June 26, 1862 (Thursday): "Three O'Clock Having Arrived.."

Ellerson's Mill (NPS.gov)

WASHINGTON, June 26, 1862.
Major-General McCLELLAN:
    Your three dispatches of yesterday in relation to the affair, ending with the statement that you completely succeeded in making your point, are very gratifying.
    The later one of 6.15 p.m., suggesting the probability of your being overwhelming by 200,000, and talking of where the responsibility will belong, pains me very much. I give you all I can, and act on the presumption that you will do the best you can with what you have, while you continue, ungenerously I think, to assume that I could give you more if I would. I have omitted and shall omit no opportunity to send you re-enforcements whenever I possibly can.


A. LINCOLN.

P. S.-General Pope thinks if you fall back it would be much better toward York River than toward the James. As Pope now has charge of the capital, please confer with him through the telegraph.

HEADQUARTERS FOURTH CORPS,
June 26, 1862.
Brigadier-General PECK,
Commanding Division:
    GENERAL: I am instructed by the general commanding the corps to state information has been received from headquarters Army of the Potomac to the effect that Jackson is advancing on the right flank of this army toward the White House. The general desires you to direct your pickets to be most vigilant, and report everything of importance that occurs; also that you will have every man's cartridge-box filled with cartridges, your caissons filled, and your command prepared for action, but let them rest and keep fresh. The general is instructed to direct you to guard Bottom's Bridge well and keep a sharp lookout toward White Oak Swamp. A preliminary notice to be vigilant has been sent to General Naglee, to save time.
    Very respectfully, your obedient servant,


C. C. SUYDAM,
Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS LIGHT DIVISION
           Camp Gregg, February 28, 1863.
GENERAL.....My orders were that General Jackson, moving down from Ashland, would inform General Branch of his near approach.  As soon as Jackson cross the Central Railroad Branch was to cross the Chickahominy, and, taking the river road, push on and clear the Meadown Bridge.  This done, I was to cross at Meadow Bridge, and, sweeping down to Mechanicsville, open the way, open the way for General Longstreet.  It was expected that General Jackson would be in the position assigned him by early dawn, and all my preparations were made with the view of moving early.  General Branch, however, did not receive intelligence from General Jackson until 10 o'clock, when he immediately crossed and proceeded to carry out his instructions.  He was delayed by the enemy's skirmishers and advanced but slowly.....

A. P. HILL,
     Major-General.
 

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Camp Lincoln, June 26, 1862-12 m.

   I have just heard that our advanced cavalry pickets on the left bank of Chickahominy are being driven in. It is probably Jackson's advance guard. If this be true, you may not hear from me for some days, as my communications will probably be cut off. The case is perhaps a difficult one, but I shall resort to desperate measures, and will do my best to outmaneuver, outwit, and outfight the enemy. Do not believe reports of disaster, and do not be discouraged if you learn that my communications are cut off, and even Yorktown in possession of the enemy. Hope for the best, and I will not deceive the hopes you formerly placed in me.


GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-General.

Honorable E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Camp Lincoln, June 26, 1862-2.30 p. m.
    Your dispatch and that of the President received. Jackson is driving in my pickets, &c., on the other side of the Chickahominy. It is impossible to tell where re-enforcements ought to go, as I am yet unable to predict result of approaching battle. It will probably be better that they should go to Fort Monroe, and thence according to state of affairs when they arrive.
    It is not probable that I can maintain telegraphic communication more than an hour or two longer.


GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-General.

(A.P. HILL's report continued).

...Three o'clock having arrived, and no intelligence from Jackson or Branch, I determined to cross at once rather than hazard the failure of the whole plan by longer deferring it.....

JUNE 26, 1862 - 2.15.
General REYNOLDS:
    The enemy is reported to be advancing in force on the Pamunkey road . Withdraw your regiment from the grove. Order Farnsworth to observe the enemy closely and report to you whatever occurs. Have your wagons packed with such baggage as the men do not carry, and a guide detailed to conduct them to General McClellan's headquarters should we advance, or find to necessary to withdraw. Send some of your best officers to observe the enemy. They should be mounted and have with them mounted messengers to bringfrequent reports to keep the major-general commanding fully posted at all times, as the movements of the entire army may depend on the information he may get.


GEO. A. McCALL,
Brigadier - General, Commanding Division.

(HILL's report continued).

....The battle now raged furiously along my whole line.  The artillery fire from the enemy was terrific.  Their position along Beaver Dam Creek was too strong to be carried by a direct attack without heavy loss, and expecting every moment to hear Jackson's guns on my left and in rear of the enemy, I forebore to order the storming of their lines....

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH PROVISIONAL ARMY CORPS,
Camp near New Bridge, Va., June 26, 1862.

Brigadier-General STONEMAN,
Commanding Forces at rear of Old Church, Va.:
   GENERAL: The commanding general directs that in case the enemy go down toward White House, you retire in that direction with your artillery, infantry, and part of your cavalry. Hold the enemy in check as long as possible and assume a defensive line near Tunstall's, and thus aid the force there intrenching and preparing to defend that line. Direct the rest of the cavalry to retire slowly and resisting upon Cold Harbor. In the event of retiring your forces as above, you will send messengers to notify General Casey at White House, and also to the commanding general, communicating the same information to General Morell and General Sykes on the route; and if he has ample notice of the retreat or probable approach of the enemy, to send in time the trains of the command to the opposite side of the Chickahominy over Sumner's and the upper bridges, or to camp in the valley near those bridges, and keep up frequent communication of your position and movements, those, of the enemy, his strength, artillery, infantry, and cavalry, and, as far possible, his presumed destination.
    Very respectfully, your obedient servant,


FRED. T. LOCKE,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
June 26, 1862-7.10 p.m.
General GEORGE B. McCLELLAN:
    The re-enforcements will be sent to the place you request. We shall have every confidence in your ability to drive Jackson back, and will lose no time in aiding you. My last telegram apprised you of what is being done here.
    With every wish for your success and good fortune (and I have never had any other feeling), I remain, yours, truly,


EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.

(A.P. HILL report continued)

...The Thirty-Eight North Carolina, Colonel {William J.} Hoke, and the Thirty-fourth North Colonel, Colonel {Richard W.} Riddick, of Pender's brigade, made a gallant but abortive attempt to force a crossing....Meeting General Ripley, who had just crossed his brigade at the Mechanicsville Bridge, I requested him to turn the enemy's left lower down the crrek.  This was gallantly attempted, but failed, and with heavy loss....

PORTER'S HEADQUARTERS, June 26, 1862-7.40 p.m.

(Received 10.30 p.m.)

Honorable E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
    A very heavy engagement in progress just in front of me. McCall and two brigades of Morell's are fighting gallantly against superior numbers, so far with marked success. There is no longer any doubt as to the strength of attack on this the left bank of the Chickahominy. My men are behaving superbly, but you must not expect them to contest too long against great odds. The engagement is very serious, and is just below Mechanicsville. You may rely upon this army doing all that men can do.
    I still keep communication with White House, but it may be cut any moment, and I cannot prevent it.


GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
June 26, 1862-7.50 p.m.
Generals SUMNER, HEITZELMAN, KEYES, HOOKER, SMITH:
    General McClellan just this moment informs me that McCall and two brigades of Morell are hotly engaged near Mechanicsville, so far with marked success. Secesh in large force, but badly beaten. Inform the troops on your side of the river. Please communicate this to your troops.

R. B. MARCY,
Chief of Staff.


(A.P. HILL report continued):

...The battle ceased about 9 o'clock, my brigades resting along the creek, the object of this attack, viz, clearing the way for Longstreet having been fully accomplished.  It was never contemplated that mydivision alone should have sustained the shock of this battle, but such was the case , and the only assistance received was from Ripley.....
   
HEADQUARTERS, June 26, 1862.
Major General B. HUGER,
Commanding, &c.:
    GENERAL: Hold your trenches to-night at the point of the bayonet if necessary. If you discover demonstrations against you and do not feel strong enough, call upon Colonel Rhett for his battalion of infantry armed with muskets. Should there be no indications of the enemy on James River, call on General Wise for such as he can spare. If the enemy should press you and this does not give you force enough, send to the Secretary of War to order Walker's brigade from Drewry's Bluff to join you, if only for to-night.
    I am, most respectfully, your obedient servant,


R. E. LEE,
General.

The day begins with the President and McClellan once more at odds and a general feeling of impending disaster pervading Union planning.   Waiting also for the day to get underway is A.P. Hill who will wait, and wait longer still, for Stonewall Jackson before taking the initiative himself and hurling his division at Porter's V Corp, strongly posted behind Beaver Dam Creek at Ellerson's Mill.  A victory is gained by the Union forces, but momentum is lost, and Hill is not wrong in saying his efforts have accomplished the goal of clearing the way for Longstreet.  Whether that was because of the high price paid in blood by Hill's men or by McClellan's having already been morally defeated cannot be said with precision.  Lee closes the day recognizing all has not gone as plan and Huger and Magrudger must defend Richmond at all hazards.