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Battle of Mechanicsville, VA
in the American Civil War
Online Books:
The seven
days' battles in front of Richmond, an outline narrative of the series
of engagements which opened at Mechanicsville, near Richmond..., by Edward
Alfred Pollard (Correspondent of the Cincinnati Commercial), 1862
Report of Henry M. Naglee, brigadier-general, of the part taken by his
brigade in the seven days, from June 26 to July 2, 1862, Army of the
Potomac, by Henry Morris Naglee, 1863
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Union Battle Summary |
| Mechanicsville, Va., June 26, 1862 - By a singular
coincidence Lee had fixed on the same date as McClellan - June 26 -
for an aggressive movement. On the 16th he sent orders to Jackson to
mask his withdrawal from the Shenandoah valley, move with all possible
speed toward Richmond and strike the Federal right, then on the north
bank of the Chickahominy in the vicinity of Mechanicsville. In support
of this movement A.P. Hill was to cross the river at Meadow bridge,
when it was known that Jackson's advance had passed that point, and
move directly on Mechanicsville. As soon as the bridge on the
Mechanicsville pike should be uncovered Longstreet and D.H. Hill were
to cross there, after which the four commands were to sweep down the
north bank driving everything before them. Stuart's cavalry was thrown
on the left to guard Jackson's flank. Huger and Magruder, with the
artillery reserve, were left to guard Richmond, but under orders to
follow McClellan if he should retreat. On the 19th McClellan had sent
McCall's division, with five batteries of artillery, to the right to
watch the bridges over the Chickahominy. On the morning of the 26th
McCall occupied a position with his front along the east side of
Beaver Dam creek, his left resting on the Chickahominy and his right
extending to the woods north of the road running from Mechanicsville
to Bethesda church, Reynolds' brigade on the right, Seymour's on the
left, and Meade's, with Kern's and Easton's batteries, in reserve. His
position was a strong one as the creek in his front was over waist
deep in most places, bordered by swamps, and on the west side of it
was an open plain, about half a mile in extent, over which the enemy
must advance to the attack. The creek could be crossed by artillery at
only two points - the bridge on the Bethesda road and the one at
Ellison's mill about a mile below. These bridges were covered by the
guns of Cooper's and Smead's batteries, while De Hart's battery was
stationed a short distance below the upper bridge in a position to
enfilade any line that might attempt to cross the plain in front.
Jackson reached Ashland, 12 miles from Richmond, on the evening of
the 25th, and received orders from Lee to move at 3 a.m. on the 26th
and turn McCall's right. The march was longer than either he or Lee
had anticipated and his progress was delayed by the Union skirmishers.
A.P. Hill waited until noon, by which time he supposed that Jackson
was in position, and then started to carry out his part of the
program. When the head of his column approached Mechanicsville, McCall
recalled his infantry and artillery in front of the town, and ordered
Meade to move his brigade forward in closer support. At 3 p.m. Hill
became impatient, fearing the whole plan would fall to the ground, and
ordered his division forward. Two of his brigades were sent to the
left to flank a battery, while the other four came into line in front,
but they were met by a murderous fire from the Federal batteries that
forced the Confederates back with heavy loss. After a time a heavy
column was pressed forward on the road to Ellison's mill and a
determined attack was made at that point. Again the advancing ranks of
the enemy were met by that withering fire of artillery and musketry
and again they recoiled. Fearing that an attempt would be made to turn
his left flank, McCall sent Col. Harvey, with the 7th Pa. reserves to
the extreme left of the line. About sunset Griffin's brigade of
Morell's division, with Edwards' battery, arrived on the field and
took position on the right, while Martindale's brigade of the same
division was sent to the rear and right to guard against any approach
of the enemy over the road from Hanover Court-House. Here he learned
of Jackson's attempted flank movement and skirmished with his advanced
guard until ordered by Porter to retire. The fight lasted until 9
p.m., when Hill, finding that the position could not be carried by
direct assault, withdrew his forces from the field, and McCall was
ordered to fall back to Gaines' mill. The Union loss at Mechanicsville
was 49 killed, 207 wounded and 105 missing. The enemy's loss was
included in the reports of the seven days' fighting, but it was
estimated at 2,000, mostly in killed and wounded, as very few
prisoners were taken during the engagement. Swinton quotes Longstreet
as saying the aggregate loss was "between three and four thousand."
Source: The Union Army, Volume 5, Cyclopedia of Battles,
1908 |
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