BATTLE OF THE CHICKAHOMINY, OR COLD HARBOR.
Grant once more determined to try the strength of Lee's lines. On the
morning of the 3d of June, which dawned with a drizzling rain, as
soon as it was light enough to see, the word was given, and the
commands of Barlow and Gibbon, of Hancock's corps, advanced against
the outer Confederate line, which was held by the division of General
Breckinridge. It was at once forced back, but the reverse was only
momentary, for Milligan's brigade and the Maryland battalion immediately
dashed forward and retrieved the lost position, driving the Federals
back with frightful loss. Wright and Smith both charged the lines,
but met with no better fortune than Barlow and Gibbon. Many of the
best officers of these commands were killed. The Federals were repulsed
at every point, and Grant's object—a knowledge of the strength
of Lee's lines—was attained. The battle lasted but forty minutes, but in
that time the Federal loss was 7,000, while that of the Confederate was
only 3,000.
