forward with the impetuous ardour of young soldiers.  If he yielded to the excitement of the moment, if eagerness for battle overpowered his judgment, if his brain refused to work calmly in the wild tumult of the conflict, he is hardly to be blamed.  The patience which is capable of resisting the eagerness of the troops, the imperturbable judgment which, in the heat of action, weighs with deliberation the necessities of the moment, the clear vision which forecasts the result of every movement—­these are rare qualities indeed.

During the night Porter fell back on Gaines’ Mill.  While the engagement at Beaver Dam Creek was still in progress vast clouds of dust, rising above the forests to the north-west and north, had betrayed the approach of Jackson, and the reports of the cavalry left no doubt that he was threatening the Federal rear.

The retreat was conducted in good order, a strong rear-guard, reinforced by two batteries of horse-artillery, holding the Confederates in check, and before morning a second position, east of Powhite Creek, and covering two bridges over the Chickahominy, Alexander’s and Grapevine, was occupied by the Fifth Army Corps.

New Bridge was now uncovered, and Lee’s army was in motion shortly after sunrise, Jackson crossing Beaver Dam Creek and moving due south in the direction of Walnut Grove Church.* (* Jackson’s division—­so-called in Lee’s order—­really consisted of three divisions:  Whiting’s Division:  Hood’s Brigade, Law’s Brigade.  Jackson’s [Winder] Division:  Stonewall Brigade, Cunningham’s Brigade, Fulkerson’s Brigade, Lawton’s Brigade.  Ewell’s Division:  B.T.  Johnson’ Brigade, Elzey’s Brigade, Trimble’s Brigade, Taylor’s Brigade.)

June 27, 5 A.M.

The enemy, however, had already passed eastward; and the Confederates, well concentrated and in hand, pushed forward in pursuit; A.P.  Hill, with Longstreet on his right, moving on Gaines’ Mill, while Jackson, supported by D.H.  Hill, and with Stuart covering his left, marched by a more circuitous route to Old Cold Harbour.  Near Walnut Grove Church Jackson met the Commander-in-Chief, and it is recorded that the staff officers of the Valley army, noting the eagerness displayed by General Lee’s suite to get a glimpse of Stonewall, then for the first time realised the true character and magnitude of the Valley campaign.

12 noon.

About noon, after a march of seven miles, A.P.  Hill’s scouts reported that the Federals had halted behind Powhite Creek.  The leading brigade was sent across the stream, which runs past Gaines’ Mill, and pressing through the thick woods found the enemy in great strength on a ridge beyond.  Hill formed his division for attack, and opened fire with his four batteries.  The enemy’s guns, superior in number, at once responded, and the skirmish lines became actively engaged.  The Confederate general, despite urgent messages from his subordinates, requesting permission to attack, held his troops in hand, waiting till he should be supported, and for two and a half hours the battle was no more than an affair of “long bowls.”