Three years in the Sixth Corps

1 July 1862

Battle of Malvern Hill

Chapter XI.

March to Harrison's Bar--A scene of confusion--A beautiful landscape--Fourth of July in camp--Gloom at the north--Cause of the disasters--Prevalence of disease--Review by the President--A night demonstration by the enemy--Reconnoissance to Malvern Hill--Departure of General Davidson--A retrospect.

CHAPTER X.

Lee's army in pursuit--Sumner and Smith at Bay--Battle of Savage's Station--The Vermont Brigade--Sick and wounded abandoned--Retreat to White Oak Swamp--Battle of White Oak Swamp--An astonished division--A night march--A mystery--In sight of the James--Battle of Malvern Hill--Departure of the princes--Gloom and anxiety--Lee's attack--The rebels demoralized.

CHAPTER X.

At length, just as the gray light of the morning was streaking the skies, we came in sight of the majestic James river. Every man took a long breath, as though relieved of a heavy load of anxiety. Officers clasped their hands and exclaimed, "Thank God." The worn out men stepped lighter, for they had arrived at the haven of their hopes. Again they experienced a feeling of safety. We filed into a beautiful clover field, and there the exhausted columns sunk down for a brief rest. Brief it was to be, for scarcely had two hours passed when we were ordered into line of battle. We moved back through the woods, crossing a little stream, and formed in a wheat field, where the grain stood in shocks. Here we remained, watching the enemy, who stood in our front, contenting themselves with occasional sallies of their skirmishers, while the great battle of Malvern Hill was in progress on our left, where the booming of our field pieces and the dull roar of the heavy guns from the gunboats was heard for many hours. At length, as night came on, the sound of battle died away, and all was again quiet. Now we heard cheers on the left, and, looking in that direction, we saw, approaching at great speed, the commander of the Union army. Cheers greeted him as he rode along the line, and hats were thrown high in the air in honor of the chief.

CHAPTER XI.

Little occurred to relieve the monotony of the six weeks of camp life at Harrison's Bar, except the events of which we have spoken; a demonstration by the enemy during the night of the 31st, and an advance to Malvern Hill by General Hooker's division. On the former occasion, the troops were startled from their slumbers about midnight, by the sudden discharge of a battery of artillery from the south side of the James. The rebels had succeeded in getting a force in position there, and they now opened a vigorous fire upon our shipping and our camps. Their shells flew among us in disagreeable proximity, and the long lines of fire traced upon the midnight sky lent a certain charm to the dangerous business. Our gunboats answered the fire; and after two hours of exciting work drove the rebels from their position. Some infantry was taken across the river, who hastened the retreat of the enemy, burned the buildings near the shore, and cut down the trees, that they might not in future afford concealment for the rebels.