136 BATTLE OF GAINES'S MILL [1862 bridges across the Chickahominy, which connected the Union right and left wings and were indispensable should a further retreat become necessary. Porter received this word at about two o'clock in the morning and at daylight began the movement, which was executed without serious molestation and in perfect order. He sent word by Barnard, the chief engineer of the army, who had conducted him to the new position, that he needed additional troops. This request, although of the utmost importance, as matters turned out, never reached McClellan. Barnard came to headquarters about nine or ten in the morning "and being informed that the commanding general was reposing" made no attempt to see him.1 Different from the habit of most generals when a morning battle is imminent, McClellan was not stirring at an early hour; nevertheless it is remarkable that Barnard, having apparently no special duty elsewhere, did not await his general's convenience to impart Porter's reasonable request. Conditions were different on the Confederate side. Jackson had neither rest nor sleep but, reviewing his preparations, "paced his chamber in anxious thought, wrestling with God" in prayer.2 On this Friday, June 27, was fought the battle of Gaines's Mill.3 Porter, who had under him at the commencement of the battle but 25,000 men contended against Jackson, Longstreet and the two Hills whose combined forces amounted to 57,000. Lee was in immediate command. In their first onset the Confederates met with a stubborn resist 1 O. R., XI, Pt. I, 118. "To sleep all night through beseemeth not one to whom peoples are entrusted and so many cares belong." Iliad II. On this same day, however, McClellan telegraphed to his wife that he had had "no sleep for two nights.” — McClellan, 442. 2 Dabney, 439, 440. Jackson was 38, McClellan 36. 3 Or the Chickahominy. 4 T. L. Livermore, 82. I reckon Slocum's division as 9000. CH. III] BATTLE OF GAINES'S MILL 137 ance and were driven back. At two o'clock in the afternoon, Porter called for reënforcements and McClellan, who did not visit the field of battle that day but remained at the headquarters on the south side of the Chickahominy, sent a division of 9000 men to his support. "Cool and collected as on parade," his tactics seemingly without defect even in the heat of the contest, Fitz-John Porter was everywhere inciting his officers and men to supreme efforts; he succeeded in repelling the assaults of nearly double his numbers, directed by the genius of Lee and Stonewall Jackson and led by the courage and determination of the Hills and Longstreet. Higher praise no general can receive than that which Lee and Jackson unconsciously gave Porter in their reports. "The principal part of the Federal army was now on the north side of the Chickahominy," wrote Lee; both speak of the "superior force of the enemy. All accounts agree as to the discipline and bravery of the soldiers of both armies. The impetuous attack of the Confederates may be described in the words that Jackson used of one of his regiments as an "almost matchless display of daring and valor"; he well characterized the defence as "stubborn resistance" and "sullen obstinacy." George G. Meade and John F. Reynolds, commanders of brigades, made their mark that day. From Lee's statement, "the principal part of the Federal army was now on the north side of the Chickahominy," the inference is clear that, had he been in McClellan's place, he would have had it there. McClellan's error was due to his overestimate of the Confederate force. Relying upon the report of the Chief of the Secret Service corps, he believed it 1 Francis A. Walker, 62. 20. R., XI, Pt. II, 492, 556. Jackson said "superior numbers." See also Chesnut, 197. 138 BATTLE OF GAINES'S MILL [1862 to be 180,000, of whom 70,000 were attacking Porter, while 110,000 lay behind intrenchments between him and Richmond. As matter of fact, 57,000 were assailing Porter, while about 30,000 held the earthworks protecting Richmond: these last led McClellan and his corps commanders into a gross exaggeration of their number by attacking their pickets from time to time and by frequently opening fire on their works with artillery. McClellan's timid tactics are revealed in his hesitation in reënforcing Porter. He loved Porter and would have rejoiced without a spark of envy to see him win a glorious victory. His despatches show how anxious he was to give him efficient support; and purely military considerations should have induced him to send large reënforcements to Porter's aid. His telegram to the Secretary of War at the close of the day that he was "attacked by greatly superior numbers in all directions on this side" (the Richmond side of the Chickahominy) remains an ineffaceable record of his misapprehension. 1 Skilful though the leader, brave though the men, 34,000 without intrenchments, with barriers only erected along a small portion of their front, could not finally prevail against 57,000 equally brave and as skilfully led. The end came at about seven o'clock. Lee and Jackson ordered a general assault; the Confederates broke the Union line, captured many cannon and forced Porter's troops back to the woods on the bank of the Chickahominy. Two brigades of Sumner's corps, who had been tardily sent to the support of their comrades, efficiently covered the retreat of the exhausted and shattered regiments who withdrew dejectedly to the south side of the river. In his despatches during the battle, McClellan does not betray panic. At five o'clock he thought Porter might hold 18 P.M. O. R., XI, Pt. III, 266. |
