Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-03-06
BkFrLE on CAMS SitL.
"a IT,. II a mn

10 se EdttJf cf Ms HRTf
Several articles have appeared in the "Whg" III te'
gard to the battle Of Gaines Mill" Your apparent
ibcraLy and regard for justice induces me TO ask
place forths IN your columns in the hope that the gall
liant and noble deeds of of the actors on that me-
morable OCCASION which, think, have been heretofore
too much neglected may not be entirely lost to the me-
mory Of their fellow.countrymen.
The forces of the two armies actually engaged, were
about equal The position occupied by the enemy was
exceedingly strong by nature, and rendered still strong
err BY two lines of field works some forty yards apart
and running parallel to each other. These works we're
constructed on the side OF the hill occupied by the enc
N.Y. with slope sufficient to enable the troops in the
rear line to fire over those in the 'front.' dense forest
extending from seVentyfve to hundred yards in front
of the works. rendered it impossible 20 discover their
real strength until troops arrived within fifty yards
Of them. branch at the base of the hih with steep
aud vide banks and ahatis between it aud the lines
rendered the advance of our troops difficult and peril
ous The length of the works was little over half
a mile aud slightly convex.
Such was the formidable character OF the position and
defenccs Of the enemy
The battle commenced about two o'clock, P. NJ, and
at six O'clock p NJ, the enemy stall held his position,
About this hour the changed. The division of
Gen. Whiting arrived the open field in front of the
eremys left wing which had hitherto successfully
pced all attacks upon it. The regiments were immcdi
atey deplOyed and, By skllu and gallant charge of
the whole DIVISION the euemys entire left wing was in
stanty overthrow, when the centre and right wing,
which holly pressed By Longsreet aud jackson,
also gave way and the victory thus achieyed-the
siege Of Richmond raised and the Capital of the Re-
public saved In this charge, Gen. Writings division
VAS joined its right by the brigade of Gen. Pickett
which behaved With distinguished gllantry, and de-
serves full share of the honor Of carrying such for.
| midabe position.
The brigade Of Gen. r. II. Anderson, held in reserve,
then ordered by Gen. Longstreet to forward
which il did in excellent ORDER and on reaching the
front, met fresh regiment Of the enemy, which it
handsomely dispersed and sent flying with its beaten
| and terTor-sachcn comrades The was now about
settiag and army pursued the re.reatng foe during
which they kept up desultQry and running fight, aud
darkness put end to the pursuit. Our troops bvou-
acked where they halted aud the enemy re;reated dur
| ing the ght, over the Grapevine bridge to the
soath side of the Chckahominy, and reoined McClel
Ian.
Gen. Writings division composed Of two brgades
aud two field batteries, viz:
Con Hoods Texas brigade, consisting of tho lst 4th
and 9th Texas and 18th Georgia regiments the infantry
of the Hampton Legion, and Baths Virginia bat
Try.
Col. Laws brigade, consisting OF tue 4sh AlAbam',
I'd and llti Mississippi, and 9Th North Carolina rcg
m,nts, AMI Riclley's North Carolina battery.
The strength OF the division five thousand three
hundred j SO0) men, and in this chrge tlost in twenty
minutes. thousand AMI sixteea Q,OlG) IN killed and
wounded Til, chargi for its desperate valor aud GO
rous results rivals that Of the imm ,r;a MoDontd at
"Wasram."
Ny position on ihl memorable and glorious day, Was
tia; OF AID dsCimp. saw the movements to which
refer aud twenty eight years OF experience in the pro-
G sion of arms embracing t"o previous wars, gives me
some confidence in judgiugpf them.
III referring to these matters now, my only object Is
to pay the homage Of virglnan to justice, patriotism
| and he Ole valor.
So nc over saugune pSysoas expected chat McClelaus
r-l,.I> .-,,,, -eaoiI i, :iii-.' -.--'--"''
who entertained such expectations know but little Of the
diff altes Of such enterprise. An army Of (9O or
100 OOl) ninety hundred thousand men not 10
b. "takcn by the collar" Hal Gen. Lee possessed
thorough knowledge Of the topography of the theatre
of operations tn, defeHceS NUMBER positions and IN
tentous of Mcclellan which all know now, the conf
dcnt, and boasiag "Army of the Po.cm'c" would
doubtless, have been lost.
As i! was with inferior numbers, Gen. Lee attacked
this mighty host in strongly fortified positions defeated
it. and saved Richmond The honor attending this great
achievement, ought to satisfy any nation, aud stamps
Gen Lee ct of the greatest Captains of any
| age.
Let the Republic cherish the memories of those
noble pltros, who heroicly gave their lives for their
couutryS liberty aud let their children live i.he aec.
tons aud upol the bounties Of generous and grateful
people RICHMOND.