whose line of march led him directly on Savage’s Station, was delayed until after nightfall by the necessity of rebuilding the Grapevine Bridge.* (* Jackson had with him a gang of negroes who, under the superintendence of Captain Mason, a railroad contractor of long experience, performed the duties which in regular armies appertain to the corps of engineers.  They had already done useful service in the Valley.) Stuart had gone off to the White House, bent on the destruction of the enemy’s supply depot.  Longstreet and Hill encamped south-west of Charles City cross roads, but saw nothing of the enemy.  Holmes, with 6,500 men, crossed the James during the afternoon and encamped on the north bank, near Laurel Hill Church.  During the night the Federal rearguard fell back, destroying the bridge over White Oak Swamp; and although a large quantity of stores were either destroyed or abandoned, together with a hospital containing 2500 wounded, the whole of McClellan’s army, men, guns, and trains, effected the passage of this dangerous obstacle.

June 30.

The next morning Longstreet, with Hill in support, moved forward, and found a Federal division in position near Glendale.  Bringing his artillery into action, he held his infantry in hand until Huger should come up on his left, and Jackson’s guns be heard at White Oak Bridge.  Holmes, followed by Magruder, was marching up the Newmarket road to Malvern House; and when the sound of Jackson’s artillery became audible to the northwards, Lee sent Longstreet forward to the attack.  A sanguinary conflict, on ground covered with heavy timber, and cut up by deep ravines, resulted in the Federals holding their ground till nightfall; and although many prisoners and several batteries were captured by the Confederates, McClellan, under cover of the darkness, made good his escape.

(Map of the seven days:  June 26th to July 2nd, 1862.)

The battle of Glendale or Frayser’s Farm was the crisis of the “Seven Days.”  Had Lee been able to concentrate his whole strength against the Federals it is probable that McClellan would never have reached the James.  But Longstreet and Hill fought unsupported.  As the former very justly complained, 50,000 men were within hearing of the guns but none came to co-operate, and against the two Confederate divisions fought the Third Federal Army Corps, reinforced by three divisions from the Second, Fifth, and Sixth.  Huger’s march on the Charles City road was obstructed by felled trees.  When he at last arrived in front of the enemy, he was held in check by two batteries, and he does not appear to have opened communication with either Lee or Longstreet.  Magruder had been ordered to march down from Savage Station to the Darbytown road, and there to await orders.  At 4.30 P.M. he was ordered to move to Newmarket in support of Holmes.  This order was soon countermanded, but he was unable to join Longstreet until the fight was over.