Chapter 17:
- The tardiness of McClellan. -- how the Confederates availed themselves of it. -- their concentration of forces at Richmond. -- strength of these forces. -- position of the two armies. -- the Chickahominy and the roads crossing it. -- battle of “seven Pines.” -- failure of Gen. Huger to attack. -- gallant charge of the troops of Longstreet and Hill. -- Gen. Johnston wounded. -- the affair of the next day. -- important change of military command. -- secret history of the attempt to limit the military power of President Davis. -- a plan of Confederate politicians. -- plot against the President's power. -- the new office of Commanding-general of the Confederates -- how made nominal by President Davis. -- Gen. Robert E. Lee appointed to this office. -- his appearance and manners. -- the seven days battles around Richmond. -- Lee's plan of operations. -- Jackson's withdrawal from the Valley masked. -- battles of Mechanicsville and Beaver Dam. -- repulse of the Confederates at Beaver Dam Creek. -- Jackson flanks the enemy's position. -- McClellan's retreat to Gaines' Mills. -- its strategic design. -- extraordinary strength of the new position. -- Gen. Lee waiting for the great battle. -- battle of Gaines' Mills. -- heroic fight of Hill's division. -- the enemy gains ground. -- an urgent message to Longstreet. -- Jackson appears. -- final charge of the day. -- its fierce grandeur. -- victory of the Confederates. -- McClellan retreats towards the James River. -- failure of Magruder and Huger to intercept him. -- the great errour which they committed. -- battle of savage Station. -- McClellan crosses White Oak Swamp. -- failure of Huger's attack. -- another opportunity lost. -- battle of Frazier's farm. -- Hill and Longstreet's troops only engaged. -- battle of Malvern Hill. -- McClellan's position on the Hill. -- his numerous artillery. -- the attack of the Confederate left not supported. -- Magruder's impetuous and desperate charge. -- the sublime scenery of the contest. -- failure of the attack. -- McClellan continues his retreat to Harrison's Landing. -- fruits of the Confederate success. -- Gen. Lee's explanation of McClellan's escape. -- estimate of the victory by Lee and Stonewall Jackson. -- Richmond erect and exultant
The tardiness of McClellan afforded opportunity to the Confederates to recruit their forces, to realize the results of the conscription law, and to assemble before Richmond the largest army they were ever able to put on a single field in any time of the war. The enemy had had the start in the preparation of many months. He delayed the advance upon Richmond, hesitating which line to adopt, when an advance upon either of the proposed lines could hardly have failed of success. A month was lost before
