TIVO DAYS OF BATTLE AT SEVEN PINES.

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Williamsburg road, one and three-eighths miles east of Seven Pines. Onebrigade and two regiments of Hooker’s division were close in rear of Keyes,and two brigades of Kearny’s division were in the trenches of the third lineof defense, on the north side of the Williamsburg road; whilst Birney’s bri-gade of that division was about half a mile in advance, with three regimentsin line of battle, facing nearly south-west, their right resting on the railroad,and in close connection with Sumner’s corps. In fact, the lines of Sum-ner and Heintzelmau overlapped here at the time the Confederate attackwas made. Sumner’s .. .. corns (instead of be-

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west,

facing nearlyby General Johnston)

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drawn

represented

HOUSES ON THE BATTLE-FIELD,USED AS UNION HOSPITALS.

was in two lines, nearlyother. Sedgwick’s divis-off forces and five bat-

FROM PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN'SOON AFTER THE BATTLE.

at right angles to eachion, with Couch ’s cut-teries, were in line,facing nearly west, the left being a little north of the railroad, a short dis-tance east of Pair Oaks. Richardson’s division was on Sedgwick’s left, inthree lines, nearly parallel to the railroad, with four batteries. In front ofRichardson’s position was a dense and tangled wood; on his right, and infront of Sedgwick, the ground was open for several hundred yards.

I find no reasonable cause to doubt the substantial accuracy of the Federalofficial reports in regard to the position of their forces, or in reference to theiraccounts of the actual fighting, a synopsis of which will presently be given.I am far from agreeing with General Johnston in the rose-colored view hetakes of the situation, at the time he was wounded, when there were, practi-cally, three Federal corps upon the field. But I gave orders for the renewalof the attack, with no expectation, however, of the easy, complete, and cer-tain success he pictures for that day.

When I assumed command of the army, I could learn nothing from thosearound me in reference to what had occurred on the Williamsburg road laterthan the information contained in the note received from General Longstreet,at 4 p. m. Hood’s brigade had been recalled before it reached D. H. Hill’slines, and returned after the action north of Fair Oaks was ended. I sentstaff-officers with several different parties to communicate with General Long-street and request him to meet me as soon as possible at the headquarters onthe Nine-mile road, near Old Tavern. A few minutes later General J. E. B.