Lee’s general order directing the movement of the troops is here given.  It possesses interest as a clear and detailed statement of his intended operations; and it will be seen that what was resolved on by the commander in his tent, his able subordinates translated detail by detail, with unimportant modifications, into action, under his eyes in the field: 

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,

June 24, 1862.

GENERAL ORDERS No. 75.

I. General Jackson’s command will proceed to-morrow from Ashland toward the Slash Church, and encamp at some convenient point west of the Central Railroad.  Branch’s brigade, of A.P.  Hill’s division, will also, to-morrow evening, take position on the Chickahominy, near Half Sink.  At three o’clock Thursday morning, 26th instant, General Jackson will advance on the road leading to Pale Green Church, communicating his march to General Branch, who will immediately cross the Chickahominy, and take the road leading to Mechanicsville.  As soon as the movements of these columns are discovered, General A.P.  Hill, with the rest of his division, will cross the Chickahominy near Meadow Bridge, and move direct upon Mechanicsville.  To aid his advance, the heavy batteries on the Chickahominy will at the proper time open upon the batteries at Mechanicsville.  The enemy being driven from Mechanicsville, and the passage across the bridge opened, General Longstreet, with his division and that of General D.H.  Hill, will cross the Chickahominy at or near that point—­General D.H.  Hill moving to the support of General Jackson, and General Longstreet supporting General A.P.  Hill—­the four divisions keeping in communication with each other, and moving in echelon on separate roads, if practicable; the left division in advance, with skirmishers and sharp-shooters extending in their front, will sweep down the Chickahominy and endeavor to drive the enemy from his position above New Bridge; General Jackson, bearing well to his left, turning Beaver Dam Creek, and taking the direction toward Cold Harbor.  They will then press forward toward York River Railroad, closing upon the enemy’s rear and forcing him down the Chickahominy.  Any advance of the enemy toward Richmond will be prevented by vigorously following his rear, and crippling and arresting his progress.

II.  The divisions under Generals Huger and Magruder will hold their positions in front of the enemy against attack, and make such demonstrations, Thursday, as to discover his operations.  Should opportunity offer, the feint will be converted into a real attack; and, should an abandonment of his intrenchments by the enemy be discovered, he will be closely pursued.

III.  The Third Virginia cavalry will observe the Charles City road.  The Fifth Virginia, the First North Carolina, and the Hampton Legion cavalry will observe the Darbytown, Varina, and Osborne roads.  Should a movement of the enemy, down the Chickahominy, be discovered, they will close upon his flank, and endeavor to arrest his march.