in error.  When Stuart was defeated the main purpose of my instructions had been carried out, and my thoughts then turned to joining General Butler to get supplies.  I believed that I could do this by cutting across to the Mechanicsville pike and Fair Oaks on the south side of the Chickahominy, but the failure of Wilson’s column to get possession of the outwork which commanded the pike necessitated my crossing at Meadow bridge, and then moving by Mechanicsville and Gaines’s Mills instead of by the shorter route.  Moreover, my information regarding General Butler’s position was incorrect, so that even had I been successful in getting to Fair Oaks by the direct road I should still have gained nothing thereby, for I should still have been obliged to continue down the James River to Haxall’s.

CHAPTER XX.

General Wilson’s advance toward Hanover court house—­crossing the
Pamunkey—­engagement of Hawe’s shop—­fight at Matadequin creek
—­capture of cold Harbor—­the fight to retain the place—­movements
of general Wilson.

When I rejoined the Army of the Potomac, near Chesterfield Station, the heavy battles around Spottsylvania had been fought, and the complicated manoeuvres by which the whole Union force was swung across the North Anna were in process of execution.  In conjunction with these manoeuvres Wilson’s division was sent to the right flank of the army, where he made a reconnoissance south of the North Anna as far as Little River, crossing the former stream near Jericho Mills.  Wilson was to operate from day to day on that flank as it swung to the south, covering to New Castle ferry each advance of the infantry and the fords left behind on the march.  From the 26th to the 30th these duties kept Wilson constantly occupied, and also necessitated a considerable dispersion of his force, but by the 31st he was enabled to get all his division together again, and crossing to the south side of the Pamunkey at New Castle ferry, he advanced toward Hanover Court House.  Near Dr Pride’s house he encountered a division of the enemy’s cavalry under General W. H. F. Lee, and drove it back across Mechamp’s Creek, thus opening communication with the right of our infantry resting near Phillips’s Mills.  Just as this had been done, a little before dark, Wilson received an order from General Meade directing him to push on toward Richmond until he encountered the Confederates in such strength that he could no longer successfully contend against them, and in compliance with this order occupied Hanover Court House that same day.  Resuming his march at daylight on June 1, he went ahead on the Ashland road while sending Chapman’s brigade up the south bank of the South Anna to destroy the bridges on that stream.  Chapman having succeeded in this work, Wilson re-united his whole command and endeavored to hold Ashland, but finding the Confederate cavalry and infantry there in strong force, he was obliged to withdraw to Dr. Price’s house.  Here he learned that the army had gone to the left toward Cold Harbor, so on the 2d of June he moved to Hawe’s Shop.