The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-05-10
'LONGSTREEF'S ODSHINACY.
His DisobsdIsDcs Of Orders on tho First
Day at Seven Pines.
4 SERIOUS BLOW TO COyPEDBRAYiS.
Cause Of the Failure Oft Confeder~ses ="
Gain a Decided Advantage in the First
Days Fight-DIsobeyed Orders o"
the Second Days Fight, TOO.
Editor OF the Times:

Editor OF the Times:
Sir,-Enclosed please find map OF
Seven Pires and vicinity. showing the po'
sition OF the Federal and the Confederate
troops al sunrise on May SOth. WISH
to give my reasons for believing that
Longstreet was the cause OF the iahefe OK
the Confederates to gain decided ad-
vantage In the first days fight.
on May I'D General Reyes crossed
the Chickahominy. on Bottoms bridge
stationed a part Of his troops at seven
Pines, AMI the remainder at two defences
east OF that place.
General Longsueet's division was camp
ed east OF Richmond ana north OF the
Nine Nile road. General hilis forces had
taken a stand about halfway between
TIE city ana Meadowroad bridge, "hile
Hugcrs' brigadcs were encamped ca-S %
Richmond ana north OF tho Williamsburg
road on Gilli5' creek.
ORDER TO LONGSTREET.
General keyes mas said that the Siounf
on the right Of his lines was favorable 10
the approach OF the enemy, and thar IL
an attack had been made TWO hours scon-
er all his troops would have been cap
tured or killed
johnson gave the following orders for
the battle OF next day (May S0thl;
LOngstreet was ordered to march up the
Nine Mile road and open fire on the right
flank OF Keys forces 90 a. NJ: iiil
to 20 up the Williamsburg road and at
tack the second line OF defence at Seven
Pines and Huger 10 take MS brgades 10
the Charles city road and join another
body of troops near Whte-Oak swamp.
hnI. in IN
repel tho Federals should they retreat IN
that direction.
A SERIOUS BLUNDER
Iongstreet. instead OF carrying out
Johnson's orders, transferred his division
from the Nine Mile road 10 Williamsburg
road, arriving at the point where tho
creek crosses the wood ahead OF Huger.
THIS occasioned delay OF four OF live
hours ON the part OF Huger, owing TO the
almost impossible condition OF the
branch. due TO "A heavy fall OF rain on
May 18th. soon after this LOngstreet, iiu-
ger, aud I,ii had discussion In refer
ence TO the relative rank or the division
commanders. Longstreet claimed the right
10 command Huger's forces, and the Tor
mer unwillingy acQulesced
Longstreet then seat four or five bri-
gades over 10 the Charles city road.
where there was no enemy, leaving the
other brigades comparatively Idle.
VALUABLE TINE WASTED.
Finding nothing 10 90 ON tho Charles
| City road. the weary soldiers, by order
| OF Longstreet, marched back again. Seve-
raj hours valuable time We're thus vast
| ed.
ALP. NJ. Hill began firing on Reyes at
Seven Pines. and Mcclellan ordered SUM-
! ner to 20 TO his assistance. lie did 20,
| and at 2:80 L. VI. was taking an active
part IN the hsht. so that when part
| OF Longstreets Division, at about 4.
| NJ, reached the scene Of action, they
| were met by ain immense number OF fede-
/ rails.
| In the second days fight. also, Long
| street failed TO obey General Smiths
| orders.
| | have mentioned the foregoing facts to
| a dozen or more wcll-mformed persons,
and il was news 20 them all
| +. r. GORDON.
| Richmond. Va, May .. lsg6.