The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1881-11-05

ion, (Morell's) brigade of Martindale, made up Of
the Thirteenth and Twenty fifth New York,
Second Maine, First Michigan, Eighteenth and
Twenty second Massachusetts,; Griffins brigade,
composed of the Ninth Massachusetts,, Sixty
second Pennsylvania, Fourteenth New York, and
Fourth Mchigan Butterfields brigade consist
ing of the Twelfth, Seventeenth and Forty
fourth New York, Eighty-third Pennsylvania,
and Sixteenth Michigan.
The Second division, under General Sykes, con-
sisted of Buchanans brigade, made up OF the
Third, Fourth Sixth, Twelfth, and Fourteenth
Regulars; Chapman's brigade, composed OF the
Second, Tenth, Eleventh, and Seventeenth; and
Warren's brigade, which comprised only the Fifth
and Tenth New York volunteers. The Regular
regiments were little more than battalions,
some of them scarcely exceeding two or three
full companies.
The Third division pennsylvania Reserves)
under General Mccall, consisted OF three brigades
under Meade, Reynolds, and Seymour respect
lively, and was about 5000 strong and the effec-
tive infantry force of the First and Second diyis
ions did not exceed, in the estimation of the wri
ter, 1000 men, from which must be deducted the
strength of two of the largest regiments in the
First division Eighteenth Massachusetts and
Seventeenth New York detached with Stoneman
which, leaving before the Seven Days." did not
reioin the Corps until it had reached Harrison's
Landing Making the proper addition for the ar
tllery of the Corps and the horse batteries OF lid
ball and Robertson temporarily serving with 1t,
and the cavalry, and substracting say 200 men
belonging to the regiments above named, and it
will be found that the effective force upon the
north bank of the Chickahominy just prior to
the battle of Mechanicsville was between $4,000
and 10000 men, probably nearer the former
number That this estimate is substantially cor
rect is shown by the official records in the War
Department, from which it appears that in the
battle of Gaines's Mill the Fifth Corps lost some
thing over 5000 men, Ito which must be added
about say 500, lost at Mechanicsville the day pre-
vious) and that the first returns made after reach
ing Harrison's Landing show less than 81 900
men present for duty. And these aforementioned
returns, too include several hundred men who
were absent sick or otherwise during the "Seven
Days." and who reioined the command after
Malvern and also six or seven full companies of
the Thirty-second Massachusetts which Joined
Morells division July I'd, besides recruits for
III SolIS, VIC
Massachusetts and Seventeenth New York, which
were detached as above stated.
| have been thus particular for the reason that
| have observed in various publications dispo-
sition to overrate the Union forces which for two
days held the rebel army In check during the
retrograde movement to the James, and subse-
quently in connection with the Second, Third,
Fourth, and Sixth Corps fought the battles sue
ceeding Gaines's Mills on their way to Harrison's
Landing
But to return to nv narrative:
On the night of the oath General Porter and
General John F. REYNOLDS. the latter second to
Mccall in command of the Pennsylvania Re-
serves hell .r .t...sr. s. If .,
mer at request e- .-...., 81. ...s av-arrr.. H.
strength linear. H-e..- .r. f...s- et-9.I-
it becom -.-. av a-....set F.-r-
ellis divi biz
gade of Reserves -su u ua8e .-
uuaipted ..a the .....- ...... -....r ..t..
morning of the 26th news was brought to the
commander of the FIFTH Corps at Gaines's that the
enemy were ADVANCING unon NIechanicsville and
that Jackson was at Hanover Court-Hou and
would be within striking distance nv the next
dav at the fartbest. He immediately disnatcb
ed Martindales and Griffin's brigades from Nor
ellis division. and Meade,s bripade to the sunnort
Of REYNOLDS and Sevmour and the commands of
the two last named officers were disposed to re-
sist the expected attack. Seymour held the left