"Night put an end to the contest. I grieve to state that our loss in officers and men is great.

"We sleep on the field, and shall renew the contest in the morning.

"I have the honour to be,

"Very respectfully,

"R. E. LEE, (General)."

CHAPTER VII.

MACCLELLAN'S RETREAT.

a

THE battle of the Chickahominy or Cold Harbour was decisive battle, whatever certain Northern writers may say, who pretend that it was only the first in a series of engagements, all nearly of equal importance, mere incidents in General MacClellan's change of front from the banks of the York to those of the James. This theory is difficult to support. Had this first encounter been a Federal victory General MacClellan would have marched straight on Richmond, without dreaming of losing time in a change of his base of operations, and the result would have been the taking of the city. The proof that it was a Federal defeat is precisely the necessity MacClellan was under of bearing towards the James, since his communications with the North by the White House were cut off. Far from being able to think of attacking Richmond, all he could do was to save his army. It is true he had an idea of changing his base of operations before the battle; but, having lost it, he had no further choice. It was no longer an army full of spirits and hope which he was directing towards a stronger position than the one he left, but a tired and discouraged mob whom he drew after him, hastening to gain the River James, there to take refuge under the fire of his batteries, and so escape from the pursuit of an enemy bent on his destruction. This result, deciding the whole campaign, was brought about by the battle of the Chickahominy. To wish, therefore, to

give no more prominence to this engagement than to those which followed it is to falsify history.

However this may be, MacClellan at least was too good a soldier not to know that the battle of the 27th had been decisive, and his resolution to beat a retreat was attested the night of the battle in an assembly at head-quarters, where he unfolded to his generals his plan and the motives which had dictated it.

On the morning of the 28th of June, nearly all his army was concentrated on the southern side of the Chickahominy. MacClellan gave proof, in the retreat which followed, of a rare skill and much vigour, surrounded as he was by dangers of all kinds. The advantages he was able to possess over his foe ought in nowise to detract from the admiration due to the Federal general-inchief.

One of these advantages was the uncertainty in which Lee was placed as to what his adversary was going to do. The latter could give battle to reconquer the railway from York River, or retire into the Peninsula, or towards the James. Lee found himself compelled to await his enemy's movements. It was very unfortunate, but there was nothing to be done. Meanwhile Ewell took the railway from York River, the Federals retiring before him to the other side of the Chickahominy, burning the bridge and destroying the road. The clouds of dust coming from the Federal lines south of the river manifestly indicated that something was preparing. The Federals had just abandoned for good the York River railway; but on the side of the James the Confederates could not detect any sign of movement towards this river. It became, therefore, more and more probable that it was to the Peninsula that MacClellan was directing his army. Ewell advanced, following the north bank of the Chickahominy, in the direction of the different fords leading to Williamsburg, but without discovering anything. General Stuart likewise made a sudden push towards the White House, taking, on his way, some convoys of provender and war material, capturing or putting to flight some

scouts and squadrons of artillery. Towards night the blaze in the sky and the explosion of howitzers in the direction of the White House, showed that the enemy was destroying there all they could not carry off. At daybreak Stuart resumed his march, and arrived. in sight of a Federal battery, with which he exchanged cannon shots. Stuart took at the White House considerable booty. Nine large barges, loaded with provisions, were burning as the Southern cavalry arrived; the fire likewise devoured an immense number of tents, waggons, railway trucks loaded, five locomotives, buildings of all sorts, ammunition, and an immense amount of material, representing a total of several million dollars: all was destroyed.

Hence, turning to the south,the cavalry went, according to Lee's orders, and surveyed the bridges and fords over the Chickahominy, leading towards the Peninsula. At New Market, a group of houses near the James, between Richmond and the Federal lines, 6000 men under General Holmes were posted, to hinder the enemy from approaching the river, and to advertise head-quarters of the first indication of a Federal movement. The 28th, therefore, was passed in watching the enemy, completely hidden by the woody nature of the country, and the lines of defence which sheltered him. All the Confederate army received orders to rest under arms all night between the 28th and 29th of June, in order to advance without losing a moment directly it was known in what direction MacClellan would retire. All the tokens which came to him confirmed General Lee in his idea that the Northern army was preparing for a general movement, and as nothing indicated that it would be towards the Peninsula, it could only be in the direction of the James.

Lee was right. During daytime on the 28th, MacClellan occupied all the defensive points which could protect the passage of his army across that series of bogs known under the general name of the White Oak Swamp. 5000 ambulances, waggons, tumbrils, and 2500 bullocks, were driven by the single and only road which traversed this district. During the night of the 28th,

incumbrances, retaining only their arms. Others, being affected with sun-stroke, fell down, foaming at the mouth, a prey to delirium. Cannon-balls, shells, from time to time burst over us, as a warning that the enemy was not far off.

Occasionally our rear-guard halted, and then the battle was furiously renewed.

"Black clouds brought early darkness, and torrents of rain began to fall. Our rear hastened its march through the darkness and tempest. The forest was illumined by incessant lightning; the thunder was, every minute, growling above our heads. Pellmell on the narrow road, horse-soldiers, foot-soldiers, artillerymen, all confused and intermingled with guns, waggons, columns of infantry, and squadrons of cavalry, we rolled onwards like a gloomy torrent, except when the lightning whitened our bayonets, and made the frightful scene still more hideous: on the right and left of the road, where the ground presented a firmer bottom, the multitude of fugitives hurried along. Shattered carts, forsaken ammunition-waggons, débris of all kinds, marked the line which the routed army was following. We spoke in whispers. Every sort of noise was avoided, such was the haste to get out of this horrible marsh before daylight. Sometimes a poor soldier would throw himself on the ground for a few moments' sleep; then, awaking with a start, pale with fright at the idea of falling into the hands of the enemy, he would continue his way half asleep."

It was, indeed, a terrible march. General Jackson arrived at the bridge over the White Oak Swamp on the morning of June 30th. His vanguard had taken above a thousand prisoners, and so many arms were scattered on the ground, that it was necessary to detach two Northern Carolina regiments to gather them and carry them to the rear. The bridge was destroyed, and the enemy in force on the other side disputed the passage. Twentyeight guns soon swept the opposite bank, and the Confederate. skirmishers passed the water-course, but could not maintain themselves on the other side. The enemy disputed the ground so