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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.

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