Within a week of the occupation of Harrison's Landing, McClellan's
position had become so strong that the Federal commander no longer
anticipated an attack by the Confederate forces. General Lee saw that his
opponent was flanked on each side by a creek and that approach to his
front was commanded by the guns in the entrenchments and those of the
Federal navy in the river. Lee therefore deemed it inexpedient to attack,
especially as his troops were in poor condition owing to the incessant
marching and fighting of the Seven Days. Rest was what both armies needed
most, and on July 8th the Confederate forces returned to the vicinity of
Richmond. McClellan scoured the country before he was satisfied of the
Confederate withdrawal. The Third and Fourth Pennsylvania cavalry made a
reconnaisance to Charles City Court House and beyond, and General Averell
reported on July 11th that there were no Southern troops south of the
lower Chickahominy. His scouting expeditions extended in the direction of
Richmond and up the Chickahominy.
[Illustration: CHARLES CITY COURT HOUSE, VIRGINIA, JULY, 1862
_Copyright by Patriot Pub. Co._]