The National tribune., 1901-03-14
ON THE RIGHT FLANK.
The Sharp Battle at Hanover Court House,
to Open the Way for Mcdowell.

The Sharp Battle at Hanover Court House,
to open the Way for Mcdowell.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: 1 notice
that Comrade MOsley, of the 4th Mich,
in your issue of Jan. 10, takes exceptions
to an article of a comrade of the 44th N
Y, in former issue, under the caption
1.-TWO Years, VS.. Two Hours" wherein
the 44th comrade claims that his regiment
captured $40 rebel prisoners at the battle
of Hanover Court House, Va, May u,
1862, which in the mind of Comrade Mos
ley should be credited to the 9Th Mass.
think both comrades are wrong. Much
very Interesting reading matter has been
projected about that battle, were it not
spoiled by just such preposterous claims,
and battling against overwhelming num-
bers. The battle of Hanover Court House
was q tritiing affair in itself, compared
with other battles in which the First Di-
vision of Porter's Fifth Provisional Corps
was destined to participate; but not so the
circumstance that brought about the ac-
ticn of which we now write, nor the disas-
trous events that followed.
During the earlier portion of this month
Gen. Mcclellan had been dsposing his
army for investment of the Confederate
Capital of Richmond, Va. So that on the
Goth it rested as follows: Gems. Keyes
and Heintzelman, commanding the Fourth
and Third Corps, south of the Chickahom-
mond. The Fifth Provisional Corps, un-
der the command of Gen. Fitzjohn Porter,
in an advanced position north of the
Chickahominy; the Second and Sixth
Corps, under Gems. Sumner and Frank
lin, in the rear; the Fifth Provisional
Corps had been newly organized, on
the 18th of May, out of his Porter's)
own First Division of the Third Corps,
now commanded by Gen. MOrell, com
- ht,.r lae To-
dale (First), Griffin (Second), Butterfield
CThird). The Second Division, command
ed by Gen. Sykes, was the original Fourth
Division of the Fourth Corps, and was
composed of u. S. Regulars, in two bri-
gades-First, Col. Buchanan; Second,
Maj. Lowell. AS the Second Division had
10 regiments Provisional Third Brigade
was formed out of the 9TH and 10th n.
T., under the command Of Col. q. *. War
rem. The Reserve artillery was assigned
to this corps. On the 10th, therefore, TINS
corps Of two divisions, representing 49,,
800 men, present and equipped for the
field, with a battery for each brigade, and
1880 U. s. cavalry, presented to the
world fighting machine unsurpassed in
either army engaged in this American
conflict. The most illustrious corps com
manders of the Union army were made
out OF this corps. Although some of them
fell, it was not through their own weak
ness in military ability or fighting cour-
age, but by injustice and petty jealousies;
but the names of Porter, Sykes, Warren
and Griffin will remain emblaZoned on the
highest pinnacle OF fame, while history
endures. There has been no time since
the civil war ended when some incident
of battle is recounted, as in this, that there
does not fash across my memory the in
justice done to Porter and Warren, with
dark cloud lowering over Five Forks
and lowering TO the ground at Appomat-
tox. / know that ! am wandering from
my recital of Hanover, but will get back
to it.
Gen. Porter, being intrusted with the
right flank of McClellan's army, posted
the Third Brigade of the Second Division
Mt Old Church to operate along the Pa
munkey River, with instructions to de-
stroy all bridges and boats and cut rail
roads which offered advantage to the en-
emy. This he had accomplished on the
23d and caused a rapid retreat to Rich
mond from Fredericksburg Of the COnfed
crate General, j. b. Anderson, confront
ing the First Corps, under Gen. Mcdowell,
at that place, and releasing his large force
for active operations.
The Virginia Central Railroad was yet
in possession of the enemy, giving free
access from Richmond to Gordonsviile and
the Valley of the Shenandoah. and also an
unobstrncted transportation line from the
South, via Lynchburg, whereby powerful
force could be hurled, within a few days
notice, against McClelan's right flank,
crush it and destroy his false base, at
White House Landing, on the Pamunkey
River Mcclellan had information that
n move TO that end would soon be made
from the Valley. 1t was not believed in
Washington; in fact, their minds were so
wrought up over the safety of the Capi-
tai that no persuasion could induce them
to look toward the safety Of the army be-
fore Richmond. Jackson had sent Banks
and Shields scurrying down the Valley,
and On the 24th, the day that the Presi-
dent had ordered Mcdowell to advance on
Richmond, he also, later In the day, sus-
pended the order, and sent a division of
McDowell's to relieve Banks, etc Nc
DowelPs instructions We're so vague It was
hard to tell, if he did advance, the amount
Of help he would he willing to render, I'm
view Of the fact that he must keep his
eyes on Washington and use his own judg-
ment as to the movements OF his divisions.
At another outpost, at Walnut Grove
Church, Gen. Porter had posted small
force, consisting of the 1st U. S. Cav. and
a squadron of McClellan's Dragons, in
command of Lieut.-Col. w. N. Grier.
Very early ON the morning of the 26th
this force nnd the one ct Old Church, un-
der Col. Warren, made reconnaissance
toward Hanover Court House and discov-
cred the enemy in that vicinity, estimating
their number to be about 5000. 1t was
also ascertained that 1t was the command
of Gen. L. OBJ. Branch, who had re-
Gently arrived from Gordonsville. When
this information reached Mcclellan he
| readily saw that this force on his right
flank and rear enabled the enemy to either
| reinforce Jackson in the Valley or impede
| McDoweli's junction, should he finally
move to unite with us. On the same day
he was informed by Mcdowell that his
advance was eight miles south Of the Rap
pahannock, and the enemy falling back
from Fredericksburg toward Richmond
| Therefore, it seemed imperative on Nc
| Clellan's part to dislodge the Confed-
| crate force at Hanover and open the way
for Mcdowell. He also learned that the
Confederate force confronting Mcdowell
| was under command OF Brighten. j. B.
Anderson, and consisted of his brigade.
Gems. Field, Maxey and Gregg, three In
| number. and in strength about II 900 men,
and undoubtedly this gave foundation to