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[226] Newton, a loyal Virginian, commanded the right. Whiting, to cover Johnston's army in retreat, bivouacked in a line of battle facing Franklin, but did not attack that evening, as Franklin's troops appeared to be in a position hard to reach. He hoped to attack him as he moved out, but as Franklin did not advance Whiting attacked him furiously in position the next morning, the 7th, at ten o'clock. Franklin, however, in a three hours conflict secured his landing, which was his object, and not, as Johnston feared, to attack him in flank during his retreat. West Point, the place where the Pamunkey and Mattapony unite to form the York River, and which is the terminus of the Richmond Railway, was now set apart for our new base of operations. Slowly and steadily through the abounding mud, or by water from Yorktown, the army worked its way to Franklin's neighborhood,while General Johnston,with scarcely any further molestation, was suffered to draw in his forces to the vicinity of the Confederate capital.
Baker and Taylor. 1908.
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