The amount of the Federal force has been variously stated.  The impression of the Confederates differed from the subsequent statements of Federal writers.  “The principal part of the Federal army,” says General Lee, in his report, “was now on the north side of the Chickahominy.”  The force has been placed by Northern writers at only thirty, or at most thirty-five thousand.  If this was the whole number of troops engaged, from first to last, in the battle, the fact is highly creditable to the Federal arms, as the struggle was long doubtful.  No doubt the exact truth will some day be put upon record, and justice will be done to both the adversaries.

The Federal force was commanded by the brave and able General Fitz-John Porter, with General Morell commanding his right, General Sykes his left, and General McCall forming a second line.  Slocum’s division, and the brigades of Generals French and Meagher, afterward reenforced Porter, who now prepared, with great coolness, for the Confederate attack.

The moment had come.  A.P.  Hill, pressing forward rapidly, with Longstreet’s division on the right, reached Cold Harbor, in front of the Federal centre, about noon.  Hill immediately attacked, and an engagement of the most obstinate character ensued.  General Lee, accompanied by General Longstreet, had ridden from his headquarters, on the Nine-mile road, to the scene of action, and now witnessed in person the fighting of the troops, who charged under his eye, closing in in a nearly hand-to-hand conflict with the enemy.  This was, no doubt, the first occasion on which a considerable portion of the men had seen him—­certainly in battle—­and that air of supreme calmness which always characterized him in action must have made a deep impression upon them.  He was clad simply, and wore scarcely any badges of rank.  A felt hat drooped low over the broad forehead, and the eyes beneath were calm and unclouded.  Add a voice of measured calmness, the air of immovable composure which marked the erect military figure, evidently at home in the saddle, and the reader will have a correct conception of General Lee’s personal appearance in the first of the great battles of his career.

Hill attacked with that dash and obstinacy which from this time forward characterized him, but succeeded in making no impression on the Federal line.  In every assault he was repulsed with heavy loss.  The Federal artillery, which was handled with skill and coolness, did great execution upon his column, as it rushed forward, and the infantry behind their works stood firm in spite of the most determined efforts to drive them from the ridge.  Three of Hill’s regiments reached the crest, and fought hand to hand over the breastworks, but they were speedily repulsed and driven from the crest, and, after two hours’ hard fighting, Hill found that he had lost heavily and effected nothing.