Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 21.djvu/190

 182 Southern Historical Society Papers.

Parsley, and others, all of whom were from Richmond and its vicinity.

SECURED THE KEY.

The next day the Confederate troops extended the line to the Ap- pomattox river, but not without sharp fighting and some severe losses of men and officers. The lodgment at Hewlett's, however, as here- tofore described, had secured the key to the situation, and this en- abled the Confederates to force back Butler into his entrenchment all along the line, where he was kept closely shut up until the lines were finally evacuated in 1865.

Failure on the part of the Fifteenth Regiment to drive back the enemy at Howlett's and hold that position, as it did, on the evening of the 1 6th of June, might have worked disastrous consequences to the Confederates the next day, for the position was a strong one, and well fortified. It was flanked by the river, with precipitous banks, and could be guarded by Federal gun-boats, so that it would have been well nigh impregnable if properly defended by brave and ade- quate forces. Butler could have placed these there in a few hours. McCabe's history and the orders issued by General Lee at the time will throw interesting light on this important transaction.

BEAUREGARD'S RESPONSIBILITY.

McCabe's History of Lee and His Campaigns, page 508, says "General Lee had ordered General Beauregard not to evacuate his line until Anderson's Corps, then moving from Richmond, should relieve him," but as the demand for troops at Petersburg was so urgent, and there was no prospect that Anderson would get up in time, General Beauregard assumed [the responsibility of withdrawing his command into Petersburg. Butler then taking advantage of this withdrawal, occupied the Confederate works.

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" General Lee did not wish to bring on an engagement at this point, and sent word to Pickett to halt. These orders were trans- mitted to the troops, but were of no avail. Pickett' s men dashed on in spite of the efforts of their officers to stop them, and in a fierce, impetuous charge, drove Butler back into his own works, and re- established Beauregard' s line."

These achievements drew out two complimentary orders from Gen-