Savage's Station, battle at (1862）
Before dawn of June 28, 1862,
McClellan's army was marching for
Turkey Bend, on the
James River, in its transfer from the
Chickahominy to the
James.
General Keyes led the way through
White Oak Swamp, followed by
Porter's shattered corps.
Then came a train of 5,000 wagons laden with ammunition, stores, and baggage, and a drove of 2,500 beef-cattle.
This movement was so well masked that
Lee, who suspected
McClellan was about to give battle on the northern side of the
Chickahominy in defence of his stores at the
White House, or was preparing to retreat down the
Peninsula, was completely deceived; and it was late that night when the astounding fact was announced to him that the Army of the Potomac was far on its way towards a new position on the
James River; that a large portion of the stores at the
White House had been removed; and that the remainder, together with the mansion (his wife's property), were in flames.
He immediately put in operation measures to overtake and destroy the retreating army.
[
73]
McClellan's rear-guard, composed of the divisions of
Sedgwick,
Richardson,
Heintzelman, and
Smith, of
Franklin's corps, were at Savage's Station, under the general command of
Sumner.
There they were assailed by a Confederate force under
Magruder, who first attacked
Sedgwick at about 9 A. M. on June 29.
He was easily repulsed.
Supposing the Nationals to be advancing, he sent to
Huger for aid; but finding they were only a covering party, these troops did not join him. By a misconception of an order the
National line had been weakened, and at 4 P. M.
Magruder fell upon the Unionists with much violence.
He was again repulsed by the brigades of
Burns,
Brooke, and
Hancock.
The 69th New York and the batteries of
Pettit,
Osborn, and
Bramhall then took an effective part in the action, and the battle raged furiously until 8 or 9 P. M., when
Magruder recoiled.
He had expected aid from
Jackson, but was disappointed.
Darkness put an end to the battle.
Covered by
French's brigade, the
National troops fell back to
White Oak Swamp, and by 5 A. M. the next day they were beyond the creek, and the bridge, over which nearly the whole Army of the Potomac had passed, was destroyed behind them.
