The Civil War Through the CameraElson, Henry W. (Henry William)
History
The Civil War Through the Camera
Elson, Henry W. (Henry William)
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865; United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Pictorial works
Brigadier-General J. H. Martindale (seated) and his staff, July 1, 1862.
Fitz John Porter's Fifth Corps and Couch's division, Fourth Corps, bore
the brunt of battle at Malvern Hill where the troops of McClellan
withstood the terrific attacks of Lee's combined and superior forces.
Fiery "Prince John" Magruder hurled column after column against the left
of the Federal line, but every charge was met and repulsed through the
long hot summer afternoon. Martindale's brigade of the Fifth Corps was
early called into action, and its commander, by the gallant fighting of
his troops, won the brevet of Major-General.
[Illustration: THE NAVY LENDS A HAND
COPYRIGHT BY PATRIOT PUB. CO.]
Officers of the _Monitor_ at Malvern Hill. Glad indeed were the men of the
Army of the Potomac as they emerged from their perilous march across White
Oak Swamp to hear the firing of the gunboats on the James. It told them
the Confederates had not yet preëmpted the occupation of Malvern Hill,
which General Fitz John Porter's Corps was holding. Before the battle
opened McClellan went aboard the _Galena_ to consult with Commodore John
Rodgers about a suitable base on the James. The gunboats of the fleet
supported the flanks of the army during the battle and are said to have
silenced one of the Confederate batteries.
[Illustration: THE SECOND ARMY BASE
COPYRIGHT BY PATRIOT PUB. CO.]
Again we see the transports and supply schooners at anchor--this time at
Harrison's Landing on the James River. In about a month, McClellan had
changed the position of his army twice, shifting his base from the
Pamunkey to the James. The position he held on Malvern Hill was abandoned
after the victory of July 1, 1862, and the army marched to a new base
farther down the James, where the heavy losses of men and supplies during
the Seven Days could be made up without danger and delay. Harrison's
Landing was the point selected, and here the army recuperated, wondering
what would be the next step. Below we see the historic mansion which did
service as General Porter's headquarters, one of McClellan's most
efficient commanders. For his services during the Seven Days he was made
Major-General of Volunteers. McClellan was his lifelong friend.
[Illustration: WESTOVER HOUSE: HEADQUARTERS OF GENERAL FITZ JOHN PORTER,
HARRISON'S LANDING]
[Illustration: ON DARING DUTY
COPYRIGHT BY PATRIOT PUB. CO.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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