(Map of the battle of Gaines’ mill)

CHAPTER 2.14.

The seven days. 
Frayser’s farm and Malvern hill.

June 28, 1862.

The battle of Gaines’ Mill, although the assailants suffered heavier losses than they inflicted, was a long step towards accomplishing the deliverance of Richmond.  One of McClellan’s five army corps had been disposed of, a heavy blow had been struck at the morale of his whole army, and his communications with the White House and the Pamunkey were at the mercy of his enemies.  Still the Confederate outlook was not altogether clear.  It is one thing to win a victory, but another to make such use of it as to annihilate the enemy.  Porter’s defeat was but a beginning of operations; and although Lee was convinced that McClellan would retreat, he was by no means so certain that his escape could be prevented.  Yet this was essential.  If the Federal army were suffered to fall back without incurring further loss, it would be rapidly reinforced from Washington, and resuming the advance, this time with still larger numbers, might render Gaines’ Mill a barren victory.  How to compass the destruction of McClellan’s host was the problem that now confronted the Confederate leader; and before a plan could be devised it was necessary to ascertain the direction of the retreat.

On the morning of June 28 it was found that no formed body of Federal troops remained north of the Chickahominy.  French, Meagher, and Sykes, the regulars forming the rear-guard, had fallen back during the night and destroyed the bridges.  Hundreds of stragglers were picked up, and one of the most gallant of the Northern brigadiers* (* General Reynolds.) was found asleep in the woods, unaware that his troops had crossed the stream.  No further fighting was to be expected on the plateau.  But it was possible that the enemy might still endeavour to preserve his communications, marching by the south bank of the river and recrossing by the railway and Bottom’s Bridges.  Stuart, supported by Ewell, was at once ordered to seize the former; but when the cavalry reached Dispatch Station, a small Federal detachment retreated to the south bank of the Chickahominy and fired the timbers.

Meanwhile, from the field of Gaines’ Mill, long columns of dust, rising above the forests to the south, had been descried, showing that the enemy was in motion; and when the news came in that the railway bridge had been destroyed, and that the line itself was unprotected, it was at once evident that McClellan had abandoned his communications with White House.