Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 5.djvu/77

Rh behind him. His defense was beyond criticism. Rein forced from the south side by Slocum’s division, he saved the army of McClellan by inflicting a heavy blow on the victorious columns of Lee, and by his able retreat at night. The timely arrival of two brigades, coming up just as Porter’s line was carried, covered his retreat and successfully checked the disordered pursuit of the victorious Confederates.

General McClellan does not estimate his loss in this battle separately from those which immediately followed, but acknowledges the loss of twenty-two pieces of artillery. Over 5,000 prisoners were taken by the Confederates, and thousands of arms gathered from the fields and the short line of Porter s retreat to the river.

McClellan’s rear guard, Sumner’s corps, and Smith’s division of Franklin’s corps, made a stand on the 29th at Savage Station, covering the crossing of White Oak swamp against Magruder’s corps. The South Carolina troops with Magruder were the brigade of General Kershaw and Capt. James F. Hart s Washington artillery. Hart’s battery was with D. R. Jones division. The Second, Col. John D. Kennedy; Third, Col. James D. Nance; Seventh, Col. D. Wyatt Aiken, and the Eighth, Col. John W. Henagan, with Kemper’s battery, composed Kershaw’s brigade of McLaws’ division.

Early in the morning of the agth (Sunday), Kershaw was ordered to advance on the Nine-mile road and develop the Federal position. Kennedy, covered by a line of skirmishers under Maj. F. Gaillard, made the advance and found the enemy beyond Fair Oaks, at Allen’s farm.

The skirmishing became general and the enemy opened an artillery fire. Having been repeatedly cautioned to avoid a collision with General Jackson’s forces, Kershaw restrained the fire of his men, and sent a battle-flag to be waved on the railroad. He was then ordered back till Magruder’s other troops should take position.

At 3 p. m. Kershaw advanced along the railroad to-