The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1880-01-01
MCCLELLAN AND LEE.
Thle seven Days Campaign Before Rich
mond. .

Tale seven Days Campaign Before Rich
mOnd. t
Gen. A. L. Long, Military Secretary
OF Gen. Lee, commanding the Confed-
crate army at Richmond, has written a
newspaper account OF the operations Of
the Seven Days Fight" from South
ern standpoint, from which we tran
scribe the following: "r
When Gen. Mcclellan crossed the
Chiokahominy it was thought he would
advance Immediately upon Richmond.
This expectation was disappointed,
however, for instead of advancing he
began to fortify his position. The
right wing rested on the Chickahom-
my, o little below New bridge, and the
left extended to the White Oak swamp,
embracing front of about four miles,
nearly parallel with that of the Confed-
crates. SIhe opposing lines were sep
arated by an interval but little exceed
ing mile, but each was obscured from
the others view by the intervening for
est. The picket lines were often with.
an close musket range of each other.
AT first there was good deal of picket
skirmishing, but this was SOON dlscon-
tinued by mutual consent, and lively
exchange Of newspapers, coffee and
tobacco succeeded it. The strength
OF the Confederate forces was
always greatly over-estimated by
Gen. Mcclellan, and his frequent
and urgent calls for reinforcements ex-
posed his timidity and want of conf
dence in his own strength. Gen. Lee,
knowing this uneasy, insecure feeling
OF his antagonist, and McDowell's force,
which had always been a thorn in his
side, being about this time withdrawn
from Fredericksburg for the support of
Banks and Shields in the valley, pre-
pared to assume the offensive. He con-
ceived the bold plan Of crossing the
Chiokahominy and attacking the Fed
erai right wing to force it back and to
seize Gen. Mcclellan line Of communi-
cation with his base Of operations. This
plan being successfully executed, the
Federal General would be compelled to
save his army as best he could by re-
treat. Preparatory to the execution of
this plan, Gen. j. e. B. Stuart was or
dered to make reconnaissance in the
rear OF the Federal position. This Of
flcer, with a force of about 1000 cavalry,
executed his instructions with great
boldness and success. He made
the entire circuit of the Fed
erai army and gained much
important information. His design be-
ing confirmed by Stuart's successful re-
connoissance, Gen. Lee proceeded to
organize force requisite for the ac-
compiishment of his proposed enter
prise. The troops that could be conven-
1ently spared from North Carolina.
South Carolina, and Georgia were or
dered to Richmond. BY the goth of
June, Maj. Gen. Holmes, with 5000
men from North Carolina; Brig. Gen.
Rlpley, with 5000 from South Caro-
lima, and Brig. Gen. Lawton, with 5000
from Georgia, had arrived in Rich
mond. At the same time Gen. Jack
son was ordered to Withdraw secretly
from the valley and proceed with such
expedition as would enable him to
reach Hanover junction by the after
noon OF the 25th of June. In order to
mask his designs from the Federals.
Gen. Lee directed Writings division
and Lawton's brigade to proceed to
Staun5on. apparently with the view of
reinforcing Gen. Jackson, but really or
dered to return Immediately and join
that General on the 25th at Hanover
junction. This movement further
strengthened Gen. Mcclellan in the
opinion of the vastly superior force of
Gen Lee, and completely blinded him
In regard TO the real intentions of that
General
Gen. Lee determined to attack the
Federal right wing on the morning of
the 10th OF June. Gen. jackson was
directed to move to Atlee's Station. on
the Central railroad; Gen. A. 2. Hill
was directed to cross the Chickahominy
ut Meadow bridge, as soon as Jackson
arrived In supporting distance, and
attack the Federals at Mechanicsyille.
drive them from that place, SO that the
bridge on the Richmond and Mechan-
icsVille road might be open for the
advance of the other troops. Generals
Longstreet and ID. FL. Hill were ordered
TO move their divisions as near as prac-
Sicable to the Mechanicsville bridge
without discovering themselves to the
observation of the Federals, while Ma
grader, Huger and Holmes held the
lines that were now completed with
instructions to watch closely the move
ments of the enemy in their front and
aot as circumstances might suggest.
The effective force of the Army of
Northern Virginia, including that
brought by Gen Jackson from the valley,
as shown by the field returns of June
"a and Is, amounted to little over 81
600 men. Thirty thousand Of these