THE BATTLE OF FRAYSERS FARM.
Monday was the fifth in the bloody list, and on that day was fought
the battle known as Fraysers Farm. At daybreak the whole Confederate
army was moving in pursuit of McClellan's retreating regiments.
D. H. Hill, Whiting, and Ewell, under the command of Jackson, passed
the Chickahominy at Grapevine Bridge, and marched along the Williamsburg
road; while Longstreet, A. P. Hill, Huger and Magruder followed
by the way of the Charles City road, with the design of intercepting
the retreating columns. This disposition of the troops soon brought
General Longstreet's division in front of the Federals. He was supported
by Hill's division, consisting of six brigades. When he came up
with the Federals, he found that they had taken position about five
miles north-east of Darbytown, on the New Market road, the immediate
vicinity being locally known as Fraysers Farm. The attack was at once
brought on by the division of General Hill, and for three dreadful
hours it is doubtful if on any one of the bloody fields of Virginia more
heroic bravery was ever witnessed than was displayed by both armies.
The roar of artillery and the rattle of musketry resounded far and wide,
the air was filled with the missiles of death, and every spot presented a
sight of ghastly destruction and horror. The dead and wounded were
strewn thickly upon the field. But at last, above the roar and din of
battle, came the orders along the Federal lines to retreat. No order was
ever obeyed with more alacrity upon any field. In three minutes the
shattered ranks were once more in full retreat, and the Confederate
forces occupied the field and rested for the day. The sixth day, Tuesday,
was to become memorable because of the terrible.
