The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-01-31
ton to the grandest and best final things for
our Rennhlic
THE SEVEN DAYS BATTLES.

i will now confine myself to a mere sum-
mary of what General Mcclellan calls the
Seven Days battles, hoping at some future
time TO write a more extended account of
these engagements where the forces on the
one side and the other were evenly matched,
and where each army commander pursued and
accomplished his own predestiDed purpose at
great sacrifice of life and material.
Fitz-John Porter's corps still held the north
bank Of the Chickahominy, principally cover
ing the approaches to the three bridges One
of his divisions lMcCali's) was stationed near
Mechanicsville, guarding the Chickahominy
crossings there, and picl1eting as tar north as
Meadow Bridge.
General Lee, with his army, the Goth of
gune began movement in good earnest, hav-
ing the avowed purpose of crossing the Chicka-
hominy, supporting Jaekson's rapid turning
march, in order to assault in front and flank
Porter's corps and all re-enforcements that Nc
Clelian might send him, then sweep along the
Chicka honiny and the West Point Railway
eastward, capturing Casey's division and the
abundant supplies at the White House. He
would thus cut his enemy's communications
break up and destroy the depots of supplies, and
peril the very existence of our army, shut up
between two swaInps with the fewest possible
chances Of exit.
His plan of movement was very simple one
With an effective force now upwards of $4,000
strong, Magruder, with about $4,000, was to
maintain show of force in front of Heintzel-
man, Sumner, and Franklin. making Mcclellan
and his generals believe that he had at least
twice that amount.
As we have previously seen, nobody could
DO this better than Magruder. Lee wished
to send Jackson by and by, REINFORCED by
ID. r. Hills division and Stuarts entire cav
airy, ahead TO sweep back our cavalry under
Stoneman. Clearing the way between the Chick
-
of 20 his left, he was TO come back to the active
work by the way of Old Church. Jackson
would thus effectually turn every strong posi-
tien. Next, A. p. Hill was masSed near Meadow
Bridge, while ID. T. Hill and Longstreet moved
from Richmond to the ground opposite Mechan-
icsville to wait there till A. 7. Hill had brushed
away our forces from MechanicsVille, and SO
freed the bridges TO enable them to cross with
out loss. Genera Lee came to A. p. Hills halt
ing place accompanied by President Davis
MEcHANIcsvILLE.
Branchis Confederate brigade having crossed
the Chickahominy higher up, cleared Meadow
Bridge of our picket without trouble The
Confederate forces at Meadow Bridge then
crossed over, followed our skirmishers rapidly
down the river and TO their JOY found no diff
Guilty in clearing the way at Mechanicsyille for
d. III. Hill and Longstreet because our good
General McCall withdrew TO take a position
along the left bank of Beaver Dam Creek. This
creek runs south, and empties into the Chcka-
hominy a few miles below Mechanicsville.
From Mechanicsville General Lee had two
roads of approach to this position one about
due east, called the turnpike, the other south
east. crossing the creek at Ellyson's Mill. Ow-
ing to swamps and impassable tangled forests
no unfortifed position could be stronger.
1t seems that A. p. Hill pushed ON and con-
fronted Mccall. but waited for some hours to
l.. - -
and Reynolds brigades and several batteries
Of artillery, defended both approaches, while
he kept Meade's brigade in reserve. Lee and
A. z. HILL becoming tired of waiting, sent
their troops TO make a vigorous attack. They
fought desperately from 8 o'clock until night,
and large numbers were killed and wounded
in front of McCalls well-seryed batteries. One
who was near at hand says: "This imprndent
attack had cost them nearly 5000 men, while
the Federals had only go wounded and eighty
killed The number of victims was
concealed from the army, and the Confederate
generals waited to hear from jackson, whose
cannon had not been once heard during the
whole of that day. This was the famous bat
tie Of Mechanicsyille.
1t is always unfortunate TO be obliged TO re-
treat after you have gained victory, but in
this case there was no avoiding it, for jackson,
with Id. X. Hill ON his track for REINFORCE
ment was already far on his way, SO that very
night Mccall was instructed to withdraw. He
quickly Joined his corps without molestation.
FITz-JoHg PoRTER's FIGHT.
The next hattie was Fitz-John Porter's A
semi-circular bridge-head was formed. with a
view Of delivering one more battle. Porter
says: 1t became necessary for the safety of
the material to cover the bridges connecting
with the main army across the Chickahominy.n
He disposed his force with its extIemities rest
ing on the Chickahominy part of the front
was covered by the rayine Of the Gaines Mills
stream, covered with trees and underbrush,
which partially masked our force and screened
the reserves from view"
Aorell and Sykes occupied the front line with
their divisions, each brigade having two regi-
ments in reserve; part Of the artillery was
located to sweep the approaches, and the re-
mainder kept IN reserve. Mccall, who had
fought hard the day before and marched at
night, Porter placed in a second line. While
In this position, waiting the approach of at
least 10000 men, under Lee himself, | do not
wonder that an experienced general like Porter
felt that his force was altogether too small
TO defend successfully this long line" So he
Immediately sent by General Barnard an earn
est requisition for axes and hosts of men, This
message Of vital importance was never de-
lirered
The first active skirnish commenced about
infantry engagement along the whole line.
/ Then there was an interval when near 6
4 O'Clock in the evening, another more desperate
& attack was made near the center. This was
rcpulsed, but Immediately renewed. Over and
/ over again this process went on, until every
brigade Of Porter's had been put into action Just
as our men were becoming discouraged. and
must soon have given away from pure exhaus-
ton, >locunls division arrived from tbs other
side of the river. Slocum's troops were dis
+ tributcd for the relief Of those nearest ex-
/ haustion. This bloody work, most terrible in lis
1 details, was continued till after dark. Porter
thinks that his line would not have yielded al
/ the last but for a remarkable circumstance. II
was an apparent charge of hostile cavalry
which threw into confusion Porters artillery
on his left. Our cavalry was ordered to charge
the enemy's right flank. Meeting with an
awful fire from both infantry and artillery, il
gardiess Of the efforts of the riders, wheeled
/ about and dashing through the batteries. con
WINGED the gunners that they were charged b.
the enemy. To this circumstance alone Porter
attributes the loss of the field.
LEES LOST OPPORTUNITY.
The brigades of French aud Meagher crossed
the bridge, and appeared ON the first high
ground, advancing with alacrity aud cheering
They came too late for the battle but in tins
10 save Porter's oyerworl1ed command from
rout. Lee evidently did not then realize thu
effect Of bis last supreme effort AT the sigh
of re-enforcements he concluded to postpon,
further effort till the ensuing morning.
Order being completely restored the bridge
were crossed by the command. Before dawi