The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-01-05
SEVEN PINES.
Who was Responsible for the Disaster
There?

There?
many of the old comrades are
EAF fighting the battles over again on
" W paper. and criticizing the actions
of certain brigade, division and
corps commanders and hewing off the chip TO
allow the builder of history to build to the
line. allow me to put in bucket of mortar and
brickbat or two, and say that some one Union
General was to blame for not making Seven
Pines Union victory, instead of sanguinary
and indecisive battle without decided results
to either side.
This WAS the nearest battle fought in front of
Richmond, and is now known as Seven Pines,
originally deriving its name from the seven
large pine trees that fourished there prior to
the civil war, and since that time is officially
known by that name by reason OF the National
Military Cemetery being erected on juno q,
1866; while on the opposite side is the postofice
known by that name. While many of Us know
it BY Fair Oaks or Seven Pines" il should be
called by the latter name, as the Government
has established the cemetery at that place.
On May 81, 1862, Gen. Joseph T. Johnston,
then in command of the Confederate forces in
front of Richmond, attacked McCleliand's left
wing, then on the Richmond side of the Chick
ahominy. Two balls, sent over Casey
and Couch, were the signal for attack, and the
cannon balls had scarcely buried themselves
near COUGHS line when the Confederates ad-
vanced in well-formed lines in Casey's imme-
diste front, and swept pickets, axmen and
slashing crew abruptly back 300 yards into
Casey's camp, the headquarters of that General
being on the left of the Williamsburg, road at
the Twin Houses"
forced back on COUGHS lines, and both lines
forced back toward Seven Pines slowly and
surely until the arrival of Kearny's Division
from the Chickahominy, when the roar of
cannon and the rattle of musketry continued
until dark. Next morning Sunday, June /,
found the Union lines at Seven Pines, and the
Confederate lines at Fair Oaks, occupying
Casey's and COUGHS camps. During Saturday
night Mcclellan threw Richardson's and Sum-
ner's Divisions across Cbckahominy to support
his left wing, which was or would have been
in perlous position but for the timely arrival
Of the reinforcements above referred to.
At an early hour Mcclellan ordered his en-
tire line on that side of the Chickahominy to
advance, which order was obeyed, resulting in
the recovery of Casey's and COUGHS camps,
with the dead and wounded of both sides,
which. according to official figures was. Union
loss, $780, Confederate loss, 5000; the pro-
portion in losses being easily accounted for
from the fact that the Coniederates made the
sudden, unexpected attack in well-formed,
solid, massed lines, while the divisions of
Casey aud Couch received the unexpected
shock while deployed or hastily summoned to
duty from picket-line, fatigue and slashing
duty. While the Confederates came irresist-
IDLY on in well-formed line of battle, they
received the well-directed aim of the less solid
Union line.
On May 81 Gen. Casey's headquarters were
at the Twin Houses" about one mile in ad-
vance of Seven Pines, and during the forenoon
timely warning had been given him of not
only the close proximity of the Confederate
= Il
verbal notice was given him Of the apprehended
attack His 0rderlies were cleaning his sword
and boots when the Officer OF the Day abruptly
approached him, informing him thus: " Cen
ersl, our picket-line is about to be attacked
we can see the Confederates moving forward
with their battle-fags in our front" Then.
and not until then, did Casey dispatch an Or.
DERBY TO mount and report" The Orderly
fell, pierced with cannon ball, 200 feet from
the place where he received the order, and
Casey received the report from the Confeder-
ate lines, then less than 100 yards from his
headquarters.
Mcclellan, in his official report OF the battle
however afterwards modified. says: "Casey's
Division fell back unaecoupt ably aud discred'
itably." We can account for the falling back,
IS were compelled 10 do so by superior nu-
mercial force and hastily formed and imperfec,
lines 10 stem the Confederate tide, who had
taken advantage Of Casey's imbecilty.
The official figures attest that the firing wa,
straight and if Casey's and Couch's lines had
not been surprised. and with proper time te
form battle lines, the results would have been
different and the National Cemetery now al
| Seven Pines would have been located neal
Richmond. / do not blame Mcclellan; he re-
paired the loss caused by Cssey's being sur
| prised in ample time TO avert further disaster
10 his left wing. Couch was blsmeless as hi
| front was covered by Casey, and his plain duty
was TO have received his repeated warning,
! and communicate the same to Couch and Nc
ClelIan. My desire is not to disparage my Ole
division commander, or bring discredt ON tn,
rank and file of his division, but as history il
com posed of the actions of the actors it 10
| duty VIC owe TO poSterity to have the record
/ of history tTue.-SAMUEL CREELMAN, Co. 4
10lst Pa, Williamsburg, Pa.