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mainder, amounting to two-fifths of his force, could have been brought forward in time to co-operate with the pur­suing column.

General J. G. Barnard, Chief Engineer, and General W. F. Barry, Chief of Artillry, says :* "The repulse of the rebels at Fair Oaks should have been taken advantage of. It was one of those occasions which, if not seized, do not repeat themselves. We now know the state of demoralization and dismay in which the rebel army retreated. We now know that it could have been followed into Richmond. Had it been so, there would have been no resistance to overcome to bring over our right wing. Although we did not then know all that we now do, it was obvious at that time, that when the rebels struck a blow at our left wing, they did not leave any means in their hands unused to secure success. It was obvious enough that they struck with their whole force; and yet we repulsed them in disorder with three-fifths of ours. We could have followed them up at the same time that we brought over the other two-fifths"

An officer in the rebel army, in a communication to a European journal, says " The most fearful panic fell upon Richmond, and all who could possibly get away, packed up every thing they had and fled southward. The nearer the hostile army ap­proached the city the fiercer the tumult and uproar became. Toe burning waves of popular alarm could not be stayed. The Government itself furthered the confusion. Instead of resolving to triumph or fall with the army in front of Richmond, it at once ordered all the different bureaux to pack up, and caused the officers of ordnance to empty the magazines and convey their stores further south. Even President Davis took to the road, and hastened, with his wife and children to North Carolina. As may, be readily divined, this loss of presence of mind threw the people at

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* Report of the Engineer and Artillery operations of the Army of t1W

 

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large into the most frantic excess of terror. There was nothing on all sides but shouting and uproar, and con­fusion reached its utmost height. The secret police of General Winder lost all control. The civil authorities of Richmond were anxious to do something, but knew not what, and also lost their senses. A small number of the Baltimore rabble took advantage of the hubbub, and, in public meeting, passed resolutions condemning Richmond to conflagration so soon as the Union troops should enter it. Yet all who could escape did so. The sick and wounded were carried further into the interior; many public and pri­vate buildings were marked out for destruction; and, in short, a frightful catastrophe seemed to be impending over the Southern capital."

General Johnston the Commander-in-chief of the rebel forces, was wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks, and the command of the army passed into the hands of General Lee, who, the same writer says

"Was exactly the man to bring quiet and order out of this unreasonable chaos. He went to work with great zeal and energy to discharge his onerous task. All disposable troops were hastily summoned from the interior; General Stonewall Jackson's army corps was ordered to Richmond; all the hospitals were cleared of their occupants and pre­parations made for ten thousand wounded men; artillery and ammunition wagons rattled by day and night through the streets, while aids and orderlies galloped to and fro in wild hurry-scurry with their despatches.

"Masses of troops came pouring in daily, yes, hourly, but without music or any military pomp. Sternly and silently those ragged, half starved swarms of men, moved onward through the thoroughfares; but the fire in their eyes showed that they were determined to defend their freedom or perish,

" On the 25th of June another great council of war was held. In it were assembled nearly all that was eminent in the Confederate army. There stood like a rock General

 

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Lee, gazing cheerfully over the countenances of his com­rades, for each of whom he had a part already assigned. Thoughtfully his eyes wandered from one to the other, as though he wished to stamp the features of each upon his memory, with the feeling that he, perhaps, should never behold many of them again. Close beside him towered the knightly form of General Baldwin; at his left leaned pas­sively Stonewall Jackson, the idol. of his troops, impatiently swinging his sabre to and fro, as though the quiet room were too narrow for hire, and he were longing to be once more at the head of his columns. A little aside quietly stood the two Hills, arm in arm, while in front of them old General Wise was energetically speaking. Further to the right stood Generals Huger, Longstreet, Branch, Anderson, Whiting, Ripley and Magruder, in a group. When all these generals had assembled, General Lee laid his plans before them, and in a few stirring words pointed out to each his allotted task. The scheme had already been elaborated. It was compact, concentrated action, and the result could not fail to be brilliant.

" When the conference terminated, all shook hands and hastened away to their respective army corps, to enter upon immediate activity."

On the 24th of June, General McClellan learned from a deserter from the rebel army, that General Jackson's corps had been reinforced at Gordonsville, and that it was ~moving towards Frederickshall, along the Virginia Cen­tral railroad, for the purpose of attacking the army in the rear, on the 28th."

On the 25th of June, the bridges and intrenchments having at last been completed, General McClellan advanced his picket line on the left, preparatory to a general forward movement.

Immediately in front of the most advanced redoubt, on the Williamsburg road, was a large open field; beyond that, a swampy belt of timber, some five hundred yards wide, which had been disputed ground for many days. Further

 

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in advance was an open field, crossed by the Williamsburg road and the railroad, and commanded by a redoubt and rifle-pits of the enemy.

It was decided to push the lines to the other side of these woods, in order to ascertain the nature of the ground., and to place Generals Heintzclman and Sumner in position to support the attack intended to be made on the Old Tavern, on the 26th or 27th, by General Franklin, by assailing that position in the .rear.

Between eight and nine o'clock, on the morning of the 25th, the advance was begun by General Heintzelman's corps. The enemy were found to be in strong force all along the line, and contested the advance stubbornly, but by sunset the object was accomplished. The troops engaged were the whole of Heintzelman's corps, Palmer's brigade of Couch's division of Keyes' corps, and a part of Richardson's division of Sumner's corps.

When General McClellan returned from the field on the left, he found at his headquarters additional information, which convinced him that Jackson, with a force of thirty thousand men, was moving against his communications with the White House. The policy of a change of base to the James river had already been discussed, and was looked upon with favor by General McClellan and many of his advisers. McClellan believed that the rebel army at Rich­mond greatly outnumbered his own, and that if brought in contact on an equal field, the overwhelming force of the enemy would decide the battle in favor of the Confederates. He therefore was exceedingly anxious to secure the co-ope­ration of the fleet of gunboats on the James. The distance to the James river was only seventeen miles, but the nature of the ground made the movement a dangerous one, and exceedingly difficult to accomplish in the face of the enemy. The plan was however renounced, and General McClellan determined to feel the enemy in front of his left wing, and, if possible, renew the battle of Fair Oaks, with the impor­tant advantages in his favor of available bridges across the

 

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Chickahominy, which would enable him to concentrate the whole army on either bank of the river. If the challenge was not accepted, he would, at least, have advanced his lines towards Richmond, and by daily renewing the move­ment, would soon concentrate his whole army south of the Chickahominy, and thus bring the enemy to battle. With this determination, the advance was ordered on the 25th. At five o'clock in the evening, General McClellan tele­graphed from the field to Secretary Stanton

" The affair is over, and we have gained our point fully, and with but little loss, notwithstanding the strong opposi­tion. Our men have done all that could be desired. The affair was partially decided by two guns that Captain De Russey brought gallantly into action under very difficult circumstances. The enemy was driven from the camps in front of this place, and is now quiet."

But when he returned to his headquarters, and heard that both Jackson and Beauregard had joined their forces to Lee's army, he feared the consequences of a battle, and at a quarter past six o'clock, on the same evening, telegraphed to the President

" I am inclined to think that Jackson will attack my right and rear. The rebel force is stated at two hundred thousand, including Jackson and Beauregard. I shall have to contend against vastly superior odds, if these reports be true. But this army will do all in the power of men to hold their position and repulse any attack.

" I regret my great inferiority in numbers, but feel that I am in no way responsible for it, as I have not failed to represent repeatedly the necessity of reinforcements, that this was the decisive point, and that all the available means of the government should be concentrated here. I will do all that a general can do with the splendid army I have the honor to command, and, if it is destroyed by overwhelming numbers, can at least die with it and share its fate. But; if the result of the action, which will probably occur tomor­row, or within a short time, is a disaster, the responsibility

 

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cannot be thrown on my shoulders; it must rest where it belongs."

Subordinate officers partook of the spirit of their com­mander; everything in the left wing of the army began to wear the appearance of despondency. Rumors of the great increase of the Confederate army were circulated among the troops, and at headquarters the very atmosphere seemed to betray the absence of that vigor which is given by hope and distinctness of plan.

On the right, at Mechanicsville, McCall's division labored hourly, strengthening its position. These troops had but recently arrived on the Peninsula. The men were yet full of energy and hope, and the officers were confident of suc­cess. The spires of the rebel capital were in sight of their camps, and the Reserves believed that they, awaited only the orders to move, and that when these were received, they could march triumphantly to Richmond. Up to the even­ing of the 2:5th of June, the troops were buoyant in spirit. On the lc-aft, the divisions rejoiced in the success of the day, and confidently looked for still more brilliant achievements on the morrow. On the right, across the Chickahominy, lay General Fitz John Porter's corps, including the Pennsylvania Reserves, the division of Regulars commanded by General Sykes, and Morrell's division-all eager for battle and confident of the result. But, at headquarters, orders were issued to General Casey to prepare for vigorous resistance at the White House, and to erect defensive works at Tunstall's-station. Trains of supplies on the railroad were reversed and sent back to the Pamunkey ; transportation was ordered to move back towards Bottom's bridge, and the quartermasters were-directed to move their supplies and ammunition Lip the James river. The change of base had been determined upon, and the orders for its execution issued. Thursday, the 26th, came on so still and motion­less that, along the entire front of the hostile armies, nature seemed loth to rouse from her dreamy slumbers. No enemy stirred in front of the left wing, and the dread quiet that

 

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precedes the storm hung over the armies on the banks of the Chickahominy.

General McCall had completed the defences on the line of Beaver Dam creek; .the general had full confidence in his troops, and the men believed their fortifications could not be carried by any force the enemy might send against them. In front of the line of rifle-pits the ground descended for a distance, varying from seventy-five to one hundred and fifty feet, to the creek, which was difficult to ford and wholly impracticable for artillery; beyond the creek there was a swamp that could not be passed by horses or artillery, and formed a serious obstruction to infantry. Two roads led from Mechanicsville through this swamp, one crossing Beaver Dam creek at Ellerson's mill near the Chicka­hominy, and the other, crossing one mile further up the stream, led to Coal Harbor. The left of McCall's line rested on the Chickahominy, and the right extended to a dense woods and swamp, north of the upper road. On the morning of the 26th, Colonel Simmons, with the Fifth regi­ment, and the Bucktails, commanded by Major Roy Stone, were guarding the Mechanicsville and Meadow bridges, and picketing the river to a point beyond Meadow bridge. Four companies of the First regiment, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel McIntyre, were sent forward to Mechan­icsville on fatigue duty. At twelve o'clock, the Second k regiment, commanded by Colonel McCandless, was ordered forward to Mechanicsville. Colonel Farnsworth, commanding the Eighth Illinois cavalry, formed the left wing of the cavalry corps, which held a line of pickets from Hanover , Court House to the Chickahominy, above Atley's station.

On the left and rear of the two brigades commanded by General Reynolds and General Seymour, was General Meade's brigade, in reserve. These, with Morrell's and Sykes' divisions, numbering in all, about twenty-seven thousand men, constituted the right wing of the Army of the Potomac, and were strongly posted on the left bank of the Chickahominy, from Beaver Dam creek to a point

 

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below New bridge. The centre, consisting of Smith's, Sedgwick's, and Richardson's divisions stretched in line of battle from Goulden's, on the right bank of the river, to a point south of the York river and Richmond railroad. The left wing, consisting of Hooker's, Kearney's, and Couch's divisions, extended from Richardson's left, to a point beyond the Williamsburg stage road, to the borders of White Oak swamp. The whole line was protected by a skillfully designed system of earthworks. From this position the left wing was pushed forward a short distance, on Wednes­day, the 25th of June.

At three o'clock on Thursday morning, the 26th of June, the rebel General Jackson commenced his march from Ash­land, and moved down the roads between the Pamunkey and the Chickahominy rivers. Driving the cavalry outposts back towards Atley's station, he uncovered General Branch's front, who immediately crossed the river on the Brook turnpike bridge, and wheeling to the right, moved down the Chickahominy, driving the Eighth Illinois cav­alry before him, towards Meadow bridge. At one o'clock in the afternoon, Major Roy Stone, commanding the Buck­tail regiment, received orders to march his reserve force, consisting of three companies, to the assistance of the cavalry that was slowly falling back in the face of the enemy. Major Stone moved forward promptly; he posted Captain Wistar's company at the junction of the three roads leading to Meadow bridge, Crenshaw's bridge and Atley's station; Captain Irvin's company was formed across Cren­shaw's road, about three hundred yards in front of the function, and Captain Jewett's company was thrown for­ward toward Atley's station, to act as skirmishers for the cavalry, beyond the road leading to Shady Grove Church. Colonel Farnsworth supposed the enemy's force consisted of a battalion of infantry and a squadron of cavalry. Cap­tain Jewett, however, had scarcely deployed his company, when the enemy's infantry appeared in his front in heavy force. The Bucktails opened fire at short range, and with

 

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such good effect, that the enemy halted in confusion. At the moment Captain Jewett's company became engaged with the enemy, Major Stone was informed that his three companies, left to guard Meadow bridge, had been ordered by Colonel Simmons to fall back, and that the enemy was crossing the bridge and moving to gain his rear. Major Stone immediately ordered Captain Jewett to fall back rapidly towards the junction of the roads. When the major arrived at the junction, he found Captain Wistar already sharply engaged with the enemy advancing from Meadow bridge. He made a stubborn resistance, endeavoring to hold the enemy in check until Captain Jewett should join him; the enemy, however, gathered rapidly in great force in his front, cut off his line of retreat on Mechanicsville, and forced him to fall back on a road that led northward through the swamp; he retired slowly, fighting over every step of the ground, still hoping to hear from Captain Jewett. Finding that Jewett's company was now cut off, and in danger of being surrounded, Major Stone galloped back and led the company to the left, through the swamp, and, by great efforts, succeeded in bringing it safely to the intrenchments on Beaver Dam creek. Captain Irving , had been ordered to guard the Crenshaw road, was advised

to fall back to a safer place by the same messenger who informed Major Stone of the-enemy's flank movement, but

like a true soldier, he declined to leave his position without orders from his commanding officer. Orders were sent, but

arrived too late. All the avenues of escape were already held by the enemy, and the woods were swarming with

rebel troops. The men hid away in the swamp, where they remained, surrounded by the enemy, until the following

Monday, when, finding no relief, and suffering from hunger, they buried their rifles, and came out and delivered them­

selves up to the enemy. The companies that had been on picket, fell back with the Fifth regiment, and joined the

other companies in the intrenchments.

In the meantime, General McCall had sent forward

 

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General Reynolds, with a portion of the First brigade, to form an advance line of battle at Mechanicsville. The check given to the advance of the enemy by the sharp firing of Major Stone's riflemen, enabled General Reynolds' to form his line with the Fifth regiment and the companies of the First and Bucktail regiments, and to bring up the Second regiment to their support. Colonel McCandless was sent forward with the Second, on the road towards Shady Grove Church, with orders to hold the enemy in check, and to fall back gradually on Mechanicsville. At about half-past two o'clock, General Reynolds slowly with­drew his brigade behind Beaver Dam creek, and occupied his intrenchments. The line of battle was formed in the following order, from right to left: on the extreme right were seven companies of the Second regiment, Lieutenant­-Colonel McCandless; then six companies of the First rifles, Major Stone; the Fifth regiment, Colonel Simmons; the First regiment, Colonel Roberts; the Eighth regiment, Colonel Hays; the Tenth regiment, Colonel Kirk; the Ninth regiment, Colonel Jackson., and the Twelfth regi­ment, Colonel Taggart, which occupied the extreme left; Meade's brigade, held in reserve, consisted of the Third regiment, Colonel Sickles; the Fourth regiment, Colonel Magilton, and the Seventh regiment, Colonel Harvey. Easton's battery of four twelve-pounder Napoleon guns, and Kern's battery of six twelve-pounder howitzers, were also held in reserve. The Sixth regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel McKean, was at Tunstall's railroad station; the Eleventh, Colonel Gallagher, was on picket on the Chickahominy. Cooper's battery of six ten-pounder Parrott guns was placed north of the upper road, with the right of Reynolds' brigade; Smead's United States regular battery of four twelve-pounder Napoleon guns was placed south of the same road. Both these batteries completely commanded the road across the creek and through the swamp. De harts' regular battery of six twelve-pounder Napoleon guns was stationed near the centre of the line and commanded a

 

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more distant section of the same road, and also the direct road leading from Mechanicsville, to Ellerson's mill.

General Reynolds formed the line of the First brigade post­ing the Second regiment, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel McCandless, on the extreme right, in a dense woods in front of a ford across Beaver Dam creek; two companies were sent forward under Major Woodward with orders to hold the ford; one company was posted in a dry swamp joining

the right of the Bucktail regiment, the remaining companies extended through the woods between these two points, and on the right of Cooper's battery, which occupied a commanding hill. The Bucktail regiment, commanded by Major Stone, and two companies of United States sharpshooters, Captain Drew and Captain Giroux, held the rifle pits in front of Cooper's battery, and commanded the crossings at the Coal Harbor road. Colonel Simmons formed the Fifth regiment in the cover of a belt of woods on the left of the road, join­ing the Bucktails; one company was placed in the rifle pits, and Lieutenant-Colonel Fisher in command of a heavy skirmish line was thrown forward to receive the enemy advancing through the swamp.

The four companies of the First regiment, which had been sent to - Mechanicsville in the morning retired slowly,

skirmishing with the enemy on the Ellerson mill road. Colonel Roberts, by order of General Seymour, deployed the remaining companies of his regiment to support De Hart's battery. When Lieutenant McIntire came in fol­lowed by the enemy,' he joined the regiment, and immedi­ately General Reynolds ordered Colonel Roberts to move his regiment to a woods on the Mechanicsville road, to support Cooper's battery in its terrible struggle against the large forces of the enemy attacking it by terrible assaults. As soon as the bridges across the Chickahominy had been uncovered by the withdrawal of Reynolds' brigade, the enemy rushed over in great force, and at three o'clock, two powerful divisions of Lee's army, each of which out­numbered the Reserves, were in front of McCall’s line of

 

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intrenchments. A third division, commanded by General Branch, was moving against his right flank, and Jackson's corps of thirty thousand men, far to the right and rear, was sweeping down the south bank of the Pamunkey. The enemy in McCall's front consisted of the divisions of the rebel Generals A. P. Hill and D. H. Hill. The skirmishers came forward rapidly and boldly. McCall's artillery sud­denly burst upon the advancing column with a deafening roar, and with terrible effect. The enemy replied vigorously, but provoked at the superiority of the national artillery, and suffering severely from the terrific shower of shells, the rebel general determined to close in on the Reserves at short range. General Lee had arrived on the field, and ordered the divisions to form and charge the batteries. The line was formed of the trustiest troops; every thing was now ready; the enemy's artillery was plied to its utmost power; the command was given, and from the woods, out from the swamps, down the roads, along the entire front, with shriek and yell, flashing fire, thunder, and curling smoke, forward they came. Now was the instant of terrible trial. The Pennsylvania Reserves against thrice their number; General McCall with Reynolds, Meade and Sey­mour, against General Lee, the two Hills, Ponder and Ripley. On came the rebel hosts. McCall galloped along his entire line, and found every man in position confident of victory. The artillery, from Cooper's right to De Hart's left, poured, with the full strength of its destructive power, showers of shell and spherical case upon the enemy's front, tearing great gaps through his ranks, which were immediately closed; the desperate foe pressed steadily forward until within less than one hundred yards of the rifle pits, when a sheet of consuming flame flashed along the entire line from right to left, and the roar of musketry vied with the thunder, of artillery; the carnage in the enemy's ranks was awful; the charging column reeled beneath the murderous fire, and like a wounded monster hurled itself back from the line of the creek, and took shelter in the swamp. In the midst of the terrible

 

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charge, General McCall, finding the heaviest column pushing against his right, advanced from the reserve Kerns' battery, supported by Colonel Sickles' regiment. The enemy soon rallied, and pushing forward heavy, columns of fresh troops assaulted again and again the line of the Reserves. On the right a Georgia and Louisiana regiment, braving the terrific fire of artillery and musketry, charged through the swamp, wading the creek in water breast deep, and gained the firm ground in front of the right wing. Colonel McCandless at the head of the Second regiment rushed forward to meet the enemy; the contest for a short time was a desperate hand to hand encounter, the hostile banners almost touching each other. Reinforcements were hurried to the right, McCall sent in his reserve, and General Porter sent forward Griffin's brigade to protect McCall's right hank, but before aid arrived General Reynolds had with his own brigade whipped the enemy in his front and repelled his last charge with fearful slaughter.

Failing on the right to overcome the Second, the Buck­tails, the Fifth and the First regiments, the undaunted foe hurled his columns with furious desperation against the left. The wily rebel, however, found more than an equal in the commander of the Reserves. General McCall had already sent Easton's battery, supported by the Fourth regi­ment, Colonel Magilton to General Seymour to strengthen the force at Ellerson's mill, and as soon as the enemy was seen advancing against that point, the Seventh regiment, commanded by Colonel Harvey, was ordered to the extreme, left of the Third brigade to protect the left flank, in case the enemy should attempt to cross the creek below the mill. General Seymour had ordered Colonel Hays, commanding the Eighth regiment, to hold the rifle pits in front of Easton's battery. Six companies were posted in the rifle pits, and four were sent forward across the meadow, along the creek, as skirmishers to receive the enemy. Colonel Kirk of the Tenth regiment directed Major Smith to occupy the rifle

pits in front of De Hart's battery with four companies; one

 

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company was sent to support Easton's battery, and five companies, in command of Lieutenant-Colonel Warner, were thrown forward as skirmishers into the border of the swamp. Colonel Taggart ordered eight companies of the Twelfth regiment to occupy the rifle pits on both sides of the road at Ellerson's mill; two companies were sent forward to hold the rifle pits near the mill in advance of the right of the line, and commanding the road beyond the meadow. In rear of the rifle pits was placed a section of Cooper's bat­tery, commanded by Lieutenant Fullerton; the Ninth regi­ment, Colonel Jackson, supported the Twelfth.

Between four and five o'clock in the afternoon, General Lee launched a heavy column down the Ellerson mill road against Seymour's brigade, and maintained a furious attack until night, repeatedly attacking in the most terrific charges. But the same steadiness that had met the assaults on the right, repulsed with murderous slaughter the assailants on the left. The companies thrown forward as skirmishers made the most obstinate resistance, as they slowly retired to their intrenchments; and the companies in the rifle pits, after discharging every cartridge in their boxes and pockets, were, with the coolness of veterans, relieved by their supports. The battle raged without cessation from three o'clock in the afternoon until nine at night; rolling repeatedly in heavy columns and desperate charges from right to left. Lee knew that the success of his great stragetic scheme of outflanking McClellan's army, required the dislodgement of McCall's division from Beaver Dam creek. He therefore spared no sacrifice, employed his whole disposable force in the most desperate efforts, and failed. Two veteran divisions of his army had been repulsed with such terrible slaughter, that they could not renew the attack. A third division, com­manded by General Branch, was repeatedly sent for but did not arrive until the battle was over. If it had arrived. in time, it too would have left dead in the swamps hundreds of its bravest men: for near the close of the battle, fresh troops arrived to relieve the Reserves. But McCall's men

 

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refused to be relieved; they replenished their ammunition and slept on the field, expecting to encounter the foe in the morning.

In this battle, which is known as the "Battle of Mechan­icsville," McCall's division lost thirty-eight killed, one hun­dred and seventy-two wounded, and two hundred and eleven missing. No report has been published of the enemy's loss. .All night long the wails and groans of the wounded rose from the swamp in front of the Reserves; piteous cries for help, the moans of the dying, prayers, curses, and execra­tions, filled the air from the hour the battle ceased until, on the following morning, the roar of artillery smothered the cries of agony.

General McCall made the following report of the Battle of Mechanicsville, to General F. J: Porter, commanding the Fifth corps

 

CAPTAIN T. F. LOCKE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

 

SIR :--I have the honor to submit herewith a report of the operations of my division in the Battle of Mechanicsville.

On the afternoon of the nineteenth of June I received through you the orders of General McClellan to move forward with the " greater part " of my division to Mechanicsville, and relieve Taylor's brigade, (of Franklin's corps,) then the extreme right of the army of the Potomac. In accordance with this order I advanced the First and Third brigades, commanded respectively by Brigadier-Generals John F. Reynolds and T. Seymour, to. Beaver Dam creek, this side of Mechanicsville, and occupied a strong position on its left bank, near its junction with the Chickahominy. From this position I ordered one regiment of infantry and a battery to be thrown forward to the heights in front of the village to relieve Taylor, and a strong line of pickets to be established as far forward as Meadow bridge. -I held in reserve the Second brigade (Meade's) in front of Gaines' farm, ready to act either in support of the First and Third brigades, or to oppose the crossing at New bridge, should it be attempted.

The position selected on Beaver Dam creek was naturally n strong one, the left resting on the Chickahominy, and the right extending to dense woods, (beyond the upper Mechanicsville road,) which were occupied. The passage of the creek was difficult throughout the greater part of my front, and, with the exception of the roads crossing at Eller­son's mill, near my left, and' that near my right, above mentioned,

 

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impracticable for artillery. On the right of the last-named road an epaulement calculated for four pieces of field artillery was thrown up, and rifle-pits for a regiment each were constructed in front of each brigade. Cooper's battery, of six ten-pounder Parrott guns, on the right of the upper road, (four of them behind the epaulement,) and Smead's (regular) battery of four twelve-pounder Napoleon guns on the left of the road, commanded that approach. De Hart's (regular) battery of six twelve-pounder Napoleon guns Was stationed near the front centre, commanding a more .distant view of the same road, and also the lower road direct to the village by Ellerson's mill. Easton's and Kern's batteries were with the Second brigade in reserve. In this position I awaited any movement the enemy might initiate. Cobb's Legion, of the confederate army, was encamped within view, on the opposite side of the Chickahominy, and A. P. Hill's division on his right, and about a quarter of a mile in the rear; detachments from both of which held two redoubts and an extensive line of rifle-pits along the crest of the highlands overlooking the river.

At about noon of the twenty-sixth, the enemy was discovered to be in motion, and at half-past twelve my pickets at Meadow bridge were driven in, whereupon those along the road were ordered to fall back. Not long afterward, when the head of his column appeared in front of Mechanicsville, the infantry and artillery there were withdrawn. In the meantime Meade's brigade had been ordered forward, and directed to occupy ground in rear of the line, where they would be out of range of musketry, and at practicable distance for the support of any part of the field.

My line of battle was formed in the following order, from right to left: On the extreme right were seven companies of the Second regi­ment, Lieutenant-Colonel McCandless ; then six companies of the First Rifles, Major Stone; the Fifth regiment, Colonel Simmons; the First regiment, Colonel Roberts; the Eighth regiment, Colonel Hays; the Tenth regiment, Colonel Kirk; the Ninth regiment, Colonel Jackson, and the Twelfth regiment, Colonel Taggart, which occupied the extreme left. Meade's brigade, in reserve, consisted of the Third regiment, Colonel Sickel ; the Fourth regiment, Colonel Magilton ; and the Seventh regi­ment, Colonel Harvey. Easton's battery of four twelve-pounder Napo­leon guns, and Kern's battery of six twelve-pounder howitzers, were also held in reserve. I should here mention that the Sixth regiment, Lieu­tenant-Colonel McKean, having been detached some days before, was at Tunstall's railroad station, while the Eleventh regiment, Colonel Gallagher, was on picket on the Chickahoininy. These two regiments were consequently thrown out of the engagement, except that the Elev­enth was brought forward on the morning of the twenty-seventh, and was under fire (losing one man) for a short time before being with drawn. The Fourth regiment Pennsylvania cavalry, Colonel Childs, attached to the Pennsylvania reserves, was under arms and in readiness

 

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for any service that might be required of it, but was not called into action.

At about three o'clock P. M. the enemy's lines were formed in my front, and their skirmishers were rapidly advanced, delivering their fire as they came forward. They were speedily driven back by a dis­charge of artillery and a rattling reply of musketry. At this moment I rode along the front of several regiments, and I remarked in the cheerful and animated countenances of the men the promise of that brilliant success which they so nobly achieved in the sequel.

In a short time the enemy, who was commanded by General Robert E. Lee in person, boldly advanced in force under cover of a heavy artil­lery fire., and attacked my position from right to left. It was not long, however; before I was satisfied that his main attack was directed upon my right, and in consequence I ordered Kern 's battery thither, and supported it by advancing from the reserve the Third regiment, Colonel Bickel. Here for a long time the battle raged with great fury. The Georgians now rushed headlong against the Second regiment, but only to be mowed down by those gallant fellows, whose commander soon sent to the rear some seven or eight prisoners taken in the rencontre.

After this the enemy retired for a time from the close contest on the right, but along the line from the right centre to the extreme left kept up a heavy general discharge of artillery and small arms, which,. with the rapid reply of the Reserves, was at times multiplied to an unbroken roar of thunder. Somewhat later in the day, a heavy column was launched down the road to Ellerson's mill, where another most deter­mined attack in force was made. I had already sent Easton's battery to General Seymour, commanding the left wing, and I now despatched the Seventh regiment, Colonel Harvey, to the extreme left, apprehend­ing that the enemy might attempt to turn that flank, by crossing the creek below the mill. Here again the Reserves maintained their posi­tion, and sustained their character for steadiness in fine style, never Te­tiring one foot during a severe struggle with some of the very best troops of the enemy, fighting under the direction of their most distin­guished general. For hour after hour the battle was hotly contested, and the rapid fire of our artillery, dealing death to an awful extent, was unintermitted, while the greatly superior force of the enemy enabled him to precipitate column after column of fresh troops upon my nearly exhausted lines.

About sunset Griffin's brigade, of Morrell's division, arrived on the ground, together with Edward's battery. I requested the gallant Gene­ral to move his brigade to the extreme right, that being the weakest point of my position. Some time elapsed before these troops reached the ground indicated, and as the evening was now far advanced, only a portion of his force could be brought into action. A short time, how­ever, before the close of the engagement, the Fourth Michigan, Colonel Woodbury, relieved the Fifth Reserves, whose ammunition was ex-

 

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hausted, and two companies of the Fourteenth New York joined the First Rifles and the detachment of the Berdan Sharpshooters. Ed­ward's battery had been left by Griffin in reserve, and late in the even­ing I turned it over to General Seymour to be put in position on the left. About nine o'clock P. M. this well-contested action terminated by the withdrawal of the enemy with very heavy loss.

My attention was now directed to the cleaning of the arms and the issuing of ammunition, to be in readiness for the resumption of the combat in the morning. This consumed our time till one o'clock A. 141. of the twenty-seventh. The troops had but little time for rest, as before daybreak I received through you, General McClellan's order to withdraw my division and fall back to the rear of Gaines' mills.

This order, I confess, gave me some concern. Had it reached me at midnight, the movement might have been accomplished without diffi­culty and without loss ; but now it would be daylight before the move­ment, which, under fire, is one of the most delicate and difficult in war, particularly in presence of a greatly superior force, could be commenced. I, nevertheless, went to work without a moment's delay. Meade's brigade was the first to be withdrawn, but before this was accomplished the enemy opened fire upon us. His fire was promptly returned, and soon became general along the line. Under these circumstances great caution and deliberation became necessary to screen the movement, and consequently the troops had to be withdrawn slowly and at inter­vals. Meade's brigade, however, retired in excellent order. Griffin's brigade and battery I then ordered to withdraw ;this was done cooly and successfully. Reynold's brigade followed, during which movement a scattering fire was kept up, and this was continued until all the artil­lery was brought out of action, Lastly, Seymour's brigade was brought out. In fine, our killed had been buried, our wounded had been sent off by seven o'clock A. M., on the twenty-seventh, and not a man, nor a gun, nor a musket was left upon the field. The regiments filed past as steadily as if marching from the parade-ground; and it must have been some time before the enemy were aware that we were gone, as no attempt was made to follow us immediately.

My loss in this battle, as near as I have been able to ascertain, was thirty-three killed, and one hundred and fifty wounded.

The loss of the enemy was heavy beyond precedent in this war, in proportion to the numbers engaged. The strength of my division on the field did not exceed seven thousand, including officers ; that of the enemy was somewhere near twenty thousand. Hill's division alone was officially reported in the Richmond papers at fourteen thousand in this battle, and was admitted to have been reduced by casualties, after battle of New-Market Cross-Roads, to eight thousand. I learned from official authority, while a prisoner in Richmond, that General Lee's loss in killed and wounded at Mechanicsville did not fall short of two thou­sand. In the official returns published, it was admitted that the First

 

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North Carolina lost nearly one-half its effective force, and the Forty-­fourth Georgia nearly two-thirds. "Stonewall" Jackson's artillery was in the battle with himself personally, although his infantry was several miles to the right of my position.

Where all so gallantly supported the honor of the flag, it would appear invidious to particularize, but my thanks are particularly clue to Gene­rals Reynolds, Meade and Seymour ; to Colonels Simmons and Taggart; to Lieutenant-Colonel McCandless and Major Stone, all of the Reserves, and who were all zealous and active, as well as gallant, in the discharge of their arduous duties throughout this well-fought action. The officers of artillery especially distinguished themselves, Easton, De Hart, Smead, Cooper and Kerns. General Meade is entitled to credit for his prompt­ness and zeal in carrying out all instructions conveyed to him, though not directly engaged. It is with much pleasure I acknowledge my obligation to Brigadier-General Griffin, who promptly brought his fine brigade to my support at a time when it was supposed to be needed. Also to General Morrell, who brought his division within supporting distance, and was ready to act had aid been required. My personal staff, Captain H. J. Biddle, Assistant Adjutant-General, and Lieutenants Scheetz and Meconkey, Aids-de-camp, as well as Lieutenant Beatty, Acting Ordinance Officer, deserve special notice for their gallantry in v carrying orders, and for the other duties incident to their offices.

 

General Porter made the following report to General McClellan.

 

BRIGADIER-GENERAL S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

 

GENERAL ;---I have to report that, in accordance with the general instructions communicated to me at the time when the operations of the right wing of this army were confided to my care, by the Major­-General commanding, the extreme flanking force was disposed with a view to the observations of the bridges crossing the Chickahominy at Meadow bridge, and Mechanicsville, and the line through Hanover to the Pamunkey. There were, outposts placed at these bridges them­selves, the supporting forces being strongly posted on the east side of the Meadow or Beaver creek, which runs through a ravine, and joins the Chickahominy about a mile east of Mechanicsville. This support­ing force consisted of two brigades of the Pennsylvania Reserve under the command of Brigadier-General John F. Reynolds; the remainder Meade's brigade of McCall's division, of which these brigades formed a part, was held in reserve with Morrell's and Sykes' division on Gains' farm. The position is naturally a strong one. To increase its defensi­bility, earthworks were erected, under the supervision of General Reynolds, and masked from the view of the enemy.

 

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On Thursday, the 26th of June, the enemy commenced crossing the bridges already named. In accordance with directions previously given, the outposts observing the access to the crossing fell back after slight resistance, to the already selected line of battle, on the eastern crest of Meadow creek, destroying the bridges as they retired. Meade's brigade was immediately advanced to the support of Reynolds, together with Martindale's and Griffin's brigades of Morrell's division. General McCall at an early hour joined his command in front.

The road parallel to the Chickahominy intersected the line of troops above described near its left. The road from Mechanicsville turns just before reaching Meadow creek valley, and runs nearly parallel to it, thus presenting the flank of an approaching enemy to the fire of troops disputing the passage. Down this road and into the ravine came the enemy's column in good order and great force. Our troops were con­cealed by earthworks, flanking this road on the lower side of the ravine. The men cooly reserved their fire until the head of the enemy's column was nearly across, then opened a terribly destructive volley in the face, and flank of the advancing foe. The survivors turned and fled in con­sternation, and no second attempt was made in force to cross the road.

The enemy then deployed and took position on the opposite side of the ravine, placing artillery in such positions as they could select, and from that time until after dark employed their time mainly in persistent efforts to drive us from our position by near fire of musketry and artil­lery, efforts which I cannot but think were attended with double the loss to them that we suffered. The firing ceased about nine o'clock in the evening, and the men lay on their arms in ranks, as they had stood during the day, while exertions were being made by their officers to refill their exhausted cartridge boxes, and to bring food to such men as had none in their haversacks, and by the Medical department to care for and remove to the rear the wounded, happily not very numerous on our side. All was made ready for a renewal of the contest on the old ground, or in advance toward Richmond, via the bridges which the enemy had crossed should our success warrant it. During the night, however, as the Commanding General (who had joined me at an early hour in the afternoon, and remained until about ten o'clock at night,) is aware, numerous and unvarying accounts came in from our outposts, and scouts toward the Pamunkey, which tended to corroborate the pre­viously received intelligence of the advance of the whole of Jackson's force from the direction of Gordonsville, whereby our right was to be effectually flanked without at all weakening the force in the immediate front of the army.

As it was thus rendered necessary to select which side of the Chicka­hominy should be held in force, there being on each side an army of our enemies equal in connection with their breastworks to the whole of our own, and these two armies and defences well connected with each other, and with Richmond their base. But for the conception of the

 

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idea of a flank movement, changing our base by the left flank to the James river, our position would have left but one alternative, a hasty abandonment of our attack on Richmond, and a retirement by the way we had advanced. The former plan, however, (now so happily accom­plished,) which was made safe by its very boldness, necessitated the gradual withdrawal of our right. The Commanding General, however, left me with the intention of deciding on information he should receive at his own head-quarters. I should remain where I was and bold Beaver creek, or retire to a position selected by General Barnard near Gaines' mills. General Barnard remained with me to conduct any com­mand to the new position, if decided upon to withdraw froth Mechanics­ville. Immediately after pointing out to me the new ground, General Barnard left me to represent the state of affairs to the Major-General Commanding, and the necessity for additional troops, and also to send me axes that the proper defences might in some degree be prepared. In accordance with the orders of the Major-General Commanding, re­ceived about two o'clock in the morning of the 27th, for this end the retirement from Mechanicsville was began, at daylight of Friday the 27th of June. The brigade of General Seymour was the last to start, and that force under its gallant and skillful commander, most cooly retired covering the march of the other troops occupying the attention of the foe so perfectly, that ample time was allowed for all horses, foot artillery, wagons and wounded, to reach their designated posts in the line, where a new stand was to be made before crossing the Chicka­hominy. The guns in position were safely removed from the works we were about to abandon, (works overlooking New bridge) and during the action of the same afternoon, did us good auxiliary service by the fire from Smith's position beyond the Chickahominy. On the open plain near those works were posted Tidball's and Robinson's horse batteries, which carefully watched the road and secured the retiring troops from the enemy, now pressing upon Seymour's brave band. All finally got securely back within the lines selected for the next stand near the upper bridges in use by our forces.

General Stoneman during the period above described, was in command of the force which was detailed to guard the region reaching from Meadow bridge; to the Pamunkey. To his cavalry force was added the Seven­teenth New York and Eighteenth Massachusetts regiments. By the movements of the enemy this command became cut-off from its connec­tions with the remainder of my corps, and was therefore ordered to White House to aid in securing the Government property at that point. The troops have since safely rejoined me via the York and James rivers. The actions in which my corps was engaged, followed each other in such rapid succession after this auspicious opening, that it was not possible between each two to make a report of losses. The sad list of good soldiers whose loss reduced my noble corps by so large a part

 

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of its numbers in so short a space of time, must be made up in one report bearing date after the last of five battles fought by us in five successive days.

I am, General, very respectfully.

Your obedient servant,

F. J. PORTER,

Brigadier-General Commanding.

 

Though General McCall had severely repulsed the enemy in his front, and thus demonstrated his ability to hold his position against any force that could approach from the direction of Mechanicsville, it was evident that Jackson was moving, with a force of thirty thousand troops, against the right flank and rear of the right wing of McClellan's army. General McClellan says, in his report

"The position on Beaver Dam creek, although so success­fully defended, had its right flank too much in the air, and was too far from the main army, to make it available to retain it longer. I therefore determined to send the heavy guns at Hogan's and Gaines' houses over the Chickahominy during the night, with as many of the wagons of the Fifth corps as possible, and to withdraw the corps itself to a position stretching around the bridges, where its flanks would be reasonably secure, and it would be within sup­porting distance of the main army. General Porter carried out my orders to that effect.

"It was not advisable at that time, even had it been practicable, to withdraw the Fifth corps to the right bank of the Chickahominy. Such a movement would have exposed the rear of the army, placed us within two fires, and enabled Jackson's fresh troops to interrupt the move­ment to the James river, by crossing the Chickahominy in the vicinity of Jones' bridge, before we could reach Mal­vern hill with our trains. I determined then to resist Jackson with the Fifth corps, reinforced by all our dispos­able troops in the new position near the bridge heads, in order to cover the withdrawal of the trains and heavy guns, and to give time for the arrangements to secure the adop-

 

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tion of the James river as our line of supplies in lieu of the Pamunkey.

“ The greater part of the heavy guns and wagons having been removed to the right bank of the Chickahominy, the delicate operation of withdrawing the troops from Beaver Dam creek was commenced shortly before daylight, and successfully executed.

" Meade's and Griffin's brigades were the first to leave the ground; Seymour's brigade covered the rear with the horse batteries of Captains Robertson and Tidball ; but the with­drawal was so skillful and gradual, and the repulse of the preceding day so complete, that although the enemy fol­lowed the retreat closely, and some skirmishing occurred, he did not appear in front of the new line in force till about noon of the 27th, when we were prepared to receive him."

The Reserves reluctantly withdrew from the position they had so nobly defended. They had spent half the night in replenishing their ammunition and cleaning their guns preparatory to another fight. The order to retire reached them while still at work, and before they had been refreshed by sleep. The preparations to withdraw con­sumed. the remainder of the night, and at daylight the enemy opened fire from batteries that had been placed in front of Captain Cooper's battery, and in front of Seymour's brigade during the night. The attack was resisted with great spirit until nine o'clock in the morning, when the troops were withdrawn, fighting as they retired. This was a movement, the successful execution of which would have added distinction to the veteran guard of a veteran army. Yet, General McCall, justly proud of his troops, says

“Our killed had been buried, our wounded had been sent off by seven o'clock in the forenoon, on the 27th, and not a man, nor a gun, nor a musket, was left upon the field. The regiments filed past as steadily as if marching from the parade ground."

General McCall had for many years been an officer in the regular army, had seen much active service, and had risen

 

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to the honorable position of inspector-general of the army of the United States; he was therefore competent authority on the conduct and quality of troops. In their first great battle then, the Reserves won laurels that would have done honor to professional soldiers of any army in the world.

The troops retired behind the new line formed at Gaines' Mill. It had been determined to hold McCall's division in reserve. The men had been under arms since Wednesday morning, had fought a severe battle, and passed a sleepless night of labor and watching, axed had skirmished with the enemy from daylight till nine o'clock; it was therefore intended not to put there into action again in the afternoon, unless necessity demanded their service and sacrifice.

The new position of the Fifth corps was an arc of a circle, covering the approaches to the bridges which con­nected the right wing with the troops on the opposite side of the river.

Morrell's division held the left of the line in a strip of woods on the east bank of the Gaines' Mill stream, resting its left flank on the descent to the Chickahominy, which was swept by our artillery on both sides of the river, and ex­tending its right wing into an open ground towards New Coal Harbor. In this line General Butterfield's brigade held the extreme left, General Martindale's joined his right, and General Griffin's, still further to the right, joined the left of General Sykes' division, which, partly in woods, and partly in open ground, extended in the rear of Coal Harbor.

Each brigade had in reserve two regiments; McCall's division was formed in a second line in rear of the first. Meade's brigade was on the left near the Chickahominy; Reynolds' brigade formed on the right covering the ap­proaches to Coal Harbor and Despatch station, and Sey­mour's brigade was placed still further in the rear as a reserve to the second line.

On the morning of the 27th of June, during the withdrawal of his troops from Mechanicsville to the selected

 

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position already mentioned, General Porter telegraphed to General McClellan as follows

“I hope to do without aid, though I request that Franklin, or some other command, be held ready to reinforce me. The enemy are so close that I expect to be hard pressed in front. I hope to have a portion in position to cover the retreat. This is a delicate movement, but relying on the good qualities of the commanders of divisions and brigades, I expect to get back and hold the new line."

The troops were all in position by noon, with the artillery on the commanding ground, and in the intervals between the divisions and brigades. Besides the division batteries, there were Robertson's and Tidball's horse batteries, from the artillery reserve; the latter posted on the right of Sykes' division, and the former on the extreme left of the line, in the valley of the Chickahominy. Shortly after noon, the enemy were discovered approaching in force, and it soon became evident that the entire position was to be attacked. Isis skirmishers advanced rapidly, and soon the firing became heavy along the whole front. At two o'clock, General Porter asked for reinforcements. Slocum's division of the Sixth corps was ordered to cross to the left bank of the river, by Alexander's bridge, and proceed to his sup­port.

General Porter had sent much earlier for reinforcements, and also for axes, with which he had intended to fell trees, and form abatis to defend the left of his position, but neither order reached General McClellan. Before four o'clock the engagement had become so severe, and the enemy were so greatly superior in numbers, that the entire second line and reserves had been moved forward to sustain the first line against repeated and desperate assaults along the whole front. General Porter had requested General McCall to move forward the Second and Third brigades to support the left centre of the first line, which was being hard pressed by the enemy.

The battle now became a desperate struggle. Divisions

 

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were disjointed, brigades disorganized, regiments broken, and companies crushed; men fought side by side without reference to organization or commanders; regimental colors were disregarded; columns of men formed under the banner of the Nation, and charged the enemy wherever a commis­sioned officer led. Regiment after regiment of the Reserves were ordered up and sent into the thickest of the fight, wherever and whenever the line in front seemed hardest pressed. The Seventh regiment, commanded by Colonel Harvey, was sent to support General Martindale's troops then hurried away to the extreme left to reinforce Butter­field's brigade, struggling with all its force against the ad­vancing enemy, and as the tide of battle rolled towards the right, the Seventh was countermarched to Martindale's line, where it continued to support two regular batteries until night. The Third regiment, commanded by Colonel Sickel, was ordered to support Kern's battery, but soon the Fourth Michigan regiment, of Griffin's brigade, was attacked by an overwhelming force that threatened annihilation; Colonel Sickel moved hurriedly to the support of the regiment struggling heroically against superior numbers; the shattered lines of the Michigan regiment shifted to the left, under a galling fire, and the Third stood face to face with the enemv in the border of a woods ; without moving a foot backward or forward, the line stood like a wall against the surging sea. Regiment after regiment of rebel troops charged up to the woods and was hurled back in disorder. For two hours, until the last cartridge of fifty rounds per man, was fired into the enemy's ranks, this gallant regiment held its position. It was then relieved by the Eleventh Reserve regiment, commanded by Colonel Gallagher, and a regiment of New Jersey troops. The Fourth regiment, commanded by Colonel Magilton, supported Duryea's Zouaves, and after driving the enemy from the woods the regiment moved up to support Colonel Sickel, whose regiment was engaged in a terrific contest. Before the Fourth could come up, the Third had repulsed the enemy, and Colonel Magilton was

 

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ordered to the extreme left. Soon after going into action there, his regiment was overwhelmed, driven back and becoming detached, was forced to cross the Chickahominy to Smith's division to escape being captured. The Ninth regiment, Colonel Jackson, was ordered into a woods on the left to support the Ninth Massachusetts and the Sixty-second Pennsylvania regiments. In marching to their support, Colonel Jackson's regiment was compelled to march through a swampy ravine, and encounter a galling fire from a body of rebel infantry. With great difficulty the regiment passed the ravine and gained the woods occupied by the Ninth Massachusetts and the Sixty-second Pennsylvania, the Sixty-second regiment organized, drilled and commanded by that most gallant Pennsylvanian, Colonel Samuel W. Black, was one of the most powerful in the service. These three noble regiments of brave men were ordered to charge. `. Instantly the line was formed, gleaming with fixed bayon­etts; forward they went, each gallant leader at the head of his trusty line; forward into the clouds of smoke, the wall of fire, the showers of iron and lead; forward into the whirlpool of death; into the woods clashing against the obstinate foe, steel to steel ; onward they went to the field beyond ; too terrible the charge for foe to withstand ; the rebels flee in terror across the open field; still the solid line pursues them to the woods beyond. But alas 1 in the heat of battle and the excitement of victory, these heroes of ; the charge transcend their orders, follow their fleeing foe too far, and are now charged upon in front and flank by fresh troops thrice and more their number. They are forced back across the open field, exposed to a terrible fire of infantry and artillery. Here many of the bravest went down ; broken and intermingled, the regiments fell back into the first woods from which they had charged. Though. broken in rank, undaunted in spirit the men reformed and three times charged the enemy, but were unable to dislodge him. The Sixty-second regiment suffered most severely.

 

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Colonel Black and many of his brave men were killed in the charge, and many more were wounded and made prisoners.

Colonel Jackson reports that °1 the officers, without exception, did their whole duty, and the men, under such trying circumstances, exhausted by hard fighting, hard marching, and extremely warm weather, behaved nobly." General McCall sent Colonel Kirk, with the Tenth regiment, to support two batteries in Sykes' division; as soon as the fire of the enemy slackened in front of the batteries, the Tenth was ordered to a woods near the centre of the line, which position it held for two hours against desperate assaults, when its ammunition was exhausted and the whole line was driven back.

General Reynolds distributed the regiments of his brigade along the line, wherever the battle raged the fiercest. Colo­nel Roberts, with the First regiment, was sent to relieve Duryea's Zouaves, who were figbting the enemy against terrible odds on an open sandy plain. The field was covered with the dead and dying, their red uniforms, and the pools of blood on the san