at all the approaches to Malvern, which position I perceived to be the
key to our operations in this quarter, and was thus enabled to expedite
very considerably the passage of the trains, and to rectify the
positions of the troops.
“Every thing being then quiet, I sent aids to the different corps
commanders to inform them what I had done on the left, and to bring me
in formation of the condition of affairs on the right. I returned from
Malvern to Haxall’s, and having made arrangements for instant
communication from Malvern by signals, went on board of Captain
Rodgers’s gunboat, lying near, to confer with him in reference to the
condition of our supply vessels, and the state of things on the river.
It was his opinion that it would be necessary for the army to fall back
to a position below City Point, as the channel there was so near the
southern shore that it would not be possible to bring up the transports,
should the enemy occupy it. Harrison’s Landing was, in his opinion, the
nearest suitable point. Upon the termination of this interview I
returned to Malvern Hill, and remained there until shortly before
daylight.”
BATTLE OF NELSON’S FARM.
JUNE 30, 1862.
Up to this time the rebels had felt no doubt of their ability utterly to
destroy the Army of the Potomac, lying, as they supposed, at their
mercy. Greatly to their surprise and disgust they now awoke to the fact
that their prey was escaping them, and would soon be marshalled on the
banks of the James, safe under the protection of the Federal gunboats.
Maddened with rage and disappointment, they pursued hotly, and it soon
became evident that another battle was inevitable. On the morning of the
30th, General Heintzelman ordered the bridge at Brackett’s Ford to be
destroyed, and trees to be felled across that road and the Charles City
road. General Sumner had been ordered to take position at a place known
as Glendale, and sometimes as “Nelson’s Farm.” A line of battle was
formed, with Meade’s brigade on the right; Seymour’s on the left, while
Reynolds’ was held in reserve, commanded by Colonel S. G. Simmons of the
Fifth Pennsylvania. Randall’s regular battery was placed on the right;
Kernis’ and Cooper’s batteries opposite the centre, and Diedrich’s and
Kannahan’s batteries of the artillery reserve on the left—all in front
of the infantry line.
A little before one o’clock the rebels opened a fierce fire upon the
divisions of Smith and Richardson and Naglee’s brigade at White Oak
swamp bridge. Under cover of this fire, which continued throughout the
day, they sent an infantry force across the creek. The Federal
artillery, under Captain Ayers, was directed with deadly effect, but the
Union forces in return suffered great loss, especially Richardson’s
division. Hazzard’s battery was forced to retire, but not till it had
lost many gunners, and Captain Hazzard himself was mortally wounded.
At two o’clock a large force of rebels was reported advancing by the
Charles City road; and in half an hour afterward the attack was made on
General Slocum’s left, and the thunder of war heralded the enemy’s
advance as he pressed boldly on in the face of a heavy fire. The battle
raged without interruption for two hours; but at length the rebels were
compelled to fall back before the dreadful storm of death poured in upon
them by both artillery and infantry. Having formed a dense column, in
large force, comprising the divisions of Longstreet and Hill, the enemy
made a furious charge upon General McCall’s division, which was received
with a shower of canister that tore its way through their ranks, leaving
gaps on every side. They unhesitatingly closed up, and with desperate
fury rushed forward again, forcing the devoted band who had so bravely
withstood them, to fall back before their overwhelming numbers. There
was no running; the patriot troops retired slowly in good order, boldly
disputing the ground as they fell back. The rebels numbered three to one
of the Federals. It was now considerably past sundown, and the darkness
of night was rapidly succeeding twilight. Reinforcements from the
retreating line were sent back, to aid in presenting a successful
resistance to the advancing enemy, and our gallant heroes, weary, worn,
sleepless and hungry, awaited the next attack from the powerful and
exultant foe.
Generals Sedgwick, Sumner, and Hooker, added new laurels to their
well-won fame, in this battle. The latter being on McCall’s left, by
moving to his right, repulsed the rebels bravely, and with great
slaughter to their well-filled ranks. Generals Sumner and Sedgwick, in
the rear, drove back the enemy with artillery and infantry. The rebels
then vigorously renewed the attack on Kearney’s left, but were repulsed
with severe loss.
General Sumner says of this battle, that it was the most severe action
since the battle of Fair Oaks, and adds, “The enemy was routed at all
points, and driven from the field.”
THE BATTLE OF MALVERN HILL.
JULY 1, 1862.
Led by General Franklin, the Union troops, during the night succeeding
the battle of Nelson’s Farm, retreated toward a point called Malvern
Hill. The dawn of the morning of July 1st saw the army massed on this
hill, engaged in selecting positions for their batteries. The point
selected for resisting the further advance of the rebels on this day was
on the left and centre of our lines, resting on Malvern Hill; the right
meanwhile curving backward through a wooded country toward a point below
Haxall’s, on the James river. A heavy swell of pasture land, about a
mile and a half by three-fourths of a mile in area, was the spot called
Malvern Hill. It was well cleared of timber; and several intersecting
and converging roads ran across it. The ground sloped gradually toward
the north and east, leaving clear ranges for artillery in those
directions, and in front were many defensible ravines. It was evident
from the enemy’s position that the attack would come from the direction
of Richmond and White Oak swamp; and of necessity strike the left wing
of the Union troops. For this reason the lines at that point were
strengthened by massing the troops, and collecting the principal part of
the artillery.
The left of the lines was held by Porter’s corps, with the division of
Sykes on the left and Morrell on the right; the artillery of the
divisions and the artillery of the reserve being disposed in such a
manner that a concentrated fire of some sixty guns could, be brought to
bear on any point on the front or left.
After much praiseworthy exertion, Colonel Tyler had succeeded in getting
ten of his siege guns in position on the highest point of the hill. To
the right of General Porter was placed General Couch’s division, and
next to him came Kearney and Hooker; then Smith and Slocum, and further
to the right, the remainder of Keyes’ corps, extending backward in a
curved line that reached almost to the river. The flank was well
protected; a Pennsylvania corps was held in reserve. Along the entire
front the line was very strong; and by slashing the timber plentifully
and barricading the roads, the right was held as secure as possible.
The flotilla on James river, in command of Commodore Rogers, was so
placed that the gunboats protected the army’s flank, and commanded the
approach from Richmond.
It was about ten o’clock in the morning when the enemy made his first
appearance, attracting the attention of the Union troops by light
skirmishing and occasional artillery as far to the right as General
Hooker’s division. It was an hour of deep anxiety to the Union troops,
and the heart of every man beat eagerly and anxiously, but fearlessly,
when, at two o’clock in the afternoon a large body of rebels was seen
approaching directly in front of Heintzelman’s corps, but beyond the
reach of our guns. The preparations made at once to meet its advance
proved unnecessary, for it disappeared; and it was generally supposed
that it retired by the rear, and, later in the day, participated in the
attack made on our left.
About three o’clock the battle began in earnest; a heavy fire of
artillery was poured in on Kearney’s left and Couch’s division, which
was speedily followed up by a sharp attack of infantry on Couch’s front.
The heroic Unionists were prompt to answer, and a roar of artillery
replied to that of the enemy. The infantry of Couch’s division remained
lying on the ground till the advancing column of rebels was within short
musket range, and then, springing to their feet, sent a death-dealing
volley into their ranks, that broke the attacking force and drove them
in disorder back over their own ground. The Union army availed
themselves of the opportunity by following up the advantage; and they
pursued the enemy till the right of its line had advanced some seven or
eight hundred yards, and rested upon a thick clump of trees that gave
them a stronger and more effective position.
The whole line was now carefully surveyed during the lull of a few
minutes that followed, while the Union soldiers waited eagerly for the
next attack. The rebels now gathered their utmost strength to strike
their heaviest blow. At six o’clock they suddenly opened a destructive
fire upon Couch’s and Richardson’s divisions; and at the same time
followed column after column of infantry from the woods, charging
desperately, and evidently intending to take the field.
General McClellan’s report, in describing this part of the battle is as
follows: “Brigade after brigade, formed under cover of the woods,
started at a run to cross the open space and charge our batteries, but
the heavy fire of our guns, with the cool and steady volleys of our
infantry, in every case sent them reeling back to shelter, and covered
the ground with their dead and wounded. In several instances our
infantry withheld their fire until the attacking column, which rushed
through the storm of canister and shell from our artillery, had reached
within a few yards of our lines. They then poured in a single volley,
and dashed forward with the bayonet, capturing prisoners and colors, and
driving the routed columns in confusion from the field.”
The position of Porter and Couch was every moment becoming more
critical, as everything depended upon the successful resistance of what
was felt to be the enemy’s final assault. Sickles and Meagher were
ordered to withdraw their brigades, as soon as it was considered
prudent, and to reinforce the part of the line which was being so hardly
pressed. Certain regiments of Porter’s and Couch’s division had entirely
expended their ammunition, and their places were at once filled from the
Sickles and Meagher brigades; and batteries from the rear were pushed
forward to supply the place of those who were exhausted. The enemy was
slow to acknowledge himself beaten, and, until dark, persisted in
unwearied efforts to take the position so tenaciously held by the
patriots. Despite his vastly superior numbers, however, he was
continually repulsed as often as he attacked, till darkness ended the
battle of Malvern Hill, though artillery firing continued up to nine
o’clock.
The loss sustained by General McClellan’s army, in the course of those
bloody engagements that marked the retreat from the Chickahominy to
Harrison’s Landing was very heavy. McClellan himself computed the loss
at upwards of 15,000 men. The stubborn resistance and gallant courage of
the Union soldiers, at Malvern Hill, preserved the army from sad
discomfiture, if not destruction. The withdrawal to Harrison’s Landing
was, however, regarded with great disfavor by many Union officers, and
to the people of the North was the occasion of much criticism and
regret. Gloom succeeded cheerful hope, in the bosoms of many patriots,
at this juncture, and it was not until good news arrived from the west
and southwest, that confidence in the success of the Union arms was
again revived. The Army of the Potomac, meanwhile, took a short season
of rest, preparatory to new movements.
EVACUATION OF PENSACOLA.
MAY 9, 1862.
On the night of the 9th of May, the rebels, believing that an attack was
about to be made by the Union fleet, under Captain, now Commodore
Porter, set fire to the Pensacola Navy Yard, Fort McRea, the Naval
Hospital, Warrington, and Pensacola itself. General Arnold, divining
their destructive object, immediately opened fire from Fort Pickens, and
kept up a heavy bombardment, for five hours, thus preventing the rebels
from fulfilling their plan, which contemplated the destruction of the
entire town. A demand was then made for the surrender of Pensacola, and,
Mayor Bode complying, the Union forces took possession of the place,
capturing a quantity of valuable lumber, many thousand dollars’ worth of
oil, and rebel arms and equipments. The enemy, however, had succeeded in
destroying a good deal of property, and had then retired, about one
thousand strong, led by General Bragg, to a camp, five miles outside of
Mobile.
On the 12th of May, immediately following the occupation of this point,
President Lincoln issued a proclamation, announcing the ports of
Beaufort, Port Royal, and New Orleans, to be open to commerce under the
laws of the United States.
[Illustration: UNION HEROES ROUSSEAU. MEADE. GILLMORE. SLOCUM.
STONEMAN.]
CAPTURE OF FORTS PILLOW AND RANDOLPH: OCCUPATION OF MEMPHIS.
JUNE 4–6, 1862.
During the time that Major-General McClellan was conducting his army in
its retreat towards the James river, much, that was of great moment to
the country, was taking place in other directions. The rebels had fled
from Corinth, leaving it in the possession of the Federal troops, under
General Halleck. Forts Pillow and Randolph now became an easy prey,
having been flanked, and, to a great degree, surrounded, by National
troops, and having already had a large portion of their garrisons
withdrawn, to aid General Beauregard in his unsuccessful defence of
Corinth. In this condition the rebels speedily decided that flight was
the only safe course left to them, and, on the 4th of June, having
previously destroyed every thing that could not be removed, they
evacuated the two forts.
All obstructions to the navigation of the river having been now removed,
the National fleet, on the morning after the Federals had taken
possession of the heights, descended the river to Memphis, and cast
anchor, about two miles above the city. The fleet consisted of the five
gunboats, Benson, Saint Louis, Carondelet, Cairo, and Louisville; and
the four rams, Lancaster, Monarch, Number Three, and Queen of the
West—the rams being under command of Colonel Charles Ellet, Jr. The
rebel gunboats had also assembled at that point, from above and below—to
dispute the further passage of the stream—making a formidable fleet,
which consisted of the iron-clads, Little Rebel, Jeff Thompson, Sumter,
Beauregard, Bragg, Price, Lovell, and Van Dorn. The rebel fleet was
under the command of Commodore E. Montgomery.
It was late in the evening when the Federal fleet anchored for the
night; and some of the most eager of the officers, seeing there were no
batteries to pass, were anxious to push on to Memphis at once, and were
clamorous in asking why they must remain simply within view of the
wished-for haven during the whole night.
But the prudence of Captain Davis (in command of the whole National
fleet) was amply justified, when the morning came. The whole rebel
fleet, under full head of steam, was then discovered by two Federal
vessels which were lying close to the shore. These two Union gunboats
had steamed cautiously down the river, to reconnoitre the enemy’s
position; and having been satisfied with regard to it, had, as
cautiously, but with all possible speed, steamed back again to rejoin
the fleet. The rebels having seen them, and perceived the haste they
made to return, supposed them fleeing in terror, and sent some shots
after them, which passed harmlessly, falling into the water beyond.
Captain Davis lost no time in preparing his advance to meet the foe. He
immediately signalled all his gunboats. In such a case as this
transports and mortar-boats were utterly useless. The rams, ready, of
course, to render all possible assistance, constituted an independent
fleet; and were, therefore, left solely to the command of Colonel Ellet,
who was in no way subject to orders from Captain Davis, but was required
to report himself only to the Navy Department.
Then began one of the most exciting as well as fearful fights that can
be witnessed in warfare. Majestically the Union and the rebel fleets
approached in line of battle. When within a mile of each other, the
combatants opened fire; and for an hour, the thunder of cannon, the
flash of fire, and clouds of smoke filled the air. Each moment the two
fleets approached nearer and nearer, till, in a brief time they were but
a few hundred yards apart, while broadside after broadside, following in
rapid succession, was poured in from the black-mouthed cannon upon
either side. The combat had begun at a very early hour of the morning,
and while it continued to rage the sun of a glorious day in June broke
slowly through the crimson splendor of the eastern sky, and looked
warmly down upon a scene, the like of which had long been too familiar
to his gaze.
The river, like a sheet of molten silver, lay smiling beneath the summer
sky, placidly reflecting its hues and colors and changes, while the
sweet morning air rapidly grew thick, dense, and sulphurous with the
smoke that hung like a great dark cloud, growing darker and darker, and
shutting out the sun.
An incessant roar of cannon, with flash and smoke, followed in rapid
succession, and with deafening effect, while the shot and shell that
rattled and clattered against the armed ships’ sides rebounded again,
and breaking the face of the smooth river sank beneath its quiet waters.
The guns had long since awakened the people of the city, who now crowded
in a vast throng down to the edge of the bluffs, upon which Memphis is
built. The levee was literally swarming, and black with human beings,
straining their sight to peer through the dense overhanging clouds of
smoke that was shutting the combatants out of view.
A momentary lull now occurred in the fierce thunder of the battle.
Intense anxiety was felt, on both sides, the Union men being hopeful in
the strength of their own heroism, as they always were. In this case
even from the first, they had been encouraged, by seeing the rebel
gunboats, gradually, and almost imperceptibly, fall back, as the Union
vessels closely pressed upon them. Suddenly, a strange looking craft
steamed around a bend in the river, and with extraordinary speed came up
to the assistance of the Union gunboats. Soon another similar looking
vessel followed, and as the rebels caught sight of them, alarm and
surprise seem to paralyze their efforts. For a moment they hesitated.
Then turning slowly they began to fall back on the current of the river.
Onward, with almost lightning-like rapidity, steamed the Monarch and the
Queen of the West. Their gallant commanders had needed no stronger
summons than the booming of the cannon to bring them into the heart of
the combat. With extraordinary speed the Queen of the West plunged
between the National gunboats, and having previously selected her
victim, rushed into the midst of the rebel rams, and drove furiously
upon the Beauregard. The pilot of the Beauregard adroitly avoided the
coming foe, swung round, and so escaped the collision. But the Queen,
determined not to lose the power she had crowded on for the destruction
of the Beauregard, plunged forward upon the rebel ram Price, which
received the advance with a well-directed fire. But the apparently
invulnerable Union vessel, which shook shot and shell from her armed
sides as though they had been drops of water, struck her opponent
amidships with such a crushing, fatal blow as immediately stove in the
Price’s wheel-house, splintered her ribs of iron and oak, like glass,
and crushed her side. All was thus over with the Price, which, barely
able to reach the margin of the shore, sunk beneath the waves, a
complete wreck. Again the Queen of the West challenged the Beauregard;
and, head to head, these tremendous iron-clads drove furiously against
each other. Again the rebel avoided the death-stroke, and avenged
himself by a heavy blow against the Queen’s side, which stove in a
gaping hole, that speedily disabled the brave ship for further contest.
But, scorning to draw away, the dismantled Queen still held her place,
to view the combat, and to watch the avenger of her injuries. She had
not long to wait. The Monarch, furious at the disaster of her consort,
plunged directly into the Beauregard, and stove in the rebel’s bows. The
rushing flood of the mighty river poured in; and, in another moment, the
crushed vessel sank beneath the waters of the Mississippi.
In the mean time the gunboat Benton had dealt destruction upon the rebel
vessel Lovell: as the wreck settled down, the waters opened to receive
their prey, and then rolled calmly over the spot where it had
disappeared forever. Many of the wretched crew sank in the wreck; some
fifty or more, wounded and scalded, plunged into the river; and a few of
them were rescued by boats sent by the Union flotilla to their relief,
as they struggled in the waters. The greater number of the unfortunate
beings were swept by the rapid current to the same watery grave which
had engulfed so many of their fellows. One after another the enemy’s
boats were crippled. The Jeff. Thompson was forced to run ashore; and
her crew escaping over her bows disappeared in the woods. Hardly had
they escaped, when a shell was thrown on board, and exploding, set the
ship on fire. For the wounded there was no escape; and they writhed in
maddening agony, till a spark at length reached the magazine, and the
ship, with a terrific explosion, was blown into innumerable fragments.
The Bragg and the Sumter were also forced ashore, crippled and disabled.
Their crews escaped into the woods. Of all the rebel fleet the Van Dorn
alone escaped, being so swift in her speed down the river, that the
fastest runners could not overtake her and so relinquished the hopeless
pursuit. The Union fleet now came to anchor in front of the city of
Memphis, and sent in a demand for its surrender. The city, having no
means of defense, was at once occupied by the Federal troops.
Immediately upon the surrender of the city, the stars and stripes were
placed over the post-office by order of Colonel Ellet.
Colonel G. N. Fitch was appointed Provost-marshal of the city; and the
Mayor showed his natural good sense by cooperating with him in every way
to maintain peace and good order.
The only loss to the Union fleet, in this fierce naval encounter, was
the injury to the Queen of the West, and a wound to her brave commander,
Colonel Ellet. This wound, at the time it was received, had not
prevented Colonel Ellet from continuing at his duties, and it was hoped
that it would prove slight; but it grew more and more serious until it
resulted in the death of one of the most brilliant and heroic men—to
whom the nation owes the capture of the city of Memphis. Colonel Ellet
died at Cairo, on the 21st of June, 1862.
Memphis, of course, became one of the most important Union posts on the
Mississippi river.
NEW COMBINATIONS. BATTLE OF CEDAR MOUNTAIN, VA.
AUGUST 7, 1862.