Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 29.djvu/320

 304 Southern Historical Society Papers.

Federal army, broken in every part, in full retreat towards its bridges on the Chickahominy. The coming night alone saved that wing of McClellan's army from utter ruin. As it was, our victory was com- plete, and although our own losses were heavy, they were not heavier than the enemy's.

As stated before, night put an end to the battle and to our pursuit, and the remnant of Fitz John Porter's corps, under cover of dark- ness, escaped across the bridges of the Chickahominy and joined McClellan's forces south of that stream, whence they retreated to the James. General McClellan calls this a meditated change of base. Be that as it may, the truth remains that if such was his previous intention, the result of the battle of Games' Mill greatly expedited that change.

BATTLE OF GAINES' MILL.

The battle of Games' Mill was the battle of all others which in- spired our troops with confidence in themselves and their great com- mander, General Lee. It was the battle which taught the Confederate troops in Virginia how to win victory, and was the forerunner of the series of splendid achievements which henceforth attended Lee's army.

Others have claimed the credit of being the first to break the Fed- eral lines at Games' Mill, notably General D. H. Hill, who com- manded the extreme left of the Confederate army. Fortunately, the claim of the Texas Brigade to this honor does not depend solely on the testimony of themselves, for in addition we have as witnesses General Lee, who commanded the Confederate army, and General Jackson, who commanded on our part of the field; and, besides, we have the evidence of the Federal commander, General Porter. Here is what General Lee says: About 4:30, when General Hood was pre- paring to lead the Fourth Texas to storm the enemy's works, he met General Lee, who announced to him that our troops had been fighting gallantly, but had not succeeded in dislodging the enemy. He added this must be done, and asked General Hood if he could do it. To which General Hood replied he would try. General Jackson, with reference to this charge of the Fourth Texas, says officially: " In this charge, in which upward of 1,000 men fell killed and wounded before the fire of the enemy, in which ten pieces of artillery and nearly a regiment was captured, the Fourth Texas, under the command of General Hood, was the first to pierce their strongholds and seize the guns. Although swept from their defences