LEE’S ATTACKS NORTH OF THE CHICK A HO MIN Y. 351

^ - -J#:

MECHANICSVILLE FROM THE NORTH-WEST—SCENE OF THE OPENING OF THE SEVEN DAYS’ BATTLES.FROM A PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN IN THE SPRING OF 1885.

The cross-roads (Mecbaniceville proper) are indicatedby the two houses at the extreme right. The woods inthe left distance show the line of Beaver Dam Creek atthe crossing of the upper road from the town. A. P.Hill advanced from Meadow Bridge and along the roadin the foreground, his troops deploying at this point onboth sides of the road about 4 p. m. The house at theleft center (Horn’s) marks the location of the Union

battery which opened upon Hill ’s troops as they camealong this road, from which the Confederate artillery(McIntosh’s and Pegram’s) replied as they advanced.Anderson’s brigade was sent to the left to flank theUnion guns, which, together with the single regimentleft in the town by General Porter, withdrew beforethe enemy to the strong position beyond the creek.

Editors.

than those of ns lower down the stream. On the 25th there was a brisk fightabout King’s school-house on the Williamsburg road, between Hooker’s divis-ion and parts of the divisions of Generals T. H. Holmes and Benjamin Huger .That night my division marched across to the neighborhood of Meehanics-vitle Bridge. To conceal the movement our camp-fires were freshly lightedup by a detachment after the troops had left, and a company was sent somemiles down the Charles City road to send up rockets, as though signaling anadvance in that direction. General Lee’s order, issued on the 24th of June, says:

“ At 3 o’clock Thursday morning', the 26th instant, General Jackson will advance on the roadleading to Pole Green Church, communicating his march to General Branch [seven miles aboveMeadow Bridge], who will immediately cross the Chickahominy and take the road leading toMechanicsville. As soon as the movements of these columns are discovered, General A. P.Hill , with the rest of his division, will cross the Chickahominy near Meadow Bridge.

The enemy being driven from Mechanicsville, and the passage across the bridge opened, Gen-