BATTLE OF MECHANICSVILLE.
Two days later Gen. Stoneman pushed forward with cavalry and artillery,
on a bold reconnoissance toward the rebel capital. Gen. Davidson’s
Brigade followed, as a support, the rest of the Division remaining
behind. About four o’clock in the afternoon, the General fell in with the
enemy—“Howell Cobb’s Brigade”—who retreated after a few shots had been
exchanged. Stoneman again moved forward, halting for the night just east
of Beaver Dam Creek, and the Brigade, crossing over, took up position on
an elevated spot, and slept on their arms. This creek is a narrow, muddy
stream, emptying into the Chickahominy.
A part of the Thirty-third were employed on picket duty until the
next morning, being stationed in close proximity to the rebels. At
daybreak the infantry pushed on towards Mechanicsville; General Stoneman
with the cavalry proceeding further to the right. Three companies of
the Thirty-third acted as the advance guard, and were deployed as
skirmishers. When within two hundred yards of Mechanicsville, the rebels,
who had fallen back during the night, were discovered drawn up in the
principal street, and in a neighboring grove. The skirmishers immediately
opened upon them, when taking refuge in buildings and behind walls, they
returned the fire.
The whole Brigade now moved up on both sides of the road, and two
sections of Wheeler’s battery were got into position, and commenced
tossing shell into the village. This placed the skirmishers between two
fires, and for a time, they were nearly as much exposed to our own as the
rebels. One had his canteen perforated by a piece of shell thrown from
the Union battery, another had a part of his shoe taken away. The firing
of the rebel cannoniers, at first slow, became very rapid and accurate as
the battle progressed. One solid shot passed between Major Platner and
Captain Guion, as they stood conversing together. A second whizzed close
by the head of Colonel Taylor’s horse, and a third striking the roll of
blankets strapped on behind a horseman, threw them high into the air.
Every one held their breath for a moment, supposing that it was the rider
himself, but he escaped unharmed.
The guns were afterwards removed to the right of the skirmishers, and
a section of flying artillery posted on the left. A heavy fire was now
concentrated on the buildings in which the confederates had concealed
themselves, soon causing an exodus on their part, and the whole force
commenced falling back in the direction of Richmond. Seeing this, Gen.
Davidson ordered a charge, when the Thirty-third and Seventy-seventh
gallantly charged down upon the place, driving everything before them.
[Illustration: MECHANICSVILLE, VA.]
Large numbers of knapsacks and blankets which the rebels had thrown away
in their flight were picked up in the streets. They were most of them
marked “Rome (Ga.) Light Guards.” Guns, equipments, blankets, and other
materials of war, were likewise found in large quantities. Nearly all
the houses were more or less pockmarked with shot and shell. The Mayor’s
residence, an elegant mansion, had been struck seventeen different times.
Those of the inhabitants who had not fled, were found packed away like
sardines, in cellars and other places of refuge. They were very much
frightened, and not until repeatedly assured that we would not harm them,
could they be prevailed upon to come out.
After taking possession of the village, a line of skirmishers was thrown
out half a mile on the Richmond road. Detachments of the Thirty-third,
Seventh Maine, and five companies of cavalry were left in charge of the
town. They were relieved upon the following day, and rejoined their
regiments on the Beaver Dam, to which the Brigade had returned after the
engagement. Some members of Company E discovered a grist mill here, and
spent most of the night in grinding corn, and making hoe-cake.
Gen. Stoneman had in the meantime proceeded several miles to the right,
and accomplished the object of the expedition by destroying the Richmond
and Fredericksburg railroad bridge over the Chickahominy.
With one exception this was the nearest point attained to Richmond during
the entire Peninsular campaign. Gen. Hooker, after the battle of Fair
Oaks, followed the fleeing enemy to within less than four miles of their
capital.
That it could then have been taken had General Davidson’s brigade been
reinforced and permitted to proceed, is a truth which admits of no
denial. There were no rebel forces between Mechanicsville and the city,
with the exception of those driven from the former place, they being
concentrated on the left of our lines. There were no fortifications of
any extent on that side of the capital, as the attack was expected to be
made from the other direction. The approaches were all left open, and
the appearance of this single brigade of “Yankees” struck terror to the
rebels, who inferred that all was lost.