~ A I tbonght In.
rver tho tine line Of and that The pro
nor icv n, mo nursned was 10 re,niorce the ARMY of IN,
r,,lomac aud continue the movement ON Richnoud Il