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us outflank and turn the enemy's left, while Longstreet pushed our right down the Williamsburgh roadnd soon came up with the infantry advance of Longstreet toiling through the mire on the Williamsburgions. It was now about four o'clock, and Longstreet's corps, under D. H. Hill, had driven the enrce. This movement relieved the pressure on Longstreet and Hill, who, reenforced and rested, advancrom our general line, they thought to attack Longstreet on the left flank and rear; but this was antubt he would have driven them on a line with Longstreet's advance down the Williamsburgh road. As itruction on every side, I met Franks, one of Longstreet's aids, looking as blue as indigo. What's t replied. I saw old Jeff, (Davis,) Mallory, Longstreet, Whiting, and all of them, a little while ageight o'clock this morning. It is true that Longstreet and Hill fought magnificently, as they alwayn was lost in that way, and I have seen both Longstreet and Hill foolishly riding in front of the en[2 more...]
Chapter 27: Further details of the Chickahominy battle Longstreet succeeds to the command General Lee the acknowledged chief skirmish at fair Oaks, an episode Gossip of officers scenes and incidents of the battle our negro servants guide all plans and dispositions of force. Owing to the frightful gash Johnston had received, the command devolved on Longstreet, or seemed to do so by common consent, for though Gustavus Smith and others, perhaps, ranked before him, their energiesn him one whose genius and resources commanded the unbounded confidence and hopes of the nation. It was evident that Longstreet was chief in the field only until Lee should vacate his rooms in the War Office, and permanently assume command. Brigadt the thought that their homes were possessed by the enemy, that they all seemed to be blind with passion and revenge. Longstreet personally presented a fine battle-flag to this battalion a few days since, in highly complimentary terms. The Sout
est engineers in the service, and was second only to Scott in the estimation and love of the people. Albert Sydney Johnston stood perhaps higher as an active commander, but few, if any, surpassed him in a thorough knowledge of his profession, or greater ability in council. His property and effects were in Northern hands; he was offered chief command in the field; but he abandoned all, and, bereft of every thing, offered himself to his native State. Johnston, Beauregard, Van Dorn, Evans, Longstreet, Ewell, and a host of others, made similar sacrifices, and for a long time were without any settled rank or command. They had to fight their way up, and have successfully done so. The same may be said of the navy. Lynch, Tatnall, Ingraham, Hollins, and others, followed their illustrious example. Maury — the world-renowed Maury-had all to lose and nothing to gain by joining our cause; but he did so, and refusing the offers and hospitalities of kings and princes, busied himself, industrio
ith booty and prisoners sketch of General Stuart affair at Drainsville General Joe Johnston. From the preparations in progress it was apparent that operations would soon recommended on a scale far surpassing any thing hitherto attempted. Longstreet and Hill on our right, on the Charles City road, made frequent reconnoissances towards the interior and the river to ascertain the enemy's strength and position on their left wing. McClellan never opposed these movements, and was possibly uncoon the outskirts of our lines, the enemy being within a mile, and in full force, in pursuit. Excitement had strung both man and beast, since their start on Wednesday night; but now that all were safely through the adventure, and passed through Longstreet's division (the right) on their way to camp, on the Brooke Church turnpike, (the left,) their appearance was most jaded, care-worn, and dusty, having been more than sixty hours in the saddle, almost without drawing rein! The fruits of this
last orders were to move next day in the rear of Mechanicsville. Longstreet's and D. H. Hill's divisions suddenly marched from the Williamsbuose Hill's division was on the Meadow Bridge road, to the left of Longstreet, and General Branch's brigade occupied the extreme left on the Brdeafening. The day being fine, a splendid view was obtained from Longstreet's position, on the south bank, of the progress, of the battle on e enemy that held the bridge, so as to open and clear the way for Longstreet and D. H. Hill. After much hard fighting this was accomplished, Ambrose Hill was in the centre, bearing towards Coal Harbor; Generals Longstreet and A. P. Hill proceeded along the edge of the Chickahominy p temporary quarters there, while the columns of Ambrose Hill and Longstreet halted in the open to await the arrival of Jackson's right at Newd my horse among scones of others round Hogan's house. Here Lee, Longstreet, and a crowd of dignitaries were gathered in council upon the doo
hair would have tempted an artist to sketch him in this thoughtful attitude. Longstreet sat in an old garden-chair, at the foot of the steps, under shady trees, busialloping forward, delivers his papers to Lee, who soon after mounts, and with Longstreet and staffs, proceeds to New Coal Harbor, where it is said Jackson's right winw Coal Harbor on the left, and Ambrose Hill in the centre; it now devolved on Longstreet and D. H. Hill to move forward and get into position on our right. With skirmishers thrown out in the woods, Longstreet moved cautiously forward, and drove in the enemy's outposts as he proceeded. Halting in the woods, west of Gaines's Housrd, and at right angles with the river, (running here east and west,) part of Longstreet's force left the woods and halted around Gaines's House, beyond range of the y the creek before mentioned, which empties here into the Chickahominy. When Longstreet's and D. H. Hill's division, therefore, debouched from the woods near the Mil
eadow Bridge, where Ambrose Hill instantly crosses, joins forces and uncovers the front of Mechanicsville Bridge, where Longstreet and D. H. Hill cross and join forces. Marching by three routes, Mechanicsville, Ellison's Mills, and Beaver Darn Creekrces from the north bank, and that their camps had fallen into our hands. To prevent any attempts to force our right, Longstreet and the Hills recrossed their divisions from Gaines's Mills, and began to march to the rear of Magruder and Huger's fort from the north side. When the enemy had left their camps on the north side, however, and the Hills, together with Longstreet, had recrossed to reenforce our right, Jackson was left to pursue them on to the south side, and if possible get in thethin a few hours, on Sunday afternoon. Thus Jackson was advancing towards the enemy's right flank; Huger in their rear; Longstreet, Magruder, and the Hills on their left flank, while General Holmes was hastily endeavoring to make a long circuit round
ses around me. Huger's division had at last arrived somewhere in the neighborhood. Jackson's, Longstreet's, and other divisions were distributed in every direction through the neighboring woods, and s my eyes closed, some. one would shove me and inquire: Where is Lee's Headquarters? Is this Longstreet's division? and so on. At other times, I suddenly awoke and found some one mounting my horse g; generals and staffs moved to and fro, while couriers were everywhere inquiring for Jackson, Longstreet, Hill, Magruder, and all the generals in the army. None could tell where these officers were.lanking the enemy near the river, and get in their rear. Jackson was on their left flank, and Longstreet close up on the right, Magruder being the centre; all our troops, consequently, were within a m certain thousands were unnecessarily slaughtered, and that had the advance been commanded by Longstreet, Jackson, or the Hills, not one half the carnage would have ensued. Although Magruder did eve
ent and chagrin. True, said another, it was a master-stroke of Lee; and when Branch at Brooke Bridge and Hill at Meadow Bridge assailed in front, the game was up with their right wing, for these, uncovering Mechanicsville Bridge, allowed Longstreet and D. H. Hill to cross likewise. ‘The attack of Ambrose Hill was a spirited affair, and beautifully conducted. Ambrose P. Hill is a Virginian; graduated at West-Point, and was brevet Second Lieutenant, First United States Artillery, fir one remarked to Magruder that Lee was pushing the enemy closely on the north bank, and that night would close upon another great victory. Yes, Magruder answered, in his usual lisp, they ought to accomplish something, since they have Jackson, Longstreet, the Hills, Whiting, and others, over there. I heard President Davis remark, subsequently, to a senator, that our force then over the river was fifty thousand men. Our force on the south bank, at that moment, did not muster more than fifty tho
r isolate him before the possible arrival of Longstreet and Lee. Whatever the object in view, Pope swas over; the enemy did not dare to pursue. Longstreet's approach was perhaps known to them, and the road. Oh! They are there, are they? said Longstreet, laughing. Well, we'll soon dislodge them, major; I'm sure you're no field-marshal-Lee, Longstreet, and Jackson can get along pretty well withore an encumbrance to the army; and had fiery Longstreet or Jackson hung a few of them as Napoleon ishly excited by the following incident: While Longstreet's corps was hurrying forward to Jackson's re progress of the corps. Very angry at this, Longstreet trotted to the front, and was informed that desperate fight, I was told, principally in Longstreet's wing, and rumor said he had been obliged tont, but on the right Fitz-John Porter's and Longstreet's artillery literally shook the earth. Theint on, and as I followed the line pursued by Longstreet, carnage and sickening sights met me at ever[12 more...]