Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1914-06-19

endorsements. numbering 1900 men.
embarked at City Point and Bermuda
Hundred on the 10Th. and, sailing
down the James then up the York and
Pamunkey. reached White House on
the Both and at once began the march
up the south bank of the Pamunkey
toward Hanovertown. where the gen.
eral headquarters were at this time.
Early on the 31st. while on the march,
Smith received word from Grant that
the enemy seemed to be moving out on
the Mechanicsville road from Rich
mond to get between him (Smith) and
the Army of the Potomac and also In
structions to march close along the Pa
munkey.
The union of Smiths corps with the
army was now an important considera-
ton. and such a union, al well as the
control of White House as a base, de-
pended upon the control of the cross
roads at Old Cold Harbor. seven miles
east of Richmond and halfway from
that city to the Pamunkey river. All
the roads from the Pamunkey, includ-
ing that from White House at Han
overtown. connect at Cold Harbor
with Richmond by roads across the
Chickahominy at Mechanicsville and
over several bridges lower down the
stream.
On the 31st Sheridan's cavalry went
out in force down the Pamunkey and
far out on the Federal left toward the
Chickahom.ny. Fitzhugh Lees cavalry
were found in force at Cold Harbor,
but the road down the Pamunkey to-
ward White House was clear and
Smiths column was advancing. The
force at Cold Harbor appeared to be
menacing the Federal army-namely,
to advance along the White House road
to cut off Smith.
Torbert's division attacked the cav
airy which held the fort and, pressing
it back some distance beyond Cold
Harbor. came upon the Confederate
infantry trenches across the Mechan-
icsville and Richmond road. The lei
est Federal infantry In position at this
time was Warren's Fifth corps. which
lay north and south about three miles
above Cold Harbor and across another
Richmond road running from the Pa
munkey to Richmond, parallel with the
Mechanicsville road. In front of War
rem was Ewell's corps. intrenched.
Sheridan Captures Cold Harbor.
On meeting the infantry beyond Cold
Harbor Sheridan sent word to head
quarters and also directed Torbert to
withdraw his line beyond Cold Harbor.
but before the order could be carried
out word came to Sheridan to hold
Cold Harbor at all hazards. and at the
same time the Sixth corps, under
Wright. was ordered from its position
on the Federal flank above Hanover
town to Cold Harbor.
Although it was not known at Grants
headquarters at this time. Anderson's
corps was now strung along between
Cold Harbor and Richmond. with one
division. Kershaw's. directly in front
of the kcy .ps,iat Sheridan. bcrweuor.
placed his men (dismounted) in trench
es, sem out skirmishers and passed the
night Of 1.-THE 31st waiting the arrival of
the Sixth corps.
A long skirmish was opened about
daylight on June 1, and the cavalry
held their position. anxious only about
the waste of ammunition. About 8
o'clock the C~onfederates advanced to
the charge with two infantry brigades.
The carbines Of Merritt and the ar
tillery repulsed the advance. A sec
ond charge was made, and that was re-
pulsed also. and before the attack
could be renewed in force the Sixth
corps was on the ground. In a short
time this corps had got into position.
covering the roads through Cold Har-
Dor, toward White House and to Dis
patch station on the Chickahominy.
where the Richmond and York River
railroad crosses.
Smith had also been ordered to move
his Eighteenth corps W. from the Pa