Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-20
Oar Reeords Hoore

ments OF a moro tangible character, an import
ant victory might have been achieved. Tho
general made dispositions for more simulta-
neous work the next morning. but OIL the 9th IL
was found that the confederates had continued
their retreat through williamsburg toward
behind.
The town Of Williamsburg, near where these
events occurred, was for nearly hundred
years the capital of the colony Of Virginia.
being first settled in 1882. William and Mary
College was founded here in 1892, Just 200
Years ago. 1t is historic town. for a century
the center Of colonial society and colonial poll
tical ambition and intrigue. 1t lost the capitol
II 1879, which went to Richmond. Its popula-
ton in 1860 was ILL.
ALONG THE cuIcKAHoMINY.
After Williamsburg Gen. Johnston leisurely
carried into effect his original plan of falling
back behind the Chickahominy, which, by the
way, was against JEFF Davis judgment. There
was practically no pursuit on the part of the
Union army. for it was not until about the Goth,
two weeks later, that it had concentrated along
the Chickahominy, bad roads wholly unknown,
together doubtless with timid leadership, i'm
peding a more vigorous advance.
White House is the point where the Rich
mond and York River railroad crosses the
Pamunkey one of the upper branches of York
river; 1t is on nevigable water, and Mcclellan
here established his secondary base for the
accumulation of supplies and actual opera
tions against the confederate capital-about
ten miles distant from the federal front-mav
be said to have now begun. On May 20, 1861,
Mcclellan had ,236 effective men present,
equipped fer duty.
HANOVER COURT HOUSE.
The frat operation after the army's arrival
on the Chickahominy was the brillian: move
,nant NJ Fitz John portar oua ~ M.CIaij,,,s
favorito officers, against the Virginia Central
railroad at Hanover Court House, to tho north
of Richmond. 1t was undertaken with 1900
men to drive away a rebel force under Gems
Branch and Anderson. and to thus open the
road for Gen. McDowell's advance from tho
direction of Fredericksburg. who had been
ordered by the President to join Mcclellan.
Porter was completely successful, signally de-
featIng Branch on the 9th of May. destroying
portions or the railroad, several bridges and
depots. and returning 10 his camp on the
Chickahominy without further molestation
from the enemy.
1t was altogether about the most lively and
vigorous operation of the entire peninsular
campaign. if We except the retreat to the
James. Gen. Porter captured one cannon and
some prisoners, and reports a loss of 355
Killed, wounded and prisoners. and estimated
the rebel loss at 600 all told. Tho confederate
Gen Branch stated his killed and wounded at
243, did not mention the lost gun, nor loss of
any prisoners. The report of one of his sub
ordinateS however shows conc!usively that
Branch did not recite the full extent Of his
defeat.
By the 25th of May the entire army corps Of
Gen. keyes had been pushed across the
Chickahomlny at Bottoms bridge. and adj
vanced to the Seven Pines on the n!ain turnpike,
only five miles from Richmond. The same day
Heintzelman's corps also crossed, one division
taking position at Savage station. OF the York
River railroad, in rear Of Keycs, and the other
watching the roads leadiLc south from that
vicinity through White Oak swamp. The three
corps of Sumner, Franklin and Porter did not
cross. On the morning of May 81 Mcclellan
reported his effective force at %. 003 men. OF
this force "a, men, approximately, under
Heintzelmsn and Reyes, were on the Richmond
side Of the ChIckahominy, while GO, S37 re-