The plans of the Federal commander for the capture of the capital of the Southern Confederacy had been well chosen.  His army, according to his own report, numbered 156,000, of whom 115,000 were ready for duty as fighting men.  All the vast resources of his Government were being employed to enable him to prosecute his campaign with efficiency and vigor.  His troops had been furnished with artillery and small arms of the most approved description and best pattern.  They had abundance of ammunition of the finest quality and ample supplies of food and clothing.  Gen. McDowell, then at Fredericksburg with 40,000 men, and Gens.  Banks and Fremont in the valley of Virginia, were expected to cooeperate in the movement.  A line of fire was slowly but steadily being drawn around Richmond.  These plans, as I have said, had been well conceived and were being executed with great precision and skill.

To oppose this formidable advance there were less than 100,000 fighting men in Virginia, and they were greatly inferior to the enemy in both equipments and supplies.  Gen. Johnston, penetrating the designs of his adversary, commenced operations to prevent their accomplishment.  The bloody and stubbornly contested battle of Seven Pines was fought in part execution of his plans.  When Gen. Robert E. Lee succeeded to the command it was apparent that some decisive blow must be struck to save the Southern capital from a state of siege.  Surveying the whole field with a keen and practiced eye, he saw that the left wing of the Union army, which had been thrown across the Chickahominy and advanced to within four or five miles of Richmond, occupied a strong and almost impregnable position.  An attack upon the center promised no better results.

Under these circumstances he turned his attention to the right wing, and, in order to obtain the fullest and most accurate information concerning McClellan’s position and defenses on that portion of his line, ordered Gen. Stuart to make a reconnoissance in the direction of Old Church and Cold Harbor.  With 1,500 picked men that pink of Southern chivalry immediately undertook the execution of the orders of the commanding general.  This daring exploit was popularly known as “Stuart’s ride around McClellan.”  It is a fact that he did pass entirely around the Union army, and, building a bridge across the Chickahominy, reentered the Confederate lines in safety.  In this perilous expedition he was assisted by his bravest and best officers, among whom were Gens.  WILLIAM H.F.  LEE, and his cousin, the dashing Fitz Lee.

More was accomplished than had been anticipated, and it was ascertained that the right and rear of McClellan were unprotected by works of any strength.  In consequence of the information thus obtained the decision was formed to make the attack in that direction, and on the 26th of June, 1862, began that series of splendid battles which culminated in the retreat of McClellan’s army to Harrisons Landing, on the James River, and