been repulsed with fearful losses; and the upper portion of the Mississippi, from the source to Memphis, had fallen under the control of the invader.  The wave of conquest, vast and irresistible, swept up every navigable river of the South; and if in the West only the outskirts of her territory were threatened with destruction, in Virginia the roar of the rising waters was heard at the very gates of Richmond.  McClellan, with 112,000 men, had occupied West Point at the head of the York River; and on May 16 his advance reached the White House, on the Pamunkey, twenty miles from the Confederate capital.  McDowell, with 40,000 men, although still north of the Rappahannock, was but five short marches distant.* (* Directly McClellan closed in on Richmond, McDowell was ordered, as soon as Shields should join him, to march from Manassas to his assistance.  Lincoln and Stanton had recovered confidence when Jackson returned to the Valley from Mechum’s Station.) The Federal gunboats were steaming up the James; and Johnston’s army, encamped outside the city, was menaced by thrice its numbers.

So black was the situation that military stores had already been removed from the capital, the archives of the Confederacy had been packed, and Mr. Davis had made arrangements for the departure of his family.  In spite of the protests of the Virginia people the Government had decided to abandon Richmond.  The General Assembly addressed a resolution to the President requiring him to defend the city, if necessary, “until not a stone was left upon another.”  The City Council, enthusiastically supported by the citizens, seconded the appeal.  A deputation was sent to Mr. Davis; but while they conferred together, a messenger rode in with the news that the mastheads of the Federal fleet could be seen from the neighbouring hills.  Davis dismissed the committee, saying:  “This manifestly concludes the matter.”

The gunboats, however, had still to feel their way up the winding reaches of the James.  Their progress was very slow; there was time to obstruct the passage, and batteries were hastily improvised.  The people made a mighty effort; and on the commanding heights of Drewry’s Bluff, six miles below the city, might be seen senators and merchants, bankers and clergymen, digging parapets and hauling timber, in company with parties of soldiers and gangs of slaves.  Heavy guns were mounted.  A great boom was constructed across the stream.  When the ships approached they were easily driven back, and men once more breathed freely in the streets of Richmond.  The example of the “Unterrified Commonwealth,” as Virginia has been proudly named, inspired the Government, and it was determined, come what might, that Richmond should be held.  On the land side it was already fortified.  But Lee was unwilling to resign himself to a siege.  McClellan had still to cross the Chickahominy, a stream which oozes by many channels through treacherous swamps and an unwholesome jungle; and despite the overwhelming numbers of the invading armies, it was still possible to strike an effective blow.