REAR-GUARD FIGHTING DURING THE CHANGE OF BASE. 377

running back about the same distance. At the swamp the clearing was fringedwith trees and underbrush, and about half-way up the clearing to the left ofthe ravine were a small farm-house and some slight out-buildings. On theright of the ravine was a similar clearing, extending from the swamp about afurlong back. All other ground in the vicinity was covered with timber andunderbrush. (The troops were disposed as shown on the map, p. 470.)

The cleared space at this time had in it many wagons of the train, andColonel R. O. Tyler’s 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery, which I ordered tothe rear at once. Gladenough would I havebeen to keep thisaccomplished officer,with his gallant regi-ment and heavy guns,but we both knew thathe was needed atthe James Biver. Atabout 10:30 in themorning, as near as Ican now recollect, Iaccompanied GeneralMcClellan to the inter-section of the CharlesCity and Quaker roads, about two milesfrom the White OakBridge. I found Gen-eral Slocum’s divisionposted somewhat inrear of the intersec-tion of those roads,and in front of theroad leading fromBrackett’s Ford. Asmall portion of hisinfantry and one gunwere posted near Brackett’s Ford. His division formed the right of theforce which later in the day fought the battle of Glendale or Frayser’s farm.The small force at Brackett’s Ford defeated an attack at that point, sometime during the day.

At the junction of the Charles City and Quaker roads General McClellan had a conference with the corps commanders (Sumner, Heintzelman, andFranklin), and when it was ended he went toward the James Biver. Ashort time afterward I received an order directing me to take charge of theforce guarding the White Oak Bridge, and I immediately started back. Ihad gone but a short distance when a bombardment commenced in the

MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM B. FKANKLIN.

From a photograph taken in August, 1862, when General Franklin wastemporarily at home on sick leave.

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