Lee’s orders were as follows:—­’Headquarters, Army of Northern Virginia, June 24, 1862.  General Orders, No. 75.

“I.—­General Jackson’s command will proceed to-morrow (June 25) from Ashland towards the Slash (Merry Oaks) 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 Pole 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 at 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 of the bridge being 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 en 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 endeavour 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 towards Cold Harbour.  They will then press forward towards the York River Railroad, closing upon the enemy’s rear, and forcing him down the Chickahominy.  An advance of the enemy towards 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 position 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.

“III.—­General Stuart, with the 1st, 4th, and 9th Virginia Cavalry, the cavalry of Cobb’s Legion, and the Jeff Davis Legion, will cross the Chickahominy to-morrow (Wednesday, June 25), and take position to the left of General Jackson’s line of march.  The main body will be held in reserve, with scouts well extended to the front and left.  General Stuart will keep General Jackson informed of the movements of the enemy on his left, and will cooperate with him in his advance.”

June 25.