Hill recklessly hurled his brigades forward in a hopeless frontal assault. The gray-clad infantry charged bravely down the steep banks and up to the stream before the murderous fire of artillery and musketry from the surrounding slopes forced a bloody withdrawal. Casualties in killed and wounded were: Confederate 1,485; Union, 258.
Despite the successful defense, when Jackson’s forces finally appeared on his right flank later that night, Porter’s position became untenable and McClellan ordered him to withdraw to a previously prepared position behind Boatswain Swamp, near Gaines’ Mill. At the same time he ordered his quartermaster general at White House to reship all the supplies he possibly could to Harrison’s Landing on the James, and send all the beef cattle to the vicinity of Savage Station. Early next morning, June 27, the herd of 2,500 head of cattle started on its drive from White House.
Battle of Gaines’ Mill. From Battles and Leaders of the Civil War.
OLD COLD HARBOR Gaines’s MILL NEW COLD HARBOR CONFEDERATE Lee’s Headq’rs D. H. HILL JACKSON EWELL A. P. HILL WHITING LONGSTREET UNION SYKES McGehee BUCHANAN WARREN LOVELL MORELL Porter’s Headq’rs GRIFFIN MARTINDALE BUTTERFIELD McCALL REYNOLDS SEYMOUR MEADE J. Martin W. F. SMITH SLOCUM ARRIVING 4 O’CLOCK NEWTON TAYLOR BARTLETT FRENCH & MEACHER ARRIVING TO COVER RETREAT about 6.30 p.m.
McClellan’s change of base. Painting by Sidney King.
WHITE HOUSE MECHANICSVILLE GAINES MILL Pomunkey SAVAGE STATION Chickahominy GLENDALE MALVERN HILL HARRISON’S LANDING
Gaines’ Mill
The tactical situation was now extremely critical for both Lee and McClellan. Because of the repulse at Beaver Dam, Lee had not yet achieved his first objective, which, according to his battle order, was to “drive the enemy from his position above New Bridge,” about 4 miles east of Mechanicsville. Lee’s whole plan for the defense of Richmond, in the event McClellan should elect to march on the city with his main force south of the Chickahominy, hinged on his ability to cross the river quickly and attack the Federal rear. Lacking control of New Bridge this would be impossible. Although the Union position behind Boatswain Swamp was actually east of New Bridge, the approaches to the bridge could be covered by Porter’s artillery.