The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-10-09

four miles and half from the
encampments of the right wing. and "
the troops had been put IN moton NJ the
time sumner received the order 10 cross.
they would have arrived In time 10 follow
him over The bridge which wifhsto0d Inc
Hood until noon the mex, Day. In ibis case,
five fresh divisions instead OF two, could
have resumed the offensive IN the morning.
MS WING.
But General Mcclellan. knowing that
single defeat might involve the Toss OF ms
whole army Isolated ms 10 was In the cnemy's
country and rum the Federal cause forever,
was not willing To weaken his right wing.
Fearing less the enemy deboucl ny way or
the Meadow-biidge nrd cross the thick-
ahominy, ne did not dare 10 intrust TO
thick line OF troops the guard OF
his communications ana the immense park
Of artillery which the condition OF the roaus
prevented frm being removed, AM ne ielt
nearly 10000 men inactive on the plateau OF
Cold HarbOr WecannOt blame his prudence,
but IL may he asserted that had he known
what was passing among the Conieder-
fire. around which the generals In command
OF the cDcmys troops We're trying 10 nnd
shelter from the penetrating dampness OF
that night, he would have acted very differ
eItly. Indeed, their new cOmmandef-ln.
chief had no idea Of throwing bimselfon both
banks OF the tbickahominy In the position
which had 70 nearly proved fatal 10 the Fed
erals. lie did not believe 10 possible To COM
rupted by summer against their left wing
IN HIS FAVOR.
II must be acknowledged. however. that
tue chances were greatly In his favor. Huger
had made his appearance after the battle,
and Generals Holmes and Ripley had just
arrived in Richmond from North Caronna
with > 600 men. This timely reinforcement
WOuld perhaps permit them TO resume The
attack with greater hope Of succtss, rs the
rise In the river rendered The position OF thc
Fcdcrals more difficult but In the absence OF
Johnston, who had alone concealed the plan
OF battle. prudence prevailed, and smith
would have gwen the signal for retreat that
very night If he had not been obliged 10 give
his soldiers "A few hours rest. and his
officers time TO rally and reorganize their
troops. Consequently, when day dawned
upon the two armies no sound at nfst be
stirred the silence which rcigaed over the
battle field, and IL was The Fedenis
wlIo renewed the conflict on the morn
ing Of the first Of June Turing the
evening Hooker had again struck into
the william sburg road, while Richardson
had joined Sedgwick near Fair Oaks. These
two divisions advancing 90 the front line al
tackled the Conlederates, who were already
In iull retreat.
not II CONDITION.
Notwithstanding this reinforcement, the |
troops composing the LETT wing Of the Fedc
rails were not in condition 10 push into a |
woody and unknown region, In pursuit OF an |
enemy whose proWrcss they nad lust eNpe- |
rienced. \ movement OF this kind could |
not have b en- seriously undertaken, unless |
Franklin ana Potter, prompted by the same |
instincts VII eli had inspired Old sumner the |
day before, should join them on the field OF
battle.
II is true that General Mcclellan had |
strongly recommended 10 his two iieutenants |
that they fhOuld cross the ChickahCminy ~ |
front OF their cncampincnts, uut the river HAD |
increased IN volume since tie preceding day; |
the bridges, which the artillery would have |
I'LL IN IHl tAf nI
had recOme impOs sibe on the LIST OF June, |
and these generals, aNuiliug thems Ives of the |
latitude which McClclland usually allowed |
them in the Interpretation OF his orders, |
made no movement with their troops; they |
thus suffered vic DRY 10 escape them, ana
their Nacll atiOns saved the Confederate |
army from iminent disaster. Indeed. |
nc has been attested by eyewitness cs |
tnat its retreat was not made without disOr- |
der and that IL the Federas had pressed |
with "a sufficient force, even without artll. |
lery, the three briga les of Hugcr's corps |
which. under Pickett, Pryor, and Malone
were defending every incn OF ground, they |
might probably have been able 20 enter
Richmond with them.
GREAT BATTLE.
The co nbat II the first Of June in which
but few thDusand mon We're engaged Oh
either s.de, had. Notwithstanding The proper
lions OF great hattie.--sil the leu IL was
marked by brilliant cnaree ga Sichlcs' |
oi lgade along the IN lwdy track: on the right
By sharp encounter between an irish
brigade IN the Federal service, com
mauucd by General Meagher and Pick
etts troops. Before nCO1 the Federal out
posts took possession of the works win So
'apiure had cost 50 dear o the Confederate
army. and suffered IL To disappoaramOng the !
tense woods without mOlcstatiOn. This bril-
liant army which had gone Oui the day before
almost ln Triumph Tor the purpose Of deliver
rg Richmond from the grasp OF the invader |
returned 10 it's environments on mat same
evening with only four flags, ten cannon, and
,2OU prisoners, more Hs am evidence u it,
taOr than token Of success.
The undecided battle which had drenchel
he vicinity Of tdir Oaks with blood turing
TWO entire days, was attended with "a loss of
nearly 1900 mel to the Confederates, ana
) ,12I on the part of the FedcIals. The hsavi.
'st losses ON both SIDES were sustained
rOunl seven Pines; those Of iougsucet and
III amounted to inOic than 5000, and those
4 Reyes 20 l,i2OMVn. After such struggle
he two armies, composed OF soldiers but
lttlc cnured as yet 20 the hardships OF war
we're equally in need OF rest.