The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-07-29

that they had heaid nothing OF the move
ment, and questioned me and my comrade
particularly on the subject OF the movement.
They also spoke with some warmth, and
even Indignation, OF the evident intention OF
leaving over one hundred and Gfty sick and
wounded behind who has accumulated in
and around their camp during the previous
few days. They thought the horses and
mules which had been employed hauling
forage and other things ought to have been
devoted to carrying these helpless persons to
the rear.
inferred that for some strategic reason,
these generals had been left in the dark touch
ing the grand change Of the base Of opera
tions OF the army.
Ispent the night Of Saturday near Savage's
Station, waiting for the final departure Of
Gen. Mcclellan and staff, which learned
would take place during the night, or very
early in the morning.
About . 10 O'Clock An. Sunday, learned
that the tents at headquarters had been
struck. and that Gen. Mcclellan and staff
were about to move. His escort, a regiment
of cavalry, (lancers.) assembled about three
o'clock, but they made no movement until
daylight. Meantime, | saw one Of the assist
ants of DR.. Swinburne having charge OF the
wounded, and limited to him that Gen. Nc
| Clellan was ready to leave. He asked what
was 10 become Of tho wounded. l replied
] they were to be left behind as matter OF
necessity. He expressed great surprise, and
some indignation. UP to this hour, | do rot
believe that the surgeons or assistants knew
what was the intention Of the commanding
general concerning the thousand or twelve
hundred wounded persons on the premises.
At daylight, the army-train, including artil-
lery, cavalry, and commissarios' wagons, oc-
cupicd position along the line OF road
leading obliquely from the line of the rail.
road toward the southeast. and nearly covered
the plain to the east of Savage's Station. Ii
remained stationary until daylight, at which
time Gen. Mcclellan and staff mounted, and
the word .forward" was passed along the
line. The movement was slow and some
what difficult, owing to the narrowncss OF
the road, which in some places would only
allow OF the passage Of one wagon at time.
Two miles FROM the Station, the roads diyid-
ed, and u halt of nearly one hour occurred
in order 10 ascertain which was the true di-
rection 10 take. There was no guide, and
half the wagons Were on tho wrong road.
Finally, some one reported that we were to
tako the left, and the train moved on.
Gen. Mcclellan and staff, about midway
Of the moving column, arrived Mt Gen. Ca
sey's old oncampment, and as he passed
"Four Mile Greek" was greeted by'cheers
from the troops. Tho party halted at q farm
house beyond White Oak Swamp, and the
troops also stopped and cncampcd here during
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Early Monday morning the enemy made his
appearance in our rear, and orders were
given TO destroy the corduroy bridges over
the creek, which had been constructed during
the previous two days by the engineer brig
ade. The rebels were held in check by Gems.
Franklin, Hcintzelman, and Richardson.
The General and stad moved away from their
temporary headquarters about nine O'Clock
A. NJ, and halted short distance at another
house. Cavalry were constantly sent ahead
to reconnoitcr the road, and rs we approach
ed tho roads leading down from Richmond,
unusual circumspection was used in examiu-
ing the route over which we were passing.
Frequent small panics were created along the
line by rumors that the rebels had attacked
us in front, flank, OF rear. The artillery
were ordered to march &hrd over to the leit
OF the road, so as to afford room for intantly
wheeling to meet the enemy in front or on
either flank. In less than an hour after TAX
ing up the linoof march. heavy canuonading
began in our rear, which proved to be the
attack upon our position at White Oak
Swamp. The circumstance increased the
general apprehension, and there was con-
slant tendency to increase the motion Of the
wagons and artillery into trot. Two miles
from White Oak Swamp we passed some
, dozen dead horses, which had been killed in
!. n skirmsh between our own and u party %!
rebel cavalry two days before. Beyond this
place q short distance Con. Mcclellan and
staff made another considerable pause, until
J his cavalry pushed ahead and reconnotcred
, the road, which now turned 10 the left, and
evidently following the general course of the
river.
Assured that there was no encmy in front,
Gen. Mcclellan now rode rapidly along the
!, road, and stopped at Malvern Hills. The
army.train was then quickened into a run,
$50 us to relieve the wagons and artillery in
the rear, aud by two o'clock r. n. the last
part of the retreating column was within
sight OF the valley OF James River. Capt.
Buchanan, who, with the Generals staff,
had anticipated the train, rode back and an
nounced that the way was all open TO the
river. The announcement was greeted with
. enthusiasm by the troops. IL was the first
assurance received BY them that they were
safe. Half an hour later heavy firing began
, in our rear, evidently from fresh batteries.
and at point near the intersection of the
Richmond roads with that leading from
, White Oak Swamp. The enemy had evil
IDENTIFY attacked our retreatins line in strong
force. officers and men, who had thrown
themselves down upon tho ground to rest
after their weary march, were summoned
i into line. Orders wore dispatched to bring
up Gen. POrter's division, which had en-
campe,i u mile beyond Malvern Hills. Tho
Provost Marshal, Porter, made an eIIort to
rally largo number OF stragclers who had
los. their officers. or had strayed from their
recimental lines, and an appeal was made to
the various offices lying around upon the
lawn at the headquarters TO accept command
of these troops. Tho effort did not succeed,
and an hour afterwards saw Porter mar.
shaling these and large number Of other
strasglers to the rear.
Every moment the firing increased in our
rear in rapidity and volume. Tho various
commands were formed hurricdly, pushed to
tho front, and formed in line OF battle. The
enemy, IN. strong numbers, were evidently
forcing in our lines, the firing becoming
nearer and nearer. until tho shells began to
burst above tho woods Immediately skirting
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