The band serenaded Gen. McClellan one evening, when he sent an Aid to extend his compliments to the regiment. There was a perfect forest of masts here; government transports constantly arriving and departing, and on every side was seen the ceaseless activity which marks an active campaign.
Gen. Franklin soon reached this point and assumed charge of the 6th corps, to which Gen. Smith’s Division was assigned. Prior to that time it had been in Gen. Keyes’ corps and comprised a portion of the left wing of the army. But this change brought the Division on the extreme right. Monday, 19th, the Brigade moved up the river six miles, and halted on the farm of an Æsculapian rebel, whom his contrabands described as suddenly seized with the gout on our approach. The boys designated this place as “Camp Onion,” owing to the quantities of this odoriferous vegetable which were hawked through the encampment. Saturday, May 21st, the march was resumed, the division proceeding to within eleven miles of Richmond.
CHAPTER X.
BATTLE OF MECHANICSVILLE.
Two days later Gen. Stoneman pushed forward with cavalry and artillery, on a bold reconnoissance toward the rebel capital. Gen. Davidson’s Brigade followed, as a support, the rest of the Division remaining behind. About four o’clock in the afternoon, the General fell in with the enemy—“Howell Cobb’s Brigade”—who retreated after a few shots had been exchanged. Stoneman again moved forward, halting for the night just east of Beaver Dam Creek, and the Brigade, crossing over, took up position on an elevated spot, and slept on their arms. This creek is a narrow, muddy stream, emptying into the Chickahominy.
A part of the Thirty-third were employed on picket duty until the next morning, being stationed in close proximity to the rebels. At daybreak the infantry pushed on towards Mechanicsville; General Stoneman with the cavalry proceeding further to the right. Three companies of the Thirty-third acted as the advance guard, and were deployed as skirmishers. When within two hundred yards of Mechanicsville, the rebels, who had fallen back during the night, were discovered drawn up in the principal street, and in a neighboring grove. The skirmishers immediately opened upon them, when taking refuge in buildings and behind walls, they returned the fire.
The whole Brigade now moved up on both sides of the road, and two sections of Wheeler’s battery were got into position, and commenced tossing shell into the village. This placed the skirmishers between two fires, and for a time, they were nearly as much exposed to our own as the rebels. One had his canteen perforated by a piece of shell thrown from the Union battery, another had a part of his shoe taken away. The firing of the rebel cannoniers, at first slow, became very rapid and accurate as the battle progressed. One solid shot passed between Major Platner and Captain Guion, as they stood conversing together. A second whizzed close by the head of Colonel Taylor’s horse, and a third striking the roll of blankets strapped on behind a horseman, threw them high into the air. Every one held their breath for a moment, supposing that it was the rider himself, but he escaped unharmed.
The guns were afterwards removed to the right of the skirmishers, and a section of flying artillery posted on the left. A heavy fire was now concentrated on the buildings in which the confederates had concealed themselves, soon causing an exodus on their part, and the whole force commenced falling back in the direction of Richmond. Seeing this, Gen. Davidson ordered a charge, when the Thirty-third and Seventy-seventh gallantly charged down upon the place, driving everything before them.
