ven if defeated here. If they kill all our
young men, the old men and women, and even our children, will seize
their arms and continue the conflict.

At night. The ambulances are coming in with our wounded. They report
that all the enemy's strong defenses were stormed, just as we could
perceive from the sounds. They say that our brave men suffered much in
advancing against the intrenchments, exposed to the fire of cannon and
small arms, without being able to see the foe under their shelter; but
when they leaped over the breastworks and turned the enemy's guns on
them, our loss was more than compensated. Our men were shot in front;
the enemy in the back--and terrible was the slaughter. We got their
tents, all standing, and a sumptuous repast that had just been served
up when the battle began. Gen. Casey's headquarters were taken, and his
_plate_ and smoking viands were found on his table. His papers fell into
our hands. We got a large amount of stores and refreshments, so much
needed by our poor braves! There were boxes of lemons, oranges, brandies
and wines, and all the luxuries of distant lands which enter the
unrestricted ports of the United States. These things were narrated by
the pale and bleeding soldiers, who smiled in triumph at their
achievement. Not one in the long procession of ambulances uttered a
complaint. Did they really suffer pain from their wounds? This question
was asked by thousands, and the reply was, "not much." Women and
children and slaves are wending to the hospitals, with baskets of
refreshments, lint, and bandages. Every house is offered for a hospital,
and every matron and gentle daughter, a tender nurse.

But how fares it with the invader? Unable to recross the swollen
Chickahominy, the Yankees were driven into an almost impenetrable swamp,
where they must pass the night in water up to their knees. The wounded
borne off by them will have no ministrations from their sisters and
mothers, and their dead are abandoned on the field. If Huger had come up
at the time appointed, the enemy would have been ruined.

CHAPTER XV.

Huger fails again.--A wounded boy.--The killed and wounded.--Lee assumes
command.--Lee prepares to attack McClellan--Beauregard watches the
gold.--Our generals scattered.--Hasty letter from Gen. Lee.--Opening
of grand battle.--First day, 26th June.--Second, etc.--Lee's
consummate skill.--Every day for a week it rages.--Streets crowded
with Blu