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TWO DAYS OF BATTLE AT SFWEN PINES.

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SECOND LINE OF UNION WORKS AT THE “TWIN HOUSES” ON THE WILLIAMSBURG ROAD, LOOKING WEST.

FROM A SKETCH MADE AT THE TIME.

After the battle of Seven Pines this position was greatly strengthened, as may he seen by comparing the abovepicture with the sketches of the same position on page 216.

sunrise, June 2d, the Federal pickets discovered that the Confederates hadretired from Casey’s captured works. At 5 p. m. that day General Hookerreported the result of an armed reconnoissance from which he had justreturned. He says that a short distance in front of Casey’s camp “the.enemy appeared to have a regiment of cavalry and three of infantry, but asthe latter were most concealed in the forest, it was not prudent to determinetheir number.” At 3 a. m. that day the chief of staff of McClellan’s armywrote to General Sumner: “ The general commanding says, in reply to yourdispatch, that you must do the best you can to hold your own if attacked.General Heintzelman will support you.” At 11:50 p. m., June 3d, GeneralSumner wrote to General Kearny:

“ From information I have received, I have reason to expect a formidable attack to-morrowmorning. Please advance with your division at 2 A. M. in order to attack the flank of the enemyif he assails me in large force. Everything may depend upon this movement of yours.”

The theory that the “ Confederates attacked in full force,” were repulsed,retreated in “ disorganization and dismay,” “ which sent them to Richmond in a panic on the night of June 1st,” is not in accordance with the factsalready established, nor with any that are likely to he brought to lighthereafter.

The divisions of Longstreet and Hill leisurely returned to the positions theyoccupied when the order to attack was given; but Huger’s division remained