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| General John Bell Hood |
FRIDAY, June 27, 1862.
Professor LOWE:
DEAR SIR: Ascensions must be made throughout the day, if practicable, at short intervals and reports made of what is seen.
A. A. HUMPHREYS.
JUNE 27, 1862-8.15 a.m.
The heaviest cannonading at this time is near where the last headquarters were, between Doctor Gaines" house and Mechanicsville. We have large reserves across the river; our forces are in line of battle. On our left the enemy appear to be in large force in and about their entrenchments on this side of the river in the vicinity of Doctor Friend's, and on this side very large.
The dense smoke prevents me from seeing to Richmond. I am very unwell, and think it advisable for some good person to be constantly up.
Respectfully,
T. S. C. LOWE.
JUNE 27, 1862-9.20 a.m.
Brigadier-General HUMPHREYS, or
General MARCY,
Chief of Staff:
Although I reported myself ill on this occasion I will remain constantly in the balloon, and if you will send me two orderlies I will keep headquarters constantly informed of what can be seen from the balloon. My assistants that you speak of are trying to save the property in their charge. In an exact north direction from here, and about two miles and a half from the river, in an open field, there are large bodies of troops, but I should judge they were too far down on our right to be the enemy. On a hill this side of Doctor Gaines" house there is a long line of skirmishers stationary. On the field near where General Morell was camped everything is on fire.
About four miles to the west from here the enemy have a balloon about 300 feet in the air. By appearances I should judge that the enemy might make an attack on our left at any moment. We are firing occasional shots on our left.
T. S. C. LOWE.
McCLELLAN'S, June 27, 1862-10 a.m.
Honorable E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
The night passed quietly. During it we brought all wagons, heavy guns, &c., to this side, and at daybreak drew in McCall's division about 3 miles. This change of position was beautifully executed under a sharp fire, with but little loss. The troops on the other side are now well in hand, and the whole army so concentrated that it can take advantage of the first mistake made by the enemy. White House yet undisturbed. Success of yesterday complete.
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-General.
JUNE 27, 1862-11 a.m.
Brigadier-General HUMPHREYS, or
General MARCY,
Chief of Staff:
There is no firing on either side at this time. In a northerly direction, and about three or four miles from Woodbury's Bridge, there is a long line of dust running toward the York River Railroad. Quite a large body of the enemy are visible in the field where General Smith was camped, near the old headquarters. The rebel balloon suddenly disappeared about one hour since.
The enemy in front of here remain silent in and around their earth-works and rifle-pits.
T. S. C. LOWE.
P. S.-Can Major Webb come over and ascend?
McCLELLAN'S, June 27-12 m. Honorable E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
My change of position on other side just in time. Heavy attack now being made by Jackson and two other divisions. Expect attack also on this side.
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-General.
McCLELLAN'S, June 27, 1862-1 p.m.
(Received 3 p.m.)
Honorable E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
Your dispatch of noon received. I thank you for it. We are contending at several points against superior numbers. The enemy evince much desperation, but as we have no choice but to win, you may be sure that we will do all that can be expected. Thus far we have been successful, but I think the most severe struggle is to come. The enemy neglect White House thus far and bestow his whole attention on us.
If I am forced to concentrate between the Chickahominy and James, I will at once endeavor to open communication with you. All re-enforcements should for the present go to Fort Monroe, to which point I will send orders. It is absolutely certain that Jackson, Ewell, and Whiting are here. This may be the last dispatch I send you for some time. Will beg that you put some one general in command of the Shenandoah and of all troops in front of Washington for the sake of the country. Secure unity of action and bring the best men forward. Good-by, and present my respects to the President.
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-General, Commanding.
McCLELLAN'S, June 27, 1862-3 p.m.
Honorable E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
We have been fighting nearly all day against greatly superior numbers. We shall endeavor to hold our own, and if compelled to fall back, shall do it in good order, upon James River, if possible. Our men fight like veterans, and will do all that men can do. If we have to fall back on James River, supplies should be passed up to us under protection of the gunboats as rapidly as possible.
McClellan has telegraphed you several times to-day. You may rely upon it the rebels are concentrating their greatest efforts at this juncture.
MARCY,
Chief of Staff.
CAMP LINCOLN, June 27, 1862-4.30 p.m.
General FITZ JOHN PORTER,
Commanding Fifth Corps:
Your dispatch of 4.10 received. Send word to all your troops that their general thanks them for their heroism, and says to them that he is now sure that nothing can resist them. Their conduct and your own has been magnificent, and another name is added to their banners. Give my regulars a good chance. I look upon to-day as decisive of the war. Try to drive the rascals and take some prisoners and guns. What more assistance do you require?
Ever yours,
McCLELLAN.
CAMP OF PECK'S DIVISION,
June 27, 1862 - 5. 15 p. m.
[Brigadier - General PECK,
Commanding Division:]
GENERAL: There are no signs of the enemy on the New Market road. Our scouts have advanced to within one mile and a half of New Market. The Quaker and new Charles City roads have been patrolled, and have found no trace of the enemy near our lines.
I have just returned from the north side of the Chickahominy. All quiet there.
P. KEENAN,
Captain, Commanding Companies, Eight Pennsylvania Cavalry.
CAMP LINCOLN, June 27, 1862-5.5 p.m.
General FITZ JOHN PORTER:
I am ordering up more troops. Do your best to hold your own and let me know constantly the state of affairs and what you require. Do you need more batteries? You must hold your own until dark.
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-General.
JUNE 27, 1862-5.56 p.m.
Captain CHAUNCEY McKEEVER:
Have just returned from the front, where we have nothing but a stampede since I saw you there, owing to the behavior of the troops occupying the picket line. The first shot from a rebel was sufficient to start regiments.
In order to preserve quiet to-night, if practicable, I ordered the Fifty-
fifth New York Regiment from the forest, and for it not to return there. I cannot rely on troops I have seen from General Couch's division for any assistance should an advance be made on my front. Of this the spectacle of to-day has fully convinced me. The unusual activity of the rebels, the balloon ascension this morning, the shelling of the woods this evening all along my front, and the display of an unusual force this afternoon indicate that they have it in mind to advance. If so, I should have not less than three brigades to spring to the defenses; now I can be whipped before the reserve will get up. De Russy's battery is also gone when there can be no place at which it is so much needed, as there are so many approaches to my position.
I wish these suggestions to be well considered. The problem submitted for my opinion is very unlike the one which exists; in fact, I find Casey was whipped in detail. I desire to avoid such a disaster. Another musketry fire has broken out in front, but I really do not know whether it all comes from my troops, the pickets, or not.
JOSEPH HOOKER,
Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE POTOMAC,
June 27, 1862.
Flag-Officer GOLDSBOROUGH:
I desire you will send some light-draught gunboats at once up the Chickahominy as far as possible, and also that you will forthwith instruct the gunboats in the James River to cover the left flank of this army. I should be glad to have the gunboats proceed as far up the river as may be practicable, and hope they may get up as far as the vicinity of New Market.
We have met a severe repulse to-day, having been attacked by greatly superior numbers, and I am obliged to fall back between the Chickahominy and the James River. I look to you to give me all the support you can in covering my flank, as well as in giving protection to my supplies afloat in James River.
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-General, Commanding.
McCLELLAN'S HEADQUARTERS,
June 27, 1862-8 p.m.
Honorable E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
Have had a terrible contest. Attacked by greatly superior number in all directions on this side; we still hold our own, though a very heavy fire is still kept up on the left bank of Chickahominy. The odds have been immense. We hold our own very nearly. I may be forced to give up my position during the night, but will not if it is possible to avoid it. Had I 20,000 fresh and good troops we would be sure of a splendid victory to-morrow.
My men have fought magnificently.
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-General.
HEADQUARTERS, June 27, 1862.
His Excellency President DAVIS:
Mr. PRESIDENT: Profoundly grateful to Almighty God for the signal victory granted to us, it is my pleasing task to announce to you the success achieved by this army to-day. The enemy was this morning drive from his strong position behind Beaver Dam Creek and pursued to that behind Powhite Creek, and finally, after a severe contest of five hours, entirely repulsed from the field. Night put an end to the contest. I grieve to state that our loss in officers and men is great. We sleep on the field, and shall renew the contest in the morning.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
R. E. LEE,
Official Records, Series I., Vol. 11, Part 3, Various.
Hill renewed his attacks at Beaver Dam Creek early in the morning, but Porter had left a token force there and redeployed his forces behind Boatswain's Creek at Gaines Mill. D. H. Hill and Longstreet made tentative attacks waiting for Jackson's arrival, which finally occurred at 4:30 PM. The outcomes was in doubt up to the last, when John Bell Hood's Texans broke the line and carried the field. At this point only one of McClellan's Corp had been tested and he retained a commanding force in front of Magruder and Holmes. Despite his advantages, and before the assault at Gaines Mill was fairly begun, McClellan had decided by 1 PM to change his base of operations to the James River. He assessed that White House Landing (his base of supply) was untenable due to the presence of Jackson on his right flank. Union casualties were nearly 7,000 killed, wounded, and captured. Confederate losses were just short of 8,000. Despite Hood's words, his men had not suffered a severe repulse. What had been defeated was his own strength of will.
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