The National tribune., 1904-06-30
Gallant Attempt to Break Through the Army
of Northern Virginia and End the War at
One Blow-Appalling Slaughter In a Few
Misunderstanding Resumed.


of Northern Virginia and End the War at
One Blow-Appalling Slaughter In q Few
Misunderstanding Resumed.
The Chcka ahominy may be regarded as
a wet ditch in front of the outer fortifca-
tions of Richmond, 1t was therefore abso-
lntely necessary, for further advance upon
the line taken up by Gen. Grant, to force
the passage of this stream. But it was
clear from the development of the enemy's
strength that the effort to carry a direct
crossing where the two armies faced each
other, had little promise of success. 1t
was accordingly judged advisable to extend
toward the left and endeavor to pass the
Chiekahominy below by a movement by
Cold Harbor. This place, which. as the
point of conveyance of all the roads lead
ing whether to Richmond or to White
House (new the depot of supplies of the
army, was to be considered as strategic
point of the first Importance, had been
secured after brisk action by Sheridan's
cavalry on the afternoon of the 31st The
same night the Sixth Corps was detached
from the extreme right of the army and
directed on Cold Harbor, toward which
also body of troops from Buffers COM
mand was then en- route On this point
explanation may be necessary.
PORTIONS OF BUTLER's COMMAND CALLED.
Finding that Butler, after his retire
ment within the cul-de-sac Of Bermuda
Hundred, could readily hold his narrow
front with fractional force. Gen. Grant
ordered him to form all that could be
spared into movable column and forward
it to make a junction with the Army of the
: Potomac. Accordingly, On the 29th of
May, force of 10000 men. under Gen
w. r. Smith, made up of four divisions
taken from the Tenth and Eighteenth
Corps, was embarked on transports in the
James River, and after passing down the
James, and ascending the York and Pa
munkey, debarked at White House on the
following day. Here Gen. Smith received
orders from the headquarters of Gen.
Grant to move his command to New Castle
on the south side of the Pamunkey (39)
II will be observed that a movement on
that point must throw Smith completely
out OF position in relation to the Army
OF the Potomac, then fronting the Chick
ahominy-a fact that was sufficiently evil
dent to that officer on his arrival there. on
the night of the 31st, after a long and
fatiguing march. 1t was not, however.
faii the following morning that he learned
from an officer Of Gen. Grants staff that
his orders had been wrongly worded-
20. ,ustedu VI view IaStle It was New
Cold Harb0r he was designed to reach. and
that in consequence he had made an un-
necessary march of 10 or 15 miles. Unon
this. Gen. Smith counterma rched his col
umn. and on the afternoon of that day
SJune J } reached Cold Harbor, where the
sixth Corps. detached, as already seen.
from the right of the Army of the Poto,
mac. had just arrived. AT Cold Harbor
Gen. Smith was met with orders from Gen.
Meade to take position on the right of the
Sixth Corps and cooperate with il in an
Immediate attack. (4O)
LoNGsTREET's FIRST LINE TAKEN.
Now, as soon as the Sixth Corps was
withdrawn from the right of the army
Lee. detecting the procedure, and sus,
pectng IT'S object, met this manuyer by
Withdrawing Longstreet's Corps from his
own left, and directing it towards Cold
Harbor. to cover there any attempt to
force the passage Of the Chickah hominv.
90 that when Wright and Smith arrived
IT was no longer the slight force encoun,
tered by Sheridan that they were to meet.
1ne enemy was deserted in force holding
position behind Cold Harbor in a thick
wood, to reach which it was necessary To
traverse an open field several hundred
yards in width. Dispositions being com
pieted towards o'clock in the afternoon
the assault was made very spirtedly, the
troops advancing over the open space un-
Smiths line and the right of the Sixth
Corps succeeded in carrying the first line
OF r1he-trenches, capturing between them
OeO prisoners. 1t was, however. found
quite impraeticable to carry the second
line, and the troops rested on their arms
TOT the night, after dispositions to secure
what had been gained. The Casualties
In this action We're severe, being upwards
OF ZOOO men in the two CORPS.
wARRFy's TTvEQ prSrrp.rrD
Great as was the loss in this action. il
secured the possession of Cold Harbor.
which 1t was indispensable to hold: for
Zen. Grant had determined there to force
the passage Of the Chickahominy, and
compel Lee to retire within the intrench-
ments OF Richmond. Hancock's Corps,
which, since the withdra wal Of the Sixth
Corps from the line Of the Tolopotomy.
formed the right Of the army, was ordered
that night from its position and directed
to Cold HarbOr to take position on the
left OF the Sixth Corps. Warren's Corps
continued near Bethesda Church, and
though holding a line excessively long
(nearly four miles in extenO, there Was
still an interval between his left and
Smiths right. To close this gap Warren
was directed by Gen. Meade to extend his
left. while Burnsides command was to re-
tire altogether from its place on the right
Of the line, and mass on the right and rea
OF Warren. When Burnside during the
afternoon OF the I'd, was in the act OF ex.
ecuting this movement. the enemy, detect
ing it, followed up with a line Of battle
drove Burnside's skirmish line through a
swamp, capturing many, and then pene
trating between Warren's line Of battle
and his skirmish line, cut off and tool
prisoners about 400 men. This sudden at
tack OF course put an end to Warren's
contemplated extension to the left, and
compelled him to act on the defensive a
once, to avert any possible disaster. The
enemy's sally was, however, not made Will
much vigor, and was readily repulsed By