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while the roar of musketry was almost deafening.
Very seldom, if ever, did troops in their first battle go so close to a covered line under so strong a fire and remain within such short distance so long a time.
On no part of the line did the enemy leave their cover or advance one single foot.
Our troops held their position until it was too dark to distinguish friend from foe. The engagement lasted one hour and a half.
It was the first battle for Hatton's brigade, and as it moved into action in the presence of President Davis, Gen. J. E. Johnston, commanding the army, and Gen. R. E. Lee, then military adviser of the President, it is not remarkable that its movements, under such an inspiration, excited the admiration of the division general.
Three fresh brigades were ready to move forward into close action, and there is no reason to doubt that with one short hour of daylight the enemy would have been driven into the swamps of the Chickahominy.
As it was, darkness compelled the abandonment of an unfinished task, and the troops were withdrawn from the swamp and bivouacked within musket range of the enemy.
When General Smith withdrew his troops, he was informed that General Johnston had been severely wounded and disabled, which misfortune devolved on him the temporary command of the army.
On the following day at 2 o'clock p. m. Gen. Robert E. Lee was assigned to the command of the army.
Seven Pines would have been a fatal day for Tennessee if no other casualty had befallen Hatton's brigade than the fall of its commander.
‘The personal bearing and conduct of the lamented General Hatton upon the field were gallant, and true to his high social and official character,’ said General Smith. ‘He fell while bravely and skillfully leading his brigade in the extreme front of the battle.’
Robert Hatton carried into the military service of the country the good wishes and affections of a greater number of people of his State than any other one of its citizen soldiers.
Young and gifted, of the
Atlanta, Ga. 1899.
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