VIRGINIA AND VIRGINIANS.

the Chickahominy river has its source in the north-western portion of Henrico county, whence it flows in a south-western direction-its course in the neighborhood of Richmond closely resembling the arc of a circleuntil it reaches the south-eastern portion of Charles City county, where it suddenly turns to the south and flows into the James, about seventyfive miles below Richmond. Mechanicsville is situated on the northeast bank of this river, distant five miles from Richmond, and marks the point of McClellan's nearest approach to that city.

At the time of the engagement a portion of the Federal army had crossed the Chickahominy and held a fortified position on the Williamsburg road, but far the greater portion lay on the north side, the line extending many miles up and down the stream.

It was at 3 P. M. Thursday, June 26th, that Major-General Jacksonflushed with recent victories in the Shenandoah Valley-took up his line of march from Ashland and proceeded south-east through the country lying between the Chickahominy and Pamunkey rivers. BrigadierGeneral Branch, crossing the former, directed his march so as to form a junction with the corps of General A. P. Hill. Jackson kept well to the Pamunkey until he reached the village of Raleigh, when he turned suddenly to the west and attacked the fortified Federal position at Mechanicsville; at the same time General Hill with a force of fourteen thousand joined in the attack, and, after a short but desperate contest, night settled down upon the scene, both armies holding their position, but under cover of darkness the Federals withdrew and fell back down the river to Powhite swamp.

Friday morning dawned clear and bright, and the sun arose to shed his rays upon such a scene as had not yet been witnessed on this continent. The way had been cleared at Mechanicsville, and General Longstreet's corps d'armée, composed of his veteran division of the Old Guard of the Army of the Potomac and General D. H. Hill's command, emerged from the forest on the south side of the Chickahominy and crossed that river. A general advance on the part of the Confederates now began; the command of General A. P. Hill in the centre marching in the direction of Cold Harbor; Generals Longstreet and D. H. Hill on the right, proceeding down the Chickahominy, and the veteran Jackson marching far to the left, but converging toward the river.

The position of the Federal army was now a peculiar one: that portion lying south of the river was confronted by the command of General Magruder, while that on the north side had fallen back to a new line of defenses, and here McClellan had decided to make a decisive battle.

Jackson's arrival at Cold Harbor was announced by the roar of his guns, which was the signal of battle, and in compliance with that signal the forces of Generals Lee, Longstreet, A. P. Hill and D. H. Hill were simultaneously engaged. From four o'clock until eight, the battle raged with terrible fury, and a wonderful display of daring and inAt last the Federals gave trepidity on the part of the Confederates.

way, and night covered the retreat of their broken and shattered lines to the south bank of the Chickahominy.

A memorable part of the day's fighting was that known as the

BATTLE OF GAINES MILLS,

And the repeated charges made here deserve to rank with the most glorious deeds of the war. The corps of General A. P. Hill had made the first charge upon the Federal intrenchments at this place, and a terrible struggle had continued throughout the day, neither side seeming to have the advantage-the Federals holding their position, but powerless to keep at bay the Confederates, whose dauntless successive charges were ineffectual to carry the works. An eye-witness says that Hill's division made repeated charges, but were as often driven back by the murderous sheet of fire from the formidable works. Twenty-six pieces of artillery were belching forth their thunders, and a perfect leaden hail-storm fell thick and fast around them. In front stood earth-works stretching for miles away; and drawn up in line of battle were three full divisions, commanded by Generals McCall, Porter and Sedgwick. Banners every

where filled the air; artillery vomited forth incessant volleys of grape, canister and shell, and the angel of death hovered over the field amid the sulphurous atmosphere of battle. But at last as the sun was descending behind the western hills Pickett's brigade, from Longstreet's division, came to Hill's support. Then came Whiting's division, consisting of the "Old Third" and the Texan brigades; they advanced at a double quick, charged the batteries, and drove the Federals from the intrenchments which they had defended with such obstinacy throughout the day. Belonging to the last mentioned brigade was the 4th Texas regiment commanded by a gallant Virginian, Colonel Bradfute Warwick; this was his last charge; just as the works were carried his breast was pierced by a minie-ball, and he fell to rise no more. Thus ended the second of the terrible Seven Days. Skirmishing was kept up during Saturday, and on Sunday the 29th was fought the

BATTLE OF SAVAGES STATION.

On the morning of this, the fourth day, a considerable body of the Federals were discovered occupying a strong natural position at the place named, on the York River Railroad. The division of General McLaws, consisting of Kershaw's and Semmes' brigades, supported by General Griffith's brigade, from Magruder's division, made the attack at one o'clock, and were received by a furious cannonade from a park of field pieces. Kemper's battery was ordered to the front, and after a splendid artillery duel which fairly shook the surrounding country, the

Federals were once more forced to retreat. Early in the action General Griffith, a brave and meritorious officer from Mississippi, was struck by a fragment of a shell and instantly killed. He was the only general officer lost by the Confederates during that sanguinary week. The gallant 10th Georgia led the charge, and its depleted ranks told but too well of the raking fire to which it had been exposed.

THE BATTLE OF FRAYSERS FARM.

Monday was the fifth in the bloody list, and on that day was fought the battle known as Fraysers Farm. At daybreak the whole Confederate army was moving in pursuit of McClellan's retreating regiments. D. H. Hill, Whiting, and Ewell, under the command of Jackson, passed the Chickahominy at Grapevine Bridge, and marched along the Williamsburg road; while Longstreet, A. P. Hill, Huger and Magruder followed by the way of the Charles City road, with the design of intercepting the retreating columns. This disposition of the troops soon brought General Longstreet's division in front of the Federals. He was supported by Hill's division, consisting of six brigades. When he came up with the Federals, he found that they had taken position about five miles north-east of Darbytown, on the New Market road, the immediate vicinity being locally known as Fraysers Farm. The attack was at once brought on by the division of General Hill, and for three dreadful hours it is doubtful if on any one of the bloody fields of Virginia more heroic bravery was ever witnessed than was displayed by both armies. The roar of artillery and the rattle of musketry resounded far and wide, the air was filled with the missiles of death, and every spot presented a sight of ghastly destruction and horror. The dead and wounded were strewn thickly upon the field. But at last, above the roar and din of battle, came the orders along the Federal lines to retreat. No order was ever obeyed with more alacrity upon any field. shattered ranks were once more in full retreat, forces occupied the field and rested for the day. day, was to become memorable because of the terrible

BATTLE OF MALVERN HILL.

In three minutes the and the Confederate The sixth day, Tues

Early Tuesday morning, the sixth day in the awful series, McClellan's forces continued their retreat in a south-western direction toward his gunboats in the James. No sooner was the movement discovered than the Confederates began the pursuit. General Magruder was ordered to march by the Quaker road, and take position on the right of Jackson, but owing to a misunderstanding as to which was this road, the wrong route was taken, and, by the necessary change, his troops were formed on the right wing of Huger instead of that of Jackson, as at first designed.

The Federal commander having learned from the rapid march of the Confederates that he must fight again before he could reach the naval force lying in Turkey Island bend of the James, took position on an eminence known as Malvern Hill, upon the summit and declivities of which he placed in position his batteries, supported by strong columns of infantry. General Magruder advanced to the attack, shelling the woods and swamps as he proceeded, and at 5 o'clock P. M., when he had reached a point sufficiently near, he gave the order to charge and drive the Federals from their position. The order was received with a shout, and instantly the entire command were crossing the plain which lay at the base of the hill at a full run. But now, had that hill been torn asunder by some mighty volcanic force, the deep intonations could scarce have been greater. One hundred pieces of artillery opened a simultaneous fire and belched forth a murderous storm of grape and canister which swept the charging columns with the most terrible effect. Officers and men fell by the hundred; but yet unwavering, that charging column rushed on until two-thirds of the distance across the field had been passed. But wholesale carnage now prevailed on every hand. No body of men could stand before so withering a fire, and the column gave way and took refuge in the woods near by. Twice again those charging squadrons presented a living wall to that deadly fire, and twice again were they forced back. Around that hill was a steady flame, and at sunset it quivered with the terrific concussion of artillery and huge explosions. Shells were flying in every direction and bursting into deadly iron hail. Columns of black smoke shot skyward and darkened the air. But the day waned, the battle abated, and both armies rested on their arms and upon the field. That night a sulphurous smoke hung around the summit of Malvern Hill and settled away in dense columns over the valley of the historic James. Soon dark, ominous clouds covered the sky and the rain descended in torrents, which washed the blood-stained slopes of the little hill, carrying the sanguinary tide into the copses and woodlands which surrounded the base below. As twilight began to streak the eastern sky, the Confederate officers arose ready to renew the attack, but, upon turning their eyes to the hill from which they had been repulsed, they were filled with inexpressible astonishment. No enemy was there: the volcano was still, and McClellan's army was already far away on its

RETREAT TO HARRISONS LANDING.

In less than two hours after the roar of artillery had died away, the entire Federal army was stealing away from its enemy, and at midnight it presented all the confusion of a fleeing and routed army; and