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| Silas Casey. |
May 81, 1862. |
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beyond a point known as the Seven Pines,1 six miles from Richmond;2 that Couch's division of the same corps was at the Seven Pines, his right resting at Fair Oaks Station, on the Richmond and York River railway; that Kearney's division of Heintzelman's corps was on the same railway, three-fourths of a mile in advance of Savage's Station; and that the division of Hooker of the latter corps was guarding the approaches of the White Oak Swamp, that lay between these divisions and the Chickahominy.
The country thereabout is quite level, and was then mostly wooded and dotted with marshes.
In that region the roads radiate from Richmond, and gave Johnston advantages of position for attack or retreat.
In a degree they suggested the points of attack at the time in question, and it was arranged accordingly.
General Longstreet was ordered to go out by the Williamsburg road, with his own and D. H. Hill's divisions, the latter in advance, to attack the Nationals in front, while General Huger should move down the Charles City road toward their left flank, and General G. W. Smith should follow the New Bridge road toward the “Old Tavern;” and then take the Nine Mile road toward their right at Fair Oaks Station.
These columns were to move simultaneously at dawn,
but the rain had made the roads so soft, that it was ten o'clock before Hill's division began to move toward Keyes's front.
General Casey, who was in the advance, had intimations of an intended attack that day, and was vigilant.3 He was busily engaged in constructing a redoubt, sinking rifle-pits, and forming an abatis; and when, about eleven o'clock, he was apprised of the approach of the Confederates in force, he ordered his men to take their arms.
At the same time two hissing shells came heralding the enemy near, and made the soldiers quicken their abandonment of spades and axes for the weapons of war. They were none too soon in arms, for at a little past noon the Confederates came in heavy force.
Casey's picket-line, with the One Hundred and third Pennsylvania, that had been sent to its support, was driven in, and Spratt's battery, with supporting troops under General Naglee,4 who were in front of the works, were soon in
1 This was the name of a country tavern near which were seven large pine trees. Only three were standing when the writer visited the spot, at the close of May, 1866.
2 The advance to this position had been ordered by McClellan a few days before, contrary to the opinion and advice of both Keyes and Casey. See Report of the Committee on the Conduct of the War, i. 21.
3 Casey's pickets had that morning captured Lieutenant Washington, one of Johnston's aids, and he was sent to Keyes. His conduct satisfied the National officers that an attack was about to be made. Besides, it had been reported that the rumbling of cars on the Richmond and York River railroad had been heard all night, indicating the transportation of troops and supplies.
4 These were the One Hundred and fourth Pennsylvania, Colonel W. W. H. Davis; the Eleventh Maine, and Ninety-third and One Hundredth New York Volunteers.
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