Life and campaigns of General Robert E. Lee

Front matter

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Preface

I HAVE been led to the preparation of this work by a desire to collect in a useful and convenient form a history of the achievements of the great soldier, recently at the head of the armies of the South; and as he is endeared to his countrymen chiefly by his connection with them in the gallant struggle which has just closed, I have devoted the greater part of these pages to that portion of his life, passing over the preceding with as little delay as possible. ;

I have brought to the execution of this task a sincere desire to lay aside the feelings engendered by four years of war, and to investigate fully, and discuss impartially and truthfully, the topics that are presented in this volume. I have spared no pains to render my sources of information as complete as possible. In May 1861, I commenced to collect such papers and documents, both official and unofficial, relating to the war, as I could procure. To this task, begun for a purpose not altogether different from that to which I have now applied it, I devoted the entire period of the war, and was aided in it by many members of the various branches of the Confederate Government and of the army. In this way I secured an extensive and valuable collection of materials for a history of the war, or biographies of the individuals connected with it; a collection embracing over fifteen thousand papers of all kinds, to which, through the kindness of friends, I have been able to add many valuable maps and charts. Since the close of the war I have greatly enlarged this list by the addition of the reports and official papers of the United States Commanders and Govern-

4 PREFAOE.

ment. These sources of information, to which I may add a personal observation of the greater part of the war, have enabled me to make my book more complete than it would have been had my material been less extensive. I have also derived much assistance from the very valuaile work by Mr. William Swinton, entitled ‘ The Campaigns of the Army of the Potomac.”

T have sought to present a fair and dispassionate narrative of the events of the late war, to praise where praise was due, and censure where I thought it deserved. It is for my readers to decide whether I have succeeded or failed, but I trust that, whatever may be their decision, they will at least do me the justice to believe that I have recognized the responsibility of the task I have undertaken, and haye honestly tried to do my duty.

I take this opportunity of returning my thanks to the friends who have aided me in the collection of materials; to Mr. S. W. Clifford, of Boston, for valuable maps received from him; and to the publishers for the generous and constant encouragement they have held out to me since the enterprise was begun,

J. D. McC. Jr

I. Early Life

I. Tae Lee Famiry, : ; . a “ ¢ 9—14 Il. Lire PREvIOvsS TO THE War, 5 ° ‘5 * « 15—26

Iie THE FIRST DAYS OF WAR.

I. Cou. Lez Leaves THE FEDERAL ARMY, . é - 27—31

II. Generat Lez CommManpDs THE ARMY IN VIRGINIA, . 32—39

Ill. Tue CampaiGn In WESTERN VIRGINIA, . ; - 40—47

IV. GenerAL Lez COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, . A ‘ - 48—50 Ii.

THE PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN.

L*Matrers AT CENTREVILLE, . c 3 r - 51—61 Il. Tue Feprrat PLAN OF THE CAMPAIGN, . y - 62—69 Ti. Genera JonnstTon Farts Back, . 7 ; . W—T3 IV. Tue Move To Tue Peninsvta, . ¢ . ‘ - T—T76 Vv. A Goop Fieur, . 2 . P : ‘ . . W—8i VI. Tur Srece oF YorKTOWN, 2 c 3 > . 82—87 fg

VIL. Toe Retreat UP THE PENINSULA, . " . . 88—92 (5)

6 CONTENTS.

VIII. Dark Days, . ; 5 : . : 3 - 98—96 IX. Seven Pryes, . . ; : 4 A > » 97—105 X. A CHANGE OF COMMANDERS, 3 i . 5 . 106—112 XI. THE Ripe ArounD McCrexran, i 2 . 1138 —120 XII. Generar Len’s PLAN oF OPERATIONS, : ; . 121—124

XIX. Tue Close oF THE CaMPAIGN, . ; : : . 170—174

IV.

THE CAMPAIGN IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA.

I. Genera Pope in Vireinta, . x : : - 175—192 II. Cepar Ron, : . - 193—198 Ul. Tue Apvancr To THE RAPPAHANNOCK, . : . 199 —205 IV. Jackson’s Fuanx Marcu, . ‘ 3 : - 206—210 V. Wuat Pors Founp rn His Rear, : ‘ 3 . 211—217 VI. Tue SEconp Battie oF Manassas, ~ : : . 218 —226 Vil. Ox Him, . s . . ; 2 eee : . 227—232

V.

THE INVASION OF THE NORTH.

V. Ta Rerreatr Across THE Poromac, . : : « 271—275 VI. ASzasonor Rust, . 4. 4. 4k) 4 276283

IV. Smarpspure,

SONTENTS. 7

VI.

THE FREDERICKSBURG CAMPAIGN.

I. McCre~ian ADVANCES, 3 4 : 2 4 - 284— 296 Il. Tae Movement To THE RAPPAHANNOCK, . . — . 297—302 Il. Warrtnc For BurNsipE, . * é 2 - 803—307 IV. FREDERICKSBURG, : ‘ C - : é - 808— 324 V. WINTER QUARTERS, . 4 . ; ‘ ‘ » 825—335

VTi.

THE CHANCELLORSVILLE CAMPAIGN.

. THe Campaicn OPENS, n ° . : - 386—338 . Hooker ADVANCES, .- : . a A fs - 389—345 . CHANCELLORSVILLE, . : : . ‘ ° - 346—357 . Marye’s AND SALEM HEIGHTS, . ; : 2 - 358 —367

Vill.

THE SECOND INVASION OF THE NORTH.

J. PREPARATIONS FOR AN ADVANCE,. - - « 868—370 TI. Taz Marcu To THE POTOMAC, . > A i - 371 — 378 I. In tHe Enemy’s Country, . ° ‘ e c . 879 —386 IV. GerrysBure, 7 ae ~ «c« «© « 387—~—404 V. Tue RerreaTINTo VinGinia4, - «© «© « «+ 4056-—413_

TX.

THE SECOND CAMPAIGN IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA.

I. Tue EXPEDITION TO Manassas, . - . 414—423 Il. Mine Ron, . : 5 ‘ ° ° 7 d » 424—429 TIT. WinTER QUARTERS, . < oe j : - 480 —446

8 CONTENTS.

Xx.

THE OVERLAND CAMPAIGN.

. PREPARATIONS FOR THE CAMPAIGN, . : 3 . 447—450 THE WILDERNESS, ‘ c ° 3 ; - 451—464 . SPOTTSYLVANIA Court Housz, . 3 . 7 - 465—474 . Tae Marca. To THE CaIcKAHOMINY, . f . . 475 —481 . Taz Sxconp Barrie er Corp Harpor, . F - 482—489 VI. Tax Camparcn IN THE VALLEY, . . ° x - 490 —492 VII. Taz Campaten on Tue Sours Sing, . - : - 4938 —500

XI.

THE SIEGE OF PETERSBURG.

. Grant Crosszs Tor James River, . s 4 - 501—504 . Tue Since Becun, : é : < e a - 505—514 . BuRNSIDE’s Mine, . a ° i : ‘ - 515—520

I I.

Ii IV. Matrers Norra anp Sours oF THE JAMES, . - 521—542 V. Tue Vattzy Campaicn, . : : ° ; - 543 —566 VI

A THE LAST STRUGGLE.

I. Generar Ler ComMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, . : . - 580—584

/ Til. Grant Movestorsm Lert, . . . . , 591—600 ‘TV. Five Forxs anp PererspureG, . . ' 2 - 601—607 V. Tum Evacuation or RicHMOND AND PETERSBURG, . 608—613

VI. Tae Last'Rerrmr, , “\ VIL Tue Surrenper,. .

NOTES, be Fe ag

LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS |

OF

GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE.

+ EARLY LIFE.

I.

THE LEE FAMILY.

Tuts family, which has given so many great men to America, is of ancient and honorable descent. As early as the year 1333, we are informed by an old manuscript,* that Johes de Lee, a soldier, received lands from one Hugo de Hinton. The son of this Johes de Lee was Robertus de la Lee, and he married Margarita, daughter and heiress of Thomas Astley, -of Nordley, about the year 1400. Later still, we find the name of Thomas Lee, of Cotton, in King’s Nordley, in the Parish of Alvely, who was the son of Johannes Lee.t+

Later still, in the reign of Charles 1, of England, the Lee Family were located in the County of Shropshire, and were of

* This MS. is written in Latin, and its authenticity is well established. The pedigree which it contains was extracted from the London Tower, and is certified by Charles Townley, York, and John Pomfret, Rouge Croix, August 1, 1750.

+ The Pedigree of the Lee Family. Published in the Richmond Dispatch, January 7, 1865.

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the Cavalier stovk. One of these, Richard Lee, a gentleman of good position and many accomplishments, determined to emigrate to the New World, concerning which such marvelous tales were being told in the mother country. Bishop Meade says of him, ‘‘ He was a man of good stature, comely visage, enterprising genius, a sound head, vigorous spirit, and generous nature. When he got to Virginia, which at that time was not much cultivated, he was so pleased with the country that he made large settlements there with the servants he carried over.” He came to the colony as Secretary, and member of the King’s Privy Council. He made several voyages back to England, and fimally settled in that part of Virginia lying between the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers, known as the Northern Neck. He was for a long time the Secretary of the Colony, -under Sir William Berkeley, and exercised a2 marked influence upon the course which it pursued in the great Revolution which made Cromwell master of England. Lee was a thorough royalist, and, together with the Governor, held the colony firm in ‘its: allegiance to ‘‘ Charlie over the water.” He was prominent in negotiating the treaty between Virginia and the Commonwealth of England, which was so honorable to the colony, and which recognized it as an independent State, and on the death of Cromwell, he induced Governor Berkeley to have Charles II proclaimed ‘* King of England, Scotland, France, Ireland, and Virgima,” two years before the Restoration. In consequence of this step, the ancient motto of Virginia was, ‘* En dat Virgima quintam,” changed after the union of England and Scotland to «* En dat Virginia quartam.”

Richard Lee died, and was buried in Virginia. He left two sons, John and Richard. John was educated at Oxford, and was so accomplished that he was offered a. fine opening in the Church, with the prospect of an advancement; but the offer was declined, as it was his father’s wish that he should settle in Virginia. He died before his father.

THE LEE FAMILY. 11

Richard Lee, the son, was a man of great learning. He passed his life in study, writing his notes habitually in Greek, Hebrew, or Latin. Some of these are now preserved in Virginia. He was a member of the Council, and held other posts of honor and emolument. He married a Miss Corbin, of England, and died about the year 1690, leaving five sons, Richard, Philip, Francis, Thomas, Henry, and one daughter, who married William Fitzhugh, of Eagle’s Nest, King George County, Virginia.

Of the sons, Richard, the eldest, went to England, as a Virginia merchant, and became the partner of his maternal uncle, Thomas Corbin. He married in England, and had three children, one son and two daughters, who came back to Virginia. Philip Lee, the second son, settled in Maryland, and left a numerous progeny. Francis, the third son, died a baehelor ; Thomas, the fourth son, married Miss Hannah Ludwell, a lady of fine family. The fifth son, Henry Lee, I will notice further on.

Thomas Lee, the fourth son of Richard Lee, was, in many respects, a remarkable man. By his marriage he allied himself with the Ludwells and the Grymes, two wealthy and influential families. He was a man of much learning, the greater part of which he taught himself, and eventually, though a younger son, became possessed of a large fortune. He soon acquired a leading position in the colony, and was made President of the Council, which post he held many years, until his death. He became impressed at an early day with the idea that the western part of the colony would be settled at some future time by a thriving community, and employed an engineer of note to explore the lands in that section, especially those bordering the Ohio River. While President of the Council, he declared to a friend that the colonies would, of necessity , eventually be independent of Great Britain, and predicted that

‘‘the seat of Government would be located near the Little Falls of the Potomac River,” where he soon after acquired large tracts of land, which were, within the present century, the property of his descendants. He resided at Stratford, but his mansion was destroyed by fire. He at once set about rebuilding it, and so greatly was he esteemed in the colony and in England, that the Government and merchants alike, and, it is said, even Queen Caroline, contributed to defray the cost of the structure. Of this edifice Mr. Lossing says, ‘There is no structure in our country to compare with it. The walls of the first story are two and a half feet thick, and the second story two feet, composed of brick imported from England. It originally contained about one hundred rooms. Besides the main building, there are four offices, one at each corner, containing fifteen rooms. The stables are capable of accommodating one hundred horses. Its cost was about $80,000.” *

Thomas Lee died in 1750, and left six sons and two daughters. The eldest son, Philip Ludwell Lee, married a Miss Steptoe, and by her had two daughters, of whom Matilda, the elder, married her second cousin, Colonel Henry Lee, (the father of General R. E. Lee.)

The second son of Thomas Lee was Thomas Ludwell Lee. The third son was Richard Henry Lee, the great champion of American Independence. He was born on the 21st of January, 1732, and died June 19, 1794. He it was who on the 7th of June, 1776, offered, in the Continental Congress, the famous resolution, ‘* that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.” The fourth son of Thomas Lee was

* Loasing’s Field Book of the Revolution. Part II, p. 217.

THE LEE FAMILY. 13

Francis Lightfoot Lee, born October 14, 1734, died in April, 1797. He was, like his brother, Richard Henry, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. The fifth son was William Lee, who settled in London. The sixth son was Arthur Lee, who, says Bishop Meade, ‘as a scholar, a writer, _ a philosopher, a politician, and a diplomatist, was surpassed by none, and equalled by few, of his contemporaries. The services rendered by him to his country, as her minister, at foreign courts, were most valuable.”

I must now return to Henry Lee, the fifth son of Richard Lee, the ancestor of the subject of this memoir. He married a Miss Bland, and had several children. His third son, Henry, married a Miss Grymes, and by her had five sons and three daughters, viz., Henry, the famous soldier of the Revolution, Charles, Richard Bland, Theodoric and Edmund, and Mary, Lucy, and Anne.

Henry Lee, the eldest son, was born January 29, 1756. He was educated at first by a private tutor at home, and then sent to Princeton College, then under the charge of Doctor Witherspoon, where he graduated in 1774. In 1776 Patrick Henry nominated him to the command of a cavalry company. raised in Virginia, for service in the Continental army, under the general command of Colonel Bland. In 1777 Lee’s corps was placed under Washington’s immediate control, and under the energetic leadership of its young captain, acquired a high reputation for discipline and efficiency. Lee was made a Major, and his legion performed many daring exploits. In July 1779, he captured a British fort at-Paulus Hook, (Jersey City,) for which he received from Congress, the thanks of that body, and a gold medal. .In November 1780, he was made Lieutenant- Colonel, and early in 1781 joined General Greene in the Carolinas, where he increased his already brilliant renown.

About the beginning of 1782, after the battle of Eutaw

Springs, Colonel Lee returned to Virginia, and married his second cousin, Matilda, daughter of Philip Ludwell Lee, Esq., of Stratford, where he resided with his father-in-law. In 1786 he was elected to a seat in Congress. In 1791 he was chosen Governor of Virginia. In 1794 he was appointed by Washington, his warm friend and admirer, to command the troops sent to quell the Whiskey Insurrection in Pennsylvania. In 1799 he was a member of Congress, and was chosen by that body to pronounce a funeral oration on the death of Washington, in the House of Representatives. He prepared the oration, but being imperatively called away, it was delivered by his friend, Judge Marshall. In 1801 General Henry Lee retired to private life, being much straitened in his pecuniary resources. His first wife having died, he married again — this time, Anne, daughter of Charles Carter of Shirley (on James River, opposite City Point). In 1809 he wrote his Memoirs of the War in the Southern Department, which is justly regarded as a model work of its kind. In 1814 he was seriously wounded while endeavoring to put down a riot in Baltimore, and from the injury thus received, he,never recovered. In 1817 he went to the West Indies for his health, but failing to find relief there, returned home. On his way to Virginia, he stopped on the coast of Georgia, to visit Mrs. Shaw, a daughter of his friend, General Greene, and there died on the 25th of March 1818, at the age of 62 years.

General Henry Lee had four sons and three daughters. His first wife bore him Henry Lee, noted for his literary abilities, and a daughter, Lucy; and his second wife bore him Charles Carter, Robert Edward, and Sidney Smith, (Commodore Lee, of the C. S. Navy, and father of General Fitz Lee,) and two daughters, Anne and Mildred.

II. Life Previous To The War

Robert Edward Lee was born at Stratford, Westmoreland County, Virginia, on January 19, 1807, in the same room where Richard Henry and Francis Lightfoot Lee were born.

His early life was passed in the Northern Neck, and a part of it amid the stirring events of the second war with England. The British land and naval forces were for a considerable period within a few miles of hishome. A British fleet, under Admiral Cockburn, ravaged the shores of the Chesapeake, and on the 29th of August 1814, the city of Alexandria, then in the District of Columbia, was captured by the enemy’s vessels, and soon after, a part of Maryland, and Washington City were occupied. These events oecurring so near the home of young Lee, could not fail to exercise a marked influence upon him.

When he was twelve years old his father died. In 1825, Robert Lee entered the Military Academy at West Point. There he remained four years, graduating in 1829. From the first he rose to the head of his class, and retained this ‘‘ stand ” until he left the Academy. During his whole course he never received a demerit, and was never reprimanded. ‘This will be better appreciated by those who understand the demerit system than by the general reader, for the former will readily comprehend how much it is in the power of the Cadet and Academic officers to give demerits to those who least deserve them. ‘The treedom of young Lee from those marks, is a striking proof of the high esteem in which he was held by his comrades. He was noted for his studious habits, and exemplary conduct ; he never drank intoxicating liquors, used tobacco, or indulged in any of the petty vices so popular with young men.

On the 4th of July 1829, Robert E. Lee was graduated first in his class, and received the appointment of Brevet-Second Lieutenant in the corps of Topographical Engineers, to which branch of the service the most distinguished graduates of the West Point Academy are assigned.

After a brief furlough, Lieutenant Lee entered upon the duties of his profession, being employed for several years upon the coast defences of the United States. In 1835 he was appointed assistant astronomer for the demarcation of the boundary line between the States of Ohio and Michigan.

In 1832, Lieutenant Lee married Mary, daughter of George Washington Parke Custis, and grand-daughter of the wife of Washington. By this marriage the young officer became at a subsequent period the proprietor of Arlington House, in Alexandria County, Virginia, opposite Washington City, and of the White House on the Pamunkey River, the scene of the marriage of Washington with ‘the widow Custis,” which was wantonly burned by the Federal army in 1862. Three sons and four daughters were the fruits of this marriage, namely: George Washington Custis, William Henry Fitzhugh, and Robert Edward, and Mary, Anne, Agnes and Mildred. The first and second sons were Major-Generals in the Confederate army, and the youngest entered the service as a private, and was promoted to a staff appointment. One of the daughters, Anne, died during the war.

On the 21st of September 1836, Robert Lee was made First Lieutenant, and in July 1838, Captain of Engineers. In 1844 he was a member of the Board of Visitors to the West Point Academy, and in 1845 a member of the Board of Engineers.

The Mexican War now broke out, and Captain Lee was assigned to the Central army in Mexico, as Chief-Engineer under General Wool, which position he held throughout the whole campaign under General Scott.

Early in the year 1847, General Scott commenced to collect forces on the island of Lobos for an expedition against the city and castle of Vera Cruz. On the 9th of March 1847, the American army landed near Vera Cruz, and the next day began the investment of the city. The work was commenced by General Worth, and was carried on successfully. Batteries, were erected by the engineers at points commanding the city, and armed with siege and naval guns. The bombardment began on the 22d of March, and in a few days the town and castle surrendered.

Captain Lee rendered important service during the siege. General Scott, quick to appreciate his military genius, at an early day selected him to be one of his personal staif, and always sought his opinion in the Council, attaching great weight to it, and we have, in the recently published autobiography of the veteran soldier, his own testimony regarding the valuable aid which he received from Lee. Referring to his first council at Vera Cruz, he says:

‘In my little Cabinet, however, consisting of Colonel Totten, Chief Engineer; Lieutenant-Colonel Hitcheock, Acting Inspector General; Captain R. E. Lee, Engineer; and First Lieutenant Henry L. Scott, Acting Adjutant General, I entered fully into the question of storming parties and regular siege approaches. A death-bed discussion could hardly have been more solemn.” Concerning the service rendered by Captain Lee, during the siege, he says: ‘‘I am compelled to make special mention of Captain R. E. Lee, Engineer. ‘This officer greatly distinguished himself at the siege of Vera Cruz.”

After the surrender of Vera Cruz, the American army advanced towards the City of Mexico. The enemy made a stand at Cerro Gordo, and on the 18th of April, after a hard fought 3 battle, Scott was again victorious. Concerning the part borne by Captain Lee in this engagement, the Old Soldier writes

‘‘ Hearing that Twiggs, supported by Patterson, found himself confronted at Plan del Rio, some fifty miles in the interior, by a strong body of the enemy, and that both divisions were desirous of my presence, I left Vera Cruz on the 12th of April, with a small escort of Cavalry, under Captain Philip Kearney, (who fell in 1862, a distinguished Major General), and hastened to the front. Major-General Patterson, though quite sick, had assumed the command on joining Twiggs, in order to prohibit any aggressive movement before my arrival, according to the universal wish of the troops. No commander was ever received with heartier cheers, —the certain presage of the victories that followed.

‘¢ The two advanced divisions lay in the Valley of the Plan del Rio, and the body of the enemy about three miles off, on the heights of Cerro Gordo. Reconnoissances were pushed in search of some practicable route, other than the winding, zigzag road among the spurs of mountains, with heavy batteries at every town. ‘The reconnoissances were conducted with vigor under Captain Lee, at the head of a body of pioneers; and, at the end of the third day, a passable way for light batteries was accomplished, — without alarming the enemy, — giving the possibility of turning the extreme left of his line of defence, and eapturing his whole army, except the reserve, that lay a mile or two higher up the road. Santa Anna said that he had not believed a goat could have approached him in that direction. Hence the surprise and the results were the greater.

‘* The reconnoissance begun by Lieutenant Beauregard was continued by Captain Lee, Engineer, and a road made along difficult slopes, and over chasms, out of the enemy’s view, though reached by his fire when discovered — until arriving at the Mexican lines, further reconnoissances became impossible without action. The desired point of the debouchure, the Jalapa road, was not, therefore, reached, though believed to be within easy distance; and to gain that point it now became necessary to carry the heights of Cerro Gordo. * * * * * * Twiggs’ division, reénforced by Shield’s brigade of volunteers, was thrown into position on the 17th, and was of necessity, drawn into action in taking up ground for its bivouac, and the opposing heights for a heavy battery. It will be seen that many of our officers and men were killed or wounded in this sharp combat — handsomely commenced by a company of the Seventh Infantry, under brevet First Lieutenant Gardner, who was highly praised by all his commanders for signal services. Colonel Harney, coming up with his brigade, brushed away the enemy, and occupied the heights, on which, in the night, was placed a battery of one 24-pounder and two 24-pound howitzers, under the superintendence of Captain Lee, Engineers and Lieutenant Hagner, Ordnance. These guns opened next morning and were served with effect by Captain Steptoe, and Lieutenant Brown, Third Artillery ; Lieutenant Hagner, Ordnance; and Lieutenant Seymour, First Artillery.

«¢* * Tam compelled to make special mention of Captain R. E. Lee, Engineer. ‘This officer * * was again indefatigable during these operations in reconnoissances, as daring as laborious, and of the utmost value. Nor was he less conspicuous in planning batteries, and in conducting columns to their stations, under the heavy fire of the enemy.” *

From Cerro Gordo the army pushed on towards the Capital.

*During one of these reconnoissances Captain Lee ventured so far from his supporting column, (Loring’s Rifles,) that he found himself right in among the enemy. He hastily concealed himself under a fallen tree, near a spring where the Mexicans obtained their supply of water. While he lay there, Mexican soldiers passed and repassed over the tree, and even sat down on it, utterly unconscious of his presence. He remained until darkness enabled him to withdraw in safety.

The direct road to the city had been well fortified, but these defences were skilfully turned by the Americans, and the battles of Contreras, Cherubusco, Molinos del Rey, and Chapultepec placed the city of Mexico in the hands of the victors. I have only room to notice the distinguished part played in these engagements by Captain Lee, and for this I shall again employ the narrative of General Scott. He writes : —

‘¢The same day (August 18, 1847,) a reconnoissance was commenced to the left of San Augustine, first over difficult grounds, and further on over the same field of volcanic matter which extends to the mountain, some five miles from San Antonio, towards Magdalena. The reconnoissance was continued to-day by Captain Lee, assisted by Lieutenants Beauregard and Tower, all of the Engineers, who were joined in the afternoon by Major Smith, of the same corps. Other divisions coming up, Pillow was advanced to make a practicable road for heavy artillery, and Twiges thrown farther in front to cover the operations ; for, by the partial reconnoissance of yesterday, Captain Lee discovered a large corps of observation in that direction, with a detachment of which, his supports of cavalry and foot, under Captain Kearney and Lieutenant-Colonel Graham, respectively, had a successful skirmish. * * * ‘These corps, over the extreme difficulties of the ground, —partly covered with a low forest, — before described, reached Contreras, and found Cadwallader’s brigade in position, observing the formidable movement from the Capital, and much needing the timely reénforcement. * * * Of the seven officers dispatched about sundown from my position, opposite the enemy’s centre, and on this side of the volcanic field, to communicate instructions to the hamlet, not one has succeeded in getting through these difficulties, increased by darkness; they have all returned. But the gallant and indefatigable Captain Lee, of the Engineers, who has been constantly with the operating forces, is (11 o’clock P. M.) just in from Shields, Smith, Cadwallader, etc., to report as above, and to ask that a powerful diversion be made towards the centre of the intrenched camp towards morning.