Skirmish at Mechanicsville, May 22-24, 1862
Account of Battle:
Prelude to the battle
George B. McClellan began the Peninsula Campaign on April 4th when his III and IV Corps set out from Fort Monroe on April 4th on their march to Yorktown. They halted in front of the Confederate fortifications the following day. Forced to wait for the remainder of his army and for his siege cannon, McClellan spent the rest of April besieging Yorktown.
On the night of May 3rd, Johnston evacuated his position; McClellan had planned to bombard the rebel lines on May 5th or 6th at the latest. Johnston's rear guard fought actions at Williamsburg and Eltham's Landing while the rest of the army fell back westward up the Peninsula toward Richmond, Longstreet's and D.H. Hill's divisions along a road paralleling
the Chickahominy to Long Bridge and further north D.W. Jones' and G.W. Smith's divisions along the Williamsburg Stage Road paralleling the Pamunkey to Baltimore Cross Roads. The army took up a position stretching southward from the Cross Roads to Long Bridge, facing east.
The Chickahominy was in their rear. A note about the Chickahominy is necessary here. Although it flowed southeast, its meandering course meant that sometimes it raveled east-west and sometimes north-south. Thus at times the two armies were west and east of it and other times they were north-south of it.
Meanwhile McClellan marched west following Johnston, up the Pamunkey and the York rivers where his gunboats could assist him. On May 15th and 16th McClellan established his base at White House on the Pamunkey and began concentrating his army. On the 20th his light troops traveling along the Williamsburg Stage Road reached Bottomn's Bridge on the Chickahominy. Keyes, Heinzelman, Porter and Franklin were approaching Mechanicsville.
On May 15th Johnston gave orders to retire west of the river, believing that McClellan would travel up the James River because it led directly to Richmond. Johnston left outposts to protect the important Virginia Central railroad which linked Richmond to a small force under Brig. Gen.
Joseph R. Anderson which blocked a much larger force under Gen. Irwin McDowell at Fredericksburg.
In fact Johnston was perfectly correct when he guessed that McClellan wished to move his army across the Chickahominy and transfer his base to the James because the James was the direct route to Richmond. Moreover his supply line would be shorter if he used the James rather than the York. However, on May 18th Lincoln and Stanton informed him that McDowell's Corps of 30,000 men was being transferred from the Department of the Rappahannock to join him and would set out on the 26th. Moreover they instructed him to extend his right flank in the direction of McDowell's approach.
McClellan was faced with a dilemma. He wanted McDowell badly enough that he retained most of his army on the far side of the river. He wanted to operate against Richmond badly enough that in the next few days he sent two corps south of the river. With the exception of one brigade of infantry and some cavalry, Johnston's entire army was positioned south of the Chickahominy along the roads that radiated east from the Richmond while McClellan's entire army was north of the river.
Apparently there was one Confederate infantry brigade north of the river. Cobb's Brigade. The Official Records says very little about its precise location, but it seems to have been camped near the Chickahominy.
There was also a brigade of cavalry under Gen. J.E.B Stuart picketing from the Pamunkey all the way south to the Chickahominy.
It is known that a part of the 15th N.C. of Cobb's Brigade was assigned the task of picketing the Mechanicsville area. (See H.C. Kearney's sketch on the Fifteenth Regiment in Clark, Vol. I, p. 729) Kearney writes: "As the Union army extended its lines to the right a portion of the regiment on picket duty at Ellyson's Mill had a small engagement, capturing a few prisoners, with no loss to the regiment."
South of the river the nearest troops belonged to Gen. John B. Magruder who in turn was under the direction of G.W. Smith who commanded the Reserve Wing of the army. Magruder could easily cross over the Chickahominy on the Mechanicsville Bridge to defend Mechanicsville.
Two railroads connected Richmond directly with the north and northwest and both were within striking distance of McClellan's army. The Virginia Central Railroad was the closest. It ran from Richmond, crossed the South Anna and at Hanover Junction it took a turn toward the northwest, finally terminating at Gordonsville. Further to the west was the second railroad, the Richmond and Fredericksburg railroad, which also crossed the South Anna and which also ran through Hanover Junction and which terminated at Fredericksburg.
Apparently McClellan decided to capture Mechanicsville and tear up the Virginia Central Railroad around May 21st. Stoneman's route had been determined earlier by McClellan since he badly wanted McDowell to join him and was trying to facillitate the move by clearing the Confederates out from the direct path from Fredericksburg.Mechanicsville had half a dozen shops and stables, two black smith shops and a beer garden in an oak grove where Richmonders had spent holidays. (Gates of Richmond p. 201)
The first attempt to seize the town occurred on May 22nd. Bartlett's 2nd Brigade of 2nd Division of the VI Corps and the 1st NY (Lincoln) Cavalry were picked to do the job. To precede the infantry a staff officer called for volunteers from the 1st NY (Lincoln) Cavalry. Twenty-five men from Company K under Sgt. George W. Cummins. The party proceeded in a column of twos along the old and unused road with thick woods on either side until they reached Mr. Austin's house. Shortly after passing the house the road descended into a valley 200 yards wide with bluffs sixty feet high on its east and west sides which had been carved out over the millennia by Beaver Dam Creek.
The road crossed Beaver Dam Creek by a weak bridge twenty-five feet to thirty feet long. The creek banks were very high and impassable but for the bridge. After winding around the hill to the west the road reached a plateau. During its entire length the road was hemmed in by a dense forest.For the extent of valley see To the Gates of Richmond p. 201-202
As they reached the area of the Austin house one of the troopers warned Cummins that he was too far ahead of the infantry. Pointing to the thickly wooded hill west of the creek, He replied, "We will ride forward to the hill and there wait." The column rode down the hill, crossed the bridge over the stream, and followed the road along the foot of the hill. A party of the 15th NC
Infantry, who were concealed in the woods, fired into Cummins party at short range. Cummins fell dead, shot through the heart, Corporal William Anderson fell from his horse wounded, and a large number of horses were wounded, but no other men were hit. They turned about and galloped through the rebels who tried to catch the horses by their bits as the men dashed past. After riding through a hail of bullets, Company K reached the hill east of the stream where Sgt. E.C. Watkins rallied the men. The men took cover from the rebels who maintained a long range fire at anyone who showed himself.
Soon after this ambush, Bartlett formed a battalion on either side of the road, advanced rapidly down the slope toward the enemy. The rebels fired a few shots only and fled, followed by the infantry who drove them through Mechanicsville. Supporting Bartlett were two Parrot guns. After their victory the Federals withdrew back across Beaver Dam Creek's east side again, perhaps because the force was too small to hold the town and tear up the railroad. New York Herald May 27, 1862 p. 4 col. 2 and William H. Beach, "The First New York Lincoln Cavalry", pp. 118-119
A "Light Brigade" under Gen. George Stoneman had been created around May 8th to follow the retreating rebels after Williamsburg. It combined firepower provided by its artillery and infantry and mobility provided by its cavalry. It consisted of the 6th U.S. Cavalry, the 8th Illinois
Cavalry, the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry, the 98th Pennsylvania, and Robertson's and Tidball's Batteries. (All for the Union p. 65)
On May 22nd The Light Brigade was skirmishing with Stuart's cavalry at Dr. Gaines mill near Cold Harbor. It was ordered to march south for a second attack on Mechanicsville and arrived at New Bridge on the morning of May 23rd from Gaines Mill where it had been fighting some of Stuart's cavalry. Gen. W.F. Smith commanding the 2nd Division, Vi corps, ordered Brig. Gen. John W. Davidson to support Stoneman. The task of the joint operation was for Davidson to capture Mechanicsville, thus blocking the roads from the south along which Confederate reinforcements might march from west of the Chickahominy and thus protecting Stoenman's rear while Stoneman's cavalry tore up the Virginia Central Railroad in the vicinity.
On the afternoon of May 23rd the two brigades left New Bridge, en route for Mechanicsville which lay to the west along the River Road. The column was guided by two engineers, Captain C. Seaforth Stewart and Lieutenant Farquhar. Kautz's squadron of the 6th U.S. Cavalry led the
advance. A section of Tidball's Company A, 2nd U.S. Artillery under Lt. Dennison accompanied Kautz. Further back in the column was the rest of Stoneman's brigade and behind him Davidson's infantry and artillery.Meanwhile that same afternoon, in obedience to orders Gen. Magruder, Robertson crossed over the Chickahominy on the Mechanicsville Bridge with
the Eighth and Ninth Georgia Regiments, one 8-pounder rifled gun from the Washington Artillery, and one 6-pounder howitzer, belonging to the Wise Artillery, both commanded by Captain T. L. Rosser, of the Washington Artillery, and a portion of the First and Fourth Virginia Cavalry, to reoccupy Mechanicsville, from which a cavalry force had retired on the
day previous.
After traveling several miles the Federals halted at Mr. Austin's house where they halted so the engineers survey the area across the Chickahominy. Then the column followed the road and it descended to the bridge and ascended the other side.
.
As soon as Dennison's section of artillery topped the rise west of the bridge Rosser with his fifteen men put his rifled gun into position on the Union left and fired at a range of 1000 yards. Three other cannon fired from the Union right as well so the Federals were hit with a cross
fire from guns placed in position at the edge of some woods. The first intimation the Yankees had of the presence of the rebel battery was when a shower of missiles came rattling over their heads. For a few minutes the rebels worked their guns quite quickly, but their range was off so
only one bluecoat was wounded.
Immediately Stoneman directed Dennison's section from the road at the top of the hill to the left side of the road. In a few seconds this was done, and the pieces opened upon Rosser who was posted at a little greater elevation in full view. A few rounds from Dennison's pieces caused Rosser to withdraw behind the hill upon which his gun was situated. From this position the Confederates continued firing for about half an hour, but all their projectiles passed over Dennison's section and did no damage.
Meanwhile the remaining four pieces of Tidball's battery (page 656 ends), the right section, under First Lieutenant and Brevet Captain Pennington, and the center, under Second Lieutenant Clarke-were posted on the east side of Bell's Creek. They too opened fire on the Confederate guns.
The section under Lieutenant Dennison fired 74 shots; the other two sections fired 25 together.
Rosser's gun was completely sheltered and lost no casualties. About sundown he withdrew the piece. The Troup Artillery, with three pieces, which were also on the ground, withdrew during the night, leaving only Captain Rosser's one gun and a howitzer, from the Wise Artillery, to
defend the position.
During the engagement with the batteries, four squadrons of the rebel cavalry and one regiment of their infantry issued from the woods and made a movement as if to flank the Federal right. Companies B and H, of the Sixth United States Cavalry, and A and C, of the Second Rhode Island Regiment, advanced to meet them, but before they could get within rifle shot of the rebels they suddenly wheeled, and returned to the woods. The Federals then crossed the bridge and took a position near the batteries, ready to oppose the rebels, should they attempt a second attack.
The Federals also essayed a flanking movement. To the right of the bridge there was a deep ravine, swampy and miry, which entered a swamp at right angles. The rebel guns commanded the bridge so Davidson sent Col. James B. McKean and his 77th New York up the ravine with orders to flank the rebel left. Deploying the regiment as skirmishers, he pushed through
the ravine and into a swamp which he followed for about a mile. He then ascended the bank and moved back to the left toward the bridge, only to find that the rebels had retired to Mechanicsville.
Wheeler's Battery E, 1st NY Artillery remained in reserve during the cannonade until about 6 p. m., when by General Davidson's order he went into battery on the ridge near the house, covering the ground to the right and front. At dark he crossed the stream and went into battery on a steep bank, relieving Dennison's section of horse artillery there, and remaining in battery during the night of the 23d. After Dennison silenced Rosser's guns Stoneman turned the affair over to
Davidson. Satisfied the enemy had not evacuated the village, and knowing nothing of the approaches to it nor of their force, he postponed further operations until daybreak of the next morning.
After the fighting ended, Magruder wrote to Johnston, "I am satisfied he will attack that place in force, and that he has been making his preparations to-day. I therefore think he will overcome our small force, of say, 3,000 men, but I think that, if I am permitted to throw over now one-half of McLaws command and the rest of Jones except a regiment and plenty of artillery to hold the crests at each place, we sill obtain a victory which may derange his plans."
Magruder was not allowed to send reinforcements. Robertson and Rosser were on their own.
Before daylight three companies of Colonel Joseph W. Corning's Thirty-third New York advanced in a skirmish line over gradually rising farmland paralleling the road until they reached a crest one quarter mile from the town at dawn. They were two hundred yards of Mechanicsville
when they spotted Roberton's forces, who had fallen back during the night, drawn up in the principal street, and in a neighboring grove. They discovered a body of Robertson's skirmishers moving rapidly south down the turnpike. Colonel Corning ordered the skirmishers to fire upon
them, and they broke and ran, filing to the left, under cover of a dwelling-house and out buildings which were only 50 yards from his skirmishers.
Corning soon ascertained that the enemy had a much larger force than first supposed, including some cavalry, and that they were concealed in and behind every building, from housetops, behind the fences, and some in trees, from which they kept up a brisk fire. He ordered his skirmishers to fall back about twenty yards under cover of the hill. According to Corning rebel artillery also opened fire upon him but other accounts to not support this claim.
Heavy skirmishing with musketry continued for about half an hour. A new phase of the battle began when the howitzer opened upon a house that Federals were hiding in and behind. They were soon put to flight. (Robertson) Davidson countered by ordering Wheeler to put one piece of artillery to the right of the road and open fire on the two Confederate cannon in the village at a range of 1600 yards. The gun also fired on a group of Confederates in line of battle on the other side of the Chickahominy 3000 yards away and dispersed them. Soon Wheeler added two more pieces to the task of shelling the two Confederate guns. Wheeler's three cannon were unable to suppress Rosser's two cannon, so Davidson moved the battery to the right of the skirmish line and sent back to General Stoneman for a section of horse artillery. Stoneman promptly dispatched Captain Pennington's section of Tidball's battery.
Davidson ordered Pennington to take position on the left of the road in a wheat field, which gradually sloped up toward the houses in which Roberton's infantry was concealed, the highest point of the slope being about 200 yards from the buildings. Before entering the field
Pennington's cannoneers tore down a fence and then the section started up the slope at a trot until they reached the top of the raise, when Pennington brought the section into battery. The enemy opening a brisk fire upon them as soon as they appeared above the rise, the limbers were sent under cover of the slope and opened a well directed and deliberate fire of canister upon the buildings.
After Pennington had fired a few rounds of canister the enemy opened a section of artillery upon him, some of the shot striking very near the battery. He directed one of the guns upon the spot where he supposed the enemy's guns to be situated and fired three shells, each of which burst
apparently near the enemy's battery. After the third shot the enemy ceased firing and removed their pieces. The other piece in the mean time kept up a rapid fire upon different parts of the village and the woods adjacent, riflemen in the buildings keeping up all this time a brisk fire
(page 657 ends) upon them. Finding that his ammunition was getting low Pennington sent back for the limbers of the caissons, which were promptly sent, and arrived when much needed. The enemy under the heavy fire kept up upon them were finally compelled to evacuate the town, and Pennington received an order from General Davidson to cease firing and remain in battery.
At daybreak Davidson had placed the rest of his brigade in position for the coming battle about 300 yards in advance of their camp of the night before. The Seventy-seventh New York occupied the field on the right of the road. It was flanked by on the right by the Forty-Ninth New York and on the left by the Seventh Maine. The Thirty-Third New York was stationed behind the Seventy-seventh, supporting it. Thus there were three regiments and four pieces of artillery facing Robertson's left flank.
About an hour after the first shot was fired Davidson's brigade moved forward to the crest of the hill. Here they halted and lay down to avoid the, shells, canister and cannon balls fired by Rosser. Robertson sent an observer to the top of a house by means of a ladder, and learned that two regiments of infantry and three pieces of artillery were marching to his left. He ordered the Ninth Georgia Regiment, under Colonel R. A. Turnipseed, forward to prevent his left flank being turned, but at that moment the enemy's artillery in that direction opened such a galling fire upon the howitzer that it was compelled to retire.
Robertson then ordered the whole line to fall back some 300 yards to a sheltered position in the woods, leaving the skirmishers to cover this movement, which they did effectually. The fighting had been kept up for about four hours, and the retirement was made in perfect order, and a new
line of battle on the skirts of the woods rapidly established, under a terrible fire from the enemy's cannon, at a very short range. As soon as our two pieces had fairly commenced a rapid exchange of shots Robertson received from Magruder an order to withdraw to the other side of the
Chickahominy, which he did without loss.
Captain Rosser then rode over to the howitzer and directed its removal to the rear of the village. Whilst thus engaged, a shell exploded in the midst of the party, wounding Capt. R and three members of the Wise Artillery. The piece was successfully removed, with the rifle gun, in the direction of Meadow Bridge. Soon after the withdrawal of these guns, the Yankees entered Mechanicsville, and cheered lustily at their success, which they will probably magnify into a great victory, and the occupation of a town. Mechanicsville consisted of about five houses.
Captain Rosser was wounded in the right arm above the elbow, the fragment of the projectile lacerating the flesh. He remained at his post until the guns were removed, and then came to the city. Soon the heavy fire caused the Confederates to leave the town and retreat south along the Mechanicsville Turnpike. Seeing this Gen. Davidson ordered a charge; when the Thirty-third - and Seventy-seventh gallantly charged down upon the place, driving everything before them.
The streets of the village were strewn with about one hundred knapsacks, and various small articles, such as miniatures, pin cushions, needle cases &c, which are usually carried by the soldier. The most important article which the rebels left, however, was a guidon which the Federals believed belonged to one of the cavalry regiments. It was made of bunting and bore the inscription, "Victory or Death."
At about noon, Companies C, E, G and K of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, under command of Maj. Glendanin, proceeded on the road leading to Ashland, a distance of three miles from Mechanicsville, for the purpose of destroying the culvert and bridges on the Fredericksburg Railroad, thereby cutting off com {column 4 ends) munication between the rebel forces near Fredericksburg and Richmond. They succeeded in destroying the culvert, but the bridge having been protected by a strong force of artillery, was allowed to remain, for the time being, and the main force returned to camp.
POSTSCRIPT:
As part of his scheme to shift his base of operations to the James on May 20th McClellan ordered Casey's division to cross the river and establish a bridgehead south of the river. On the 23rd the main body of Keys' IV Corps crossed the river. The following day - the 24th - Casey's division advanced in the direction of Seven Pines and the day after this McClellan sent Heintzelman's III Corps across the river as well.
McClellan wanted to link up with McDowell and expected to do so around the 24th, so he had veered off of the direct approach to Richmond and followed the road around the city to the north. On the 24th Lincoln had first indicated that McDowell would still be enroute and he asked McClellan to cut Southern supply lines north, ie bridges and rail lines and also threaten the Southern troops blocking McDowell. Later that same day Lincoln sent another telegram that McDowell would not be coming but Mac hung his hopes on Lincoln's wording, that the movement of McDowell was "suspended, not revoked, and therefore I was not at liberty to
abandon the northern approach.” So he wanted to cut the RR and force Anderson from his position in front of McDowell. This was the idea that dictated his planning through Hanover CH and the end of the month.
On May 24th, the same day as the skirmish at Mechanicsville McClellan learned that Jackson's operations in the Shenandoah Valley had caused Lincoln and Stanton to cancel McDowell's orders to join him. However, McClellan hoped that his superiors would change their minds, so he retained three corps - six divisions of his army - on the other side of the Chickahominy. This was McClellan's dilemma. He wanted McDowell badly enough that he retained most of his army on the far side of the river. He wanted to operate against Richmond badly enough that he
maintained two corps south of the river. His divided army was too tempting a prize for Johnston to pass up and led to the Battle of Seven Pines seven days later.
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Union Reports
Report of Brigadier General John W. Davidson,
U. S. Army, commanding brigade.
HEADQUARTERS THIRD BRIGADE, SMITH'S DIVISION,
Camp near New Bridge, Chickahominy River, Va., May 26, 1862.
I have to make the following report of the affair at Mechanicsville, Va., on the morning of the 24th:
About noon on the 23rd instant I received orders from you to move my brigade and Wheeler's battery up to Mechanicsville and occupy that point to protect the rear of General Stoneman's advance, which was to operate on the railroad. On the arrival of General Stoneman at Brandy Run Bridge, about one mile this side of the village, he found the enemy in position on this side of the village, who opened upon him with their battery.
After an artillery combat of about half an hour's duration he silenced their battery and turned the affair over to me. I and being satisfied the enemy had not evacuated the village, and knowing nothing of the approaches to it nor of their force, I determined to postpone further operations until daybreak of the next morning. On advancing my pickets about 600 yards were fired upon by those of the enemy. At daylight in the morning I attacked the village. The enemy opened upon us at the same time with their artillery and infantry, who fired upon our advanced lines from the houses, barns, trees, and hedges. I advanced my battery of four pieces a section at a time, and finding it was difficult to silence the enemy's guns with four pieces, I sent back to General Stoneman for a section of horse artillery, who promptly sent up Captain Pennington's
section of Tidball's battery. As soon as it arrived I threw forward my whole line of skirmishers, pushed forward my pieces upon the enemy, properly supported, to within between 300 and 400 yards of the village, and concentrating my fire, silenced their pieces and drove them out of
the houses. As soon as I saw this being accomplished the Seventy-seventh New York Volunteers, Colonel James B. McKean commanding, which had occupied during the engagement the road on the right of the village, was thrown into it upon the heels of the retreating enemy, who in their
flight left behind them a part of their knapsacks and a flag of one of that the force opposed to us was the Eight and Ninth Georgia Regiments, numbering, one, 700, and the other, 800 men; two sections of the Washington Light Artillery of Louisiana, and a squadron of cavalry.
The Seventh Maine and Forty-ninth New York Vols., of my brigade, were posted on the right and left of the road, supporting batteries. Part of the Thirty-third New York Vols. formed of the regiment was held in reserve. My casualties were 2 killed and 11 wounded; 1 artillery horse
killed and 1 wounded.
All my officers and men behaved with great coolness under fire. The enemy's artillery practice and that of their sharpshooters was good. I regret to say that Colonel E. C. Mason, commanding the Seventh Maine Volunteers, was stunned and injured in the early part of the action by a
fall from his horse, caused by the explosion of a shell under him. His valuable services were thus lost to me. Lieutenant Colonel J. W. Corning, Thirty-third New York Volunteers, rendered me valuable services in command of my advanced line of skirmishers. My staff, Captain Martindale, Captain Russell, Lieutenants Long Cameron, and McGunnegle, were active during the engagement. (page 655 ends)
Besides the force at the village the enemy had in sight during the day at different time a disposable force of three regiments of infantry to our left on the Richmond road, and two regiments of infantry and three pieces of artillery on our left and rear across the Chickahominy. During the engagement opened fire upon us from a battery on the Richmond road, but their shots fell short.
After occupying the village I drove their skirmishers across the bridge over the Chickahominy on the Dispatch road to Richmond and cut the nearest bay across the river. I would especially mention to the commanding general the dashing conduct of Captain Wheeler, of the New
York battery, and Captain Pennington, of Tidball's regular battery.
I am, sir, your most obedient servant,
J. W. DAVIDSON,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Captain L. D. H. CURRIE,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Smith's Division.
OR Vol. 11, Pt. 1, pp. 655-656
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Report of Captain John C. Tidball,
Second U. S. Artillery.
CAMP NEAR MECHANICSVILLE, VA.,
May 25, 1862.
COLONEL: I have the honor to report that about 12 m. on the 23rd instant my battery was ordered from its camp near New Bridge, over the Chickahominy River, for the purpose of shelling the ground occupied by the enemy in the vicinity of that bridge. The pieces were placed in battery near the mansion of Dr. Gaines, and from there opened a steady and well-directed fire on the point indicated.
The enemy made no reply, but from the report of those in the balloon, fled from their position. After firing 93 rounds the battery was withdrawn, and a few minutes afterward started on its march toward Mechanicsville. A few rods after the head of the column, of which the left section of my battery constituted an advanced portion had passed the bridge over Bell's creek, several cannon-shots were fired by the enemy from pieces on the eminence immediately in our front.
Immediately the commanding general (Stoneman) directed the leading section to be brought in battery on the top of the hill, which from the winding of the road was upon the left hand. In a few seconds this was done, and the pieces opened upon a section of the enemy posted at a little greater elevation, in full view and about 1,000 yards distant. A few rounds from my pieces caused them to withdraw behind the hill upon which they were situated. From this position they continued firing for about half an hour, but all their projectiles passed over my section and
did no damage. This section was commanded by First Lieutenant Dennison, Second Artillery, and it gives me much pleasure to testify to the skill and ability with which he managed it under fire. The non-commissioned officers and privates of this section also did their duty nobly. Having a scarcity of cannoneers, the drivers voluntarily dismounted and assisted at the service of their guns. Private Keck was most conspicuous in this duty. The remaining four pieces of my (page 656 ends) battery-the right section, under First Lieutenant and Brevet Captain Pennington, and the center, under Second Lieutenant Clarke-were posted under your immediate directions on the other side of Bell's Creek from that upon which was stationed the section of Lieutenant Dennison. From this position they kept up for some time a fire upon the enemy, and owing to the nature of the ground and their distance were particularly exposed to the missiles of the enemy, but fortunately no injury whatever was sustained. The section under Lieutenant Dennison fired 74 shots; the other two sections fired 25 together.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNumbers C. TIDBALL,
Captain, Second Artillery, Commanding Horse
Company A.
Lieut. Colonel WILLIAM HAYS, Commanding Horse Brigade
OR Vol. 11, Pt. 1, pp. 656-657
----------------------------------------
Report of Lieutenant Alexander C. M. Pennington,
Second U. S. Artillery.
MECHANICSVILLE, VA., May 26, 1862.
CAPTAIN: My section having been detached from the battery on the morning of the 24th instant to join Brigadier-General Davidson, at his ardent request for a section of flying artillery, he being then engaged with the enemy who occupied the village of Mechanicsville in force with infantry
and artillery, I have the honor to make the following report a. m. on the 24th until I rejoined the battery at 12 o'clock m. on the 25th:
Immediately upon leaving you I started the section at a brisk trot down the road toward the scene of action, and when I arrived about 1,000 yards from the village I halted my section in a field upon the right-hand side of the road until I could find General Davidson, which I soon did, and
asked him where he wished me to place my guns. I had sent one of my cannoneers on ahead to inform General Davidson that the section was on its way to join him, and when I arrived he had already selected the spot from which I was to open. It was in a wheat field, which gradually sloped up toward the houses in which the enemy was concealed, the highest point of the slope being about 200 yards from the building. Before entering the field a fence had to be taken down, for which purpose General Davidson sent for some infantry, but as they were some distance off I dismounted my cannoneers to avoid delay. After tearing down a sufficient amount I mounted the cannoneers and started the section up the slope at a trot until I reached the top of the raise, when I brought the section into battery. The enemy opening a brisk fire upon us as soon as we appeared above the rise, I sent my limbers will back under cover of the slope and opened a well directed and deliberate fire of canister upon the buildings.
After I had fired a few rounds of canister the enemy opened a section of artillery upon us, some of the shot striking very near the battery. I directed one of my guns upon the spot where I supposed the enemy's guns to be situated and fired three shells, each of which burst apparently
near the enemy's battery. After my third shot the enemy ceased firing and removed their pieces. My other piece in the mean time kept up a rapid fire upon different parts of the village and the woods adjacent, riflemen in the buildings keeping up all this time a brisk fire (page 657 ends)
upon us. Finding that my ammunition was getting low I sent back to you for the limbers of the caissons, which were promptly sent, and arrived when much needed. The enemy under the heavy fire kept up upon them were finally compelled to evacuate the town, and I received an order from General Davidson to cease firing and remain in battery till further orders. A heavy rain set in just as I commenced firing and did not cease during the action. The firing notwithstanding was well kept up. An examination of the buildings were completely riddled with shell and canister. After the village had been occupied by our troops General Davidson ordered me to place one of my guns in the village to sweep the roads leading to the bridges and the other he wished to go with him. He told me that I could either stay with the gun in the village or accompany that which went with him. Preferring to remain in the village, I sent the
other gun under its chief of piece, Corporal [William] Mathes, with General Davidson. I remained in the village on picket duty during the night, and the next morning my other gun, which had been actively employed under fire during its absence, joined me by order of General
Davidson. General Davidson spoke very highly of the services rendered by the piece while with him. After this piece joined me it was placed at the junction of the Ashland and Richmond road crossed it. At 12 m. I was relieved by order of General Stoneman, and returned to the battery.
It gives me much pleasure to state that the men served the guns with alacrity, coolness, and ability. Sergt. [William] Brauns and Corporal Mathes deserve a great deal of credit for the manner in which they handled their pieces. I fired during the action 58 rounds. Corporal
Mathes while detached fired 47 rounds, but replenished his limbers from the caisson.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. C. M. PENNINGTON,
First Lieutenant and Brevet Captain, Second Artillery.
Captain J. C. TIDBALL, Commanding Light Co. A, Second Artillery.
OR Vol. 11, Pt. 1, pp. 657-658
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Report of Captain Charles C. Wheeler,
Battery E, First New York Light Artillery.
CAMP SEVEN MILES FROM RICHMOND,
General Smith's Division, May 26, 1862.
CAPTAIN: In accordance with orders from Captain Ayres, chief of artillery, General Smith's division, I reported to General Davidson, commanding Third Brigade, with the brigade to the position taken by it near a branch of the Chickahominy, remaining in reserve during the
cannonade that took place that afternoon near said branch until about 6 p. m., when by General Davidson's order I went into battery on a ridge covering the ground to the right and front. Just about dark we crossed the stream and went into battery on a steep bank, relieving a section of
horse artillery there, and remaining in battery during the night of the 23d. (page 658 ends)
Early on the morning of the 24th, by ordered of General Davidson, I sent one piece of artillery to the right of the road leading to Mechanicsville, under charge of Lieutenant Parker, who opened fire upon two pieces of artillery in the village at a distance of about 1,600 yards, apparently with good effect, and after firing two shells at a body of troops drawn up in line of battle across the Chickahominy, at a distance of about 3,000 yards, causing them thereby to change their position for one less exposed, I opened fire with two pieces on the troops of the enemy occupying Mechanicsville, keeping one piece in reserve. The fire from the two pieces was quite effective, as the enemy quickly and repeatedly changed the position of his pieces and finally for a while ceased firing. The general then ordered the entire battery to the right of the road and to a position 800 yards nearer the village, when we opened a heavy fire upon the houses and woods in rear, occupied by the enemy, and advanced by half battery until we were within about 500 yards of the village and keeping up the fire until the enemy retreated. The houses were much cut up and torn by our shells. When the infantry took possession of the village were went into battery on the left of the road on a ridge commanding there until about 4 p. m., when by order of General Davidson I placed the battery in position near the place first occupied by it on the 23d, and commanding the road and country toward Mechanicsville. I remained in battery here until the morning of the 25th, when by order of the general I placed the battery on the left of the road near the bridge crossing the branch near the mill, one section commanding the country toward the Chickahominy and one section to enfilade the road leading to the bridge. Here I remained until about 5 p. m., when by order of General Davidson I proceeded to Mechanicsville, placing one section to command the road leading from the village to the right and leaving one piece in reserve. We remained here in battery until the morning of the 26th, when, after firing two percussion shells at a body of troops across the Chickahominy, distant some 2,800 yards, exploding both shells directly in front of them and putting them into some confusion, by ordered of the general I returned to camp. I have lost no men killed or wounded. I have lost no men killed or
wounded. I have lost one horse killed by cannon-shot and one wounded by rifle-ball.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CHAS. C. WHEELER,
Captain, Commanding Battery E, First New York Artillery.
Captain MARTINDALE,
A. A. G. to General Davidson, commanding Third Brigadier
OR Vol. 11, Pt. 1, pp. 658-659
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Report of Lieutenant Colonel Selden Connor,
Seventh Maine Infantry.
CAMP OF SEVENTH MAINE VOLUNTEERS,
Third Brigade, Smith's Division, May 26, 1862.
SIR: I have the honor to report that on the morning of the 24th instant, the date of the affair at Mechanicsville, I received orders to join my regiment with the three companies of it which under my command had been doing picket duty the previous night. I found the regiment at about 6
o'clock a. m., and immediately took command, as Colonel (page 659 ends) Mason had been disabled a few minutes before by a fall from his horse. The regiment was in line of battle behind a ditch and thicket on the extreme left of our line, and about 300 yards in advance of its bivouac
the night before. In obedience to orders, received after remaining in this position about an hour, I moved forward in line of battle 200 yards, and halted, ordering my men to sit down, in order to avoid the balls which came over the crest of the hill from the enemy's skirmishers. At the expiration of twenty or thirty minutes I moved the regiment farther to the front and a little to the right, into the open field, to support the skirmishers of the Forty-ninth New York, which were only 50 yards in front of me, on the crest of the hill intervening between my regiment and the enemy, located in the skirts of the village. Here we were much exposed, the hill not being high enough to shield us from the enemy's sharpshooters, who fired upon us from trees and housetops. The bullets fell thickly around the regiment, but fortunately one man only was wounded, and he slightly, although several had their clothing pierced.
Soon after, in obedience to orders, I detached Company G, Lieutenant Johnson commanding, to support two guns, which were posted by General Davidson in person upon the crest of the hill, thus securing so short and direct a range that the enemy was soon dislodged and forced to retreat.
As soon as the enemy started to leave I was ordered to the top of the hill, when the action, so far as I saw, ceased. My men did not have an opportunity to fire a shot, but they were cool and steady under a fire which they could not return.
Respectfully submitted.
SELDEN CONNOR,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Seventh Maine Volunteers.
Lieutenant WILLIAM H. LONG,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Third Brigade.
OR Vol. 11, Pt. 1, pp. 659-660
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Report of Lieutenant Colonel Joseph W. Corning,
Thirty-third New York Infantry.
CAMP IN THE FIELD, May 26, 1862.
GENERAL: I have to report that, in obedience to orders from you on the morning of 24th of May instant, I detached Companies B, G, and K, of the Thirty-third Regiment New York State Volunteers, and marched them a short distance in advance of the leading regiment of the brigade, and there deployed Company K, commanded by Captain Patrick McGraw, Lieutenant B. Byrne, to the right of the road running westerly to Mechanicsville, and Company B, commanded, by Lieutenant H. H. Draime, Lieutenant John W. Corning, Company G, Captain T. B. Hamilton, Lieutenant A. E. Eustaphieve, being placed near the center of the line and about 50 yards was made to the village. The march was over cleared fields, the ground gradually ascending.
Near sunrise, as the line of skirmishers arrived upon the crest of the hill, about 200 yards to the eastward of the turnpike, we discovered a body of infantry moving rapidly south down the turnpike. I ordered the skirmishers to fire upon them, when they broke and ran, filing to the
left, under cover of a dwelling-house and out buildings, of which there was a continuous line, to within 50 yards of the position then oc- (page 661 ends) cupied by my skirmishers, and at the same time, a piece of artillery opened from the woods on the right of Dr.______'s house and
another opened fire on my right from a position to the north of that house. I soon ascertained that the enemy had a much larger force than I at first supposed, including some cavalry, and that they were concealed in and behind every building, behind the fences, and some in trees, from
which cover they kept up a brisk fire, and at the same time, were so concealed that allowed the skirmishers to fall back about 20 yards, in order that they might get under cover of the hill. As soon as the artillery got began to leave them rapidly, and soon after appeared to be retreating. I then moved the line of skirmishers up to the crest of the hill, and as I saw the Seventy-seventh New York Volunteers advancing on double quick I ordered on my men, arriving in the place simultaneously with that regiment, and found the place entirely vacated by the enemy. I
immediately changed the front of the line of skirmishers to the left, and advanced them southerly to about half-way from the village to the Chickahominy and halted, where we remained until late in the day we were relieved by the picket guard.
The officers of the several companies discharged companies discharged their duty with much deliberation and bravery, and the men generally stood the severe fire to which they were for a time entirely exposed remarkably well. The casualties of my command on that day were 1 private killed, 1 sergeant and 2 privates wounded, of Company K, and 1 private of Company G wounded. Several others had their clothes perforated with balls, and some guns were damaged.
JOS. W. CORNING,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Thirty-third Regiment New York Vols.
OR Vol. 11, pt. 1, pp. 660--661
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Reports of Colonel James B. McKean,
Seventy-seventh New York Infantry.
HDQRS. SEVENTY-SEVENTH Regiment N. Y. S. VOLS,
Near Mechanicsville, Va., May 26, 1862.
SIR: I have the honor to report that on the afternoon of Friday, May 23 instant, this regiment and the rest of the Third Brigade, Smith's division, advanced toward Richmond by the road leading through Mechanicsville, and when we were between 2 and 3 miles from and in front of that village we were fired upon by the enemy's artillery, stationed in a field by the side of the road about half a mile in front of us. The position of the enemy commanded the bridge by which we were to cross a portion of the Chickahominy swamp. A deep ravine, swampy and miry, lay on
our right, and entering the swamp mentioned above nearly at right angles. In obedience to the commands of Brigadier-General Davidson I deployed my regiment as skirmishers and pushed through the miry ravine on our right into and through the field beyond. Then sweeping around to the left, we skirmished through the first-mentioned swamp about a mile to the right of
the bridge-a swamp through which it was impossible to the right of the field and staff, and where I, my officers and men, sand deep in the mud and water. On ascending the (page 661 ends) opposite side and moving to the left toward the bridge I found that the enemy had retired to
Mechanicsville, more than a mile farther back. I here rejoined the rest of the brigade that had crossed by the brigade.
It was now, and for some time had been, quite dark. I threw out, by General Davidson's directions, two companies of pickets, and were several times fired upon by them during the night. Shots were thus received as late as 2 o'clock on the morning of the 24th. The rest of the regiment slept on their arms. at daybreak on the next morning the brigade was placed in position for battle. By the order of General Davidson I put my regiment in line of battle in an open field to the right of the road and moved it forward toward the village. On approaching the summit of a
gentle acclivity about a quarter of a mile in front of the village the enemy opened upon us with shell, canister, and solid, and solid shot. The men did not recoil, but continued to advance. By General Davidson' order I soon halted the regiment, the fire of the enemy continuing and
increasing. I then commanded, "Down, men! down" when the men fell to the ground, and the shot of the enemy passed over them, doing little damage. At length, by the command of General Davidson, for the double purpose of giving place to Wheeler's battery and taking a less exposed position, I moved the regiment some 20 or 30 rods to the right, and halted in a gentle hollow in the field, receiving several discharges of canister and shell from the enemy's guns while moving to and after taking that position.
Wheeler's battery then most effectually riddled the village, driving the enemy's sharpshooters out of the buildings, and causing his artillery to reply at longer and still longer intervals until it was silent. General Davidson then commanded me to charge upon, seize, and hold the village.
Breaking my regiment into column by companies I put them on a double-quick, and with a prolonged and defiant shout they rushed toward the village and the foe. The enemy's artillery dashed down the road toward Richmond; his infantry, many of the men throwing off their
knapsacks, ran across a broad field in rear of the village and into the wood. The village and the enemy's position were taken. Two of my companies, deployed as skirmishers, followed the retreating enemy through the field and through the adjoining wood. We had that pleasure of
capturing an artillery or cavalry flag from the enemy. It is the "Stars and Bars," and bears the motto, "Victory of death.” We took one prisoner, who wounded so late in the engagement that he had not been sent to the rear.
I ought not to conclude this report without expressing my conviction that had the plans and orders of the general commanding been less skillful and considerate this regiment would have to mourn some scores of slain, whereas it sustained a loss of 1 killed and 6 wounded.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAS. B. McKEAN,
Colonel Seventy-seventh Regiment N. Y. S. Volunteers.
Lieutenant WILLIAM H. LONG.
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
OR Vol. 11, Pt. 1, 661-662
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